Stretton

FJuly 2020 OCUSCommunity Voice of the Strettons £1

52 July 2020.indd 1 11/06/2020 10:29 STRETTON FOCUS This Month Submission of in Focus articles, photographs,

33 All Saints Church information and 22 Anglican Voice queries of all kinds 30 Beautiful Game 28 Bilberry Bumblebee in your should be made to the editors by garden email at 15 CSTC Community Matters [email protected] 50 Giggle Corner 16 Historic Church Stretton Please use this address even if 50 Mayfair Lottery you are contacting an individual Founded 1967 6 Mayfair News editor. Average monthly sales 1,463 copies 24 Methodist Voice (About 63% of dwellings in Church Stretton) If you do not receive a response 5 My New Lockdown Hobby Chairman 21 Poetry at the Library within 48 hours please check the Barrie Raynor 723928 30 Quaker Voice, A address carefully and send your Editors Graham Ogdon 24 Recipe of the Month email again. Patricia Thomas 42 Rose Grower’s Progress If you are unable to use email, Sandra Davies (Events Diary) your material may be submitted David Lyons 36 Rotary Club News Janet Du Cros 26 SACWG to Wrights, Estate Agent, Christine Williams 8 Scout Group News 32 Sandford Avenue, Cover Editor Geoff Taylor 723301 22 Scrappies Church Stretton, SY6 6BW, Computer Production 4 Shopping and Meal Deliveries clearly labelled ‘Stretton Focus’. Barrie Raynor 723928 22 Song Lyrics Quiz Rowland Jackson 722390 These items are collected on the Ian Dormor 723456 42 Song Lyrics Quiz Answers deadline date. Graham Cossins 38 Staying in the Strettons: Proof Readers Christine Hartshorne Victoria House When are the deadlines? Catherine Macartney 5 Strange Times Bronwen Taylor 50 Stretton Climate Care The deadline for receipt of all Subscriptions and Distribution submissions by all methods is Chrys Bonds 724184 35 Talking Point: Different World Clare Lovelock 722865 34 Talking Point: New Rhythm of Life 12 NOON on the FIRST Advertising (Business) 12 Thank You Ian Midgley 722938 MONDAY OF EACH MONTH Finance Director 41 Theatre Streamings Richard Fillenham 723119 10 Tourism in Carding Mill Valley for the following month’s edition. Secretary In the event that the Monday is Chris Moores 722940 50 Trivia Answers Directors 12 Trivia Corner a Bank Holiday in England, the Barrie Raynor (Chairman), Richard Fillenham 8 URC Voice deadline will be (Deputy Chairman), Tom Beaumont, Sandra Davies, Sandie Johnson, 18 What Next for the Strettons? 12 NOON on the TUESDAY of Chris Moores, Geoff Taylor 3 What’s On that week. Advertisements (Business) No submissions will be accepted Rates for block and occasional business advertisements may be obtained from the after the deadline unless prior Advertising Manager, Ian Midgley, arrangements have been agreed 24 Oaks Road, Church Stretton, SY6 7AX , or email to [email protected] with the editors. to whom copy should be sent. For the August issue the deadline The Stretton Focus Management Board cannot accept responsibility for any is Monday 6th July product or service advertised. Acceptance of at 12 noon. an advertisement does not imply any form of For the issue the approval or recommendation. Advertisers are September required to comply with the British Code of deadline is Monday 3rd August Advertising Practice. at 12 noon. Disclaimer TheAugust issue will be Stretton Focus prints a wide range of articles and letters. The views expressed distributed on in these are those of their authors and not Friday 31st July necessarily thoseof the Management Board. The Editors exercise their right to edit any articles, letters etc submitted for publication Subscriptions at their discretion without consulting the author. Focus can be purchased by Outlets subscription and delivered to your Stretton Focus may be purchased door for £10 per year. by annual subscription (delivered) or directly from Sandford Hardware (Sandford Avenue), If you wish to use this facility, Co-op, Family Shopper, Church Stretton please phone the Subscriptions and Library, Mayfair and the Churches. Distribution managers on 01694 724184 or 01694 722865 © 2020 Stretton Focus Limited Photo: Taylor Geoff Registration No. 06237590 Inc in England meadow Wildflower Registered Office: 8 High Street, Church Stretton, SY6 6BU ISSN 1479–7356 Printed by WPG, Welshpool

2 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 July 2020.indd 2 11/06/2020 10:29 What’s On and Group Updates in the Strettons in July If you wish to make contact with societies and groups, please see the list in the yellow pages

The following is the latest information at CS Library Hope Bowdler Handbell Ringers the time of going to press, regarding the Activities suspended until further notice. Cancelled until further notice. suspension of meetings/events in the light This affects the following regular What’s On Contact: Ruth Jenkins: 724919 of Covid-19. Please check websites where appropriate to get updates. Events that are listings: continuing in some form are listed first: • Ancient Greek Study Group Knit and Natter at Berry’s • Latin Study Group Our friendly knitting group will resume when • Local and Family History Session Berry’s reopens. Every Evening: • Mayfair Time to Listen Information from Liz: 07971 289273 Night Prayer with Stretton Taizé • Reading Group Listen each evening live at 8pm, with a • Rhyme Time Ley Gardens Community events suspended until further recorded repeat at 10pm: • Sit and Knit notice. This includes: www.strettontaize.org.uk • Winter Talks • Writers Groups • Joy Yoga/Joy Yoga Flow Every Friday: Although the library is closed, there is now a • Knit and Natter Christian Meditation ‘Libraries from Home’ button on the website: • Thursday Lunch Club Experience the ancient practice of Christian offering: Meditation in a small group. • Digital Skills, Children’s Learning, Children’s Long Mynd Camera Club Autumn Programme planned from September Normal venue is URC Church Vestry, but Activities, Keeping Well, Discover, Love 2020. In the meantime, check the website for currently online only (Zoom). Reading, e-library, Business Support and online activities: Please contact John Dennison 722599 Poetry on Loan. www.longmyndcameraclub.co.uk 2 for 2.15pm start Please check website for information: https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/ Every Week: Marches Independent Photography (MIP) CS Teme Leisure Centre Check website for future meetings: National Theatre at Home mip.photium.com Titles are free to stream and are available Closed until further notice. for one week via the NT’s YouTube channel: This affects WO listings: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ • Badminton for All Mayfair/Health & Wellbeing Centre Closed to the general public until further UCdmPjhKMaXNNeCr1FjuMvag • Japanese Taiko Drumming notice. This affects WO listings: Arts Alive are also streaming theatre to your • Strettons Table Tennis Group living room: Arts Alive@Home. • Three Touch Walking Football • Breathing Space Please check website for updates: • Care and Share Group/Beacon Amnesty International Group Meeting www.teme-leisure.co.uk • Community Advice Surgery Meetings are cancelled for the time being but • CS Country Market for any information ring Barbara Parnell 01694 CS Town Council • CS Marmaladies WI 720040 or email [email protected] The office is closed but the Council can be • DEEP Dementia Social Group www.amnesty.org.uk/groups/church-stretton/ contacted on 722113 or email reception@ • Hard of Hearing & Tinnitus Group about churchstretton-tc.gov.uk • Interdenominational Communion Service The Council is updating information • Parkinson’s UK - CS Support Group CS Bridge Club continuously on its website: • Quiz Nights with Ken Willis Closed until further notice. Please check the www.churchstretton-tc.gov.uk • Shropshire Wildlife Trust website for information: There is also information on local food • Stretton Cancer Support Group www.bridgewebs.com/churchstretton delivery: www.churchstretton-tc.gov.uk/ • Stretton Climate Care Energy Advice covid-19/local/ • Stretton Community Singers CS Gardening Club • Stretton Traidcraft We hope the Autumn programme of speakers Flicks in the Sticks • Stroke Support Group will go ahead in September. Arts Alive has cancelled all Flicks in the • UNA Discussion Group Until then, happy gardening and stay safe. Sticks events until September. This includes: Please check website for updates: Contact: 723648 Acton Scott, All Stretton, Church Stretton www.mayfaircentre.org.uk/ School and Hope Bowdler. Please check website: www.artsalive.co.uk/ National Trust: CMV Carding Mill Valley car park is now open but Friends of CS Library with limited spaces. At time of going to press, Stretton Focus We hope to run a series of poetry workshops the tearoom and shop were still closed. Website in the Autumn, plus a quiz, followed by our Website: series of Winter Talks. Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carding-mill-valley- www.strettonlibraryfriends.org.uk. and-the-long-mynd www.strettonfocus.co.uk Continued overleaf...

Stretton Focus July 2020 3

52 July 2020.indd 3 11/06/2020 10:29 What’s On and Group Updates continued Parish Centre, St Laurence’s SHI/Friday Night at the Horne Stretton Climate Care Energy Advice Closed until further notice for any purpose The SHI is closed to the public until further All planned events have been cancelled but except for the Food Bank. notice. An Autumn programme of events we can be reached by phone on 07528 493181 This affects WO listings: is being prepared. Check the website for or by email: [email protected] • C.A.M.E.O. meetings updates: • Messy Church www.silvesterhorneevents.co.uk Strettons’ Classical Music Group Talks • Mothers’ Union meetings This also affects WO regulars: Our popular music talks will hopefully resume • Southern Cross Line Dance Class CS Ballroom & Sequence Dance Club in September. Contact: 724578 • U3A Singing for Pleasure Group Yoga with David Hedge Do check the website for updates and weekly Tuesday Club activities for the family: Shropshire Wildlife Trust Strettons Branch Closed until further notice. www.strettonparish.org.uk Current events for July are on hold until Contact: Joy: 723687 further notice. If able to go ahead please RSPB South Shropshire Local Group watch out for posters and keep an eye on URC/URC Hall Activities suspended until at least 1st Community Messaging. Closed until further notice. September. Please check website: Contact Wally Blake 01694 724040 This affects WO listings: www.rspbsouthshropshire.co.uk • CS Area Local History Group Stretton Cancer Care Support Group • Engaging Issues Talks Scrappies Meetings regretfully cancelled until further • Quiz Nights with Ken Willis Look out for our reopening updates on our notice. However committee members are very • Stretton Choral Society Facebook or website pages willing to listen and offer support. Contact • Tuesday Club Email: [email protected] numbers: • U3A General meetings Web: www.scrappies.org Lesley McIntyre 01694 723427 • Yoga with David Hedge Roger Wilson 01694 722123 Note: the Garden remains open. For the latest community updates, consider subscribing to the excellent free community messaging service by Rob/Sue Hill: [email protected]

Church Stretton Shopping and Meal Deliveries Details correct at time of printing, but are subject to change, Bucks Head – 01694 328238 sometimes without notice. For further details please contact 13.00 – 19.00 daily, free delivery within a 4 mile radius. the individual business. For the latest community updates, Greek menu, varied prices. consider subscribing to the free community messaging service: [email protected] Housman’s/Stretton Ale House – 07779 792543 Stretton Ale House and Housmans have launched a joint Shopping food and drink service. Take away orders can be collected The closing date for items for this edition of Focus was 1st from Stretton Ale House or delivered locally (3 mile radius) June. At that point the Prime Minister had announced that Thursday-Saturday 5.30-7.30 pm – order by 4.30 pm, shops would probably reopen during June. We have assumed Sunday 12-2 pm, order by 11am. Various main meals or that this would be the case and have not published details of sharing/grazing dishes at £6.95 each, roast dinner available shopping services in this edition. Details of all shops offering on Sunday. Website: www.housmansbar.co.uk delivery services during the lockdown can be found in both the May and June editions of Focus should you need them. Flamingo Café – 01694 724747 17.00 – 20.00 minimum order £15. Meal deliveries Free delivery within 3 miles. The Station, Marshbrook – 01694 781208 Weekly delivery on a Friday (free), order to be in by 2pm Oak Apple Catering – 01694 731305 Thursday (day before). Menu varies weekly but will always Ready meals, prepared with detailed cooking instructions have individual portioned chilli/pie/lasagne/vegetarian option/ £4.50 per portion. enquiries@oakapplecatering. co.uk; cottage pie for £4.50 approx. Family size meals also available website: www.oakapplecatering.co.uk and varied prices. Food is packaged with instructions for reheating and cooking and all suitable for freezing. Netley Hall, Dorrington – 01743 718339 Email: [email protected]; operating 7 days a The Yew Tree, All Stretton – 01694 328953 week, 2 course meal £10, 3 courses £15. Delivery within 10 Free delivery from 5pm – varied menu, all meals £7 and miles. www.clocktoweratnetley.com/takeaway Sunday lunch £9.95 (if there is interest, they will provide a cooked breakfast on a Saturday morning). Green Dragon – 01694 722925 Takeaways and deliveries. Varied menu of pub favourites. Berry’s Coffee House – 01694 724452 16:00-21.00, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Free delivery Saturday only – afternoon tea – cash on delivery, Cheese and within a 3 mile radius. ham sandwiches £4, cream tea £6

4 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 July 2020.indd 4 11/06/2020 10:29 Jaipur – 01694 724667 Fish Bar – 01694 723542 Open for takeaways. Details of their menu can be found at Open Monday to Saturday evening and Thursday, Friday www.jaipurlounge.com Saturday lunchtime. Orders can be placed by telephone.

Strange Times he last few months have been difficult for everyone magazine each month and provide the community with some in Church Stretton. As far as we know, there have feeling of a familiar pattern and sanity to life under lockdown. been very few cases of the coronavirus in the area and After all, in its 53-year history, Focus has never missed an issue! Twe must be thankful for that. We are incredibly fortunate I wish to thank all the volunteers involved with the to live in such a town and where we can exercise in pleasant production of Focus who have adapted to new ways of surroundings within walking distance of our homes. Support working from home to produce some very interesting issues. services like the churches and Mayfair have provided enormous We realised early on that it would be impossible, because of help for those in need and those shops which had been allowed the danger of contagion, for our 70 volunteers to deliver the to stay open have been particularly helpful, many providing magazine to subscriber’s homes. Our printer in Welshpool home deliveries. The cafés, restaurants and public houses have rapidly geared up to address and mail copies to everyone. leant over backwards to supply and deliver takeaway meals. When it is safe to do so, home delivery of Focus will return as By now, most of the shops have reopened and life is before. beginning to return to some sense of normality. We, in Stretton Our best wishes to everyone and keep safe. Focus, decided early on that we must strive to publish the Barrie Raynor, Chairman, Stretton Focus

Subscribers to Stretton Focus If your copy of Focus has been incorrectly addressed, please email either Claire at [email protected] or Chrys on [email protected] with the correct address, or phone Chrys on 01694 724184.

My New Lockdown Hobby!! his virus came from China in a city called WUHAN; With a steak and chips at a ‘Berni Inn’ and a bottle of the old The locals eating bats and things, we think how it ‘Blue Nun’. began. This Liebfraumilch 50 years ago; ... to me I classed it ‘Fine’ TI’ve a theory that this ‘bug’ will die, this period will be past Because I can’t recall many vineyards... On the banks of the Because most things ‘Made in China’... by experience don’t River Tyne!! last!!! This armchair vineyard tasting, virtual travelling is divine. I thought that an old bra could be ideal to make a mask A bottle of ‘Auslese’ as I’m sailing down the Rhine. I used one dear old Granny had, to help me in this task. With background tunes of Wagner or Rossini’s William Tell; I stitched and sewed and shaped it... but a mask it could not Two bottles of a Riesling... whilst cruising the Mosel. be, So I use it as a ‘hoodie’... ’cos she was 40 triple EEE. I’m drinking, along with dreaming, so my journey takes me far: This social isolation is not all it’s meant to be, Chenin Blanc with breakfast as I cruise along the Loire. We don’t have Sky or Netflix, so there’s not much on TV. Lunchtimes Pinot Noir to Verdi’s La Traviata can’t be missed, No ‘Vera’, ‘Peaky Blinders’, or ‘Midwives’ on which to call; But dinner’s magnum of Dom Perignon... has left me utterly Sick to death of Ant and Dec... not to my taste at all. ‘Brahms and Liszt’!!

