Stretton Focus Community Voice of the Strettons September 2004 70p

Rich Poor World World

09-04 1 11/8/04, 10:07 am Stretton Focus Community Voice of the Strettons September 2004 70p

Rich Poor World World

09-04 2 11/8/04, 10:08 am Stretton Focus Community Voice of the Strettons September 2004 70p

Rich Poor World World 09-04 3 11/8/04, 10:10 am STRETTON FOCUS Contents (founded 1967) News Average monthly sales: 1,450 copies. Operation Christmas Child ...... 7 (About 65% of households in Church Stretton) Steam Powered Website ...... 11 Medical Centre ...... 26 Chairman David Jandrell . . . . .724531 Wheelie Bins ...... 33 Co-Editors Norma Taylor ...... 723617 Tourism Group ...... 33 Pat Oxtoby ...... 723199 Renaissance Centre ...... 36 Rachael Sankey . . . . .720024 Arts’ Festival ...... 36 Bill Forsythe ...... 724100 Dog Show Winners ...... 39 Computer Production Barrie Raynor ...... 723928 Salop Musica ...... 42 Rowland Jackson . . . .722390 Forthcoming Events Cover Design Paul Miller ...... 724596 Distribution Jon Cooke ...... 723205 Mayfair Courses ...... 6 Advertising Len Bolton ...... 724579 SCAT Courses ...... 7 Treasurer John Wainwright . . .722823 Long Mynd Hike ...... 18 Secretary Janet Peak ...... 722994 Stroke Association ...... 28 Stretton Choral Soc ...... 28 email address: [email protected] Regular Features Advertisements. Rates for block and occasional Anglican Voice ...... 12 advertisements may be obtained (send s.a.e.) from the Catholic Voice ...... 14 Advertising Manager, Len Bolton, ‘Oakhurst’, Hazler Focus on Faith ...... 28 Road, Church Stretton, SY6 7AQ, Tel: 01694 724579 to Herbary ...... 14 whom copy should be sent. Know your Computer ...... 39 Letters ...... 39 The Stretton Focus Management Board cannot accept Mayfair Lottery Result ...... 18 responsibility for any product or service advertised. Now and Then ...... 17 Acceptance of an advertisement does not imply any form Out and About ...... 42 of approval or recommendation. Advertisers are required to Quaker Voice ...... 33 comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. Recipe ...... 40 Stretton Football ...... 9 Submission of articles. Material on 31⁄2˝ disks or CDs, and Thank you ...... 17 typed or handwritten copy together with good quality glossy Town Council Minutes ...... 35 colour or monochrome photographs should be handed Trivia Corner 10 ...... 30 directly to Stretton Focus c/o Wrights, Estate Agent, Trivia Answers ...... 42 Sandford Avenue by noon on the date below. Material may URC Voice ...... 11 also be sent by e-mail to [email protected] as an Weather ...... 30 attachment by the same copy date. What’s On ...... 3

Disclaimer. Stretton Focus prints a wide range of articles Other Items and letters. The views expressed by signed articles are Coffee (cover article) ...... 5 those of their authors and not necessarily those of the Attingham Park ...... 9 Management Board. General Weather ...... 30 Poem ...... 39 Copy day is normally the first Monday of the month. Forthe Percy’s Memories ...... 40 October issue it is Monday 6th September 2004 (12.00 noon). Poorf Reading ...... 42

The October Stretton Focus will be distributed on Friday 1st Ocober.

Outlets. Stretton Focus may be purchased by annual subscription (delivered) or directly from Newsworld (Sandford Avenue), All Stretton Stores, Coop, Longmynd Filling Station (A49) and the Churches. © 2004 Stretton Focus ISSN 1479-7356 The Official Church Stretton web site is at www.churchstretton.co.uk. Stretton Focus is printed by WPG, Welshpool Have you visited it yet?

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September 2004 mag 1 13/8/04, 3:20 pm What’s On in the Strettons • WEDNESDAY If you wish to know the times of regular meetings of SEPTEMBER 15th societies and groups, please consult the list of societies Courses by S.C.A.T. and their contacts in the central ‘yellow pages’. 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Parish Centre, Church Stretton • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2nd Enrolment for courses. Further Church Stretton & District Gardening Club details - Page 7 Dorothy Clive Garden, Market Drayton Cost: £8.50 • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 16th Stretton Choral Society Stretton Choral Society 7.30pm, URC Hall, Church Stretton 7.30pm, URC Hall, Church Stretton First rehearsal. New members welcome. AGM. New members welcome. Further details - Page 28 Further details - Page 28 • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17th • SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4th National Trust - Wildlife at Walcot Saturday Film for Children 7.30pm to 10pm, Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley 10.30am, Hope Bowdler Village Hall Tracking bats with bat detectors. This event will be ‘Cat and Hat’ cancelled if raining heavily. Cost: £1

• TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 7th • SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18th Church Stretton & District Flower Club Country Dancing 7.30pm, Silvester Horne Institute 8pm, Ticklerton Village Hall. Contact: 01694 722418 Mrs Kate Edwards - ‘I had a dream’ • Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir • WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8th 8pm, Rushbury Village Hall. Contact: 01694 771597 Flicks in the Sticks 7.30pm, Hope Bowdler Village Hall • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21st ‘Freaky Friday’ Contact: 01694 723648 All Stretton Womens Institute 7.30pm, All Stretton Village Hall. • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 10th Pat Dyer - ‘Home and Hearth’ Little Stretton Village Hall 7.30pm, Games evening - light refreshments, glass of wine. Countrywomen’s Guild Tickets from Keenan’s shop: £3 adults, £1 children. 2.15pm, Parish Centre, Church Stretton Mervyn Williams - ‘The Joy of Travelling’. Taoist Tai Chi Society of Great Britain 10am – 12 noon Parish Centre, Church Stretton • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd New beginners` class starts with free introductory talk and Church Stretton & District Gardening Club demonstration. For more information please ring 01694 Eastgrove Cottage Garden nr. Worcester & Old Court 724325 or 01743 369787. Nursery and Picton Garden nr. Malvern. Cost: £14.50

Courses by S.C.A.T. • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 28th 4pm to 6pm, Church Stretton School. Enrolment for Church Stretton & District Gardening Club courses held in the school. Further details - Page7 7pm, Silvester Horne Institute, Church Stretton Talk by Mr & Mrs Pitwood: ‘The Making of a Garden’. • MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13th Cost: £1 for members, £1.50 for non-members. Stretton Scottish Dancers 7.30pm, All Stretton Village Hall Rachael Sankey Classes start again, new members welcome. Contact: Denis & Ann Ashworth, 01694 722325 ‘What’s On’ - Contributions • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14th f your society has regular monthly meetings which Church Stretton Womens Institute are open to non-members and you would like to 7.15pm, Silvester Horne Institute publicise them in ‘What`s On’, please let us have Mrs Elizabeth Chapman - ‘Thomas Telford’s work in I your programme for the season and we will feature each Shropshire’. meeting, whenever possible, in the appropriate issue of Focus. All Stretton Village Hall 2pm, Family Walking Treasure Hunt Please make it clear if you do not wish your item to Bangers and mash. appear on the Church Stretton web site.

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September 2004 mag 2 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Coffee – a Good Harvest? ‘Mugged: Poverty in your Coffee Cup’ (Oxfam) prices are high, as a means of boosting desperately-needed ‘Coffee the Speculators’ Plaything!’ (Fair Trade export earnings. However, a coffee tree can take about Yearbook) four years before it produces a crop – by which time the ‘Why cheap beans don’t make cheap coffee’ (BBC) stimulation of production or else good growing seasons can result in a glut, flooding the market and world prices hat is it about coffee, which stimulates such collapse. The farmer is the first to suffer. headlines? The reason is simple in that in Wrecent years, coffee has become a grower’s The coffee trade is dominated by a few major international nightmare. 80% of the world’s 25 million coffee farmers companies who control the whole route from the harvest to are smallholders working on less than 3 hectares and so sell the consumer. As coffee farmers are mostly small producers small quantities. they are at the mercy of the market and their voice goes unheard. On the other hand, coffee has long been seen as Surprisingly (at least to me!) coffee is the world’s second a prime candidate for the application of the principles of largest export commodity after oil. In this country alone ‘fair trade’ which ensure a guaranteed price for the beans last year we spent £630M on coffee. It is grown only in the which covers the cost of production, with minimum tropics and within 1000 miles of the Equator, mostly in the standards of working conditions and with a premium added poorer countries. Of all the world’s agricultural products, to encourage community development. The grower then coffee remains the most labour intensive. The reason for typically sells to a local co-operative which makes marketing this is that coffee berries do not ripen uniformly; the same much more practical. Sales of fair traded coffee in the UK branch on the tree may simultaneously display ripe red now account for about 7.5% of sales and that proportion berries, unripe green berries and overripe black berries and continues to grow. Fair trade coffees, both filter and instant, so selective picking is essential to achieve a saleable product. are now widely available in the shops under the labels of Cafédirect, Traidcraft, Co-op, Oxfam, Percol, and others. The developing crisis, In 2003, 2083 tonnes of fair which has so seriously hit trade coffee was purchased in the poor producer, is that this country! Some cafes are the price for their crop has now beginning to sell a fair fallen by almost 50% over trade coffee option. the last few years. Farmers in developing countries now Migual Barrantes, a coffee can only sell coffee beans farmer in Costa Rica who is for much less than the cost a member of a co-operative of production while at the which supplies Traidcraft and same time branded coffee Cafédirect says: sells to us at a hefty profit. At best, the grower gets only ‘If it had not been for the about 10% of the profits. fair trade buyers it is likely The fall in income to the that we would have had small grower is catastrophic to give up this business - children are pulled out altogether. There are many of school, families cannot Smallholder’s family coffee growers in this area afford basic medicines, farmers leave the who could not go on as the price they were land and developing governments are paid was not enough the cover the cost of pushed further into debt. growing and preparing it. Those of us small farmers who have survived, are very grateful What causes the wild fluctuations to those who have participated in fair trade in coffee price? Widespread storm and we hope these links will continue.’ damage, a late frost, coffee berry fungus disease, severe pest attacks and other So let us remember at this time of harvest unpredictable events can send prices on festivals that our choice of coffee can make the world market soaring. Brazil is the someone’s harvest more fruitful. major producer country in the world Don Clow with about 20% of the total coffee production and when there has been The photos were taken on a smallholding in serious damage to their crops due to frost a Chagga village on the lower slopes of as in 1975 and 1994 or when suffering Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Coffee and from drought, world prices soared rapidly. bananas were interplanted. Farmers are sometimes encouraged by their governments to grow more coffee, Photos: Don Clow a seemingly attractive proposition when Sorting Beans

Stretton Focus - 5- September 2004

September 2004 mag 3 13/8/04, 3:20 pm New Courses at Mayfair this Autumn To book for these or to see our regular courses please call at Mayfair.

