It's Beautiful Spring 2017

FREE ISSUE 1 SPRING 2017

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BRIDAL FASHION

FORWARD

BEAUTY

HAIR L AG O M

YOUR LIFE

CRACKING EASTER GIFTS

COMPETITIONS

WIN A WEDDING GOWN & GROOMSWEAR from WEDDING WORLD & MARTIN DAVID See page 53

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Welcome

The clocks have sprung forward.

Goodbye winter blues and say hello to spring...

Welcome to the very first edition of It’s Beautiful Shropshire magazine, the county’s only magazine dedicated exclusively to women.

This new handbag sized glossy brings you all the latest news, reviews, recipes, places to eat and must-have fashion and interiors style and trends.

Shropshire business women Sarah and Gemma tell us all about how they launched their new range of aromatherapy candles across Shropshire and find out why Nick Russell decided to ditch the whiteboard and set up an outdoor learning company.

If it’s the year you tie the knot, then don’t miss our wedding pages, full of all things bridal.

Parents can read the education pages and find out what our talented children are up to.

We hope you enjoy reading this magazine as much as we have enjoyed making it!

Charlotte Ruscoe EDITOR

Contents Objects of desire................................. 5 Fashion - denim................................. 7 Fashion - spring trends....................... 8 Katie’s Kitchen.................................. 12 Wild child......................................... 13 Interiors............................................. 14 Property............................................ 20 Education......................................... 33 Six of the best................................... 38 Beauty.............................................. 40 Wedding pages................................ 47 Bridal competition............................ 53 Recipes............................................. 57 Food and drink................................. 61 Music................................................ 62 Kids fun............................................ 64 Beauty competition.......................... 65 Last word.......................................... 66

It’s Beautiful

FREE ISSUE 1 SPRING 2017

Unit 2, Glovers Meadow, Maesbury Road, Oswestry, Shropshire Editor Charlotte Ruscoe Editorial & Production Director

David Lee-Birch t: 07713 609148 Sales & Marketing Director

Tracy Leonard t: 07989 293294 Production Designer Aileen Selkirk Fashion & Beauty Editor Victoria Jane McKenna Advertising info@itsbeautiful.co.uk Editorial info@itsbeautiful.co.uk

www.itsbeautiful.co.uk

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BRIDAL FASHION

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BEAUTY

HAIR L AG O M

YOUR LIFE

CRACKING EASTER GIFTS

COMPETITIONS

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April cover

Ashley Gamble Hair and Beauty Ltd in Shifnal, give their expert insight into the current trends for hair. see page 40

WIN A WEDDING GOWN & GROOMSWEAR from WEDDING WORLD & MARTIN DAVID See page 53

It’s Beautiful is published by DTS Media. The views expressed within this publication do not necessarily reflect those of DTS Media. The reproduction of any material in this magazine is forbidden without the written consent of the publisher. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, DTS Media can in no way accept liability for omissions or incorrect insertions or any consequences arising from use of this publication. © DTS Media Ltd. 2017

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Also available at - Pickles & Co. Church Street, Oswestry and Witzend Gallery. Castle Street, Llangollen.

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Alissia chambray blouse £59, Phase Eight

Forget double denim, think more denim-over-load. Spring/summer 17 is set to see an explosion of denim on the high street and high-profile fashion bloggers are wearing denim: Chokers, boots, jackets, jeans, dresses and bags, on the social media platform, Instagram.

Camilla blue high waisted ripped denim shorts £20, prettylittlething.com

The more distressed and customised your denim is, the better. Invest in an over-sized denim jacket that you can wear over your shoulders.

Skirt £45, Oasis

Jeans with floral embroidery are bang-on-trend too.

Embroidered denim jacket £20, George

Printed denim backpack £17.99, Deichmann Dolly Mix denim choker £6.99, dollymixjewellery. tictail.com Womens denim dress £29, M&Co

It’s beautiful | 7

STYLE The daffodils are out and the evening are getting lighter. Spring has most definitely sprung in Shropshire. Not sure what you should be wearing? Here’s a handy guide to our favourite new season pieces. trilby £12, top £18, jeans £24, sandals £20. All M&Co

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Stripe Packable Shopper Bag, £5, Accessorize

Julien Macdonald Long PJ Set, £18, Matalan

Two Toned Blue Bardot Neck Shirt, £24.99 New Look

We love

Crest jersey blazer, £95, Crew clothing

Pink Trench Coat, £25, George at Asda

Dune London - Guru, £80, House of Fraser

Pink Tie Waist Sweatshirt, £22, Simply be

Hobbs London, £65, www.hobbs.co.uk

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smell of success for Sarah and Gemma When friends Sarah and Gemma sat at the kitchen table some time ago, neither could imagine where their dreams and belief in aromatherapy would take them.

Driven by a desire to improve the wellbeing of her clients is at the heart of SOUL and Sarah’s ethos. Through her own experiences, she truly believes she can support people in improving and enhancing their feeling of wellness.

Through the combination of using Swedish body massage, Reiki and aromatherapy oils, they are able to create a bespoke

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or a

treatment for each client. The next chapter of Sarah and Gemma’s business is about to take Shropshire by storm.

Sarah and Gemma are excited to introduce their line of organic wax aromatherapy candles. Designed themselves and produced in Bath with expert advice from a local aromatherapist, Soul Shropshire Candles’ new range are about to be launched.

Being huge lovers of candles Sarah and Gemma were inspired to develop their own range of affordable aromatherapy candles that would support and enhance peoples wellbeing when lit, whilst still creating the most wonderful fragrances for the home.

Each candle is made with a variety of aromatherapy oils that have properties to enhance mood and wellbeing and go hand in hand with Sarah’s passion for Reiki and massage.

Both wanted to deliver a product that looks simplistic and elegant in the home but that will also relax, uplift and soothe the soul at the same time.

time approx 110 hours) featuring notes of Geranium, Sweet Orange, Lavender and Ylang Ylang - perfect for relaxing the soul and mind and Sarah’s personal favourite.

bergamot, ylang ylang, ho wood oil and clary sage, With a slightly stronger, wonderful aroma, this candle is tipped to be as popular and loved as the original fragrances.

UPLIFT YOUR SOUL CANDLE available in 30cl (burn time approx 50 hours) featuring notes of Neroli, Sweet Orange, Lavender and Rosemary. Ideal to lift the soul and enhance the mood. Popular with people leading a busy lifestyle.

With a strong friendship and support from their families, Sarah and Gemma will continue to follow their passion and belief in the benefits of these wonderful organic aromatherapy candles.

Soul Shropshire will be creating and producing even more wonderful scents for years to come.

SOOTHE YOUR SOUL available in 30cl (burn time approx 50 hours) featuring notes of Citrus Lemon, Geranium, Patchouli and Orange. A great one for rebalancing mind, body and soul.

The duo have recently created a new candle entitled Nero which was inspired by a family holiday in Tuscany and with a mixture of

Candles are available to buy at Apley Farm Shop in Annie’s Reiki Centre and Hush Boutique and Dress Agency, Market Place Brewood. To buy online, visit: www.soulcandles.co.uk

Soul Shropshire candles have the most gorgeous range of glorious aromas including the most popular ranges of : RELAX YOUR SOUL CANDLE available in 30cl (burn time approx 50 hours) and large three wick (burn It’s beautiful

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Advertisement feature

Katie’s Nursery

invites you to play Nurseries are under increasing pressure to provide ever-rising standards of childcare and follow strict guidelines set by Ofsted. But this isn’t something that fazes the staff at Katie’s Nursery based in Monkmoor; who are delighted to be able to offer the 30-hour government funded sessions to children and their parents.

The nursery provides a stimulating, friendly environment for children, and directors Katie Wellington, Amy Hagemann and Nick Russell want to do even more for the children in their care. The well-established Kids Kitchen on-site, offers cookery to children who can learn to cook as part of their daily routine. A wilderness area has also been developed that will boast a fire pit, eco zone, climbing wall, story circle and bug hotel to name a few… all carefully developed to help master basic movements such as running, jumping, throwing and catching, as well as developing balance, agility and coordination and an interest in being outdoors.

Male teachers are sadly a luxury most nurseries have to manage without, but the benefit of having Nick and his positive influence is already apparent in the nursery.

Nick is a fully qualified primary school teacher with 14 years of classroom-based teaching under his belt. Having taught in schools in London, Rome and Shrewsbury, and with a continuing passion for getting kids outdoors, he is developing an amazing forest school at the nursery to enable to kids to be outside year-round, building their self-confidence in a fun and interesting way. In his own words, it’s all about “building outdoor attitudes!”

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Amy has taught in early years in primary schools in Liverpool and across London for 21 years. She has led large teams of early years’ staff as an early years foundation leader, whole school teams in her role as deputy head of a primary school and has been the head of a children’s centre for the past 11 years. Amy’s work with families and children in the early years has been exemplified

by Ofsted and recognised by The London Borough of Camden as best practice. She is very passionate about children learning through child-initiated play, exploration, active learning and real life experiences.

The nursery is run by nursery manager, Amy Hagemann and is supported by her deputy managers Sarah Donnelly and Krissi Burns who, between them, look after the baby, toddler and preschool rooms. Their team of nursery practitioners are fully qualified and hold all current qualifications including first aid, food hygiene and years of experience.