My wife said “Get a hobby”. As an idea that is fine, A trip across Iberia could be fun and really merry: So I thought I’d study vineyards... be a connoisseur of wine. Vinho Verde, Mateus Rosé and perhaps a Fino Sherry. I taste the rosé, reds and whites and now my head is sore; A good Rioja down in Spain and if I’ve got time to fill, No recycling, so the empties... fill the garage... top to floor. Some Cava and a haircut... with ‘The Barber of Seville’

I am my own ‘Sommelier’, but that doesn’t make me posh. Oh heck!! The cruise directors saying, “No more drinking I taste my way through vineyards, which helps reduce ‘the down the river,” Dosh’. At your age I’m your carer... I’ve concerns about your liver!! From Blossom Hill to Lambrini, (well I had to start The river-boat ‘Sabrina’ up at Shrewsbury you can go. somewhere!!) But the only thing you’ll drink tonight... is a Horlicks or A master of the grape I’ll be... all from my own armchair!! cocoa!!! Les Mackey I actually started off this cultured life and on the road to fun, Helmeth Road

Stretton Focus July 2020 5

52 July 2020.indd 5 11/06/2020 10:29 Mayfair News Mayfair Emergency Appeal Nicola Daniels, Chief Officer, said: “We are indebted to ayfair Centre in Church Stretton is appealing to the volunteers and staff who have given so freely of their the local community for support in these difficult time. Their support has made it possible for us to continue times. The coronavirus emergency has meant a supporting local people through this time. Thank you all”. Mserious loss of income for the charity. Although the Centre has had to close its doors, staff and Volunteering at Mayfair During Lockdown volunteers are still active and supporting the community Mayfair has been overwhelmed with offers of help during in new and innovative ways. But these activities are not the COVID-19 crisis. With food shopping being an sustainable financially. obstacle for many local residents, Mayfair has been teaming Mayfair needs help. People can become a ‘Friend of volunteers with Coop and Newsworld to ensure people are Mayfair’, and do this in two ways. Firstly, they can make a getting their daily essentials. Volunteers have come from one-off donation. They can send this directly to Mayfair, or varied backgrounds: from students to workers on furlough, use the form which can be downloaded from the Mayfair or those new to retirement. Their endless commitment and website www.mayfaircentre.org.uk generosity has been a huge testament to the town’s sense of There is a Just Giving link on the website. community spirit. www.justgiving.com/campaign/MayfairAppeal Kate Slater, Mayfair Volunteer Co-ordinator Secondly, individuals can pledge to donate a certain amount each month. This will help Mayfair not only in the present Amy emergency, but will allow us to plan ahead, as we re-build My name is Amy Burgoyne, and I am a Mayfair volunteer and re-shape our activities. Again, there is a pledge form on in Church Stretton, shopping for food at Co-op to be the website. delivered to the With commitment from the public, we can be sure that vulnerable. I am a Mayfair will continue to deliver and expand its services, as first year Psychology we face the challenges of the coming years. student at Warwick For further information, contact: University, and before Mayfair Community Centre lockdown, I was Easthope Road, Church Stretton, SY6 6BL home for the Easter Telephone: 01694 722077 holidays, writing Email: [email protected] or Cathy. assignments and [email protected] preparing for exams, Registered Charity No.1061049 which were later cancelled. Mayfair was established in 1997 to improve the quality of Shopping life of people in the Strettons and surrounding area. With volunteers are required the support of volunteers during the COVID-19 Crisis to gather orders sent Mayfair has: to the store via an • Provided regular friendly phone calls to over 78 people; email or phone call. • Through our MAYSI – Mayfair Supporting We pick the required Independence – continued to offer support assistance food items, and make to people experiencing challenges in everyday life, any appropriate everything from accessing basic supplies to ensuring substitutions if items care needs are met. Working with the local GP Practice are unavailable. Afterwards, we pack the orders, so they are we are helping people on the shielded list and others ready for collection by the volunteer deliverers. most affected by the crisis to get the support they need; Store customer responses have been largely positive. • Through our Mayfair Meals hot meal delivery service People are appreciative of the work we are doing. Vulnerable for people who can’t cook for themselves which met an customers who are continuing to shop have also been unprecedented increase in requests; grateful, as it can be stressful if they have gone past • Recruited 100 new volunteers, who are helping with something they needed, and we are able to go back and get a range of tasks, including supporting local shops to it for them. On a few occasions, I have been mistaken as a deliver food to the 70+ and vulnerable, out of hours member of staff, when people have asked me about prices or prescription delivery and ad hoc tasks, hot meal locations of goods! delivery, delivering supplies to families on free school Volunteering brings me a lot of enjoyment as I like meals; helping to make the crisis less of a worry for the vulnerable. • Through Church Stretton Ring and Ride continued to Prior to starting university, I had been a member of the take people to essential medical appointments, deliver Guiding community in Church Stretton from the age of prescriptions and assist with a variety of other requests seven, and people have been very generous towards our including delivering PPE to carers; fundraising events, so I saw this work as an opportunity to • Continued to provide regular support and activities, give something back. remotely, to all day care clients and their carers including the 44Bs – our day opportunities service for people with learning disabilities.

6 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 July 2020.indd 6 11/06/2020 10:29 Mayfair News Anne Braddick (Birch Tree Reflexology) Whilst walking the dog I always say my prayers. I thank My work as a complementary therapist stopped with the God for all the beauty in the world especially at this time introduction of the social distancing measures required to of year, the new green of the foliage gives me hope. I say a prevent the spread prayer for everyone I work with that we keep safe. Oh and of coronavirus. A a selfish prayer for me, that the hairdresser will open soon desire to protect the before I go completely grey! vulnerable within After a quick breakfast I jump in the car and make my the community and way to work along the A49. increased free time led I have travelled this road for more than 20 years and I me to volunteer with love the journey. How fortunate am I to see the beauty of the Mayfair and to the Shropshire hills every day through all the seasons. offer to shop for my Opening the Mayfair doors I am transported back to neighbours. reality. The hand sanitiser awaits me and Public Health I decided it would notices are everywhere. be easier for everyone There are only a few staff and volunteers working if I shopped on a set from both the Mayfair and Health and Wellbeing Centre day each week and including Ring and Ride who have moved into HWBC too. I also offered to do A number of staff and volunteers are working from home to Co-op deliveries for enable us to social distance and keep safe. the Mayfair on that The Mayfair Meals staff are already in working hard to day too. As a result ensure that as many of the community have a tasty hot meal Thursday has become every day. There’s always a pot of coffee ready for us when a slightly crazy day for we get in to work, which is so appreciated! my husband and me. The answer phone is full of messages, “We live away In order to facilitate the shopping for neighbours, Thursday and are concerned about Mum, and can you help?;” “Can begins earlier in the week! Mentioning the trip at the start you pick up a prescription for me please”; “My Mayfair of the week, obtaining a written shopping list and preferably Meal was delicious, thank you”. shopping bags all help to make my job easier. Shopping for I check my emails; there is new legislation that needs to someone else is more difficult than it sounds. It is getting be adhered too. Policy and procedures are changing every easier as the weeks go by as I am getting to know their day and we need to react quickly to any situation. A lot preferences. of my day is making sure we are up to date and following At 2pm my husband and I are Co-op delivery drivers, government guidelines. picking up groceries from the Co-op, planning our route I make my way around both sites to see everyone from with the aid of a map and a satnav. As relative new comers a two metre distance of course. This is when I realise how to the town, the deliveries frequently take us to parts of fortunate I am to be a member of staff of the Mayfair. Church Stretton we had not previously discovered: An Everyone welcomes me with a smile, a funny conversation unexpected bonus is we are now very familiar with many or a concern about someone. nooks and crannies in the town. Once the phone is taken off ‘answer phone’ the calls It is both humbling and a blessing to us to receive the begin. The services we have tried to maintain are Mayfair gratitude of individuals when we deliver their groceries. Meals, Ring and Ride prescription collection or essential Whether it is a wave from the window or a chat in the journeys and phone calls to the vulnerable made by a team garden, people are so delighted. It has made me realise how of volunteers off site. important it is to have the comfort of food we enjoy when The Mayfair meals delivery volunteers turn up to collect we are isolated from so many of the familiar things in our their meals. We have a number of smaller teams now which life. I consider it a privilege to have contributed to the allows the volunteer a little bit of interaction with the client: community in a small way. so valuable as this may be the only contact they have in a day. Lockdown Life in the Day of Cathy Thomas, Mayfair We are busy but it is a very different type of busy. We so Central Services Manager miss the hustle and bustle pre COVID-19! The alarm goes off at 5.30, plenty of time for me to drink my tea, walk the dog and check my phone for the news and Lunch (see photo on next page) is prepared for us by messages. the Mayfair meals team and we all try to sit together but at The news is grim, no let up from this lockdown. Quick a distance which is quite amusing. This is definitely a plus look at the weather instead … sunny and warm, well that as normally we don’t tend to have a lunch break but I think certainly helps! Then they start: super uplifting, funny and we all feel the need just to be together and eat something sometimes thoughtful and reflective messages from our staff yummy! WhatsApp group. Not always a fan of technology but so grateful at this moment for this communication. continued overleaf...

Stretton Focus July 2020 7

52 July 2020.indd 7 11/06/2020 10:29 Mayfair News continued URC Voice hat has been the greatest influence for change in recent years? Politics? Religion? Philosophy? No! Shopping!! WAccording to a recent article in The Week home delivery is reshaping the world. Take John Lewis as an example. They used to sell through department stores but in the 10 years 2006 to 2016 their supplies direct to homes increased 12 times and they built almost two million square feet of warehousing to deal with it. Amazon, the leader in this market built their first warehouse in 1997 and it covered 93,000 square feet. Their latest ‘fulfilment centre’ is two million square feet. They are responsible for half of the 165 billion packages delivered each year. The cardboard box is a major part of Amazon’s Lunch finished, I am just in time for a conference call carbon footprint which totals 44 million tons, equal to with staff working off site and at the Mayfair. Super to see that of Denmark! So, a fundamental change is happening. our colleagues (working off site) on a screen. We discuss Shopping habits have changed with a huge impact on the our priorities for the week; how we continue to support our rain forests and the high streets. 44Bs and Beacon clients, an update on how MAYSI has Change has always been a part of life. The arrival of contacted over 200 people who may be vulnerable to see if the railways in the mid 19th century is often quoted as they need any help. the cause of the single most dramatic stimulus for change. From another colleague I learn of the numbers of However, the present older generation, born before volunteers who are supporting Newsworld to increase their television, the computer and social messaging has probably capacity to deliver shopping. Fantastic that 116 people have seen the most far-reaching developments. come forward to volunteer. We are not sure when we are all The changes in technology are the most obvious, going to be working on site together again so these glimpses witness the changes in shopping habits described above. But of Mayfair staff are precious. what about changes in theology? We sing “Thou changest A colleague brings me a piece of cake from a member not....” but is that so? Certainly, our perception of God has of the public. Every day we receive cakes, biscuits from changed. For example, many of us can no longer accept the either members of the public or our wonderful volunteers concept of a God who consigns his subjects to an eternal who we miss so desperately. People’s kindness has been hell and requires a human sacrifice as the price for our overwhelming but all our waistlines are expanding! salvation. A volunteer phones me. She hasn’t been able to get in Now we are experiencing a new change forced on us by contact with a gentleman that she has been ringing. We are corona virus. Some suggestions for how we might respond concerned and decide to pop and see him. Fortunately he greets to this challenge are published elsewhere in this edition of us at the door and promptly takes us on a tour of his garden. Focus. The common view is that we will not return to life as Back at Mayfair I’m slightly relieved, having had a super half it was. We are living through a period of dramatic change. hour with a lovely man now wearing his hearing aids. Are we welcoming it, resisting it, or are we not sure what is The days seem shorter than ever and before I know going on? it, it’s time to lock up, leave behind me the government Howard Bridge guidelines for safe working, and make the journey home.

Scout Group News he 2nd Longmynd’s Annual General Meeting outstanding service. He thanked all those made use of the Zoom facility so that members of people ‘behind the scenes’ who had helped the Executive Committee could meet ‘face to face’ to make the past year so outstanding. online.T Group Scout Leader Terry Davies was able to report The business of the meeting then carried on with the that there were now just over 100 young people in the Group Scout Leader re-appointing Brian Faulkner as Group Group backed by a strong team of uniformed Leaders and Chairman, who then oversaw the re-election of Jenny Hall other supporters, including eight new adult helpers who had as Secretary, Tim Kay as Treasurer, and Dianna Parkins as joined during the year. Gift Aid organiser. Members of the Executive Committee The continued expansion of the Group meant that were re-elected en bloc. further facilities were required and planning permission is Until permission is given by national Scout being sought to extend the Group’s headquarters in Church Headquarters no meetings of the various sections of the Street with new toilets and storage area. Group will take place so nothing is planned for July or Group Chairman Brian Faulkner congratulated Terry August but a full programme of ‘virtual meetings’ is ongoing Davies on his award of the Silver Acorn, one of the highest for all members of the Group. awards of the Scout Association and given for many years of Fred Reeve

8 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 July 2020.indd 8 11/06/2020 10:29 Craven Arms 01588 672761 Roger Lucas • Household Items • DIY Goods Painter • Paint • Key Cutting and • Electrical Goods • Kitchen Ware Decorator • Tools • Wolf Tools • Carpet Cleaner Hire 4, High Street, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6BU 01694 723237 • Fertiliser and Compost 01694 720189 [email protected] 07772 705856 And much much more at our www.thedoorknockercompany.co.uk hardware store

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Stretton Focus July 2020 9

52 Adverts 2020.indd 1 07/06/2020 11:39 Tourism in the Carding Mill Valley t is not only in recent years that there have been lots of people visiting Carding Mill Valley. The Icoming of the railway to Church Stretton in 1852 encouraged visitors, especially the well-to-do, to spend a day in the town and the local countryside to take the air, the water, walks and tours around the area. Victorian doctors recommended that their patients come to the hills for rest and recovery. By 1880, railway companies were providing special excursion trains from the West Midlands and Lancashire to Church Stretton especially at weekends and during the wakes-week holidays. This party in a four-in-hand carriage from The Feathers Hotel, Ludlow led by Visitors would walk from the station Mr Goodwin is seen on the Long Mynd in June 1900 to Carding Mill Valley bringing

with them a picnic and spend the afternoon picking bilberries. August Bank holidays often saw 800 visitors arrive on special excursion trains. From the 1870s, some visitors made use of the riding and carriage facilities provided by the Church Stretton Posting Establishment where they could hire saddle horses, hunters, ponies and dog-carts as well as a range of horse-drawn carriages such as landaus, victorias (with rubber tyres) and brakes. A list of recommended rides complete with timing and a tariff was published in local guidebooks. In the first guidebook to Church Stretton published in 1885, the following advice was given: “Before ascending Longmynd, the visitor should remember, nothing is to be obtained on its summit save water. Ladies should always carry a camp stool, and gentlemen will find a stout stick or Alpen stock of great utility. A drinking cup is also a very useful thing to carry, and some sandwiches are really required. A light waterproof is a very useful thing as The Church Stretton Posting Establishment in Burway Road, 1908

storms sometimes arise most unexpectedly in these elevated regions. No one need be afraid of anything venomous, snakes are unknown; the most fearful antagonist will be a bee culling honey from the golden gorse.” After the First World War, the charabanc outing began to replace the rail excursion. These open- topped vehicles were commonly hired for church and Sunday school outings. The early charabancs had solid tyres and the ride would have been very hard and bumpy. They had a clumsy canvas hood stowed at the rear which could be used when it rained. At Easter in 1938 the increased use of the motor car resulted in complaints being made about day- Charabancs in Carding Mill Valley in the late 1920s. trippers from the Black Country who, with their The front charabanc is a Dennis (c.1919). Notice the carbide and oil kegs of beer, were held to be responsible for the lamps. The tyres were solid rubber and the body would have been made by a ‘fairground’ appearance of the valley. This probably separate coachbuilder represented the height of the valley’s popularity

10 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 July 2020.indd 9 11/06/2020 10:29 Tourism in the Carding Mill Valley and its attendant conflicts with local people. Tea wars broke out between the competing establishments chasing patrons in the valley for parking charges and patronage. The Pavilion Tea Rooms could seat 250 and became a favourite rendezvous for works outings, social and sports clubs and Sunday school parties. On one occasion in 1914, cafés in Church Stretton and Carding Mill Valley served over 3,000 breakfasts to the Liverpool based Bibby Shipping Line’s work’s outing which came in five special trains. In an attempt to improve the class of clientele visiting the district, the Church Stretton Advancement Association began promoting the town as a superior climatic resort with good golfing and An Edwardian family outing to Carding Mill Valley complete with picnic basket provided a park and recreation grounds in the town for visitors and entertainment by bandsmen near to the hotels. The town was also promoted as a winter holidays and during the school holidays. On these occasions resort where hotel residents could enjoy the activities and the valley can be saturated with cars. The National Trust’s fayres associated with an alpine resort, the winters then policy is to attract visitors to just one of the Long Mynd being much harsher than at present. Amazingly, the British valleys so as to take the pressure off other valleys and the Alpine Society held their annual four-day Easter break here hill, allowing them to be enjoyed by visitors seeking more in 1905! peace and solitude. The Long Mynd was promoted on railway posters using Barrie Raynor slogans like The Highlands of England, Little Switzerland, from: The Long Mynd, Its History and Wildlife. The British Shangri-la and the Lightspout waterfall was Photos courtesy Tony Crowe England’s Little Niagara. Nowadays, there are still large numbers of tourists who come all the year round, especially at the weekend and bank

The large mill pool in Carding Mill Valley was used for many years from the 1900s as an outdoor bathing pool and in the winter for skating by the local residents and visitors, hence the sign which still stands near the spot saying ‘Depth opposite this point 3ft 10ins’. The pool was drained in about 1960 and filled to be used as a car park

Stretton Focus July 2020 11

52 July 2020.indd 10 11/06/2020 10:29 Difficult Times oldies safer during these difficult times. We also greatly Well, hasn’t this been a strange time! Since this Covid 19 value the way the Town Council and Mayfair have worked pandemic kicked off in March, we have all been asked to do closely together to ensure the needs of our community are things and behave in a way we are not used to. being met. We already knew this but the Strettons are a During the last few weeks the staff here at Church Stretton truly wonderful place in which to live. Thank you. Medical Practice have had many steep learning curves from The Residents of The Bridleways technological, right through to professional, challenges. But the one thing that has been constant is the understanding Mynd Drover Challenge 2020 plans turned on their head and support of our patients.

