Bridgnorth Journal - 10-Nov-2022

PROBEAFTER BUS CRASHESINFIELD

Arriva launches investigation aftervehicle tips onto side –luckily nobody injured

DAVIDSTUBBINGS

david.stubbings@mnamedia.co.uk

Abus companyhas launched an investigation afterone of itsvehicles left theroadand ploughedintoa field near Bridgnorth before ending up on itsside.

Thepassengersand theirdriver escaped injury afterthe single-decker 297Arrivabus left the A442 at Danesford, near thejunc tion with Old WorcesterRoad, as it approached thetownfromthe Kidderminster directionataround midday on Friday.Sofar no explanation hasbeengiven as to howthe bus– whichnarrowlymissedaroad sign–ended up in the field.

Aspokespersonfor Arriva said: “We’re awareofanincident where oneofour vehicles entereda field whichwas levelwiththe road surface

“Asfar as we were awarenopas senger required hospital treatment although a firstresponder attended as aprecautionary measure.

“The vehiclewas recovered with minimaldamage. We areinvesti gating thecause of theaccident.”

AlveleyCommunity FirstRe spondersattendedthe sceneaswell as thepolice.

Bizarrelyitwas oneoftwo buses to endupoff theroadand in fields in Shropshireonthe same day; up near Ellesmereanother vehicle went down an embankment and into a field, whereitcametoreston itsside, afterthe driver took “eva sive action”toavoid an oncoming lorry on theA528atWhitemere, near Ellesmere.

Return of festivefairwill boostchurchfunds

Christmas is coming to town with thereturnofafestive fair forpeople to scoopupseasonalgifts –and help raise fundsfor agood cause

Theevent additionally raises moneyfor St Leonard’sChurch, whichcontributes to itsmaintenanceand helpswithany renova tion workthatneedsdoing PennyTaylor, secretaryfor the FriendsofStLeonard’s Church group,saidaround40craft stalls wouldbeinattendance, as well as

stalls forbric-a-brac andbooks Therewillalso be araffleand re freshments

Shesaidthe eventwas usually well-attended with up to 1,500peo plecomingalong over theweekend Sheishoping forasimilar turn outthisyearonSaturday, Decem ber3,and Sunday4

Furyasthieves take club’s defibrillator

Membersofarowingclubin Bridgnorth have reactedwithfury aftervital life-savingequipment wasstolen.

Adefibrillator–fundedby Bridgnorth Rowing Club –was tak en from itsstorage boxoutside the Boat House,BandonLane, in Low Town

It comesafter it wasalsoreported adefibrillator wasstolenfromjust four miles away,atMorvilleVillage Hall last week

Anyone with informationabout theincident is askedtocontact the police l Story–Page6

One hurt in carand motorbikecollision

Theemergency services attended a crashinvolving amotorbike anda carnearBridgnorth

Theincidenttookplaceatthe WheelInn junction in Worfieldat around 10.45amonSundaymorning.

Theambulance service, thepolice,and ShropshireFireand RescueService allattendedthe scene.

The fire servicesaidone injured person wasbeing caredfor by the ambulanceservice afterthe inci dent

The fire serviceaddedthatcrews movedthe vehicles from theroad andmadethem‘electrically safe’

‘Hoodedmen’steal digger from village

Ahigh-valuediggerhas been stolen from aconstructionsite.

Shifnaland AlbrightonPCSO SamNewbrooksaidthe thefthad takenplaceatCrossRoadinAl brighton. He said it hadhappened shortlyafter7.35pmonFriday, with threehooded menenteringthe site throughaninsecure gate PCSO Newbrook said:“Iamap pealingtothe Albrighton communi ty forinformation followingabur glaryataconstructionsiteonCross Road.Ahighvalue diggerwas sto lenfromthe address.”

Anyone with informationisasked to contactpolice.

First class entertainment, VIP packages, gift vouchers, theatre memberships, there’sa giftfor everyone this CHRISTMAS at the Grand!

Stacey Love-Holmeswith

aselectionofher handmadeitems for saleatthe Bridgnorthcraft fair.Pic:Eddie Brown.

TheBridgnorth ChristmasFayre returnsonthe firstweekend of De cember forthe local communityand visitors to thetownalike to pickup aspecialgift

First class entertainment, VIP packages, gift vouchers, theatre memberships, there’sa gift foreveryone this CHRISTMAS at the Grand!

Change of Remembranceservice venuethisyear

TheRemembranceservice in Bridgnorth will take placeinthe castle groundsatthe WarMemorial, notthe High Street as in previousyears, writes John Whitty, Bridgnorth RoyalBritish Legion chairman

Theservice will commence at 10.50am, everyoneisinvited to at tend this shortservice to rememberthose whomadethe ultimate sacrifice from 1914 to thepresent day.

TheRemembranceservice on November13will startwithafor

malparadefromWhitburnStreet.

Allorganisations,clubs andper sonnel wishingtoparticipate in the parade arerequested to form up on Whitburn Streetat10.10am

Anyone wishingtomarch in memoryofafamilymember or lovedone arewelcome to join the RBLcontingent of theparade.

Thebandwill lead the parade from thetop ofWhitburnStreetadjacent to theHighStreet followed by theRAF,RBL andveterans, uniformedorganisations andthe children’s associations.

Theparadewill marchalong the High Street andWestCastleStreet to thecastlegrounds

Thosewishing to supportthe pa rade canlinethe footpathsleading to thecastlegrounds

Allmembersofthe public are welcome to participateinthe serviceconducted in thecastle groundswhich will commence at 10.45am.

Afterthe ActofRemembrance, organisationsand personal wreathswillbelaidat theTown’s WarMemorial.

Achurchservice will be conducted in St Mary’s church afterthe castle ground service.

If youwishtoassistinany capacityorjointhe RoyalBritish Legion whichisopentoall,including those whohavenot been membersofHM Forces,pleasespeak to amember of theRBL or viaRBL Bridgnorth website.

TheBridgnorthbranchofthe RoyalBritish Legion looksfor ward to yoursupport forthe 2022 Remembranceservicesand poppy appeal as in previous years.

Chance to supportappealfor hospice at town fashionevent

MEGANHOWE newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

It needsthe fundingboost to meet theannualcostofproviding the best end-of life care forevery childand family needingthe service acrossthe county

TheFinalMoments Matter campaignhas alreadybenefitted from a ‘matched giving pot’ whichmeans thatsupportersnow have to raise £250,000tohit thetarget.

Bridgnorth hasahistory of supportingcampaigns forgood causes andnow Councillor KirstieHurst Knightishoping thelocal community will back ashoppingevening designed to raise cash forthe ap peal. Theevent will take placeon Saturday November19atCastle Hall andisbeing backed by anum berofindependentbusinessesand

tradersinthe town

Theeveningwillsee afashion show andthere will be thechanceto visitanumberoflocal stallholders

Councillor KirstieHurst-Knight said:“To give children andfamilies finalmoments that matter we need to raise £500,000.I’m proudtosay

this is what Bridgnorth does do well as acommunity we come together anddogood things.”

MandyHill, storemanager for Bridgnorth Hope House, said:“We have just 36 hourstoraise this amount andthankstogenerosity of some keybenefactors,weare start-

ingthiscampaignwitha‘matched giving pot’ of £250,000.Thismeans everydonationthatwereceive duringthe FinalMomentsMattercam paignwill be doubled.”

Ticketsfor theevening cost £10 andare availablefromHopeHouse’s shop in Bridgnorth High Street.

BY COUNCILLOR KAREN SAWBRIDGEBEM,MAYOR OF BRIDGNORTH

As Ienter thethird quartile of my tenure as town mayor, it seemsappropriate to reflect upon thehighsand lows of the last sixmonths.

Theatrocity of thewar in the Ukrainecontinues apace, much to theregretofusall.Then there’sbeenthe debacleofour government, wow,whatamess Number 10 hasbeenin, since Boriswas forced to resign

TheCovid-19vaccination programme continues. I’ve just hadmysixth vaccination.Con sequently,our national debt has substantially increasedduring thelast30months, theeconomy hasshrunkand we allhaveto paysomuchmorefor gas, elec tricityand essentialfood items.

We’veseenthe sadpassing of oneofour longestserving andmuchrespected Shropshire councillors, LesWinwood.

On the flip side though,we held our firstcarnivalsince 2019 andwhata tremendousevent it was. Visitors from ourtwin townsofThiersand Schron benhausencametoBridgnorth during thePlatinumJubilee,to shareideas forbettercommu nity involvement betweenour respective towns.

Otherpositive highlights from thesummer were thevisit from theQueen’s BatonRelay andwell-attended return of the amazingBurwarton Show.We have seen thesuccessfulreturn of theartsexhibitionand ghost walk andthe inaugural festival of SustainableBridgnorth

Just last Saturday Bridgnorth RugbyClubshowcased its amazing fireworks extravagan za whichwas asell-outwith around 4,600peoplewatching thetwo superdisplays.

Lookingahead, we have the RemembranceparadeonSun day, leaving from Whitburn Streetat 10.25am, proceeding down High Street,alongtoSt Mary’s forthe serviceat11am.

Tel: 01746 765255 www.perryandphillipsfunerals.com Email: enquiries@perryandphillipsfunerals.com 4Underhill Street, Bridgnorth, Shrophire. WV16 4BB Tel: (01746) 765255 CowleyHouse, High Street, Highley,Shropshire. WV16 6LF Tel: (01746) 862225

Looking forward to theFinal MomentsMatterevent in Bridgnorthare MandyHill, from Strike,CarolineDaviesand CarolineWhitehurst,fromFatFace,with Shropshire councillor KirstieHurst-Knight, right

Club starting up walking football

Bridgnorth Spartans arestartinga newTuesday nightWalking Foot ball Club to welcomepeopleback into football at agentler pace or if you wouldliketostart playingas somethingnew to do Walkingfootballofferspeoplethe chance to getout andplayand meet newfriends

Spartans arehoping to grow this into arecreationalactivitythatwill also be in thedaytime andmove outsidein summer months

Walkingfootballisopentoevery one,ofany ability with emphasis on socialand communitywellbeing Sessions areopentoall.Tuesday sessionsare at OldburyWells School East side sports hall from 8-9pm andstart next week on Tuesday. If you wouldliketoregisteryour interest or askany questionsthen please emailinfo@bridgnorthspar tans.co.uk or simply turn up on the eveningwhere Craigand Leswill be hostingthe sessions

Winter jabs call to mums-to-be

Pregnant women arebeing urged to have boththeir fluand Covid-19 boosterjabsahead of winter

Expertshavepredicted a toughwinterwithrespiratory diseases circulatingwidely,so in order to getthe best protec tion,expectant mothershave been urgedtoget theirjabs.

It comesasexpectant moth ershavea higher chance of de veloping complicationsifthey get fluorCovid-19.

Forwomen whobecome preg nant,itgetsharder to fightoff infections andthismeans they areatgreater risk from becom ingseriously ill with Covid– es pecially in theirthirdtrimester

It also meanstheyare at greaterrisk of becoming seri ouslyill from flu, with both ca pableofcausing complications formotherand baby

Centre is venue forsafety event

Acommunity safety eventwill be taking placelater this month

Theevent,for residents of Lawley in Telford, will be taking placefrom 12.30pm on Saturday,November 19

Hosted by theBournvilleVil lage Trustthe eventwillbeheld at Lawley CommunityCentre and will bringtogetherawidevariety of safety-orientatedorganisationsfor residentstospeakto.