Please contact the nursery, who will be delighted to show you around the fabulous facilities. Call 01743 730033 or email katieskidsnursery@gmail.com. The nursery is based at Unit 8 Hartley Business Centre, Shrewsbury SY2 5ST

Education

Wild child From the classroom to the wilderness, teacher sets up Head First Education, bringing outdoor attitudes into schools

Nick Russell, a primary school teacher with 15 years of classroombased teaching under his belt, recently made the decision to walk away from the whiteboard and set up Head First Education, an outdoor learning company.

Having taught in schools in London, Rome and Shrewsbury and with a continuing passion for getting kids outdoors, he decided that he needed to do more to get the nation’s young outside, looking at learning from a different angle – one where they are in the fresh air regardless of weather, where they build and plan, balance and carve. In his own words, it’s all about “building outdoor attitudes”.

Nick travels the UK with a van full of kit including string, sticks, saws, hammers, wood, clips and potato peelers (needed to make bows and arrows). It’s more than forest school as he tailors each session to run alongside the relevant curriculum topic, so it extends and adds to their current learning; a kind of hands-on lesson. He works with whole classes to encourage children to communicate, solve problems, build, explore, motivate each other, and evaluate their own and their team’s performance in rising to challenges. The sessions also free up valuable time for teachers.

“Parents pick their kids up after a day with us and stare at them covered in mud, holding all sorts of creations, and the reaction is always the same – they are thrilled to see their kids like this and full of gratitude” he says, “I want to help this generation of kids build outdoor attitudes to life, because I know how valuable that will be to them in leading balanced, healthy and confident futures”.

many kids who struggle in the classroom will thrive when faced with building a bridge, or digging an Egyptian irrigation system Outdoor learning is a hot topic at the moment, not only in the UK but across Europe, where this ‘fresh’ approach to learning has been embraced for years. “Being outside is a crucial part of a good education – and not only because of the obvious health benefits – many kids who struggle in the classroom will thrive when faced with building a bridge, or digging an Egyptian irrigation system. It brings out hidden skills and qualities in children that it’s really hard to tap into when you’re limited by the classroom…” says Nick, “…We’re not doing enough about it in our own schools, and teachers aren’t given any spare time to develop this in their daily planning. I left mainstream teaching to try and do something about it – even if it’s just one class at a time for now, it’s a start!”

In addition to Head First Education, Nick is a Director at Katie’s Kids Nursery, based in Shrewsbury. He has developed the nursery’s large outside space into a wilderness are where children can explore and investigate from a young age.

Find out more at www.headfirsteducation.com It’s beautiful | 13

Lagom Your Life

Last year saw many of us striving to reach the pinnacle of cosiness, buying in to the Scandinavian trend Hygge. Now there’s an even better, more sustainable and gratifying lifestyle dominating 2017…

Lagom (pronounced Lar-gom) translates to “not too much, not too little,” and is a way of living as opposed to a momentary state of bliss. The idea of being frugal, fair and leading the perfectly balanced life is something we can all adopt.

While hygge encouraged followers to indulge with luxurious candles, expensive wool blankets and mounds of rich cakes and coffees, the concept of lagom is quite the opposite, encouraging attitudes, behaviours and choices that benefit your overall wellbeing and happiness, your bank balance and the environment.

Catharina Bjorkman, Contura Marketing and Style Director, says: “Following the popularity of Hygge in 2016, 2017 will be all about ‘Lagom.’ Lagom is a Swedish term describing balance and moderation. It’s a lifestyle

Midnattssol small wooden candle holder £32, Isak.co.uk

Upcycling, recycling and using sustainable materials where possible is the Lagom way to enjoy the home comforts you love, without taking too much from the planet choice, of not having or taking too little or too much of anything. As well as being applicable to work-life balance and frugality, the term defines a sustainable way of living, which translates aptly into the context of homes and interiors. Upcycling, recycling and using sustainable materials where possible is the Lagom way to enjoy the home comforts you love, without taking too much from the planet.

“Wood burning stoves are central to those looking to style their home around a Lagom ethic, since wood is one of the most environmentally friendly fuels. It is a sustainable, renewable energy source, virtually carbon neutral and is also very cost efficient.”

Modern Wire Dining Chair, finished in versatile black, is an ideal choice if you are looking for an effortlessly stylish dining chair or a lovely one off statement piece of furniture. From uber-cool Dutch designers HKliving, £160. www.cuckooland.com

14 | It’s beautiful

The balance of doing not too little and not too much is a lifestyle that allows you to fully appreciate the things you already have, and what you can do with them. It isn’t about buying items to create a way of living, it’s about making the most of what is already in your home, embracing both happiness and frugality.

Introducing Lagom into your home has never been easier or cheaper with the help of a little chalk paint.

Ensure a warm welcome, whatever the weather with the Contura 510G in White Prices start from £1,695.00. www.contura.eu

Affordable, practical and zero maintenance - Wilko Faux Grass in a pot £6, Wilkinson La Redoute, Birgit Ribbed Glass Vase, £35.00

Recreate this SS17 look at www.amara.com

If you want to avoid the designer interior shops, you could use some creative flair and imagination to bring those much-loved pieces back to life and appreciate your décor once again.

Add plants and foliage to your home

The art of upcycling will allow you to transform your existing possessions into something beautiful and practical in equal measure. Old teapots can be used as quirky herb planters in the kitchen, or old mason jars mounted on the wall can become a unique toothbrush holders. Turn dated furniture into something to be proud of with RustOleum’s Chalky Finish Furniture Paint.

Hot on the heels of Pantone’s Colour of the Year “Greenery,” a lagom household is one that brings the outside in by introducing plants and flowers to living spaces. Plants are an inexpensive yet effective way of adding a touch of nature to your home, helping to keep the air clean and brighten up interiors. Choose from an easy-to-care-for cactus or spider plant or an orchid for a simple and elegant splash of colour.

Transform an old dresser with RustOleum’s Chalky Finish Furniture Paint.

Available from Morgans Decorators, Mile End Business Park, Oswestry.

The Afaw shaggy rug is a viral sensation with its own Instagram. Available in three sizes, from £99.00 www.laredoute.co.uk

Here’s to finding pleasure in moderation!

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Property

Five star quality Founded in 2006 by Chief Executive Colin Cole, Lioncourt Homes has grown from a small regional player to one of the fastest growing housebuilders in the UK, placing them in The Sunday Times’ Fast Track 100 league for two consecutive years.

The Worcester head quartered company, which currently has over 40 sites under their control, has recently set up satellite offices in Milton Keynes and Reading and is set to open an office in Bristol later this year.

This impressive growth has seen rapid turnover and profit growth and has almost doubled the company’s workforce year on year.

Lioncourt Homes is only one of 14 housebuilders in the whole of the UK to receive a 5* Home Builder Customer Satisfaction rating by the UK’s House Building Federation (HBF). This accolade along with recently being named Housebuilder of the Year demonstrates the company’s unique culture and their commitment to building quality homes.

Colin Cole, Chief Excecutive, Lioncourt Homes commented, “We’ve grown quite significantly but I feel that there is still so much more to come, that’s the exciting bit. We’re only at the start of what we can achieve” In the local area, the multi award winning house builder has an impressive portfolio of developments including Linley Grange in the small market town of Broseley and Heritage View located in Hadley.

The company will also soon be opening the doors to their stunning new show home at Daisy Park, Priorslee, which will comprise of 40 new homes including two and three bedroom properties in a range of styles.

20 | It’s beautiful

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www.lioncourthomes.com *Part exchange available on selected plots only and subject to terms & conditions. Please ask our sales negotiator for full details. Help to Buy cannot be used in conjuction with Part Exchange. The pictures shown are indicative images of Lioncourt homes. As we do our best to build a wide variety of homes on every development, the external materials, design features, and landscaping may differ to those shown in the image. Help to Buy is a government-led scheme and availability is subject to qualification. †Calls will be charged at seven pence per minute from a BT landline and may cost considerably more from mobile and other phones. Prices and offers correct at time of print.

It’s beautiful | 21

Create the perfect spring look in your home

In nature, the spring represents a new beginning, and some cultures will even wait until this season to celebrate the New Year. It means you’re ready for a fresh start, in body and spirit, and the same goes for your house. Feeling comfortable in your home has a major impact on your mood and wellbeing, so it’s certainly not something to be taken lightly.

It’s time to put woollen blankets into storage and replace them with brightly coloured plaids, give the sofa a fresh look with new cushion covers, and fill the house with colourful scented candles.

Small changes always bring a sense of the season into the home, but you can increase the effect in combination with beautiful wood. You literally bring that ‘outdoor feeling’ indoors, so it’s no coincidence that we’re going to start by looking at the basis of an interior: the floor.

After all, a floor can make or break your new scheme.

If you want to make a small gesture to introduce spring florals into your home, do it with a lamp like this one from Very.

Floral floor lamp, £79. Very.co.uk

Above: Crown Imperial ultra matt yellow and white finish Right: This flooring from Quick-Step looks fresh for spring.

If you’re feeling daring, why not transform the heart of the home with a two-tone contemporary kitchen design. Mix bold shades with neutrals to personalise your kitchen style. Add the finishing touch with your handle choice and matching plinths or for the ‘wow’ factor go for a super sleek mirrored look.

