Stretton

FMarch OCUSCommunity Voice of the Strettons .

Spring is in the Air with the March Hare

March 2009 mag.indd 1 13/2/09 11:47:16 Stretton Focus 2 (founded 1967) In Focus Average monthly sales 1,500 copies (About 65% of households in ) News What’s On in the Strettons in March Chairman 5 Summer Planter Appeal If you wish to know the times of regular meetings of societies and groups, please consult the list of societies and their contacts in the yellow pages. Mike Edmunds 723961 Editors 7 Coppice Leasowes Barbara Vickery 724179 7 Parish Paths Partnership 2 MONDAY Gay Walker 722257 8 Jemma Jumps for Alzheimer’s Flicks in the Sticks Nigel and Liz Strachan 724442 Hilary Jones 781459 8 Stretton Summerfest ‘There Will Be Blood’ Cover Editor 17 Arts Festival News Tickets £3.50, Under 16s £1.00 on the door Yvonne Beaumont 722533 21 Swap Shop 7.30pm CS School Computer Production Barrie Raynor 723928 21 Sth Shrops Furniture Scheme News See Page 27➤ Rowland Jackson 722390 24 Strettons Railway Society Paul Miller 724596 29 Spot the Church Stretton Bag 4 WEDNESDAY Distribution Richard Carter 724106 35 Shopping Survey Long Mynd Camera Club Advertising 37 Stretton Traidcraft Digital Workshop – Details to be confi rmed Graham Young 724647 38 Health Action Group 7.30pm URC Hall Treasurer Robert Woodier 720016 38 Play Area Secretary 38 Primary School News Dorrington Players Drama Group Gloria Carter 724106 41 South Rambles Informal play reading. Refreshments. Directors Mike Edmunds (Chmn), Gloria Carter (Sec), 42 Transport to Art Events 7.30pm A.S. Village Hall Sandie Johnson, Pat Oxtoby, Barrie Raynor (V Chmn), Peter Relph, Lesley Richards, Robert Woodier 42 Cross of St Augustine Award See Page 27➤ (Treas), Peter Wright email address Forthcoming Events 6 FRIDAY [email protected] 4 Mayfair Courses Women’s World Day of Prayer Advertisements 24 Churches Together Lent Groups from Papua New Guinea Rates for block and occasional 24 RSPB 10.30 St Milburga’s Catholic Church advertisements may be obtained (send s.a.e.) from the Advertising Manager, 24 Rushbury Grand Quiz Graham Young, 30 Alison Road, 24 Rushbury School Muck Lug 7 SATURDAY Church Stretton, SY6 7AT, 27 Arts Alive – Shipton RNLI Fish and Chip Supper Tel: 01694 724647 or email [email protected] 27 Jewish Festivals Including talk from Lifeboatman Nick Grice to whom copy should be sent. 27 Ballroom Dancing 7.15 pm for 7.30pm.SHI

The Stretton Focus Management Board cannot 27 Dorrington Players Play Reading See Page 43➤ accept responsibility for any product or service 27 Flicks in The Sticks advertised. Acceptance of an advertisement does not imply any form of approval or recommendation. 27 NT Events Get Up and Tie your Fingers Advertisers are required to comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. 27 Israel – Palestine: the Inside Story Northumberland Theatre Company Submission of articles 27 More Singers Adults £8, Children £4, Family £16 Target If possible, please submit material audience 11+ electronically to 27 The Victorian Farm - Meet the Author [email protected] as an 41 Rotary Concert Tickets from Cate Latchford 01694 723378 attachment with a pertinent title, not 41 Royal British Legion Concert 7.30pm All Stretton Village Hall simply ‘Focus Article’. Typed or legible handwritten copy, discs, CDs with 42 UNA Public Meeting original unimproved digital photographs 43 RNLI Fish and Chip Supper Police Male Voice Choir or good quality glossy photographs may 7.30pm CS School Tickets £6 be left at Wrights, Estate Agent, Sandford Avenue clearly labelled ‘Stretton Focus’. Regular Features See Page 41➤ All copy must be received by noon on the 2 What’sOn date below. Disclaimer 4 Mayfair Lottery 8 SUNDAY Stretton Focus prints a wide range of articles 8 Trivia Corner Discovering more about Jewish Festivals and letters. The views expressed by signed articles are those of their authors and not necessarily those of the 11 Town Council Matters 6pm Methodist Church CS Management Board. 17 Gardening in March See Page 27➤ Copy day 18 Anglican Voice is normally the fi rst Monday of the month. 21 Methodist Voice Rushbury School Annual Muck Lug For the April issue it is Monday 2nd 21 Thank You Good quality farmyard manure delivered March (12 noon). 21 Where is it? Photo Quiz straight to your garden For the May issue it will be Monday 6th March 2009 April. 24 Catholic Voice See Page 24➤ 34 Letters The April Stretton Focus will be distributed on Friday 27th March Outlets Stretton Focus may be purchased by annual subscription (delivered) or directly from Newsworld (Sandford Avenue), Co-op, Spar, Longmynd Filling Station (A49), Visitor Information Centre (Church St) and the Churches. ‘Lucy Hare’ © This month’s cover This month’s “Bird” Diane Williams Diane “Bird” Painting by local artist © 2009 Stretton Focus Limited Registration No. 6237590 Inc in

Registered Offi ce: 49 Road, [email protected] Email: Church Stretton, SY6 6AD ISSN 1479–7356 StrETTON FOcUS StrETTON Printed by WPG, Welshpool

March 2009 mag.indd 2 13/2/09 11:47:17 What’s On in the Strettons in March 3 If you wish to know the times of regular meetings of societies and groups, please consult the list of societies and their contacts in the yellow pages.

9 MONDAY 14 SATURDAY 19 THURSDAY Shropshire Literary Society Wildlife walk along Churches Together in the Strettons “The Name and Nature of Poetry” 11.00am at Brynderwen Bridge, Abermule Israel-Palestine: the inside story. - talk A talk by Preb. Philip Harratt MA 7.00 p.m. CS Methodist Church 7.30pm CS Library (rear entrance) Quiz Night with Ken Willis See Page 27➤ Tickets £5 from 722713 or 723255 10 TUESDAY 7.30pm SHI 20 FRIDAY Church Stretton Women’s Institute The Phoenix WM Brass Band Concert “Host of Golden Daffodils” Pam and David More Singers Concert, Tickets £7 7.30pm Pittwood “Centenary Celebration II”: CS School 7.15pm SHI 7.30 pm at the United Reformed Church, See Page 27➤ See Page 27➤ Methodist Wives and Friends WI Country Market Donald Horsfi eld reads his favourite poetry National Trust 8.45am Mayfair Restarts today 8.00 pm Methodist Hall ‘Carbon Challenge’ - 2.00-3.00pm Chalet Pavilion CMV 21 SATURDAY 11 WEDNESDAY See Page 27➤ Churches Together in the Strettons Church Stretton Methodist Network Coffee Morning in aid of Ecumenical Peace Rev Tony and Iley Hearle – West Africa. 15 SUNDAY Initiative in Palestine and Israel (EPIPI) 2.30 pm Methodist Church Hall Alex Langlands: “Tales from a 10.00am – Noon Parish Centre, Victorian Farm” Queries – Mary Smith 723328 ‘Birds of the Shropshire Borders’ 2.00pm Methodist Church Tickets £4 in by T.W. Edwards advance from Burway Books: 723388 Grand Quiz 7.30pm at the Shrops Hills Discovery Centre See Page 27➤ Teams and individuals welcome. Tickets £5 See Page 24➤ Phone 771291 or 771540. 16 MONDAY 7.30pm Rushbury Village Hall Strettons Art Society Charity Quiz See Page 27➤ Mood & Atmosphere in the Landscape using by Ken Willis in aid of the Air Ambulance Pastels with Mick Gilmore 7.30 CS & District Social Club 23 MONDAY 7.00pm CS School, Shropshire Ornithological Society Stretton Climate Care “Breeding Birds of Southern England” A talk Flicks in the Sticks Quiz Night £2 including light refreshments by Graham Wren “Elegy” 7.30 p.m. Buck’s Head, Church Stretton £2.00 including refreshments Hope Bowdler Village Hall 7.30 7.30pm Methodist Church Tickets £4 and £2 Refreshments 17 TUESDAY Countrywomen’s Guild Flicks in the Sticks 12 THURSDAY “With courage, anything is possible” “Mamma Mia” (rearranged) International Concert Talk about the story of the RNLI 7.30 pm CS School 7.30pm Concord College, Acton Burnell by Lance Jackson See Page 27➤ 2.15pm Parish Centre

13 FRIDAY 24 TUESDAY 2009 March Church Stretton Senior Citizens All Stretton Women’s Institute Church Stretton and District Annual General Meeting “Pictures in Harmony” Flower Club 2.30pm URC Hall by Ian and Hilary Templeton Members Night “Ready, Steady, Arrange!” 7.30pm AS Village Hall 7.30pm AS Village Hall All Stretton Flicks in the Sticks “ Happy Go Lucky” UNA Meeting. ‘What’s On’ continued on next page Tickets on door £4. Interval refreshments, Speaker Professor Lalage Bown OBE StrETTON FOcUS 7.30pm AS Village Hall 7 00pm Concord College, Acton Burnell. See Page 27➤ See Page 42➤

“Real England - Real Shropshire” 18 WEDNESDAY Presentation by Paul Kingsnorth author of Methodist Network Group “Real England” Jon Cooke, Climate Care ,6.30pm for 7pm Methodist Church. Mem- 2.30pm Methodist Church Hall bers £3. Non-members £5. Long Mynd Camera Club Competition No 4, Subject “Refl ections” 7.30pm URC Hall Except yellow pages

March 2009 mag.indd 3 13/2/09 11:47:18 4

Stretton Hills in the snow

25 WEDNESDAY 29 SUNDAY Methodist Network Group Coppice Leasowes Nature Reserve Digital Photography Malcolm Loft – With the National Trust Open Event Day in conjunction with SWT. 2.30pm Methodist Church Hall 10.30am – 3.30pm Coppice Leasowes - moving on See Page 7➤ 27 FRIDAY re you a little disappointed Church Stretton Senior Citizens 30 MONDAY with your Digital Photography An Afternoon with Bob Smith Shropshire Literary Society results? AThis 12 hour course will guide you 2.30pm URC Hall “ for mine own part, it was Greek to me” Homer and the English Poets through some of the techniques 28 SATURDAY A talk by Julian Smith BA; M.Ed needed to transform ordinary ‘Rocks Make the Landscape’ - Visitors welcome £2 with refreshments. everyday photographs into something Explore the Geology of Caer Caradoc, walk 7.30pm CS Library (rear entrance) a little more special. and talk led by Dr. Peter Toghill and Andrew Jenkinson. £4 31 TUESDAY You will learn to: 10.00-1.30pm. Booking essential. 722631 Church Stretton and District • Use programme and manual See Page 27➤ Gardening Club settings to best effect ‘The True Cottage Garden’ Kim Hurst • Fully appreciate and use Leebotwood Spring Ceilidh 7.00pm SHI composition to improve your with live band “The Melomanics” photographs Price is £7 per adult and £3.50 per child. 1 APRIL WEDNESDAY • Understand and use both natural Tickets from Zanna on 751720. Methodist Network Group and artificial light to better effect 7.30 pm Leebotwood Village Hall Rev Joseph Gomez • Produce effective photographs of 2.30pm Methodist Church Hall people and still-life/ landscapes