Concessions available

COURSE TUTOR DAY DATES VENUE TIME COST

Cooking for Paolla Tuesday Sept 7, 14, 21 Jubilee 10 – 11.30 £18 for six Families Allesandrie Oct 5, 12, 19 weeks or £30 Gray Nov 2, 9, 16, 30 if booking for Dec 7, 14 whole term Pilates Vicky Heath Tuesday 7.9.04 – 19.10.04 Activity 10 – 11.00 £21 for seven 2.11.04 – 14.12.04 Room weeks or £36 if Two seven week booking whole courses term Yoga Vicky Heath Tuesday 7.9.04 – 19.10.04 Activity 11 - 12.00 £21 for seven 2.11.04 – 14.12.04 Room weeks or £36 if Two seven week booking whole courses term Positive Living Annie Drury Tuesday 14.9.04 – 19.10.04 Jubilee 7 – 9.00 £18 for six Six weeks Room p.m. weeks or £33 2.11.04 – 14.12.04 for whole course Seven weeks £21 for seven weeks Poetry, Passion Chris Taylor Tuesday 21.9.04- 19.10.04 Day Care 7 – 9.00 Run by SCAT. and Pleasure 2.11.04- 30.11.04 Lounge p.m. Register at Parish Centre on September 15th Circle Dancing Judy Harvey Wedn’day 8.9.04 – 20.10.04 Jubilee 7 - 8.45 £21 for seven 3.11.04 – 15.12.04 Room p.m. weeks or £36 if booking whole term. Diabetic Pat Grubb 4th Thursday First one 23.9.04 Jubilee 2 – 4 £3. Pay on the Support (Facilitator) Room day. Group Memory Loss Sara Thomas Tuesdays 2 .11.04 Jubilee 1.30 –3.30 No charge. Awareness from 9 .11.04 Room Care for your Course Alzheimer’s 16.11.04 dependant is Society available in our Day Care Unit. Epilepsy 2nd Thursday Starting September Ante Room 10.00-1.00 Drop-in Support sessions. No charge

Course Details: Pilates • Suitable for everyone Cooking for Families • Improves general fitness, especially tones stomach Don’t know what to cook tonight? and back (core strength) Want to encourage your children to eat more fruit and veg? • Improves posture How do you make a healthy and inviting packed lunch? • Complements physiotherapy Always wanted to know how to make lasagne from scratch? • No impact-easy on the joints During these sessions we will be looking at soups, pasta, • Can help gain relief from aches and pains fruit, vegetable, baking, meat, desserts, vegetarian dishes. • Improves balance, co-ordination and circulation, Come along and have fun, learn a few tricks and take home also improves flexibility and prevents injury what you have prepared. • Improves sports performance Continued on next page

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September 2004 mag 4 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Continued form previous page Yoga means union, it frees your body and awakens your Positive Living emotional and mental clarity. Yoga helps you to relax, This popular course is being run in the evening to make it release tension, reduce stress and be more aware. It improves more accessible. If you would like more confidence, to be your posture and boosts your self-esteem. comfortable with who you are and to get more out of life then this is for you. Poetry Passion and Pleasure More a literary discussion than a lecture but deftly guided On going courses at Mayfair include Tai Chi on a by Chris. Let the poetry inspire you and awaken your Friday, Extend on Thursdays and personalised exercise emotions. Very informal and lots of fun as well as good for programmes on a Monday. the grey matter. A crêche is available during day time courses. Charge 50p Circle Dancing Suitable for everyone. Deeply relaxing mainly circular Plus lots more - have you visited your Community dances drawn from many countries. Beautiful music. You Centre recently? will leave feeling refreshed and energised.

SCAT Courses in Church Stretton

he nights are getting shorter and the garden is Some courses are held in partnership with getting less demanding. It is the time of year Church Stretton School. There are many IT Tto think about enrolling for autumn courses courses, using the school`s excellent facilities, and widening horizons. Shrewsbury College of Arts & as well as DIY, ‘Run Your Own Business’ and an advanced Technology (SCAT) offer a wide range of courses based in course leading to the Horse Owner Certificate Level 3. Church Stretton – everything from Computing to Belly Dancing! Brochures with details of all these courses are available from the Library, TIC, Newsworld and other shops. Courses are held at various venues around the town. For those wishing to maintain or achieve fitness, there are: The Enrolment and Information Evening for most courses will be held at the Parish Centre on 15th September 6.30 Getting into Shape Keep Active – 8.30pm. The Enrolment and Information Session for the Yoga for Fitness Better Bodies Church Stretton School courses will be held at the school on Swimming Yoga 10th September 4.00 – 6.00pm. Introduction to Belly Dancing (Just two sessions to start with – Come on girls – have a go! Learn to shimmy!) Enrolment forms will be available at the appropriate session. If you are unable to go along, for further details and forms, For those who prefer more sedentary pursuits, there are: please contact: Pam Allsop, Health and Beauty Clinic, Church Way. Tel: Drawing and Painting Poetry, Passion and Pleasure 01694 723899 – for most courses History of Art (French 18th century) Debbie or Cathy, Church Stretton School. Wine Appreciation Tel:01694 722209 (daytime) – for school based courses

Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child – Shoebox Appeal he Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoebox Appeal Note: Owing to Customs regulations is well under way and we hope that it will be as chocolate should not be included this Tstrongly supported this year as last. year. Shoeboxes containing gifts of toys, stationary, gloves, hat, We would be grateful to hear from any business or soap, flannel, and other suitable items are distributed to individuals who could act as ‘drop-off points’ to store boxes needy children of any religion or nationality in over 100 ready for collection. Please contact me if you think you may countries worldwide. If you would like more information be able to help. on this project and where the boxes are sent, contact www.samaritanspurse.com Your shoebox could make this a child’s happiest Christmas ever. Leaflets containing suggestions and instructions for filling a shoebox can be found in the Library and various shops in town. Linda Salisbury (723253) Your Church may also be participating and have information.

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September 2004 mag 5 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Stretton Town Football Focus elcome to the first edition players from surrounding areas. Commitment ‘off of a monthly report on the Last season saw the arrival of Dave the field’ is just as Wprogress of Church Stretton Badman, Tommy Johnson, Dan important as the Town Football Club. Woosman (Player’s Player of the efforts of Chris and Season), Matt Tudor (Top Goalscorer), the players on it. As We intend to keep all interested Ross Howells and David Humphries, such, there is now parties involved in the news, progress all of whom played a major role in a strong committee and achievements of the team with the team’s success. However, new in place, led by the club’s chairman information about forthcoming events, players don’t just come from outside Mike Tibbles. The committee meets fundraising activities and, of course, Stretton. Church Stretton Magpies regularly and is dedicated to moving our recent match results, fixtures and are always providing ‘up and coming’ the club forward by building on the current league position. players at grass roots level – Anthony success of the last three seasons. We are Prince, Dean Richards and Ben always looking for ideas and support Stretton Town F.C. has enjoyed much Heiron to name but 3. With the initiatives to help us to achieve our success over the last three seasons. priority for the forthcoming 2004/ goals, so any thoughts or ideas for the Promoted to the Shropshire County 05 season being a top 3 finish and people of the Strettons would always Premier Division as champions of pushing for promotion to the West be welcome. Shropshire County League Division Midland league, we are now looking to 1 in 2001/02, we then consolidated strengthen our squad again and have Our season kicked off on August 14th our status in the first season of Premier already welcomed 8 or 9 new faces and we will display fixture lists in Division Football finishing 11th in from Stretton, Ludlow, Shrewsbury places of prominence around the town 2002/03. This progression continued and Telford to pre-season training. so that we can increase the support in 2003/04, finishing the season in at future matches, so keep your eyes 6th place. Two major Work behind the scenes peeled and come and cheer us on! highlights of the past 3 was also officially years were appearances recognised last season Home or away, your voice is needed, in cup finals at Gay as we were placed in the so let’s hear you! Meadow, Shrewsbury. top three clubs for our Joe Leask In 2001/02 we were hospitality throughout the crowned Shropshire league, by the Shropshire Junior Cup Winners Football Association. for the first time in the Much of the credit for club’s history, and in this award goes to the 2003/04 we acquitted club’s president, Pat ourselves excellently, Middleton, for all his but finished as runners work in making the The National Trust up in the Shropshire facilities as impressive as Challenge Cup after a they are. Church Stretton Attingham Park 2-0 defeat by Market Drayton Town District and Social Club has now been from the West Midland Premier confirmed as the permanent home Division. Much of this success, both for the Town’s post match socializing We Need You on and off the pitch, is testimony to with the opposing team and their the commitment and enthusiasm of supporters. Do you have some free time and enjoy the club’s coach and Manager, Chris meeting people? Richards. As with any club operating at this level, fundraising is always a Why not join our friendly team Having seen the large numbers of priority. Running the football club of volunteer Room Stewards, who enthusiastic supporters who travelled costs around £3,000 a season and welcome visitors around Attingham up the A49 to support the Town at these funds are raised through a Hall. these finals, it is clear that many people combination of sponsorship and in the Strettons would appreciate a promotional events. The Club’s No prior knowledge of Attingham monthly update on the team’s progress. contribution to the running of the Hall is needed. Good support makes a huge difference annual Church Stretton Bonfire to any team’s performance, so look Night is confirmed and the recent For further details, please call the out for the forthcoming fixture list success of this year’s Golf Day means Property Manager and bring your support to Russell’s that this will be an event which we Meadow on a Saturday afternoon! hope will hold its place both as a on substantial fundraiser and also a The club’s continuing improvement brilliant day for all competitors. 01743 708161 has resulted in our attracting new