22 | It’s beautiful

We can’t talk about spring interiors without mentioning traditional spring florals. Full of the joys of spring, Emma Bridgwater’s printed spring floral (above) is a delightful array of tiny sponged florals guaranteed to brighten your bedroom. In a nostalgic palette of soft pinks, yellows and blues, the iconic sponged polka dot design is available in stores throughout the UK.

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Alton Works,Shrewsbury Long Bank, Bewdley, Heathgates, SY1 4BBWorcestershire DY12 2UL Alton Works, Long Bank, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 2UL Openinghours: hours:MonMon-Fri 9am-5pm 10am-4pm Opening Sat 9am - 5pm • • Sat-Sun Sun 10am - 4pm Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm • Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

at our head office branch during December 2013.

Photographs areprices for illustration purposes only during December 2013. Photographs are for illustration purposes only All savings are based on previous at our head office branch

Heathgates, Shrewsbury SY1 4BB 38 YEARS OF QUALITY MANUFACTURE

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Coming soon...

Daisy Park Daisy Bank Drive I Telford I TF2 9UL

Help to Buy

A delightful collection of 2 & 3 bedroom homes from multi-award winning developer Lioncourt Homes.

Now Selling off-plan To register your interest call: 0845 873 2880† or email: daisypark@lioncourthomes.com

www.lioncourthomes.com †Calls will be charged at seven pence per minute from a BT landline and may cost considerably more from mobile and other phones. Contact your service provider for more details. *All offers are subject to terms and conditions, please ask our Sales Executive for full details. Photographs show a typical Lioncourt home.

24 | It’s beautiful

Shrewsbury and Wem’s female emale Estate Agency business is leading the way... by hosting and sponsoring the first Shropshire’s New Homes Exhibition.

SATURDAY 6TH & SUNDAY 7TH MAY 11:00PM - 4:00PM

GREENHOUS MEADOW STADIUM, SHREWSBURY, SY2 6ST

SAVING YOU THE LEG WORK Shropshire’s first New Homes Exhibition is a Free Event for all those looking to buy, rent or retire to a brand new development being built within our County.

FREE ADMISSION

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London House 79 High Street, Newport

01952 820820

www.carpetloomnewportbeds.co.uk

Stockists of Hypnos, Sealy, Millbrook & Zeus beds.

Handmade beds by Kelcol and many more in our showroom

Call in at our extensive showrooms for a superb choice of beds, flooring & mirrors

Unit 6 Springfields Ind, Newport

01952 820401

www.carpetloomnewportbeds.co.uk

One of Shropshire’s leading stockists of Amtico and Karndean flooring expertly installed by our specialist fitters.

Our showroom offers one of the largest choices of wool and man made carpets and vinyl & wood flooring in Shropshire all available in stock or to order

10%

Free measuring and planning service plus an expert fitting service available gibing you complete satisfaction .

26 | It’s beautiful

Help to Buy

New homes now on sale in historic Broseley At Linley Grange you’ll find an exciting choice of three and four bedroom homes in a fantastic range of different designs, bordering the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage site.

3 & 4 bedroom homes available from £200,000 to £330,000

Linley Grange, Coalport Road, Broseley, Shropshire, TF12 5AW Showhomes open daily 10am to 5.30pm.

Tel: 0845 873 2881†

www.lioncourthomes.com †Calls will be charged at seven pence per minute from a BT landline and may cost considerably more from mobile and other phones. Contact your service provider for more details. *All offers are subject to terms and conditions, please ask our Sales Executive for full details. Photographs show a typical Lioncourt home.

It’s beautiful | 27

Deck out your garden ready for summer

Don’t tuck your outdoor furniture into a dark, cramped corner this summer!

A simple deck can completely transform a garden, particularly if used to level a difficult slope or form a link between awkward shapes, providing a whole new outdoor space to dine, entertain, or perhaps even facilitate a play area.

It doesn’t have to be a single large plain area of decking either. A deck can fulfill many design ambitions.

Punctuate with planting beds, a pond or water feature, a trellis

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Punctuate with planting beds, a pond or water feature, a trellis or a pergola to create a practical and attractive space or a pergola to create a practical and attractive space, often with a balustrade, terrace or steps to complete the scene.

Chris Nichols, owner of Decking and Pergolas says: “The joy I sense in people when they see and use a finished scheme for the first time is so rewarding. My decision to move to Telford and create this business a few years ago has been lifechanging for me, and with plenty of

testimonials to back this up, it can be life changing for my clients too.”

For more information email chrisnichols@btconnect.com or visit www.diggersdeckingandpergolas. com. Tel:07739 546167

Detail by Design

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For more information and to arrange a FREE quotation call Chris Nichols on:

07739 546167

Email: chris.nichols@btconnect.com www.deckingandpergolasltd.com It’s beautiful | 29

Open TO Trade & public

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Maesbury road, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 8HA T: 01691 670 367 Talbot Street, ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 0HQ T: 01691 622 540 www.tgbuildersmerchants.co.uk Opening Times Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:00pm*, Sat 8:00am-1:00pm, Sun Closed *From 27th March, Mon - Fri 5.30pm

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Jewellery

Purple Pixie Denise Perrett from Gobowen is the face behind Purple Pixie Jewellery.

Outside of her work for the NHS, she lives and breathes jewellery: “I have been making jewellery for five years and stumbled across my passion for silversmithing almost by accident. I attended lessons with a local metalsmith in 2015 with the intention of learning new skills to enable me to make copper and brass components that I could incorporate into my jewellery. I soon fell in love with working with silver.

“I slowly started getting together the various tools and equipment that was required and set up a little work area in the corner of the garage. At this point I was making a mixture of my ‘old style’ jewellery and small silver pieces, mainly rings and earrings.

As I learned new techniques my desire to make bigger pieces grew and last year in order to comply with UK legislation I registered with the Assay Office in Birmingham.

I am now able to make larger pieces which I send off to be hallmarked, and marked with my unique sponsors mark.

“My work is quite eclectic, I have several designs that I offer on a made to order basis and I also love to make unique, one of a kind pieces. I spend a lot of my time trying to source unusual stones and my latest discovery is cultured opals, each one is unique and beautiful.

“Most of my work is sold online at the moment and one of the most rewarding things is to receive an email or message from a customer when they have received their jewellery.”

Denise’s jewellery is available to buy from Pickles & Co, Church Street, Oswestry or on etsy.com/shop/purplepixiebydenise.

It’s beautiful | 31

beginners and intermediates for all ages and ability PILATES & YOGA forsuitable

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| It’s beautiful

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Education

Realising the dream

For each of us the dream is always to give our children the best start in life that we can and scholarships provide one possible way of achieving that. Not only do they recognise the talent and skill of the young person but they can even provide up to 50% of the school fees through the four-counties scholarships.

Unlike many schools, Bedstone’s fees are already inclusive of everything that you would expect and several things that you would not, like free travel to and from school on one of the college’s seven bus routes: Bridgnorth, Chirbury, Llandrindod Wells, Leominster, Ludlow, Presteigne and Shrewsbury.

We all know that our children are never one-dimensional.

Their talents can be found in so many areas of which academic talent is just one. There are artistic, musical, sporting and technological areas among many others and, within each of these areas, Bedstone offers scholarships to those who are prepared to demonstrate that talent from junior school to sixth form.

Bedstone’s music school with its range of professional rehearsal pods and recording studio, the fitness and dance suites, the sporting facilities, the excellent design technology and art studios all tell of the desire to educate

Moreton scores in Lacrosse

The sport of Lacrosse has always been well taught and well played at Moreton Hall. As the season of Lacrosse comes to an end, the school is seeing some excellent achievements on all fronts; regionally, nationally and internationally. Skilled sportswomen are achieving innumerable amounts in this sport, heralding a wonderful end to a fantastic spring term.

A staggering number of girls have been selected for the North Regional Lacrosse U15 and U18 teams. After showcasing their Lacrosse experience and talent they have been chosen to represent the North of England in the Regional Academy Tournament in April.

The following girls were chosen: Alysha Brown, Verity Carryer, Amelia Hacking, Yasmin Hui, Amelia Wray, Charlotte Clark, Eleanor Mason, Rosie Simpson and Cordelia Harpin.

Despite it being the first time talented Cordelia has embarked on this challenging selection process, she has been selected to play beyond her years for the U18 North Regional team, at the age of 14.

Cordelia, still excited from the news, commented: “When they read out my name, I was so shocked and surprised. It is my dream to play for England, it’s what I want to do and now I feel like one step closer.”

For talented sportswoman and Moretonian Milly Home, this childhood dream was realised as she gained a coveted

beyond the purely academic where Bedstone already enjoys so much success. Bedstone is consistently one of the top schools for the English Baccalaureate group of GCSE qualifications. The array of weekly activities which range from horse riding and mountain biking, to chess and debating, or chamber choir and ceramics are all part of a diverse range of opportunities which enable young people to find those areas where their interests and talents lie; where their expertise can flourish and their confidence can grow. A good education lasts a lifetime and it is the one gift that we give our children that just keeps on giving both to them and, in time, to their own families.

If you feel that this is part of the dream that you have for your children then why not visit Bedstone and discover for yourself all that it has to offer. The school caters for young people between the ages of four and 18 years old. Open Day is on 29 April and summer scholarship exams are on 13 May. For more information or to book a visit contact Sophie at: admissions @bedstone.org Tel: 01547 530961 www. bedstone.org

place in the U19 England Lacrosse team. Beating fierce competition in a tough selection process of regional tournaments and national academy training, 15-year-old Milly will now join 17 other players to represent her country on the national and international stage.