March 2009 Plested and Brown • Enhance your photographs using present their latest, hilarious show Adobe Photoshop Health and Stacey • Make a successful inkjet print 7.30pm Shipton Village Hall Suitable for reasonably confident See Page 27➤ computer users who wish to improve their photography at all levels. To run in April date tba £38

January 2009 Beginner’s I.T. course also starts £100 450 £50 66 March for 7 weeks £35 £20 300 £10 460 please contact Jackie Mantle at Mayfair on 01694 722077 StrETTON FOcUS StrETTON

March 2009 mag.indd 4 13/2/09 11:47:19 Running Free in the Strettons 5 he Strettons have two active clubs for people who The Mercia Fell Running Club have a preference for running as a main form of The opportunity to meet with members immediately after exercise and competition. The Longmynd Runners their training night run was in the warmth and comfort of the meetT outside the Scout Hut in Church Street on a Thursday bar in the Ragleth Inn, Little Stretton. Twenty plus runners had evening, all year round. The Mercia Fell Running Club just returned from running across the fells on the Longmynd in prefers Tuesday evenings for training and meets outside the pitch black of night and in the middle of winter. Equipped the Co-op in Lion Meadow, again, all year round. As one with head-torches, reminiscent of a miner’s safety light on the member said, “Once you are into running as a hobby, it helmet, the exhilaration each runner felt from running over the is like a drug – it is difficult to give up”. Running may fells in a bitter wind was palpable. “When you are hooked on be one of the leading sports where amateur athletes can fell running, if you stop for even a short while, you get all ratty rightly claim the maximum condition of fitness in body, with other people” was the view offered by one member and mind and spirit for endorsed by many the minimum of others financial expense. The freedom The Stretton of space and environment in being at one with spring, summer, nature are both autumn and winter telling factors on merely enriches the why people are experience for all attracted to fell involved. running. It was Longmynd said that ramblers Runners experience the A group of same sort of about ten regular feeling in their and local runners chosen sport. have been pounding Ramblers and the roads and fell runners pavements in are sensed to the Church Stretton area since the middle of last year. be kindred spirits despite the dramatic difference in the This relatively new Club is available for anyone to join. nature of activity. Fell runners claim exhilaration, a sense John Tearle, who is the organiser of Longmynd Runners, of achievement, informality, family-orientation and total emphasizes that all runners have to start somewhere and, lack of pretension as key characteristics of their sport. Phil whatever current standard has been reached, a welcome Harris, one of the leaders, also pointed out the importance exists for all to join in. John himself is an experienced of a good relationship with the National Trust. Dave Cowell runner having completed six marathons, three in the last from NT was singled out for special mention in this context. twelve months, and says “running is a pleasure whether it is The Fell Running Calendar of competition is very undertaken in a team or as an individual, whatever the mood impressive. The first race of the coming season starts takes you”. in Carding Mill Valley at Gareth Jones has been a runner for over 20 years. “It is 1.00pm on the 7th March Interested? a wonderful and intimate experience of the body covering and is known as ‘The Readers who may be the ground. Once fit and running well, it feels like floating Carding Mill Canter’. The interested in finding out on air”. Gareth finds the total running experience to be Mercia Club gave several more about running very relaxing and a kind of release with the head sorting-out indications of the high in the Strettons should

problems and worries of the day without really trying. standard already achieved by contact either John Tearle 2009 March Naomi Watson’s view is quite different. Naomi sees its runners as well as being (01694 723197 or 07966 running as an opportunity to switch off completely by members of the Fell Running 433267) or Phil Harris engaging in a physical activity that is completely different Association, the National (01694 771674) for from the ‘day-job’. Naomi says, “The Longmynd Runners’ Body for the sport. further information. club is a good place to start” In due course Naomi may Man on the Run progress to fell running but not just yet. Photo by John Corfield St R ETTON FO C US Summer Floral Planters 2009

he Town Council provided winter planters again The cost of one planter for the summer season, with last year, with continuing (and much appreciated) maintenance, will be approximately £120, and so any financial assistance from traders, businesses, donation, however small, would be greatly appreciated. organisationsT and residents. We are now looking at the cost Please write to the Town Clerk, 60 High Street, of the provision of summer plants for 16 pole-mounted Church Stretton with your donation promise. planters, together with four hanging baskets and three The Town Council is extremely grateful to all those troughs for the Square, and are seeking donations from local who have contributed in the past and hope that local businesses, organisations and individuals in order to help generosity will continue this year. provide the best display possible. Mrs CM Harvey, Town Clerk

March 2009 mag.indd 5 13/2/09 11:47:20 Church Stretton Parish Paths Partnership (P3) 7

3 has had a busy year in 2008. Volunteers have put in stile on this route was also replaced and immediately tested nearly 300 hours of work to maintain our local network by a walking party. Fortunately it passed! P3 members put up of footpaths and bridleways. The wet summer encouraged Waymarks for all these promoted routes. P3 also maintains its lushP growth of vegetation that encroached onto many paths. representation on the Shropshire Way project. Much of P3’s work this summer has involved cutting back Elsewhere we have repaired stiles and replaced missing this vegetation, mainly bracken, on the Long Mynd and Caer or rotten fingerposts. P3 members also maintain the yellow Caradoc. Bracken has now been cut back on some paths for footpath and blue bridleway discs. Materials for these jobs are three years and as a result the paths are becoming much clearer supplied to us from the County Council’s Countryside Access as the weakened bracken fails to grow back as quickly. It is nice Team. Getting to know about these jobs is done through our to see people taking advantage of these paths. team of footpath surveyors. All the paths and bridleways in the Strettons are walked twice a year and the state of the paths discussed at twice-yearly meetings. We also welcome input from interested groups such as the Rambler’s Association and Long Mynd Riders Association at these meetings. This year we have said farewell to three of our path surveyors. Derek and Sue Bartlett have given many years of service to P3 and conscientiously reported on the state of paths in the north of the Strettons. Their reports have always been concise and detailed. Wally Blake has also left us, having surveyed the paths towards the south of the area and given sterling service for many years. They have all contributed to the work parties. P3 and walkers in the Strettons owe them all a great deal of thanks for their hard work. It is very pleasing that we have found enthusiastic new members, to take on their work. We have also had a number of new members joining our work parties. Lesley McIntyre, who has been our liaison with the Town Council for many years, left the council last year. P3 would like to thank her for all her help and The involvement of P3 in Walkers are Welcome (WaW) encouragement over the years. Her role has been taken over has led us further afield. We agreed to maintain all the paths on by Cllr. Richard Hickman and P3 look forward to working the routes promoted by WaW. The longest of these routes runs with him over the coming years. from Church Stretton to Cardington. One particular path on If you come across a problem on a path or bridleway Hope Bowdler Hill suffered badly from encroachment by tall please let me know and we’ll see if P3 can sort it out. Perhaps bracken in the summer months. Although this path lies outside you’d like to help us maintain our local rights of way? If so the Strettons we opened it up and will continue to maintain it contact me on 725571 and other paths in this area in years to come. A rather wobbly Dick Ward, Co-ordinator, CS Parish Paths Partnership Coppice Leasowes Nature Reserve rogressive work has been undertaken on several areas Leasowes Nature Reserve in conjunction with SWT. For of the reserve, by the employment of a contractor for further information contact me on 722533. the new wetland area, the employment of our Council Cllr Tom Beaumont, Chairman CLMG workforce,P and also a volunteer workforce over the past six months. From the grant money of £4,500 donated by the Partnership, this amount has been spent in full. In addition to this amount other money was added to from the C/L Management Fund, for the ongoing maintenance work. The 2009 March new Wetlands area in the north end of the West meadow, should start to develop much better in the Spring/Summer period, and the watercourses in both meadow areas have been suitably cleared, and made free-flowing. As one can now see we have installed ‘New

Awareness’ notice boards in both meadows with St R ETTON FO C US colourful inserts, and will gradually add to this information throughout the reserve for interest and educational purposes. An amount was given to the Tree Group from the grant money, and there has been a recent planting session by the volunteer working group. We entered into a joint venture with the Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) to obtain the grant, and this arrangement has proved most The ‘Working Party’ of volunteers from left to right, Tom Beaumont, successful for the future enhancement and growth Lesley and Paul Godwin, Jan Heaney, Barbara Vickery, Trevor and Barbara of the Nature Reserve. Halsey, who distributed nearly six tons of stone chippings at various gateway An ‘Open Event Day’ will be held on Sunday entrances and pathways. Photo by Yvonne Beaumont, also in the working 29th March from 10.30am – 3.30pm in Coppice party.

March 2009 mag.indd 6 13/2/09 11:47:21 8

Saturday 20th June 2009 10.00am - 5.00pm

******************** A community event in the town organised by the Chamber of Trade Drinks and local produce, music, dancing, children’s entertainment …… in stalls, halls & marquees - with a grand evening event after 5.00pm…more details to follow! If YOU want to showcase YOUR organisation, sell your wares, sing, dance, make music or entertain, then phone Eileen on 720086 now!

Some of the people already signed up: Acorn, Acton Scott, AONB, Army Cadets, Belly Dancers, Berry’s, Bucks Head, Burway Books, National Trust CMV, C.S.School, Church Preen Maypole Dancers, Churches, Climate Care, CPRE, CSATG, Co-Op, Entertaining Elephants, Fair Trade, Fire Brigade, Flicks in the Sticks, Hog Roast, Kings Arms, Longmynd Camping, Longmynd Hotel, Mayfair, Middletons, Morris & Clog Dancers, Mr Bun the Baker, Mynd Art & Toys, Peppermint Patti, Police, Price’s Pet Shop, Rainbows End, Ring & Ride, Scouts, SSDD, Shampers, John R Thomas, Town Council, Tree Group, van Doesburg’s, Victoria House, Woods Brewery, Wrights. Jemma Jumps for Alzheimer’s local midwife is facing her fears and jumping out of a him by whilst also raising some much needed money.” plane to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. In order to cover the costs of all the training and use of A Jemma Morris, 21, of High Street, Church Stretton, equipment, a minimum of £395 needs to be raised, with £120 of this going towards the Society. However, any excess funds will go direct to the society which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The money that Jemma raises will go towards a range of projects including the Society’s helpline, new research and a range of services to support people affected by dementia. Jo Swinhoe, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Alzheimer’s Society said: “We are delighted that Jemma is taking on this brave challenge to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. “As a charity, we rely on the generosity of individuals like Jemma to help us care for people today and find a cure for tomorrow.” Anyone wishing to sponsor Jemma should contact her either on (01694) 724492 or (07525) 828182. March 2009 Trivia Corner No 64 by Ken Willis 1. Goldie is the name of the reserve rowing team of plans to complete the tandem jump in April next year at which university? Whitchurch Parachute Centre, having completed months 2. What is the tallest fence on the Grand National of training. Having seen her granddad pass away earlier this course at Aintree? year from Alzheimers and with her grandmother currently in 3. Who was the Labour leader when Mrs. Thatcher the later stages of the disease, Jemma was determined to do won her third election? something to help others with dementia. 4. Who on 1990s TV were Sky, Hawk, Nightshade, Said Jemma: “I am doing it because of the experiences Jet & Sabre? my family has been through as a result of Alzheimer’s. I knew 5. What was the name of the first hospital drama to that my granddad would have done something this mad to appear on British TV?

