SCommunitytretton Voice of the Strettons FocusFebruary 2007 £1

A Winter Day in Cardingmill Valley

Cover Feb 2007.indd 1 11/1/07 14:00:38 STRETTON FOCUS Contents (founded 1967) News Average monthly sales: 1,450 copies. Morning After Walk/Run ...... 4 (About 65% of households in Church Stretton) Focus Weatherman Retires ...... 5 Town Design Statement Draft ...... 5 Chairman Mike Edmunds ...... 723961 Church Stretton School News ...... 11 Vice Chairman David Jandrell . . . . 724531 Mayfair News ...... 15 Co-Editors Alan & Sue Cummings . 724266 C S A Partnership News ...... 16 Norma Taylor ...... 723617 SW Shrops Gardening Club Weekend ...... 19 Pat Oxtoby . . . . . 723199 Choral Society Concert ...... 27 Barbara Vickery . . . 724179 Bereavement & Loss Befrienders ...... 33 Gay Walker . . . . . 722257 Carols & Tea ...... 33 Cover Editor Yvonne Beaumont . . 722533 Arts Festival ...... 37 Computer Production Barrie Raynor ...... 723928 Tourism Group News ...... 37 Rowland Jackson . . . 722390 Local Elections ...... 38 Tony Nicholls ...... 722003 Paul Miller . . . . . 724596 Forthcoming Events Distribution Jon Cooke ...... 723205 Advertising Graham Young . . . . 724647 Acton Scott Gardening Club ...... 39 Treasurer John Wainwright . . . . . 722823 All Stretton Quiz Night ...... 39 Secretary Gloria Carter . . . . 724106 Lent Groups – Set All Free ...... 7 Little Stretton Fun Quiz Night ...... 25 email address: [email protected] PACT Meeting ...... 38 Pancake Day Race & Lunch ...... 39 Advertisements Rates for block and occasional RNLI Fish & Chip Supper ...... 25 advertisements may be obtained (send s.a.e.) from the Advertising Manager, Graham Young, 30 Alison Road, Regular Features Church Stretton, SY6 7AT, Tel: 01694 724647 to whom All about – February ...... 39 copy should be sent. Catholic Voice ...... 19 Focus on Faith ...... 8 The Stretton Focus Management Board cannot accept Gardening In ……February ...... 16 responsibility for any product or service advertised. Letters ...... 30, 31, 34 Acceptance of an advertisement does not imply any form of approval or recommendation. Advertisers are required to Mayfair Lottery Result ...... 11 comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. Methodist Voice ...... 16 Plant of the Month – Gorse ...... 8 Submission of articles Material on 3½˝ discs or CDs, and Recipe ...... 27 typed or handwritten copy together with unimproved digital Town Council Minutes ...... 22, 25 or good quality glossy photographs should be handed Thank You ...... 27 directly to Stretton Focus c/o Wrights, Estate Agent, Trivia Corner 39 ...... 19 Sandford Avenue, by noon on the date below. Material Trivia Answers ...... 37 may also be sent by e-mail to [email protected] as URC Voice ...... 33 an attachment by the same copy date. What’s On ...... 3 Where is it? (Photo Quiz) ...... 37 Disclaimer Stretton Focus prints a wide range of articles and letters. The views expressed by signed articles are Other those of their authors and not necessarily those of the Focus is Forty ...... 20, 21 Management Board. Green Transport! (Cover Article) ...... 4 National Trust – Caterer Needed ...... 4 Copy day is normally the first Monday of the month. For the The Volunteers of Church Stretton ...... 34 March 2007 issue it is Monday 5th February (12 noon). For The Winter of 1940 ...... 7 the April issue it will be Monday 5th March 2007.

The March Stretton Focus will be distributed on Friday 2nd March.

Outlets Stretton Focus may be purchased by annual subscription (delivered) or directly from Newsworld (Sandford Avenue), Whinberries (All Stretton Stores), Co-op, Longmynd Filling Station (A49) and the Churches. © 2007 Stretton Focus ISSN 1479-7356 The Official Church Stretton web site is at Stretton Focus is printed by WPG, Welshpool www.churchstretton.co.uk Cover Photo: Yvonne Beaumont Stretton Focus - 2 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 1 12/1/07 12:33:33 What’s On in the Strettons If you wish to know the times of regular meetings of ♦ Friday – 16th February societies and groups, please consult the list of societies Shropshire Wildlife Trust and their contacts in our ‘yellow pages’. Illustrated Talk on the World of Insects by Roy Mantle 7.30pm URC Hall. All Welcome ♦ Thursday – 1st February Talk and Slides by Tony Crowe ¨♦ Tuesday – 20th February ‘Church Stretton and its History’ Pancake Race 2.30 – 4.00pm Silvester Horne Institute. Admission £2 12.15pm from the Library. Entry 50p Chursh Stretton Methodist Network Group Pancake Lunch Speaker: Revd Joan Warner. 2.30pm Methodist Church Hall 12.30pm at the Parish Centre. Tickets £3.50 See Page 39 ♦ Monday – 5th February PACT (Partners and Communities Together) Meeting Flicks in the Sticks – ‘The Third Man’ 7pm Silvester Horne Institute £3 (£1.50 Children) Interval Refreshments See Page 38 7.30pm Church Stretton School All Stretton Women’s Institute. ‘Humorous Policing Incidents in the 60s and 70s’ by Ian Paterson. ♦ Tuesday – 6th February 7.30pm All Stretton Village Hall Mayfair Winter Talks Sue Davies: Stripping for Action ♦ Thursday – 22nd February 7.15pm for 7.45pm Mayfair Jubilee Room. £3 Church Stretton Methodist Network Group See Page 15 Slides of Paraguay : ‘United Under God’s Tent’ – Mrs Iley Hearle ♦ Wednesday – 7th February 2.30pm Methodist Church Hall Long Mynd Camera Club Talk and Slides by Tony Crowe Club Competition No 3. Subject: Open ‘Church Stretton and its History’ 7.30pm URC Hall 2.30 – 4.00pm Silvester Horne Institute. Admission £2

♦ Thursday – 8th February ♦ Friday – 23rd February Church Stretton Methodist Network Group Farmers’ Market ‘Circle Dancing’ – Pam Rush 9.00am – 1.00pm Market Square 2.30pm Methodist Church Hall Church Stretton Senior Citizens Club Talk and Slides by Tony Crowe ‘Visiting China’ by E Johnson. 2.30pm URC Hall ‘Church Stretton and its History’ The Friends of St Laurence’s Church AGM 2.30 – 4.00pm Silvester Horne Institute. Admission £2 7.30pm in the Parish Centre (preceded by Evensong in the Acton Scott Gardening Club church at 6.30pm) ‘Trees’ – speaker Nick Coull 7pm Acton Scott Village Hall ♦ Saturday – 24th February See Page 39 Ceilidh – Dancing to The Melomanics 7.30pm All Stretton Village Hall ♦ Friday– 9th February Farmers’ Market ¨♦ Monday - 26th February 9.00am – 1.00pm Market Square Shropshire Ornithological Society Church Stretton Senior Citizens Club ‘Seychelles’ by Peter Carty AGM 7.30pm Methodist Church Hall 2.30pm URC Hall Fun Quiz Night with Ken Willis ♦ Wednesday – 28th February 7.30pm Little Stretton Village Hall. Tickets £5 ‘Poles Apart’- talk by Michael Leach, Wildlife Author and See Page 25 Photographer 7.30pm Hope Bowdler Village Hall. £4 (£2 child) ♦ Tuesday – 13th February Countrywomen’s Guild ♦ Thursday – 1st March ‘Life in Church Stretton’ – Percy Tarbuck Talk and Slides by Tony Crowe 2.15pm Parish Centre ‘Church Stretton and its History’ Church Stretton Women’s Institute 2.30 – 4.00pm Silvester Horne Institute. Admission £2 ‘Pictures in Harmony’ –images set to music 7.15pm Silvester Horne Institute ♦ Friday – 2nd March RNLI Fish & Chip Supper ♦ Wednesday – 14th February 7.15pm for 7.30pm Silvester Horne Institute Flicks in the Sticks -‘The Queen’ See Page 25 Tickets £4 (£2 child) 7.30pm Hope Bowdler Village Hall. ♦ Saturday – 3rd March Quiz Night – Teams of 4 - 6 People ♦ Thursday – 15th February 7.30pm All Stretton Village Hall £2 per person Church Stretton Methodist Network See Page 39 ‘My Adventures in Taiwan’ – Mrs Wendy Mackay 2.30pm Methodist Church Hall

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February 07 mag .indd 2 12/1/07 12:33:39 Morning After – Charity Fun Run/Walk Following a night of continuous County Air Ambulance, and rain, a dry sunny New Year’s the Severn Hospice morning in Church Stretton The event has now become witnessed a record 240 plus firmly established as one of the runners, walkers and dogs taking regulars in the fun running/ part in the 9th Morning After walking calendar so we look charity event of over five miles forward to our tenth event next for runners and three miles for year on Tuesday 1st January walkers. Immediately after the 2008 – so put it in the diary start the heavens opened and and start training now!! drenched those taking part. Publicity Officer John Corfield Within a few minutes the rains stopped and the sun appeared for Left: Church Stretton’s Ashley the rest of the event. The majority Wells crosses the finishing line to of entrants were from Shropshire. win the Junior Boy trophy. As in the past, the route contoured Below: Local family winners the lower slopes of the Long Nick, Megan, Alison and Mynd. All participants returned Matthew Coles cross the finish. safely to soup and trophy presentation at the Church Stretton Social Club. The fastest runner was the County champion, Mike James from Shrewsbury AC, in a record time of 28.52 minutes closely followed by Mercia runner, Tom Owens, and in third place, taking the first Local Man Trophy again was Church Stretton’s Ian Hughes. The first lady was another Shrewsbury AC runner and County Champion, Anna Bartlett. The second Veteran lady was Julie Cowley from Church Stretton and the first Veteran man was Church Stretton’s Andrew Davies (Mercia). The first junior boy was Ashley Wells from Church Stretton The first man walker was Ken and his son Adam Williams from (Church Stretton) and the family trophy went to the Coles family from Church Stretton, Nick, Megan, Alison and Matthew The organisers wish to thank the sponsors and the hardy walkers and runners for their regular support which raised a total of £600 which will be divided between the