Attendingthe eventwill be Tel ford FirstResponders,Bournville VillageTrust,Neighbourhood Watch, West Mercia Police,Neigh bourhood EnforcementTeam, Law leyVillage CommunityAssociation, Lawley GreenGroup,and Lawley Walkers.

TelfordFirst Responderswill be offering CPRtraining.

Otheractivitieswill includea children’s learning trail –witha participationcertificate andfree children’s goody bags

Activists’blueplaques criticiseMPoverriver

Campaignershaveinstalled blue plaquesaroundatown, accusing itsMPof“shamefully” votingto dump rawsewageintothe River Severn

Activistsalso turned up at Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczyn ski’soffice with abucket full of ma nure andatoilettostage a“dirty protest” over thesewageissue

However,MrKawczynskihit back,insisting thegroup were “spreading disinformation”and trying to present himasa “vil lain”.

Theraw sewage issuesparked outrage last year when ministers

rejected aHouse of Lordsproposal to putlegal duty on water firmsto reduce untreated sewage discharg es in October. Sincethen, multiple protests, includinga march in Co tonHill,Shrewsbury, andagroup of campaignerswearing fish heads and‘poo hats’atShirehall,have takenplace, calling foractiontobe taken.

Theblueplaques,which have been putupatvarious locations alongthe river in Shrewsbury, read:“Daniel Kawczynski 20th October2021Voted to allowraw sewage to be dumped in this river.”

KennyAnderson, aspokesper

sonfor theShrewsburyRiverAc tion group, said:“.Weall swim in it, boat on it, fish in it,and walk along it on adaily basis. So whyisn’t our MP fighting to stop it from being turned into an open sewer?”

However,MrKawczynskisaid theplaques were “vandalism”, and “don’t explainthe issueatall”.

“Myministerial colleagues and Iare clearthatthe currentuse of sewage discharges is unaccept able,” he said.“Iwould liketo assureyou that tackling storm overflowsisapriority. andthe Governmentiscommitted to pro tecting public health.”

Watercompany blames ‘toxic chemicals’ forstate of Severn

NICK HUMPHREYS newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Toxicchemicals areto blamefor thepoorstate of Shropshire’s main river, says Severn Trent.

It hasdefendedits record af terclaimsraw sewage wasbeing dumped inthe River Severn.

An anglingfestivalwas been can celled anda fisheriesreporthas de scribedShrewsbury’sQuarryarea as “terrible” with low fish stocks

Anglerscampaigning foraclean up claimtheyare “catchingmore tamponsthan fish”suchisthe amount of wasteinthe river

ButSevernTrent todaysaid78 percentofthe blamefor theQuar ry area notachieving good ecologi calstatuswas down to factorsout of itscontrol.

Aspokesman said:“Environment Agency measures show that the reasonsfor failureonthe stretchof riverare relatedtopersistenttoxic chemicals, whichare not as aresult of SevernTrent’s activities

“The EA data also showsthat twokey parameters linked to thriv ing fisheries, dissolvedoxygenand ammonia, areatbetterlevelsthan thoserequired to achievethe EA’s goodriver status

“SevernTrent is moving faster to improve thequality of theregion’s rivers, includingthose in Shrews bury.We’ve committed that ourop erations will notbethe reason for anystretch of river in theregionto be classified as unhealthyby2030.”

‘Witches’casttheir spellattown’sgolfclub

PAUL JENKINS

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

On theclosest Wednesday to Halloweenthe ladies of Bridgnorth Golf Club held aWitches funcom petition

The firstthree competitorswere

Womanseriously injured in crash

Awoman wasseriously injuredin ahead-on crashwitha lorry on a majorShropshireroad

Thecrash took placeonthe A49 near Oniburyataround4pm on Thursday). West Mercia Police said thecrash hadinvolveda whiteHyundai andalorry

They said that afemalepassen gerinthe Hyundaihad suffered “serious injuries”inthe crash.

Shewas takentoQueen Eliza beth Hospital in Birmingham for treatment

Police said no-one else wasin juredinthe crash.

Anyone whosaw thecollision or captured it on dash camisasked to contactofficers at westmercia police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/ or call 101quoting incident375 of November3

declared as witchesand presented with witcheshatsand prizes,by theLadiesCaptain

This year drew a fieldof39

players,takingpartover 13 holes, from 4to16.

In firstplaceand gainingthe titleof‘head witch’ wasBridget Kemp,with23points. Shenar rowlypippedRachelWren, who scored thesameamountofpoints, with Paulette Morristakingthird placewith21points.

Crewsrushto fire at theatrecar park

Fire crewswerecalledtoacar on fire in thetheatre carparkinTel ford

Firefighters were alerted to the BelfreyTheatre carparkinPrince’s Street,Wellington, shortlybefore 11pmlastThursday.

Therehavebeenaspate of arson attacksonvehiclesinthe Telford area so farthisthe year Butthe causeofthe fire wasbe lieved to have been downtoan

electrical fault, with no criminal wrongdoing beingsuspected

AShropshireFireand Rescue spokesmansaid: “At11.59pm on Thursday,November 3, SFRS Fire Controlreceivedacallreporting a car fire in Wellington. This incident wasacar fire causedbyanelectri calfault.One fire appliancewas mobilisedfromWellington.

“Crews used ahosereeljet to tackle the fire.”

BridgnorthGolfClubWitches winners, from left:Paulette Morris,‘head witch’ Bridget Kemp,LadiesCaptain Alison Grove andRachelWren. Photograph:AngelaPurnell

Golfersgot into theHalloween spirit with aspookily-themed tournament at Bridgnorth Golf Club

Aplaque accusing Shrewsbury’s MP overthe stateofthe Severn

Soaring flames lightupthe skyfor Bonfire Night

Bonfire Nightwentwithabangas thousandsturnedout to enjoy a majordisplay in thecounty.

Some 4,600attendedthe display at Bridgnorth RugbyClub’sEd garDaviesGroundonSaturday evening, with plenty more enjoying grandstand viewsofthe fireworks from variousvantage pointsin High Town.TownmayorKaren Sawbridge said theevent hadbeen asell-outsuccess andbothdisplays hadbeen‘super’

Therewerefurther bonfire events at Shifnaland Wellington cricket clubsand Blists Hill.

Shrewsbury’sWestMid Show ground hosted not one, buttwo

displays on Saturday evening.

Firstupwas achildren’s display, before themainevent lateron.

Thoseattending were also treat ed to musicalentertainmentfrom astarofone of thecountry’s most successfulrecentpop acts

BradleyfromSClub7performed anumberofthe band’s classichits, includingDon’t Stop Movin’

However,while theShrewsbury eventwentoff successfully, across Shropshirethere wasanger as the organisers of Donnington Bonfire, whichtakes placeonSaturday, No vember12, were left torebuildthe bonfire afteritwas destroyedinan arsonattack.

No barriertoItalian concept car’sarrival at town firm site

PAUL JENKINS newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Anotherhead-turn ingclassic sports de sign carhas headed for Bridgnorth to be pre paredfor aseriesof global events by local restoration specialists ClassicMotor Cars.

Thelow-slung Lancia Stratos Zero wascreated as aconcept in 1970 by design houseBertone at a time when companieswerecoming up with radicaldesignsinabid to winmorecommissions

TheStratos Zero iscertainly lowslung– it wasevenabletoget under thebarrier at CMC’spremises on theStanmoreBusinessParkonthe outskirtsofBridgnorth

Designed by Marcello Gandini, whocreated many of theworld’s most celebrated cars such as the Muiraand Countach,the Stratos Zero hasspent thelastsix months on displayatthe Guggenheimin Bilbao.Itwas goingondisplay at theClassic Motor Show in Birming hamonthe Lancia Club standbe fore spending three months at CMC beingprepared forarange of events next year

CMCmanagingdirectorTim Griffinexplained that StratosZero wasowned by PhillipSarofim, who also owns the AstonMartin Bull dog, whichthe firm hadalso recent ly restored Mr Griffinsaid: “Following on

from therestoration of theAston Martin Bulldog, Mr Sarofimhas entrustedustoprepare theStratos Zero forits next activities andgra ciouslyallowed theLancia Club of GreatBritain todisplay thecar

“Overthe next twotothree months, we will look at re-com missioning thecar both from an engine andbodyworkperspective,

Carendsuponroofafter collision

Four fire crewsweresentto help afterahatchback crashed into abarrier andended up on itsroof.

ShropshireFireand Rescue Servicesaidthatthe incident hadtaken placeatthe Ketley DingleInterchange –where the A5223crosses theM54 at Junc tion 6ofthe motorway –shortly

after6am on Sunday.

Theambulance serviceat tended theincident,aswellas firefighters from Wellington andMuchWenlock

The fire servicesaid: “This incident involvedone hatch back carwhich hadbeenincol lision with theArmco barrier androlledoverontoits roof.”

to ensure that it is up to spec and runningwell. It appearstobein excellentcondition,but we will put it throughaseriesofrigoroustests whichwill establishwhatwork needstobecarried out.”

DavidBarzilay, marketingand communications director at CMC, added: “Likethe Bulldog, thecar will gethugeattention wherever it

goes.NuccioBertone realisedthis aftertakingthe cartoLancia’s headquarters earlyin1971. After beingrefusedentrancebythe gate guards—hesimplydrove under neaththe barrier. We have repli catedthathistoricevent with the barriers at theStanmoreIndustrial Estate to show exactlyhow futuris ticand low thecar is.”

Partsofcountyare puton flood alert

A flood alerthas been putinplace forthe Ledwyche Brookand River Reain SouthShropshire.

River levels areexpected to rise at theBurford Bridge river gauge as aresultofheavy rainfall,itwas revealed

TheGovernmentannouncement stated the floodingofroads and farmland waspossibleovernight, whichcould affect roadsand land

adjacent to theLedyche Brookand River Rea. Theareas that couldbe impacted includeCleoburyMortim er,NeenSollars andCaynham

Furtherrainfallisforecastover thecomingdays.

Formoreinformation,visithttps:// check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/ target-area/031WAF200?utm_ source=Facebook&utm_medi um=social&utm_campaign=Orlo.

Countryparkto host festivefair

As thefestive season approaches acountry park near Bridgnorth is gearing up forits Christmas craft fair

TheSevernValleyCountry Park at Alveleywill be hostingthe event from 10am to 3pmonSaturdayand Sunday, November26and 27

Theevent will take placeinthe visitorcentre andwill includea rangeofitems.

Aspokesman forthe venue said: “There will be handmade itemsby ourvolunteers andKeith Dawes will be here with aselection of his wood turning.

“Alveley ArtSociety will have a displayoftheir work forsale.

“Bill Smithwill be here with his walkingsticks.

“There will be some handmade textilecraft itemsaswellascandles madefor SevernValleybeeswax,” said the spokesman If you are look ingfor somethingabit differentfor Christmas,come down andsee us.”

BT ‘street hubs’ plan thrown out

Plansfor sixthree-metre high BT ‘street hubs’inatowncen tre have been rejected

ShropshireCouncil’snorth ernplanningcommittee reject ed atotal of 12 separate applica tionsfromthe communications giantfor prominentlocations around Shrewsbury

Thehubswould have had 75-inchLCD screenstodisplay adverts, andwould also have included ultra-fastWi-Fi,USB portsfor rapidcharging, free phone calls, adirect999 call button,aswellasaninteractive tablet to access localcouncil services,support charities, the phone book,weather,mapsand otheritems

BT said they wouldalsoboost 4G and5Ginthe area

Theplanswererecommended forrefusal by planning officers, with thecommittee agreeing

Historic moment fornew Lord

Acouncillor hasbeensworninto theHouse of Lordsina historic mo ment in Westminster.