StrETTON FOcUS StrETTON raise money, so in a way I am doing something to remember

March 2009 mag.indd 7 13/2/09 11:47:23 Church Stretton Town Council - Community Matters 11 Traffic Management and inserts, new entrance gate and upgrading the gate access It is hoped that firm proposals from SCC will enable the points and pathways etc. There will be an ‘Open Day’ event Traffic Management Implementation Team (TIMIT) to in conjunction with the Shropshire Wildlife Trust on Sunday make recommendation to Council in April for options to be 29th March 2009. Please see separate article and full details progressed. This will be followed by a six week consultation in this month’s issue of Focus. public period. It is likely to be October 2009 before any final Affordable Housing decisions are made. The cost of any work will be taken out Lutwyche Road: Although four units for rent have nearly of the SCC budget of £200k for transport enhancement at reached completion these will not be released until June Church Stretton and . 2009. This is because the remaining two cottages can now Discussions have been held with the Highways Agency be demolished to include a further housing unit and the regarding the A49 and with the local Highways Authority new public toilets. The delay has caused additional expense on other roads in and around Church Stretton. These and general inconvenience for the much needed affordable discussions have been necessary due to the increased accommodation requirements. movement of construction traffic on the various projects Watling Street North: The first units will not be available which are currently taking place and the foreseen need for until April/May 2009 due to a delay by Severn Trent. The additional traffic calming measures on the A49 once the intersection from the development (to be known as Leasowes Watling Street North development is occupied. Close) with Watling Street North and Helmeth Road should Cunnery Road Cemetery Project be constructed and installed sometime in March/April 2009. This project to restore the cemetery in Cunnery Road to its No more information on when the other 15 units will be former Victorian glory has now been completed. The £20k constructed has yet been received. from the Heritage Lottery has been well spent in restoring Ashbrook development: Further to the meeting with the lime and mortar stone wall, installing a disabled access residents, contractors and highways officers etc held on 28th and improving pathways; producing an interpretation board January 2009 at the SHI, the contractor commenced on site and, with help from families of the deceased, restoring many during February. The Traffic Management Plan is still on-going. of the gravestones. There are still some gravestones which Planning matters need attention and these will be done over the next few years Full details of District Council decisions and current on a rolling programme. Sincere thanks go to all volunteers planning applications can be viewed in the Council Office including the National Trust, Caring for God’s Acre, Lesley window at 60 High Street and on the Town Council website McIntyre and Sandie Johnson. (www.churchstretton.co.uk) or at A photographic display will be in the Parish Centre on www.southshropshire.gov.uk 1st March and then for the next few weeks will be in PCB There is a straight forward process to follow when going solicitors’ window and the Library. on line to the District Council website: Having visited the site, if anyone would like to be 1 at the top of HOME page under the alphabet line, there involved in its on-going restoration and maintenance as part is a box’ with the words ‘Quick Links’ and an arrow of a ‘Special Interest’ group, please contact the Town Council alongside. Click on the arrow and from the drop-down office (722113) or Lesley McIntyre (723427) or Sandie menu select ‘Planning Online’. Johnson (724273) 2 New Page: Click on the blue heading (half-way down Pavilion at Russells Meadow the page): ‘South Shropshire District Council Planning Fundraising is now well underway in order to make this Explorer’. project a reality. Planning permission was granted in January 3 New Page: From the list on the left-hand side select and so this enables the Council to seek funding from the ‘Quick Search’ and then ‘Specific Application’. Football Foundation and other sources. The local football 4 New Page: in the box, enter the planning application and cricket clubs are also getting busy in order to raise a number in full format (eg 1/08/12345/F) and click on percentage of the build cost as match funding. ‘Search’.

Council Committees 5 New Page: shows summary details and current status of 2009 March The Council has re-named some of its committees in application. Click on the application number. order to encompass the ever-changing demands and 6 New Page: full application details, Go to the bottom of requirements being made by Government and to enable the page and click on ‘Documents’. implementation of the Town Plan. 7 New Page: Lists document names and links to all The Market & Community Regeneration Committee documentation relating to application, including plans is now the Economic Development Committee and the etc. Click on appropriate link in left-hand column for

Outdoor Amenities Committee has been re-named the document required (ie link for ‘Decisions’ for full details StrETTON FOcUS Amenities Committee. of the Planning Permission or Refusal). A reminder to all residents that the Council’s Annual Hope this helps – keep in a safe place for reference! Assembly will be held on 28th April 2009 at the Silvester Mrs Christine Harvey, Town Clerk Horne Institute at 7pm. The annual reports of the work of Cllr Tom Beaumont, Town Councillor the Council will be presented and the public will have the opportunity to ask questions. All are welcome. Coppice Leasowes Local Nature Reserve As some of you will have noticed if you have recently been to this area, several changes have been introduced over the past three to four months. We have now spent all of the grant money from the South Shropshire Partnership on the new Th e Offi cial Church Stretton web site is at wetland area, new tree and hedge planting, awareness boards www.churchstretton.co.uk

March 2009 mag.indd 8 13/2/09 11:47:23 Gardening in March Arts Festival News 17 he busiest time in the garden homas became County begins now with seed sowing Surveyor in 1787 and is very near the top of the undoubtedly one of Shropshire’s France and Devon to Italy. We can ‘Things to do’ list. greatestT adopted sons. His legacy is T promise you a non-stop, sophisticated Vegetables still all around us in the shape of roads, and very funny evening of cabaret. Harvest the last bridges, canals, aqueducts and even In this article we are of the parsnips, leeks churches. Richard Bifield, from the concentrating on events other than and sprouts. Purple Telford Corporation, is an expert on concerts. We wrote earlier about sprouting should last the great man and was in charge of the Patricia Hartshorne’s return to us for a week or two celebrations of the 250th anniversary of after her wonderful performance in more. Prepare seed beds by raking Telford’s birth, with 50 separate events, Me and Marlene last year. This year the soil, which has hopefully been and many illustrated talks. she takes two parts in Alternative covered with plastic to warm and dry Medicine, a play reminiscent it out. Sow broad beans, early peas in many ways of Alan and carrots and plant onion sets and Bennett’s Talking Heads. shallots. First early potatoes can be We also have an Illyria planted later this month if the soil is production of Mowgli from not too wet and cold – otherwise wait the Jungle Book coming up a week or so. but we shall give details of Fruit that in a later article Protect early blossom with fleece if In the last issue of possible. Feed soft fruit with a general- Focus, Richard Walker gave purpose or high potash fertilizer. details of the musical events, Apply mulch, especially around opening with Emma Johnson currants. Prune gooseberries. and finishing with Kenny Flowers Ball. There is already much Feed beds and borders, including interest in both of these bulbs as they appear. Hardy annuals events, so this is a reminder can be sown either in pots or direct that if you are a Friend onto spare patches – these do not of the Festival, you enjoy require a particularly fertile soil and priority booking, reserved will grow anywhere. Permanent seats at Stretton events and containers will benefit from having peace of mind….and the the top two or three inches of soil pleasure of knowing that replaced with fresh compost and some you are supporting such a fertilizer. Now is a good time to plant very worthwhile community or move conifers and other evergreen shrubs. Prune roses and shrubs which Richard is joining us to give his flower on new growth (also late- talk on Telford in Shropshire. For those flowering clematis). who would like to follow it up he is Lawns conducting a coach tour of many of Moss will be evident now and can the sites, including Cantlop Bridge, be removed with a lawn rake. Check Shrewsbury Abbey, Longdon-on-Tern the mower, setting the blades high, Aqueduct, Newport Town Lock, St

ready for light mowing as soon as Leonard’s Church, Malinslee and many 2009 March conditions allow. more. There will be a break for tea at the Greenhouse Mere Park Garden Centre. Numbers will Ventilate on sunny days, closing be limited for the coach tour, so it will pay down about mid-afternoon to to book early. Both are afternoon events. retain any heat. Cut back fuchsias, Further details of all the events are on our pelargoniums and other perennials in website www.strettonfestival.org.uk pots and water carefully to start them Now for something completely StrETTON FOcUS into growth. Re-pot begonia tubers different; we hope to welcome you to and any cuttings taken last month ShooShooBaby. This is a witty and which have rooted. Sow tomatoes, fast moving cabaret act, performed to peppers and tender annuals such as great acclaim by Tanya Holt and Anna cosmos and summer bedding plants. Braithwaite, with the help of their The warmer conditions will encourage longsuffering (male) pianist. Those of us aphids and other pests – be vigilant! who have seen this act, at Ludlow and the This month’s meeting is on Edinburgh Festival, know just how good celebration. The cost is very Tuesday March 31st at 7.30pm. Our they are. They have received rave reviews reasonable, at £5.00 for an individual, speaker is Mrs Kim Hurst talking on everywhere they have performed, ranging £7.50 for a couple. Gloria Carter, on ‘The True Cottage Garden’. from Scotland to the City of London, 724106, can arrange this for you. CS & District Gardening Club Teesdale to Berlin, to George Roby

March 2009 mag.indd 9 13/2/09 11:47:24 18 The Regal Cinema

o you remember the cinema in Church Stretton? It regular night each week to various village halls, including stood where the Spar supermarket is now, and belonged Rushbury, Munslow, Acton Scott, Clive, Wattlesborough and to Mr J N Robson of Craven Cinemas, Craven Arms. Ticklerton. TheD other cinemas in the circuit were at Ludlow, We had twin Carpenter projectors - no stopping to change and Ledbury. Three films were shown each week. the reels. It was a very successful venture and the house was packed out when any George Formby was showing. One of our patrons was a retired Major who used to arrive in his Rolls Royce and sit cross-legged on the Village Hall floor rolling with laughter. One evening when the power went off Denis went looking for the fuse box, only to hear the audience shouting ‘You need some two bobs for the meter!’ I was both cashier and usherette. After two or three years an Entertainment Tax was introduced which would have raised our ticket price to two shillings, which at that time seemed excessive. Eventually, the grocery business demanded more of our time and Denis wanted to pursue another interest - boats. We developed a fleet of four narrow boats on the . We sold the grocery business and narrow boats in 1981 and on a semi-retired basis we moved to Norfolk where we operated a fleet of three river cruisers. Sadly, Denis died in 1985, but he had achieved his dream of a boat business, which he loved. Barbara Minshall Regal Photo courtesy Tony Crowe Before 1939 my first husband, Denis Smith, and his best pal Ron Wilkes were operators at The Regal, Church Stretton. When they were called up for the war they continued as projectionists in the camp cinemas. Ron served in the Royal Navy and Denis in the Fleet Air Arm. After being demobbed Ron took over the family smallholding at Eaton-under-Heywood. Denis went back to Craven Cinemas as manager of Ludlow (which is where we met in about 1947) and later went as manager to a theatre in Northwich, where we started married life. About two years later, with his father’s health failing, we decided to come home and look after the family’s business, ‘R O Smith, Family Grocer’. Denis’s heart wasn’t in groceries; he always yearned for the cinema. Denis set up a mobile cinema, ‘Salopian Rural Cinemas’, with Ron’s help, and they called on a Anglican Voice