As has been the case for many fundraising events this summer, the Mynd Drover Challenge Walk organised by Church Stretton School PTA, to raise much needed funds We have received many gifts, treats, cards, food and for extracurricular resources, was inevitably cancelled in messages of thanks and support, which has really helped our June. As coordinator of this event I would like to pass on morale and put smiles on our faces - even if you can’t see our thanks to all who entered in advance and subsequently them behind our PPE! have allowed us to keep their entry fee as a donation to our Talking of which, as I’m sure you are aware, the supply town’s splendid secondary school. A kind gesture and much of said personal protective equipment has been a little appreciated. Thank you. varied! As a result some marvellous sewing ladies have Helen Howes, Mynd Drover Coordinator stepped into the breach, making gowns and masks. Not only have they helped keep us and you safe but have provided a well needed boost of style to our otherwise drab outfits! Trivia Corner No 200 There are too many people to mention individually by Ken Willis but a special thanks to Chrissie Fox for a fabulous buffet, Stretton Hall Nursing Home for a marvellous cake, the Answers on page 50 Ryan family for a wonderful hamper and the sewing ladies: 1. Which bird was last seen alive for the last time on Jane Rowson, Janet Newton, Sue Morley and Julia Goff. the Island of Mauritius in 1681? Justine Goff 2. What insect (scientifically called Ephemera) lives for only one day? Delivery Services 3. What’s the word for an animal or plant resulting The residents of The Bridleways wish to thank Newsworld from ‘crossbreeding’? and the other shops in the town along with volunteers who 4. When sleeping birds rest their heads on their wings, have set up delivery services during lock-down and kept us which wing do they virtually always favour? in food etc. We really do appreciate this local service they 5. What is the largest land predator? are providing as it is helping to keep us

12 July 2020 Stretton Focus

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Stretton Focus July 2020 13

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14 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 Adverts 2020.indd 3 07/06/2020 11:39 Church Stretton Town Council Community Matters Working Together in Covid-19 Emergency deliveries than any other Co-op in the Mid-Counties hroughout the lockdown, I have chaired a short weekly region. The Family Shopper did similarly good work. conference call with all the key players to aid overall Local pubs and shops have been endlessly inventive with co-ordination in the town. Those players have been their take-away and home delivery offers and it is vital that ShropshireT Council, the Medical Practice, Mayfair, Good local residents continue to use these services to help these Neighbours, St. Laurence Food Bank, the Co-op supermarket, businesses to survive through the emergency. As traders have the Vindicus Shopping Service with financial support from supported residents through the lock-down, so residents will both local Masonic Lodges and the Rotary Club. need to support traders through the recovery period. Through this emergency, Mayfair has demonstrated its When the easing of the lock-down was announced, importance to the town as the main source of community Shropshire Council invited the Town Council and the support. While the Mayfair Centre and the Health and Chamber of Trade to a ‘walk-round’ meeting to discuss Wellbeing Centre have been closed, Nicola Daniels and what changes would be needed to enable social distancing her team have worked tirelessly to recruit and organise to be maintained as the shops were allowed to re-open. volunteers to assist with a whole range of tasks. While many There was full agreement that this would only be possible of its existing 300 volunteers are elderly, Mayfair quickly if a temporary one-way system were put in place to allow recruited up to 100 volunteers, aged under 60 years, so able for pavement widening. In order to aid the turn-over to undertake potential support tasks, possibly involving of shoppers, it was also agreed that the time allowed for contacts with self-isolating householders. The community is on-street parking would be reduced from two hours to one deeply indebted to these younger residents, who so readily hour. These arrangements have been kept under review and offered their services to support mostly elderly householders have been adapted as necessary, in the light of experience. with limited local family support. Many other such residents Given the challenge of knowing how to adapt our medieval undertook local support initiatives in their immediate town centre layout to the changing needs of the 21st century, neighbourhoods, using digital apps to keep spirits up. this emergency has given us the opportunity to experiment In anticipation of the coming emergency, Mayfair with the layout and learn from that experience together. trained up volunteers to offer supportive phone calls to vulnerable self-isolating individuals. That foresight Visitor Numbers at Cardingmill Valley meant they were able to offer such support to more than The easing of the lockdown faced us with another challenge 80 people. It has become increasingly clear through this in that towards the end of May, the government gave emergency that some of those most adversely affected have permission for people to undertake unlimited travel, in been those single house-holders, mainly, but not exclusively England, but not in Wales, but only a small number of elderly, who are solely dependent on the phone for any countryside sites were allowed to partially re-open, including outside contact, not having the means or knowledge of how Cardingmill Valley. The pent-up public demand to escape to use digital communication. This is perhaps a challenge confinement, combined with unusually sunny weather, for the community to help more of them in future to join created a perfect storm. While Church Stretton normally the new digital world through support and training at the welcomes promotion in the national press to help our visitor Library or at the Mayfair Centre. economy, it was, on this occasion, unhelpful that The Times For many elderly residents, this emergency has meant a chose to promote Cardingmill Valley as the third best place crash course in how to use their tablets and smartphones to in the country for wild running and wild swimming. keep in contact with their families and friends. It has accelerated As a result, on the Bank Holiday at the end of May, over the transition to a society much more based on digital 1,000 cars came to the town when Cardingmill Valley was communication. It has demonstrated that many more people operating at only one-third capacity. The result was over 400 can work from home, greatly reducing the need to commute, cars blocking pavements, driveways, verges and, crucially, and with obvious benefits to the air we breathe. Hospitals and denying access to emergency vehicles in a number of side GPs have had to adapt quickly to using digital communication streets, when there was little police enforcement available. much more, saving them time and, hopefully, saving more Understandably, this gave rise to significant concern to many patients in this area from having to travel to hospital for residents that the Covid-19 infection rate had been kept low outpatient appointments. For those without the digital means at when the community was effectively in isolation but that home, there remains the local option of increasing the use of the this was now threatened by this flood of visitors, a minority Health and Wellbeing Centre’s facilities. of whom behaved irresponsibly. This social trend could leave those not digitally To avoid a repeat, the Town Council requested connected, now described as ‘the digital poor’, increasingly additional police cover and weekend visits by Shropshire isolated. Mindful of that isolation, the Town Council Council enforcement officers; the National Trust agreed to funded the printing of shops’ take-away and home ease the restriction of numbers of cars allowed and enlisted delivery services, to be delivered with newspapers. In this assistance from school and Leisure Centre car parks. In the connection, I want to pay tribute to John and Kim Vine event, on the following Saturday, these measures were still at Newsworld, who, supported by Mayfair volunteers, ran not enough, so the Town Council took the extraordinary an extensive home delivery service on behalf of a number step of opening up only the top area of Richard Robinson of shops. This service was extended to a five-mile radius Field as a temporary overflow car park, given that the around Church Stretton through the Vindicus shopping adventure playground was out of commission. This was service. Julie Sumner and her staff at the Co-op, again to ensure that residential streets did not become blocked supported by Mayfair volunteers, made more home Continued overleaf... Stretton Focus July 2020 15

52 July 2020.indd 12 11/06/2020 10:29 CS Town Council continued... and that concentrating the visitors in an open space area, It is very much to be hoped that we do not face such distant from residents, at least helped to reduce the risk of a situation again, but consultations with all the relevant cross-infection to residents. This was a source of anger to agencies have been taking place to address what has been some residents, who thought that this exceptional measure a long-standing issue, exacerbated by this emergency in its was only encouraging more visitors to come. The long generation of an exceptional number of visitors. A potential established reality is that day visitors, who have travelled benefit is that many of these visitors experienced Church some distance to get here, do not drive on elsewhere but Stretton and Cardingmill Valley for the first time and park in town, irrespective of residents’ convenience and expressed a wish to return, so will become potential allies in well-being. Exhortations in the media from the National rebuilding our local economy. Trust and myself regrettably had little effect. Cllr, Bob Welch, Church Stretton Town Mayor

Historic Church Stretton – Salt’s, 19 High Street he original building on this site dates from the early 17th century. It was built as the town houseT of the Medlicott family who were substantial farmers in Wentnor. In 1838 the front portion was let to Thomas Glover, a shopkeeper, whilst Thomas Gough, a stonemason, had the house and a workshop in buildings at the rear extending down the burgage plot. Further back, at the extreme rear, Jonathan Mills of The Lion Inn owned a yard and stabling. Glover’s shop was taken over by Henry Wood, an ironmonger, possibly in the late 1850s since the 1861 census lists him as an ironmonger in the building on the front part of Salt’s plot. He was still there in 1886 but two years later the business was taken

The original Salt’s building showing the Shrewsbury Old Bank occupying the left part and Henry Wood’s ironmongery shop on the right

over by Henry Salt who had worked for Wood as an apprentice. From about 1850 to 1870 part of the premises was used as the Post Office and then by the Shrewsbury Old Bank which opened only on Thursdays and Fair days from 12.00 to 3.30pm. The present facade was built by Henry Salt in 1901 and is typical of ironmongers’ shops of the period. The name Salt is still recorded in mosaic tiles in the entrance, a common feature in shops of the period. Barrie Raynor and Tony Crowe

Left: The new shop front erected in 1901. Note the date on the pediment at the top

Right: Mosaic tile in the entrance

16 July 2020 Stretton Focus

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Stretton Focus July 2020 17

52 Adverts 2020.indd 4 07/06/2020 11:39 What Next for the Strettons? After COVID-19 currently re-forming conomic local tourism group. recovery from This could all be this period of accomplished in uncertaintyE will be a reasonable time challenging and won’t, frame, if the will is unfortunately, happen there. All these are quickly. As most Focus within the remit readers understand, of local businesses the economic health of Church Stretton depends, to a working together. significant degree, on the strength of the tourist season Despite the many negatives of this crisis, it has already in the area. So what might our local authorities, at both presented opportunities: for example, how to improve County and Town level, be planning to help the town’s disabled access to shops and businesses where many recovery, now that this has virtually disappeared and is residents and visitors are disadvantaged at present. As we unlikely to recover fully for some time? Our town mayor, all adapt to the ‘new normal’, there will be a need for new Bob Welch, kindly agreed to speak with this reporter. skills development, especially for those who have lost jobs We are most fortunate that Church Stretton has a in this current recession. Among those adversely affected hitherto thriving business economy in many and varied by the crisis are the ‘digital poor’ – those who do not have small business sectors. However, no business can operate in the means or skills to communicate digitally. Local skills a vacuum. It follows, therefore, that every business needs training for people who need it, to help them cope with the a sufficient number of customers, and a level of customer new future we all face, would accrue benefits, and especially spend that provides owners and their staff with a decent to business owners so that new ideas and methods filter into living. The symbiotic relationship between the seller and their businesses. the buyer must, therefore, be healthy. Yet customers have Town Councillors have, over the last few weeks, been so much choice nowadays that sellers, of every stripe, must discussing how the Council should adapt its services and continually adapt and respond to customer needs in ways amenities to fit a new reality, and how it can best facilitate that are constantly changing. and support others, as we all modify how we operate as a Our Mayor praised the numerous local businesses for community. To help in this process, students on business the way they have adapted to the Covid-19 crisis, from pubs courses in Shrewsbury have been asked to contribute their turning to take-away business; volunteers, recruited through ideas of how this process of change can best be engineered, Mayfair, working with retailers to deliver food boxes; not least because that is the world in which they will have to younger people coming forward as volunteers (especially to build their careers. provide for the needs of the elderly and vulnerable members Yet all this is inward-looking; to do with local interests of our community); retailers co-operating together to deliver for the benefit of local people. At the beginning of this a wide variety of goods through one system, and much more. article, credit was given to the economic benefit of All this shows that, when needs must, our local businesses welcoming visitors. In order to revive the visitor economy, are very adaptable indeed, and amenable to partnership. and support local businesses on which tourism depends, If similar co-operation and innovation continues, as lock- we should look to widen the appeal of our area. It could be down measures are gradually eased further, those customers some time before our B&Bs and guest houses are allowed supported by them so far will continue to rely on, and more than token bookings and few will survive along with patronise, them thereafter. Or will they? these restrictions. Partnerships between accommodation People can have short memories. Many are price savvy providers and local leisure facilities, however – rather than and, even though they might prefer to shop local out of each operating in isolation – have the potential to add loyalty, and even have a twinge of conscience when they appeal to families with children, opening up a fledgling don’t, the availability of internet shopping, of the goods family-friendly holiday potential that the area lacks they want, their bank balance and credit limit will all dictate currently in any significant way. where they shop. There will, of course, be bumps in the road during the Working in partnership, our local Chamber of Trade next months and, perhaps, years, and some of them will be and the Town Council have the potential to encourage severe, but cooperation and innovation have the potential local traders to continue and even expand on their to mitigate some of the difficult challenges that lie ahead. cooperative approach to business. They have, in the past, To those who are inclined to be pessimistic, those problems worked together in a variety of ways, such as Christmas will appear to be insurmountable or the responsibility of and community events, but that partnership has deepened others to resolve. No-one is immune from moments of through this crisis, illustrating that there is potential dismay or denial, but Church Stretton is a special place, for further development. For example, the ‘shop local’ as most of us who live here celebrate repeatedly. With campaign, started by the Council, could be amplified courage, imagination and determination, cooperation and and extended; there is scope for more effective digital innovation, loyalty and generosity, our businesses can and networking and joint marketing through updated websites, will come through this testing period. and more effective use of social media involving the Christine Williams