Stretton’s Greenest Form of Transport! The National Trust (as seen on the cover) Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton We bought Tinker our Welsh cob just over two years ago. He was four years old then and had lots to learn about Catering Supervisor Required working in harness and in road traffic. Thanks to the kindness and patience of motorists Carding Mill Valley attracts many visitors to this area of around this area he has done this and has safely taken us outstanding natural beauty. The Tearoom is very popular on lots of great trips from our home in All Stretton. and has built up a reputation for excellent food and good He helps us shop in Church Stretton, he has collected service. We now require a catering supervisor, to assist the our daughter and grandchildren from the station, gone catering manager and to join our friendly team. Position for coffee in Carding Mill Valley (as in the cover picture) could be available as a job share and done lots of summer trips to Picklescott, Bridges and Cardington. Good rate of pay and benefits available. Just lately with our new buckboard we have also If you have a passion for good customer service and wish to collected wood for our log burner and taken bags of join a friendly, motivated team contact: manure to the allotments. Judy Owens, on 01694 722631 for further details and an We are always looking for new horse drawn tasks we application form. can do in the community so if anyone has any ideas about recycling for instance we would be interested as this is We particularly welcome applications from black and minority certainly the green transport way to do it. ethnic individuals and people with disabilities who are Mike and Gillian Dutton. 01694 722441 currently under-represented in the Trust.

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February 07 mag .indd 3 12/1/07 12:33:45 Church Stretton Town Design Statement Update The steering group is grateful for all the comments The next steps received during the consultation period of the Draft As well as being a document to be used as a design guide Town Design Statement. These are being considered by developers and designers of potential new developments by the editorial group and the Town Council, and in Church Stretton, the Design Statement also makes where appropriate, changes will be made to improve recommendations about enhancing the town. These the document. Advice will be sought from the planning suggestions are not just for statutory agencies such as officers at South Shropshire District Council and the Area local authorities – they are also aimed at local residents, landowners and businesses. We all have a role to play in looking after the special character of the town and its setting, for example by serving on a committee, joining an existing group such as the Civic Society or Tourism Group, by volunteering on working groups, raising funds or planting trees. As a householder or local business we have the opportunity to sympathetically repair or replace original fittings, windows and doors, conserve our historic buildings and look after our trees. It is hoped that the Town Council will take a lead in reviewing the progress of the Design Statement. Other action points in the document suggest the formation of a Design Forum and the writing of a Tree Policy for Church Stretton. If anyone would like to get involved please contact the Town Council office. Hilary Hymas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership to make sure Chair of the Church Stretton the Design Statement will be a workable document. It is Town Design Statement Group proposed that the final version is presented to the Town Council meeting in February for adoption. The Draft Design Statement can still be viewed on the Focus Church Stretton website: www.churchstretton.co.uk The document has also been considered by the District Weatherman Retires Council at a meeting of the Executive Committee on 15th January. It is hoped that it will be adopted as a material Robert Smart has contributed to Focus consideration in determining planning applications in since 1967 and he has written our monthly Church Stretton. Church Stretton weather reports continuously for over ten years. This feature has been very popular and some readers have told how they enjoy relating his records to the timing of events in their gardens. Robert has now decided that it is time to hang up

his thermometers Miller Paul Photo: and he wishes to retire from sending his monthly report (although we hope he will still send in occasional contributions). The Focus team would like to thank Robert, most sincerely, for his hard work over the years and to wish him well in the future. Is there anyone out there who has the instruments, skill and interest to take over and report regularly on Church Stretton weather? If so, we should be very pleased to hear from you. Eds

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February 07 mag .indd 4 12/1/07 12:34:19 The Great Frost 1939-40 The first winter of the Second World War was the coldest in the UK for 45 years. Minimum night- time temperatures on January 23rd in Powys and Shropshire ranged from about -20C to -23C. During February heavy frost affected much of South Shropshire. Fallen snow and sheets of ice made roads impassable and the weight of thick accumulations of ice on overhead wires caused telegraph poles to topple. Layers of ice inches thick on branches inflicted widespread damage on trees. A fallen telegraph pole in Caynham Road

Photos: Mr L Owen, Ice on the wires reproduced by kind permission of Mike Titley

Glyngarth, Mr Owen’s house: icicles under the eaves and solid sheets of ice on the walls and roof

A local school headmaster, Mr L Owen, captured the effects of the freeze on the Cleehill area in these photographs. Such severe and prolonged freezes seem much rarer these days. Is this a consequence of global climate change or merely a short-term effect? Alan and Sue Cummings

Set All Free on afternoons and evenings for five weeks in Theme for Lent Groups Lent (from Monday 26th February to Friday The exhibition currently on show in the United 30th March). This is an excellent opportunity to Reformed Church (see page 6 of the January explore the issues raised by the exhibition, with Focus) is helping us to focus our attention on the fellow Christians of other churches. People who 200th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery Bill, and have attended previous Lent groups have not only the implication for the various forms of slavery in the twenty enjoyed stimulating discussion but many have also made first century. When the exhibition finishes on Thursday lasting new friendships. 8th February it would be sad if we forgot about the issue of modern day slavery with a ‘been there – done that’ attitude. Lent group entry forms are available in all churches or The ecumenical house groups which have become a may be obtained from Ruth Davies, 1 Central Avenue, feature of our Lent discipline will be continuing the theme SY6 6EE. Telephone 724304. Closing day for entries is in the weekly studies. We hope to be able to offer groups Sunday 4th February.

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February 07 mag .indd 5 12/1/07 12:34:31 Plant of the Month – Gorse

‘When gorse is out of bloom, kissing’s out of fashion’

This seems a good reason for hoping gorse is in flower in to try to detect what is causing the popping noise coming February, otherwise Valentine’s Day will be just a little from a gorse bush, which may be quickly followed by a disappointing! In stinging sensation on fact Common Gorse the face. A close look (Ulex europaeus) will reveal that the does bear some ripe pods are drying small yellow explosively in the heat ‘sweet-pea shaped’ and throwing out flowers during most seeds for several feet. months of the year Not every shrub with although it is at its yellow pea family best from April to type flowers on the June. We have two Mynd is gorse. Do species of gorse on not confuse it with the Long Mynd: its close relative, Common Gorse the spineless broom and the smaller (Cytisus scoparius) Western Gorse with its angular (Ulex gallii). This stems. The golden latter is sometimes flowers of broom are known as Dwarf mostly seen in May Gorse in western and June. parts of Britain N P T although, in more eastern areas Common Gorse Broom of the country, Dwarf Gorse is the still smaller Ulex minor. Gorse is considered native to Britain and we are not thanked for exporting it for nice What’s in a Name? spiny hedging to countries like New Zealand where it has It is not certain whether household brooms are so-called become a serious pest. because they were often made of broom twigs or whether Common Gorse forms formidable shrubs as the stems the plant is named after the implement. However, bear sharp, straight, grooved spines and a thicket provides broom’s specific name is derived from the Latin scopa fine protective cover for summer breeding birds. On a meaning besom. warm summer’s day on the Mynd, a good entertainment is Focus on Faith

For me, prison was a faith-changing experience. I’ll try to explain. yes, but the women When I was in my early twenties, there was a spate of books were not interested in about churches growing, people being healed and lives that. What difference did it make to know God? changed by the power of God. I read every book I could Then I saw women change. No not great numbers, buy, and found a new experience of God for myself - I was but some, and the change in their face and outlook was suddenly full of enthusiasm, energy and joy. startling. I saw the chapel fill up to overflowing, with women I belonged to a small village chapel, and talked to those searching for God. I heard them asking God, and saw people about my experience, prayed for them, and waited. him answering. No not everything, not a magic wand, but Absolutely nothing happened, and I felt bewildered. enough to know that he was there, alive and caring. Then a A few years later, I found a different line of books, local vicar prayed with me, and depression which had been a specifically about praying. They saw no place for asking heavy weight inside for 35 years went, never to return. God to do anything - but rather trying to attune ourselves I now see very sad things happening around us, and to his will, and trying to find what he wanted us to do. no amount of faith and prayer seems to change them. God After all, they argued, he is the perfect loving Father, and strengthens us, upholds us, gives us peace, and gives us a so he’ll give us everything we need. Asking him to do new depth to faith, but he does not change them. Yet, time something more or different is trying to change his mind, and again, I see signs of his love and presence around us, and we’re not going to do that. and I think back to those women and I know that he knows That seemed very reasonable, and I lived with it for each one of us, cares deeply, and sometimes in ways we see some years, but became increasingly dissatisfied. Then I clearly, sometimes in ways which are almost imperceptible, went to work part-time in the prison service, and wondered he meets with us, and changes our lives. what we as chaplains offered. Forgiveness, yes. Eternal life, Joan Warner