Special’ is the name of the improved so all, including small children, will be able to see better. new service every Sunday at Moving certain items of furniture will enable flexibility 11.05am!‘11.05 Invitation cards are available and already in using the space at the front, making life much easier for interest has been aroused and we have been contemporary worship, school events, concerts and other getting more enquiries for baptisms. This service is for all ages but community use, and I would like to see conferences and other younger ones and families will find this to have a modern feel and suitable events taking place, which by drawing outsiders into to cater better for children, as the children’s groups go with this the area should benefit the local economy. If we can have a service, and there will be songs familiar to those who have been to proper welcome area as well, we shall have a facility which not

March 2009 the all-age services and Garage Praise meetings. only represents the history of our community, but also makes I do very much believe that different styles of worship it a proper focal point for today’s population. I would love to should be encouraged, so we do have a more formal service see people of all ages using this historic building on a regular according to the Common Worship book every Sunday at basis, for which it was designed, namely that people could come 9.30am. This lasts about an hour and is followed by coffee together and know the love of God in its many facets for all in the Parish Centre, which gives opportunity for both kinds of occasions. congregations to mix. I will personally usually be at both So there has been much happening, but I am pleased to say services and we intend to follow the same readings, so the home that the concern for God’s work elsewhere is firmly embedded groups which use the notes based on the Sunday sermons will into the life of the parish, with our weekly Contact sheet having have had similar teaching. The 8am communion service will regular updates from various relief and missionary organisations continue as at present every Sunday. and one of our members playing a key role with Tear Fund at the Further developments have been taking place to make the G20 conference. And all this undergirded with prayer, so it is all church building warm and more comfortable, with improved done for His glory not ours! access to those with pushchairs or in wheelchairs. Visibility will be Richard Hill StrETTON FOcUS StrETTON

March 2009 mag.indd 10 13/2/09 11:47:25 South Shropshire Furniture Scheme Methodist Voice 21 Carpentry and Computer Recycling Learning Emotion has its place! Opportunities in Ludlow ou can’t cut emotion out of life. pportunities are available for people to learn Surely no one would wish to woodwork and computer recycling skills try to remove it from human in Ludlow. Jean Jarvis said, “We provide a personality.Y Wouldn’t life be very sterile Osupportive and inclusive environment, allowing trainees without it? Just think what it would and volunteers to develop at their own pace. Our one- be like if within your family every one to-one learning opportunities for people of all abilities have proved very popular went about doing everything from a and have enabled us to pass on woodwork and computer recycling skills to many cold sense of duty. people. We are looking for people of varying ability, from complete beginners St Valentine’s Day to those who have experience of working with wood. Trainees can make simple has come and gone again items such as ladybird boxes and then move on to the more complex techniques for another year. No of furniture restoration as they gain confidence. The items are passed on to people doubt there were lots of on low incomes or sold in The Renaissance Centre in Ludlow to generate income folk taking a great deal to support our collection and delivery service.” of trouble to explain that they had no The workshops are funded through Shropshire County Council’s Adult and feelings for each other whatsoever. Community Learning programme. If we carry those same thoughts over Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering or for further into our religious and church life we may information can contact us at 7-8 Tower Street, Ludlow, telephone recognise that some folk think any signs 01584 877751, or email [email protected] or visit our web site at of emotion are very bad form. They give www.furniturescheme.co.uk. the impression that any conversion and Jean Jarvis joyous outpouring of the recognition of the ‘Good News’ that Jesus Christ Church Stretton Community Swap Shop brings to the individual is very suspect he first Community Swap Shop was held in Church Stretton School on unless it takes place in the cold room at Sunday 18th January 2009, and it was really encouraging to have 80 the butcher’s. The man who cheers and people (including children) attend. screams at a football match one day, but TItems brought in, and swapped, included CDs, children’s games, bric-a-brac, a is distressed when he sees or hears of a lovely baby crib, suitcases, lampshades, clothes, books, curtains, household items, ‘sinner weeping at the Cross’ the next, etc. Items remaining were collected by the Furniture Scheme, so nothing was and warns of the ‘danger of emotionalism’ wasted. is not really worth our respect. The catering ladies provided a range of sandwiches, tea and coffee and the A famous organist at Harrow whole event was enjoyed by all. School once pleaded with a Salvation With the success of the trial run, it has been decided to hold another Swap Army Band drummer who was banging Shop in the School on Sunday, 5th April 2009 at the requested revised times of his drum so very hard, not to be so 11am to 3pm. loud. His instant reply to the organist Items must be clean, genuinely re-usable and non-hazardous - we cannot whose musical sensibilities were being accept furniture (for the present), electrical items, faulty or illegal goods, assailed, “Bless you sir, since I came underwear and broken items which are not re-usable. Items can be accepted at the to know the Lord I’ve been so happy I School only on the day of the swap shop, ie 5th April, between 11am and 2pm. could bash it to bits”. The team wish to thank members of the Town Council, Stretton School, Jesus Christ came to announce Veolia, South Shropshire Furniture Scheme, visiting Councillors and everyone the offer of God to freely pardon and who supported the first Swap Shop event in any way. fully to bless, isn’t that worth banging a

Eileen Roberts 720086 drum about! 2009 March

Inner Wheel Concert The Inner Wheel Club of Church Stretton would like to thank the people who attended their fund raising concert on 23rd January. We were able to donate £500 to the Renal Unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and £300 to the Alzheimer’s Society. Many thanks for your support. StrETTON FOcUS Anne Tipper, President Royal British Legion On behalf of the Royal British Legion, Church Stretton Branch, I would like to thank all those who gave their time and effort in the fund raising for the 2008 Poppy Appeal. The branch raised £7,075.03 through street collections, house to house collections, static collections and concerts. There will be a concert by the Phoenix Brass Band on Friday 20th March at 7.30 pm at Church Stretton School. For ticket information please phone John Davies on 724703. If you would like to be a Poppy Appeal collector in 2009, please contact John Woolmer on 751245. If you wish to become a member of the Royall British Legion, please contact John Evans on 722400. John Evans, President/Membership Secretary

March 2009 mag.indd 11 13/2/09 11:47:25 22 Stretton’s Pubs The Green Dragon Inn, Little Stretton

his inn, at the southern end of Ludlow Road started life as a 17th century roadhouse. Its wonderful scenic setting, on the slopes of the Long Mynd is spectacular.T Behind the attractive black and white frontage is a charming L-shaped bar, with a cosy bay window seat, roaring real fire and adjoining restaurant. A good selection of ales and the other usual liquid refreshments are available. Parking spaces are available behind the pub and on the road, next to the entrance. There is outdoor seating and a trampoline for everyone’s enjoyment for those of suitable weight! Opening times are between 12pm – 3pm and 6pm – 12am, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, the only difference is 7pm – 12am in the evening. Home-cooked food is served daily from 12pm – 2pm and 6.30 pm – 8.30pm; the evening serving starting at 7pm on Sundays. There are daily specials too, with a Sunday traditional roast option. Dogs are allowed in the bar but are not permitted in the restaurant and must be kept under control. Well-behaved children are welcome. The Ragleth Inn, Little Stretton

et another 17th century gem, The Ragleth Inn is just a bit further along Ludlow Road, towards Church Stretton, boasting similar views as its close neighbour. AnY initial refurbishment in 2005 re-created a lot of the old charm of the interior, exposing the brickwork and beams. A log burner was installed in the lounge, ensuring a truly warm welcome. However, with the return of the original owners, more changes have been made, certainly for the better. The fireplace has been knocked through into the old darts area which extends the lounge and creates a much lighter space, while still retaining the burner. Ales and the usual drinks are always available. The proprietors pride themselves in their home cooking and there are daily specials, except for Sundays but the roasts on those days make up for that! Ample car parking is adjacent and there is a large beer garden to the side and rear of the pub. Opening hours are from 12pm – 3pm and 6.30pm – 12am, seven days a week, with all-day hours on Saturdays and Sundays from about Easter to October. Dogs are allowed in the bar areas and well-behaved children are welcome. The Kings Arms, Church Stretton

e now come into the town of Church Stretton and discover the deceptively spacious Kings Arms on the High Street, also dating from the late 16th or early W17th century. With the new owners taking over in June 2008, a miraculous transformation has taken place and things just go on improving! The original décor still retains its charm and the feeling of a good old-fashioned town ‘pub’ is maintained throughout. All the usual ales etc are available along with one March 2009 or two bottled ‘surprises’ with amazing colours! There is no specific car parking but on-street spaces are available outside, free for up to two hours and there is ample space just further in the town. Themed ‘entertainment’ events and live music are regularly organised and are very popular. There is a large beer- garden to the rear. However, one of the best improvements the new owners have made is serving food, just at the times when no other pub has it available. The menu, although not extensive, is varied and home-cooked, with daily specials. The Kings is shut on Mondays but is open from 12pm – 12am Tuesday to Sunday when food is served from 12pm – 6pm. A warm and cheerful welcome is guaranteed. Dogs are allowed throughout and well-behaved children are welcome. ETTON FO C US St R ETTON

March 2009 mag.indd 12 13/2/09 11:47:26 Stretton’s Pubs 23 The Bucks Head, Church Stretton

ituated in the heart of the town, The Bucks Head in part dates from the 13th century. Also Srecently refurbished, by a major brewer, The Bucks has a new layout and welcoming staff are always on hand. The ‘snug’ also has a dart board, and there is a larger restaurant, although meals can be taken in the bar area as well. The usual ales and drinks are available. The menu is comprehensive and also has daily specials, along with Sunday roasts. There is a beer garden with a heated, covered smokers area. The Bucks also has four en-suite bedrooms. A hearty breakfast is provided. There are visiting darts and domino teams, a regular quiz, live music and the ‘snug’ for example can be reserved for meetings etc, as can any tables for meals. There is ample car parking across the road. Opening times are from 11am – 12pm, Sunday – Thursday and 11am – 1am Friday and Saturday. Lunch is served 12pm – 2.30pm and dinner, 6pm – 9pm, every day. Dogs are only allowed in the beer garden via the outside gate and must be controlled. Well-behaved children are welcome. Old Coppers Malt House, Church Stretton

n original pub, The Crown Inn stood on the present site, and was extended in 1865 to become ‘The Hotel’ which was further developed. Old Coppers Ahas been its name for some time but locals still call it ‘The Hotel’ and the bar retains some of the original charm and features of what must have been a rather grand building. There is a separate bar area, with a pool table and dart board. The lounge is comfortable and a warm welcome from the owner and staff is assured. The usual ales and other drinks are available. Car parking is available at the rear but some of the space is allocated to residents of the flats above part of the building. There is an outdoor seating area and a covered smokers shelter. Coppers has weekly live entertainment, quiz and a ‘fun league’ poker night, along with pool teams etc. Apart from the adjoining Chinese restaurant, food is served in bar daily. English and Chinese lunches are available from 12.20pm – 2.30pm. From 5.30pm – 10.30pm, only Chinese food is served. Opening hours are 12pm – 11pm, Monday – Wednesday, 12pm – 12am Thursday – Saturday and 12pm – 11pm on Sunday. Dogs are not allowed on the premises. Well-behaved children are welcome. 2009 March The Yew Tree, All Stretton

ere we have a traditional village pub that offers a wide range of real ales and food both at lunch times (12 –1.30pm) and in the evenings (7 – 8.30pm, not HMonday evenings), but still retains its character as a ‘local’. St R ETTON FO C US One of the things that many diners appreciate is the chance to have a small portion, which leaves room for a delicious pudding. If you go to the public bar later in the evening, be prepared for good humoured banter but also for some colourful language! Well-behaved dogs and children are allowed – the latter not in the public bar. The Strettons are a great area to enjoy the particular refreshment and enjoyment that all these establishments have to offer and it goes without saying that ‘walkers are welcome’!