Stretton Focus - 9 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 6 13/8/04, 3:20 pm URC Voice hen I first met Shirley she was already elderly, As recompense for her injuries, small of stature, made smaller still by an inherent Shirley was eventually awarded Wstoop. Leg and foot deformities made her £8,000. Not a huge sum but, to ungainly and the fingers of one hand were missing from Shirley, a small fortune. With a childhood accident. Well, hardly an accident: an elder the money, she paid back all her brother had pushed her into the fire. Shirley had been a debts and lavished gifts on all who life-long flower seller and the exposure had tanned and had shown her kindness (even on some of her malicious wrinkled her skin, making her look even older than her neighbours who hadn’t). For the church people, she threw years. Add to this the fact that she had no teeth and wore a party. More a banquet really - rather like the Father’s no dentures and you will readily understand that Shirley celebration for the prodigal’s return. was no beauty! Within six months Shirley had spent every penny. But But she was tough. She had had to be. It was not only her how she’d spent it! Irresponsibly? Probably. Extravagantly? brother who had harmed her: her parents had neglected her, Certainly! Yet, when I think of the joy she gave, I’m her drunken husband had beaten her and her neighbours reminded most vividly of the generous and extravagant had despised her. And still did. love of God whose providence we celebrate at Harvest. For through his exuberant, self-sacrificial love, God gave and When Shirley first came to my church it was for Harvest continues to give us all that he has and is - ‘good measure, Festival. She went home - as most other elderly people did pressed down, shaken together, running over’. It’s an that day - with a parcel of food. She probably needed it more effervescent love, powerful enough to transform lives and than most: having no idea how to manage her pension she cause us to love one another. was continually in debt, mostly to fellow customers of the Peter Loveitt local pubs from whom she cadged. Many of her neighbours in the sheltered housing said the only reason she’d gone to church for Harvest was for what she could get out of it. Steam Powered Website Yet next Sunday Shirley was back at church; and the next. team engine enthusiast Chris Semple has created a At first, she was an embarrassment to everybody. If anyone brand new website for the County of Salop Steam offended her, she swore at them like a trooper; whenever SEngine Society – www.steaminsalop.co.uk – with she had money in her purse she drank herself into a stupor. much information and many pictures on the activities of Some local pubs had banned her for persistent begging or the Society. rowdy behaviour. More than once, late at night, I’d found The website Shirley lying helpless on the pavement, stoned out of her will be updated mind, carried her to my car and ferried her home. weekly, and will soon include a Then she began coming to weeknight Bible studies on “Working Field” ‘Christian love’, reeking of alcohol and constantly interrupting page describing with words of bitterness and hatred about all whom she’d the 20-acre crossed. Shirley reminded me of Gollum in ‘The Lord of the working area Rings’ - that wizened, creeping, deceitful creature who was the devoted at each bane of Frodo Baggins. Gollum often said, ‘I hates Bagginses.’ year’s Rally to The list of people Shirley hated seemed endless. the traditional agricultural But as the months went by, people in the church learnt activities carried to tolerate her words and odd ways. One evening, when out by huge she didn’t arrive for the weekly Bible study, people were steam engines genuinely concerned for her. We discovered later that, – everything crossing the street to reach the church, she’d been knocked from ploughing, down by a car and suffered seven broken bones. corn cutting, chaff cutting, During Shirley’s hospitalisation that followed, people from and harvesting the church visited her. Lots of them. Shirley was touched Chris Semple on “Lady Sarah” by reaper binders, to hammer by their concern, their care, their compassion, their love milling involving early tractors and other machines. Teams - and a transformation began to take place. When she came of Shire horses will be featured too. home, Shirley said she wanted to join the church that had shown her such love: wanted to publicly profess her faith The highly informative website is ideal for all lovers of in the Lord of Love and be confirmed. And soon she did. steam and should help to attract a worldwide audience. Her critics had been right: by going to church she had got something out of it (though not what they expected!) Chris Semple (723799) Shirley had gained love, acceptance and a faith to live by. email: [email protected]

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September 2004 mag 7 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Anglican Voice Puppet takes Curate to task the tiller’ and the parish has retained a sense of direction and purpose under his leadership. ver the last few days we have been saying farewell to Jon and Kath Hutchinson and At 3.00pm on Sunday 19th September Jon will be Licensed Otheir children Iain, Anna and Helen as they move as Priest-in-Charge in the Parish of St Margaret, Aspley, on to new challenges. Jon has been Curate in the Strettons Nottingham. There he will be serving a large church family and for the last three years and many people’s lives have been applying his gifts and experience as he helps them discover and changed and challenged by his ministry among us. pursue their part in the extending of God’s kingdom in that area.

Jon trained at Trinity College, Bristol where his furry friends Reflecting on where his time in the Strettons has gone, Jon wrote: first made their appearances in college All Age Worship. Ralph, Mellow, Alien, Forrest, Bobbie and Susie have since “It went in worshipping together, praying, working for the become regular contributors to worship and teaching at St Kingdom and enjoying the fellowship of co-workers. It went Laurence, as well as visiting St Lawrence Primary School in laughter and some tears, rejoicing together, and mourning almost as often as Jon! I guess they taught Jon all he knows the loss of those we love. Learning together; from each other, and for that we should be grateful. growing closer in fellowship and growing to be more Christ- like as God’s people. It has been an exceptional time and it Kath too has made a significant contribution to the life of has been a privilege to share the journey with you.” the Anglican church in the Strettons. We have benefited greatly from her musical skills and gifts in leading worship. And the people said: ‘Amen’! Many people have appreciated her listening ear, gentle encouragement and faithful prayer. Iain, Anna and Helen – you will all be much in our prayers as you start new schools. Thank you to Ralph, Mellow and Though it is not unusual for a Curate to be left running a friends for sharing your wisdom with us. Look after Jon and parish when the Rector moves on, tribute must be paid to Kath for us won’t you? Jon’s dedication and sheer hard work over the nine months of the vacancy in the parish. His has been a firm ‘hand on When you read this, two years of careful preparation has

Ayers Rock o climb or not to climb is a very pertinent question breakfast and seeing native art work in the caves at the foot of when you get to the rock as everyone knows that the Rock while walking part of the 9 kilometre walk around Tthe Aborigines regard Ayers Rock as a very sacred the base of this the largest monolith of hard sandstone in the site which one is desecrating by climbing and, in fact, all world. So they drove off expecting to rendezvous with us in climbers are known by them as the ‘ant people’. Secondly the two hours as it is only 1.6 km to the summit. coach company that I was with did their level best to stop it by putting on a champagne breakfast for those who do not It was still half light when we reached the base of the rock climb and opt to watch the rising sun from another vantage and were told that conditions were suitable to climb with point. A third factor is the very serious warning given in the no wind or rain forecast for the day. This was a relief as only brochures of loss of life especially for elderly men. the day before there was a dramatic thunder storm when we were at the Olgas, a similar rock formation 50 km to I was slightly worried about the Aborigines and still in a the west, where I took a photo of streams of water coming dilemma till we got there but decided that their gods were off the hot rock forming a low rainbow between two of not my God ‘for the heathen in his blindness bows the rocks directly the sun came out. Permission to climb is down to wood and stone’ and I did not want to follow them always a 50 : 50 risk and in any case no one was allowed to - perhaps I was wrong. Over the question of fitness I hoped climb between l0.00am and 4.00 pm because of the heat, ten years in the Stretton hills would suffice and try as I might hence the early start. The average temperature that month I could not find any statistics of mortality or morbidity for December was 35˚C at Ayers. My two friends were in their climbers of any age but understand that the helicopter rescue thirties and so I opted to climb between them grabbing service is quite frequently called out and suspect that sooner the very long rope over the approaches which led onto a or later permission to climb may well be stopped. fixed chain going straight up the rock face for 300 metres at about 40 degrees with metal stakes every 10 metres. The trip began when I left relations in Adelaide and flew to Ayers Rock via Alice Springs to join a coach party for the next While one looked upwards things seemed all right but looking few days sightseeing there, at Kings Canyon and at Alice. down was very frightening, at least to a non mountaineer, knowing that there is not a single finger hold if one should On the day of the climb I got a call at 4.00 am and ate all stumble, lose the chain and fall on the hard smooth rock face the sugar I could find on the tea tray before setting out in with little chance of survival hundreds of feet below. the coach in the dark with the intention of seeing the sun rise around 6.00 am. When we got there only three in the The first 300 metres is very strenuous as one pulls oneself coach of thirty six decided to climb, the others prefering the up on the chain wearing trainers and hoping the hysteresis

Stretton Focus - 12 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 8 13/8/04, 3:20 pm In his contribution to the Festival Programme, Harry Harland offered the hope that ‘your visit will be enjoyable and memorable’ – I am sure that the vast majority would say that was exactly their experience.

The Friends of St Laurence, who organised this Festival of Flowers and Music, exist to raise funds for the repair and improvement of our parish church, which has stood at the heart of this market town for over 900 years. The Festival of Flowers and Music has been a wonderful way to help us ensure a continuing strong Christian witness in our ancient Parish Church. Revd Graham Stones, Rector

Jon and Kath Hutchinson come to fruition as folks from near and far crowd into St Laurence’s to savour the delights of floral displays of the highest order.

Under the Chairmanship of Douglas Grounds, ably assisted by Harry Harland (Vice-Chairman), Mrs Chris Thomson (Festival Adviser) and others, the Festival Committee worked hard to put on an event of real quality which put our local Ralph, Mellow and friends community firmly on the flower festival map! Iain, Anna and Helen Hutchinson

of the rubber would not fade as ones arms did needing frequent stops. Stretton climbing was not of much help at On the return we met a coach party of Japanese on the chain this stage! Thankfully after this there was a shelf on which we all wearing white gloves which surprised us and we found all recovered before following a white dotted line showing the that passing each one was nasty especially if one had to go the route to the summit clearly painted on the rock. At first we other side of the chain. However ‘all’s well that ends well’. turned right and then in different directions but without a We were glad to have done it ‘because it is there’ and very chain one felt more vulnerable and just as frightened. thankful none of us had had a mishap such as occured the next day with the helicopter having to be called out. Anyone looking at a photo of Ayers Rock, named after the one time Governor of Australia and now known as Uluru, Martin Plumptre would think that the top was flat but the route we followed was anything but with “pitches” of 10-20 metres going up and down on which one had to crawl on all fours or balance precariously, while going down one either slid on one’s seat or had to face the rock. On several occasions the route was reduced to two or three feet in width with precipitous falls on either side into pools of water at the bottom with their own flora and primitive fauna. A further factor was knowing we had to get back within two hours and the return would be just as difficult for otherwise we would hold the coach up, causing great opprobrium.