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February 07 mag .indd 6 12/1/07 12:34:37 Church Stretton School News During the autumn term, the school enjoyed considerable creative activity, success in a variety of achievements and activities. Mr Allin, personal challenge and global awareness. headteacher, reported upon a successful Ofsted report Church Stretton School has just cause to be and the awarding by the government of the prestigious proud of all these students, as are their families Sportsmark. Students participated in a sponsored walk and friends. and held a mufti day; both events raised large amounts of Numerous trips were organized by the staff, including the money for charity. The PTA organized a successful craft fair following which were reported by the pupils. and thanks are due to all who worked so hard. • A creative arts trip to London took The list of pupil achievements is impressive. First, place during October for year 10 congratulations are due to thirteen instrumentalists who students of art, drama and music. An amazing variety have gained awards from the Associated Board of the Royal of experiences took place in just two days: visits to School of Music. Six of these have achieved distinctions: the Tate Modern, the National Gallery and three Phillippa Lewis, Grade Three Clarinet theatre visits including a backstage tour. There was Hannah Brayne, Grade Four Flute a river trip to the London Eye and a ’bus tour to Ten Megan Latchford, Grade Two Clarinet Downing Street and Whitehall. The pupils learned a Holly Hearle, Grade Four Flute great deal and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Sophie Mawhinney, Grade Eight Flute • Year 11 pupils studying Harold Pinter’s play, Isabelle Holmes, Grade Four Violin ‘The Caretaker’, were taken to see a production at Other recipients of awards are: the Nottingham Playhouse. While they enjoyed the Lauren Hackett, Grade One Flute experience they were able to make some Katherine Evans, Grade Five Alto Saxophone (merit) constructively critical comments which revealed their Sophie Foster, Grade Four Flute sound knowledge of the text and their insight into Megan Molloy, Grade Two Clarinet the playwright’s intentions. Emily Meredith, Grade Four Flute (merit) • The geography department organized a year 11 trip Emma Kavanagh, Grade Four Violin to Snowdonia to consolidate what they had learned Eleanor Hall, Grade Two Violin about land formations caused by glaciers. They Four year 11 students, Richard Bebbington, Dave achieved this by seeing these formations for Knowles, Alice Walker and Philippa Hatton, made a short themselves, by walking, climbing and by sketching film about a day in the life of a goldfish travelling round what they saw. One student reported that everyone Church Stretton in a bowl. This was chosen to be shown at thought it a great and worthwhile experience. the Young Film-Makers’ Festival in Bradford and in London • Year 9 students studying the Industrial Revolution in the new year. Well done! visited Ironbridge, learning about a Victorian Other achievements are as follows: working community and the influence of Abraham • Rachael Blakeyfield won third prize in the Darby on Coalbrookdale. The diversity of exhibits Midcounties Cooperative Society’s Christmas card enabled them to make useful notes and sketches for design competition. their follow-up work. • Jordan Stanley reached the finals of the Audi Design • Three year 9 classes went on a citizenship trip Innovation Awards. to Birmingham to visit the Sikh gurdwara and the • Michelle Degli Eposti’s painting came first in the Jewish synagogue. The students were able to Church Stretton Arts Festival. experience the methods of worship and the • Ruth Seager won first prize for her healthy eating trappings of the two faiths. They reported that they poster in the Wenlock Spring Water competition. were fascinated by the opportunity to learn about • Year eight pupils Thomas Foulkes and Jack Welch other beliefs and cultures. have gained places in the under 13s top ten of the • At Christmas, the school bade goodbye to two British championship rounds of trial bike circuits, teachers: Mrs Derbyshire was moving to Kent and C class. Mrs Groves has retired after a long and successful • Katie Brisbourne, year 9, has won acclaim in the career. Thanks and warmest wishes go with them H Factor talent competition after singing her way both. into round two. Sue Cummings • Matthew Virden and Archie Bolton, year nine, of the second Longmynd Scout Group have been selected to represent it at the 21st World Scout Jamboree in Essex. • A former pupil, Sean Goodwin, has won a place at the Armand Hammer College in New Mexico. He will study at pre-university level for the International December Baccalaureate with students from all over the world. No 439 £100 342 £20 Topics include community service, 310 £50 362 £10

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February 07 mag .indd 7 12/1/07 12:34:38 Mayfair Community Centre Walking for Health Volunteer Gardener Banish Those Winter Blues - Start Walking and Enjoy Getting Fit Needed Sir Liam Donaldson, the Government’s Chief Medical Due to the retirement of Mayfair Officer, recently commented that everyone should walk Community Centre’s long standing briskly for at least 30 minutes, 5 times a week to improve volunteer gardener, John Garrett, we are general fitness, cardiac and respiratory health, maintenance looking for someone to take over maintaining the shrubs of healthy weight and much more too. and small garden area attached to the Centre. For almost four years, Mayfair Community Centre, If you have green fingers and have time to spare please through its ‘Walking for Health’ Project in South Shropshire, contact Angela Jones on 01694 722077. has been encouraging and helping people to do just that. As part of the national ‘Walking for Health’ scheme, the aim is Naming of New Minibuses to improve health and fitness, particularly of those people Recently a competition was held to name the new who take little or no exercise, by providing a programme of vehicles needed by Church Stretton Area Ring and Ride. regular weekly walks in Church Stretton, Craven Arms and A vehicle was purchased from Shrewsbury Dial a Ride. Ludlow. All the walks are led by trained Walk Leaders with This is a Volkswagen Minibus and is in the process of ten walks, varying in time and distance, in the area each being prepared in its new livery and it will be named week, except on Bank ‘Clover’. The other vehicle Holidays. These cater is a Renault Minibus from for all abilities and ages. North Shropshire and that The walks are free and will also have the Church no special equipment is Stretton livery, and its name required apart from good will be ‘Speedwell’. These footwear. names are flowers and keep A new development the tradition with the names to encourage independent of the other two buses ie Iris walking, particularly and Snowdrop 2. aimed at those who are The winning member is not able to join the regular Brenda Brayne who named led walks, is the launch both vehicles and her prize is a of a series of seven leaflets lunch for two at the Longmynd describing walks in the Hotel; the runners up are Joan Church Stretton area, Cowan and Sheelagh Wilson ranging from 30 minutes who will receive bunches of to two hours and offering flowers as they named one of a varied choice of routes. the vehicles. The coloured leaflets have a map, easy to follow directions and have been written by local Walk Leaders who know the area well. The titles Mayfair Winter Talks include walking in Leasowes Coppice, Rectory Woods, Tuesday 6th February – ‘Stripping for Action’ Carding Mill Valley, Hazler Woods, Cwm Dale and Ragleth Tuesday 6th March ‘Pictures in Harmony’ Hill. They are graded for difficulty and each leaflet explains This month Sue Davies will reveal all as she ‘strips for action’ clearly timings, suitability and routes. A special leaflet for and entertains us with details of this intriguing sport! Then in a shorter walk of about one mile around Church Stretton March we shall be captivated by ‘Pictures in Harmony’. Ian town illustrates numerous places of interest along the walk. and Hilary Templeton live in the Stretton Hills, and came All the leaflets are free. here about 6 years ago. Ian used to live in central London, Why not try out the short walk on the level around the but what hill walker can stay away from Shropshire? Hilary is town following the ‘easy to follow’ directions and getting a keen photographer, and Ian loves classical music, and their some interesting facts on the way. If you enjoy that why not presentation is their way of combining these two passions. I try the next walk in the series which is slightly longer and cannot think of a better way of rounding off our2006/7 series! may have a little gradient or two, then you could be ready Meriel Blake in time to walk the other routes as your fitness improves and your confidence increases. I T Classes at Mayfair Centre Regular walking at a brisk pace means that you will Tuesdays from 30th January - Computer Workshop feel warmer, breathe faster with a slightly higher heart rate - Choose a subject from word processing, spreadsheets, though you should still be able to talk - though some people desktop publishing, powerpoint, databases, internet & may need to build up their levels of activity more slowly. email - 16 weeks’ course. Fee £70. However, any walking is better than none! Give yourself a Please ring 01584 872846 to book (Ludlow College) Gold Medal and get fit for 2007. For more information on these leaflets and the regular Mondays 2.15-4.45pm - I T & Literacy - Learn computing weekly programme of walks, contact: Peter Powell, Walking and brush up your English! Free for Health, Mayfair, 01694 722077 or just call in to collect Further details from Jackie Mantle 01694 722077 or email your free leaflets. [email protected]

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February 07 mag .indd 8 12/1/07 12:34:51 Methodist Partnership News Gardening in: Voice February Methodism, along with all other Winter is hopefully well major denominations has for Town Centre Retail Vitality Study on its way, although several decades experienced a South Shropshire District Council February can sometimes gradual fall both in membership have contacted White Young Green bring the worst weather and numbers attending worship Planning to conduct a forecasting of all. It is now ‘wake and all sorts of reasons are offered exercise that will, apparently, show the up time’ in the garden. as to why this should be so… our viability of all the South Shropshire With the days lengthening, bulbs will society is increasingly secular, church market town centres up to 2021. The be showing through and bittercress membership is seen by many as research will be based on such variables probably flowering! irrelevant to their life style, Sunday is as growth settlements, retail trade, Vegetables: One of the first jobs to do is a day for pleasure and leisure, etc, etc. shopping preferences etc. cover the soil with polythene or cloches As a nation we experienced Researchers should be conducting to warm it for sowing and planting. huge change in the second half of five hundred telephone surveys around Broad beans, early peas and cabbages can the last century. Life, though more the District, fifty on-street surveys in be sown in the greenhouse and planted complicated has become easier for Church Stretton and retail surveys of out in the warmed plot. Seeds will also many, with more financial security, all our town centre businesses. The germinate more quickly with less chance improved social welfare, easier travel, same company recently ran a similar of rotting. First early potatoes can be set more leisure and comfort. There have exercise in Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth out to ‘chit’ in trays, keeping them cool been so many changes in society and so, eventually, there should emerge but frost-free and light. Watch for aphids many of the traditional supportive contrasting shopping habits from other as they appear from nowhere as soon roles of the church have been taken districts. as the temperature rises. (They can be over by the state. Church leadership Land For Employment Expansion washed off carefully without damaging in general has begun to realise that Another SSDC initiative presently the shoots). for a person not familiar with our being carried out is to identify possible Greenhouse: Continue to ventilate only traditional patterns of worship, and employment and business land sites on dry, mild days, and keep watering increasingly unfamiliar with our in the District, including Church to a minimum, preferably during the traditional hymns etc. there needs Stretton. A draft report on their mornings. Seed to be new ways of reaching out to findings is due on 8th January, while sowing really begins the ‘un-churched’ and making our the final report should be submitted now for bedding worship more relevant to them. before the end of the month. plants such as To increasingly older Hopefully key Church Stretton Alyssum, Lobelia congregations who are comfortable contacts will have been consulted and Antirrhinum, with things as they are this is a before these two dates. which need a daunting challenge and yet unless Indoor Leisure & Sports Facilities long growing time. Have plant labels this challenge is met, numbers will The Facilities Group met with ready and label everything as you sow! continue to fall and yet another County and District officers: key Tomatoes, peppers and aubergines can generation will consider ‘church’ to be updates are that a four-court sports be sown now for greenhouse growing as irrelevant to their way of life. hall in the school campus should well as other vegetables for transplanting For the past two years we at be included on to the SCC capital outside. Dahlias and Chrysanthemums the local Methodist Church have programme for 2008, along with a should be potted into a compost/sand been looking at “The Way Ahead” recommended multi-use games area. mix, taking cuttings from them when 2 for us as a congregation. Seeking to Other recommendations include the or 3 inches long. understand God’s will as to how we provision of a fitness suite; studio/ Flowers: Divide perennials now and should be reaching out to the local entertainment area; community space next month. Dig up the whole clump, and wider community, examining and a general purpose meeting room. taking the outside pieces to make new closely what we do, assessing how Parking & Traffic plants and discarding the old, woody well we do it and wrestling with Shropshire County Council officers centres. Feed with a general purpose the challenges this self appraisal is are currently collecting detailed facts fertilizer. Campanulas and Perennial presenting. Some of the conclusions on parking and transport problems in Asters benefit from this. could have far reaching consequences the Strettons. The first set of parking and we pray to God we will be able to and traffic surveys was conducted Many estates and National Trust meet the challenge. in November and more surveys will properties open this month for Have you given up on your local follow, including cordon surveys on Snowdrop walks - try to get to one of church or is it of no interest to you? all our approach roads. Information these (take a friend!). If so we’d be very interested to know gathering will continue until April why? 2007. Church Stretton & District Gardening J R C Publicity officer Club