Nigel Strachan and Gay Walker. Photographs by Nigel Strachan

March 2009 mag.indd 13 13/2/09 11:47:27 24 Catholic Voice Churches Together in Th e Strettons Journey of faith These three….FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE t took a long time! I was he Lent Groups will be getting under way in homes across the received into the church Strettons as Stretton Focus appears, and will continue until 3rd April (age 78) on 31st August and the beginning of Holy Week. I2008. Or, as a good neighbour TThey are an opportunity for church members and others to study put it: “So, you’ve registered then?” As one together, to enhance friendships across the boundaries of the individual Italian-American author said, writing of his churches, and to make new ones. This is happening all this month. New York Family, “My uncle Luigi was far This year’s ‘York Course’ explores the Apostle Paul’s famous words about too sensitive to sit through a whole Mass faith, hope and love, spoken to a troubled and divided church. It is much but elderly relatives attended because they more than a soothing ode to love. thought it prudent to make peace with The course has been written by Canon John Young, of York Minster. God”. Our Stretton discussion groups will be assisted as desired by comments from In all senses, I had been married to the Dr David Hope, Bishop Tom Wright, The Abbot of Worth, the author and Faith for almost half a century, having been broadcaster Anne Atkins and the Methodist Professor Frances Young. Maybe joined in matrimony with a convert from they will not require much assistance. RWD acting for CTS the Society of Friends, descended from a long line of Yorkshire Quaker doctors. To Th e Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have embraced a Faith that most would he Craven Arms branch of the RSPB has a programme of talks and think poles apart from Quakerism must walks throughout 2009. Events are 50p to Local Group Members and have seemed a leap of faith, as indeed living £2 to non-members. with a Catholic was for me, a committed ComingT up: Brummie Puritan. 11 March – ‘Birds of the Shropshire Borders’, an illustrated talk by T.W. Edwards. I gave myself three years in order 7.30pm at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms. to consider conversion - it took forty Enquiries: Alvin Botting 01547 540176 eight…… In the intervening half century, 14 March – Wildlife walk along the Montgomery Canal I had told my wife many times that if I 11.00am Park on grass verge near Brynderwen Bridge, Abermule. heard the Requiem Mass by Berlioz in the (Grid reference: SO162953) About 5 miles. Bring picnic. church of the Sacré Coeur in Paris, I would Leaders: Carole and Graham Perry 01584 841076. instantly experience a Pauline conversion. For further information visit our website: That was not to be, but I absorbed a www.rspbsouthshropshire.co.uk gradual spiritual awakening from attending Mass in numerous languages in many of Rushbury School 2009 Muck Lug Europe’s great basilicas, and was always in his is just to let all you garden enthusiasts know that Friends of danger of conversion nearer home when Rushbury School will be in Church Stretton on Sunday 8th March. present at High Mass at John Henry This will be the ideal opportunity to get your good quality farmyard Newman’s Oratory in . manureT delivered straight to your garden. The manure costs £1.50 per However, in the end I settled for the wheelbarrow and should be just the thing to get your vegetables and flowers humility and simplicity of St Milburga’s, looking their best ! which was built in the year of my birth, Please ring Phil or Sue Pugh on 01694 771526 to place your order. If you 1929, and therefore celebrates its eightieth require a larger amount (small trailer or part load) please ring James or Angela anniversary this year. Whenever I derived Woodcock on 01694 724528. some arcane pleasure from criticising the church for its many misdeeds in the past, Grand Quiz, at Rushbury Village Hall my wife would remind me that, despite its blemishes, the essential being of the Saturday, 21st March at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 including refreshments. Bar. Church lay in the Mass which never Raffle. Teams and individuals welcome. Phone 771291 or 771540. changed and was at the heart of worship and the love of God and nothing could alter that. The Mass was always there Th e Strettons Railway Society for you. You could read into it what you The first Church Stretton Model Railway Exhibition wished, extract from it what you needed, he Strettons Railway Society is mounting its first Model Railway

March 2009 knowing that it also allowed space for Exhibition on Saturday 4th April in the Silvester Horne Institute personal reflection, something it shared between 10am and 4pm. It is expected that around ten working with my wife’s previous conviction - a layoutsT will be on display, ranging from the 42 feet long O-gauge model of similarity that she often emphasised. Barmouth Bridge, through a number of OO-gauge layouts, to the N-gauge For me…………..everything is there. model of Bewdley. Also on show will be a model steam rally and working O my Father, Lord of Light fairground, with various displays and demonstrations as well as a trade stand Beloved Majesty, my Image, Myself, and secondhand stall. Entrance costs £2-50, or £1 for under 18s. Children We are One, after all, you and I. under 5 are free. Refreshments will be available. Together we suffer, together we exist, It will also be possible to view the early stages of the Society’s OO-gauge And forever will recreate each other, model of the railway at Church Stretton in the 1940s-60s period. More on Suffer and recreate each other. this item in April. Philip Clark StrETTON FOcUS StrETTON

March 2009 mag.indd 14 13/2/09 11:47:27 Down Stretton Way 27 Victorian Farm - Meet the Author More Singers Concert urway Books presents: Alex Langlands: Centenary Celebration II: Sat. 14th March, 7.30pm “Tales From A Victorian Farm” (as seen on BBC2) at the United Reformed Church, Church Stretton. Come and hear Alex (the young presenter in the This concert by The More singers and soloists, blackB suit and bowler hat) talk about the filming of Richard Walker (organ) and Gay Walker (French Victorian Farm and his experiences whilst running the horn) will celebrate the lives of three famous farm for 12 months. He will be joined by some of the composers. Choral works will include O God, local participants, and will be answering your questions, thou art my God by Purcell, Handel’s The signing copies of the book and DVD. King shall rejoice and Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Sunday 15th March 2009, 2.00pm at the Methodist Praise and Hear my Prayer. Richard Walker Church, Watling Street South, Church Stretton will perform a Mendelssohn sonata and Gay Tickets: £4 in advance, £5 on the door (to include cup Walker will perform Romanza from the 4th Horn of tea), available from Burway Books. Contact details: Concerto by Mozart. The programme will also 01694 723388 or www.burwaybooks.co.uk include Handel’s Organ Concerto in G minor. Richard Clements Arts Alive Plested and Brown with their latest, hilarious Ballroom Dancing The All Stretton show……Health and Stacey Ballroom Dance Club will continue in March on Tickets: Adults £6, Children £4, Family(2+2) £18 Wednesday evenings starting at 7.30pm. Students, Bookings: 01584 841230 / 01746 712330 beginners and improvers will be welcome. £5 per Shipton Village Hall. Sat 28th March, 7.30pm couple per session. Please call Len on 724030

The Dorrington Players Jewish Festivals The Dorrington Players Drama Group will You’ve probably heard of the Passover Feast but what continue with their informal play readings on about Purim or Rosh Hashanah? These are Jewish the first Wednesday of March, April, June, festivals which have been celebrated for centuries and July, September and October in the Committee unless you are Jewish or have Jewish connections, you Room of the All Stretton Village Hall at probably know little about them. In the Methodist 7.30pm. Members of the public are cordially Church hall on Sunday, 8th March at 6 pm we intend invited to come and take part. There will be to discover more about these and other Jewish festivals. home made cake, tea and coffee. No charge. Jesus was a Jew and many of us feel we should know Social Secretary: For further information, more about the way He would have celebrated these please contact Helen Townend 01694 751376 religious festivals. If you can help us or want to know more yourself please come along. All are welcome. Ann Cooke, 723205 Israel-Palestine: The Inside Story ould you like to know more about what is Flicks in the Sticks – Church Stretton happening in Palestine? Did you know that 2nd March 2009 – 7.30pm CS School Wthere are Israeli groups campaigning for ‘There will be Blood’ A towering yarn about the rights of Palestinians? Do you know the rate of crude oil and God set in Texas at the turn of unemployment in Gaza? the 20th century. When lonely silver prospector Paul Mukerji spent six months in Israel and (Daniel Day-Lewis winning his second Oscar)

Palestine in 2007 and has written and spoken accidentally hits oil it is the beginning of a stormy, 2009 March extensively about his experiences there. He is coming to gripping drama about how fortune turns a hero speak in Church Stretton on Thursday 19th March at into a monster. the Methodist Church. If you would like to know more STOP PRESS. The Flicks in the Sticks showing about the reality of life in Palestine and the background of Mamma Mia, which was cancelled will now be to the current fighting please come along. shown as an additional date for the Flicks season Charles West,: 01694 722674, mob:: 07775 800744. on March 23rd St R ETTON FO C US

National Trust Events in March All Stretton Flicks in the Sticks Saturday 14th March Friday 13th March 2009 Happy Go Lucky ‘Carding Mill Valley Carbon Challenge’ - find out Sally Hawkins is a real delight in Mike Leigh’s about the National Trust’s new log-fired boiler and new film as Poppy, a 30-year-old Londoner with take up the carbon challenge yourself! Free a bright outlook on life. She loves her job, she 2.00-3.00pm Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley loves her friends, she loves her freedom. Mike Saturday 28th March Leigh’s new film follows her over a few weeks ‘Rocks Make the Landscape’ - explore the Geology one spring as she learns to drive and embarks of Caer Caradoc, walk and talk led by Dr. Peter Toghill and Andrew Jenkinson on a new romance. 10.00am - 1.30pm National Trust Pavilion Tickets on door £4. Interval refreshments, comfy Booking essential Tel: 01694 722631 chairs. 7.30pm All Stretton Village Hall.