TheformerleaderofTelford & Wrekin Council, Kuldip Sahota, wasappointed to thehouse by the Labour Party–the firstturban wearingSikhtoreceive thehonour

Lord Sahota said that whilehe felt emotional during theceremony, he viewed theHouse of Lordsasa placeofworkand wouldcampaign forlocal councils and, as amember of Amnesty. He said hisfatherhad beenafoundry workerand he spent 14 yearsatGKN Sankey before go ingintopolitics.

Lord Sahota said:“It is agreat honour andaprivilege to sitinthe House of Lordsrepresentingthe La bour Partyand itsvaluesofequali ty,fairnessand socialjustice.”

He added: “I want to take the opportunitytothank my wife and familyfor theirunstintingsupport overmany, many years.”

TheLanciaStratosZeroheadsunder thebarrieratCMC recreating itsvisittoLancia’sheadquarters in 1971

Watching the fireworksfromCastleWalk, Bridgnorth. Pic: EddieBrown

MP backsbill to tackle pollution

Bridgnorth’s MP hasco-signed a ParliamentaryBill aimedattack ling theissue of microplastic pollu tion from clothing

Microplastic fibres areshedfrom clothing when wornand laundered, andresearch from theUniversity of Plymouth hasfound that asingle 6kgwashing load canrelease up to 700,000 microfibres into wastewa tersystems.Due to theirsize, they aretoo smalltobecaughtbystand ardwashing machine filtration sys tems andcan endupinwastewater systems, ingestedby fish andinhu manfood chains

TheMicroplasticFilters (Wash ingMachines) Bill wouldrequire manufacturersto fitmicroplas tic-catching filterstonew domestic andcommercialwashing machines andwould encourageconsumers to use the filtersinbothdomestic and commercialsettings. TheBill would also raisepublicawareness of the environmentalconsequences of mi croplastic releaseintowaterways.

Ludlow MP PhilipDunne, who chairs thecross-partyEnvironmen talAudit Committee, haslongbeen acampaignerfor tackling pollution in ourwaterways

He said:“Ourcommittee report on water qualityin riversmade clearrecommendations to theGov ernmenttocommissionasurveyof emerging pollutants andmicroplas ticpollution foundinour rivers.

“Muchisnot yetknown regard ingthe potentialharmofmicroplas tics entering ourhuman food chain, butitisclear that they aredamag ingour naturalenvironment and should be tackled.”

Fundsavailable forlocal groups

Communitygroupsfromacross Shropshirecan applyfor essen tial fundingtosupport projects andactivities–courtesyofthe Wrekin’s HousingGroup’s newlook CommunityFund.

Wrekin’s CommunityFund hasgiven considerable amounts of fundingtocommunity groups, localcharities,resident associationsand voluntaryor ganisations. In thepastfour yearsalone,ithas supported 124community ledprojectswith fundingofmorethan£160,000 Followingarecentreview, Wrekin’s CommunityFundnow offers twodifferent grantoppor tunities:

Wrekin’s CommunityChest offers grants of up to £2,000 to supportcommunity projects andactivitiesincommunities whereits tenantslive.

Wrekin’s PartnershipFund offers larger grants (over £2,000)toorganisations that areactivelyworking forthe ben efitofWrekintenants

SamHine, socialvalue and inclusionmanager with The Wrekin HousingGroup said: “Weknow that grants like these canmakeahugedifferenceto localprojectsand activities.The CommunityFundisaneffective wayfor us to supportgroups andorganisations that areac tive in thecommunities.”

Musicstarand bandmatesinhalloffame

Acountymusic legend joined his bandmatestoreceiveatop acco lade at oneofthe industry’s biggest events

JudasPriestguitarist KK Down ingand hisfellowbandmembers received the‘MusicalExcellence’ as they were inducted in theRock& Roll Hall of Fame

At aceremonyinLos Angeles, the Bridgnorth-basedguitarist’s fellow bandmate,singerRob Halford, also joined DollyPartononstage fora duet,as thecountry musiclegend washerself inducted into thehall of fame

ANDREW DALTON Associated Press

JudasPriestperformed hits in cludingBreakingThe Lawand Liv ingAfter Midnight. “Theydefined thesound we call heavymetal,” Al iceCoopersaidinductingthe band Halfordpraisedthe heavymet al communityfor being“allinclu sive”. “Hello,I’m thegay guyinthe group,”Halford, whocameout in 1998, said to open hisacceptance speech.

DollyPartonwas theheadliner,

leadinganall-starjam of her fellow inducteesonher countryclassicJo lene with DuranDuran’s SimonLe Bonand even Jalfordjoining heron vocals.Duran Duranwerealso in ducted at theMicrosoft Theatre in LosAngeles andovercame an early technical hitchthatleftthe Bir mimghambandinaudible

“The wonderful spontaneous world of rock ‘n’roll!”the 64-yearoldLeBon shouted as theband stopped forado-over.Th

Missingwas originalguitarist Andy Taylor,who is fighting ad vanced prostate cancer

Brace forwinter floodsnow –warn expertsin call foraction

Communitiesacrossthe region are beingurged to preparefor flooding this winter with theEnvironment Agency warninghouseholdersof “ignoringthe danger at yourown peril”

Nearly 144,000 properties areat risk of floodinginthe West Mid landsregionincluding Shropshire

The figure includes 54,663prop erties at risk in Shropshire

Amid increasedextreme weather events broughtonbythe climate emergency, theagencyislaunch inganawareness campaign today –Flood Action Week –toencourage thosewho live in areasatrisktoact nowtoprotect theirhome

This year theWestMidlandsex perienced itshighestever recorded temperatures,withMet Office con firmingthatEnglandhad itsjoint hottestsummer on record

Much of thecountry remainsin drought.

Lookingahead to this winter, although theMet Office says the chance of wetand windyweath er increasesaswego throughthe season,unexpected floodingcould occurat anytimeand communities arebeing warned nottobecompla cent followingthissummer’s dry weather.

Oneofthe keymessages coming from COP27, whichgot underway in Egyptthisweek, is that we must plan andprepare forincreasingly extremeevents

During FloodActionWeek, which runs untilSunday, theEnviron ment Agency is urging peopleto checktheir flood risk online,sign up for flood warnings andknow what to do if floodinghits.

Rowing club membershit out overthe theftofdefibrillator

Membersofa rowing club have beenleftangryand frustrated after vitallife-saving equipment wasstolen.

Adefibrillator –fundedby Bridgnorth Rowing Club –was tak en from itsstorage boxoutside the Boat House, Bandon Lane

It comesafteritwas also reported adefibrillator wasstolenfromjust four milesaway, at MorvilleVillage Hall last week

Martin Evans, club safety officer at Bridgnorth Rowing Club,said thetheft wasas badas ‘stealing from an ambulance’ andhesaidthe club wasdevastated by thelossof equipment whichservesthe whole community.

He said:“We areverydisappoint ed as we have only recently hadour defibrillator upgraded as well,” he said.“It’s £800-900 worth of equip ment whichhas been taken.

“The park it serves is such abusy

MATTHEWPANTER matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

one, as well,sothisisreallyupset ting. We’velostsomethingthathas thepotential to be widely usedand save liveswithinthe community

“It’savaluableresourcefor the wholetownand to discover that it appears to be oneofanumberof thefts around theareamakes it all themorefrustrating

“I canonlyhopethatpolice find outwho is doingthisand an exam pleismadeofthem.

Trivial

“It’scertainly not atrivial matter This is likestealing from an ambu lanceasfar as Iamconcerned.It’s that sort of gravityofa crime.

“The defibrillator wasfundedby thecluband we now have to con siderwaysofreplacing it.Wewill have to digdeepto find themoney becauseitisessential forthe area.”

Police saythe theftisbelievedto have happened on October21. Any onewithinformation should quote incidentnumberof22/109284/22

It came afteradefibrillator was confirmed as having been taken from Morvillelastweek, by Much Wenlockand Broseley PCSO,Mal Goddard. He said:“Defibrillators arelife-saving equipment andthis theftiscompletelyunacceptable.”

ChrisCaine,the chairman of MorvilleVillageHall, said:“Defi brillatorsare absolutely vitaland save lives. So losing this nowmeans thenearest onetousissomewhere likeMuchWenlock,Monkhopton or Bridgnorth.We filled thegap for people whomight need it

“It’sjustverysad andit’sdisap pointingtohearofthiscrime seem inglyincreasing.”

Anyone with anyinformation aboutthisincidentisasked to con tact police on e-mail at bmw.snt@ westmercia.police.uk –referring to incident00206_I_02112022

Ian Hill, K.KDowning,Rob Halford, ScottTravis, LesBinks,and Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest at theceremony

COMMENT

At atimewhenpeoplemost need help, it’s nowhere to be seen.Ata time when people canleast afford austerity, they’refacingcutsona larg er scalethanthose under DavidCameron

Theeconomy is in amess and thesoberingnewsisthatthings aregoing to getmuchworse for individualsbeforetheystart to getbetter.

Wages areeffectively falling, thecostoflivingisrisingand thepeoplewho were encouraged to buyintothe fallacyofcheap moneyare findingout that there’snosuchthing

Mortgageholders arefacinga freshblow amid warnings that we areoncourse forthe longest recessionsince reliable records beganinthe 1920s.Peoplewith amortgagethatdirectlytracks theBankofEngland base rate will seetheir monthly payments rise by an averageof£73 as aresult of last week’s rate hike

It is thelatestin astringof base rate increases, meaning that,sinceDecember last year, theaveragemonthly tracker mortgage paymentwill have increasedby£284.17 in total, accordingto figuresfromtrade association UK Finance.

It is importantthatpeople don’tpanic,but that they do seek advice.The drasticmeasures areintendedtosteady the Britisheconomy,bring down inflationand putusonamore even keel

Thebravado of theLiz Truss administration hasmadeway foragrimreality anditisclear that hershort-livedeconomic policy dugBritain’s economic hole alittledeeper.

Onebrightsidetothe interest rate hike should be forsavers. Butishas become clearthat banks, whileveryquick to raise mortgage andloanrates,are reluctanttogivebacktosavers

Like energy companiesand petrol firms, they standaccused of profiteering at ourcost.

TheRiverSevernisajewel for ourwhole region andtiesustogether

As it makesits wayfrom north to south, it provides corridors fornatureand leisure.It used to be aroute forindustry andtrade andisnow enjoyed for leisure

Yetitisbeing bespoiled as rawsewageisdumpedintothe river,creatingsimilar scenes to thedisgustingonesthathave fouled beachesacrossthe UK.

It is time furtherefforts were made to cutdownonthe amount of sewage ending up in rivers–andagricultural wastetoo

We aresupposedtobeone of therichest nationsonearth and it oughtnot to be beyond us to compel water companiestodis pose of sewage cleanly.

Dumpingeffluent in the oceanorinthe river is apoor show when we have thetechnology andresourcestotreat it cleanly. Alackofpolitical will is the issue, alongsidethe unpalatable desire of directorstoput profitbeforethe environment.

Life without alocal is not worthconsidering

Here’s ajoke.Abloke walksintoa pubwitha lump of asphaltonhis shoulder andsaystothe barman:“Give me apint andone forthe road.”

How aboutthis: “A goodlocal pub hasmuchmorein common with achurch, except it’s warmer and thereismuchmoreconversation.”