On reaching the summit we all took photos of each other and looked at the toposcope giving the distance of different ranges of mountains but I knew that wild horses would never make me do it again. The sun by this time was well up and the general impression was of a vast flat reddish landscape from which the Rock arises and from which we enjoyed the view as we drank water from our bottles knowing we could only stay a few minutes to wonder at the Ayers Rock photo: Martin Plumptre rise of 348 metres from the flat terrain of Simpson Desert

Stretton Focus - 13 - August 2004

September 2004 mag 9 13/8/04, 3:20 pm The Herbary: Sage alvia officinalis (Sage) takes its name Medicinally, sage is used either on its own, from the Latin ‘salvere’ – to be saved. or combined with other oils to effect cures SFrom the ancients, including desert in numerous ailments. Most often it is used tribes of Arabia, through early Roman and (by trained herbalists) for inflammations of Greek times and on into the middle-ages the throat, mouth and tonsils. It also makes and beyond, there was a belief that any an excellent gargle or mouthwash. It has a man having sage growing in his garden carminative action and soothes over-stimulated would never die. Since man is, however, nerves. Sage is also said to strengthen the mortal presumably it meant his genetic line memory, a fact borne out by recent research would not die! carried out at Newcastle and Northumbria Universities. The Tudor herbalist, John Gerard, Many legends surround the herb. These are writing in 1597 stated it was ‘singularly good for just some of them. Sage is believed to be a ‘keeper of hidden the head, nerves and memory’. knowledge’ or, certainly, the person charged with its upkeep may acquire this particular attribute. In a herb garden Sage enjoys a sunny, well-drained site together with a tended by a married couple, and where the sage grows moderately fertile soil. It should also be grown with another strongly, it is said to signify the domain of a dominant wife! plant – a full bed of sage alone is said to bring ill-luck. I grow mine with chives, a member of the allium (onion family) and There is one legend connected with the Holy Family and the the two plants seem happy enough together - as indeed they flight from the soldiers of King Herod who had decreed that should since sage and onion has been a staple stuffing mix for all babies under two must be killed. Trying to find a place to centuries, especially when partnered with the fatty goose. hide from fast approaching soldiers they appealed first to a rose, then a clove plant and finally a sage plant. The sage plant Culinarily sage is very good, and even helps to negate excess bloomed and flowered on the instant and created a canopy fattiness in any meat with which it is cooked. Saltimabocca that sheltered Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus. Since that is a delicious Italian dish of either thin veal or pork steaks time roses have thorns, the clove plant smells musty, but the sprinkled with chopped sage, wrapped in proscuittio ham sage plant is blest with many curative powers. and flash-fried very quickly – as its name says it really does ‘jump-in-the-mouth! Sage goes well with vegetables, Just as Rosemary has blue flowers (another plant that helped especially broad beans, and with cheese and eggs. the Holy Family) so sage flowers are mainly blue, some of them a very beautiful and striking blue. A Provencal saying In flower language sage stands for: Wisdom, Long-life, states that ‘anyone who does not use sage, doesn’t remember Good health and Happy Living or, as Spock always said, the Virgin’ (Jesus’ mother). “Live long and prosper”! Margaret Smith

Catholic Voice e speak of forgiveness as an essential There is also a case for forgiving those who have Christian virtue, yet our world is full of harmed us but are not sorry and do not repent. Wvindictiveness. Making the first move is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. It breaks a vicious circle of hate and I once watched a TV programme about a western journalist violence and sets the victim himself free. Resentment is as who joined a hunting expedition from an African village. crippling as guilt. The tribesmen had faith; he had none. He took with him a tin of sardines, in case they caught nothing. They came back Rationally speaking, forgiveness is illogical and unfair. empty-handed and the Africans blamed their failure on him But so is life. God, who is love, speaks to our heart first, and his lack of trust. There was a bad feeling of resentment to our intellect later. Christians are divided by intellectual in the air. Two days later, the reporter had a change of heart. arguments but united in their love of God and man. The He felt he should not have taken that tin of sardines. He eyes of the disciples were not opened by a Bible study, but apologised to the chief and asked for forgiveness – which by the breaking of the bread, a spiritual experience. This was granted at once, with a big smile and a handshake. belief is at the root of the Catholic devotion to the Sacred They had a record catch that day. Heart of Jesus. The 17th Century expression of that belief puzzled many Catholics and repels other Christians. God It would seem that, like children, unsophisticated people, is love. straight from the hand of God, have no difficulty in forgiving. They find it normal and natural. When we As forgiveness allows love to return and flow freely again, we are not forgiven, it is often because we are too proud to see the world as a place of peace, safety and joy. apologise and to admit our mistakes. We do not see an apology as a way to put right the wrong we have done, but Simone Crawley as a shameful surrender.

Stretton Focus - 14 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 10 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Church Stretton: Then and Now ollowing the photographic article in August Focus Shropshire and Mid-Wales Hospice - Book Sale which featured Salt`s as the shop appeared before The book sale to raise funds for the Hospice held at the and after 1901, Tony Crowe has kindly agreed to S.H.I. on 10th July was very successful. It realised £841 F allow us to use some of his collection of photographs in an after expenses. I would like to express my very sincere occasional series, ‘Church Stretton: Then and Now’. thanks to all those who helped stage the event, particularly those who responded to our appeal for books, those who For example, only the octogenarians amongst us stand a helped transport them (107 boxes, there and back) and chance of remembering the house which stood on the site those who supported us on the day. As a result of this and now occupied by Lloyds Bank. other recent fund raising events a cheque for £1850 has been given to the Hospice. Phyl Crowe. Chairman, Church Stretton Hospice Support Group

Save the Children The street collection held in Church Stretton on Saturday, 17th July raised the grand total of £276 30 for Save the Children. Thank you to all who contributed so generously. Elizabeth Wainwright, Chair, Church Stretton Branch STC

Rainbow Ward Thanks to everyone in Church Stretton who sponsored me in the Ironbridge triathlon, through my Mum, Mrs Stephanie Nightingale. I finished in 9th place and 1st in my age group. I raised £500 for the Rainbow ward. Thanks again. Ivor Nightingale

Food Fayre & Promise Auction On behalf of the Members of the Chamber of Trade I would like to thank the Committee and the volunteers who organised the successful Food Fayre. I would also like This house, at the corner of Station Road [later renamed to thank those who offered prizes and promises for the Sandford Avenue] and High Street, with garden extending Auction as, without their generous donations, an amount down Station Road, was occupied by George Preece, who of £1,400, which will be equally divided between the Hope planted the lime trees for Holland Sandford. House and County Air Ambulance Charities, would not have been achieved. Stuart Wright, Chairman, Church Stretton Chamber of Trade

Cancer Research UK The Local Committee of Cancer Research UK has held three most successful summer fund raising events in Church Stretton. The Garden Party on June 26th raised £919 and the Garden Open on July 17th raised £450. We would like to thank everyone who supported us and came along, in spite of the vagaries of the English summer. The House to House collection held in June made a marvellous total of £2073. Thank you to all who donated and also to our small band of helpers who worked so hard collecting it all in. All this money will go towards funding the £192 million which will be spent on vital research by Cancer Research UK in 2004. This figure is making a real difference to our fight against this terrible disease. Sue Toghill, Chairman, Church Stretton Local Committee Lloyds Bank, built on the same site about 1923.

Mayfair Flag Day In next month’s Focus… I should like to thank everyone who donated or generously hurch Stretton Fire Station and firemen feature in gave time to collect for the Community Centre on the October edition, together with an account of July 31st. The Flag Day enabled us to raise community Cthe hotel fire in 1968 written by Alan Wildblood, awareness about Mayfair whilst playing an important part who retired from the Shropshire Fire Service in 1997, in our fund raising efforts. This year`s collection raised having served 35 years at Church Stretton. He wrote it in £413.27. Thanks to all. response to the Focus Short Story Competition and it is a Sue Wood, Chair of Fund Raising moving recollection of the terrible event.

Stretton Focus - 17 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 11 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Behind the Scenes of the Longmynd Hike his year sees the 37th annual Longmynd Hike taking advice and encouragement whilst the big roadside ones add place on 2nd and 3rd October. Following last year`s refreshments, first aid and even entertainment! Checkpoints Tarticle on this event, I have been asked to give a are kept supplied by the ‘chuck’ wagon – another committee few more details about its organisation and answer some job - and tents are erected and dismantled before and after frequently asked questions about it. the event by a team headed by another committee member. Some checkpoints can be open right through the night, The Longmynd Hike is organised by the local 2nd however dark and cold the October weather, especially in Longmynd scout group who are lucky enough to have a small tent on a hill top, so the committee`s thanks go to the help of a large number of friends and supporters. these volunteers. Some of these form a committee which meets monthly. Each member of the committee has responsibility for a Back at the headquarters at Church particular aspect of the event, e.g. entries, safety, transport, Stretton School other committee catering, communications or first aid, as well as the more members will be processing entries, conventional jobs as secretary and treasurer. checking competitors are carrying all the compulsory equipment The aim of the hike is to encourage as many people as possible and providing refreshments before to complete as much of the course as they reasonably can. For the start of the event. During the majority of competitors, finishing or breaking a previous the hike itself, the control is best performance is challenge enough! These people are the manned for the full 24 hours by true heroes of the event. At the other end of the scale are the hike committee members and super fit fell runners who come from all over the country to the Raynet organisation. Other take part. They complete the course in unbelievably fast times - members spot check hikers for essential equipment en some even finishing the 50 miles in time for a well-earned pint route. The Red Cross staffs a first aid point at the school, at a local hostelry before closing time! providing expertise and sympathy for competitors who have been forced to retire early. The catering team swings It is the ‘behind the scenes’ jobs which make all this into action at an early hour on the Sunday morning to possible. Safety is always foremost in our minds. The safety provide huge amounts of ‘full English’ breakfasts to the officer and his team, backed by the local Red Cross branch, weary returning hikers and officials who seem to manage volunteer paramedics and the communication skills of the to pop in between jobs. Our computer operators – see the Shropshire Raynet organisation work to keep the individual website, its brilliant! – begin sorting out results, timings and competitors as safe as possible as most of them navigate winners- painstakingly checked and double checked from their own way through the night. Committee members the finishers` certificates. A small committee-run shop does running ‘Hike Control’ at Church Stretton School a brisk trade in refreshments and necessities before and after co-ordinate all mobile hike officials should any problems the event and a team of specialist cleaners swings into action arise via the radio links. This is made easier by having all to tidy up the sort of mess that only 400 plus muddy hikers official hike vehicles fitted with tracking devices, showing can inflict on a building in 24 hours. their position within a few metres on the So that’s about it organisation wise, I am constantly amazed controllers’ computer at the efforts so many people put in to make the event map. work- it has evolved and grown so much over the 37 years of its existence- who could contemplate starting such an The ‘closing officer’ is event from scratch now? responsible for checking which hikers have Of course, if you would like to put this entire organisation reached and passed through the various checkpoints en to the test - have a go at the event yourself. Log on to the route. He is assisted by a sweep team, whose members come website at http://www.longmyndhike.free-online.co.uk. For from all over the country and specialise in this task on more information contact the Entries Secretary, Phil Harris, many similar events. Committee members form a ‘Bo–Peep’ Longmynd Hike, ‘Wyeknot’, Wall-Under-Heywood, team, who guide stragglers around the course. They know Church Stretton. SY6 7DS. Be quick – entries close one the route very well and provide welcome encouragement to week before the event and you cannot enter on the day. those who are ‘flagging’ a bit! If all this encouragement fails We look forward to seeing you. then the transport department provides a fleet of mini-buses Brian Faulkner , Hike Chairman to give a lift back to Church Stretton where hot showers, refreshments, sympathy and first aid are available.