March 2009 mag.indd 15 13/2/09 11:47:27 All About Focus - Front Page Editor photograph and clock face were added, finally 29 he front cover of the Stretton the text, and Masthead (Stretton Focus) - some Focus is planned several months 14 layers in total. The blended figures were ahead and where possible is of a photographs taken from the ITV Jane Austen localT scene or theme. A majority of the series; this could have infringed copyright, so we photographs are taken a year or so in had to get permission from the TV Company to advance to allow for the changing seasons. use the images. Sometimes a picture is made Our photographs have to be of a high quality up of several layers of different or resolution and taken in portrait orientation. subjects, backgrounds or colours, The main subject of the picture needs to be in the and occasionally, certain objects are lower two thirds to allow space for the Masthead. cloned out, all done to make the Christmas and Easter themes are suggested cover look more attractive. by one of our local Churches, and July by the The cover on the left is an Arts Festival. example of a layered picture. This We are always looking for something different started with a completely white so if you have any high resolution, portrait background, then the colour orientation pictures of sport, a future event, or and stars, the figures were added anything a little different, please let the Editors see individually and blended into the them, but bear in mind that the covers are planned background, then the main centre 3-6 months in advance. Yvonne Beaumont Focus on Advertising am often contacted by telephone and queries can often be dvertising provides an essential source of revenue to sorted out quickly this way. On receipt of the requests, I pass maintain the viability of this magazine. As advertising the information on to the computer production team who manager I am in regular contact with our advertisers earnestly set about the important job of preparing the seventeen Aand I have come to know many people through advertising advertising pages for the February and subsequent issues. We over the years. The advertising pages of Stretton Focus and have never yet failed to fill seventeen pages but the stream the ‘yellow pages’ index in the middle are very popular as a of incoming adverts reduces to a slow trickle as the deadline source of information on local services. I know that when approaches and it is then that we keep our fingers crossed! we came to live in Church Stretton some 12 years ago we Occasional adverts appear on the inside back page in two could not have managed without these adverts because we columns. Each advert can be either one inch or two inches had lots of work for local tradesmen – Focus looked quite deep and are monochrome only. These come in randomly different in those days though! Some people say that they during the year as paper copies or on discs, and advertisers would prefer to see fewer adverts but nobody has ever said to normally choose to insert them for a few issues only so me that they would like to see more. What do you think? that they can monitor the effect on their business. Some Permanent (or regular) adverts are inserted as a block advertisers who missed the deadline for permanent adverts for a full year and are those which you see on the seventeen choose to insert their advert for a longer time. The occasional advertisement pages. They come in various sizes, colours adverts are passed on to the production team every month. and prices. I send out form letters in late September asking current and potential new advertisers if they would like to Advertising Manager needed take out a block advertisement for 12 months commencing This year I am finishing as advertising manager and the in the February issue of the following year. The letter gives Stretton Focus team will be looking for someone to take over. If you are interested, I would be pleased to give details of sizes, formats and prices, and advertisers are asked information about the job and would be very happy to to tick their requirements and return the letter to me with give lots of help if you decide to take it on. Please contact their payment by a deadline (usually 30th November). me on 724647 - believe me, the job is interesting and it’s 2009 March Advertisers requesting new or changed adverts are asked a good way to get to know people and do useful work for to put their advert on a disc or include a good paper copy. I the community. Graham Young Spot the Church Stretton Bag ‘Abroad’ Competition hanks to five intrepid residents for taking up the therefore are Trevor Johnson and Ruth Grafton. £10 challenge of photographing their Church Stretton vouchers are yours to collect from John Thomas, and St R ETTON FO C US Heart of the Shropshire Hills shopping bags in thanks to all for taking part. T‘foreign’ places. The cotton bags have been photographed Church Stretton Bags have now been photographed once more in Egypt; by Waikiki Beach in Honolulu; on on the Isle of Wight, inside the Houses of Paliament, at top of Mount Wellington, Tasmania (in a gale); inside the Porgueroles in France, between Sir Jimmy Saville’s teeth, the Houses of Parliament, and in various parts of northern Niagara Falls and the Mayflower USA, the Giza Sphinx & Norway. Pyramids - also ballooning by the Valley of Kings, and on a Congratulations are offered to Trevor Johnson, Carol Red Sea beach – all in Egypt, Mount Wellington Tasmania, Johnson (no relation), John & Eileen Woolmer; and Ruth in Honnigsvag and, even closer to the North Pole, on a dog Grafton for their photographs, which can all be seen in the sled in northern Norway window of John Thomas, Florist. The second jury to judge More photographs are welcomed for 2009. Please the set of nine photographs came to the conclusion that submit them (in envelopes) to John Thomas and, after two photographers showed equal imagination in locating judging, they too will go on display in his window. their bags in interesting positions: our second prize-winners CSATG

March 2009 mag.indd 16 13/2/09 11:47:27 34 Dear Editors . . . Letters to the editors should not exceed The attitude of Authority these days is ‘you have the 400 words and must be accompanied by right to protest, but we have the right to ignore it, and there’s a name and means of contact. nothing you can do about it’. Walkers are Welcome Big Brother marches on, and tramples on democracy in egular Focus readers will know that in the process. 2008 Church Stretton became the first J K Nesbit town in the Midlands to be formally welcomedR into the ‘Walkers are Welcome Dangerous roads Network of Towns”, to give the organisation its official t is appalling that motorists trying to drive up the title. This year, Church Stretton has been chosen to host Burway recently were forced to abandon their cars due to the third Annual Conference of this fast growing national a lack of gritting, and the road closed by the Police. movement. On Sunday 18th October, representatives from IHaven’t the Council any consideration that tourists, member towns and villages across the will who spend millions in Shropshire, may like to visit the join the national officers and committee for a busy day of Long Mynd in winter, as well as summer, and that failing to presentations, consultations, debates and decision making. maintain the roads safely will simply drive them away, never The Walkers are Welcome concept is different from to return? other tourist-related initiatives. It was not conceived by In Switzerland and Austria, roads to tourist centres are any organisation, agency, or council, but by a small group maintained and kept open, as the authorities recognise the of friends in Hebden Bridge. Their DIY spirit has been importance of catering for visitors. formalised in the Network’s constitution. An application for Not so in Shropshire, where a callous disregard for the membership must come from, and be perpetually sustained safety of road users, particularly children travelling by bus by, the community itself. to school, over steep untreated roads in winter, puts lives in Church Stretton was steered to accreditation as a danger simply to save a few pounds. ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town by a group of five residents. And people are advised to cycle, instead of using cars, A similar group, (John Woolmer, Barbara Vickery, Trevor but unfortunately, due to uncleared hedge debris (which in Halsey, Alan Garner and Derek Bartlett) put in the town’s many places is left for months) as well as thick mud, cycling bid to host the conference and now has the organisational is no longer possible. responsibility for that event. We are grateful for the strong In Shrewsbury you can be fined £90 for dropping a support of our Mayor, the National Trust, sections of the match stick, but litter the lanes with hedge cuttings, and business community and fellow residents. no action is taken, so they leave it to cause punctures and Naturally, attendance at the conference itself will be accidents! confined to accredited representatives of member towns, but W F Kerswell we are working to encourage participants to come here the day before the meeting to enjoy guided walks, exhibitions Tree felling in Rectory Wood and other events that will show what our town has to offer t is ironic that as Focus in the December issue had visitors. It is on that pre-conference Saturday that residents articles on tree surgery and a forthcoming talk organised and visitors alike will be welcome to take part in any event by the Tree Group, one of the most beautiful trees in that captures their interest. IRectory Wood - the beech as you enter through the lower Church Stretton has a rare chance during the weekend gate from Rectory Field – has been felled. This had a huge of 17th and 18th October to strut on a larger stage and, in canopy under which the first snowdrops in the wood used to the process, benefit its local economy over those two days appear followed by bluebells in May. and into the future. We will be asking townsfolk for help. Having spoken to Shropshire Council I was told that the Please look favourably upon our request when we do. More risk assessment was such that it had to be felled. Surely for information from John Woolmer (751245) such an iconic tree, surgery should first have been tried? Derek Bartlett The fact that most lower branches touched the ground would have minimised any catastrophic fall. Rectory Wood The ‘Big Brother’ Planners is a wood – and trees do shed branches and fall over – so is it ome time ago someone told me that there was a not incumbent on users to have a ‘duty of care’? proposal to install wind turbines on the Long Mynd, Where were the Tree Group and the Friends of Rectory which I thought was just an unfounded rumour until Wood to try to minimise the over-zealousness of the council, SI read the letter by Mr Kerswell in the January edition of to prevent such destruction, which borders on vandalism? March 2009 Focus. Incidentally I seem to recall you used this tree for one of If this comes about, it will, of course, destroy Church your covers – never again. Stretton as a tourist centre and an attractive place to live, Lynn Petry and at times such as the calm frosty weeks over Christmas and the New Year the turbines would be a completely useless A tragedy of our times. eyesore. have just received a letter from a dear friend living in The trouble is that we can protest as much as we like, in East Anglia where my children spent their happy but will that be any good? We voted against the formation childhood. Amongst welcome news was a paragraph that of the Unitary Authority in the referendum, but that was Ihas deeply saddened me. As a direct result of ‘recessional dismissed as not being the ‘right’ result. Local opinion is personal problems’ a young couple sent their small daughter against the combination of Church Stretton and Craven to stay with relations for the weekend and then committed Arms into one ward, but that is being disregarded. continued on next page ETTON FO C US St R ETTON

March 2009 mag.indd 17 13/2/09 11:47:28 Dear Editors . . . continued 35 suicide. I did not know the family, the parents would have keep in your mind that little orphan girl who is so because her been children themselves when we left for a new life in parents felt they had nowhere to turn. Most of us will cherish South Shropshire, 25 years ago. I may have known the our close family but maybe now we need to look further. grandparents and I certainly know the house they lived in. Sometimes only advice is needed to sort out a problem, a fresh What depths of despair takes over minds to such a mind, sometimes it may be that we need to give but whatever degree that those parents could not understand that their keep an eye on your family, your friends and your neighbours small daughter would rather live her life in a caravan than and be forthcoming with help. In that way we can get through endure a life of emotional pain and loss. The village is an this recession and possibly be better for it. affluent one but when I lived there, a kindly one. I feel this Janet Beaumont-Nesbitt. is very much a portent of what is to come and that we must PS What a treat the cover photograph of Darwin was (I think now, more than ever in most of our lifetimes, help each it is a better statue than the one in the Natural History other. What is the point of living in relative comfort if down Museum) and also the evocative winter scene by Hilary Jones the road, behind closed doors, this sort of tragedy is being played out. Our lives are all changing. Being very ‘British’ When enough is enough we do not like to talk openly about ‘money’ but maybe we ince I believe this magazine originated basically as a should. Life can still be sweet but not for those who have church voice I have always accepted their views and such deep anxieties about paying the fuel bill. messages to the faithful, from which many may take I am disappointed by the silence of the Churches on this Scomfort, in a spirit of tolerance and understanding. But subject. I have always believed that the teachings of Christ when I see yet another of Mr Reg Heiron’s Ramblings (how were pretty straight forward when it comes to helping each apt!) regularly joining their more mature contributions I other and maybe they need to ‘get back to basics’ and stop have to admit that my tolerance does slip somewhat. being obsessed with dogma and women Bishops. May we perhaps invite him to contribute to the ‘Dear So this is a plea. I am as selfish as the next person, but Editors’ page – occasionally? Alan Manser