Milly’s journey and love for Lacrosse began at the age of 11.

Her passion and skill have continually developed and for the past three years she has been on the path to national glory. Her determination and drive has seen her through as she takes her place amongst the country’s top 18 players.

Hollie Harrington, Moreton Hall sports coach and former World Cup England Lacrosse player, commented: “It’s an amazing achievement for Milly and testament to all her hard work and dedication to the sport. We are all really proud of her!”

There is also hope of international success on the horizon, as she may be selected to play for the World Cup in Canada in two years’ time. England will compete against top Lacrosse nations such as USA, Canada and Australia.

Milly (pictured right) commented: “My end goal is the World Cup, I started playing in year 7 and I have dreamed ever since that I would one day play for England.

Now it’s happening, it’s incredible.”

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“Every girl in England should have at least a term in this environment” Good Schools Guide 2016

Open Day - Saturday 13th May

10%

Moreton Hall, Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3EW www.moretonhall.org/Open-Day 34

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01691 773671

Education

Back in time

Could you make a tasty meal from a ration book allowance? That’s the challenge Derwen College students created for themselves as part of their 90th birthday celebrations.

Special guest at Moreton Hall

The college, based in Gobowen Shropshire was founded by Dame Agnes Hunt in 1927 and students have been looking at all sorts of different ways to celebrate the different eras from that date.

William Hague, the Rt Hon the Lord Hague of Richmond, took to the stage with the managing directors and head girl of Moreton Hall School in March.

The Retail and Business team came up with the idea to challenge each of the student residencies to make a meal together based on the ingredients that were stated in a World War Two ration book.

The Lord Hague of Richmond shared his thoughts on Britain in the world post Brexit, to an audience of 550 regional businesses - plus the students and staff of the school.

Members of the public can also get involved by going on-line at www.derwenat90.co.uk to see the ingredients list or pop into the Farm Shop on site.

Junior

Senior

2nd April Derwen Sponsored Walk New route for 2017, starts and finishes at college. For more information and a sponsor form email bookings@derwen.ac.uk

Sixth_Form

OPEN DAY Saturday 29 April | SCHOLARSHIP DAY Saturday 13 May

Bedstone College, Bucknell, Shropshire, SY7 0BG | 01547 530961 | admissions@bedstone.org

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Advertisement feature

Tutoring for confidence and results!

Clever Tutors offers tuition across all subjects and levels but at this time of year we often get asked about preparation for SATs. Whilst parents know that it is the schools whose performance is being measured, they still want their children to do well.

As a consequence, they ask for help with what they can do at home in terms of preparation. Similarly, parents whose children who are keen to sit the entrance tests within the Shropshire Consortium schools, which includes the two selective schools in Newport, are asking for a bit of extra help at this time of year. Most schools provide information on their websites designed to familiarise children with expectations. In addition, working with one of our tutors will personalise the preparation. Again, it isn’t about coaching kids for the exams necessarily, it is about building confidence, familiarising children with expectations and the nature of the exams. So when it comes to it, practice really does make perfect! Check our Facebook page for information about the practice tests available on 18th April, 13th May or 31st May.

It isn’t about coaching kids for the exams necessarily, it is about building confidence This is the second year of the new SATs testing arrangements. The new-style SATs for English and maths reflect the new national curriculum, and are more rigorous than previous years’ tests. There is also a completely new SATs marking scheme and grading system which has replaced national curriculum levels.

For the KS2 SATs, children’s marks will be presented as a mark referenced against a score of 100. The score of 100 represents the expected standard which the children should reach. Anything above 100 means the child has exceeded expectations, scores below 100 means that the child will not have reached the expected standard.

If in doubt, give us a ring and a tutor will be glad to work with your child through the requirements. A trained and experienced tutor can do so much to boost a child’s confidence, as well as spot any gaps they may have in their understanding of the subject.

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36 | It’s beautiful

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Education

Super skiers

The Marches School recently took 40 students skiing to Zell in Austria for the opportunity to learn and progress in snow sport skills whilst embracing Austrian culture. PE teacher Sian Cooke said: “All students progressed really well, even the beginners completed red runs by the end of the week! They were a credit to the school.”

Annabel wins bronze

North Shropshire College student Annabel Bullen has received a bronze award for her skill in ‘mashed potato piping’ at the Welsh International Culinary Championships – the largest annual culinary competition for colleges in the hospitality industry.

“I enjoyed rising to the challenge that the competition gave me.”

Annabel said: “I enjoyed rising to the challenge that the competition gave me and it has set a bench mark for what I can expect next time I am invited to a high calibre competition. I would like to thank the competition organisers for the opportunity and I would also like to thank NSC and my lecturers for everything they have helped me with and taught me.”

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Six of the Best

CRACKING EASTER GIFTS

String of 10 little chicks party lights, £19.95. www.dotcomgiftshop.com

Fancy a change from buying the family the usual chocolate eggs this Easter?

Take a look at these eggcellent alternatives

The Cookhouse wall clock in Biscuit Box Red from Newgate Clocks. A classic vintage inspired kitchen wall clock, £70. Available from Oswestry-based Available in pink or blue, this www.newgateclocks.com personalised rabbit is ‘ear-resistable’ £29.99. Available from www.gettingpersonal.co.uk Hungry bunny night light, £3.95. www.dotcomgiftshop.com Sterling silver and 18kt yellow gold vermeil Easter egg charm, £65, from Links of London Gisela Graham Easter speckled egg wreath, £17.95. www.giftsfromhandpicked.co.uk

The Chocolate Tree contains over 200 solid milk chocolate balls. www.thegreatgiftcompany.co.uk, £55

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Welcome to Black Orchid Salon.

There are no judgments here. No glares of disapproval.

We talk to every guest about their look and their lifestyle before deciding what comes next.

We want you to be the best version of you.

Black Orchid takes the idea of a luxury salon and moulds it into something that feels comfortable and easy going.

We like to laugh and smile and want our guests to feel like it’s a relaxed afternoon at their best friend’s place.

Welcome to our world.

01952 461 771 josh@blackorchidsalon.co.uk www.blackorchidsalon.co.uk It’s beautiful

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39

Power

Searching for some seasonal style inspiration? Ashley Gamble Hair and Beauty Ltd in Shifnal, give their expert insight into the current trends for hair.

Bye, cold weather and dark mornings. We’re totally over our winter wardrobes now and ready to cast aside our jumpers and boots. For those embracing this summer’s trends, the stylists at Ashley Gamble Salon Ltd will make sure your hair complements your overall look.

Bold looks are all over the catwalks. With cold shoulders still huge, alongside deconstructed shirts, florals, 80s party wear and slogan tees, your hair needs to make a strong statement as well as your clothes.

The latest buzzword in the salon is ‘power’ and the new power hair helps you to be your most confident self.

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New power curls take the best of the 80s (bouncy volume) but leave behind the bad (crispy perms) for a soft, feminine and bold look ideal for special occasions. Big hair still has staying power.

For a wearable, polished look, the ‘power pony’ is bang on trend. Low, sleek and perfect, this is no in-a-hurry tieback; it means business.

Slicked back styles are sexy and simple but pack a powerful punch. The wet look is back and is fabulous for summer styles.

Let your topknot do the talking: buns are still in vogue, but for a 2017 update pile them high.

And wear with confidence.

When it comes to colour, take inspiration from pastel hues

and soft, subtle tones which will complement your skin tone; we specialise in high end ombres and root drags which flatter your face.

For a new look, wearable take on catwalk trends, advice on styling, or just a professional blow dry that will make you look amazing, our stylists are happy to help, so come in for a consultation and we’ll give you a warm welcome. We understand that your hair is one of your greatest beauty assets and will give you a bespoke look to suit lifestyle, using cutting edge techniques and exclusive organic brands.

So let’s embrace the summer trends with a fresh new look.

Now, where did I put my flip-flops?

Advertisement feature

Non-surgical Lipo Suction treatment Jane Millington, owner and head practitioner at Body and Face Options clinic in Maesbury Marsh, is our beauty expert. This month she reveals a cuttingedge non-invasive treatment called My-Lipo, which removes inches off specific body areas.

Q. Is this like liposuction?

A. No, My - Lipo is an alternative to surgical liposuction. It is very different to other surgical liposuction treatments, because surgical liposuction is where a calendula is inserted into the problem area, and then sucks out the unwanted fat in lumps often leaving the skin with indentations and a dimpled effect after treatment.

Jane Millington M.S.B.T.H I.F.H.B.C I.H.B.C

Q. How is My–Lipo different then?

A. Non surgical My-Lipo treatment is very different.

By using heat paddles, it heats the fat in the problem area which supponifies the fat itself making it into a liquid form, therefore easier

Aprils consultation with Jane Millington to drain from the body. This then collapses the fat cells and gives a smooth finish after treatment.

The fat itself is then stored as energy in the addipose tissue hence why we recommend that within 24 hours after treatment the client should commence some form of exercise from anything from a 20 minute walk to a full workout.

Q. What results can I expect?

A. Clients have lost anywhere between two to six inches over a course of treatments.

Q. Will it get rid of cellulite.

A. Clients have noticed an improvement in the appearance of cellulite.

Q. What happens after my treatment?

A. Hydration is critical. Drink plenty of water (ideally eight 8oz glasses of water) spread throughout the day.

Coffee and alcohol are discouraged.