The checkpoint officer organises the staffing of the 17 checkpoints around the route. Again, all staff are For July volunteers and many return year after year to customise No: 447 £100 their individual outposts, some going to extraordinary 250 £50 lengths on chosen themes to brighten up and lift the 211 £20 spirits of the competitors. All checkpoints offer support, 556 £10

Stretton Focus - 18 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 12 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Church Stretton Medical Centre Saturday mornings advice and to see people if necessary. These changes helped to attract new doctors into general practice and to work in ou may be aware that since 14th August 2004 patients rural areas. requiring Saturday morning emergency medical care Yhave been asked to call Shropdoc and the practice has League of Friends of Church Stretton been closed on Saturday mornings. It had been anticipated that Shropdoc would provide the Saturday morning emergency Medical Practice medical care service from 1st October, thus allowing the practices in Shropshire sufficient time to advertise the change to their It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of Mr Alan patients. However, Shropdoc felt that a phased introduction Roderick-Smith. Over the past 11 years, he had been the using pilot practices prior to 1st October would allow for any Treasurer of the League of Friends and worked tirelessly as problems that arose to be dealt with before 1st October deadline. a lay member to keep the charity active. It is because of the generosity of people giving to the charity that we have been The number to call for out of hours emergency medical able to purchase equipment for use at the medical centre. care (including Saturday mornings) is 08450 20 21 31. He will be sorely missed. The changes to Saturday mornings have occurred because Other news the government has now classified Saturday mornings as ‘out of hours’ and Shropdoc is contracted to provide GP We have recently said goodbye to one of our secretaries, services then. ‘Out of Hours’ services started to change June Cureton and one of our health care assistants, Angela nationally 8 years ago with the introduction of GP co- Ford. In August we were joined by Dr Neil Fletcher a operatives - ‘Shropdoc’ or Shropshire Doctors Co-operative new GP registrar who is gaining experience of working in here. This is GPs working together to provide help and general practice. Influenza Clinic Dates

Week 1 Week 2 Tuesday 5th October 2pm to 4pm 19th October 2pm to 4pm Wednesday 6th October 2pm to 4pm 20th October 2pm to 4pm Thursday 7th October 2pm to 5pm 21st October 2pm to 5pm

Groups at risk from influenza and recommended to have the vaccination by the Department of Health.

All people aged 65 years and over. and people aged under 65 year with underlying problems such as:

Respiratory problems - Asthma Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Bronchitis Emphysema Cystic fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Cardiac problems Angina Previous myocardial infarction Heart failure Arrhythmias Heart valve disease

Diabetes Type 1 (insulin-dependent diabetes) Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent diabetes)

Renal disease - Chronic renal failure Nephritic syndrome Patients on dialysis Transplant recipients

Immunosuppression - High dose steroids HIV Those treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy

Town Twinning he Church Stretton Area Partnership has been asked to consider a possible twinning arrangement with Doué-la-Fontaine, a small town in the Loire Valley. Our school already has a long standing link with a school there. TIf any readers have experience of town twinning elsewhere, or are interested in pursuing this possibility, would they please contact David Hill, Chairman of the Partnership on 724701 or write to him via the Town Council Office. A working group will be formed to consider the advantages, disadvantages, costs and implications of such a venture.

Stretton Focus - 26 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 13 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Focus on Faith “Come now, let us talk this over” with others and so forth. While all of these are good, there is one way that is essential: we traditionally call it ‘prayer’. he Bible is littered with examples of men and If we are really honest we know that our busyness can force women addressing God, sometimes in petition, prayer out of our lives. The regular public prayer with the Tsometimes in praise. Early in Isaiah (Isaiah 1:18) we rest of the church family may remain, but the prayer which read of God addressing his people: “Come now, let us reason is a response to God’s invitation, “Come now, let us talk this together,” says the Lord…. is how the NIV translation puts it. over” may be lost. But the same verse is translated “Come now, let us talk this over” in the Jerusalem Bible – I think I prefer the latter! What might ‘talking things over’ with Father involve? Perhaps our desires and disappointments, our doubts and Understanding prayer as ‘talking things over with God’ strivings. Certainly we will need also to be quiet, to listen, seems to put that activity in a very different context. One of to wait. ‘Talking things over’ will cover our sinfulness and the greatest problems facing Christians today is that we can forgiveness. It will include letting God know who we are be so busy doing God’s work that we forget about him. – in our strength and our weakness.

We often recall that Jesus draws us into sharing the I don’t know about you, but my prayers often become a commission that he himself received from the Father. formula that I repeat at a similar time each day. While there Therefore go and make disciples... preaching, visiting the is merit in the discipline of that, I suspect that God really needy, comforting the sick, challenging the evils of our wants me to settle down to talk this over. society, fighting injustice... there is so much to be achieved and so little time to do it all! The trouble is that Christian Henri Nouwen wrote: work and witness can turn into Christian busyness. The work that rightly belongs to God then subtly becomes my In the lonely place Jesus finds the courage to follow God’s responsibility. will and not his own; to speak God’s words and not his own; to do God’s work and not his own. He reminds us We need to be reminded day by day that it is God’s work constantly: ‘I can do nothing by myself... my aim is not to that he graciously involves you and me in – that he has do my own will, but the will of him who sent me’. John 5: incredibly asked us to become partners in his continuing 30; quote from Out of Solitude rescue mission; but that we are junior partners! Jesus repeatedly drew aside to pray and so it’s tempting I recently read an old Latin tag: nemo dat quod non habet. to think that we can only pray when we are able to draw This, I understand, translates as ‘you can’t give what you aside; so in a busy life it’s hard to find enough time to pray. haven’t got’. What we are called to give, as followers of Elsewhere in the New Testament we are encouraged to ‘pray Jesus Christ, is God himself: his compassion, love, mercy, constantly’. But some people never stop talking, and I guess listening ear... and since nemo dat quod non habet – if I don’t this is the way in which we are able to ‘pray constantly’ know him then I can’t give him. – by learning to come to the Lord, that we may talk things through. Shall we give it a go? We come to know God in all manner of ways – including Yours in Christ study of God’s word, through creation, through interaction Graham Stones, Rector

Stretton Choral Society Stroke Association ehearsals for the Choral Society’s ‘Christmas Glory’ ime seems to be going concert start this month and new members are welcome. by quicker and quicker R Tthese days and it will The choir, together with soloists Lorna Crosse and Joan soon be time for the annual Longmore, will sing the Vivaldi Gloria with movements street collection for the Stroke from Italian solo concertos played by Ensemble Musicale. Association. The date of the collection is being changed to Christmas music with carols for everyone will make up the coincide with the National Stroke Awareness Week, which second part of the concert. It will take place on Saturday this year will be on Sat 9th October. 4th December in Church Stretton School. Last year, my magnificent band of helpers raised nearly five The choir’s AGM will be on Thursday 2nd September at hundred pounds from our locations outside the Co-op, Spar 7.30pm at the United Reformed Church Hall when music and Lloyds Bank. As always, I am looking for volunteers for the new season will be available. The first rehearsal is so, if you have an hour to spare on that day and would like on Thursday 16th September. Weekly meetings are held on to participate, please contact me on 01694 72260 or at 40 Thursdays at 7.30pm. Further information can be obtained Ludlow Road, Church Stretton. from the chairman, Philip Lane Clark (01694 723294) or the secretary, Pam Cole (01694 723604). Chris Kolvin

Stretton Focus - 28 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 14 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Weather in General - and Shropshire in Particular The July storm stimulated Focus ‘weather man’, Robert Smart, showers, after which pressure rises. We then get perhaps to think about our weather and decide that Shropshire is a a day or two of fine weather before the next depression great place to live! arrives. Depressions always run in families!

esterday, July 8th, we had a very wet The worst of the rain on a depression is and windy day - a day which has been always found to the north of its centre. If a Yreported to be the coldest July day on depression forms in the Bay of Biscay and record. then tracks up the English Channel, we are to the north of it while its tentacles straddle The forecast was “to batten down the hatches France. Such is the situation today, July 9th. and be ready for flash floods” and then later we heard of If you stand with your back to the wind, the depression is power lines down in Worcestershire. But why is it that to your left. Today the wind is coming from the north-east. Shropshire seems to get away relatively lightly? This means that the depression is south east of us and so we are to the north of the depression centre and we are getting It’s all a matter of geography and physics. Situated, as we the heaviest of the rain. This will last, on average, 24 hours are, in the middle of the country we are relatively well as it always does when the wind comes from an easterly protected from the worst excesses of the weather by the direction. land all around us. For example, in winter, when we get cold, east winds bearing snow it is the south-east and east of But here again we can see the advantage of being in the England which suffer most. Often we get hardly any snow middle of the country. The counties to the south of us, at all. If the wind is a rain-bearing westerly, it is the south- particularly those along the Channel coast, are having much west and Wales which protect us from the worst of it. higher winds and much heavier rain than we are. Over four inches of rain fell in some southern counties whereas we got The other reason is our proximity, or lack of it, to the away with 1.10 inches. This is a classic example of how well sea. When a depression forms over the Atlantic, it moves we are protected from the worst of the weather by being east and almost always takes the line of least resistance, so far from the sea and so well protected from the south. i.e. it keeps to the sea rather than crossing the land. Most Protection from the west by Wales and its mountains and depressions track around the west of Ireland then head from the north by Scotland and its mountains means that, north around Scotland. A depression is rather like a jellyfish from a weather aspect, there is no better place to live than with tentacles hanging behind it, in this case a warm front Shropshire! followed by a cold front. These cross the whole of England. The warm front brings steady rain, about 4/5 hours of P.S. This article was not commissioned by the Shropshire it and is then followed by the cold front bearing isolated Tourist Authority!! Robert Smart 9th July 2004