URC Voice Pick and Choose recently read a letter in a church magazine which asserted choose not to celebrate Baptism or that we are not at liberty to pick and choose what to Communion. Some denominations believe from the Bible. But of course we are! It’s essential! don’t baptise infants and others regard IFreedom to choose is God’s fundamental gift to us all. If Saturday as the Sabbath and not Sunday. our love for God is not freely chosen, and given with all our Some accept women as priests and others don’t. heart and soul and mind and strength – it’s not the kind of There’s a wide variety of picking and choosing going love God wants. on, and we all do it! The important question to ask is ‘on “Choose you this day whom you will serve” is a God- what basis do we accept one another, with all our different given invitation. But on what basis do we make that choice? practices and beliefs?’ The wise Christian teacher Keith Ward tells us to choose a Surely it must be on the basis of our common humanity: God and a religion “with the highest intellectual and moral on the basis of our common striving for justice and peace: standards we can find” and that is sound advice, in the light our need for love and respect. Or, in a word, our desire for of (or rather darkness of) what some people have believed the fulfilment of our destiny as human beings, made in the and done in the name of their religion. image and likeness of God. Whatever our choice, it will inevitably require a wide Picking and choosing is the name of the game. May God tolerance of those who choose differently. In the Christian help us to choose wisely.

context for example, the Salvation Army and the Quakers Donald Horsfield 2009 March Shopping Survey he Church Stretton Area Partnership (made up of so we can make the necessary changes to encourage more the Town Council, surrounding Parish Councils and local residents to spend their money in the local economy. community organisations, including the Chamber of So, it is particularly important to find out why a significant Trade)T has launched a shopping survey form that has been number do little or no shopping in the town at present. If StrETTON FOcUS delivered extensively across the Partnership Area in the latter our town centre is to remain viable through this economic half of February. We very much want as many residents as downturn, it is vital that we increase the footfall in the town possible to complete and return the questionnaire, no later to avoid further shop closures. Volunteer interviewers will than Friday 20th March, either by hand to the Wrights also be completing a similar survey with visitors in pavement Estate Agent’s office on Sandford Ave. or posted, free of interviews. Shop owners, too, are being asked to complete charge, to the FREEPOST address on the form. You do not their own survey. The findings of all the surveys will be have to fill in your name and contact details unless you wish collated and analysed by the University of Staffordshire and to enter the FREE PRIZE DRAW, offering to the winner a will be fed back in to a Public Forum in May, out of which £50 Voucher to be spent in a Church Stretton store of your will come the decisions on how we can best work together choice. The purpose of this survey is to find out what people through this challenging economic period. do and do not like about shopping in Church Stretton, Bob Welch, Chairman, Church Stretton Area Partnership

March 2009 mag.indd 18 13/2/09 11:47:28 37 Stretton Traidcraft Traidcraft’s sister charity - Traidcraft India, there is now a growing affluent ave the problems of the global Exchange - undertakes development middle class – a great opportunity for economy, had any impact on work in the producer countries – this provides a large potential customer Traidcraft? Yes, at the national helping to develop marketing skills, base for fair trade market within India. Hlevel, sales by Fair Traders, fair trade training in more effective design, This year is the 30th year of Traidcraft’s shops, and mail order customers in the production and marketing skills, operation and its long experience past year are down about 7%. In our training the trainers, etc. A very recent of success and, sometimes failure, is case, Stretton Traidcraft sales over the example of this kind of work is now helping the Indian organisation get off past year amounted to about £7600 underway in India in the south of to a good start. compared to the previous year of Gujarat state. Historically, fair trade In December, the Traidcraft £8800. The reason for this reduction focused on production for the export Chief Executive, Paul Chandler, was in local sales is not clear cut. One markets but a new project is called installed as a Lay Canon of Durham reason, no doubt, arises from Cathedral. His role in leading the fact that supermarkets are Traidcraft was one of the reasons selling an increasing range of for this recognition. The President fair trade products. We have no of the Methodist Conference, the complaint about this for one Rev. Stephen Poxon, has just paid of Traidcraft’s objectives is to an official visit to the Traidcraft encourage fair trade in the wider headquarters in Gateshead. These marketplace. But should we buy events serve as an illustration of from Traidcraft at Mayfair or the close link with the churches its other stalls, or buy from the right from the very beginning of supermarkets? The answer must Traidcraft. This is not an exclusive be to buy from either source! relationship, for agnostics are However, Traidcraft does more Trainee embroiderers at St.Mary’s, in the also active supporters recognising than just buying products, as the prices slum area of Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India its unique approach in working to paid to the producers always include help the poor work their way out of an added premium for community ‘PROFIT (Promoting Fair Trade in poverty regardless of their religious development – schools, health care, India). Although over a third of the affiliation. shelter, safe water supply. world’s absolutely poor people live in Don Clow

Book of the Month One morning the women of the Olchon valley awake Resistance by Owen Sheers £7.99 to discover that all their menfolk have disappeared. Shortly his fascinating novel is set in The afterwards a German patrol arrives and the women have to Black Mountains of Wales during face the dilemma of whether or not to accept their help in World War Two, supposing that running the farms through a very severe winter. Some of the theT D-Day landings have failed and ‘the women have a greater need to befriend the occupiers, whilst Eagle has landed’. The book is based partly others remain steadfast and suspicious. Their changing on fact and was inspired by the author’s relationships with each other and with the Germans provide speaking with George Vater, a farmer he had a page-turning and thought-provoking read. known since he was a child. At the age of If you enjoy this book you may also like: 17 George had been recruited into the ‘special duties section’ The Welsh Girl by Peter HO Davies: £7.99 of a British resistance organisation called the Auxiliary Units, Agent Zigzag by Ben Macintyre: £7.99 and this is what gave Sheers the idea for the novel. The Reader by Bernard Schlink: £7.99 March 2009 March Mediterranean Frittata These frittatas are very simple to make and they can be eaten either warm, or cold, with salad. The recipe serves two people. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of olive oil 1 onion sliced (3½ ozs) 4 eggs ½ red pepper (cored, de-seeded and diced) StrETTON FOcUS ½ green pepper (cored, de-seeded and diced) 2 medium tomatoes (sliced) 2 tablespoons natural yoghurt 2 tablespoons water. 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs Ground black pepper 8 black olives (pitted) Heat the oil in an omelette pan, add the onion and diced peppers. Cook until softened. Add the tomatoes and cook for about 4 minutes. Break eggs into a bowl and add the yoghurt, water, herbs and pepper to taste. Mix well. Pour the mixture over the vegetables and stir gently to help the eggs get under the vegetables. Scatter the olives evenly over the top. Cook very gently until the bottom is firm and lightly brown. To cook the top, put under a medium grill for four to five minutes. A meal ready in 20 minutes! Her Ladyship

March 2009 mag.indd 19 13/2/09 11:47:29 38 Church Stretton Play St Lawrence School News his term the children have particularly enjoyed two Area Action Group different groups of visitors in school. The Dance lans are being made for an innovative new play area Sansaar Group taught our pupils the ‘Bhangra’, a in the heart of Church Stretton. The play area is to danceT that originates from the border of Pakistan and India. be situated in Richard Robinson Field, through the Children from class 7 wrote “The dancing is accompanied by kindP support of the Town Council. It will offer children in a drum called a Dhol the town some exciting new play opportunities, to include and is played with two a zip wire, hill fort, boulders and tyre swings. sticks, one for each side After finding their children disappointed by the of the Dhol. We thought current play facilities in the town, a group of four working it was very entertaining mums set about planning an area which would appeal to and loud. We also loved children, yet fit in with the town as a whole. Children’s the screaming and ideas were central to the evolution of these plans, yet the shouting. It was really use of natural materials, planting and pathways will result fun and enjoyable.” In in a play space that the whole community can enjoy. contrast we have also The design of the area promotes play as a journey, welcomed the ‘Image during which children can follow their own ideas. Planting Musical Theatre’ who and landscaping will contribute to an atmosphere of presented ‘The Wind exploration, with tunnels, earth formations and wooden in the Willows’ by sculptures. Nature will be reflected throughout the area Kenneth Graham. The to link it with the surrounding hills. A boggy area and theatre ran a workshop a fallen tree will encourage children to try new ways of for our pupils. Both playing, incorporating challenge and risk. of these successful and Funding for phase one of the play area has been educational events were generously provided by the Play Partnership at South supported by a grant Our Indian dance teacher Shropshire District Council, and a specific layout of the from the Stretton Food Fayre, for which we are very grateful. area is underway. The group is now seeking contractors to As usual, our school teams have been representing us locally. deliver these plans. It is hoped that the Play Space will be Both of our quiz teams performed very well recently in an area made from sustainable resources, gained from local suppliers competition. Nine other primary school teams participated in and built by local craftsmen. Any company or individual what proved to be a closely fought contest. Our ‘B’ team came with the relevant expertise is encouraged to apply when the a creditable 6th with our ‘A’ team beating Meole Brace and St project is put out to tender. For more details, please contact George’s schools to win first place. They won a trophy, medals Zoe Keeling via the Town Council offices. and book - as well as a place in the second area heat. Helen Byrne Dick Langford, Head Teacher Action on Health and Social Care – Volunteers Needed n 28th January, the Church services and voluntary community adjacent former Mental Health Centre Stretton Area Partnership organisations, such as the Mayfair Centre. was a big disappointment, especially arranged a Health Forum, The Ambulance Service is already with the pending demands of the new Oat which some 60 residents heard under increasing pressure, with an housing developments and the new representatives from the strategic increasing number of calls for the Air nursing home in All Stretton. Primary Health Care Trust, the Ambulance from this area, so it needs On the basis of the ensuing Ambulance Service and the local more local volunteers to supplement discussion, the Partnership has decided Medical Centre answer a range of the work of paramedical staff. to set up an Action Group that will questions that had been sent in Dr. Tim Parker, supported by Dr. identify ways in which the local beforehand. Sarah Riding, gave a comprehensive community can work with the health We learned that the future roles of breakdown on the work of the local and social care services to address these the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Medical Centre. It is one of the busiest major challenges for the benefit of Princess Royal Hospital at Telford are group practices in the county but it all. This will range from lobbying to under review with pressure to provide has among the best records for the improve local health and social care paediatric and serious emergency care standards of its health care, including provision to supportive initiatives, March 2009 on one site that has adequate consultant preventative medicine. Unusually, the such as preparing for a ‘flu pandemic cover. However, over the next ten years, Centre offers 15 minute appointments or setting up self-help groups to help there will be a major push to treat many (rather than the standard five or ten people stop smoking or lose weight. more people in the community than minute appointments), because Church So, the Partnership wants to hear in hospital. Given the age profile, it is Stretton patients ask so many questions! from anyone who is interested in predicted that the numbers with long 8% of patients failing to turn up for helping with these kinds of initiatives. term conditions will rise significantly. their appointments does not help If that applies to you, please give your There will be a 45% rise in those with either! That is why there is sometimes contact details in at the Mayfair Centre, dementia, but a 30% cut in the number a delay in getting an appointment, Easthope Road, Church Stretton of hospital beds, the same cut as for despite the GPs working 11 hour days. (phone 01694 722077 or email mental health and other forms of acute The Medical Centre is too small to [email protected] ). care. This will place ever-increasing cater for the growing demand, so the Bob Welch, Chairman, ETTON FO C US St R ETTON demands upon our GPs, social care recent refusal of funding to link to the Church Stretton Area Partnership