Stretton Focus - 16 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 9 12/1/07 12:34:52 Catholic Voice Can Practice Make Perfect? with our mortality. The message is clear: If Have you ever met people who, if there is a hard way of you want to live maturely then grow up being doing something they will consider it a virtue to do it? comfortable with the certainty that one day you Perhaps it is part of a larger philosophy of life, which says will die. What Ash Wednesday does is join an that things of value only come through hard work. They idea with a practicality. Do you accept death? Then put think that the person who finds an easy way of achieving some ashes on the outside of your mind. The material act something is somehow superficial. Therefore, the person confirms the idealistic concept. Then you embark on life, who thinks is not as genuine as the person who does. or Lent. You give up some things to show yourself that Because the product is not visible, it is not as valuable the material can never conquer the ideal. It is even better as the thing you can examine with the senses. You know if you do something positive because then you connect where you are with the material things. Of course, there are the material inextricably with the ideal. You are doing this extremes on the other side. action because it is your ideals that rule, not your senses, Political correctness and social engineering can lead or animal cravings. In addition, you do it properly because to ridiculous courses of action where common sense and there is going to be an end called death, (with which you are reasonableness are sacrificed on the altar of principle. quite comfortable). Except, of course, there is beyond the Ideas and practicalities are always clashing when we try material idea of death, an ideal called Easter, Resurrection, to live with others, especially if we respect them. This is New Life. After the materialistic is over there is the why I think that the first day of Lent, which starts during idealistic. Moreover, just because it is a story without an February, is somehow a way to combine and harness our end, do not be fooled into thinking that is not real. To be daily experiences with our ideals and temperaments. Ash practical, every one needs the vision. The most practically Wednesday has a long history. It has its equivalents in other successful people are those who know where they are going, religions apart from Christianity, because it speaks to a not those who know what the end is like. human need. We need to see our life in a true relationship Happy Lent. Father Donlan

SW Shropshire Gardening Club with an outstanding plant collection. Its life revolved around the Heathcoat-Amory family. The celebrated Another Happy Weekend in May! garden features a waterlily pool, topiary, The South-West Shropshire Gardening Club is planning specimen trees, rare shrubs and delightful another long weekend away again, from 11th to 14th May seasonal colours. The newly restored kitchen inclusive. This time our destination will be the beautiful garden has a vast range of unusual culinary gardens of Devon. and herbaceous plants. Passing through Somerset, going south, we shall break On the way home there is a special treat: the East the journey at Barrington Court, originally owned by the Lambrook Manor Gardens in Somerset, which is privately Lyle family (sugar!). Here the Gertrude Jekyll inspired owned. It was created by the late Margery Fish. It is formal garden includes walled rooms such as the White an intriguing cottage-style garden, with an important Garden, the Rose and Iris Garden and the Lily Garden. The collection of plants, many of which she saved from virtual working kitchen garden has espaliered fruit trees trailing its extinction. Ongoing restoration programme includes a stone walls. collection of geraniums. First in Devon is Rosemoor RHS garden. This is a We shall be staying at the three Star Best Western Hotel, plantsman’s garden of marvellous quality. It has everything in Gipsy Hill, Exeter. All rooms have private facilities. The its forty acres: rhododendrons, ornamental trees, woodland, price of £249 includes the hotel accommodation, executive species roses, scree and alpine beds, herb garden, bog and coach travel and all visits and entrance fees, (apart from stream gardens, cottage gardens, fruit and vegetable gardens. National Trust), as many folk have their own N T Cards. The private Marwood Hill garden is next, with We have very few seats left, but, if you are interested small lakes, camellias under glass and outside, daffodils, please contact Joy Brightman, High Park House, All rhododendrons, rock and alpine scree, waterside planting, Stretton, Church Stretton SY6 6LW. Tel: 01694 751293 as bog garden, many clematis and the National Astilbe soon as possible!!! Collection. The garden has been featured on ITV Garden Trail, and BBC Gardeners’ World. Trivia Corner No 39 by Ken Willis On Sunday morning it’s the turn of Killerton. The house was built in 1778 and the garden was created by John 1. Which satirical romance by the Miguel de Cervantes Veitch, the nurseyman and landscape garden designer of the was published in two parts in 1605 and 1615? 1770s. It features rhododendrons, magnolias, herbaceous 2. What do we call tabulated arithmetical functions borders, rare trees, as well as an ice house, and an early enabling addition to take the place of multiplication? summerhouse known as The Bear’s Hut. The house is 3. Laudanum is a preparation made from……. What? furnished as a comfortable home and shows a collection of 4. What is the wife of a Viceroy called? early costume in its period rooms. Knightshayes Court, for an afternoon visit, is a Victorian 5. What product of the bee, besides royal jelly and honey, country house with richly decorated interiors and a garden is used commercially?

Stretton Focus - 19 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 10 12/1/07 12:34:53 Stretton Focus is Forty this Month! It is said, “Life begins at forty” and, as the first Stretton Focus was issued in February 1967, this is the fortieth birthday issue. It is a time to look forward to new life but also a time to look back to the time of our birth.

In 1967, the year of the Six Days’ War, the launch of the QE2, the Torrey Canyon Disaster, the death of Donald Campbell on Coniston Water and the triumph of Sir Francis Chichester, Stretton Focus was born. It first appeared as a four page paper produced by ‘The Church Stretton Council of Churches’. It was inserted in an issue of National Christian News. Although it was initiated by the local clergy as an inter- church venture, it did include secular material. An item from the then Chairman of the Church Stretton Parish Council, Cllr S G McMitchell, has a familiar ring! In this first issue the clergy stated as an aim: It was an exciting time for the schools:

Some things haven’t changed! Some items in a ‘Coming Events’ column are reflected in recent ‘What’s On’ columns. All Stretton Village Pantomime was advertised (‘Babes in the Wood’ that year) as was a meeting to study a film on ‘Four Religions’ – Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity. The clergy involved, Rev A Clark (Methodist), Rev H Royds (Congregational) and Rev W H Wilson (Anglican) were clearly a little apprehensive. They bravely expressed their fears: Baptisms were recorded: if, as a forty-something, you see yourself below and like to tell us where you are now, please do so.

1967 1981 1992 2000

February 07 mag .indd 11 12/1/07 12:35:40 Stretton Focus is Forty this Month! It is said, “Life begins at forty” and, as the first Stretton Focus was issued in February 1967, this is the fortieth birthday issue. It is a time to look forward to new life but also a time to look back to the time of our birth.

In 2007, thanks to the efforts of many people over the last forty years, we have now reached the stage where we have 44 pages with 24 of those in colour. We hope that you will send us An item from the then Chairman of the Church Stretton more photos, illustrations or drawings, Parish Council, Cllr S G McMitchell, has a familiar ring! now that we will be able to show them to full advantage. We also look forward It was an exciting time for the schools: to redesigning some of our layout this year and, in a few months time owing to improved communication and techniques, we are hoping to be able to move our copy day from the first Monday to the second Monday of the month, while still distributing at the end of the month. This will give you more time to send us copy in response to anything you have seen in the previous month’s issue. It will also enable us to be more up to date with the news. We will make it clear when this change takes place.

Most of all, we look forward to fresh, exciting and interesting copy from our readers. Of course, we always welcome Some things haven’t changed! news and concern about current events in Stretton but we also enjoy features Some items in a ‘Coming Events’ column are reflected of general interest. It is usual for us not in recent ‘What’s On’ columns. All Stretton Village to have enough space for all the copy Pantomime was advertised (‘Babes in the Wood’ that that we receive. However, although we year) as was a meeting to study a film on ‘Four Religions’ may not always be able to include your – Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity. contribution immediately, we really would like to hear from you. Baptisms were recorded: if, as a forty-something, you see yourself below and like to tell us where you are now, please If you have any ideas which you think do so. would improve Focus, please let us know. Focus is the Voice of the Community.