Our Weather – July 2004 t was not a very exciting month but one of mixed compared with 65.03F last year, quite a fortunes. July started off relatively cool and with difference. Not only that, but this year we had Irain more often than not. 14 days in the first 20 had no days with the mercury in the eighties. Do precipitation of some kind but then it perked up and ended you remember last year, on one day we had a on a high note with 11 days of warm dry weather and whopping 92F but this year the best we could temperatures in the high seventies. The total rainfall was manage was a meagre 79F. Well, meagre by 2.42 inches which is comparable with last year`s 2.55 inches comparison but, I suspect, warm enough for many of our and well above the lowest (0.45 inches recorded in 1979). senior residents. Because of this cooler weather thunder- The wettest July on record is 1968 when we had 5.59 storms were not a problem. One thing which struck me as inches. unusual was that the warmest night time temperature and the coldest daytime temperature were both the same at 59F. Of course, when we think of summer, we think of last year I don’t know when this has occurred before - it is probably - so how did July compare this year? Well, rather poorly unique. I have to admit. The average temperature was 62.33F, Robert Smart

Trivia Corner – No 10 by Ken Willis

1. What was the pen name of writer Mary Ann Evans? 2. After the departure of Don Revie, who famously became manager of Leeds United, for just 44 days in 1973? 3. What did an Italian writer, Vincenzo Perruggia, steal in 1911? 4. The Geneva Convention of 1864 for the protection of wounded in times of warfare, led to the formation of which association? 5. Which fairground attraction was first patented by Edwin Prescott in 1898? (Answers on page 42)

Stretton Focus - 30 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 15 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Quaker Voice Wheelie Bins are coming An Invitation outh Shropshire is joining the Shropshire f you are reading this, it’s just Waste Partnership, a county-wide waste possible that you might be Smanagement strategy following an ‘in Iwondering – not enough to go as far as to turn up principle’ decision taken at a special meeting of on a Sunday, of course, but just wondering - about, Life, the full council in July, which means that there the Universe and Everything. You might be looking for a will be wheelie bins in the future. purpose in life, craving company or seeking solitude. You might tend to avoid this God stuff, it’s a bit embarrassing The changeover will need careful planning, an assessment after all, but you might also be looking for something of householders’ needs and significant public consultation. spiritual in your life. Because of the different needs of the urban and rural parts of the district, there will not be a universal solution that ‘fits If you are, grit your teeth and try a Quaker Meeting one all’. Sunday. Councillors have agreed an innovative two-bin system. We shall not ask you to speak or sing, There will be one wheelie bin for organic or ‘green waste’ We shall not ask you what you believe, that makes up around half of the average household’s We shall simply offer you our friendship, current rubbish (e.g. kitchen waste, cardboard and garden And a chance to sit quietly and think; waste) and one for non-recyclable waste (known as residual And perhaps somebody will speak, waste). The green box scheme for recycling cans, papers and And perhaps somebody will read, glass will continue to run in parallel with the wheelie bin And perhaps somebody will pray, service. And perhaps you will find there Whatever you are seeking.... The new plan for collecting and managing domestic waste We are not saints, will see an improvement in recycling activity in line with We are not cranks, council tax payers’ wishes. We are not different - Rubbish collections will be made every week across the But we do think that district as at present, but under the new scheme, one weekly There is something of God (whatever that means) within collection will empty the ‘green’ wheelie bin and take each of us, the contents to a waste digester and the alternate weekly Waiting to be discovered. collection will empty the bin containing residual waste.

It’s not for everyone, but it might just be for you. A timescale has yet to be set for the changeover; it is still at the very early stages. Go on. I dare you. Jamie Wrench Kate Bryan (Waste Services Officer SSDC) Church Stretton Area Tourism Group News – August ay I take this opportunity, through Focus, to thank One wonders what decorative inroads will be made on the the team of thirteen volunteers who have swept proposed superloos when they eventually replace the present Mour pavements and gutters recently, thus ensuring public conveniences? The recent tidying of the Co-op that Church Stretton looked at its best during the Food Fayre flower beds, organised by Mike Bugeil, is welcomed, and and Arts Festival. The August Bank holiday will see another the lovely gardens of Kings Court continue to delight. sweeping session when sweepers will, once again, be rewarded with delicious sandwiches and drinks kindly provided by Proposed work by the railway station will involve more John and Lynwen Gott at their coffee house. planting of bulbs and bushes, litter picking and strimming, weed killing and the cutting down of dead trees – also the The three new metal planters in the Square and eight removal of dead branches and vegetation into a skip to be concrete planters in Beaumont Court have all been planted provided for us by Arriva Trains. We feel that slowly but up and, so far, have mercifully remained intact and vandal- surely this gateway to the town is becoming better managed free – long may this continue! The welcome splashes of and more welcoming, a factor that will be helped by our colour provided by these planters have added to the cascades involvement into the ‘Adopt a Station’ scheme. of brightness provided by the hanging baskets, and the planters on poles looked after by the Council. We feel that Finally, our show of patriotism on St George’s Day and Church Stretton is looking really attractive this Summer during the Food Fayre came at the price of seventeen – despite the three sets of scaffolding that presently adorn ‘borrowed’ flags. We would very much like them back shops in Sandford Avenue. and if any recipients care to leave them by the entrances to Newsworld or Acorn Café we would appreciate their The broken and vandalised bench in the Easthope bus return – they were paid for by the hard work of CSATG shelter has been removed, the wash basins repaired and volunteers! the wall has been repainted – for the fourth time this year. CSATG

Stretton Focus - 33 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 16 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Church Stretton Town Council Abstract of Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on Planning Appeal Monday 19th July 2004 Old Garages, the Yeld – the Clerk has re-iterated this Council’s objections. CO-OPTION TO FILL CASUAL VACANCY One application had been received. After a secret ballot, Public Conveniences Mrs. Beryl Smith was co-opted as Town Council Member Lutwyche Road toilets/Russells Meadow Pavilion. It was for Church Stretton South Ward. hoped that the Town Council’s position regarding taking over the Lutwyche Road toilets was now clear to SSDC. PLANNING MATTERS - District Decisions The Chief Executive is recommending SSDC hand over the • Erection of 4 dwellings and alterations to access, on land at toilets freehold to the Town council until such a time the Westholme, Hazler Road. Approved, but with 9 conditions Town Council no longer wishes to maintain them, at which related especially to drainage, landscaping and layout. point they would be handed back to SSDC. • Erection of extension and alterations to dwelling, 4 Chelmick Drive. Withdrawn. Pavilion • Erection of a conservatory, 67 High Street. Approved. The pavilion as it stands is not worth spending a lot of • Felling of an Ash tree, wooded area adjacent to Church money on and so, as a Partnership scheme championed Street/Burway Approved. by the Council, it is hoped to further the project for a replacement pavilion. PLANNING – Town Council Response to District • Erection of a dwelling and alterations to existing access, Police Matters land at Caradoc Lodge, All Stretton. Objection - primarily The Police have agreed to carry out extra patrols around the because of major problems of access down a narrow track. Park. The development would also appear to fall within the category of tandem development. Church Stretton Partnership - Draft Tourism Strategy • Erection of extension to conservatory, ‘Pathways’, 79 High Concern was expressed that the railway station development Street. No objection. still appears, despite the concerns raised by very many • Erection of extension to dwelling, 10 Shrewsbury Road. people. The Town Council will continue to press to keep No objection. this as a very low priority. • Erection of extension and alterations to dwelling, 7 Oaks Road. No objection, but draw SSDC’s attention to the Twinning – request for Church Stretton to ‘twin’ with objections raised by the residents regarding the impact of Doué-la-Fointaine raising the roof height. A request had been received for consideration to be given to • Erection of extension to shop, 18 Sandford Avenue. No twinning with the School’s exchange town of Doué-la-Fontaine. objection. After discussion, it was agreed to bring this matter to the • Erection of extension to dwelling and erection of a domestic attention of the Partnership for comment. It was also agreed that garage, 2 The Woodlands, Marshbrook. Supported. any twinning should not incur a charge on the Council Tax. • Erection of a Summerhouse and demolition of outbuildings, Dudgeley House, Shrewsbury Road, All Summer swimming at Church Stretton Pool Stretton. No objection but a condition ought to be placed A request had been received for a grant to assist in replacing on the permission that it is only to be used as an ancillary to the floats which will cost about £500. SSDC hope to fund Dudgeley House and not for habitation either permanent or £200 and the Town Council has offered a grant of £200 holiday lets etc. from the Swimming fund. • Erection of a dwelling, Littlebrook, 38 Ludlow Road. No objection. BT Payphones • Erection of extension to dwelling, Highwinds, Clive BT has identified two loss-making boxes which will NOT Avenue. No objection. be removed (Sandford Avenue, and Ragleth Inn). One box • Conversion of Nursing Home to provide 6 residential is to be removed at Minton. No objection was expressed units, Hillside Nursing Home, Shrewsbury Road, All but it was agreed to point out to BT that Minton is fairly Stretton. Report awaited. isolated and should the mobile phone signal be inadequate, • Use of land for the sale of caravans and motorhomes; the siting of a public telephone at Minton could be and extension of site, Craven Arms Caravans, Marshbrook. important for visitors/walkers etc. Report awaited. • Erection of a dwelling and formation of a vehicular access, HIGHWAYS/RIGHTS OF WAY MATTERS 89 Ludlow Road. Report awaited. Bollards outside School It was agreed to press SCC for an answer to the specific Tree Preservation Orders – notifications: queries posed by the Council. The Police and the Tree Preservation Orders have been placed on trees at headmasters’ opinions will be sought on the safety of the Westholme, Hazler Road and 63 Shrewsbury Road bollards and if they achieve their aim.