18 July 2020 Stretton Focus

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20 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 Adverts 2020.indd 6 07/06/2020 11:39 ‘For Poets of all Levels’ Friends of Church Stretton Library – looking forward to and inspiring of teachers of poetry- celebrating National Poetry Day writing and very, very funny. Having declared that: ‘there are e may still no rules for writing poetry. be debating Praise of a thorn bush But rather infinite sets of exactly how by Norman MacCaig unforeseeable rules’, Donaghy welcomes imaginary WFriends of Church students to a workshop ‘for poets of all levels’ and Stretton Library will stage You've taken your stand sets out his five suggestions. You may like to re-read – safely – the Stretton between Christy MacLeod's house Norman MacCaig’s (or any other) poem in the light celebrations of National and the farthest planet. of these. Poetry Day (Thursday ‘Literature is a conversation,’ Donaghy says. 1st October 2020) but The ideal shape of a circle It’s only good manners to make ourselves aware of the evidence is out there: means nothing to you: you're all ‘what and how poets are writing’ before joining in: where there is a will armpits and elbows so his first suggestion in starting out to write poetry there is a way, COVID- and scraggy fingers that hold so delicately is that we read it. Perhaps it was after taking in these 19 notwithstanding. In a few lucid roses. You are words that I bought and read his – then recent – the June issue of Focus, an encyclopaedia of angles. collection, ‘Conjure’3)… How I blushed, thinking we mused on this year’s of the six-page epic in rhyming couplets of iambic theme, ‘Seeing it like a At night you trap stars, and the moon hexameter4) (clearly a work of genius!) with which I poet’, and set out the idea fills you with distances. had presented him for his ‘advice’. of staging readings of our I arrange myself to put Donaghy’s second suggestion – his ‘don’t be own work side by side one rose in the belt of Orion. unspeakable’ – is that we write as if we were actually with work of a poet who speaking to someone. We are advised to read aloud particularly inspires us. When the salt gales drag through you what we have written and ask, hand on heart, One poem I include you whip them with flowers ‘Would I – would anyone? – really say it like that? in my pin-ups is Praise of and I think – Would I/they use those words and in that order?’ a thorn bush1), by Norman Exclamations for you, little rose bush, If not, then it won’t do. Reading our work aloud MacCaig (see insert) and a couple of fanfares. to ourselves or a listener, paying attention to the which fulfils criteria I sounds, is also a good test of several other of its unconsciously apply when Reproduced with permission of the Licensor aspects: have I accidentally produced a tongue- weighing up a poem: it through PLSclear. twister? Have I subconsciously slid a snakes-nest takes me straight out of of sibillants into only a short section of verse? Do I my head, into the poet’s stumble over my own syntax or emphases? own experience; precise, everyday words are put together so The third suggestion is one most commonly given to articulately that, in the two minutes it takes me to read it, I creative writers starting out: ‘show, don’t tell’. Donaghy discover, learn about and – by the end – feel for myself the puts it very bluntly ‘The sad fact is that nobody wants to whoomphing emotion which powers the poem; and it takes know what you think. They want to discover what they just as much of its readers’ time as it needs to, to share what think.’ But he follows up with the encouragement: ‘If you it wants (very much) to share, and no longer. See what you show what you mean through concrete imagery, readers will think. discover the meaning for themselves.’ Part of ‘seeing it like a In writing all that, I’ve just realised that the criteria tally poet’ is the inspection and choice of the right words in the with a piece I wanted to share with anyone starting out in right order to ‘conjure’ with precision whatever it is that has writing poetry who is considering penning something for moved one to write. 1st October – or for any other date! Although its author Donaghy’s suggestion number four is about listening; advises his ‘inexperienced’ readers to follow his suggestions listening to oneself and checking that one is not being a for six months, then drop them to follow their instincts, bore: ‘Consider the impatient reader’. Are we practising I go back again and again to the short article received on poetry, polemic, or propaganda? But ‘More importantly my first ever evening course in ‘Writing Poetry’. The late (he says) listen to the poem you’re writing’. He warns Michael Donaghy was the tutor who presented us early in against deciding what you are going to say and sticking to the course with his ‘May I make a suggestion?’2) sub-titled it ‘regardless of whatever surprise the writing has in store…’ ‘five rules for the newly-enrolled poet’. To my shame, when What he and other teachers of poetry are keen to share is I enrolled I knew nothing about Michael Donaghy other that it is not just for the poet to decide what the poem ‘is’ or than that he was, according to one of his fellow teachers at where it goes. Birkbeck, ‘very kind’. She was right. He was also extremely Continued overleaf... modest, a highly-gifted and original poet, the most generous

1) Praise of a thorn bush, by Norman MacCaig, The 3) Conjure, by Michael Donaghy, Picador, 2000: winner Many Days: Selected Poems, edited by Roderick of the Forward Prize Best Collection 2000. Watson, Polygon Books 2013. 4) six di-dums per line, also known as alexandrines, 2) May I Make a Suggestion? by Michael Donaghy, Poetry popular with English poets around the time of Henry London Newsletter, Autumn 1998. the Eighth but I didn’t know that at the time… Stretton Focus July 2020 21

52 July 2020.indd 15 11/06/2020 10:29 ‘For Poets of all levels’ continued...

Poet, teacher and co-founder of the Poetry School, Mimi Khalvati, will frequently point to a line some two-thirds of the way into work a student thought pretty-well finished and exclaim, ‘This line: that is where the poem starts!’ Schooling ourselves to be willing to edit out our favourite line – or the four beautiful verses that got us to where it really ‘starts’ – increases the chance of lifting work from promising draft to real poem. We hope that you are all continuing to keep safe and Fifthly, we are exhorted to ‘shape’ the poem until it well. Scrappies was not able to open in June as we assumes ‘all-one-thing-ness’. Donaghy refers to the ‘synthesis’ continue to plan how to keep customers and staff safe whereby a poem is given the boundaries which allow the in our small premises. However we hope it won’t be reader to experience it as a single thing, whole and separable too long before we welcome you all back! from the rest of the universe – as Norman MacCaig has done Scrappies Team in praise of a thorn bush. I hope you enjoy his poem. Joanna Clark Song Lyrics Quiz Anglican Voice hese are the opening lines of songs that all reached wonder what you have been doing with Number 1 in the UK charts. Can you name the song all the time that we seem to have had over and the singer/group most associated with the song? these past few months? For some of us ThereT are three from each decade from the 1960s to 1990s, Iwork has continued, some have found out plus three from 2000 onwards. Answers on page 42. what home schooling feels like and everyone has had their own way of dealing with lockdown. 1. Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a As well as continuing to work and help with home landslide. No escape from reality. school, we have enjoyed exploring the Valley and also 2. You say yes, I say no. You say stop and I say go, go, go. having a go at gardening, with varying success. I’m sure for 3. When the day is dawnin’, on a Texas Sunday mornin’. those of us who enjoy a potter in the garden, the gardens How I long to be there with Marie who’s waitin’ for will look amazing this summer. me there. There is something to be said for the act of doing ‘something’ to occupy ourselves, but what about all that is 4. If I should stay I would only be in your way. So I’ll go racing around in your mind at the moment? What are you but I know I’ll think of you every step of the way. thinking about? Maybe the lockdown has prompted some of 5. Every now and then I get a little bit lonely and you’re the big questions of life? never coming round. Is the answer 42? Well according to The Hitchhiker’s 6. When you’re weary, feeling small. When tears are in Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, it is. But that was your eyes, I will dry them all. worked out by a supercomputer named Deep Thought over 7. When you walk through a storm, hold your head up a period of 7.5M years. high and don’t be afraid of the dark. Where is God during this lockdown? Well for me, He is in everything, a walk in the Valley, pottering in the garden 8. Look into my eyes. You will see what you mean to me. and even in the days when I have the lockdown blues! Once Search your heart, search your soul and when you find again, I have been drawn back to the Old Testament book me there, you’ll search no more. of Lamentations chapter 3: 22-23; “Because of the Lord’s 9. I got chills, they’re multiplying and I’m losing control. great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 10. You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar when They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” I met you. One thing that I have tried to do during these days of 11. It might seem crazy what I’m bout to say. Sunshine lockdown is to take each day at a time, trying not to look she’s here, you can take a break. too far ahead; though with this job I do sometimes need to plan and work out what things look like when we are 12. We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels allowed to open the Church buildings! cross the floor. I was feeling kinda seasick but the In these verses from Lamentations we are reminded that crowd called out for more. God gives us new mercy and grace every day. Each one of 13. I’m the dandy highwayman who you’re too scared us has enough grace to get successfully through today. As to mention. I spend my cash on looking flash and we take one day at a time, we will find that we have enough grabbing your attention. of God’s mercy and help to get us through today, then 14. I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes. The love tomorrow then next day for as long as necessary. that’s all around me and so the feeling grows. We always need to remember we are stronger than we 15. The club isn’t the best place to find a lover. So the bar think, and we are loved by God, so much more than we is where I go. could ever imagine. Revd Steve Johnson

22 July 2020 Stretton Focus

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Stretton Focus July 2020 23

52 Adverts 2020.indd 7 07/06/2020 11:39 Recipe of the Month Berry smoothie I have, of course, made some changes to Mr Pinnock’s recipe and so cannot vouch for its health giving properties but it is simplicity itself to concoct and very refreshing. It also makes use of bananas that are on the ripe side and possibly healthier than the ubiquitous banana loaf. Do be aware of the amount of sugar contained in fruit though.

Serves 2 Ingredients 2 ripe bananas 400ml apple juice (I prefer not from concentrate type) 2 handfuls curly kale – tough stalks removed 2 handfuls mixed berries (I use frozen) Handful of fresh mint (or to taste)

Method Combine all ingredients in a liquidiser and pulse until smooth. For a very chilled smoothie use frozen berries, otherwise defrost them a little before using. Pour into two large glasses and serve. Simple!

As a word of warning, it is mighty beneficial to rinse your glass out once empty of your smoothie as it tends to cling limpet-like to the sides! s the present spell of delightful weather continues The original recipe, for those interested, omits the mint and I’m busy in the veg plot, I find it hard to tear and has four handfuls of spinach in place of the berries. myself away to create an appetising plate of food. So You can of course play around with the ingredients Aat least twice a week we tend to have a smoothie, either for to your heart’s content. If serving the original recipe I lunch or evening meal. A glassful would also be equally at sometimes add an avocado but don’t over pulse it to retain home on the breakfast table such is its versatility. some lumps. I’m also thinking that, as my strawberries When I first dared to suggest such a thing to Mr Heidi I and raspberries come into their own shortly, some of them was met with a very firm refusal to even consider a glass of, might play a part here. let’s face it, sludge! However, when given a sip of mine he was We have a favourite eatery in Shrewsbury (well we did completely won over and now regularly requests a smoothie. have) who do a variety of smoothies such as: The original recipe is credited to Dale Pinnock (aka Apple, pear, kiwi, mint and avocado. The Medicinal Chef) who claims that his version is good Broccoli, spinach, celery, banana and pineapple. for bone health, cramp and muscular relaxation, stress and anxiety. I simply find it really tasty and sustaining and a Why not have a go? meal in itself, quite surprisingly. Heidi

Methodist Voice “Offer God the Canvas” Worker. It is a surprising and challenging post, am writing this in very strange times, and I hope it finds with schoolwork united with youth work and you all well and safe? In thinking of strange times, I then some meetings with older church members often find myself looking at my new job and wondering thrown in. At the moment everything is on hold and I find Ihow on earth did I get here? Well to begin, last August myself doing pastoral phone calls, all amazing and every I found myself talking to a group of people from a local day I find myself astonished by how God works when He church. I felt really connected to them but could see no way has a plan for you. I was in the dark and yet a carefully in which to further our relationship. illuminated path appeared before me. Sometimes you have Then a friend said I think you should apply for a job to listen and take the path less obvious in order to end up in this area. A clue, but as far as I knew there were no jobs where you should be. I am still amazed that I ended up in this area!! So having no positive idea what I was doing I where I am, but I took a chance and the God who always went to visit the Bishop in Craven Arms and said I’m not takes our hands led me to where I’m supposed to be. I guess ordained or an Anglican but I feel I should be working sometimes it seems too hard to wait and see what God here. He was surprised and after backing away slightly wants, the circumstances around us may seem too hard, too said I should send a CV. I did. A couple of months later trying and yet if we hang on in there, we can see that God is I found myself being interviewed and then fortuitously working His purpose out. We just need to offer the canvas given a job. All in the sweep of a few months I had gone and God will paint His picture. from not having a clue to being an Intergenerational Lay K.L.

24 July 2020 Stretton Focus

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Stretton Focus July 2020 25

52 Adverts 2020.indd 8 07/06/2020 11:39 Stretton Area Community Wildlife Group Stretton Wetlands – help us protect nature for the future This process will be supported by the Middle Marches ith the support of landowners and local Community Land Trust with whom the land will be volunteers, members of the Strettons Area held in trust. The area for sale is bordered by the Quinny Community Wildlife Group (SACWG) carried brook and is joined by a small stream from Cud Well (in Wout flora and fauna surveys in 2016 that resulted in much Allen Coppice) so we are proposing to name it ‘Cudwell of the Stretton wetlands being designated a Local Wildlife Meadow’. The vision is to restore the site to a mixture of Site. Subsequently lots of hard work and fun went into wildflower meadow and wet meadow area. This will provide community fundraising during 2017 to enable a much- a further attraction for nature lovers in addition to the appreciated boardwalk to be built over the footpath Coppice Leasowes Local Nature Reserve and the Rectory across the valley. Last year brought confirmation from the Field and Wood, shortly also to become a Nature Reserve. A Shropshire Mammal Society that water vole live in parts of unique combination of attractions for a small town. the wetlands. This SACWG project has evolved to become If you are interested in supporting the Strettons the Stretton Wetland Interest Group, with a focus on Wetland Interest Group, then there are various ways in wetland conservation. which you can get involved. Primarily we need to raise funds to purchase the site and manage its restoration. If you are interested in helping please take a look at our website http://middlemarchescommunitylandtrust.org.uk/ land/cudwell-meadow/. Fundraising leaflets will also be available in the Church Stretton library and delivered to households in the Strettons. You may also wish to become a ‘Friend of Cudwell Meadow’ and either help with practical conservation activities or be involved in other ways. And by spreading the word about our appeal amongst your family and friends, you can make an important contribution towards making this project a reality. Residents of the Strettons are very generous in all kinds of ways in maintaining the wonderful diversity of landscapes that surround us, so we hope you will also support the Stretton Wetlands Interest Group secure this haven for wetlands wildlife and preserve it for the enjoyment of future generations. For more information please contact [email protected].

The Boardwalk (Isabel Carter)

“Over 10% of our freshwater and wetland species are threatened with extinction in the UK, and we’ve lost 90% of our wetland habitats in the last 100 years”. The Wildlife Trusts Areas of the Stretton wetlands have similar characteristics to the North Shropshire meres and mosses. They were probably formed as a post ice-age lake that was contained by Brockhurst Hill and drained south along what is now Ludlow Road. Over time, the lake silted and became Marsh Marigolds (Sandra Whitlock) a raised peat bog. Through ecological succession and human activity, the site developed into the mixed habitats detailed Swift Snippets on the 1840s tithe map as eel pools, wet meadows, and alder • July is the peak time to observe our swift population in wet woodland. the Strettons. The Strettons Wetland Interest Group now has an • Swifts only roost when they are breeding (May-August). exciting opportunity to purchase a 3 acre area of the • The clutch consists of two or three white eggs (white wetlands, described as ‘Meadow Field’ on the tithe map. eggs are typical of birds which nest in dark places).

26 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 July 2020.indd 18 11/06/2020 10:29 Stretton Area Community Wildlife Group • Chicks weigh more than their parents rings. Three were caught at roost sites last autumn, two at when they fledge (but this can be weather Leebotwood and one in Cardingmill Valley, and two were dependent). caught in the valley the previous winter. • When a juvenile swift leaves the nest, it embarks on its Many pairs make a second nest, and attempt to raise a journey to Africa, without guidance or help from its second brood, so we still want sightings of dippers in June parents. and July, please, particularly if you have seen evidence of • During migration they fly at around 22mph but in breeding. screaming parties (as seen around the market square) swifts have been recorded flying at up to 69mph. Bird Survey Updates – all information welcome • The average maximum altitude by night is 2,770m and Curlew and lapwing: Our curlew and lapwing survey has 1,700m by day. been disrupted by the lockdown to help stop the spread • Swift numbers are suggested to have declined by 51% of coronavirus, but now the government has eased the (1995-2015). restrictions we are doing what we can to complete it. It would be a great help if Focus readers could complement our Swifts by Ted Hughes efforts by reporting any that you have seen or heard since “Fifteenth of May. Cherry blossom. The swifts late March. Materialize at the tip of a long scream Cuckoo: There have been lots more cuckoo records than Of needle. ‘Look! They’re back! Look!’ And they’re gone usual. It is not clear whether there are more cuckoos about, On a steep or we’re better able to hear them in the peace and quiet! Controlled scream of skid Either way we should take advantage and collect the records. Round the house-end and away under the cherries…” Red kite: Young kites should be fledging in early July. If you see evidence that suggests a possible breeding site, please let If you are interested in the Strettons swift population us know (but please keep it confidential.) and wish to know more please contact Julie Cowley at [email protected] or tel: 01694 722310. For all sightings, please contact Leo Smith at [email protected], 01694 720296. Dippers – successful sightings Isabel Carter and Penny Bienz Thank you very much to all the people who contacted Leo Smith with information about dippers, following the Focus article in May. There was an excellent response, far more than all the reports of lapwing, curlew and red kite put together! Nine pairs have been located between Marshbrook and Leebotwood. The nests of seven of them have been found, and it is believed they all produced fledged young. We would like confirmation of this, so if you saw any young please let Leo know. The young are grey, not black, with a speckled breast, not white, as in the photo below. We would

Dipper Trio (Gareth Thomas) Early Morning Bluebells (Isabel Carter) particularly like information about the pair between the For further information visit end of Longhills Road and Carding Mill Valley, and the https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/water pair in Little Stretton, please. Five of the adults had colour- https://middlemarchescommunitylandtrust.org.uk/about/

Stretton Focus July 2020 27

52 July 2020.indd 19 11/06/2020 10:29 Bilberry Bumblebee in Your Garden

Eureka! The Long Mynd currently has ten volunteers, each s I write (on 1st June), the first bilberry bumblebee observing their own 1km square of dry heath as often as has been filmed in a garden by a very excited they can. To date there have been 34 individual sightings in volunteer. I am sure this is the first of many records, a wide area of habitat, so the early signs are that the bilberry Aso do get involved and help us map the distribution of this bumblebee is enjoying our lovely warm weather and should rare local gem. be on their way to your garden as soon as the bilberry flowers are over.