The first issue in magazine format 2000 2002 2007 FOCUS the VOICE of the COMMUNITY

February 07 mag .indd 12 12/1/07 12:36:29 Church Stretton Town Council Abstract of the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting •Whinberries, Shrewsbury Road, All Stretton. Conversion held on 11th December 2006 of shop, Post-Office and dwelling to create shop, Post- Office and 2 dwellings. Object to loss of major part of PLANNING MATTERS: District Decisions community shop – important social facility. Would affect •Rock Hill, Shrewsbury Road, All Stretton. Felling of a visual amenity and village landscape. Parking would be a Larch. Approved with 2 conditions. problem •Obiri House, Madeira Walk. Tree works. Withdrawn. •Littlebrook, 38 Ludlow Road. Erection of a domestic •Briar Lea, 62 Ludlow Road. Erection of an extension to garage. No objection. dwelling. Approved with 2 conditions. •Field adjoining Holmside, Clive Avenue. Erection of •Bycroft, 59 Shrewsbury Road. Felling of 2 conifer trees. 4 dwellings and formation of a vehicular access. No Approved with 1 condition. recommendation but comment that the scale and density is •Long Barn, Minton. Erection of chimney stack and excessive. formation of dormer window. Approved with 2 conditions. •15 Swains Meadow. Erection of a conservatory. No •3 Crossways. Erection of extension to dwelling. Approved objection. with 3 conditions. •Coneygarth, 61 Shrewsbury Road. Erection of extension •15 Ragleth Road. Erection of a conservatory. Approved and a garage with demolition of existing garage. No with 2 conditions. objection. •Holly Cottage, Cardingmill Valley. Felling of a •Brambledene, Mynd Industrial Estate. Change of use from Whitebeam. Approved with 1 condition. office to retail. No objection. •Westfields, Hazler Road. Erection of a dwelling. •Fourways, Cunnery Road. Erection of conservatory. No •Wincote, Batch Valley, All Stretton. Erection of extension objection. and alterations to dwelling. Approved with 5 conditions. •Celyn, Sandford Avenue. Erection of conservatory. No •36 Watling Street South. Erection of extension. Refused. objection. •Barns to the rear of St Mary’s, Brockhurst, Little Stretton. •Gorswen, Sandford Avenue. Erection of a carport. Report Change of use of agricultural building to storage. Approved awaited. with 2 conditions. •66 Ludlow Road. Erection of extension to dwelling. •Juniper Cottage, All Stretton. Tree works. Approved with 1 Report awaited. condition. •Woodend & Friarswood, Cunnery Road. Works to 11 •Arden Cottage, Cardingmill Valley. Fell a Sycamore tree. trees. Report awaited. Approved with 1 condition. •14 Ludlow Road. Formation of an access. Refused. PLANNING: General Westfields – tree cover: The independent report indicates PLANNING: Town Council Responses to District problems with trees. Some work needs to be done on this •Wincote, Batch Valley, All Stretton. Erection of extension copse. One tree has come down in high winds and several and alterations to dwelling. Major objections. This property, have reached the end of their life. conspicuous from both the opposite hillside (National Trust Affordable housing proposals for All Stretton – Grove land) and the western part of the valley, has previously Field: Much discussion took place regarding the been considerably enlarged. It would be even more out background/history of this site. It was agreed to offer of keeping with its neighbours and with the amenity of Bromford HG a presentation to the Town Council prior the area and as such contrary to policy E1 of the South to any planning application being submitted and Monday Shropshire Local Plan. The amenity and privacy of nearby 19th February 2007 at 7pm was suggested. residents will be adversely affected Overdale: Appeal hearing on 14.11.06. Awaiting result. •Barns to the rear of St Mary’s, Brockhurst, Little Stretton. Wincote and Westfield: Westfields had been refused by Change of use of agricultural building to storage. No objection. SSDC but Wincote has been given permission. Concern was •36 Watling Street South. Erection of an extension to expressed about the Wincote decision and it was felt that dwelling. No objection. SSDC ought to let this Council know why this has been •Juniper Cottage, All Stretton. Tree works – supported. allowed despite the Town Council’s strong representations. •Littlebrook, 38 Ludlow Road. Erection of extensions. No It was agreed to write to SSDC to register disappointment objection. at the outcome of the Wincote application, asking them to •Touchwood, Clive Avenue. Erection of extension and inform this Council of any points which were in favour of conservatory. No objection. this application and the reasons why permission was granted. •Arden Cottage, Cardingmill Valley. Fell 2 Sycamore trees. Object to felling of one of the trees. Recommend that CHURCH STRETTON AREA PARTNERSHIP SSDC asks arboreal consultant for opinion. Update report: It is nearly 3 years since the Partnership •Woodbank Cottage, 220 Watling Street South. Erection first received £38,000 from the 2nd homes council tax. So of extension. No recommendation but note concerns about far, £42,000 has granted via the Community Chest scheme. windows on the proposed north elevation which may cause Next year, £25,000 will be available and the Partnership problems to neighbours with overlooking and privacy. It is a hopes to look at ways in which that money should be spent. very big extension - 100% increase in size of the original. There is still £3,000 in the Community Chest to be spent •Formation of an access, 14 Ludlow Road. Object on the before the end of this financial year. grounds of road safety. It is on the inside of sharp bend. Continued on page 25

Stretton Focus - 22 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 13 12/1/07 12:36:30 Town Council Minutes, continued from page 22 OTHER MATTERS Dog fouling/plastic bags Town Development Plan (Traffic Management) A resident had raised this issue with especial reference to Serious concerns were expressed that SCC has not been Rectory Wood. It was agreed to forward the correspondence keeping this Council informed. Decriminalisation is to SCC as the areas mentioned are their responsibility, already here and the Town Council/Partnership/TMG and to send a copy of the Cleaner Greener Strategy to could well be the focus of resentment when this new system the resident as this issue forms part of the new strategy commences. and some of the resident’s concerns are addressed in this Town Design Statement – Draft Document document. The draft was circulated to Councillors on 4th December Fencing of Richard Robinson field 2006. They agreed that it was an excellent document and Since replacing the old metal fence with a wooden post- were most grateful to all those involved in its production. and-rail fence, someone has deliberately cut through the The public consultation is now to take place and posters rails in order to make an additional access to the field. This will be put around the town to publicise this. The draft is has happened twice in the space of 3 weeks. The police have also on the Church Stretton website and copies are held at been informed and are conducting enquiries. the Library and the Council office. Quality Council Status Amenity Skip service. The following was adopted as the Mission Statement of the A letter is to be sent to SSDC protesting at the proposal to Council: withdraw the Tuesday skip service. “Church Stretton Town Council seeks to provide excellent Crows etc in Church Stretton: The trees in question are on services at best value - private property so the Council would not be able to cover •to meet the needs and improve the well-being of all the any expenditure which might be incurred. Comments have residents of the town. been sought from the SSDC tree officer. •to protect and enhance the amenity and environment of Caravan Rally the town in respect of its buildings and landscape The owner of Spring Bank Farm asks that it be clarified •to ensure a sustainable and vibrant community for the that the rally in question is nothing to do with Spring Bank continuing benefit of residents, visitors and businesses.” Farm – it will be on the field next to his property. Concern Rural Post Offices has been expressed about the proposed extended rally due to It was agreed to send letter of support for our local post past experiences of noise etc. and the environmental effect offices to the MP and Countryside Alliance. of the proposed number of campers and the length of time on this field which has no proper facilities. SSDC has stated that the Caravanning & Camping Club does not need the permission of the local authority. SSDC has passed this matter to their Health & Safety Officer and advised that if a nuisance is caused the residents should inform the Licensing Officer at SSDC at the time. Lutwyche Road Update A response has been received from the Charity Commission and it was felt that professional legal advice is now required. Fish & Chip Supper Concern was expressed that a resident whose home will be Our first event of 2007 will be our Fish & Chip Supper affected by the development had not been informed by the to be held on Friday 2nd March in the Silvester Horne Housing Association. This was an unfortunate oversight on Institute, 7.15pm for 7.30pm Please be punctual because behalf of Housing Association, for which they have apologised. BMX Report at 7.30pm Captain Jeff Thomas, formerly a Master Mariner in British Petroleum, will talk about Some minor alterations had been proposed with youngsters Captain James Cook’s exploration voyages in the Pacific wishing to take on responsibility of maintenance. Some Ocean, with slides. The Fish & Chip Supper will follow concern was expressed about supervision, liability etc. if his talk. Tickets will cost £7.00 from Mrs Muriel Taylor youngsters were allowed to take on this work. If the jumps 722805 or Mrs Brenda Pogson 722912 or were altered they might no longer be safe for the younger Jill & Richard Turner Jones 724371. children. The Health & Safety issues need to be addressed Please remember to bring your own drink by the Council’s Team Leader. The Council is to investigate its position regarding liability should an accident occur if youngsters maintained the track. Storage facilities Fun Quiz Night The Council has been asked about the possibility of replacing the existing ad hoc storage units next to the With Ken Willis pavilion to accommodate all the clubs and Food Fayre. Future of SSDC play areas 7.30pm Friday 9th February Little Stretton Village Hall SSDC wishes to know if the Council is prepared to take Tickets £5 including light buffet and beverages in interval over the play areas and more information is awaited. available from Little Stretton village shop An on-site meeting has been arranged at All Stretton play or call 01694 723627 area with representatives from the Town Council, SSDC and local young families. Stretton Focus - 25 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 14 12/1/07 12:36:30 Severn Hospice & Sandy Gall Appeal Berry’s raised £200 for the Severn Hospice and £200 for Sandy Gall’s Afghanistan Appeal for Child Victims of Thank You Hughley Church & M S Society Landmines from mulled wine and mince pies at the ‘Carols The Hog Roast and In Voice entertainment at Rushbury in the Square’ on (almost) Christmas Eve; many thanks to Hughley Church & M S Society Village Hall raised £1,200, to be shared between Hughley those who drank and ate. The Hog Roast and In Voice entertainment at Rushbury Church and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Thank you to Thank you and Happy New Year, Village Hall raised £1,200, to be shared between Hughley everyone who gave support. John Gott Church and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Thank you to everyone who gave support. Rotary Club of Church Stretton Severn Hospice & Sandy Gall Appeal Berry’s raised £200 for the Severn Hospice and £200 for Sandy Gall’s Afghanistan Appeal for Child Victims of Landmines from mulled wine and mince pies at the ‘Carols in the Square’ on (almost) Christmas Eve; many thanks to those who drank and ate. Thank you and Happy New Year, John Gott Christmas Concert We had a full house for the Concert at the School Rotary Club of Church Stretton. given by the Craven Christmas Concert We had a full house for the Concert Arms Men’s Chorus at the School given by the Craven Arms Men’s Chorus and and the Knighton Town the Knighton Town Silver Band. Over £1200 was raised Silver Band. Over £1200 for Save the Children Fund and for Children affected by was raised for Save the Domestic Violence. Children Fund and for Carols In The Square After a quiet start, the Square very Children affected by Father Christmas quickly became packed out. All sang the carols vigorously, Domestic Violence. helps out led by Bill Ross and the Rotary Choir. The Rector, Graham Stones, gave the blessing which brought to an end a Carols In The Square After a quiet start, the The Tree Of Light Again people responded very generously and found traditional and enjoyable start to celebrating the Christmas Square very quickly became packed out. All satisfaction in remembering their loved ones by adding their name to Feast. Over £400 was raised for Air Ambulance. sang the carols vigorously, led by Bill Ross and those at the Tree of Light. Donors have, in most cases, signed up for Gift The Tree Of Light Again people responded very the Rotary Choir. The Rector, Graham Stones, Aid, increasing their donation by the amount of tax refunded by the generously and found satisfaction in remembering their gave the blessing which brought to an end a Chancellor. Over £2500 will have been raised (including the Gift Aid) loved ones by adding their name to those at the Tree of traditional and enjoyable start to celebrating for the Severn Hospice, Hope House and Rotary Wheelchairs UK. Light. Donors have, in most cases, signed up for Gift Aid, the Christmas Feast. Over £400 was raised for Thank you to all who supported these events and contributed so increasing their donation by the amount of tax refunded Air Ambulance. generously. Roger Stokes by the Chancellor. Over £2500 will have been raised (including the Gift Aid) for the Severn Hospice, Hope House and Rotary Wheelchairs UK. Curried Prawns Thank you to all who supported these events and Stretton Choral Society contributed so generously. This is a good starter if you are Roger Stokes doing a special meal. It is also tasty as a snack eaten with a crusty French stick. A Choral First Having enjoyed a month’s break after the extremely 1½ oz butter 1 oz plain flour successful Christmas concert, Stretton Choral Society has 1 teaspoon curry powder dash of cayenne pepper now started rehearsals for Messiah in May which is to be 2 tablespoons tomato puree 1 tablespoon brandy or held on Saturday 12th May. sherry As far as we know this will be the first time Handel’s 1 oz grated cheese. ¾ lb shelled prawns greatest hit has been heard in Church Stretton. The Choral ½ pint creamy milk (heated) salt and pepper Society included Part One in its 2002 Christmas concert, which drew a capacity audience, so this performance of the Serves 4 complete work (including the famous Hallelujah Chorus!) is Melt 1 oz. of butter and add the flour, curry powder, bound to be another sell-out. seasoning and tomato puree. Stir and add the heated milk New singers are always welcome, so if you would like to a little at a time. Stir until smooth, then simmer for ten be part of this premiere performance join us for rehearsals minutes. Add the prawns and brandy or sherry. Bring to the on Thursdays at 7.30pm in the United Reformed Church. boil and add the remaining butter. Dish up in a fire-proof For further information contact Pam Cole (Tel: 723604) or dish, sprinkle with cheese and brown under the grill. Philip Lane Clark (Tel: 723294). Hope your guests enjoy it! ‘Her Ladyship’ Pam Cole