We also offer Endermoligie which contours and sculpts the body and is also used within the medical field.

We have also launced Promax Lipo which tightens up skin on problem areas such as under arms, abdomen, thighs and any other area where loose skin is a problem.

the advanced aesthetic clinic It’s beautiful | 41

Advertisement feature

RAISING FUNDS For many years now, Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital and Severn Hospice have enjoyed a successful partnership and 2017 will see the hospital raising more funds than ever before in memory of a colleague.

On 16th January 2016, Mr Jan Sobczuk sadly passed away at Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital, a place he called his ‘home’. Jan was the hospital’s serving pharmacy manager, a position he had held for the past 15 years and died from cancer following a short period of illness.

Following the requiem mass and cremation, which was attended by over 65 current and past employees, Jan’s family had asked for donations to be made to Severn Hospice.

Carol Evans, who had worked with Jan in the pharmacy department began a collection at the hospital and was delighted to hand over a cheque for £200 to Severn Hospice.

A book of remembrance was also given to Jan’s family by the hospital.

Mike Haffenden, Nuffield Health Shrewsbury hospital director comments: “We have worked with Severn Hospice for many years and it seems a fitting tribute to our dear colleague Jan, to be working with Severn Hospice in 2017. Jan was a committed and dedicated member of the team and he will be sadly missed.”

Lucy Ruff, fundraising manager at Severn Hospice said: “We are very grateful to Nuffield Health for this donation. Severn Hospice provides specialist care and support free of charge to families across Shropshire and Mid Wales who are living with an incurable illness. The care we provide is free of charge, but not without cost and every year we need to raise around £7 million. We are only able 42

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Cheque Presentation featuring from right to left, Sam Tyler (Matron), Carole Evans (Pharmacy), Lucy Ruff (Severn Hospice) and Jasna Puvovic (Pharmacy)

“We have worked with Severn Hospice for many years and it seems a fitting tribute to our dear colleague Jan, to be working with Severn Hospice in 2017” to do this thanks to the kindness and generosity of our supporters.”

to care for people when they need it most,” added Lucy.

This is only the start of events that the hospital will be doing to raise money in memory of Jan. In May the hospital’s annual charity quiz evening will be dedicated to Jan and in June a team from Nuffield will be taking part in the Severn Hospice Colour Run – whilst another team will be part of the ‘paint brigade’ and will be armed with the green paint!

If you would like more information about the Severn Hospice Colour Run, or to sign up to the event go to www.severnhospice.org.uk/ events or call the Severn Hospice fundraising team on 01952 221351.

“We are delighted that Nuffield Health has joined us as a sponsor for our Severn Hospice Colour Run. This is all set to be a really great day. On Saturday 10th June Telford Town Park will be turned into a kaleidoscope of colour as people walk, jog or run the 5km course and get covered in powdered paint. As well as being great fun for all ages and abilities, everyone taking part is raising money for Severn Hospice and helping to ensure we are here

Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital was recently awarded a ‘Good’ rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following inspections in September and October 2016. This rating by the independent regulator of health and social care in England for NHS and independently run facilities, makes Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital the only acute hospital in Shropshire to be currently awarded a ‘Good’ overall rating.

For further information on Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital visit https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/ hospitals/shrewsbury or call 01743 817872

Meet our experts at Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital.

Are you having pelvic floor problems?

Many women suffer in silence with daily problems with faecal incontinence, constipation or prolapse. There are now several modern treatments to help people troubled by these problems. Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital is now able to offer a thorough assessment and treatment for these problems including specialist physiotherapy and the latest keyhole surgery. So why not book a consultation today and find out how we can help you.

Mr Adam Farquharson – Consultant Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Surgeon Adam is a core member of the specialist pelvic floor multidisciplinary team. Following a Fellowship in Sydney, Australia he now offers a comprehensive and individualised care plan that includes keyhole surgery techniques.

For more details visit: www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-adam-farquharson Mr Jon Lacy-Colson – Consultant Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Surgeon Jon is a member of the Pelvic Floor Society and a core member of the specialist pelvic floor multidisciplinary team.

Jon did his Colorectal Fellowship in Sydney, Australia and offers a wide range of individualised pelvic floor treatments including keyhole surgery. For more details visit: www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-jon-lacy-colson Mrs Rachel Bromley – Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist Rachel has worked as a specialist women’s health physiotherapist for 12 years and has a wealth of experience in treating pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. As well as holding three clinics a week at the Nuffield Health Shrewsbury hospital, Rachel also writes regular articles for local and national publications.

So why not book a consultation today for more information:

01743 817641 Shrewsbury.enquiries@nuffieldhealth.com nuffieldhealth.com/hopsitals/shrewsbury NUF0317293590-1

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Meet the Matron

Former RAF nurse and current Matron Sam Tyler explains why she is so proud of Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital’s team commitment to patient care.

The past 16 months have been a testing time for new Matron Sam Tyler and the team at Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital. However, their hard work has paid off and Sam is proud that after just over a year at the helm, her first inspection by Care Quality Commission (CQC) was rated as ‘Good’.

The former RAF nurse has been through many demanding situations over more than 16 years of military service, and has relished this latest challenge - to achieve a ‘Good’ inspection after just one year as Matron.

Sam arrived at the hospital in October 2015, knowing that there would be a CQC inspection ahead. She was keen to iron out any problems and strive towards achieving a ‘Good’ rating, making the hospital the only acute independent hospital in Shropshire to receive one. She is, of course, delighted that everyone’s hard work has paid off.

“I was ecstatic to hear we had achieved a ‘Good’ rating.

We had worked extremely hard during my first year in post to ensure processes, policies and frameworks were in place and robust. Not only did the staff have to get used to a new Matron and a different style of leadership, they also had to deal with knowing the inspection was coming towards the end of the year,” she says.

“Achieving our ‘Good’ rating has absolutely been the work of the whole team. Everyone from housekeeping staff / admin support to clinical staff have all pulled together to deliver and achieve. I couldn’t have asked more of them,” she adds.

“I was very proud that the CQC report highlighted the level of care that our patients receive when they arrive at the hospital. This goes from the welcome they receive at reception, through to the clinical care and discharge and how valued our staff felt. They stated that “patients were respected as individuals and were empowered as partners in their care and were positive about the care and treatment they received.”

Before taking the post as Matron in Shrewsbury, Sam was a nursing officer in the Royal Air Force;“I left the RAF at the rank of Wing Commander in Sep 2015 as I felt it was time I needed to settle down and not keep moving my children around,” explains Sam, whose fiancé Steve is still serving in the Royal Navy based at RAF Shawbury.

“We have four children between us, three daughters who are 12 years old and a son who is nine years old.

During Sam’s time in the RAF, she served in differing

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“Nuffield advocate ‘Matron-led care’, the matron oversees all clinical aspects of the hospital with patient safety at the forefront of this.” areas including a two-year overseas tours in Cyprus and operational deployments of Kosovo and Afghanistan.

She also undertook aeromedical evacuations as the team leader, bringing back military critically ill patients from around the world.

Her experiences have helped make her the unflappable Matron, she is today.

As the head of Clinical Services, it is Sam’s job to ensure the delivery of exceptional care; care that is more than Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.

Her key responsibility is to ensure that the patient experience is of the highest quality inspiring patient and public confidence. This is achieved through high visibility, accessibility and surveillance.

She says: “Nuffield advocate ‘Matron-led care’, the Matron oversees all clinical aspects of the hospital with patient safety at the forefront of this. I feel it is important to have a Matron who oversees things as you achieve continuity and focus on all aspects of care in all areas. This is one of the main things that attracted me to Nuffield Health, they have a Matron in all of the 31 hospitals and patients have comfort knowing a Matron is leading the care.”

But Sam isn’t resting on her laurels, and admits there’s still some work to do.

The hospital was rated as ‘Good’ for everything except some aspects of surgical safety which the CQC observed during the inspection.

Sam says: “I am not at all ashamed of the hospital’s surgical safety record and am absolutely confident and assured that all our patients’ safety is a priority.

“These are issues that have been and are being actively addressed. For example all of the consultation rooms in the Outpatients Department have been refurbished, which was being undertaken before the CQC’s followup inspection. As a hospital we strive to achieve the highest standards and will robustly address any areas where this may not be happening,” she continues.

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“My goal for our next CQC inspection in three years’ time will be to achieve the top rating of ‘Outstanding’.”

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Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital rated ‘good’ Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital has become the only acute hospital in Shropshire currently awarded a ‘good’ rating

Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital has been awarded a ‘Good’ rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following inspections in September and October 2016. This rating by the independent regulator of health and social care in England for NHS and independently run facilities, makes Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital the only acute hospital in Shropshire to be currently awarded a ‘Good’ overall rating.

The CQC monitors, inspects and regulates services to ensure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety in five key areas: safety, effectiveness, patient care, responsiveness and leadership.

The published report highlighted a number of good practices at the Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital including:-

• The hospital had systems in place to provide care and treatment in line with national guidance. There was effective multi-disciplinary working with informative handovers, good record keeping and communication • There was a stable leadership team who were highly regarded by staff.