Bilberry flowers – Photo credit: Debbie Vivers

I suppose 34 don’t sound very impressive? Well first you have to remember that the area the bilberries cover is vast, so the bumblebees have a huge choice of where to forage and a volunteer is effectively looking for a needle in a haystack. Secondly, the bilberry flowers hang downwards, inside the bush, so the bees dive under the foliage and disappear. Thirdly, the bilberry bumblebee nest may have only 50 workers in a poor season (up to 120 in a good season), which is 0.1% of the population in a honeybee nest at the height of the season! Fourthly, sightings depend on trained volunteers, a scientific recording method and a suitable system for recording the data. My information to date shows 51 sightings between 2009 and 2011, which is an average of 17 per year, recorded on a BBCT BeeWalk of no more than 5km long, which was repeated regularly by an expert recorder. I reported six sightings last year. So 34 in 2020 in a variety of areas are very exciting … in fact I added four more to the total this morning. So, if you would like to join in or tell a friend, please Photo credit: Caroline Clarke email [email protected] and the autoreply will give you all that you need. Alternatively, refer to my If you live in the Strettons, the Stiperstones or the article in the June issue of the Stretton Focus. villages in between, we need your help. There is anecdotal evidence that the Bilberry Bumblebee can fly up to 250m For the latest project updates you can follow the project from the nest site in search of nectar during the gap between on Twitter@BumbleontheMynd. the bilberry and heather flowers. Please take a look in your Good luck and enjoy the sound of summer! garden and see whether you have this special visitor. Debbie Vivers

28 July 2020 Stretton Focus

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Stretton Focus July 2020 29

52 Adverts 2020.indd 9 07/06/2020 11:39 The Beautiful Game A Quaker Voice

“Some people think football the continual movement of the “Cherish that of God within you” is a matter of life and death. ball kept us all on our toes. (from Quaker Advices and Queries no.2) I don’t like that attitude. I The odd knock from a late his childhood memory can assure them it is much tackle was soon laughed has stayed with me more serious than that” (Bill off, and the aches and over the years: I was Shankly – Liverpool Manager pains soon forgotten; for the worryingT about tomorrow’s visit 1959-74). moment at least the responsibilities to Mr. Wilson, a kind, gentle alking into Church that come with age were put to one man, and our local dentist. To Stretton Leisure side. comfort me, my Dad explained that Centre I was a little A brief half time break after the the real ‘Me’ lived deep down inside Wapprehensive as to what I was first 30 minutes, that had flown by, me, and could never be reached by embarking upon. was very welcome over a breathless the dentist’s drill, or anything else that Having more time on my hands chat with teammates. The second half might frighten me. Well, it’s one thing now, and being relatively active, I went by a little slower for me as tired to be told a truth; another to know it thought I needed something else to get legs set in, but the added incentive of from your own experience. But he was me out of the house on a regular basis, a Last Goal the Winner decider for the right. The next day I rose from the to keep me fit and meet like-minded last few minutes drove everyone on to dentist’s chair, no doubt tearful, but local chaps. The Stretton Focus, the get that winning strike. unscathed and, in essence, untouched. oracle of what is on around the area, The game ended with an Etty Hillesum described “a really as always came up with the answer. appreciative slap on the back and shake deep well inside me, and in it dwells Men’s 3-Touch Walking Football, of the hand with fellow team members God.” 1) Similarly, David Wood wrote of Wednesdays 5-6pm (for the over 50s). and opponents alike. This was followed a place “deep, deep inside ourselves ... [w] My playing days at a good amateur by the post-game changing room here we have common ground with God.” standard (or so I like to remember) analysis whilst getting our breath back, And, typical of David, he added, “It is came flooding back as my Wednesday and ensuring we had paid the weekly a place so sacred that even God takes his debut approached. I intentionally subs. shoes off!” 2) Is this the place Jesus meant thought, why not just pop along and As I got back in my car, hot and when he said “When you pray, go into have a quick look before committing. sweaty, I was already looking forward your private room ...? 3) I would speak to the organiser and to next week’s game. Sitting alone or with others in watch from the sidelines knowing This weekly footy fixture is now silent prayer, in Quaker Worship, full well I would not be able to resist a regular event on my diary and in Christian Meditation or during a kicking a competitive ball again, if the something I always look forward Taizé reflection, my attention turns opportunity arose. As it happened I to. The pure thrill of kicking that to the life-giving Presence within me had no choice. No sooner had I put silly round ball around to me is no – that which brought me into life, my foot into the sports hall, I was different, as an infant or an oldie. The keeps my heart beating and my lungs warmly greeted, allocated to a side, and boyhood excitement of this weekly drawing breath. (Call it God, if you thrown a bib. The few rules to note game (our FA Cup Final) endures, as like; or if you don’t care to use that were casually relayed during the game. for 60 minutes the years are rolled back word then just call it life.) And, in the As the adrenalin kicked in, and with the pure joy of the game that has quiet, I might become conscious of the magic of the game came flooding never really left me. the breathing of those around me, or back, I desperately tried to hold back Most enjoyable however is the the woodlouse making a slow, dogged the Nobby Stiles in me, and I got sharing with others of this simple progress across the floor, or a blackbird stuck in. If only my feet would go game, which is clearly a real outlet for singing in the garden, all outward where my brain wanted them to. A boy a great local bunch, some of which I manifestations of an inner life which again, hooked once more on the oh so have subsequently learned are, or have permeates all of us, and all Creation. beautiful game. been, carers for loved ones, and our Very different from navel-gazing, it is The 3-touch game played was weekly kick about provides a brief but looking inward only to pick up my end energetic and incredibly competitive, rewarding respite. of a common thread which connects but played with a degree of care. The Team meetings are now me with everyone and everything. As collective years of the players are keenly occasionally held at the local Indian someone once said, “Your life is not put to one side with experience taking Restaurant (WAGS also invited) about you. You are about life.” over. The game was played with more providing a social side to the main John Dennison jogging than the walking advertised, event, along with 10 pin bowling with minimal contact. The nucleus nights which are naturally played with 1) Etty Hillesum: An Interrupted Life of 10 players with an age range 59 to the same competitive endeavour. 2) David Wood: Dark Prayer 80+ years, ably led and organised by 3) Matthew 6:6 Ken, was played with a healthy spirit Maybe Bill Shankly was right after all. and jovial banter. Sharp passing and Carl Harrison

30 July 2020 Stretton Focus

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Stretton Focus July 2020 31

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32 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 Adverts 2020.indd 11 07/06/2020 11:39 Alice Elizabeth Lloyd and All Saints Church, Little Stretton – A Brief History lice Elizabeth Lloyd was born in Edgbaston in March 1854, the daughter of Samuel Sampson Lloyd, a banker and Conservative party MP, and Emma AReeve of Leighton Buzzard. Alice was the seventh of eight children. The widowed Samuel married again in 1865 to Marie, the daughter of his Excellency Lieutenant-General Friedrich Wilhelm Menckhoff (1789-1866) of the Prussian Army, and fathered two more children. Alice Elizabeth married the Reverend John Houghton Gibbon in 1876. John died in August 1883, leaving Alice with two sons. Both sons were born at Willersey, in Gloucestershire, where John Snr was described as a ‘Clerk in Holy Orders’ – an Anglican minister. John Houghton Jnr became a Colonel (Hon. Brigadier), in the Royal Artillery and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in WWI. John Houghton III became a General and was made a Knight, with the Orders of Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (GCB), Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) and Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). He served as Master-General of the Ordnance from 1974 until his retirement in 1977. Clearly, then, an illustrious family. The Gibbon family owned the Manor House in Little Stretton from 1789. Throughout the 19th century the head of the family was often an absentee, living near Liverpool, although minor members of the family continued to live at the Manor. Alice arrived there in 1896. As the widow of an Anglican minister, she would naturally have gravitated to Christian worship in the Anglican form. The nearest such Alice Elizabeth Lloyd church was in Church Stretton, two miles away. Alice would have been able to afford a carriage to take her there but hear the minister, so the roof was replaced with thatch. In most local residents would have walked along the narrow 2012, an extension to the church was built, providing a road into the teeth of a north wind when winter weather fully fitted kitchen, a toilet suitable for mobility impaired was inclement. Alice determined the villagers should have members of the congregation and a loft storage space. their own church in order to encourage them to regular The church is normally open during the day throughout worship. the year and attracts many visitors, especially holiday makers coming to the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is one of three in the Church Stretton parish, along with the churches in All Stretton (St Michael and All Angels) and Church Stretton (St Laurence). The parish is part of the Diocese of Hereford. Every August Bank Holiday villagers and members of the congregation host a festival called ‘teas to please’ which raises funds for the church and local charities. Cakes and pastries baked by villagers attract visitors from far and wide, many of whom take the opportunity to stroll around the gardens of the next-door Manor House. All Saints Church serves the village of Little Stretton with the hamlets of Minton, Marshbrook and Hamperley. Alice funded and endowed a new church, All Saints, Alice has an obituary plaque in the church which reads: “In which is big enough to house 100 parishioners. It was built loving memory of Alice Elizabeth Gibbon of the Manor in 1903 from a mass produced ‘Manchester’ flat-pack – a House, Little Stretton. This church was built by her in 1903 kind of early Huf-Haus – and given a mock Tudor style and for more than thirty years she devoted her life to the exterior so that it matched the next-door Manor House people of Little Stretton. Beloved in the village.” more closely. Unfortunately, drumming rain made the Christine Williams corrugated iron roof so noisy that the congregation couldn’t

Stretton Focus July 2020 33

52 July 2020.indd 22 11/06/2020 10:29 Seeking a New Rhythm of Life uring April amid the lockdown a conversation on may not be relevant to the world which is going to emerge; email began to explore thoughts about how the that may be hard to accept. Strettons might look when the crisis has passed. There are big issues which affect us but which can only ThereD were four main contributors, although others saw the be addressed nationally – climate change (electric vehicles, emails. This summary has been compiled by Roger Wilson home energy), public transport and social distancing, in the hope that it can stimulate further contributions. The access to broadband and 5G. The society which emerges other main contributors were Barrie Oxtoby, Noel Beattie from lockdown will still exhibit some of those previous and Howard Bridge. All are frequent contributors to Focus angry and frustrated characteristics. It will be angry with a and have had various leadership roles in our community. government perceived to have failed to deliver when needed and frustrated with the economic effects. It will be a society The challenge we face which has re-awakened to the values which underpin public Our pattern of life has been radically altered as we have service, not least the selflessness of NHS and care staff. Will adopted a new and strange way of living. We have become we be a society where relationships between health and social aware of our vulnerability as individuals and as a species. care are enhanced and the staff properly paid? We have also experienced innovation At a time of fluidity and change it that has kept communication, services is tempting to take steps one at a time, and food supplies going. We have seen especially if there is only a hazy vision extraordinary co-operation, human care, of where one is heading. Maybe the compassion and kindness on a wide underlying challenge is to recognise that scale within communities. We saw the this is a moment for taking big steps, for humanity of it all with the vulnerability being creative about the vision and all- of the NHS and its sacrifices. At the inclusive about the strategy which will same time we raised questions about realise it. political decisions by our leaders. There is a sense of unity,of being in this together that Creating consensus we have not seen for a long time. Our society had become Creating a consensus needs sensitive leadership and calls for frustrated, angry and hard. Now we see the spirit in being co-operation and collaboration which encourages and brings there for others, being prepared to offer time and skills to out creative ideas, sometimes from the most unexpected help, working together, all while keeping the new discipline people. It requires wide enthusiasm for reaching a result. It of social distance. is not a process where a small group makes a decision and We need to learn together from this experience to ‘consults’ on it; that is tokenistic. build resilience and the creativity which will regenerate There are big issues in the background. All nations have our communities and the social enterprises which make a to recover and if poorer communities cannot be lifted, then place flourish. Can we re-imagine our civil, environmental we all suffer the consequences. We now recognise the value and economic life, our politics and relationships between offered by careful planning and preparation, and the reliance national and local communities? we have upon others. We cannot change the world, so our vision must think at a practical, more individual, level. Re-imagining a new normal We have some good examples in the Strettons about The phrase heard most frequently is ‘things will never be learning how to think outside the box and do things the same again’. Will this be a new adventure or will we seek differently. Do you think it is possible for the community to reproduce what is now gone? The word ‘re-imagine’ is a to create a new vision for the Strettons and, if it is, are we powerful one. Churchill said that the future is fraught with heading in the right direction to gain consensus? opportunity. The starting point for re-imagining should be understanding ourselves. What do we really value right now? Capturing a vision Fundamental questions should be asked. The survey for the An effective vision will be empowering rather than Stretton Community Led Plan (see May edition of Focus) instructive. It will be supported by values and give those may offer a starting point. with creative ideas the freedom to bring them forward, The next steps are to identify the main shared values test them and get on with making them work. We must be and then seek to unite us all in developing a common vision, flexible enough to take on what will emerge in wider society. together with a framework of actions which meet our most As an example, greater office work from home could lead to compelling needs and best opportunities. This could lead more families wanting to distance work from the Strettons, somewhere special. thus creating a housing pressure we have not had since the 1980s. How do we handle that? The character of the decisions we need We must protect and proudly celebrate what we have – Our view should not focus inward – this is an unparalleled some large employers, a strong National Trust presence and opportunity to look on an outward path, towards our role in in Mayfair a community resource which is envied elsewhere. the new wider world. The biggest opportunity open to us is Let’s recognise and build on the success of the Arts Festival, about identifying needs which we can influence or serve. The the way Scouts and Guides integrate in our community, the danger is focussing on our past experience and using it to strength of our sports, social and leisure clubs, the energy drive the future without learning and developing new skills in the Thursday market etc. We rely on tourism. Can we for the new environment. The past experiences themselves be imaginative? Are we effective in making the facilities our

34 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 July 2020.indd 23 11/06/2020 10:29 town offers more widely known? What do our visitors want, people in the past, our town has a great deal to commend it. should we research that? Where are the audiences we must Following the lockdown it seems inevitable that home-based reach with this information? working will be more common. What better place to live Church Stretton is an attractive place. We must avoid than here? If holidays by air are to be rarer, where better to the danger of seeing ourselves as ‘unique’ because of come to holiday than here? geography, demography, development etc. This will cut us Let’s work together to build something new and better. off. We may aspire to be a benchmark for others but that What do you think? must result from our work, not be part of our ambition. Roger Wilson Thanks to the initiatives taken by caring, imaginative Imagining a Different World after COVID-19 e have much to celebrate during this time when so forced marriage, honour killings and polygamy. Where the much of the good spirit of humanity came to the police fail they would be called to account. fore. Yes, we had a great appreciation of the NHS Now this all may be regarded as a civil society matter Wand the rediscovery of what staff in our Social Care homes and not one for religion. I think it is a matter for every are having to cope with; but also of the voluntary effort section of society. Cultural and religious attitudes still do that got down to looking after the needs of others in their contribute to the continuing inequality between men and communities. This includes businesses under severe pressure women and the power relationships which persist. There themselves, who were willing to provide a service in new were many women in the early years of the Christian and creative ways to their communities. Having said this, we movement, in leadership, who became air-brushed out of also know that it has been a time of fear and anxiety for so what record there is, and all the succeeding synods and many, perhaps even loneliness and despair. Whatever normal direction the movement took were dominated by men. we eventually return to there will remain a human healing, restoration and a new life to build for many people in our Women in the Bible communities. The women are there in the Old Testament and the New I want to draw your attention to one endemic pattern of Testament; many, such as Deborah, who exercised complete behaviour that persists and during the lockdown increased religious, political, judicial and military authority over Israel. at an alarming rate. Last year 1.6 million women in England There was Ruth, and people like Ruth because it is a good and Wales experienced domestic violence. During lockdown, story of a woman in desperate straits being rescued by a in just a matter of 2-3 months, the number of women kindly man. But it was Ruth who plotted it and asked for his calling the National Domestic Abuse helpline rose by 49% hand in marriage in the story. There were Martha and Mary, above the national average and fatal attacks on women have and of course the Virgin Mary – all about obedient service. doubled. But there was more to them. It is important to recognise at this time that what for We know that women followers were there, were married many women is a determining factor in being women – to to Roman officials and may well have been bank-rolling the be free from intimidation, harassment, violent and sexual movement. abuse AND TO BE INCLUDED. It is known that in this But we and the church have for centuries seen women country 20% of women experience sexual assault and only largely in background serving roles, except for some 15% ever report it. 90% know their perpetrator. One third exceptions, for example Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th of young women experienced sexual abuse as a child. That century feminist polymath, who wrote: Woman may be is after a case against the Home Office and the police was made from man, but no man can be made without a woman. won in the Supreme Court. This followed from the taxi-cab Hilda of Whitby was an even earlier example from the 7th driver John Worboys case. Century. “In a strong and clear judgment, the Supreme Court Why did we in the West write women out almost unanimously accepted that under the Human Rights Act completely from then on? there is an actionable duty on the police to investigate crimes Here is an extract from Paul’s first letter to Timothy: of serious violence properly. The failings in the Worboys 8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy case were shocking and left a serial rapist free to attack hands without anger or disputing. again and again. The Supreme Court’s ruling that those 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or failings were unlawful is a vindication of the right to equal gold or pearls or expensive clothes, protection from the law – for women and for all those who 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to have historically been failed by the criminal justice system. worship God. It is a victory for the rule of law, for proper human rights 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. standards, and for a decent democratic society which allows 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. women and other marginalised groups to live free from 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. violence and oppression.” But it has still to be implemented 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who and women have still to have reason to trust the law. was deceived and became a sinner. This case was brought by the victims with the support 15 But women will be saved through childbearing – if they of Rape Crisis England and Wales; Southall Black Sisters continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. and should result in more strident pursuit of the degrading (New Testament: 1 Timothy 2, verses 8-15) practices of domestic violence, gaslighting, coercion, FGM, Continued overleaf... Stretton Focus July 2020 35