Stretton Focus - 27 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 15 12/1/07 12:36:35 Dear Editor . . . No more rubbish, please! This is a plea to residents of Ludlow Road through Grey Squirrels whose gardens runs a stream. When I came here I would like to make a few comments on David seven years ago, the stream supported a variety Gale’s article on the grey squirrel. Firstly in of wildlife, including a range of fish, a heron, a referring to the grey squirrel as ‘the incarnation of kingfisher, a pair of ducks and several species of the anthropomorphic creation of Beatrix Potter dragonflies. All have now disappeared, to be replaced he is wrong, as Squirrel Nutkin was a red squirrel, by refuse, petrol and oil slicks. a native to these shores. It is doubtful whether Mine is the last house in the road, and my part Beatrix Potter ever saw a grey squirrel. of the stream is crossed by a sewage pipe. As this He is also wrong if he thinks the only damage is above the bed of the stream, it acts as a dam, the grey squirrel does is to eat the wild bird food trapping everything which has been thrown into the water. we put out on the bird table. Apart from the fact that it also May I humbly request residents not to throw eats the wild bird eggs and young at nesting time, it also anything into the stream for two reasons? Firstly and most devastates our woodlands by stripping bark from the trees. importantly, because it is ruining the wildlife which should His assumption that the grey squirrel is ‘part of nature’s live there. Secondly, because I find it increasingly difficult rich tapestry’ may be correct worldwide, but they were to clear the unsightly mess which accumulates in ever never intended to be part of Britain’s rich tapestry, having increasing quantity. been imported from America in relatively recent times Elspeth Keeling-Howard and proceeded to eliminate the red squirrel from most of England’s countryside. Parking Wardens and the Festive Season J A Cox Once again our voluntary organisations have done us proud for the festive season in Church Stretton. Responses to a plea for more elected councillors However, when I was talking in Sandford Avenue It is perhaps surprising that your columns should carry what just before Christmas, I was suddenly reminded that amounts to a political manifesto. It is the more regrettable our newly appointed Traffic Wardens were among us when it contains so many errors. duly photographing cars and placing their little notices The Church Stretton Leisure Facilities Project on windscreens. How ironic it seemed that cars parked Management Group has the involvement of all political in approved parking spaces could be going home with parties (LibDem, Conservative, Independent and Green). unwelcome Christmas presents, yet round the corner It set up three working groups: one to look at the possible a parked vehicle in the narrow part of The Square was range and mix of facilities that might be offered, one to interrupting the traffic flow, and a trader’s car temporarily look at funding opportunities and one specifically to advise blocking access to the parking spaces in Church Row. on consultation with the wider public. It is unfortunate that In the Shropshire Star that week, the powers that be one member of the Consultation Working Group set out to were telling us that all was fine and accepted with the new undermine the work of the group. traffic regulations, but previous reports seem to indicate that Successive surveys in the Strettons over many years our friends and colleagues at Bishops Castle, Craven Arms have shown the need for better sports and leisure facilities and Ludlow think differently. As a matter of fact, I was, that and the need for affordable housing to be the top two previous Sunday, at Ludlow Market when a shout went up priorities for the Town. How else are we to redress the “Look out, the Mafia are here”. Is that the reputation they increasing imbalance in our ageing population? South have already? If so, I despair. Shropshire’s housing policy is somewhat stricter than most E E R Hartshorne in the country, which should please those keen to preserve the natural environment. It is also quite clear that, subject Response to ‘Media bias against Christianity’ to strict controls, there may be “accepted ‘Community Mr Heiron`s recent letter (Focus Dec 06) clearly requires Gain’ beyond the provision of Affordable Housing and play a response and I, for one, cannot agree that the media, in space”. general, is guilty of ‘degrading religious faith while ignoring Both Officers and Members of the District Council a Christian viewpoint’. have been clear that the issues of housing and sports and Firstly, I think we must be thankful that the national leisure facilities can be considered separately. It would quality press is fundamentally secular, serving a paying be possible to have Sports Facilities without housing, if readership that is likewise largely secular. As for radio the funding can be found. It is equally possible to have and TV, Radio 4 gives us a daily dose of various religious housing without Sports Facilities. It was for this reason views in Thought for the Day, not all Christian of course, that our questionnaire and consultation meetings allowed and despite numerous appeals refuses to include, even people to express their views on the two issues separately. occasionally, a secular topic for a daily ‘thought’. On Unfortunately the town poll confused these two issues and Sundays we have on Radio 4 Sunday, Sunday Worship and muddied the water further by referring to a ‘substantial on Radio 2 there is Sunday Half Hour plus Songs of Praise number’ and market housing without any reference to on TV. Nothing here degrades or ignores the Christian affordable housing. viewpoint. In fact I have rarely heard or viewed anything What is not possible is for Church Stretton to sit back that supports Mr Heiron`s contention. and wait for the County Council to do it all for us. The Alan Manser Continued on next page