Staff felt supported and proud to work within the hospital. They were very positive about the Matron who had been in post for 12 months and made positive changes to the hospital • There were sufficient numbers of trained staff to meet the needs of patients. We saw that equipment in all areas was well maintained and

kept clean to minimise the risk of infection. Records were available and well maintained Mike Haffenden, Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital Director comments: “We are delighted to have been rated as ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission and as a result we have become the only acute hospital currently in Shropshire to achieve this. I am incredibly proud of the whole team at Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital who provide outstanding care to our patients on a daily basis. This rating is testament to the dedication, hard work and commitment of our hospital staff and consultants.”

For further information on Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital visit www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/ shrewsbury or call 01743 817872

• Staff worked especially hard to make the patient experience as pleasant as possible. Staff recognised and responded to the holistic needs of their patients from the first referral before admission to checks on their wellbeing after they were discharged from the hospital • There were systems and processes in place to promote practices that protected patients from the risk of harm It’s beautiful

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Wedding packages to suit all budgets & requirements, please call Lisa to discuss

in Rural Heaven at Barnutopia Wedding Barn Stunning views Luxury Yurts

Glamping Weddings & Events t: (01691) 791 624 e: MrsB@barnutopia.com Barnutopia, Tanycoed Farm, Llansilin, Oswestry SY10 9BS www.barnutopia.com

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Full package based on 50 guests to include welcome drink and canapés, 3 course meal, toast (prossecco), glass of wine with meal.

Tea and coffee, venue hire

£2,000

Evening buffet Prices start from as low as £10p/h based on 50 people Brooks Around the Corner 69 Church Street, Oswestry SY11 2SZ Tel: 01691 654742 Email: brooksatc@me.com

When a white dress is the only thing that matters - romantic, feminine, whimsical or a style statement, your wedding dress will set the tone of your big day. We’ve picked our favourite frocks to rock your wedding.

Stylish, timeless and elegant Chloe from Alan Hannah’s Porcelain 2017 collection is designed and made in the UK and features a trumpet skirt and Bardot neckline in luxurious Thai silk. available from Wedding World www.weddingworldshropshire.co.uk

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w oo d i n g s & c o

1 BUTCHER ROW SHREWSBURY WOODINGSANDCO.COM

SY1

1UW

0 1 74 3 3 4 1 1 2 3

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1 Finding ‘the one’ doesn’t have to be stressful. Read our simple rules to track down the dress of your dreams.

Anne Tucker of Wedding World, Shrewsbury, shares her expert tips for buying your dress: “We know it’s the most important dress you will ever wear and you want to make sure it’s absolutely perfect, but having eight different opinions makes it much harder to come to a decision I have always been a believer that the most a bride should bring when dress shopping is two or three people.” When it comes to the best time to buy your dress, Anne says: “It is important to have the rest of your wedding details in place before you go shopping for a gown as many factors can influence the style of the dress. The major one is to have your venue secured – an ornate gown with lots of embellishments and a large train might look stunning in a large country house but completely out of place in a rustic barn or a beach in Mexico.”

2 Anne’s top three trends for 2017 wedding dresses:

1. The off-the-shoulder

We saw the cold-shoulder trend return last year and it has influenced wedding gowns too.

2. Take the plunge

The deep Vs have found their way to the bridal scene.

3. Majestic backs

Highlighting your back with an open style, mesh or embellished finish.

3

left: Ronald Joyce dress, Muse Bridal,

4 1. Irina lace bridal dress, Monsoon. £299 2. Twobirds Rosette gown from Wedding World 3. Nine by Savannah Miller Bridal collection, Debenhams. £420 4. TwoBirds Bridesmaid gown - the original wrap dress. One gown, two sizes over twenty different ways to wear it! from Wedding World

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Exquisite Designer Bridal Collections, along with a boutique of beautiful Mother of the Bride and Groom outďŹ ts, special occasion wear, evening and cocktail dresses

Tel: 01952 814631 Email: info@musebridal.co.uk www.musebridal.co.uk 123 High Street, Newport, Shropshire TF10 7BB Exclusive Stockists of Designer Collections

Our new Mirror Booth has colourful animations and voice guidance. Engage in a magical, interactive experience and take home a photo keepsake!

www.eleganteventhire.com www.elegantfunkyphotobooth.co.uk eleganteventhireshropshire

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Tel: 01691 670565 mob: 07929 032 275

wedding tips At last we can send winter packing for another year and welcome the first signs of spring. It’s Britain’s most beautiful season so The Wedding Planner School, lets us in on some top tips for bringing aspects of the season to your wedding. After all marriage is a new life for you, so what better theme?

Spring colours – pastels dominate the spring with yellow, pink, blue or green – by incorporating one or two of these you’ll add a fresh look to your big day.

Garden flowers – There are many beautiful, low cost flowers available at this time of year such as daffodils and tulips. Decorative tubs full of trees in blossom will bring the outdoors inside.

Leeks & Spring Vegetables – Spring vegetables such as leeks, carrots and peas are in abundance at this time of year and so are a delicious way to keep food costs down. But make sure your chef has a bit of imagination as plain boiled veggies aren’t always appetising.

Green Confetti – Dried garden flowers, or even fresh petals and blossom can be used as the ultimate biodegradable confetti.

Table Names – For some continuity how about using the genus of flowers in your bouquet as table names, seasonal birds and creatures. Or if you’re a closet fan, Eurovision entries would make a comical topic for May weddings!

Favours – We traditionally represent ‘new life’ with chocolate eggs, so why not have several small chocolate eggs wrapped up in colourful tissue as wedding favours.

You could even place one big chocolate egg per table as a centrepiece that can be eaten instead of dessert. If you let guests divide it up amongst themselves it should encourage plenty of interaction too.

Canapés – when your guests arrive at the reception feed them cheap and seasonal canapé alternatives: buttered hot cross buns or decorated chocolate eggs.

If you prefer something a bit fancier, how about rabbit and lamb tasters or devilled eggs?

Dresses at Julie’s Exclusive and elegant gowns for Balls, Prom, Weddings, Cruises and all special occasions

• CATERING FOR ALL SIZES • ALTERATION SERVICE

Friendly and relaxed atmosphere regular updates on Facebook

Telephone for an appointment 07510 260648 37 Hills Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 1QU www.dressesatjulies.co.uk It’s beautiful

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The Parade Shopping Centre | St Mary's Place | Shrewsbury | SY1 1DL Tel: 01743 272444 | www.weddingworldshropshire.co.uk | info@weddingworldshropshire.co.uk Untitled-4 1

20/11/2013 16:00

MENSWEAR & TAILORING 1-3 The Parade Shopping Centre St. Mary’s Place, Shrewsbury SY1 1DL

01743 236635

WEDDING & FORMAL HIRE 16 The Parade Shopping Centre St. Mary’s Place, Shrewsbury SY1 1DL

01743 343943

Menswear | Tailoring | Casuals | Wedding & Formal Hire Leather Goods & Accessories

www.martin-david.co.uk Email: store@martin-david.co.uk

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win A wedding gown and groomswear for your big day

Getting married and planning a wedding really is the most exciting of times and It’s Beautiful has teamed up with two of the regions expert companies to bring you the chance to win over £1000 of wedding attire – a wedding gown and groomswear!

T

here is nothing more special than shopping for “the one” – your wedding gown that is! Wedding World in Shrewsbury have a wealth of expertise in all things bridal fashion and aim to give every bride-to-be an unforgettable, enjoyable experience and a first-class service.

Since opening in Shropshire in 1983, Wedding World has built up an enviable reputation as one of the premier bridal houses in the West Midlands, supplying top quality wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses and accessories to hundreds of brides every year. Served by an excellent road and rail network its town centre location in The Parade Shopping Centre, in the heart of the beautiful county town of Shrewsbury makes its gowns and services easily accessible to bridal parties located in the whole of Shropshire, Staffordshire, the West Midlands and mid and north Wales.

You can win a beautiful wedding gown up to a value of £750 from a carefully selected and exclusive range of gowns from some of the world’s leading designers, such as Alan Hannah, Justin Alexander, Maggie Sottero, San Patrick and LouLou, all in a wonderful range of contemporary and vintage styles in an array of beautiful fabrics and trimmings.

The Parade Shopping Centre in St Mary’s Place, right in the heart of Shrewsbury is also home to Martin David, one of the most respected menswear retailers in the region.

Renowned for offering high quality menswear, Martin David has been based in The Parade for 30 years and has built up an enviable and loyal customer base by providing high quality menswear and tailoring coupled with informed and attentive customer service. So, to make sure the gentlemen in the bridal party looks amazing on the big day a trip to Martin David Formal Hire is a must! The shop, dedicated entirely to hire, carries a full range of formal attire for men and boys from tailcoat, dinner and lounge suits and all the accessories needed to complete the look. You can win a complete formal hire outfit of your choice worth up to £250.

How to enter

Simply answer the following questions: Where in Shrewsbury will you find Wedding World and Martin David Menswear?

How long has Martin David been supplying high quality menswear and tailoring?

When was Wedding World established?

Send your answers by email to win@itsbeautiful.co.uk with the subject line: ‘wedding comp’ Terms and conditions apply, see www.itsbeautiful.co.uk for full details.

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Oswestry’s best kept secret Driving through the fine stone gate posts and down the sloped gravel driveway, lawn on one side and lush woodland on the other, you could easily forget that Hayes Barn is only 10-minute walk from the centre of Oswestry.