Thanks to comedy legend Tommy Cooper andEnglish poetWilliam Blakefor providingacoupleofhumorouslines aboutpubsand there arethousands more outthere

That is theeffectofthe pub,a very Britishtradition

AccordingtoSpandau Ballet star Tony Hadley,there is nothing betterthanstandingatabar,talking nonsense,whilesipping apintof real ale: “Givemea pubratherthan afancy wine baroranightclub any day. They really arethe huboflocalcommunities andIhatethe fact that so many areclosing.”

He is right, 50 pubs areclosing everymonth in Englandand Wales, accordingtoa recent survey

Thepub traditionisthought to date back twomillennia.

Thereisa funnysegment in the MontyPython film,The Lifeof Brian, when thePeople’sFront of Judea, (orwas it theJudeanPeo ple’sFront)led by JohnCleese, was discussing theRomans. What did theRomansever do foruswas the question followed by alonglistof Romanachievements.

They forgot about thepub though Yes, that is somethingthe Romans didfor us.Itwas an invading Ro manarmythatbuiltpubsknown as tabernae.Theysoldwineand were quicklybuiltonRoman roadsand in townstoservice troops.

The firstaleswerethendeveloped andthe rest,as they say, is history.

We canimagine theidyllicpic ture postcard villagesetting, flow er-bedeckedinthe summer,sipping awarmale in thegarden,orcosying up in frontofa log fire in winter.It’s wherefriends andsometimes adver saries gather,putting theworld to rights in an increasinglyloudand raucousway as thenightgoes on andthe drinks flow freely

It is also seen generallyasasafe place. Somewheretotakethe fami ly fora meal.Itcan develop community,withpub gameslikedarts, crib dominoes andbar billiards

We have hadChristmas parties there, christenings,wedding receptions, wakesand just about anyoth er excuse foragathering

Thelandlordisapillar of the communitywho is afatherconfessor, mentor or bouncerdepending on thebehaviour of thecustomers

Thesad thingnow is that since thepandemic, andnow theongoing cost-of-living crisis, pubsare shut ting theirdoors at an alarming rate

The50-a-dayclosure figure comesfroma survey compiled by analyticscompany AltusGroup

Theindustryisone of theworst hitbythe chroniclabour shortage, much of whichcan be attributed to many European workers returning home post-Brexit

With apintofpremium lager headingtowards £5 andsometimes beyond,depending on thevenue, hard-pressed families arestayinghome,preferringtobuy much cheaperbooze from supermarkets.

Formany, thedamageissurely self-inflicted.Someofthe major breweriescontinuetoraise their prices,without offering theservice that should go with it

Some turn to chains likeWetherspoons with theirdiscount prices Buteven they have felt thecoldrealityofthe cost-of-living crisis and chairman TimMartinhas been

this winter undera huge government supportpackage. Thescheme fixedwholesale gasand electricity prices forbusinesses forsix months from 1October

Consumer andIndustrygroups welcomedthe packagebut warned furthersupport maybeneeded af terthe winter Campaign forRealAle nation al chairman NikAntonasaidthe government announcement providesmuch-needed certaintyand will help to safeguardthe nation’s pubs andbreweries forthe next six months as they grapplewiththe crisis of rising costsand consumers tighteningtheir belts.

Theoutlook formanyisstill bleak, butthere areglimmersof hope.Manymoreofthese pubs un derthreatare beingtaken over by localcommunity groups

As well as offering traditional pubhospitality,theycan also or ganise events,and usetheir premises to host libraryfacilities,mini shopsorpostoffices.

Some of thoseserviceshavebeen lost throughthe austerityyears and thesepubsare allowing them to be takenbackbythe community.

AccordingtoCAMRA,three Northumberland villagepubshave stockedup on firewood –and friend ship –tohelptheir customersstay warm this winter

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day, theanniversary of theArmisticemarking the endofthe FirstWorld War. Many communities in SouthShropshirecom memorate thefallenthrough services at ourmemorials to thefallenand in ourparish churches.Unfortunately,Ican notattendthemall,but Itry to attend services at as many as I can. Tomorrow(Friday), Ishall layawreathat theWar Memori al in Bridgnorth Castle Ground On Sunday Ishall be joiningthe parade to thePeace Memorialin Ludlow to layawreath, before theservice at St Laurence’s.I hope allother services andcom memorationsacrossthe constituencywill be well attended.

RemembranceDay is organised brilliantlybythe RoyalBritish Legion whosebranchesdosuch greatworkhelping former and currentservice menand women throughtheir charitable efforts. Ihavebeenamember of the ClunBranchfor many years, andI know how much local branches rely on thesupport of volunteers to raise fundsand to help thoseinneed.Ihaveevery confidencethatresidents will supportthisyear’sPoppy Ap peal to supportthe RBL’swork.

forced to put32pubsupfor sale Pubmanagersmustdoas they are told andfollowthe corporateline. Fortenants, it is aslightlydifferent situation. They rent theirpremises butmusttakethe breweryproducts andhavelittlecontroloverprices. Forfreehouses, theownerscan take food anddrink from wherever they like,sohavesome control.

ButitisaCatch-22situation for pubsand breweries, themselves hit by huge ingredient pricerises and energy bills, trying to lure custom ersback. Thereishelpwithenergy billsfor UK pubsand breweriescut by around half theirexpected level

Forthose on theedge,there are ways to attract customers back with thelikes of live music, specialist ale nights, quiz nights andshowingbig events on TV screens.

Thereisanotherray of hope Having missed outhugelyonrev enue from asummer WorldCup, pubs canlookforward to possibly bumper revenuesfromscreening gamesfromthe winter WorldCup this month andintoDecember,fol lowedbythe traditional extra boost at Christmasand Newyear.

Let’shopeitisaMerry Christ masfor theBritish puband hope for aprosperousenoughnew year to at leastallow most to survive.

Last month, as aCommissionerfor theCommonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) I visitedsome of thecemeteries commemoratingthose whofell in theFirst WorldWar.Iwas honoured to join my Labour colleague, Dame DianaJohnsonMP, in laying awreathat theMenin Gate in YpresinBel gium,aspartofthe Last Post ceremonywhich hasbeencon ducted everyday (other than during theSecond WorldWar) at 8pmsince themonument to thefallenofthe YpresSalientonthe WesternFront was completed. TheCWGCis aremarkable organisation whichI am very proudtoserve.Itlooks after22,000cemeteriesacross 146countries,commemorating the1.7 million whodiedinthe Firstand Second WorldWars. TheMenin Gate is about to un dergoasignificant refurbish ment to help keep thememory of the54,000 officers andmen of theCommonwealth whose graves arenot known.

Remembranceisanopportunity notonlytounite in silent trib utetothose whodiedsothatwe mightlivein freedom,but also a moment of learning foryounger generations. We arefortunate that loss of lifeinservice has notbeenareality foryounger generations. Butthe appalling return of wartoEastern Eu rope brings home to us allhow vitalitisthatwelearn theles sons of thepastand appreciate thesacrificesthatmadeour livespossible. Lest we forget

PHILIP DUNNE MP

‘The landlord is a father,confessor andmentoras well as bouncer’

Thewarmfuzzy feeling of alocal

Theexistingbus services leavea lottobe desired

On thefaceofit, therecent vision forthe region’s rail networkasenvisagedbythe West Midlands Rail Executive is revolutionary

However,anhourlyLon donservice andaShrewsbury park andrideonanelectrified railway, is of limiteduse if you can’ttakeadvantage of it

Shropshireisarural county, with market townsthatlost theirrailservice in the1960s Existing busservicesleave a lottobedesired andfailtocon nect people sufficiently, to what remainsofthe network

Takethe no.9service Bridgnorth to Wolverhampton.

Potentially, an easy connection with thewhole West Midlandsrailand metro network. Many use it forthisbut how much better if it continued furtherintothe evening? Even better with an enhanced frequency

TheIronbridge Gorgerail line is absentfromthe vision That’s theproblem with many busservices–theymay serveastation,but not conven iently enough to attract more passengers or give access to theseproposedenhancements.

If themanifesto commitment to levelling-upsurvivesthe re cent politicalupheaval, it needs to be focusedonBoris’s ‘Bus Back Better’ initiative (rememberthat?)tofacilitate employ ment,educational andtourist connectivity as well as supportingthe hospitalitytradebyallowing people an alternativeto thecar foraccessing pubs and restaurantsinthe evening.

As I’ve said before,our po liticalrepresentatives must ensure theshires don’tmiss outtotheir conurbationneigh bours.

MikeCrump,Bridgnorth

Clockchange is daylight robbery

It’s time foryear-roundBritish Summer Time

No amount of clockcon trolisgoing to challengereal time andseasons,nor change theinherentlydarkmiserable months of December andJan uary Households couldsaveapproximately£400a year if we left theclocksinBritish Sum

PICTURE FROMTHE ARCHIVE

merTime, with considerably less hassle too. We use more electricity, energy sourcesin theeveningthanthe morning How much does ourgovern ment wasteonpublicinforma tion advertisements?

In thecurrent system,clocks ‘fall’ back seven weeksbefore theshortest day(December 21)but do not‘spring forward’ untilthirteenweeks afterit, whichisacrazy imbalance.

Theday before we fiddle with time andclocks, setting them back,sunrise is at 7:48am.The daybeforewe fiddle time and clocks forward, thesun rises at 5:52am.Thisisnot how best to make useofnatural light. We arebeing timedout,tobeout of time,atthe wrongtimes.

Clockchangingissimply daylightrobbery at thewrong endofthe day, over thefull year.British Summer Time helpsusavoid energy blackouts, saves money and, stops theunnecessary mind control by thepowers-that-be.

Do you have to be told how to make thebestofyourday?

No onecan controlthe seasons, earth’sorthe sun’sorbits, so whydenynature?

Keep BritishSummer Time, you can’t fiddle with real time, so stop trying

Whywe need an

immediate generalelection

Followingthe recent tumultu ouseventsinBritish politics, theneedfor an immediate general election is nowmandatory Thereare tworeasons for this

Firstly, ‘the need forageneral election is ademographic imperative’.

These areunusually wise words from the firstMinister forScotland.

Thesecondreasonispurely mathematical andunanswera ble.

Even up againstan80-seat majority,Sir Keir Starmerhas become the firstopposition leader ever to be able to winthe next generalelectionwithout having to getout of bed(sorry Boris)

He will possibly or probably winthe subsequent one. The ConservativeParty need to get used to thefacttheyare going to be in theopposition fora very longtime.

Thesoonertheyrealise this, then thesoonertheywill be back in power!

DN Grant,South Shropshire

We have come to that time of year when we remember thosewho have gone before us –particularlythose who died in war.

Thereisnogreater comfort to be foundthaninJesus Christ oursaviour

We will sooncelebrate His birthand remember that He wasborntoheadtothe cross–Hewho wept at the graveofHis friend Lazarus knowswhatitistomourn

In heartachelet us look forcomfort in God–inJesus Christ

Prayer

“Our Lord God. TheRock of Ages,the Onewecan al ways look to forhelpand salvation.

“Bewiththose whohave lost lovedonesand grant that they will know your comfortand strength

“ThisIask in andthrough theLordJesus Christ Amen.”

Letters, TheJournal,Midland News Association,51-53 Queen Street, Wolverhampton, WV11ES

Lettersmustinclude thewriter’sname, address and telephone number.Letters will only be published anonymouslyinexceptional circumstances.The editor reserves theright to condense or amend letters

We’regoing backtoNovember1964for this bonfire and fireworksparty at RAFCosford Morethan40youngstersfrom theVineyardChildren’sHome, Wellington, were givenVIP treatment at theevent

Doug James, West Midlands

BY REVCOLIN WILSON, MINISTER, PEOPLE’S HALL EVANGELICALCHURCH

PRAYER OF THEWEEK

MP welcomes funding boost for southShropshire arts groups

An MP haswelcomednew funding forartsand cultural organisations acrossthe countryincluding in his southShropshireconstituency.