52 July 2020.indd 24 11/06/2020 10:29 continued from page 35 There is much more in the New Testament that All abuse is a confirming of inequality. Women’s contradicts this. But for centuries this and other like texts Aid says, “Abuse against women is never her fault. The governed church practice regarding women. In so doing it perpetrator is always to blame. He chooses to act in that stained the culture so that it was the norm of societies to be way.” organised in a way that men always retained power over, and Inequality between men and women is one of the most until comparatively recently possession of women. Churches persistent patterns in the power game played out still. For have moved on from this. Leadership in churches has greatly example, women’s lack of influence marks political decision- changed; attitudes nearly overturned. However, they still making the world over. have to acknowledge that texts, beliefs and historical custom Gender relations are power relations. Often what it and practice have been entirely wrong. means to be a ‘woman’ is to be powerless (quiet, obedient, accommodating, dutiful, caring). And gender relations A Common Experience Today are the ways in which a culture or society defines rights, Gaslighting, more common than was thought, is a term that responsibilities, and the identities of men and women refers to trying to convince someone they’re wrong about in relation to one another. All of us can participate in something even when they are not. Most commonly, it takes re-imagining an equal and honourable way of relating the form of frequently disagreeing with someone or refusing together. to listen to their point of view. Many of us might be guilty of Religion can and must immediately refrain from giving some mild form of gaslighting from time to time – refusing this inequality and abuse of women any further fuel, by to hear what our partner has to say even if they are in the ceasing to understand God as in any way identifiable by right or persistently disagreeing over some minor quibble, gender, male or female, and in the interim if it becomes even when we are not sure of our position, and showing impossible defer to ‘SHE’. an unwillingness to be proven wrong. But in more extreme cases it can be a real and intended form of abuse. When it The Free 24 hr. National Domestic Abuse Helpline is: is done repeatedly, over a long period of time, it can have 0808 2000 247 or in Emergency 999 the effect of making someone doubt their own ideas about “When I called the Helpline, I was in absolute despair. I was things – or even question their sanity. It can have a highly lost and terrified, but the Helpline worker made me feel so negative effect on a person’s self-esteem and confidence. In empowered. She gave me the strength to leave my husband certain situations, someone might deliberately gaslight their and go to the police the following day. That phone call saved partner as a way of controlling them – a serious form of my life. Without Refuge, I wouldn’t be here today.” Sarah. emotional abuse that is never acceptable. Noel Beattie Rotary News Rotary Club of Church Stretton invites you to Friends of Rotary – Another Alternative Option ‘Try before you buy!’ This is a much more casual relationship by providing drop-in support as and when convenient to you and Associate Membership and ‘Friends of Rotary’ are well- your local club. Friends do not pay any fees as there is no established informal opportunities that allow and encourage expectation to attend meetings, although you could be the active participation of non-Rotarian men and women in invited as a guest from time to time. social events and service activities. We are thankful to those people, both men and women, Supporting Local Communities Worldwide who have willingly supported us by attending fundraising We need new members to help us with the following tasks events as and when they can. Time constraints on these and possibly identify new opportunities. volunteers, especially those in full time employment, make • Supporting local schools it difficult to commit to becoming a full time Rotarian. • Organising Carols in the Square • Supporting Lingen Davies Associate Membership – An Alternative Option • Supporting Hope House Children’s Hospice As an Associate Member you will not be expected to attend • Supporting Mayfair Community Centre every meeting, reducing demands on your time. Under • Supporting Air Ambulance normal circumstances, we meet on a Wednesday evening • Supporting overseas charities and disaster funds that at 7pm. However, due to current restrictions on travel we include: are now holding virtual meetings using Zoom. This will • Eradication of polio not replace face-to-face meetings in the future, but it will • Refurbished tools for African Communities reduce them and have the added advantage of enabling you • Australian fire disaster via Rotary Club of Adelaide to watch at home and at a time convenient to you, as the Within the last twelve months we have raised approximately meetings will be recorded. £13,000 to support these projects. You will be invited to join some club meetings, social events We especially need people with IT skills and familiarity with and perhaps to join an event project team or working party. social media. As an Associate Member the annual fee would be only £25 If you are interested in actively supporting your local – this is a ‘try before you buy’ option that will enable you community, please visit www.rotarygbi.org or contact time to consider what we do and whether you would like [email protected] – phone 01694 723189. greater involvement. Derek Smith

36 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 July 2020.indd 25 11/06/2020 10:29 Stretton Focus July 2020 37

52 Adverts 2020.indd 12 07/06/2020 11:39 Staying in the Strettons – Victoria House B&B and Jemima’s Kitchen iane Chadwick has run Victoria House Guest Real problems are rare but there are occasional House and Jemima’s Kitchen, on Church Stretton challenges. Diane described when thefts in the house were High Street, since 2010. Diane says, “I didn’t discovered; and another when an ambulance was needed. actuallyD set out to run a guesthouse but I knew the previous Clearly, a guesthouse host must like people to be able owner, Linda Smith, who had owned the property with her to host guests. Optimism is useful, as is a willingness to partner, John Dovaston, since 2004. They ran the property listen to people’s stories, and to be flexible and adaptable to together as a guesthouse but Linda also had a tea room working hours, which can be long and tiring. Attention to on the ground floor, which was open for a few hours each detail and excellent customer service skills are essential, as is weekend. a degree of financial acumen. Diane clearly has all of these “At the time, I was working for a software testing and as the tourist business begins to recover from this hiatus company and I used to pop into the tea room late on to our usual affairs, Diane will be well placed to revive her a Sunday afternoon to have coffee and cake before my business, one that is integral to our business community. working week began the next day. I was usually the last Christine Williams customer to leave, so Linda and I would sit and chat. I told Linda that my retirement plan included opening a café and she told me she was looking to sell her property. What serendipity! I bought the house in November 2010 and opened the café, Jemima’s Kitchen, in December.” Travellers nowadays have higher aspirations than even just a few years ago. Design, furnishings and squeaky clean en-suites are all important in enticing the discerning visitor. A large Victorian property gave Diane the opportunity to indulge her passion for design, and she has redecorated the entire house. Pictures on the website show sumptuous bedrooms using quality, vintage furniture, paintings and homeware accessories, giving them a new and socially responsible lease of life. Victoria House is a member of Green Tourism, has been awarded Four Stars with Gold Award and Breakfast Award status by Visit England, and is a member of the Welcome Walker and Welcome Cyclist scheme. It is also dog friendly, welcoming guests’ well- behaved canine pets. Victoria House provides employment for five people, and Jemima’s Kitchen for 14. Diane says “I discovered very early on that it’s extremely hard work running two businesses, and for the first four years I didn’t have a proper holiday. It was exhausting. My first holiday was a week in Wales and I left one of my staff in charge of the guesthouse and café. I was anxious, but knew I could pop back if an emergency arose. My guests didn’t notice any difference in the level of service they received and my staff didn’t need me either! I am proud of all of them, because they make life so much easier for me, and it’s great fun to come to work when you know you can have a laugh with a great gang of people.” Every accommodation provider faces the occasional challenge of dealing with a difficult guest. Diane, again, “I can’t say I have had any really difficult guests, but if a complaint is genuine, we will give a proportionate refund. Guests spend good money to stay with us, so if they’re not happy and we don’t do anything to change their perspective, they will tell others, which has a negative knock-on effect. What I do dislike, however, is when a guest tells us that they’re happy when they leave, and then we learn of a negative comment later. It’s much more helpful to be able Photos provided by Diane Chadwick to address problems at the time they occur as it helps us prevent a recurrence.”

38 July 2020 Stretton Focus

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40 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 Adverts 2020.indd 14 07/06/2020 11:40 Theatre Streamings to take the opportunity to rethink, change or improve some of the things we were doing. While Church Stretton School Theatre is closed There are lots of issues to consider with our partners.

rom the Royal Opera House, The National Theatre Our Partners and other theatre and cinema broadcasts, we can Focus readers may wish to be aware of our partners which still offer audiences the best seat in the house, often include our Education Trust (Trust Ed); Church Stretton Fexclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, and a School; Arts Alive; More2Screen (Promoters of cinema theatre experience in the future. screenings); The National Theatre; The Royal Opera House; Our School Theatre may be closed as a result of Covid- the Royal Shakespeare Company; and of course you, our 19, but we and our partners have continued to direct you audience. to a fantastic array of theatre in your home. These have We await any confirmation or new initiatives from our included: partners as this may influence our forward thinking. • Premiere plays from The National Theatre; We would welcome any input, comment or assistance from • Ballet and opera from The Royal Opera House; you. • Classic events from The Royal Shakespeare Company; • Famous musicals from Andrew Lloyd Webber; Our Volunteers • Streamings from Arts Alive events. We have a very good and dedicated volunteer base. There is, Many of you have enquired as to when the theatre however, an absence of volunteers generally within the PTA. screenings at our school theatre might recommence: not an We need to maintain a volunteer base that is available and easy question to answer! willing and to support succession for: Even if our partners are showing again – and for • Admin. – booking events and promotion; example The National Theatre has made the decision to • Front of house and reception; cancel all performances until 31st August – we are not able • Technical; to commit to re-opening as yet. • Refreshments; So in possible readiness, we are now starting to consider, • First Aid. by progressing with a ‘Theatre Recovery Plan’, when it may So this is a call for volunteers to join our small theatre be safe to reinstate our theatre events. group. Please contact Alan Fox (07977 060303) or email It must be emphasised that the health and safety of [email protected]. school students, staff, visitors, and you our audience is of paramount importance. We also have to consider the Health & Safety protection of school equipment and infrastructure and the We will of course only re-open when it is safe to do so. We safe (and economic) logistics of any reinstatement of the will follow Government, Trust and School guidance. We theatre. need to be sure that the buildings are safe and that they It is hoped that we will remain committed to our feel safe before we can think of inviting members of the objective to use our fantastic theatre facilities to improve the public to school, and also that the buildings are safe for quality of life of people in and surrounding the Strettons by volunteers and remain safe for students and staff. We also offering a theatre experience and promoting ourselves as a have to consider and guard against any impact on school Community School. infrastructure and equipment if appropriate. We will need We need to be flexible and adaptable in responding to be sure that this has no adverse impact on students to what clearly has been a challenging time, impacting on returning after one of our events. all our lives and our Community Theatre experience. We If social distancing is still in place, when we are able to will need to do this in imaginative and safe ways and in re-open we will have to consider if it is feasible and worth accordance with appropriate advice. We need to take stock, doing, because there will be a significant impact on event look ahead and hopefully bounce back! management, numbers, and income. Although the government is suggesting a phased return of children to school, this is more problematic to us as a theatre venue due to our limited space and the increased potential contact with our audience, who are predominantly in older age groups. John Parr, our head teacher, rightly commented in May that “Of course at this stage, we are not able to commit to planning for future events recommencing. Just no idea what things are going to require going forward.” John is of course correct. At the time of writing this article it is impossible to predict what the situation will be in a few weeks when you read Focus. Nevertheless, we are now considering if, when and how we can recover and recommence. In reality, full recovery from the situation may take some time and it is unlikely that we will (or even may want to) return it to exactly as it was before, because we may wish Continued overleaf...

Stretton Focus July 2020 41

52 July 2020.indd 27 11/06/2020 10:29 continued from page 41 Please be assured that if it is safe and possible to do so, database audience of these fantastic home and future theatre and we have the necessary permission to do so, we will opportunities. re-commence your theatre experience. So if you would like to be included on our email In the meantime, remember that if you are missing your database to get early notices like this and information of opportunity to experience great theatre on our screen in upcoming events (you can unsubscribe from this service at Church Stretton, there is an opportunity to sample the any time) or if you require further information you can do various outlets we are alerting you to through our database, so by contacting Alan Fox at [email protected] or Facebook, Community Messaging and of course Focus. telephone on 01694 725588 or 07977 060303. We will be So we will continue to keep you informed. happy to hear from you. We will continue to provide articles for Focus; post on All of us at Church Stretton School Theatre and local and wider Facebook pages (for example, you can visit Cinema teams sincerely thank you for your compliments. Church Stretton Buy and Sell; Church Stretton Friends, Your support is really valued. Info, and Advice; and Church Stretton School’s Friends Please continue to stay safe. and Supporters), and of course by early email to our Alan Fox

The Rose Grower’s Progress t was inevitable that I would become besotted with roses. And what fascinates me is that David Austin used Old My grandfather grew them between the wars, my father Roses in the breeding of his roses so now I have the very best grew them all his life, my grandmother’s name was Rose of the rose world in my garden. I still want the latest ones, Iand my mother’s, Rosa. What other flowers would stand a though! chance? Well, sweet peas, delphiniums and hellebores for a Valerie Ray start but that’s another story … However, returning to roses. My first memories are of hybrid teas in a rainbow of colours, except blue until Blue Song Lyrics Quiz Answers Moon appeared. Wonderful blooms developing from exquisite buds; my father’s excitement over the colour of Super Star 1. Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody. (9 weeks at No 1 from when it was first on sale. In those days everyone wanted the 29/11/1975. The song reached No 1 again in 1991, latest, most modern of roses. after the death of Freddie Mercury) In 1971 in my first garden, the first thing I did was plant 2. The Beatles: Hello, Goodbye. (7 weeks at No 1 from a rose bed. I was a novice and hybrid teas were capricious 6/12/1967) plants; some succeeded some did not. The pests and diseases 3. Tony Christie/Peter Kay: (Is this the way to) came and went but no longer could I spray them with Amarillo. (This was a re-release for Comic Relief, nicotine bought from the chemist as my predecessors had spending 7 weeks at No 1 from 26/3/2005. Tony done. Christie got to No 18 with the song on its original I soldiered on, learning as I went and becoming more release in 1971) and more fascinated with this genus and the huge variety 4. Whitney Houston: I will always love you. (No 1 for within it. I joined the Royal National Rose Society and went 10 weeks from 5/12/1992) to horticultural shows to see how the experts grew roses and 5. Bonnie Tyler: Total eclipse of the heart. (No 1 for 2 how I could improve mine. I was never without roses in the weeks from 12/3/1983) garden. 6. Simon and Garfunkel: Bridge over troubled water. On moving to Shropshire in 1998 I found myself with a (The duo’s only UK No 1 was at the top of the bigger garden than I had ever dreamed of and in the midst of charts for three weeks from 28/3/1970) a fascination with Old Roses. “We need to go to Mottisfont 7. Gerry and the Pacemakers: You’ll never walk alone. where they have a National Collection,” I told my husband, (No 1 for 4 weeks from 31/10/1963) so off we went to Hampshire. With all due respect to the 8. Bryan Adams: (Everything I do) I do it for you. (No National Trust I was rather underwhelmed and disappointed. 1 for 16 weeks, from 29/6/1991) Perhaps Old Roses were not for me. 9. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John: You’re the I came home on a Saturday in early June rather one that I want. (No 1 for 9 weeks from 17/6/1978) disheartened. The following morning, we went to Albrighton, 10. Human League: Don’t you want me? (No 1 for 5 to David Austin Roses, to see more roses and I was totally and weeks from 12/12/1981) utterly hooked. It was like going to heaven; never had I seen 11. Pharrell Williams: Happy. (No 1 for 3 weeks in such wonderful roses and there were hundreds and hundreds January 2014 and again for a week in March 2014) of them, and I wanted them all. I didn’t know where to turn. 12. Procul Harum: A whiter shade of pale. (No 1 for 6 Some of them even resembled my beloved Old Roses. The weeks from 8/6/1967) outcome was pre-ordained – more roses. 13. Adam and the Ants: Stand and deliver. (No 1 for 5 I now have another garden, which contains many David weeks from 9/5/1981) Austin roses. They are giving me such pleasure despite the 14. Wet Wet Wet: Love is all around. (No 1 for 15 weeks difficult situation in which we find ourselves. Every year I from 4/6/1994) make a pilgrimage to Albrighton to wallow in the roses but 15. Ed Sheeran: Shape of you. (No 1 for 13 weeks from this year I have to see the beauty in my own garden, and I am 19/1/2017 and again for the week 27/4/2017) so thankful to be able to grow them.