Stretton Focus - 30 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 16 12/1/07 12:36:36 Dear Editor . . . continued County Council has a responsibility to provide sports in the January issue suggestions that local councillors hold facilities for the School. Without additional investment surgeries and initiate public meetings. What world does there is no reason why these facilities should be available the writer really live in? We are unpaid volunteers, not local for community use. What is more we could even lose the government officials on full expenses and allowances!! I also swimming pool that we have already. have great concerns about party politics being brought into Every meeting of the Project Management group has our local politics and am concerned about the Green Party published its minutes both in the Town Council offices and involvement suggested in the Save our Stretton Group. on the web. Minutes, press releases, questionnaire results I also find it difficult to accept that remarks are made and presentation slides are still available on the web at implying that democratic decisions made by our town www.gorswen.co.uk/Leisure council have the support of all councillors. There are some Your readers can look further at the results but we of us who fight what we consider are our electorates’ corner, must correct the canard being peddled repeatedly by your but the majority vote applies and that is democracy, I am correspondent that only a minority of respondents would afraid. use the facilities. Overall there was 83% support for better For general information I recently attended an update sports and leisure facilities. The question about use was at SSDC on the proposed Unitary Authority for Shropshire. broken down into different parts and the responses varied The aim is basically to remove a layer of local government, from 59% to 95%. By no stretch of the imagination can ie District and Borough Councils, and to replace them that be described as a small minority. with a main authority - Shropshire County Council - and Perhaps those wishing to save the Strettons should give a series of local committees based on existing Parish and some thought as to what they wish to save. The community Town Councils, who are then expected to have greater that some of us have enjoyed living in for most of our control over local matters. I personally would welcome lives is a thriving community with a mixture of people this, although I doubt that the great number of bureaucrats and a wide range of facilities. By no means everyone uses in local government will allow it to happen, as they are the railway, the library, the school, the doctor, dentist or liable then to lose control and face being made redundant. optician, or our food, clothes, and bookshops; not everyone Much talk is made of the financial savings to be made from uses our pubs and restaurants, or our five different churches, Unitary Authorities, but we have all heard this before, but just think how impoverished our community would haven’t we? be without them. It is incumbent on all of us not to seek Peter Relph selfishly to exclude the preferences of others. Our project group comprises those who are councillors, In the January issue of Focus, Dennis Nisbet outlined officers and those who are neither. It has members with proposals for the future of the Strettons that he hopes involvement in sports, in leisure and those with neither. prospective town councillors will embrace. With his support What they all have in common is the desire to work for the for a unitary authority (a decision that will be out of local good of our community. We welcome views from everyone, hands long before the May elections and, therefore, not one not just from those who shout the loudest. We can be of relevance to it), he makes a passing reference to “giving contacted through the Town Council offices, by phone, local people more say”, linking this with the Government’s post or email 2006 white paper on local government reform. However, Mark Morris: District Councillor it has been possible since 2003 for parish/town councils Beryl Smith: Town Mayor to obtain ‘Quality Council’ status and with it greater local Charles West: District Councillor autonomy. 13 Shropshire parishes have succeeded. Church Stretton has not. I would like to make comment to the letter Bob Welch If our council were a ‘Quality Council’, the District made in the December Edition and further letters which and County Councils would consider increasing, by appeared in the January edition. I agree that we need more delegation, the statutory powers it already has. Moreover, elected councillors to ensure we can obtain ‘quality’ Town the Government now proposes that ‘Quality’ parish/town Council status and take advantage of the financial support councils shall be given, additionally, the power to spend which this leads to. Many people in our town, I find, are money on any activity they identify as being for the benefit ready to ‘whinge’ at regular intervals but are not prepared of local residents, something that only the District and in turn to become involved in the democratic process. As I County Councils are allowed to do at present. Furthermore, have found out, being a member of the Town Council is a if we should find ourselves part of a unitary authority, our time consuming and often frustrating commitment but yet town council, by reason of ‘Quality Council’ status, will be sometimes rewarding and I would endorse Bob’s electoral part of the local joint area committee created to take locally plea that more residents come forward, especially younger applicable decisions, to scrutinise the unitary authority’s people, to seek to serve our Town when the elections take decisions and to allocate a delegated budget. place in May next year. The failure of our town council to deliver to us either I would, however, not wish to see major interest groups the fact or the prospect of increased local control over local take control of our Council, as this could be detrimental to matters is not the fault of our councillors, but of us as all interests in the town. We should not have, for example, a residents. FF or a SoS group running our council but representatives For ‘Quality Council’ status, the first requirement (out from all sections of the community. I was amazed to read of 7) is that 80% of councillors must have been elected Continued on page 34 Stretton Focus - 31 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 17 12/1/07 12:36:37 URC Voice Befrienders in What’s Your Philosophy of Life? Bereavement and Loss Not everybody would describe themselves We are a small group of volunteers, men and women, as a philosopher. Yet we all have a part of the Good Neighbours Care Group, who have philosophy of life, even if you have never thought about it been trained to listen and to offer support to anyone or set it down in words. It could be described as your basic who would find it helpful. We are available, and we’d like attitude to life: and would be revealed in how you respond readers of Stretton Focus to know about us! to life’s experiences; how you react to world events and how You will find one of us in the Mayfair Community Centre you relate to other people. every Thursday and Friday from 10am till 12 noon. The Why not have a go at crystallising your own philosophy service we offer is free and completely confidential. We are in one sentence? Here’s one that I prepared earlier! Believe also willing to visit anyone at home. in yourself and hope in God. You can contact us on 01694 722243/771625/722866. Do you wish there was someone you could talk to - about a particular loss or bereavement which has come your way?

Induction of New Minister, 4th from left Photo: John Corfield We all have a ‘self’ which is our most treasured possession. Without it we wouldn’t even exist. So, look after There are many kinds of loss (bereavement is one, but not your self, love your self, respect your self, discipline your the only one), and we folk in the Strettons know them. It self, enjoy being your self, and try to be your best self in all can help to talk. You’re welcome to try us. situations that you are in. Unfortunately nobody is in full control of their own Carols and Tea lives. We never know what will happen tomorrow. There On Saturday 16th December elderly residents from local is a deep sense of mystery pervading our existence on care homes and those who are housebound attended a this planet Earth. There is much that is just ‘beyond’ us. ‘Carols and Tea’ event in the Parish Centre. Members of Nevertheless, it is possible to relate to this mystery in a the Stretton Choral Society led the singing, and it was personal way; and finding how to do this can be deeply delightful to hear the older people joining in. A superb tea satisfying and very promising. It can take away fear of the unknown future and even make it warm and inviting. Science of course, is forever pushing back the boundaries of our knowledge of the universe, and of our life in it. But it seems that the more we know, the more there is to know. That is - the mystery deepens, and we will never know all there is to know. Hoping in God means trusting that there is some overall purpose in this mystery, and that it will not be as the philosopher Bertrand Russell predicts where “everything is destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and the only firm foundation is unyielding despair.” Hope in God sounds a better option to me! A good religion should help you ‘believe in your self’: was organised by a group of volunteers. Thanks are due to it should stimulate your hope, to look forward to the the many people who provided the refreshments (delicious fulfilment of all in life that is good and lovely and true. A cakes, mincepies, and sandwiches). There were so many in good religion should enable us to ‘see through’ the material fact that we all went home with doggy bags! world to the ultimate reality beyond, which some of us call Special thanks to Helen Loft who organised the transport God. so well, and to my singing friends who so willingly gave Donald Horsfield of their time to make it such a memorable pre-Christmas occasion. Betty Hill Stretton Focus - 33 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 18 12/1/07 12:36:57 Near Paris: Apartment to rent this summer Comfortable, one-bedroom fully equipped flat with large outside Dear Editor . . . continued teak deck in at the last election date. Only 8 (62%) of our present 13 On the stocking rates and produce from the Long Mynd, pleasant area west of Paris. Easy 20 min. access town councillors were so elected, because too few of us were years ago there were far more animals on the common, and to heart of city. prepared to stand in May 2003. If we do no better in May many tons of whinberries were picked annually, and sold to Available 15th June - 15th August. 2007, the opportunity will not come again until 2011. Keenans Stores at Little Stretton (a family business which Weekly rent £250. Elections need not be contested, but our council’s still serves the village), and sent by rail from Marshbrook democratic credentials will be greatly strengthened if Station to Manchester to be used as dye and for pie making. contests take place in all wards. To achieve this, the number Large numbers of grouse and rabbits were shot and trapped, of ward candidates must exceed the number of seats by 1 at so the Long Mynd was far more productive in the past than least, making a minimum total of 17 candidates overall. it is presently. As Dennis said, “We need candidates”, but we need W F Kerswell candidates unencumbered by a commitment to a narrowly drawn pre-set agenda that will produce councillors unable Focus Editorial policy to respond to evolving public debate. Quite a number of my articles and letters have been cut Derek Bartlett or left out altogether recently. I would like to think it is because there is a lack of space in the journal. Looking Flu jabs – who should have priority? through the January 07 issue, some articles could have In October 2006 I suffered a bad chest infection; the doctor been written using half the space yet conveying the same I saw at Church Stretton Medical Practice thought the message. infection could well have piggy-backed on top of an initial My short comment for year 2007, this especially to all flu illness. who would claim to belong to our Christian society, is that All I know is the resultant chest infection endangered Church Stretton is for all to enjoy regardless of class, colour not only my life, but also that of my diabetic husband! My and creed. husband, (fortunately?!) got his flu-jab during my second Health permitting, I shall strive as ever for our right visit to the GP. A lot of discrepancy has arisen regarding the to receive funding and support from our own South validity, availability, or not, of the flu jab, especially during Shropshire District Council and government. the 2006 period. My last (10 year) pneumonia jab was Swimming is now recognised as the best exercise for all administered in 1995 (again after a severe chest infection ages. I rest my case. the previous spring – I suffered a lot of bronchitis as a Percy Edward Tarbuck child), my last flu-jab was given me shortly before moving to our current home – almost 7 years ago. Increasingly during the ensuing 7 year period I have The Volunteers of noticed my resistance levels to various flu viruses dropping, i.e. I’ve needed longer to recover before returning to work. Church Stretton During December it was a delight to walk through Church Basically, I never felt better than when I was ‘covered’ by Stretton after 4pm to appreciate the lights, Christmas trees, the current year’s ‘flu jab strain’; I might get a ‘bad cold’, and the decorated shop windows. but that was usually the worst I could expect. This was Do we realise the hard work that goes into the especially important when I was working as a medical erection and dismantling of the lights, trees etc by a administrator in a group GP practice in the West Midlands. willing band of volunteers? Some of these folk have It’s still important to my current employer today, but, been doing it for the past 15 years plus, but may have to because my work domain is classed as a charity I don’t feel recruit ‘younger blood’ in future years. I can impose a fee, (if I could afford to go private), where There will be many people who appreciate the lights none should be required. to ‘showcase’ the town, but unfortunately there are always Margaret Smith some people that moan! To quote “Blocking the road or pavement to put up the lights.” Productivity of the Long Mynd “Can we have different types of lights?” Well, all these points and others have been taken If I might reply to Tony Laurence’s letter (Focus, December into consideration. During 2007 there will be the Food 2006), I must apologise for thinking that the Trust had Fayre, which is in fact a ‘Country Fayre’, due to the felled trees and hedges in Gogbatch, but a man whom I diversification of activities. Again, a lot of volunteer work took to be a warden, since he had an NT sticker on his goes on in the month prior to the Fayre and on the day. Landrover, told me that they had purchased the land in Fortunately there are positive comments about this event, question, and were removing the trees and hedges, as they but also several negative overtones, especially from the had elsewhere, so that it could revert to heather. Sorry for non-contributors. the mistake, but it seems that I was misled by someone who We hope that some folk took the opportunity to seemed to be in authority. visit the Mayfair Centre on 27th January for the ‘Open As for material tipped on the Long Mynd, the stones, Day for Volunteers in The Strettons’. Those of you who now covered in soil, did contain brick and broken clay attended no doubt appreciated the various groups that work together and alongside each other to benefit The pipes, so were hardly ‘native stones’. Strettons. So a big thank you, I feel, to all those willing Since farmers are not allowed to tip or import soil onto bodies, and perhaps in 2007 we can smile a bit more, not their fields now without a licence, it does seem unusual for lose our sense of humour, and above all lend a willing the National Trust to be doing this on an SSSI, which I pair of hands in time of need. understand is the status of the hill. Tom Beaumont