Morethan£357,000 hasbeen awardedtotwo organisationsin southShropshire: Arts Alive, or ganisers of Flicksinthe Sticksand Pentabus Arts, an independentthe atre companyinBromfield.

SouthShropshireMPPhilip Dunnehas welcomedthe funding forgroupsinhis Ludlow constitu ency forproviding long-terminvestment in localtalentand supporting thenextgenerationofcreators, performersand artists.

By targetingthe Arts Council’s Levelling Up places,78designated townsand cities from Stoketo Slough andGloucestertoWigan will receive£130million of funding over thenextthree years. This is a 95 percentincreaseininvestment in these areasand will supportnew organisations, making sure that communitiesacrossthe countyben efitfrominvestmentinculture and thejobswhich it brings

Thefunding hasboostedinvestment in places wherehistorically publicinvestmentincreativityand culturehas been underserved,like ruralsouth Shropshire

Mr Dunnesaid: “The £357,000 beingdelivered by theGovernment throughArtsCouncilEngland is a majorboostfor theselocal organi sationsinsouth Shropshirehelping to bringculturalevents to village hallsand othervenuesinrural areas.Mycongratulations to theteams at Arts Aliveand Pentabus whoare stalwartsofour localculture in SouthShropshire.”

Fireworks still wanted despitecosts crisis

A firework companyowner from Bridgnorth said saleswere‘steady’ this year despitefacingrisingimport costs.

Although some majoreventswere cancelledthisyearthere wasstill abig enough appetite for fireworks during therun-uptothisyear’s Bonfire Night.

GeoffTaylor, from thefam ily-ownedFireworkFarmin Bridgnorth, said although sales were slightly slower than normal, they remained steady andhad ‘not been adisaster’ even though some councilshad chosen not to stage

MATTHEWPANTER

matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

displays. FireworkFarmsupplies fireworkstohotels, pubs andlocal authorities, as well as thegener al publicand Mr Taylor said:“It’s goingtobehardfor people,mov ingforward,but,fromour pointof view,there is business andpeople arestill buying fireworks

“Fortunately, we getalot of re peat business andthere arestill salesbeing made.”

Mr Taylor said that pubsand vil-

lage events hadbeensuppliedwith fireworks this year

“It’sveryunpredictableat the moment “Itwon’t be adisasterbut the cost-of-living is having an effect Wheretheymight have spentmore last year,it’sabit aless this year.”

And, alongsidethat, thecompany hastocopewithrisingcosts as they import fireworks

“There have been no majorissues in termsofsupplythisyear. Butcosts have risen, of course,and freightpriceshavegoneup. It’s very expensivetobring fireworks over.”

Childhit by lamp post among accidentsreportedtocouncil

Achild hitby afalling lamp post andaday centrepatient chokingto deathwereamong 645 accidentsrecorded by ShropshireCouncil in thelastyear.

Newstatisticspublished in an an nual health andsafetyreportshow an increase in incidentsof50per cent,upfrom431 theyearbefore.

Theauthorityreferredeight inci dentstothe Health andSafetyExecutive.

Themaincausesofaccidents were slips, tripsand falls, as well as violence in schools.

Oneofthe incidents referred to theHSE wasaschoolboy breaking hisleg when he washit by afalling lamp post in Shrewsbury

TheincidenthappenedinKingston Drive, on theLondonRoadestate,inNovemberlastyear. Several otherlampposts were takendown

NICK HUMPHREYS nick.humphreys@mnamedia.co.uk

as aprecautionwhile Shropshire Councilinvestigatedthe cause.

Referringtothe accident, thereport said:“Apainted steel‘hockey sticktype’ street lighting column collapsedand fell onto aparkedcar at thesideofthe roadway, injuring oneofthe vehicle’spassengerswho wasinthe processofgetting outof thevehicle

“The remaininglightingcolumns in thestreet were inspected.

“Anactionplanwas implemented fora programofre-inspectionsand non-destructivetesting of painted steellightingcolumns.”

Referringtothe deathofthe day patient–which wasalso referred to theHSE –the report said:“The injuredparty (IP) attended aday centre foradultswithlearningdif ficulties.

“Theywereeatingtheir lunch undersupervision andappearedto

have difficultyswallowing. Staff assisted administeringbackslaps whichinitially appeared to have re lieved thesituation.

“Abdominalthrusts were also ad ministered followingfurther back slapsand an ambulancecalled.

“The IP wastreated at thescene andtaken to hospital by ambulance staff. Unfortunately,the IP passed away.Aninternalinvestigation was completed

“AtHSE’s request, this report and furtheradditionalinformation hasbeenforwarded to theHSE to supportHSE’s furtherfact finding relating to theincidentwhich re mainsongoing.”

Thereportadded: “There were also anumberofslip, tripsand fall incidentsinpremisesthatthe team looked into andfollowedup. The Health andSafetyTeamwereable to provideadviceonadditionalcon trolmeasures. ServiceAreateams have been veryresponsivetoany recommendationsput forwardand

have implementedremedialaction.”

“Thisyear, Shropshire Council had 645accidents in total, comprising17“riddors”(ReportingofInjuries,Diseases andDangerous Oc currencesRegulations 2013), 454 minor accidents and191 near-misses.The previous year’s figure was 431.

Trips

“There were 454 minor accidents reported in total(274lastyear),249 to employees (153 last year), 47 to serviceusers (43lastyear),27to visitors (fourlastyear),and 113to pupils (68lastyear).” Theremaining18involvedagencystaff,con tractors, volunteers,and people employed by external clients.

Minor injuries caused by slip, tripsand falls, violence andmanual handling allincreased compared to theyearbefore.

ShropshireCouncil’sCabinet will note thecontentsofthe report at a meetingnextWednesday

Garden centre fullyopenagain

Staffata garden centre have confirmed alldepartments areback open,aftera temporaryclosure due to flooding.

Thecentre wasclosedup to 11am on Tuesdaylastweek, with the Christmas department andrestaurant closed allday,due to flooding from aburst pipe

However,staff have confirmed that thecentre wassoonbackopen andall departmentsare nowopen forcustomers to browse forChristmasgifts andgarden essentials

Meanwhile, thegarden centre an nounced it will operateonslightly differentopening hoursfromthe endofOctober,closing earlierthan usual.

BetweenMondayand Saturday, Bridgnorth Garden Centre will be open between9am and5pm,with the first30minutes of theday being forbrowsing only

Sundayopening timesremainthe same from 10am to 4.30pm

Policeinappeal on carbreak-in

Aman hasbeenarrested follow inga report of peoplebreaking intoacar

Police receivedareportof peoplebreakingintoacar on HiggsRow in Lawley,Telford between10.30pm and10.45pm on Tuesday, November1

Onemalesuspect hasbeen arrested in relation to the break-in andinvestigations are ongoing.

Lawley &Overdale Safer Neighbourhood Team arenow appealingtoresidents that may have informationorCCTV, dash-cam or videodoorbellfootagethatshow theincident.

Residents with information or footageare urgedtocontact theSNT on 01952214923or emaillawleyandoverdale.snt@ westmercia.police.uk quoting incident reference598 of 1November.

Rise in thefts of bikesfromtown

Police have issued advice following an increaseintowncentre bicycle thefts

Police figuresrevealed15 bikes have been stolen from in and around Telfordtowncentre since October5

They areaskingcyclistsbevig ilants when leavingtheir bikesin thearea.

In advice sent to residents, of ficers reminded bike owners to always lock-uptheir bikes, andinvest in agoodquality lock,suchas aD lock andarobust padlockand chain.

Police also encouraged residents to mark bikestomakethemeas iertoidentify.Theyrecommend SmartWater or aUV pen, with in itials, postcode,oranotheridentify ingfeature.

They also askedresidents with informationonbiketheftstocon tact theservice online at:westmer cia.police.uk

Geoff Taylor andDeniceEllingworthatThe Firework Farm,Bridgnorthsay sales were slower this year

Idealgifts forhymn andher at church fair

NICK HUMPHREYS nick.humphreys@mnamedia.

Salopians flockedto a winter fair to start theirChristmasshopping in thehistoricsur roundingsofa church.

ThefairtookplaceatStMary’s Church in Shrewsbury town centre on Saturday.Around30stall holderssoldanarray of goodies includingartwork, clothing,bags, Christmas decorations, jewellery andmore. Therewerealsosever al charitystands.

OrganiserClare Harvey said: “The majority of traders arelocal artisans.That’sour main ethos–to supportsmall,local business es

“You will find things here that you wouldn’t necessarily find on theHighStreet.It’sthe perfect wayfor people to make astart on theirChristmas shopping

“Some of ourtradershavebeen coming to this fair forseveral years. We hadlotsofthemsignup earlythistime. Andwehad alot of customers asking forthe dates when we’reholding it this year

“We’ve gota nice mixtureof stands andit’sa nice,friendly, so cialthing to come to.”

Foranyonewho missed out, thefairwill be returningtothe

church next Saturday,November 12,again runningfrom10amto 4pm.

Clareisalsorunninga winter fair in Market Draytonthisyear. That eventwill be on thefollowingSunday, November20, at the Festival DraytonCentre,also runningfrom10amto4pm

Entertaining thepunters will be TillyMaydme, whowill be singinga selectionofmusic hall numbers. Therewill also be acof feestand servinghot drinks on site

Both events arefreetoenter

Specialfestive visittotop garden centre Free

Bridgnorth Lionsare organising aspecial trip to oneofWorcester shire’stop garden centresfor a Christmas shopping experience

TheBridgnorth Lionsare or ganising theannualvisit to Webbs of Wychbold Garden centre next monthfor aChristmas shopping experience

Theevent is scheduled to take

placeonTuesday December 6.

Seniors, andanyonewitha disability of anyage includingtheir carers,are welcome on thetrip, whichwillleave Bridgnorth at 10am

Thepartywill return from Webbsat2.30pm

Formoreinformation contact Neil Bennett on 07977900 267.

festive dinner

Aparishcouncil is hostingafree Christmas meal forresidents over theage of 65 Donnington &MuxtonParish Councilare back hostingtheir free community Christmasmeal. Atwo course meal provided alongsidefreeentertainmentis open to residents of Donnington andMuxton. Proofofage is need ed foraticket

Phil Waters with an artwork by hiswifeClairethat wasfor sale

Trish Brunt from Candy Design

NicoleHitchen,fromBridgnorthfromThe Bottle TopBar which hadastall at thefair

Boxer, 30,made

‘knife threats’ to passers-by

Aknife-wieldingboxer made threatstopassers-byand stopped trafficina “frightening”latenight incident

Zeon Lavender,aged30, bran dished theweaponinBrunelWay, Telfordtowncentre,asa friend of hiswas fighting with anotherman Shrewsbury CrownCourt heard that at around 11pmonJanuary 25 this year,three menwere“stopping cars, beingaggressivetomotorists andcausing traffictomoveout of theway”.

“One of themales waswaving hisarmsand holdinga knife,”said JohnBrotherton, prosecuting.

Theman with theknifewas Lavender.The courtheard that Laven der offeredto fightpassers-by.

He wasarrested andtaken to thenearbyMalinsgatepolicesta tion,where he admitted “wehad something on us.” Buthesaid: “It doesn’tmeanweuse it.Wedropit and fightlikemen.”