March 2009 mag.indd 20 13/2/09 11:47:30 Quaker Voice South Shropshire Rambles 41 Turning the question round hese walks are free, so get your hiking boots and was reminiscing about how my father weatherproof clothing on, bring a packed lunch/ never seemed to notice how dirty his drink and enjoy healthy exercise in Shropshire glasses were. I couldn’t understand why throughT the seasons. For more details ring the leader. Ihe didn’t realise for himself. My friend told The Short (three to four hours):- me how her grandfather, who was a lens maker, kept a special March 1st Meet at 10.30am at The Grove, Thriftwicket polishing cloth in his pocket and would often clean her glasses Lane, Hayton’s Bent for a 5 mile woodland walk. Leader: with it. But when I started to wear glasses all the time, I began Christine 01584 823590 Ref Exp 217 520 802 to realise how difficult it was to see from the inside, as it were, March 8th Meet at 11am at Lyth Hill car park for a 5 the dirt on the outside. mile walk to Longdon over field paths, a few stiles and a I read a newspaper article recently about a self help book hill to stretch you. Leader: Graham 01743 872394 that advocated a method of dealing with anger. First write down Ref Exp 241 474 068 your thought; then ask if it is true, then ask if it is really true March 15th Meet at 10am at Lydham village hall - a etc.; finally twist the thought round, so that “My neighbour 7mile linear walk to Mitchell’s fold and Hyssington is making my life hell” would become “I am making my church. Returning by bus, so bring your pass! neighbour’s life hell”. Ask yourself which statement is most true? Leader: Bob 07897 445954 Ref Exp 216 336 910 The link between these two trains of thought is the biblical March 22nd Meet at 10.30am at Aston-on- village story about looking at the sawdust in your brother’s eye and hall for a 6 mile walk over Clunbury hill and Oaker paying no attention to the plank in your own (Matt 7). But Wood at an ‘easy pace’. Leader: Gerald 01547 530604 today’s carpenters are more likely to wear protective glasses, so Ref Exp 217 395 815 it’s about keeping your own lenses clean. One of the most loved March 29th Meet at 10.30am at Plowden just off the traditional injunctions among Quakers is, “Think it possible A489 Asterton turning for a 6 mile walk up the Long that you may be mistaken”, which is perhaps another aspect of Mynd. “Climb taken slowly” we are told! Leader: Claire the same thing. 01694 722754 Ref Exp 217 383 876 And what happens when you find your own view has not And The Long (five to six hours):- been as clear as it might? Somehow, it is all bound up with March 1st Meet at 10am at Clun memorial hall car park forgiveness. Acknowledging that you don’t always get it right for a 10 mile walk along a stretch of Offa’s Dyke Leader: seems to help you to forgive others. There’s a line in Arthur Geoff 01686 68846 Ref Exp 201 302 812 Miller’s The Crucible where the husband asks for forgiveness. March 8th Meet earlier at 9.30am at Dolau school The wife says, “John, it come to naught that I should forgive (Through Knighton on the A 488), for a 13 mile you, if you’ll not forgive yourself”. And being able to forgive strenuous walk to the strangely named ‘Water-Break-its- yourself is what makes it bearable to turn the question round in Neck’. Leaders: Cheryl and Phil 01584 861487 the first place. Ref Exp 200 159 673 (PS I have wonderful neighbours!) Lesley Richards March 15th Meet at 10am at Clee Hill village car park for a 14 mile walk to Boraston, and Clee Hill. Leader: Photo Quiz - Where is it? Martin 01584 856482 Ref Exp 203 595 753 March 22nd Meet at 10am at Hopton Isaf for an 11 mile walk over Pant Hill, Masons Bank and Dolfawr. Leaders: Liz/Paul 01938 561490 Ref Exp 216 236 915 March 29th Meet at 10am at Ashford Bowdler layby on A49 for a 10 mile walk in Richards Castle which has a steady climb to the Goggin. Leaders: John and Jayne 01584 873094 Ref Exp 203 516 706

Answer in next month’s Focus “Spectacular views, good company and great exercise.” 2009 March

THE PHOENIX WEST MIDLAND Rotary Club of Church Stretton Welcome the BRASS BAND CONCERT 2009 SHREWSBURY Musical Director: David Maplestone POLICE MALE VOICE CHOIR StrETTON FOcUS at Musical Director – Jim Edmunds L.TCL, A.MUS.TCL CHURCH STRETTON SCHOOL THEATRE Accompanist – Pauline Morris A.L.C.M. at the Church Stretton School Theatre Friday 20th March at 7.30 On SATURDAY 7th MARCH 2009 Tickets £7 (inc. light refreshments) from – 7.30pm Burway Books; Tickets £6 incl. light refreshments and programme from John Thomas (Florist) & Wrights Estate Agents Burway Books, John Thomas-Florist, Wrights Estate Agents and Rotarians PROCEEDS TO THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION In aid of Rotary local charities

March 2009 mag.indd 21 13/2/09 11:47:30 42 tART (Transport The Cross of St Augustine t a ceremony in the Chapel at to Art Events) Lambeth Palace on Friday 17th October 2008, the Archbishop of ACanterbury Dr Rowan Williams, awarded the Cross of St Augustine to a resident of Saturdays – 1.00pm to 3.00pm Little Stretton, Rt Revd Michael Bourke. Creative Urge Workshop – Drumming, The award, which is in the gift of the Music and Poetry Archbishop, marks conspicuous service Park Lane Centre, Park Lane, to the Church and the wider community. Woodside, Telford, The Cross of St Augustine was founded by TF7 5QZ. Donations. 07866 498335 Archbishop Michael Ramsey. It was first Thurs 5th March – 7.30pm awarded by him on 19th February 1965 Rogue theatre – Pathway to the Red and takes the form of a circular medallion Sun: poetry and original live music, bearing a replica of the 8th Century Cross of humour, acrobatics and a highly visual Canterbury; on the reverse, is an engraving style; mixes spectacle of circus with of the chair of St Augustine at Canterbury. The ribbon is of ‘Canterbury Blue’ the passion of opera and the tension of and it is worn around the neck by clergy and on the left breast by lay people. Japanese horror. £6.50 / £5 The Cross of St Augustine has historically been awarded to clergy and lay The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock: people of foreign churches who have contributed conspicuously to advancing 01952 728509 friendly relations with the churches of the Anglican Communion. More recently Sat 7th March – 7.30pm it has been given for outstanding service within the Church of England whether Ben Osborne - Dog Days, Lion Nights centrally or in the dioceses, or the Anglican Communion as a whole, and also to www.artsalive.co.uk £8/£6 those who have contributed to advancing relations between the various Christian Chapel Lawn Village Hall: 01547 530504 communions and churches. Thurs 12th March – 7.30pm The citation is as follows: Mendelssohn & Brahms - Classical Music As well as being the gifted former Bishop of Wolverhampton, Michael Bourke Concert £13.50 is also an amateur astronomer who consequently sees ‘the big picture’. He has used The Circle, Hadley Learning his position in the Church to fight racism, homophobia and poverty: but he has Community, Crescent Road, Hadley, been honoured mostly for his work on the Meissen Commission – set up in 1988 to Telford TF2 6EP: 01952 382382 foster cordial Anglo-German relations between the Anglican Church and German Sat 14th March – 7.30pm Evangelical Churches, then still in two separate states. His warm, outgoing personality Martin Roscoe Piano Concert has done much to heal old war wounds – and in this ecumenical work he has been www.ludlowmusicsociety.org.uk much aided by his Degree in Modern Languages from Cambridge. He is now retired £40 season ticket, £13.50 single, £3 and plagued by visits from his grandchildren. students. Mike Edmunds Moor Park School, between Ludlow and Richards Castle: 01584 876141 Weds 18th - Fri 20th March – 7.30pm United Nations Association - The Overcoat – Play £5 (£4 concessions) Lacon Childe School, Cleobury Shropshire Branch (Church Stretton) Mortimer: 01299 270312 Tuesday March 17th at 7.00 pm. at Concord College, Acton Burnell Sat 21st March – 7.30pm he speaker will be Professor Lalage Bown OBE of Poetry & Music with Louis de Bernieres Shrewsbury who has lifetime experience of adult education. and Ilone Antonius-Jones She worked for 31 years in universities in four African www.artsalive.co.uk countriesT and on her return to the UK, headed the Department of £7.50 Adults, £5 Children (including Adult and Continuing Education at the University of Glasgow for refreshments). 11 years. She has travelled widely and undertaken consultancies Chelmarsh Parish Hall, : in Denmark, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and USA. She is a 01746 861551 founder member of Womankind Worldwide, a registered charity which supports Tues 24th March – 8.00pm 57 groups in 15 countries. Through literacy and education, women are trained Cinnamon Acoustic Music Night for responsibility in the community. This ties in well with the series of studies

March 2009 www.myspace.com/whalebone7 £4 the local UNA branch has undertaken about ways of empowering women, as Cinnamon Coffee & Meeting House, enshrined in the UN Millennium Development Goals. Professor Bown calls her Waterloo House, Cartway, Bridgnorth: talk ‘ Women, the Word and the World’ 01746 765268 Because of the multinational nature of the students at Concord the UNA Wed 25th – Sat 28th March – 7.30pm branch has gladly accepted the principal’s invitation to hold this meeting at the Guys and Dolls by Frank Loesser college. Transport from Church Stretton will be available. If you need a lift or can performed by WBS Musical Theatre offer one please phone 01694 724675. Ruth Davies Company www.edgeartscentre.co.uk £6.50 / £5 The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock: Trivia Answers 01952 728509 1. Cambridge 2. The Chair 3. Neil Kinnock 4. Gladiators 5. Emergency Ward 10 StrETTON FOcUS StrETTON

March 2009 mag.indd 22 13/2/09 11:47:32 43 Occasional Advertisements

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Come and Meet a Lifeboatman at StrETTON FOcUS our Fish and Chip Supper NORMAN JONES Nick Grice, one of the crew of the Sheringham lifeboat, REPAIRS To COOKERS, WASHERS, etc will come to our Fish and Chip Supper on Saturday 7th Same Day---Next Day Service---Guaranteed Work March to talk about his experience in the crew and show Tel: 07971 252069 01588 638677 us his kit. The Supper will be held in the Silvester Horne Institute, 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Please be punctual so that Nick can start his talk at 7.30pm with the Fish and Chip Doreen Hall MA Counselling Supper afterwards. Tickets will cost £7.50 from I am a Mature and Experienced Mrs Liz Madeley 771744 or Mrs Brenda Pogson 722912 Counsellor and Supervisor or Jill and Richard Turner Jones 724371. Ring 01694 751288 Please remember to bring your own drink. to book an initial meeting

March 2009 mag.indd 23 13/2/09 11:47:32