42 July 2020 Stretton Focus

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44 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 Adverts 2020.indd 16 07/06/2020 11:40 Churches in the Strettons ANGLICAN CHURCH (The United Parish of St Laurence, Church Stretton, with St Michael & All Angels, All Stretton, and All Saints, Little Stretton) Rector: Rev’d Steve Johnson (Tel: 722585) Website: www.strettonparish.org.uk

Sunday Services Holy Communion (a quiet reflective service) ...... 8.00 am Morning Worship Holy Communion every Sunday, except Morning Prayer on 4th Sunday ...... 9.30 am Refreshments in Parish Centre ...... 10.20 until 11.05 am Informal Service (Communion on 4th Sunday) ...... 11.15 am All ages 1st Sunday; children go out to groups other Sundays Crèche facilities provided with this service every Sunday Groups for children and youth groups on all but 1st Sunday, when all ages stay together Evening Worship. (On 4th Sunday Holy Communion with special prayers for Healing) ...... 6.00 pm Hot Chocolate Club - For all pupils in Church Stretton School...... Mondays 12.30 - 1.15 pm Oasis - For pupils in years 7-9 in Church Stretton School who would like to explore faith. Tuesdays 12.30 - 1.15 pm Youthzone - Sunday mornings during 11.05 service for 11-16yrs (except 1st Sunday in month); Meet in Church Young people (11+): Contact the Office on 724224 or Sally Clilverd: [email protected] Weekday Activities: Many house groups and activities are held throughout the week. Contact the Parish Office for details or see church notice boards or leaflets in church. Thursdays: Holy Communion ...... 11.30 am

All Saints, Little Stretton. A traditional Sunday Service is held each Sunday Week 1: Evening Prayer ...... 3.00 pm Weeks 2, 4 and 5: Holy Communion ...... 11.00 am Week 3: Morning Prayer ...... 11.00 am

St Michael’s & All Angels, All Stretton (Local Ecumenical Partnership with URC) Contact: 724224 Sunday Services Week 1: Morning Worship 10.30 am Week 2: Holy Communion (Anglican) 10.30 am Week 3: Morning Worship 10.30 am Week 4: Holy Communion (URC) 10.30 am Week 5: Holy Communion (Traditional Anglican) 10.30 am

The Parish Office is in the Parish Centre, Church St. (Tel: 724224). Open 9am to 12.30pm Monday to Friday Secretary: Jo Aze. Email: [email protected]

METHODIST CHURCH Minister: Rev’d David Lavender (Tel: 07968 093608) Website: www.churchstretton-methodistchurch.org.uk Hall bookings: Carole Coles (Tel: 724958) Sunday Services Morning Service 10.30 am Weekday Activities: Mondays: Craft and Conversation ...... 10.00am - 12.00noon 2nd Tuesday in month: Wives and Friends group ...... 7.30 pm Wednesdays: Prayer Group ...... 1.30 - 2.00pm Wednesdays: Network ...... 2.30 pm Wednesdays: Babies and toddlers ...... 10.00 am

RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) Co-clerks: Lesley Richards and Charles West (Tel: 722068) Email: [email protected] Sundays: Meetings for Worship in the Silvester Horne Committee Room; Children on 4th Sunday in month . 10.30 am For details of home discussion groups please telephone the Clerks.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Priest: Canon Jonathan Mitchell (Tel: 01694 658091) St Milburga’s, Church Stretton Email: [email protected] Sunday: Mass ...... 9.15 am Wednesday - Friday: Daily Mass ...... 9.30 am Saturday: Evening Mass ...... 6.00 pm Catholic Women’s League meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month following the morning Mass at 9.30.

St Walburga’s, Plowden Sunday Mass ...... 11.00 am

UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Minister: (vacant) Website: churchstretton.urc.org.uk Sunday Services Worship, with Activity Club for children, followed by refreshments in the church hall ...... 10.30 am (On the 1st Sunday in month worship includes Holy Communion) Weekday Activities Mondays: (Week 1) Ladies’ Group ...... 2.30 pm Wednesdays: (Week 1) Ladies’ Link ...... 7.30 pm Wednesdays: Half hour meeting for prayer and discussion ...... 9.30 am Church Contact: Tel: 722123; Email: [email protected]; Room hire: Tel: 722092

Stretton Focus July 2020 45

52,56,60 Yellow.indd 1 07/06/2020 11:40 Clubs and Societies in Church Stretton with names of Secretary and contact details Allotment Gardens Association Alan Mileson 723999 [email protected] All Stretton Village Hall Liz Cinnamon 07790 527673 www.allstrettonvillagehall.org.uk All Stretton History Society Ruth Grafton 723187 [email protected] All Stretton Village Society Caroline Crump 723283 [email protected] Alzheimers Carer’s Support (Mayfair) Jackie Pennington 722077 [Monthly, 2nd Friday, 2.00pm] www.mayfaircentre.org Amnesty, Church Stretton Group Barbara Parnell 720040 Ancient Greek Study Group David Langslow 723538 [email protected] Archers, Long Mynd Sue Williamson 722767 [email protected] Army Cadet Force, Longmynd Valley Sgt Grey Arthritis Support Group Ann Bednall 724804 [email protected] ArtsAlive (Church Stretton) Michael Walker 720132 [email protected] Arts Festival, Church Stretton & South Shropshire Gloria Carter 724106 [email protected] Badminton Club (Monday 8-10pm) Mike Rounsefell 724162 [email protected] Badminton Club (Junior and Adult, Wednesday) Alan Fox 725588 [email protected] Beacon (Activities and Care at Mayfair) Joy King 722077 (Mayfair) www.mayfaircentre.org.uk Books (Mayfair Shop) Tony Crowe 723292 Book Sales (Mayfair/Rotary) Sue Hird 724235 [email protected] Bowling Club, Church Stretton Probus Glyn Morgan 722388 [email protected] Bowling Club, Indoor Alan Mileson 723999 [email protected] Bowling Club, Ladies’ Mrs M Paine 722489 Breathing Space (Singing for health and wellbeing) Kate Buttolph 720358 [email protected] Bridge Club (Thursday 1-5pm, All Stretton Vlge Hall) Dom Wilson 723128 www.bridgewebs.com/churchstretton Bridleways Association, Long Mynd and District Lynn Townsend 722667 Brownies, Church Stretton Judy Russell 724056 [email protected] Busy Bees Preschool Church Stretton School 722209 Camera Club, Long Mynd Amanda Page [email protected] Cancer Research UK Sue Toghill 722713 [email protected] Cancer Support Group, Stretton Lesley McIntyre 723427 Chamber of Trade, Church Stretton Stuart Wright 722237 Chess Club, Church Stretton Tom Williamson 722767 [email protected] Choral Society, Stretton Ru Trew 724297 [email protected]; www.strettonchoral.org.uk Churches Together Lesley Richards 722068 Church Stretton School Theatre Alan Fox 725588 or 07977 060303; [email protected] Citizens Advice Bureau c/o Mayfair 722077 (Mayfair) [Thursdays] www.mayfaircentre.org.uk Civic Society, The Strettons Charles Simmonds 724117 [email protected] Civil Service Retirement Fellowship, C S Group John Brewer 722965 Climate Care, Stretton David Howard 722904 Country Market (ex WI) Ann Lloyd 07889 143057 or (01694) 731274 Credit Union c/o Mayfair 722077 (Mayfair) [Wednesdays] www.mayfaircentre.org.uk Cricket Club Todd Cornehls 07807 160860 [email protected] Croquet Club Fane Conant 722610 [email protected]; www.churchstrettoncroquet.org.uk Cub Scouts, Longmynd (Tuesday Pack) Jane Wrench 723923 [email protected] Cub Scouts, Longmynd (Wednesday Pack) Andrew Spurling 723429 [email protected] Darts, Church Stretton and District League Mark Davies (Verd) 07588 517955 [email protected] Dementia Carers’ Support Emma Wilde 01743 341800 Dominoes, Church Stretton and District League Martin Salisbury 723253 Dramatic Society, All Stretton Amateur Eric Huff 723706 [email protected] Explorer Scouts Angie Walshaw 723477 [email protected] Extend (Gentle Exercise) Mayfair Nicola Daniels 722077 [Thursday mornings] www.mayfaircentre.org.uk Fitness Instructor Pam Allsop 723899 [email protected] Fitness for the Young at Heart Pam Allsop 723899 [email protected] Flicks in the Sticks (All Stretton) Kate Latchford 723378 [email protected] Flicks in the Sticks (Church Stretton) Eric and Lesley Brown 724330 [email protected] Football Club, Church Stretton Town Nick Cole 724362 [email protected] Football Club, Magpies (5-16 years old) 07816 686139 [email protected] Football Club, Stretton Red Rovers (6-15 years old) Martin Watts 723543 [email protected] Friends of Church Stretton Library Sheila Davies 723455 www.strettonlibraryfriends.org.uk Gardening Club, Acton Scott Terri Clegg 781572 [email protected] Gardening Club, Church Stretton & District Evelyn Dapling 723648 [email protected] Gliding, Midlands Gliding Club Ltd Office 01588 650206 [email protected] Golf Club James Townsend 722281 [email protected] Good Neighbours Care Group Office 724242 Guiding, 2nd Church Stretton Jane Hurst 771622 [email protected] Hockey Club, Stretton Juniors (5-15 years old) Martin Watts 723543 [email protected] Hope Bowdler Hand Bell Ringers Ruth Jenkins 724919 Horse Show, Church Stretton Sarah Davies 771370 [email protected] Interfaith Forum, South Shropshire Canon Noel Beattie 725530 Inner Wheel Club, Church Stretton Anne Tipper 771808 [email protected] Judo, Junior Roger Houston 01743 358415 [email protected] Karate Club Dave Shephard 724212 [email protected] Keep Fit, Stretton Lisa Ryan 751369 Languages Group David Langslow 723538 [email protected] Lesbian & Bisexual Women, Border Women Social Group borderwomen.net Line Dancing Dave Bishop 07527 264846 [email protected] Lions Club, Middle Marches Brian Dawson 01584 831508 [email protected] Local History Group Madeline Haigh 723627 [email protected] Long Mynd Adventure Camp Peter Jenkins 724919 Martial Arts, Freestyle 07852 961675 freestylemartiaarts.com/stretton Masonic Lodge (Caer Caradoc) Graham Williams 07939 109726 [email protected] Masonic Lodge (Longmynd) Charles Hennell 01584 856716 [email protected]; www.longmyndlodge.org.uk Maysi Project Janet Williams 722077 [email protected] Methodist Church Network Group Stella Jandrell 724531 [email protected] Mothers’ Union, Church Stretton Diana Coles 723548 Music: Strettons Classical Music Group Barbara Hall 724578 Ornithological Society, Stretton Branch David John 724772 [email protected] Parish Paths Partnership John Goyne 723914 [email protected] Parkinson’s UK Heather Broughton 01743 718174 [email protected] Photography, Marches Independent Geoff Taylor 723301 gtaylor.photo@btinternet,com Pilates (exercise) Sandra Liebrecht 781660 [email protected] Pride of Place, Church Stretton Trevor Halsey [email protected] Probus, Strettondale Alan Stockbridge 722317 [email protected] Rail User’s Association, Church Stretton Alison Bradley 722138 www.strettonrailusers.org.uk Radio Control Model Club, Church Stretton Tim Goodwin 720392 [email protected] RAF Roundel Club John L Davies 724703

46 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52,56,60 Yellow.indd 2 07/06/2020 11:40 Rainbows, Church Stretton Mary Procter 723469 [email protected] Ramblers, The South Shropshire Group Darren 07837 021138 Rangers (Girl Guides) Church Stretton Group Ana Ireland 723390 [email protected] Readers Group at the Library Felicity 722535 [email protected] RNLI Brian Bradley 722138 [email protected] Rotary Club of Church Stretton Len Bolton 724579 [email protected] Royal British Legion Les Mackey 724992 [email protected] Rugby Club, Church Stretton Samurai Martyn Longhurst [email protected] Rushbury and Cardington WI Kaye Smith 771554 Save the Children Ann Hurst 771622 [email protected] Scottish Dancers, Stretton David Thomas 722107 Scouts, 2nd Longmynd Group Terry Davies 723477 [email protected] Scrappies - Shropshire Children’s Scrapstore 328508 [email protected] Shropshire Strummers Adrian Thomas 724657 [email protected] Singers, The More Singers Deborah Croom-Johnson 07495 112795 [email protected] Singers, Stretton Community Kate Buttolph 07974 382989 [email protected] Soaring Association, Long Mynd (model gliders) Tim Goodwin 720392 [email protected] www.lmsa.org.uk Soaring Club, Long Mynd (Hangliding & paragliding) Tim Dunn 01588 672919 [email protected] Stepping Stones Nursery Anne Arkwright 722341 Stretton Players Simon Cleaton 07510 390981 [email protected] Stroke Group, Church Stretton and District Hilary Parker 723419 Swing Band, Stretton Jamie Wrench 723923 [email protected] Table Tennis, Church Stretton Leisure Centre 720051 Table Tennis, Leebotwood Will Priestley 724223 Table Tennis, Rushbury Ian Pennington 771410 [email protected] T’ai Chi Marc Lacey 722077 (Mayfair) www.mayfaircentre.org.uk Taiko Drumming James Barrow 720169 [email protected] Taoist Tai Chi, Longmynd Jo Lendon 01743 369787 [email protected] Teme Leisure Sue Wells 720051 [email protected] Tennis Club Claire Hatfield 720123 [email protected] Theatre & Concert Group, Stretton Jenny or Graham Heath 722216 [email protected]; strettontheatreandconcert.net Thursday Lunch Club (Ley Gardens) Margaret Hamer 722407 (or Dawn Longmore 722328) Traidcraft (fairly traded goods) Maureen Clow 722000 Tree Group, Church Stretton Hilary Hymas 723208 [email protected] Tuesday Day Centre, Church Stretton Liz Evans 328612 United Nations Association, C S Branch Ruth Davies 724304 [email protected] University of the Third Age (U3A) Lesley Brown 724330 u3asites.org.uk/churchstretton/contact Upright and Active (falls prevention strength & balance) c/o Mayfair 722077 (Mayfair) www.mayfaircentre.org.uk Walking for Health Nicola Daniels 722077 (Mayfair) www.mayfaircentre.org.uk Walking Football Ken Willis 328514 [email protected] Wildlife Group, SACWG, Community Penny Bienz 724853 [email protected] Wildlife Trust, Strettons Branch Wally Blake 724040 Women’s Group, Church Stretton 1990 Jaki Moores 722940 [email protected] Women’s Institute, CS Marmaladies WI Carol Greswell 07803 581580 [email protected] Women’s Inst., Rushbury and Cardington Kaye Smith 771554 [email protected] Women’s Institute, All Stretton Heather Hathaway 722537 [email protected] Yoga (Mayfair) c/o Mayfair 722077 (Mayfair) www.mayfaircentre.org.uk Youth @ St Laurence’s Sally Clilverd 724224 [email protected] Additions and corrections to this list should be addressed to: The Editor, Stretton Focus, by email: [email protected]

Church Stretton Town Councillors Town Clerk: Danny Chetwood RFO: Beverley Clarke Office Hours: Monday to Friday 10.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00 - 4.30pm Council Office: 60 High Street, Church Stretton SY6 6BY. Tel: 722113, Fax: 723608. email: [email protected] South Ward North Ward Little Stretton Ward Mark Morris 722741 David Wilks 723139 Mike Walker (Deputy Mayor) 720132 Hilary Claytonsmith 781666 Michael Braid 723364 Colin Carson 722784 Lee Chapman 723965 or 07458 117559 Bob Welch (Mayor) 722998 All Stretton Ward Hilary Luff 724270 Nicola Carter 07581 300498 Richard Hickman 722006 or 07944 505146 Lyn Antill 07734 294909 Sandra Baker 724394

Shropshire (Unitary) Councillors for the Area David Evans 01588 672179 email: [email protected] Lee Chapman 723965 or 07458 117559 email: [email protected], [email protected] (for CS tc business) MP for Ludlow Constituency: Philip Dunne, 54 Broad St, Ludlow, SY8 1GP, 01584 872187. StettonDale Local Joint Committee (Details pending) Responsibilities for Public Services Domestic rubbish: Shropshire Council 0345 678 9007 Street cleaning: Shropshire Council 0345 678 9006 Electricity power failure: 105 Gas emergencies 0800 111999 Last collection at Family Shopper letter box Weekdays 6.00pm, Saturdays 12.00 noon, No collection Sundays and Bank Holidays Some useful numbers Medical Centre Church Stretton School 722209 appointments and general enquiries 722127 St Lawrences C of E Primary School 722682 out of hours 111 Sports and Leisure Centre (Teme Leisure) 720051 NHS Choices 111 Church Stretton Library 722535 Ring and Ride 720025 South Shropshire Furniture Scheme 01584 877751 Shropshire Council (Shrewsbury) 0345 678 9000 Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 783 1359 - 24hr support Visitor Information Centre and Shropshire Customer First Point: 723133 South Shropshire Housing Association: 0300 3031190 (Housing and Support) Police - Non emergency only 101, Emergency 999 Local Police Team Message Service (not to be used for crime or emergencies): 01743 264773 or [email protected] Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT): Inspector Nicola Roberts [223695]: Tel 101 ext 4630; Sergeant Kapil Pindoria [21284]: Tel 101 ext 66601 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs): Lisa Thomas [226064]: 07870 163208; David Baron [226417]: 07870 163156; Julia St-John Martin [224002]: 07870 163199 Neighbourhood Watch Crime stoppers: 0800 555 111. Twitter: @SouthShropCops Police Station now closed, but there is a 24 hour telephone service there connected to another centre. Support at Mayfair Community Centre - run by the Community for the Community 722077 For activities and support groups at Mayfair, please refer to the entries under ‘Clubs and Societies’ and to their advertisement.