Lavender,ofBrunelRoad, pleaded guilty to possession of an article with ablade or point.

He hasnopreviousconvictions

Oliver King,mitigating, said the incident was“outofcharacter” for Lavender andhehad lost hislicense to workondoors

Judge PeterBarriehandedLav ender athree-month jail term,sus pended for12months.

He must also carryout 60 hours of unpaid workand do 20 rehabili tation activity days

Recyclingbins arerolledout

Almost 80,000 wheeliebinsfor re cyclingcans, glass andplastic have been delivered to homesacrossthe ShropshireCouncil area in thelast sixmonths–withafurther 19,000 settobedelivered before Christ mas.

Thepurple-liddedbinswere availableonrequest,withorders openinginmid-January.Justover 77,000 were orderedbeforeApril andthese have nowbeendelivered Now, the19,000 bins orderedbe tweenApril 1and October31will be delivered,startingthisweek.

Online ordersfor thebinshave nowclosed, buttheycan stillbere quested by phone, fordeliveryearly next year

Thebins, manufactured by Tel ford-based CraemerLtd,were first delivered in thesouth Shropshire area,theninBridgnorth, Shrews bury,Oswestryand northShrop shire.

Councillor IanNellins, Shrop shireCouncil’s Cabinet member with responsibility forwaste management, said: “We’ve hadaphe nomenalnumberofrequestsfrom acrossthe county forthese newbins andIknowmanypeoplecouldn’t –orcan’t –waittoreceive theirs I’mdelightedthatthe firstphase of deliverieshas been completed, and that thesecondphase will begin this week

“I want to thankeveryonewho hasordered abin,and thankpeople fortheir patience whilewaiting for theirs to be delivered.”

To order abin call 0345 6789007.

Areasthatare duetoget electric vehiclechargingpointsare named

Acouncil hasnamed 40 areas whereitwill be installing electric vehicle charging points

Earlierthismonth Shropshire Council announcedithad been given more than £900,000 to in stallelectriccar charging points in thecounty.

Andameeting next week points outthatitwants to install270 charging points in communities

largeand smallasfastaspossible forcontractualreasons.Sales of petroland dieselcarsare settobe banned in 2030

Thecabinet meetingonNovem ber9 will hear that areashave been chosen basedonanumber of factorsincluding thenumber of residents withoutaccess to off-street parkingand theavailability of existing EV chargepoint

installations. Thelistofsites readslikeanA to Wofplacesin Shropshire, includingAlbright on,Shrewsbury, Church Stretton, Clun andWhitchurch.Amongthe streetsdue to getmostcharging points are: 12 in Innage Lane, Bridgnorth;10 at GobowenRail wayStation;10 at AstonStreet car park,in Shifnal; and10 at Aston Street carpark, in Wem.

Thecouncil is working with its charge pointoperator, Connected Kerb,touse the£902,940 to bring thenumberofchargingpointsin thecountyupto320,across45lo cations.

Thefull detailsofthe plans canbeseenhere: https://shrop sh ire.gov.uk /c om mitt ee -s er vices/ieListDocuments.aspx ?CId=130&MId=4597

Angerascommunity orchard attacked by mindless vandals

MEGANJONES megan.jones@mnamedia.co.uk

ThesiteatHolmerLakeinTel ford wasvandalisedlastweek, with criminalsdamagingeightout of the 10 heritage fruittrees some time during thenightofFriday, Novem ber28.

Oneofthe founding members of thevolunteergroup,Friends of Holmer Lake andMadebrook,Rick Shaw,saidtheyweredevastated to find thedamaged trees

“Itwas abig shockto find them We builtthisspace as acommunity space,wantingschools andfamilies to useit.

Shock

“Weput picnicbenches in,and thesiteisreallypopular

“Soitwas areallybig shockto see, it’s just such mindless vandal ism.”

Whilst effortshavebeenmade to save thetrees,itwill be many months before volunteers know if theirworkwas in vain

Rick explained: “We’ve spliced thetrees,but it’s difficult,wewon’t be able to tell until spring if it worked.”

Theorchard wascreated using communitygrants, with selected

fruittrees including five Shrop shireheritageapple trees andamix of cherry,plum, damson andpear.

TheBrookside SaferNeighbour hood Team released astatement aboutthe attack,calling it more than just anti-socialbehaviour.

In thestatement,policesaidthe crimeconstituted criminaldamage andissubject to an investigation.

Rick,who livesinBrookside,said thesupport thegroup hasreceived followingthe vandalismhas been re-assuring.

He said:“Lots of people come out againstit, whichisnice.

“Intimes likethis, it’s important to remember most people appreciate what you’redoing andvalue these kind of communityassets.

“It’s just ashame that thefew try andruinitfor themany.”

Police have askedanyonewith informationabout thevandal attack to contact theteamby calling 101quotinglog number 00234_I_29102022,orbyusing the independentanonymous service, Crimestoppers, online at crimes toppers.uk.org

Fundraiserfor Louise tops £4,500 in afew days

Afundraiserset up to help give a terminallyill mother more time with herfamilyhas topped £4,000 in amatterofdays.

Louise Bristow, themotherof teenagerDylan Price, whowas killed in an unsolved hitand run in Bishop’s Castle last year,was told by doctorslastmonth that she hasjustthree months to live In response to thedevastating news herfriends setupafundraiser to payfor alternativetreatment –which they hope couldimprove thecondition of herkidneys,al lowingher to re-start chemother apy forher cancer,and spendmore time with herfamily.

Sinceits launch thefundrais er hasrisentomorethan£4,500.

Louise’s daughter Izzy Price, said thefamilyhad been overwhelmed at theresponse to thefundraiser–andoffered herthankstoeveryone whohas donated.

Shesaid: “Ithas been phenom enal how generous everyone has been.Friends,familyand thegen eral publicall wantingtohelpand putforward donationsfor mum to go andhavealternative treat ment.”

Sheadded: “There arepeoplewe know,peoplewedon’t know,who just want to show theirsupport whichisjustamazing

“Wedidn’tknowwhattoexpect butwhatithas done is it will kick startmum beingabletostart the treatment.”

In herown update on theGo FundMe page,Louisesaidshe had been “overwhelmedwithevery one’sgenerosity.”

Louise,49, from Dorrington, who was firstdiagnosed with cer vicalcancerin 2018,was taken seriouslyill with kidney failure last month, ending up in intensive care.Anyonewho wishes to sup port thefundraisercan do so at www.gofundme.com/f/lous-fightto-stay-alive?qid=7e8e1ee702815e 7895457a0729c540f7

Avolunteer grouphas been devastated by an actof‘mindless vandal ism’ that hasdamaged treesinacommunity or chard.

TheFriends of HolmerLakeand Madebrook,fromleftBarry Wheeler,Jacky Sinclair,RickShawand Greg Sinclair

DylanPricediedthe daybeforehis 18th birthday

Royallegal battle with former lover

SUEAUSTIN newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

An ex-loverofSpain’s former King alleged“intruders” left abookin her flat aboutthe “involvement of theBritishand US intelligence agencies”inthe deathof Princess Diana.

Businesswoman Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn,who has ahome near Bridgnorth, is taking legalactionagainst former King Juan Carlos

Shealleged therewas “anopera tion”bySpanish intelligenceagents at herapartment in Switzerland, a CourtofAppealhearing in London heard. Shealsoclaimsshe received a“follow-uptelephonecall” from an “unknownperson” whomadean “allusion” to themannerinwhich Dianadied, abarrister representingJuanCarlossaid.

Juan Carlos,84, whoabdicated in 2014,has begunan appeal bidafter losing aHigh Court fightwithMs zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn,57.

Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, whobought11-bedroomChyknell Hall,between Claverleyand Bridgnorth, as well as keepingup

ahome in London,istakinglegal action againstJuanCarlos, seeking damages forpersonalinjury. She allegeshecausedher “great mental pain”byspyingonand harassing her. Juan Carlos denieswrongdoing anddisputesthe claims.

LawyersrepresentingJuanCar loshad argued that he was“entitled to immunityfromthe jurisdiction of theEnglish courts in hiscapacityas asenior member of theSpanish royal family”.But aHighCourt judge disagreed. TheformerKingisnow appealing that ruling

BarristerTimothy Otty KC,told thejudges that oneallegationmade

by Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn wasthatpapersinher apartmentin Villars, Switzerland,had been disturbed.Hesuggested that the“in ference” wasthat“this operation” wascarried outby“Spanishintelli genceagents”

Mr Ottysaidparticulars of the claim alleged an “operation”bythe Spanishintelligenceagency, the CNI, to “enter”MszuSayn-Witt genstein-Sayn’sapartment in Swit zerlandto“threaten”her

“Itisalleged that her‘papers had been disturbedwithinher apartment’inVillars,”hesaidina writ tenargument. “Itisalleged that a

book wasleftbythe intruderson thetopicofthe involvementofthe Britishand US intelligenceagencies in thedeath of Princess Diana.

It is furtheralleged that Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn received afollow-up telephonecallin Swit zerlandfromanunknown person speaking Spanishwho informed herthat‘thereare many tunnels betweenMonacoand Nice’– i.e, an allusion to themannerinwhich Princess Dianawas killed.”

Mr OttysaidJuanCarlosem phasisedthatheconsideredMs zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn’s legalaction to be “vexatious”.

“Heemphaticallydeniesthathe engaged in,ordirected,any har assmentofMszuSayn-Wittgen stein-Sayn whatever,and he rejects herallegations to thecontrary as untrue andinconsistentwithprevi ouspublicstatementsmadebyher

“The allegationsalso involve an alleged abuse of powerwholly inconsistent with hismajesty’s importantroleinthe transitionof Spaintoa successfulparliamenta ry democracyand hislongperiodof serviceassovereign.”

Judges have heardthatJuan Carlos ruledfrom1975until hisabdication in 2014,and thesuccession of hisson,KingFelipeVI.

They have been told that Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn wantsan “injunctionand damages”resultingfrom“acontinuousand ongoing campaign of harassment”against her, “commenced” by Juan Carlos from 2012,following the “break-up of an intimate romantic relation ship”and her“refusaltolet (Juan Carlos)use a financialsum irrevo cablygifted to her, or to return other gifts”

Lawyersrepresentingher have alleged that conduct“includes the former king or hisagentssmearing herand herbusinessinthe media, followingher,enteringher home in Shropshire, andbugging herhomes andelectronicdevices”.

Festive familyfun at aVictorian Christmas

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Thereisahostoffestive funinstore, includingthe chance to exploreBlists Hillbylamplightand Christmas week ends full of entertainmentwithanod to theVictorian age, as well as the chancetovisit Father Christmas in his grotto

Newfor 2022 arethe Christmas LatesatBlistsHill, wherepeoplecan wander through thetown’sstreetsby nightand enjoyahostoffestive food andentertainment from magicians andmusicians, as well as peruse the unique rangeofgiftsinthe shops, whilesipping aglass of mulled wine They will take placeonDecember 1, 8, 16 and17.

From November26, Coalbrookdale will transform into aWinterWonderland as Father Christmas returnsto hisgrotto.

Best suited forchildrenaged be tweenthree andnineyears old, families canwanderthrough theChristmasforestbeforemeeting the main manhimself

On December 3, 4, 10 and11, the popularChristmas Weekends return to Blists Hill.

Visitors cancosyup in thecottages as they learnabout aVictorian Christ masfromthe townsfolkand watch them preparefor Christmas,joinin

with carols andenjoy thesoundsofa VictorianChristmas with thetown’s brassband. Father Christmas will payavisit too, meetingfamiliesinhis grotto –and younger visitors canwrite alettertohim andleave it in themuseum’s postbox.