The impressive building is flanked by a large south-facing courtyard, perfect for long sunny afternoons. Lush lawns overlook adjoining fields, mature trees and shrubbery; views from the banks stretch as far as the eye can see, taking in Rodney’s Pillar and The Wrekin- a secluded haven with everything on your doorstep.

Sophie Dillon, the creative force behind Hayes Barn is also the on-site business operator. After an eight-year career in television design she relocated to Australia in 2005, where she developed a successful career within the fresh produce industry. Returning in 2016, she has bridled two decades of passion and experience to create a product that delivers on style and quality- from interior decoration to home-produced cuisine and most things in between.

“I’m most proud of the feedback we get here,” said Sophie, “guests 54 | It’s beautiful

comment on the warm welcome and service they receive from me and my staff, nothing is too much trouble.”

Design, luxury and comfort feature strongly throughout Hayes Barn, from the quirky Snug Bar, a room full of things collected and preloved, two elegant dining rooms, bespoke bedroom suites, sumptuous French linen bedding and eclectic items at every turn.

Features

Hayes Barn lends itself perfectly to intimate functions; spaces flow smoothly into each other and the outdoor areas. The seclusion and privacy offered allows guests to enjoy a completely personal experience, whatever the occasion.

A large south-facing courtyard Leads from the dining room, with more seating available from which to sip a drink and take in the stunning countryside views.

From the other side of the room, bifold doors open onto a slate courtyard, overlooking a central raised flower bed, owl sculpture and grounds, lit by traditional street lamps.

Staying over?

Hayes Barn boasts four ensuite rooms to accommodate its overnight guests. Each one of the king-sized bedrooms suites is furnished to a high standard, mixing modern facilities with unique design features – an environment that oozes character, warmth and a whole lot of charm. Rooms start from £120 per night, including breakfast.

Dining rooms

With two large spaces comfortably seating 40 people each.

One room, complete with internal wall garden leads off the Snug Bar, the other, complete with original stone internal wall, looks out onto the rear grounds. Both rooms open onto the central horseshoe courtyard. The rooms can be reconfigured to suit different requirements.

Snug bar

Once you arrive you will never want to leave! A cosy and welcoming space, with log fire and reclaimed beauty all around. Corrugated iron splash-back, bullet-riddled bar front and some clever lighting adds character in abundance. An equally cosy mezzanine area up in amongst the beams looks down on the Snug.

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Theme nights

Fast gaining a reputation for its fabulous themed nignts, Hayes Barn has recently entertained guests with a lively St Patrick’s Day evening, featuring an Irish musician and traditional Irish stew. Plus a vegan night out featuring clever use of plant-based ingredients to create tasty vegan versions of some classic dishes.

Check the website to see upcoming events: www.hayesbarn.co.uk Attention to detail, high quality fixtures, fittings and produce, experience, and commitment to provide excellent customer service with a genuine smile and - often a sense of humour - means guests leave feeling happy. Services include, but are by no means limited to; luxury accommodation, bed and breakfast, associated functions, personal gatherings, group stays, supper nights, book launches, walking groups, conferences, corporate meetings, retreats, squash getaways (with exclusive use of a squash club).

Hayes Barn Luxury Venue and Accommodation Racecourse Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7PH To find out more about Hayes Barn, call Sophie on 0793 4089 185 www.hayesbarn.co.uk

The chef is on hand to produce mouth-watering, and nutritionally balanced options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The premises is fully licensed and a full list of alcohol on offer is available.

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Advertisement feature

Couple fired up for pizza business venture Husband and wife team Amber and Jolyon Iles started Amber’s Woodfired Kitchen after a lifelong passion for food and hospitality spanning over 20 years.

A mobile events and wedding caterer, the firm specialises in wood fired pizza, mezze, world foods and street food, taking inspiration from the couple’s travels around the world.

With a kitchen in Selattyn, just outside Oswestry, the couple boast a five star hygiene rating.

We are lucky to have so many good quality butchers and food producers on our doorstep.”

“We met while we were both ‘cheffing’ and after a brief spell away from the industry, we took a giant leap of faith in our cooking abilities and started a business together in 2013,” says Amber.

built pizza van, which is fitted with a top-of-the-range wood fired oven and everything we need to serve pizza to the masses.”

Since then the business has grown significantly and caters for multiple events every weekend during the summer months.

Some of Amber’s most memorable moments, include feeding actor Rhys Ifans, comedian Josh Widdicombe and Indie band Athlete.

“I love being my own boss,” adds Amber, “I get an immense sense of satisfaction from seeing people eat the food that I have cooked. The reward is instant. I also love working with good quality local produce in my recipes. We are lucky to have so many good quality butchers and food producers on our doorstep.”

The business, which employees up to six people in the high season, recruits and trains employees from April each year and encourages anyone with an interest to get in touch with them.

As well as countless weddings across Shropshire and Cheshire, the couple cater for four national festivals each year. This year sees them return to The National Eisteddfod of Wales for an impressive fifth consecutive year. They will also be debuting at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod this summer.

“We’re particularly excited to return with our brand new, custom

The future for Amber’s Wood Fired Kitchen looks set to be a bright one. “The new pizza van will open up so many opportunities for us.

It is especially appealing to the wedding and corporate markets. We would like to take our van into town and city centres and in time my ambition is to open my own bistro, café or restaurant in Shropshire.”

To taste some of the delicious food on offer, you can find them at Stonehouse Brewery on Fridays between 5-7pm and on Saturdays 12-5pm from Easter.

Amber’s Wood Fired Kitchen serving Wood fired pizza, Mezze, fresh flatbreads and other wood fired foods

TS RATE & PRIVATE EVEN O RP CO S, G IN D ED W AVAILABLE FOR

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To decorate Shards of white chocolate Mini Easter eggs Method: Line an 18 x 9.5 (7 x 4 inch) deep round cake tin with baking parchment. Preheat the oven to 180°c (fan oven 160°c), gas mark 4.

CAPPUCCINO CARAMEL TORTE From Bonne Maman – The Seasonal Cookbook (Simon & Schuster), £12.99

SERVES 10-12 Ingredients: 225 g (8 oz) unsalted butter, softened 225 g (8 oz) light muscovado sugar 200 g (7 oz) self-raising flour 25 g (1 oz) ground almonds 1 tsp baking powder 4 large eggs 1 tbsp instant coffee For the caramel cream 1 x 300 ml carton double cream 250 g (9 oz) Bonne Maman Confiture de Caramel

Pull all the cake ingredients, except the coffee, in a large bowl and using an electric whisk (mixer or hand-held), beat together until very smooth and creamy. Dissolve the coffee in 1 tablespoon boiling water and blend in.

Spoon the mixture into the tin and bake for about 45-55 minutes or until golden and firm to touch. A skewer pushed into the centre should come out clean. Cover loosely with foil if it begins to darken before the cake is cooked. Cool in the tin for 30 minutes before turning out on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, make the caramel cream. Whip the double cream until it just begins to thicken and hold its shape. The whisk will leave a trail when lifted.

Change to a balloon whisk (to avoid over whipping) and add 2 generous tablespoons of confiture de caramel.

Whisk until the cream again holds its shape. Add a further 2 tablespoons of caramel and whisk again until the cream retains its shape. Continue until all the caramel has been incorporated into the cream and the cream forms soft peaks. Divide the cream between two bowls.

Cut the cake in half, the split each half again to give four equal rounds.

Put the round, which was at the top of the cake, cut side up on a serving board or plate. Take one bowl of caramel cream and spread about a third over the cake, right to the edge. Top with a second round and repeat until all the cream is used.

Finish with the round that was at the base of the cooked cake, cooked side up, as this is the flattest. Press down lightly.

Spread the remaining bowl of cream over the top and the sides of the cake. Decorate with shards of white chocolate and mini Easter eggs.

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New Menu Launch Friday 28th April

Combining the best of our current menus with a summer twist and some new and exciting dishes.

Join us for our preview night on

Thursday 27th April

where diners can order anything off the menu and receive a whopping 50% off their food bill!

What an incentive to try something new!

Bookings only which must be made by Tuesday 25th April.

Date for your diary

Our next comedy night is Friday 21st July.

As usual, tickets only £10 in advance.

Hot buffet will be available for comedy goers at only £10.

We have been fully booked for our previous 2 comedy nights so book now!

Eccleshall Road Newport Shropshire TF10 8BY Tel: 01952 812169 Email: enq@swanforton.co.uk

www.swanforton.co.uk

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The Oakley Arms BREWOOD

The Oakley Arms sits on the outskirts of Brewood but is a pub well within the hearts of the locals who drop by on horseback or bicycle or along with their dogs during country rambles.

We are lucky enough to have the most fabulous lake which can be seen from many rooms within the pub and is flanked by our stone terrace which is the most wonderful place to dine on sunny days.

We like to think of ourselves as a charming pub with well-spaced rooms with wooden floors and roaring fires, a well-stocked bar at the centre of all things and a beautiful garden room filled with light.

The Oakley Arms, Kiddemore Green Road, Brewood, Staffordshire ST19 9BQ Telephone: 01902 859 800 Email: oakley@brunningandprice.co.uk

Our menus have their roots in modern British cooking, with a hint of the more exotic about them.

They change often to reflect the seasons and are supported by a well-balanced wine list offering a good quality but affordable range that we have enjoyed researching (very much).

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Vegan wines You might be a bit confused about the term ‘vegan wine’ – surely all wines are vegan? I’ll try to explain why some wines might contain animal products.