Stretton Focus July 2020 47

52,56,60 Yellow.indd 3 07/06/2020 11:40 Stretton Directory: Index to Advertisers Occasional Adverts not indexed

Accommodation Cleaning and House Care Integral Gardens ...... 52 Outdoor Clothing and see Hotels, B&B, Self Catering Cleanrite Services ...... 13 John Stephens Services ...... 52 Equipment In Depth Cleaning ...... 13 Keith Warrington ...... 52 The Outdoor Depot ...... 44 Accountants and Bookkeeping Shaw Clean ...... 13 Kevin Fryer ...... 52 James, Holyoak & Parker ...... 14 Shropshire Sweep ...... 13 Paul Forrester ...... 31 Painters & Decorators RLW Accountants ...... 14 Stanton Sweeps ...... 13 Paul Tinsley ...... 31 Andrew Webster ...... 9 Stretton Cleaning ...... 13 Peter Tip’s Tipper ...... 25 D R Tipton...... 9 Architects, Town Planning Shropshire Lawn Co ...... 52 E B Jones ...... 9 Christopher Roscoe Assocs ..... 14 Clocks and Fine Art Restoration Stretton DIY ...... 9 G H Jones & Son ...... 9 Strata Associates ...... 14 Stretton Fine Art Restoration .... 40 Tidy Garden ...... 52 Paul Forrester ...... 31 Town & Country Roofing ...... 25 Roger Lucas ...... 9 Bathrooms Clothes Unique Landscapes ...... 52 see Kitchens, Bathrooms Entertaining Elephants ...... 20 Pest Control Garden Machinery Chris Sansom ...... 52 Beauty, Slimming Coaches Newington Garage...... 32 Keith Warrington ...... 52 see Hairdressers, Health, Beauty Caradoc Coaches ...... 32 Stretton DIY ...... 9 Pet Food and Pet Care Bed & Breakfast, Self Catering Community Centre Hairdressers, Health, Beauty John R Thomas ...... 43 see Hotels, B&B, Self Catering Mayfair ...... 17 Anthony’s Hair Studio ...... 32 Netley Kennels ...... 23 Health & Beauty Clinic ...... 49 Bookshop Computing, Graphic and Web Middletons ...... 32 Pharmacy Burway Books...... 43 Design Shampers ...... 32 Hillside Pharmacy ...... 44 Jason Gough ...... 39 Builders, Plant & Equipment Nic Sansom ...... 39 Health, Therapies Physiotherapists A J Lewis-Price ...... 31 Stretton Internet ...... 39 see also Chiropodists & Chris Turner ...... 44 A Morgan ...... 29 Webbex Technical Services ...... 39 Physiotherapists Marion Murdoch...... 44 A P Property Services ...... 29 Amanda Bedding ...... 49 Physio Pilates ...... 44 A.2.Z Construction ...... 25 Cycle Repairs Birch Tree Reflexology ...... 49 Ben Homden...... 29 Go Cycling ...... 44 Bodylogic Mobile Massage ...... 49 Piano Tuner and Repairs David Spencer ...... 25 Cate Gowlett ...... 49 Philip Hooper ...... 20 E J & G J Groom ...... 31 Decorators Mandy Mason ...... 49 Farmer Plant Services ...... 29 see Painters, Decorators Mayfair ...... 17 Plumbers, Heating Gary Paris...... 29 Will Southee ...... 49 A P Property Services ...... 29 Joe Drury ...... 25 DIY & Hardware Gary Paris...... 29 John Hammond ...... 31 Cyril Bason Hardware...... 9 Hobbies Homefix ...... 17 K J Morris ...... 29 Stretton DIY ...... 9 Burway Books...... 43 J Morris ...... 19 Mark Terry ...... 25 The Door Knocker Company ...... 9 Debbie Cawte ...... 20 John Hammond ...... 31 Morris Maintenance ...... 29 Philip Hooper ...... 20 K & J Davies Gas Services...... 17 Paul Tinsley ...... 31 Domestic Appliances & Repairs Sparkle Balloons...... 43 Lee Brown ...... 19 Peter Tip’s Tipper ...... 25 A & B Smith ...... 40 The Prolific Crafter...... 40 Morris Maintenance ...... 29 Ryder Home Improvements...... 29 Continental Fireplaces ...... 40 Peter Floyd ...... 17 Sherratt Builders ...... 31 Norman Jones ...... 40 Home & Garden Ryder Home Improvements...... 29 SMM ...... 29 Sparkle Balloons...... 43 SMM ...... 29 Town & Country Roofing ...... 25 Electrical Services, Lighting The Garden Room ...... 43 Whitfield Plumbing ...... 19 Boxall’s Electrician ...... 43 The Prolific Crafter...... 40 Whiting Heating ...... 17 Cafés Charles Ephraim ...... 43 see Restaurants, Cafés, Pubs M C Electrical ...... 43 Home Furnishings Printing, Copying, Photo Stephen Morgan ...... 43 Abbey Carpets ...... 40 Products Calor Gas Wheatley Electrical ...... 43 Louise Watney ...... 40 Craven Design & Print ...... 39 A & B Smith ...... 40 Marshbrook Print ...... 39 Estate Agents Hotels, B&B and Self Catering Stretton Print & Supplies ...... 39 Cards and Gifts Howie Kent ...... 37 Eaton Manor ...... 13 Entertaining Elephants ...... 20 Miller Evans ...... 37 Mynd House ...... 13 Restaurants, Cafés, Pubs Stretton Print & Supplies ...... 39 Wrights Estate Agents ...... 37 Willowbatch ...... 13 Berry’s ...... 20 Royal Oak, Cardington ...... 20 Care - Homes and At Home Financial Services & Insurance House and Garden Clearance The Loft ...... 20 Bluebird Care...... 19 Caleb Roberts...... 23 Peter Tip’s Tipper ...... 25 Morris Care ...... 19 Crown Wealth Management ..... 23 Shopping Services NFU Mutual ...... 14 Insurance Vindicus ...... 20 Carpenters & Joiners Philippa Gee ...... 23 see Financial Services, Insurance E J & G J Groom ...... 31 Wrights Yorkshire Building Soc .23 Skip Hire J R Callwood ...... 31 Keep Fit John Stephens Services ...... 52 John Hammond ...... 31 Florist see Health, Therapies, Keep Fit Peter Tip’s Tipper ...... 25 Mark Terry ...... 25 John R Thomas ...... 43 Paul Forrester ...... 31 Kennels Solicitors Food, Delicatessen see Pet Food, Pet Care FBC Manby Bowdler...... 37 Carpets Entertaining Elephants ...... 20 PCB Solicitors...... 37 Abbey Carpets ...... 40 van doesburg’s ...... 20 Kitchens, Bathrooms A J Lewis-Price ...... 31 Storage Catteries and Kennels Funeral Director A.2.Z Construction ...... 25 Craven Self-Storage ...... 20 see Pet Food, Pet Care A S Morris and Son...... 17 Homefix ...... 17 Self-Storage Containers ...... 20 John Hammond ...... 31 Chemist Furniture Restoration Lee Brown ...... 19 Sweep Hillside Pharmacy ...... 44 J R Callwood ...... 31 Mark Terry ...... 25 Shropshire Sweep ...... 13 Paul Forrester ...... 31 Stanton Sweeps ...... 13 Child Care Garage Services Ryder Home Improvements...... 29 Hilary’s Childcare ...... 14 Burway Garage...... 32 SMM ...... 29 Taxi Central Garage ...... 32 Church Stretton Taxis ...... 32 Chiropodists MOT Clinic ...... 32 Logs & Charcoal Caroline Crump ...... 44 Kevin Fryer ...... 52 Tree Surgery Crown Podiatry ...... 44 Garden Design, Services, Church Stretton Tree Surgery... 52 Supplies Mobility Ben Carter ...... 52 Stretton Mobility Store ...... 17 Watches, Batteries, Straps Ben Homden...... 29 The Outdoor Depot ...... 44 Church Stretton Tree Surgery... 52 Farmer Plant Services ...... 29 Window Cleaning Handyman Services ...... 13

48 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 Adverts 2020.indd 17 07/06/2020 11:40 Promoting Well Being since 1982 THE Health & Beauty Clinic Treatments Available: • Make up for all occasions • Massage • Facials • Manicure/ Pedicure • Lycon Specialist Waxing • Lash & Brow tints • St. Tropez Ultimate Spray Tan Certified Fitness Instructor Pam Allsop The Old Bakehouse, Churchway, Church Stretton Tel: 01694 723899, Email: [email protected]

Stretton Focus July 2020 49

52 Adverts 2020.indd 18 07/06/2020 11:40 Many energy companies now offer a ‘green tariff’ which means that some or all of the electricity is matched by purchases of renewable energy. However some ‘green tariffs’ are not as green as they may appear. For every 1 MWh of renewable electricity from a truly renewable source the energy regulator (OFGEM) News from Stretton Climate Care issues a certificate known as a REGO (Renewable Energy Although during lockdown, we have not been able to Guarantees of Origin). The energy generator makes its run our weekly Advice Drop in Service at the Wellbeing money by either selling the renewable electricity it produces Centre, our work continues and trustees have put forward or selling the REGO certificate. Some energy suppliers will a submission on climate change to the steering group of the only buy the actual renewable electricity; others will buy the Community Led Plan for the Strettons. This sets out the REGO to make it appear the power they supply to you is issues, policies, actions and recommendations that Stretton greener than it actually is. Climate Care suggest should be included in the Plan. The The following suppliers clearly list the source of their Community Led Plan will in due course be subject to renewable electricity and are considered to be 100% green: extensive consultation, discussions and public debate which Good Energy, Green Energy UK and Ecotricity. have been disrupted by the lockdown caused by COVID Some suppliers however who appear to offer a ‘green’ 19. We would welcome any comments, suggestions or tariff are actually supplying only a percentage of electricity questions on the submission we have made. A link to the from a truly renewable source and make up the rest by full submission can be found on our website. buying the REGO certificates created by the renewable With social gatherings banned at present, our electric generators. They source the rest of the actual electricity from car day on 6th June was postponed so we have set up a fossil fuel generation. special electric car page on our website to help promote the Suppliers should clearly list the mix of the electricity vehicles we would have had on display. A search on Google they supply. Some tariffs are greener than others and that will soon find us. Also on the website is a selection of the green element of the supply can also include electricity from most requested information sheets we have produced in the nuclear generation. past year, one of which is produced below. This is a good example of ‘greenwash’. It is possible to see in real time the percentage of coal, Is your energy supplier really that green? gas, oil, nuclear and renewable energy generation for each The UK is now often producing more power from clean energy supplier by visiting Electricity Info real time fuel energy than from fossil fuels. Carbon free electricity mix. This is useful to enable customers to see just how includes that generated from nuclear and renewables. ‘green’ their supplier really is. Renewables includes electricity from wind, wave, hydro, Jon Cooke, Publicity Officer, solar and biomass. Stretton Climate Care

Giggle Corner Mayfair Lottery results for Sourced by Ken Willis May Man (went to butcher’s): “Can I have a pound of £100 223 £50 492 sausages please?” Butcher: “It’s kilos now sir.” £20 196 £10 628 Man: “I’ll have a pound of kilos then.”

A man was looking for a job on a building site. The boss: “Can you make tea?” Man: “Yes.” Boss: “Can you drive a forklift truck?” Man: “Why, how big is the teapot?” Trivia Answers Priest: “Do you believe in reincarnation?” Man: “Can I get back to you on that?” 1. Dodo 2. Mayfly Woman: “My son has taken up meditation.” 3. Hybrid Friend: “I suppose it’s better than sitting around doing 4. Left nothing.” 5. Polar bear

50 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 July 2020.indd 29 11/06/2020 10:29 Occasional adverts are Occasional Advertisements not indexed

To place an occasional advertisement, please contact [email protected] Size: 60 x 35mm, price £7.50 per month

Place Names he names of places on and around the Long Mynd usually have a long and interesting history. Being so close to the border with Wales, it is not surprising that many of the local place-names have a Welsh origin. Indeed, TWelsh was widely spoken as far east as Shrewsbury and Bewdley until the 18th century. The following lists some local place-names and their probable origin. [OE = Old English, ME = Middle English] Asterton Easthampton, eastern home farm Batch baece, land in a valley with stream (OE) Burway burh (fort) since the road passes one on Bodbury Hill Butt conspicuous hillock Callow calu, bare or bald (OE) Coneygarth coning erth, rabbit warren (ME) Duckley Nap duck, border + ley, clearing (OE) + nap, barrow or hillock Gogbatch gogge, bog (ME) Haddon haeth, heath or heather + dun, hill High Park pearroc, enclosed piece of land Jinlye gin, animal trap + ley, clearing Mynd (also Minton, Myndtown) mynd, (Welsh mynydd), mountain Netebech neat, cattle + baece, batch Nover’s Hill atten, at (ME), ofe, ‘at the flat topped hill’ Onny gwy and wy, water (Welsh) or onn, ash trees (Welsh) Picklescott Pikelescote, Picel’s cottage Plush (dialect) marshy Pulverbatch puldra, to gush (possibly Norwegian), Portway porte, town (OE) Quinney gwyn, white (Welsh) + wy, water (Welsh) Ratlinghope personal name Rotel, secluded place of the people of Rotel + inga, place in the valley Stanyeld stan, stone + helde, gentle slope = stony slope Stretton stratun, settlement on a Roman road (OE) Synalds sid, long (OE) + hlaw, hill (OE) Wern gwern, alder swamp (Welsh) Woolstaston Ulestan, personal name (OE) + tun, farmstead

Stretton Focus July 2020 51

52 July 2020.indd 30 11/06/2020 10:29 Ben Carter Landscaping, Grounds, tidy Property Maintenance Hedge cutting & reductions garden lawn care, mowing, spraying for all your gardening garden clearance needs fencing installation/repairs shed building/repairs Planting, pruning Mini Digger work mowing, hedging, etc. Please call 07891 376638 Call Bob Rogers or 01743 718802 Tel: 01743 244402 for further information or 07981 814518

Integral Gardens ● Borders maintenance ● Garden maintenance ● Garden restoration ● Lawn maintenance ● Garden design and soft landscaping ● Flowering plants pruning ● Wooden structures Carlo 01743 344417 07963 991533

KEITH WARRINGTON LANDSCAPE SERVICES All aspects of garden maintenance undertaken Grass cutting, pruning, hedgecutting, trees, patios, Pest control, wasps, moles, etc. FREE ESTIMATES Tel: 01694 658060 or 01584 861884 Mob: 07742 945768

52 July 2020 Stretton Focus

52 Adverts 2020.indd 19 07/06/2020 11:40