Formoreinformation,visit:www ironbridge.org.uk/events

Wrap up warm andgather your friendstoexplore our Victorian Town by lamplight. Pickupunusual gifts in ourbeautifully decorated shops, buydelicious festive food, enjoy liveseasonal entertainmentand soak up the traditional atmosphere.

Princess CorinnazuSayn-Wittgenstein,ofChyknellHall, near Claverley Princess Diana

Visitors to TheIronbridge GorgeMuseumTrust are in fora treat this Christ mas.

VisitFather Christmas inhis grotto

Road surfacing apprentices hit ground running

Acountycollege is the firstinthe UK to putits road surfacingap prenticesthrough anew assessment programme– andeverymember of the firstcohort haspassedwith fly ingcolours

Thelevel twoapprentices at Tel ford Collegehavebeencombining theirstudies with jobs at highways giantEurovia UK forthe past 18 months, workingtowards anew Road SurfacingOperative qualifi cation.The programmehas been developedbythe collegeinpartner ship with Eurovia.

The first five apprentices– Aaron Guest, Jack Jones,Cameron But ton, Liam Masshi-Matthuand An tonMurray–haverecordeda100 percent first-time pass rate,includ ingseveral distinctions

Robert Lees, TelfordCollege’s di rector of engineeringand aviation, said:“This is afantastic waytokick offthe programme.

“Eachstudenthad to successful ly come throughworkplace obser vation andprofessionaldiscussion tests, andthey’ve performedbril liantly.”

Full time apprenticestypical ly spend15to18monthsworking towardsthe endpoint assessment fortheir road surfacing operative qualifications, whichare the firstof theirkindinthe UK. Together with itsassociatedcompanies,Eurovia UK teams areresponsible forim provingover 50,000 kilometres of theUK’shighways network.

Networkhosts exhibition of artand crafts

An exhibitionwill be taking placeinthe county to showcase localartwork.

Visual Arts Network, based on themiddle floorofthe Dar winShoppingCentre in Shrews bury,has startedits newwinter exhibition.

It features anumberof Christmas itemsfor sale includ ingartworkand craftitems by localartists

RunninguptoChristmas people will also be able to see membersdemonstrating their skillsinthe galleryonSatur days from November19, from 10.30amto3.30pm

They will also be thereon Wednesday evenings from No vember30, from 4pmuntil 6.30pm

Thesessionswill include weavers,painters, printers and more

Achildren’sChristmas colouring competitionisalso tak ingplacewiththree agegroups –under fives, five to sevenyears andeightto11years

Entryisfreeand prizes will be awardedat6pm on Wednes day, December 21,withthe winning artworks to be exhibited in thegallery.

People canpickupanentry form andpicture from theVAN Gallery.

PantoDameBradFitttohostcharity quiz

Shrewsbury’s belovedpanto dame will be taking time outofa busy rehearsalscheduletohosta oneoffcharity quiz night–withtickets open to all.

Brad Fitt –starofthe annual Theatre Severnpantomimes– gave histimetothe Lingen Davies CancerFundtohostvirtual quizzes andboostfundraising during the Covidpandemic

He helped raise more than£1,300 forthe charitythatraises awareness aboutcancerinthe community andsupportspatientsthroughout Shropshireand MidWales

DOMINIC ROBERTSON ChiefReporter

Organisers have nowsaidthey canoffer quiz lovers, pantolovers, Brad Fitt fans, andcharity support ersthe chance to meet thedameat an exclusivequizevent beingheld from 7pm, on Wednesday,Novem ber23, at TheButtermarket in Shrewsbury.Brad, starring in the upcoming Beauty andThe Beast whichlaunchesonWednesday,No vember30, will be hostingthe quiz nightfor teams of up to sixpeople.

LizzyColeman,eventsofficerfor Lingen Davies,said: “Afteracouple of virtualquizzes over thepastfew years, we areextremely excitedto be able to host an in-personquiz night.

“Bradhas supported us previous ly with ahugelysuccessfulvirtual quiz during lockdown,soweare very grateful to himfor donating histimetohostthe evening.”

Ticketstothe eventcost£15 a persontoinclude chilli andrice (vegetarianoptions areavailable) andcan be purchased at lingen davies.co.uk or on 01743492396.

Pump prices up againasdiesel costsincreaseby more than 10p

DieselpricesinShropshirehave gone up by more than 10pinthe last month, adding around £5 to thecost of filling atypical family car.

On Thursday theRAC said the averageprice of diesel hadrisen from 180.4p perlitre to 190.5p per litre during October– thethird biggestmonthly fuel pricerise on record

Theaverage priceofpetrolrose by nearly 4p perlitre last month, from 162.7p to 166.4p

However in Shropshire,diesel hasleapt 12pper litre

Accordingtopetrolprices.com, on Sundayafternoonthe cheapestdie selprice in theregionwas 181.7p Onemonth agoitwas 169.9p

Theprice of unleaded hasalso risen, with abestprice on Novem ber5of155pcomparedto147.6pa monthearlier,althoughmostretail ersin earlyOctober were charging prices from 153.9p upwards.

Pricehikes began in theearly part of Octoberwhenoil producing groupOpec+ agreed to cutproduc tion by twomillion barrelsa day whichled to a7per cent increase in oilprices. Theweakerpound also made wholesale petroland diesel moreexpensive.

RACfuelspokesman SimonWil liamssaid: “Afterthree monthsof falling pump prices,October wasa severeshock to thesystemfor driv erswiththe unwelcome return of some scarynumbers on forecourt totems.Those with diesel vehicles suffered most with 10pbeing added to thecostofalitre in what wasthe thirdworst monthly increase on re cord,but petrolcar driversalso saw a4p-a-litre increase.”

MPsask forgovernment help to improve social care service

Four county MPshave united to pressthe De partment of Health for more moneytosupport social care throughthe winter.

Thethree Conservatives andone LiberalDemocrathaveall added theirnames to alettertoHealth SecretarySteve Barclay,calling for more financialsupport forShrop shire’shard-pressedhealthservic es

Tory parliamentarians Lud low’sPhilip Dunne, Shrewsbury &Atcham’sDanielKawczynski, TheWrekin’sMarkPritchard,and NorthShropshireLib DemHelen Morgan, have askedfor agreater shareof£500m theGovernmentis settoprovide forsocialcareacross thecountry

Thequartet have warned how issues faced by thesectorhavea knock-on effect –leading to aworse performanceinambulance andhos

DOMINIC ROBERTSON dominic.robertson@mnamedia.

pitalservices. They addthatthe ruralnatureofpartsofthe county only servetoexacerbatethe prob lems, andthatregularly thereare 150peopleinthe county waitingfor access to socialcare.

They said:“Theprovision of health andsocialcareservices within NHSShropshire, Telford& Wrekin reflects thenationalchal lenges butismagnified by ourspe cificcircumstances:a splittown& ruralcommunity,a growing, ageing population,enhanceddifficultiesin recruiting andretaining staffinto thesectorand thelegacyofour his toricalestate.

“All partners acrossthe health andcaresystemare working re lentlessly to ensure ourcitizensare caredfor in themostappropriate setting. Nevertheless, theimpactof ourcircumstances –and particular ly thedifficultyinrecruitingpeople

into allcareservices–can result in delays in patients beingcared forin theright place. This hasmultiple effects, includingdelaystoambu lancehandoversintothe emergency departmentsand patients waiting toolongtoaccesscare.

“Asimportantly,patientscan endupbeing caredfor in abed in ahospitalorcarehome,whentheir best placemay be back home.This canhaveaveryrealimpactonthe qualityoflifefor patients requiring support.”

Thefouroutline howextra mon ey is alreadybeing putintothe sys temlocally –but that more national fundingwould allowfor more staff to help improve services

They said:“We regularlyhave approximately150 people wait ingtoaccess socialcare, including domiciliaryand residential care, in asystemalready providingcare to more patients with morecom plexneedsthanever before.The local NHS(viathe Integrated Care

Board) hasinvested an additional £10m into thetwo localauthorities whichistargetedatsupporting timely dischargefromhospitals

“Thisisover andabove theBCF (Better Care Fund)contributions through theNHS andlocal author ities.

“Allocationofthe additional so cialcarefunding will help support recruitmentintothe system to buildcapacityindomiciliarycare andother areasofsocialcarepro vision andallow forour residentsto be caredfor in themostappropriate settingimproving outcomesfor all.

“Weare writingtorequest sym pathetic considerationofthe needs of theShropshire, Telford&Wre kinhealthareawhenallocating availablefunds forthiswinterand addressing socialcarepressures

“Funding formulae regularlyun der-allocatetorural areasingener al andtoShropshirein particular

“Wewould be grateful if you couldtakesteps to reverse this.”

ShrewsburypantostarBradFitt, who is hostingacharity quiznight, with Angela Hill from Lingen Davies

Search is on to find bald eagle

An appeal hasbeenlaunchedto help find araremissing eagle–last seen flying near theM54

Graham Donaldson, West Mercia Police’s wildlifecrime co-ordinator, said thebirdisanAmericanbald eagle, whichwas last seen over the M54servicesinShifnal.

Thebirdisaroundthree feet tall, with awing-span of seven feet People arebeing warned notto approach thebird, or to tryand feed it if they seeit.

Anyone whoseesthe bird is asked to contactAlice on 07889723567or Emilyon07792052880.

Womandied afterslipping

Awoman whoslipped on wet leaves afterbeing pulled by her daughter’s dogsuffereda fatal head injury in thefall, an in questheard

CeliaTwigger, aged 72,are tiredcashoffice clerksuffered ableed on herbrain causedby fall on October31, 2022,while visiting herdaughterinTelford, an inquestheldatShirehall, Shrewsbury heard.

Mr Ellery heardthe family hadnoissuestoraise andcon cluded herdeath wasaccidental.

Ateamofyoungequestrians from astables near Bridgnorthtravelled to north Walesfor ahalf term ponyclubriding adventure.The ridersfromKA

HorsesEquestrianCentreatAlveley hadagreattime riding round theglorious countrysidenear Barmouth,asthisbeach shotdemonstrates.

Sustainable gifts at Christmasfair

ATraidcraftFairtradeChristmas Fair will be taking placelater this month.

Theevent,atLudlow’s Mascall Centre in LowerGaldeford, will be held between10amand 4pmonSat urday, November19.

Aspokesman forthe organisers said:“Admissionisabsolutelyfree.

“There’llbeagreat selectionof fair trade andethical Christmas gift ideas, Christmas cards and wrapping paper.

“Choose from theFairtradechocolaterange,including some new chocolates;deliciouscookies,tea andcoffees andstock up on many basicFairtrade groceries.

“Whileyou’rethere,enjoy acup pa with biscuits andcakefor adonation

“MakethisChristmas afairand sustainable oneand wow everyone with hand craftedgiftsfrom around theworld.”

Repair experts fi

x38items

Arecordnumberofitems were takentothe last in-personLud low Repair Cafe of theyear.

Some 11 specialistrepair expertswerekeptbusywith asteady stream of customers whotookatotal of 38 items from furnituretocuddlytoysto theevent on October29at the town’s Elim Church

“The atmosphere wasbuzzingfromthe start,”saidDi Lyle,who setupand continues to organise theLudlowRepair Café.“That buzz came notonly from therepairroombut from theownerswho collected in the entrancehalltoregistertheir items.