To make wine, grapes are picked from vines, sorted, de-stemmed and crushed.

The juice is then separated from the solid remains of the grapes, by pressing, either before fermentation (for white wine) or after fermentation (for rosé or red).

Easter treats for sharing Easter is the perfect excuse to entertain family and friends and to indulge in a few sugary treats, especially if you’ve been holier than though cutting back on the carbs over Lent.

Hot Cross Buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday. These fruity favourites are steeped in superstition and sharing one is said to cement friendships. Having said that, when they’re warm, buttered, and delightfully tempting, it’s easy to forget your pals.

Hot cross buns (www.fabflour.co.uk)

Makes 12 buns, cooking time 20 mins Ingredients 25g/1oz fresh yeast or 10ml/2 tsp fast action easy blend yeast 150ml/6 floz milk 2 eggs 400g/14oz strong breadmaking flour 5ml/1 tsp salt 5ml/1 level tsp mixed spice 2.5ml/½ tsp cinnamon 2.5ml/½ tsp nutmeg 75g/3oz golden caster sugar 50g/2oz butter 150g/5oz currants 100g/4oz mixed peel Method Mix butter and milk and warm until the butter has melted. Add the yeast and sift the flour, salt and spices into a bowl. Add the

currants and peel and stir to ensure they are well coated.

Add the sugar.

Stir in the liquid and beaten eggs to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a well-floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and no longer sticky.

Divide the dough into 12 and shape into buns. Place the buns well apart on greased baking tray.

To make crosses, slash the buns with a sharp knife or use thin strips of pastry or pipe on crosses using a paste made from 2tbsp each of plain flour and water. Cover the buns and leave to rise in a warm place until double in size - about 1 hour.

Bake in a hot oven, 200C/gas 6 for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Brush hot buns with a sugar/water syrup.

The fermentation turns the sugar in the grapes into alcohol, giving us wine.

Before the wine is ready for sale, other processes take place. For example, any obvious ‘bits’ (such as grape skin or dead yeast cells), are removed by various methods, such as racking.

Another method for clarifying the wine, which is widely used, is fining - and it is this process which can make the wine either suitable for vegans or not.

Fining agents remove the haziness and any tiny bits of skin that are suspended in the wine. Wine producers can choose from a range of fining agents, some of which are derived from animals. Egg whites, casein (a protein from milk), gelatine or isinglass (from fish bladders) can be used, none of which would be acceptable in a vegan diet. There are alternatives which come from mineral sources like bentonite clay, or activated charcoal from carbon.

Vegans who want to avoid such wines need to know which are available to them.

Unfortunately, many producers, especially in Europe, don’t label their wines as vegan friendly, so although many wines on the shelves are suitable for vegans, it can be hard to tell which!

Speak to your local wine expert, who will be able to pick the best wine for you.

By Amanda Jenkins of Oswestry’s Twelve Green Bottles TWELVE GREEN BOTTLES Open your door to

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Beethoven’s beautiful borderlands Oswestry is surrounded by beautiful countryside and boasts a proud history, but what has inspired a London-based tour company to offer to spend a week at the Wynnstay Hotel to enjoy all these things is the Whittington International Chamber Music Festival with its six evening concerts of Beethoven in May. “Beethoven in the Borders” is the fifth Whittington Festival to present a sequence of spring concerts celebrating just one famous composer. Previous festivals have focussed on Brahms, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Mozart, and the immersion into the music and mind of each genius in turn has succeeded in building an audience from all over Shropshire, the Midlands and Mid-Wales.

The one-composer model has also contributed to the festival’s success in attracting world class musicians from around seven different countries. It provides a rare opportunity for them to break from their schedule of flitting between big cities to spend ten days in spectacular surroundings rehearsing and performing seminal works they can either add to their repertoire or study afresh with friends. The brilliant Elias String Quartet are among this year’s fifteen artists.

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The brilliant Elias String Quartet

Schools and community groups in and around Oswestry benefitting from this residency, and a highlight of the festival is a short performance given at the Friday concert by young musicians together with the professional ensemble. A key aim of the festival is to introduce young people generally to the magic of live classical music and that’s why tickets are free for anybody aged 8-25. If it applies to you, you just need to book online.

Tickets at £15 can be ordered through the website www.whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk or bought at Rowanthorn, Old Chapel Court (next to Oswestry’s main car park), or Whittington Post Office. Or you can try your luck at the door of Whittington church.

25. 26. 27. 28 august 2017

Ceilidh Bands Concerts Morris Teams Workshops P@ndemonium! Children’s Festival refolkus for 11-20 year olds Craft Fair Great Campsite Singarounds & Sessions Caterers Real Ale & Cocktail Bars

T

S

ICKET NOW

!

E

O

N S AL

Loudon Wainwright III ERIC BIBB Faith, Folk & Anarchy Oysterband Skipinnish The Young’uns SARAH JAROSZ Le Vent Du Nord Dance Acts:

Chris Difford Jon Boden The Unthanks Seth Lakeman The Transports || JABADAW || GLORYSTROKES Jim Moray presents Upcetera Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders || STEAMCHICKEN || LASAIR Sam Carter Cara || CONTRASAURUS || BOLDWOOD Joe Broughton’s Folk Ensemble Jamie Smith’s Mabon The East Pointers Shrewsbury Folk Festival The Fitzgeralds Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys @shrewsburyfolk Chris While & Julie Matthews Coven

more acts to be announced! see website for latest...

www. shrewsburyfolk festival .co.uk

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SFF A4 Advert 2017 (Colour).indd 1

17/01/2017 11:48

Kidsfun Frogs in Ponds

RE

CIPE

Ingredients:

6 small sausages 1 apple, grated

1 onion, grated

a pinch of dried herbs 1tbsp vegetable oil 225g plain flour 4 eggs

250ml milk

salt and pepper to taste

Makes

12*

* 12 minis or 6 large

Hatching Easter chick

Lambs are starting to appear in the nearby fields, daffodils are out and we’ve even had a few days of early Spring sunshine! Celebrate spring by doing with this super cute Easter chick craft with your little ones :)

You will need:

2 pieces of card (one colour of your choice, the other yellow) Child scissors; Felt tips; Googly eyes Glue; Stickers; Metal paper fastener

Method:

1) Cut a large egg shape from your non-yellow card.

Next cut a zig-zag line across the egg shape.

2) From your yellow card cut a basic chick shape (body and head with beak) ensuring the chick is smaller than your egg shape.

3) Decorate your egg with stickers, add an eye to your chick and any decorative touches you’d like to add.

4) Glue your chick to the non-decorated lower side of your egg, ensuring the chicks head peeks above.

5) Secure the upper section to the lower section of the egg at the corner with a paper fastener so the egg hinges & ‘hatches’.

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| It’s beautiful

Baby Bird Café CIC has craft days every Sunday 9.30-11am 23 Cross St, Oswestry, SY11 2NF.

Win the ultimate hair experience! with Black Orchid Salon

The prize includes a colour from one of the amazing colour experts at Black Orchid and a full head of hair extensions.

To enter the competition email an image of yourself (head and shoulder) along with a reason why you should be chosen to: info@itsbeautiful.co.uk Winners must agree to take part in publicity associated with this competition which may involve photos and videos of the process. No purchase necessary.

Closing date for competitions is 28/04/17. For full terms and conditions regarding competitions please refer to www.itsbeautiful.co.uk It’s beautiful | 65

As Shropshire continues to change and grow around us what remains is an enduring sense of community and a pride for the place we call home

Last Word Spring is traditionally a time for new beginnings, so what better time to launch a magazine?

After taking the role of editor just a month ago, it’s been a whirlwind of meetings, mostly in Liar Liar – our pop-up office space - and a wonderful coffee shop-cum-vegan street food café in Oswestry. Owner Tom has patiently put up with our meetings, our demands for hot chocolate, pancakes and use of the ‘big’ table for hours on end. Thanks Tom. If you’re reading this, then months of hard work by the It’s Beautiful team have come to fruition. From concept to delivery, this magazine represents everything we love about the county.

This role has made me look at the county in a new way, making effort to visit places I’d never been before.

66 | It’s beautiful

I’ve always enjoyed ‘people watching’ and so one part of this role which really interests me is meeting new people for the first time and hearing them tell me their story. Having lived in Shropshire -specifically Oswestry - forever, I didn’t realise there would be so many new people to meet. I can’t wait to share with you some of their fascinating stories.

Over the years, I’ve watched friends come and go from the county, but what always remains is their love for where they come from - often returning with their new family after moving away for university or work.

As Shropshire continues to change and grow around us what remains is an enduring sense of community and a pride for the place we call home.

Wonderful picturesque towns

brimming with independent businesses are what makes this county unique and we ought to support them at every opportunity.

We have a great deal to be proud of, and with your help, we’d like to shout about it. We want to hear from you about your events, news and views on the county.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the support you’ve given us so far. I hope you’ll welcome It’s Beautiful into your home each quarter and make us a part of your community.

I look forward to meeting many more Shropshire folk in the months ahead. In the meantime, Tom - you better stick a reserved sign on the ‘big’ table, we’re starting work on the next edition.

Charlotte Ruscoe

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Preparatory School Open Morning

Senior School Open Morning

Friday 5th May 9am - 11.30am

Saturday 6th May 10am - 12.30pm

Independent day and boarding school for pupils 2-18 years old.