Drainage Windsor Place footpath SSDC has stated they do not have an in-house drainage Both the SCC and School have replied to the Council’s expert – they consult the Environment Agency and Severn Trent as required. continued on next page Stretton Focus - 35 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 17 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Town Council minutes continued from previous page letters. SCC cannot legally close the right-of-way and so ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES cannot prevent access. They suggest the residents contact Tourist Information Point board the Community Safety Partnership at SSDC for assistance. The Tourism Group has written to the residents of The School’s headmaster has promised to raise the issue Beaumont Court asking if they will support the erection of of anti-social behaviour. The South Shropshire Housing a TIP board in front of their courtyard and also informing Association is to be asked to consider fencing off the them of their plans to weed, replant and maintain the footpath from Windsor Place. flowers and plants in the concrete tubs on the courtyard. This forms part of the Tourism Group’s signage grant from Speed limit on A49 through Church Stretton the Sustainable Tourism grants fund. It was noted with Amey Mouchel advise that they wish to make permanent concern that the finger post and TIP were being delivered the present temporary 30 and 40 mph limits on the A49 although an amount for installation was not included in through Church Stretton. This is supported. the Tourism Groups bid for funding. The attention of the Tourism Group is being drawn to the legal requirements Highway maintenance Plan 2004/05 relating to any excavation works in the street which must be A copy of the plan had been received, together with a covered by a street works licence from the County Council letter regarding the resurfacing of Sandford Avenue. Again and they fully understand the potentially serious safety information is being given to unauthorised people rather than hazards from buried apparatus. through the Town Council,. It was agreed to ask SSDC and SCC to send all such correspondence to the Town Clerk. Don Clow

Arts Festival s I write this, the 2004 This seems the right time to thank our large army of Festival is just over halfway supporters. Firstly, our sponsors, both financial and in Athrough, and the applause of kind, all the Musical and other organisations who help with the audience is still echoing in my publicity, the many traders who give us window space for ears for the superb “Mothers and our displays and carry our brochures and posters, and the Daughters” evening, acted by Sylvia Syms (who orchestrated invaluable Library Service, who spread our details throughout the event) and Jenny Seagrove, with a delightful guitar the country. Visitors to the Festival come from all over the accompaniment by Simon James, all performed to a packed country, from Devon to Scotland and Kent to Cumbria, house. Looking back on the first week, we opened with which is a good stimulus to the local economy and helps us Diva Opera performing “Lucia di Lammermuir”, with to repay some of the support given by our business sector. some superb singing. Sadly, this is their last visit, as the cost has more than doubled, so we have to find a replacement. The AGM will be held at the Sylvester Horne Institute on Our old friend Gabriel Woolf opened our eyes to the Monday October 18th, at 7.30 pm. We would welcome you personal and poetic world of John Keats, our new President, and your suggestions or offers of help. You can reach me on Professor Andrew Downes, outlined the influences on his 01694 722159. George Roby. compositions, from plainsong to Celtic to African, Indian and Balinese, with a wealth of recordings, followed by some Renaissance Centre - New Venture for lovely playing and singing by his daughter and her fiancé. The three New Generation singers gave us a delightful the Furniture Scheme evening, as did Rohan McCullough , telling us the he Renaissance Centre in Tower Street, Ludlow, fascinating and, to our modern ways, strange life of Beatrix provides ‘reborn’ items for the home, items Potter. The Dante Quartet rounded off the first week with T(including electrical appliances) that have been some superb playing. BUT what came in the middle of donated but are not suitable for passing on or selling the week was amazing. The Committee decided to risk a because of their condition. Such items are imaginatively Tribute Band, and chose the Backbeat Beatles. The hall rejuvenated to a condition worthy of resale. An important was packed, the noise could have been heard in Shrewsbury, aim is to raise the profile of crafts, so in the Centre you people were dancing in the aisles, we sold more wine and will find examples of mosaic work, paper sculpture, beer than ever before, and everyone who came said they had felt craft, scrap art and rug making; demonstrations in a fabulous evening. How do we follow that? Come to our which you may participate take place regularly. In case AGM with your suggestions. you should feel the need for a little sustenance, we have opened a new and very attractive Tea Room. Now it’s your turn to help. The Festival cannot run itself, and the Committee needs more people, particularly a In our Church Stretton workshops we deliver a range of Secretary. It’s great fun, very satisfying, and very rewarding. vocational and recreational training to all ability levels, Why not ‘phone me or come to the AGM and find out aiming to include those with learning disabilities or with more? In 2006 we celebrate 40 years. Could you help mental health problems. We strive to elevate crafts into a to ensure that this important part of our small town’s life life enhancing activity, stressing the value in everything, continues? including people.

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September 2004 mag 18 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Know Your Computer Dream On Darkroom Techniques of the shadows. You will need to experiment a bit to get the correct f you have a digital camera or a balance. scanner, you probably enjoy being Iable to print your own photographs Black & White - One of the best at home. The best thing about home things about digital imaging is the printing is that, with a little practice, ability to convert your colour images to you can use your computer like a black & white. There are a number of The sunshine dims. darkroom. So instead of just printing ways to do this but space doesn’t allow In the evening sky, them as they appear; you can improve for a full discussion. The simplest way Whilst birds flutter and twitter your photos by using simple tools is to convert the image to greyscale but In tree-tops high found in most graphics packages (GPs). better results can be had from using the To live a dream, we can, at will, ‘hue / saturation’ options if you have Living in the shadow of Ragleth Hill. Shape - The easiest way to improve a them. Rachael Sankey photograph is to crop it. This changes To view the township plane below, the composition, enabling you to cut Church Stretton expands, like an off unwanted elements or alter the Dear Editor .. archer’s bow, impact of the subject. All GPs have a His arrows pointing left, and right, crop tool, which is a dotted box shape took it upon myself to Soon to be dragged into darkest night. that enables you to select a section of complain to Shropshire your image. You will normally select IC.C. Divisional Morning comes, a car goes by the ‘crop document’ option to remove Surveyors Office in Ludlow A glow, and a buzzard, play in the sky; the unwanted parts of your picture. You about the truly dreadful (in Sheep are bleating in the field, and – can get the same effect as a panoramic my opinion) condition of the road Mother nature once more, her beauty camera with this technique, just by surface of Sandford Ave. West. You may will yield, removing the top and bottom sections be interested to learn of my findings. of your shot, leaving only the middle Dream on, dream on, dream till you section. Panoramic cameras simply crop I spoke to a Peter Lloyd, who said will your picture before you take it. that “funding was expected for Come to live, and drink nature’s fill- various schemes that may include Where days are lengthy, quiet, and Red-eye - There’s nothing grimmer the resurfacing of this stretch of road tranquil than a picture of a baby with glowing within the current financial year”. Beneath the woodland, on Ragleth Hill. red eyes. Some GPs have a red-eye Of course, the big word in that reduction tool - basically a green sentence is “may” – but it’s a start! Eric Frost shading to combat the red. If you don’t Chris Kolvin have this you can select the pupil area with the ‘magic wand’ tool and fill it with black. If you have a very basic GP, Food Fayre Dog Show Winners you will have to magnify the image and paint over the red by hand. he Show Champion was Jane Harper with Brenna (a Bearded Collie). Jane is a member of the K9 Capers Agility & Obedience dog Dodge and Burn - In a darkroom it Tdemonstration team from Mid Wales. is possible to ‘dodge’ certain areas of a photograph, which means masking The Champion Child Handler was an area off from exposure to keep it Sophie Platt from Oldham with Max lighter. It is also possible to ‘burn’ areas (an English Springer Spaniel) from too, which means exposing the area Leebotwood! more, to make it darker. Most GPs have tools that are used like a brush The judges were Iain Prentice, tool but instead of painting the image, the vet from Newlands Veterinary they lighten or darken the area they Practice in Church Stretton and are used on. These techniques can add Michelle Sanders & Keith Fance drama to a photo or help balance tone. from Pets@Home, Telford. You can select or mask off areas to help you work more accurately. The Food Fayre Committee would like to thank Pets@Home, Telford, Out of the shadows - If you have John Thomas Pets & Florists, the from left: Jane Harper (with Brenna), ‘brightness / contrast’ and ‘hue / Malthouse Veterinary Surgeries and Michelle Sanders, Keith France, Sophie Platt saturation’ options on your GP, you Newlands Veterinary Group who all (with Max) and Iain Prentice. will be able to brighten the whole sponsored the Dog Show picture, bringing hidden detail out

Stretton Focus - 39 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 19 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Percy’s Memories - ‘How Green Was My Valley’ n the 1920s All Stretton was a landscape. Furthermore, it would have form. However, the proven success and quiet peaceful village with a post had an adverse effect on the value acceptance of these projects has shown Ioffice, village general store, the Yew of their property seventy-five years that all the objectors’ fears have been Tree pub and a front room sweet and ago and I fear this stigma may still groundless. convenience shop leading to the Batch exist. Out of town were the council Valley. The dominant and arguably houses at Cross Banks. One can only Imagine the utter chaos if the A49 most beautiful location was the Grove speculate on the reaction from private by-pass traffic had to come through Estate with its imposing residence investors, had they been able to get the Strettons as it had to in the War and gardens. Opposite was the well- there first! Little Stretton was free of Years! So what are the lessons to be designed fruit and vegetable area. any major development. learned from all this? These ‘strangers’ who have arrived from many different The War Years, 1939-1945 saw very Pre-fabs and council houses in locations have, with careful planning little change. The Stretton by-pass had Central Avenue, Lutwyche Road and by their various building contractors, just been completed in 1939 after much Brooksbury provided much needed settled in their homes without spoiling heated controversy. Local opinion was accommodation for returning ex- the character of the area. largely against its construction especially servicemen. ‘Cometh the hour, Cometh among the trades people who feared the man’, our local entrepreneur in Returning from my swim this day, I that visitors would drive through and the shape of Reg Heiron, transformed observed with much pleasure a large leave the town in isolation. There is still the Ashbrook Farm into a housing assembly of happy children on the a lady in Church Stretton whose father, estate. Encouraged by this success he school playing fields. If we, as a society, a parish councillor, was forced to resign proceeded to develop Stretton Farm. At are unable or unwilling to provide his position because of his support for that time, however, with great foresight, some second-stage housing for their the project. There were even rumours most of them were two- bedroom parents, then that scene may be a of some minor sabotage on the road bungalows. thing of the past and Church Stretton layout. will go back to its Pre-War days of a Attracted by the natural beauty of the retirement area where children could In the thirties a small number of area more people came looking for be seen, but not heard! Sixty years ago council houses were built in All property and soon there were housing I was involved in the dropping of the Stretton. Further on, some homes estates on the Battlefield (where I first wave of parachutists into France. were made available for the work saw soldiers training prior to D Day I hope that my efforts and those of force at the Jewsbury & Brown pop 1944), HazIer Orchard, Ragleth thousands more men and women were establishment. In Church Stretton Road and two smaller developments not made in vain should we return the only sizeable development came in Little Stretton. In spite of strong to those outdated traditions. To you by way of the council houses in local objection, the Grove House and all, as a Christian society, may I once Essex Road, better known perhaps as adjacent gardens were, in the heated more quote some words from ‘Percy`s Dawson City, after its main instigator words of a village protester, “ravaged to prayer’, “Oh Lord, help us that we Councillor Dawson, our station make way for executive housing”. may at all times appreciate the needs of master. He was to encounter much our neighbour.” opposition from the established Development in the last 70 years has residents deeming it a blot on the faced public condemnation in some Percy Edward Tarbuck