Stretton Focus - 34 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 19 12/1/07 12:36:58 Tourism Group News Arts Festival Better Welcome… we have been Everything is now in place, and basic details successful in joining seven other are given below. William Shakespeare is Shropshire market towns onto AWM’s joining us, not in person for obvious reasons, ‘Better Welcome’ programme in the but represented by the Stagework Theatre West Midlands. This will enable both Company. professional and volunteer researchers to Main Events - all at 7.30pm except investigate our strengths and weaknesses Robin Jukes-Hughes and Summertime Tea for Two - 3pm as a tourist town and help us – our members, Town Council, Partnership and local businesses – to attract new Saturday 21st July Chilingirian Quartet customers and to improve our tourism infrastructure. With Monday 23rd July Official opening of Arts and the opportunity of attracting a grant worth over £25,000 to Crafts Exhibition aid the Strettons this is an exciting challenge! Tuesday 24th July Warlock Brass Quintet Wednesday 25th July As You Like It or The Winter’s Tale Thursday 26th July Robin Jukes-Hughes Shropshire’s Secret Hills Saturday 28th July London Mozart Trio Monday 30th July David Rees-Williams Jazz Trio Tuesday 31st July Ian and Hilary Templeton. Pictures in Harmony Wednesday 1st August London Flute Quartet Thursday 2nd August Summertime Tea for Two Friday 3rd August Anton Rodgers and Elisabeth Garvie A Celebration of Jane Austen The ‘Better Welcome’ programme offers us a professional Saturday 4th August Classico Latino way of improving our amenities, our visitor welcome, and the economy of the Strettons. I do hope we shall grasp it Other Events with both hands! 23rd-28th July Coffee concerts Hanging Baskets 10.15am-11am St Laurence’s Church The colourful baskets that have brightened up Sandford 30th July, 1st, 3rd August Organ Recitals Avenue and the High Street over the past three summers 12 noon-12.45pm Little Stretton Church. may be in danger. Daily watering is proving costly and 22nd July-4th August Sculpture. Good Grief - may prevent the new champions – the Town Council and 10am-4pm Bald Statements the Chamber of Trade – from approaching the traders and URC Church shop owners to raise the necessary finances to plant, erect and water the 70-odd baskets. Foyer Concerts by local school pupils: 7.00pm – 7.25pm before the main musical events Station Gardens This is a summary to whet everyone’s appetite, and to ensure that The volunteer gardeners have received a very welcome you book holidays at other times, to avoid disappointment. Fuller boost to their work with the news that Shropshire Hills details, with prices and venues, will be given in future issues of AONB has granted their application for £2,000 of funding. Stretton Focus, but meanwhile if you have any questions, please This will allow us to continue with the second phase of phone me. This is a mention to new residents that membership our project, so we can concentrate on the neglected areas of ‘Friends of the Festival’ still costs only £5.00 for 1 person or to the south of the footbridge. We hope to landscape, then £7.50 for a couple, and gives priority booking. improve the soils on both platform areas before adding We welcome phone calls. signage, kerbing, fencing, raised beds, planters, bird & George Roby 01694 722159 insect boxes, paths, compost containers and planting a variety of low-maintenance grasses, perennials, shrubs and small trees. We are really grateful to the number of residents Photo Quiz - Where is it? Last Month’s Photo who have already given us plants and small donations.

Answers to Trivia Corner No 39

1. Don Quixote de la Manche 2. Logarithms Wall Lamp outside St Laurence’s Church 3. Opium 4. Vicereine 5. Beeswax Answer in next month’s Focus Photos by David Morgans

Stretton Focus - 37 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 20 12/1/07 12:38:00 Town Council Elections It’s nearly that time again – Local elections are fast The District Council seeks the comments of the Town approaching! Council on all local planning applications. The Town The four-year electoral cycle is nearly completed Council makes grants to local organisations/projects such as and elections will be held in May 2007. Now is the time the Arts Festival, Christmas lights etc to start thinking about whether you would like to serve Our Mission Statement your community as a Town Councillor, or even a District Church Stretton Town Council seeks to provide excellent Councillor. services at best value As Town Clerk I thought it might be helpful if I • to meet the needs and improve the well-being of all the residents explained a little about what is entailed in being a Town of the town Councillor and also what the Town Council does! • to protect and enhance the amenity and environment of the town in respect of its buildings and landscape Church Stretton is the second largest Market town in • to ensure a sustainable and vibrant community for the continuing South Shropshire and the only one situated in the AONB benefit of residents, visitors and businesses. (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). We are a very busy Council with many responsibilities for such a small organisation with a limited income. We are striving to become a Quality Council and already meet all the criteria except two. The first, the production of a quarterly newsletter, is currently in hand. The second, an electoral mandate (i.e. 80% of the council elected) will hopefully be addressed at the May elections!

The Town Council is non-Party Political, with all members aiming to do their best for the community as a whole. The Town Council is a statutory body and is therefore bound by quite stringent rules and regulations which must be adhered to at all times, including codes of conduct for members. Town Councillors are volunteers with varied experience and background who are prepared to give quite a substantial amount of their time to performing their duties as a councillor. The Town Council area covers not only the town itself Being a Councillor is not easy, especially if you want to but also the villages of All Stretton, Little Stretton, Minton be an effective Councillor and make a difference. You also and Hamperley, with a total population of around 4,200 have to be prepared to take criticism, some of it very unfair and an electorate of around 3,600. We have 13 councillors, and personal. But it can be very rewarding! split into four wards : 2 for Little Stretton (which includes I hope this short article has whetted your appetite. Minton & Hamperley), 2 for All Stretton, 5 for Church Please feel free to call into the Town Council Office Stretton South ward and 4 for Church Stretton North ward. (between 10 am and noon Monday to Friday) if you wish The Town Council is responsible for to know more about how we function or have any specific • Cunnery Road and Greenhills Cemeteries queries. When this appears in Focus you will not have long • Various Open Spaces to make your mind up about standing for Council as the • Coppice Leasowes Local Nature Reserve election process starts rolling in March – keep an eye on • War Memorials • Silvester Horne Institute the press and in the Town Council office window for the • Markets dates/deadlines. • Park • Playing Fields May I finish this article by paying tribute to all the • Footway lighting • Floral planters during the summer and winter months Councillors I have worked with over the past 24 years – I can honestly say that without exception each one has The Council meets every six weeks, with committee put the good of the town and its community before any meetings in between (Finance & General Purposes; Market personal or political views and worked unstintingly on your & Community Regeneration; Outdoor Amenities; Coppice behalf. Leasowes; Website) C M Harvey (Town Clerk, Church Stretton Town Council) PACT Meeting PACT stands for Partners and Communities Together. It issue that affects the quality of life. is an initiative aimed at giving you a say in how your local The aim will be to make this an informal quarterly public neighbourhood is managed. It is an opportunity for you meeting of about an hour in duration. to meet your Local Police Officers, Police Community The third PACT meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday Support Officer and other key stakeholders e.g. local 20th Feb 2007, at the Silvester Horne Institute, High Street Councillors and other community representatives on a Church Stretton. planned and regular basis to tell them what your priorities PC Paul Seeney, are in terms of local community issues. You will be able to Local Police Officer, Church Stretton Police Station raise any issue. It is not just about policing issues, but any Stretton Focus - 38 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 21 12/1/07 12:38:16 Occasional Advertisements

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All about – February Pancake Race and Lunch Tuesday 20th February February is named after the Roman festival of purification Race 12.15pm from the Library Februa although the down-to-earth Anglo-Saxons referred Get sponsors! Entry 50p. to it, possibly more relevantly, as Solmoneth (mud-month) Bring your own pan! and Kale-monath (the time when kale was most edible). Lunch 12.30pm in Parish Centre Tickets £3.50 It is the shortest month with its 28 or 29 days. On a In aid of the Bible Society few occasions in history, February has had 30 days. US President George W Bush mentioned February 30th during the presentation of a financial report to the media! Acton Scott Gardening Club People born on 29th February may be called ‘leaplings’. In non-leap years they usually choose whether to celebrate Trees their birthdays on 28th February or 1st March although The next meeting will be held at Acton Scott Village Hall for legal purposes their true birthdays depend upon how a on Thursday 8th February at 7pm. The guest speaker particular country’s laws count time intervals. will be Nick Coull from Bucknell Nursery, which stocks a huge variety of trees, hedging and shrubs. Nick will be February Historical Events 1900 + discussing aspects of their selection and care and questions 1900 The British Labour Party is founded will be welcome. 1923 Howard Carter unseals the burial chamber of We will be very pleased to see non-members; entry will Pharaoh Tutankhamun cost £2.50. 1938 Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is The following month’s meeting will be held on Thursday released 8th March at 7pm, when Mr Martin Ford will be 1952 Elizabeth II comes to the throne speaking on the topic of vegetables. This will also include 1952 It is announced that the nation has an atomic a demonstration and a question and answer session. bomb If you need any more information please contact Mary 1953 Watson and Crick discover the structure of DNA Phillips on 01694781205 or Marion Talbot on 01694 1958 Eight Manchester United players are killed in 781422 Munich air crash 1959 Fidel Castro becomes Premier of Cuba 1965 The first US troops are sent to Vietnam Quiz Night 1971 British coinage is decimalised 7.30pm Saturday 3rd March All Stretton Village Hall 1990 Nelson Mandela is released from prison Teams of 4 - 6 people, £2 per person 1990 The Soviet Union collapses Bring your own food and drink Memory Store Contact Pat Osbourne on 722259 to book a table

Stretton Focus - 39 - February 2007

February 07 mag .indd 22 12/1/07 12:38:17