Golden Topped Mushrooms Ingredients: 4 large open mushrooms Half a bag of ‘stew pack’ (diced raw vegetables obtainable from most supermarkets containing carrots, celery and root veg) 1 small onion (diced) 1 tablespoon chopped chives 2 small egg yolks 2 tablespoons butter 4 fl.oz sour cream 2 tablespoons sunflower oil 1⁄2 clove garlic salt and black pepper

Wipe mushrooms and remove the stalks, then chop the stalks finely. Finely chop the onion and garlic. Heat half the oil in a frying pan, add the mushroom caps and fry for 2 mins. until lightly browned. Remove from the pan. Heat the remaining oil in the pan and add the vegetables and chopped stalks. Cook for 5 mins. stirring all the time, then put them into a bowl with the garlic, chives, salt and pepper. Mix the egg yolks with the sour cream.

Grease an ovenproof dish with butter. Place the mushrooms in the dish and spoon the vegetable mix into the cavities. Spoon a third of the egg and cream mixture over the mushrooms and pour the rest into the dish. Dot the tops of the mushrooms with butter and bake for about 30 mins. (220C or 425F or Gas Mark 7). Best eaten immediately. ‘Her Ladyship’

Stretton Focus - 40 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 20 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Out and About t’s time for the Ludlow Food and Drink Festival once Rail rambles started again, Friday 10th - 12th September, featuring the in 1989 to enable people who enjoy walking in Mid Ivery best regional food and drink producers, cookery Wales and the Marches to do so without the need to use demonstrations, produce market and the famous sausage cars and on Saturday 25th September, there is a Chirk trail (very tasty!). A Park and Ride service is available, circular via Chirk Castle, Ceriog Valley and Dee Valley or you can catch the train if you want to sample some which is classified as an ‘energetic’ 10 miles, departing of the wines on offer or go on the Real Ale Trail. More from Shrewsbury at 9.17am and returning from Chirk at information available from 01584 875053. 4.02pm. There are walk leaders, booking is not necessary, but you must wear good walking boots and bring food and The Blue Remembered Hills Project invites you to a River drink plus a waterproof. More information from Richard or Wildlife Safari on Sunday 19th September at 2pm at the Barbara on 01568 612571. Secret Hills Discovery Centre, when you can discover the wilder side of the River Onny from the treetops to the river rocks. Wellies Shropshire Historic Churches Trust Open Gardens Scheme are essential, and you need to book – ring 01588 676000. gives you a chance to see The Patch at Acton Pigot, Acton Burnell on Sunday 26th September 2 – 5pm. On Tuesday 21st September at 7.30pm, Music in the Round This is a plantsman’s garden, with some rare plants, presents The Lindsays, performing chamber music by Haydn, including some for sale. St. Michael and All Angels Church, Tippett and Beethoven at the Maidment Hall, Shrewsbury Pitchford will benefit from funds raised. Teas are available School in a relaxed and informal manner ‘in the round’ as at the garden, which is suitable for wheelchairs, but dogs opposed to the customary format of a group on a platform. For not allowed (except for guide dogs). Phone 01952 541262 tickets phone 01743 280810 or 01743 281281. or 01952 812852 for details. Salop Musica - Fringe Arts Festival Poorf Reedars

he 18th annual Church Stretton and South Shropshire he articles submitted to your Fringe Community Arts Festival completed its two- Editors are vrey welcmoe, Tweek run of Arts events on Saturday 17th July. Twhether they are carefully Audiences were treated to a varied programme of dance, crafted or hvae grammatical or drama, poetry and music. spelling errros. Spelling errors inevitbaly cerep in as articles are The Stretton School of Dance and Drama provided two pessad to the otehr editors for hundred dancers aged from 5 to 18 years, who gave two appraisal and on to the computer productoin team and confident and impressive performances to packed and the pinterrs. Our team of stalwart porof redaers try to enthralled audiences. Imaginatively choreographed, the sopt these errors, but inevitably some get through, lkie performances featured Greek, ballet, modern and tap. the following paaargph which slppied through the net Whilst we have grown used to a high standard from the recently. Stretton School of Dance and Drama this year’s ballet performances gave an added insight into the training ‘I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd undertaken by these young dancers. waht I was rdanieg: THE PAOMNNEHAL PWEOR OF THE HMUAN MNID. Aoccdrnig to a On Wednesday evening members of the Dorrington Players rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer hosted an informal social evening at the Mayfair Centre, in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny featuring short comic sketches, Joyce Grenfell monologues and iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in poetry readings by members of the Players, interspersed with the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you songs from the shows and popular songs performed by members can still raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the and their friends. The audience clearly appreciated the easy mix, huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but and during the interval, when tea and cakes were served, the the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?’ consensus seemed to be, “We should do this more often”. With some thghout, it is surprising how esay it is read scuh Salop Musica’s contributions to the Festival aimed to give an a passage; it’s a bit worrying that we can get so familiar with insight into the varied world of music. Performances ranged wdors that we hardly notice splleing mistakes, especially if from folk music by the vivacious Rip the Calico at the Ragleth the passage is skimmed quickly. Inn to gentle Chamber works performed in a series of lunchtime and evening concerts at Mayfair, The Day Centre, South View and the Methodist Church. Seventeen-year-old guest soprano Adele Coleman kindly joined us from Hampshire and was Answers to Trivia Corner – No 10 supported by other Salop Musica young instrumentalists and singers, as well as the more established performers. 1. George Eliot 2. Brian Clough 3. Mona Lisa 4. The Red Cross 5. The Roller Coaster Glyn Davies

Stretton Focus - 42- September 2004

September 2004 mag 21 13/8/04, 3:20 pm Occasional Advertisements Family Profession for over 200 Years PRESSING PROBLEMSIRONING ? SERVICE AIRBOURNE COMPETITIVE RATES FREE Local Collection & Delivery TREE SPECIALISTS Ltd 01694 771883 Based in Church Stretton and Clun All Types of Tree Surgery Undertaken. Mynd House Hotel Hedge Cutting and Fencing Phone Sid 01588 640183 Little Stretton, Church Stretton Mobile 07814 517849 Our Restaurant is now open to the public on or Caspar Mobile 07929 893325 Wednesday to Saturday (7.00 - 9.30 pm) We offer a mixture of Malaysian, Western and A & B SMITH Corgi Reg No 197466 Vegetarian cuisine and cater for groups Domestic Appliance Warehouse (Est. over 20 years) up to 20 persons Specialising in New/Factory Seconds Electric & Gas Cookers, Ranges, Hobs, Fires Reservations Essential. Call 01694 722212 Fridges, Freezers, Washing Machines Tumble Driers, Microwave Ovens INDEPENDENT destini Built-in Appliances FINANCIAL ADVICE Applewood (Over 200 appliances on display) MAIN CALOR GAS STOCKIST & LPG SPECIALISTS  INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING* FREE LOCAL DELIVERY  RETIREMENT PLANNING 01588 673647  INVESTMENT ADVICE Long Lane Industrial Estate, Craven Arms *not all of these products are regulated by the Financial Services Authority To arrange an informal meeting contact Nick Partington: Mike Corfield TEL: 01691 0657100 | MOB: 07790 009330 EMAIL: [email protected] GENERAL BUILDER Destini Applewood Financial Planning Limited is an appointed representative of Destini Graham Scott Financial Planning Limited which is authorised and RENOVATIONS • EXTENSIONS regulated by the Financial Services Authority KITCHENS • BATHROOMS ART ROOM AVAILABLE Quality Workmanship Do you have an art and craft you long to share? TELEPHONE We have a vacancy in our art room on Tuesdays between 10 am and 1 pm 07810 042742 Cost £11 for three hours For more details please contact FAIR VIEW • BUSHMOOR Mayfair Community and ask for Meg on 01694 722077 SHROPSHIRE • SY7 8DW POSTCARDS WANTED. OLD AND NEW KANGAROO KIDS BOUNCY CASTLE HIRE Singles, Collections or Accumulations Required. Make your Kids Party go with a Bounce Instant offer made with payment by cash or cheque. Choice of Brand New Bouncy Castles Please contact Peter Robards on 01952 727520 Friendly Efficient Service - Great Prices or write to me at: The Bungalow, Vineyard Road, Full Public Liability Insurance. Member BIHA Homer, Near Much Wenlock, Shropshire TY13 6NG 01694 724661 “MOLLY MOP” Unsure about Computers? Reliable Cleaners Home Tuition to help you Reasonable Rates → Use Word Processing to write a letter Tel: 01694 723798 → How spreadsheets could be useful to you → Find out about the Internet and email → I can teach you the basics and beyond → I can help you buy and install equipment carpenter & joiner → I live locally and am recently retired All works carried out → Half price initial meeting Free quotations → Ian Templeton 01694 731518 Tel: Chris Colclough 01694 723042 The Haven, Hope Bowdler SY6 7DD

Stretton Focus - 43 - September 2004

September 2004 mag 22 13/8/04, 3:20 pm