“The repair team don’treally need an inputofenergyas they bringtheir own, alongwith theirenthusiasm, butthatbuzz addedsomethingspecial to the morning.”

Dogwaste bag dispensershelp

Acouncillor hasbeentacklingdog wastewiththe installation of bag dispensers

Donnington andMuxtonParish Councilcommitted £2,000 forthe purchasingand maintenanceof22 bagdispensers back in July,and workhas begunoninstalling the dispensers acrossthe parish

Donnington councillor Jay Gough, knownlocally as the‘Telford Batman’, hastaken to the streetshimself to installthe dispenserswiththe help of events of ficerConnor Furnival

Councillor Goughsaiddog waste wasarealconcern of residents

“It’seasilyone of themostcom plained about things from resi dents,”heexplained: “Wewanted to give people that helpinghand. “Whether it’s forsomeonecaught short, or forthose that arejust lazy –wewanted to give people the opportunitytopickupaftertheir dogs.”

One injuredafter car flipsontoroof

Acar ended up on itsroofafter crashingintoaparkedvehicle Police,paramedicsand fire crewswerecalledtoChetwynd Aston, Newport, at around 9pm on Friday afterthe smash.

AShropshireFireand Rescue spokesmansaid: “At9.09pmon Friday,November 4, SFRS Fire Controlreceiveda call reporting that aroadtrafficcollision had

takenplaceinNewport.Thisincident involvedavehicle which collidedwitha stationary carand rolled over onto itsroof. No persons trapped

“One casualtyleftinthe care of theambulance service. One fire appliancewas mobilisedfrom Wellington.”

West Midlands AmbulanceSer vice wascontacted foranupdate.

ChristmasCarol guidedtours of town

People cantakepart in festivetours highlighting acountytown’spartin abig-screenChristmas classicmov ie

Shrewsbury Museum &Art Gallery is organising ‘A Christmas Carol’guidedtours of thetown, to take placein December

People will be able to join expert guides forthe toursas they re-visit some of the film locationsfeatured in theiconic1984 film adaptation

of ‘A Christmas Carol’, filmed in Shrewsbury

Thetours lastfor 90 minutes and take placeonSaturdayand Sunday, December 10 and11.

Therewill twotours each day, starting at 11am and2pm

Thosekeentogoshouldbook tickets forthe toursbyvisitingthe websiteshropshiremuseums.org uk/events/

Manbit sportshopmanager during ascuffle, courtistold

NICK HUMPHREYS nick.humphreys@mnamedia.co.uk

Aman bitasportsshop managerafter getting involvedinabrawl.

Stuart McInnes, aged 40,sunk histeeth into thebossofSports Direct in Telfordtowncentre after he wasconfronted on suspicionof shoplifting.

TelfordMagistratesCourt heard that themanager was“concerned forhis staff” so pulled McInnesto the floor.

During theconfrontation on De cember 1lastyear, McInnes bitthe manageronhis wrist.

McInnes,who appearedin court viavideo link from HMPBristol whereheisserving asentencefor adifferent offence, also pushed the managerintoawall, wherehehit hisheadand back

McInnes,who is of no fixedabode butfromTelford,pleaded guilty to assaultoccasioning actual bodily harm

Hispreviousconvictions include possession of aknife as well as drug, theftand motoring offences

ShakeelAhmed,mitigating, said that it was“threeonone”against McInnes as thescuffletookplace, andhehad been grabbedaround theneck.

MagistrateshandedMcInnes an 18-weekjailterm. Theprisonsen tenceissuspended for18months.

McInnes must also pay£200com pensation to thevictim.

Lanternfestivalset to light up safari park

Visitors to West MidlandSafari Park cansee natureinanew light as alantern festival returns.

Morethan1,000 individual ‘tropical-themed’ lanterns will lightupthe attractionnearBewdleyfromtomorrow(11).

Thewalk-throughanimalexhibitswill remain open forguests to enjoy,as well as theLandof theLivingDinosaurs andIce Age exhibits. Butthe safari drive-

LISA O’BRIEN

lisa.obrien@mnamedia.co.uk

through andtheme park ridesare closedduringthe eveningevents. Bethan Davis, events officer, said: “Following thesuccess of last year’s event, we’veamended the datessowecan host theevent over thefestive period, so therewill be more chancesfor gueststosee our

spectacularlanterns, whichall have a floraand faunatheme for 2022

Theteamhavebeenhardat worktoset up theincredibletrail of over athousandindividual lights

“We’ve also gota newroute for this year,which ends with agrand finale of asafarispectacle in the gardensofSpringGrove House.”

Thefestivalrunstill January.

Heartbreakingarson attack –but re-build starts

An arsonattackdestroyedahuge bonfire –aweekbeforeitwas due to go up in flames

TheDonningtonBonfire was destroyedonSaturdaynight, in an arsonattackthattookplace even as itsorganisers were on site

However,ahugere-buildeffort meansthe eventwill stilltake placeonSaturday, November12, as planned.

OrganiserMarkMitchell, whose familyhaverun theevent for45 years, said that agroup of what appearedtobeyouthswereresponsiblefor destroying thebon fire first firing fireworks towards thehugepileofpallets, andthen

directly setting fire to thestack The fire servicehad attended the sceneshortlyafter6pm butcon cluded therewas no option butto leave fire to burn out.

Mr Mitchell said he hadbeenon site with hisfatheronSaturday nightwhenthe bonfire waslit

Fireworks

He said:“They were setting fire works offatthe endofthe fieldand they were sendingrockets towards it

“Wewentupthere to chasethem offand then they have chucked somethingonthere andithas setit

on fire.” He said that it hadbeena scaryand upsettingincident,add ing: “Itwas heartbreaking.

“Mydad is84yearsold andhe’s chasingpeoplearoundthe fieldto keep them away.”

Mr Mitchell said they would notbedeterredbythe attack and were committed to making sure the communitycould enjoy the long-runningevent.

Thousandsofpeoplenormally attend theevent,which is thebig gest fireworkdisplay in thecounty.

Theevening also includes afun fair with around 20 rides, attractionsand inflatables.

Thebonfire wasset alight

Marketing assistant Shona WrightatWest Midland Safari Park which will be hosting alanternfestival

Last chance to have sayonboundary shake-up proposals

Consultation on newelectoral mapwill runtillDecember5

MARK ANDREWS mark.andrews@mnamedia.co.uk

Campaigners fighting to retain thehistoric name of theirparlia mentaryconstituency have securedasignif icantvictory as anew draftelectoralmap forthe county wasreleased this week.

People living in Shropshire nowhavejustunder amonth to give their finalsay on thepro posedrevisionofparliamentary constituencies.

The finalconsultationonthe shake-up of MPs’ seatsrunsuntil December 5, although thechang es will notcome into effect until afterthe next GeneralElection.

Thechanges were firstpro posedlastyear, andwereput to asecondpublicconsultationin March

ButplanstorenameThe WrekinconstituencyasNewport and Wellingtonweremet with anum berofobjections, includingone from Mark Pritchard, theMP whorepresentsthe constituency Thename-change planshave nowbeendropped,withthe Boundary Commission accepting that TheWrekinnameshouldbe retained

Expanded

If adopted, theplans will see theconstituencyexpandedto take in Hodnet andCheswardine from theneighbouringNorth Shropshireconstituency. This will mean CliveBarracksatTern Hill wouldinfuturecome under TheWrekinconstituency.

TheLudlow seat,represented by ConservativePhilipDunne since2005, will be extended northwardstotakeinthe Burnell andSevernValleywards whichat themoment form part of Shrews bury &Atcham, if theplansare adopted

It is nowproposedthatthe constituency will be renamed

SouthShropshireafterprevious proposalstorenameitLudlow andBridgnorth received apoor response

Mr Dunnehas said that he wouldbesad to seethe demise of theLudlow name butaddedthatit made sensetocallthe constituen cy ‘South Shropshire’.

Atcham will be droppedfrom thenameofthe Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency –currently held by ConservativeDanielKaw czynski– whichwillbecome plain Shrewsbury

Thecommissioners saythe changesare necessarytoensure that allseats in theUKhaveno fewerthan69,724constituents, andnomorethan77,062.

Thenumberofconstituentsin both Shrewsbury &Atcham, and NorthShropshire– held by Liberal Democrat HelenMorgansince last December’s by-election–both have more than 80,000 electors

Theproposals have allbeen backed by theConservative, Lib-

eral Democrat andGreen parties.But Labour hascalledfor arealignment of theboundary betweenthe seatsofTelford and TheWrekin.

Councillor ShaunDavies, lead er of Telford&WrekinCouncil, called forHadleyand Leegomery to be movedout of TheWrekin constituency andintoTelford, with Priorsleemovingthe other way. Mr Davies said Priorslee ‘had never really been part of TelfordNew Town’, adding that ‘ithas closer linkstoShifnal’ Councillor VanessaHoltsaidHad leyand Leegomery wouldbenefit from beingincludedinthe Telford constituency,where itstieswere strongest.

Telford, previously aLabour stronghold,has been held by ConservativeLucyAllan since2015. Butthe assistantcommissioners said therehad been otherrep resentations opposing Mr Davies’ counter-proposal,and therewas no reason to change theproposals

Crafters club goingstrongasanniversary nears

Aclubofcrafters hoping to knit lastingbonds of friendship arecelebratingtheir firstanniversary as agroup

WellingtonresidentBrenda Bateman, 57,knewshe hadtostep in when thepandemicforced the closure of thecraft groups she’d come to rely on

With alittlehelpfromWelling tonTownCounciland thecommu nity,WellingtonCrafters wasborn.

Oneyearon, thegroup is going from strength to strength, with doctorsnow recommending the grouptopeoplestrugglingwith loneliness

Brenda,acarehome activity co

ordinator, knowsall toowellthe benefits of beingcreative.

Shesaid: “I cansee how much it helpsthe residents at workand I thinkit’sagood idea everyone has thechancetotry somethingnew, it keepsyourbrain active andgets you outofthe house.”

Fordetails call 07707725797.

Beesculpturethataimsto take stingout of guncrime

Thelateststunninganti-violence sculpturefromthe county hasgone on displayfor the firsttime.

Theanti-violence beewas made at theOswestry’sBritishIronwork Centre andwill be visiting allthree counties served by West Mercia Po lice with officers over thenextfew weeks.

Sundaysaw its firstShropshire date,withthe workofart being showninShrewsbury’sSquare.

Over thenexttwo days it will vis it schoolsinthe town in an effort to spread theanti-violence message.

Thebee wasoriginallycommissioned by GreaterManchesterPolice andwas made outofknivesand guns –similar to thewell-knownKnife Angel, whichwas also created at theironworks.The sculpture’sWest Mercia tour is beingarranged to help raise awarenessofthe dangersof carrying aknife.

Philip Dunne haswelcomedthe Boundary Commission prososal to rename his Ludlow constituency‘SouthShropshire’

Police officers Antony Cleoburyand Marv Choudhury with thegiant sculpture

£200ksensory room at hospice

A£200,000refurbishment is givingseriouslyill children access to astate of theart sensory roomand aquaticpool.

Thenew improvedfacilities at the Hope HouseChildren’s Hospice, in Morda,nearOswestry, have been paid forthankstograntsand dona tionstotalling more than£200,000

Thetwo completedprojects, whichhavebeeninthe pipeline since2019, offerenhancedtherapyand care forchildren with life-threatening conditions

Theworktothe sensory room cost £32,000, while£170,000was spentonthe poolrefit.

Both projectscamecourtesyof33 differenttrusts, grants andprivate donations, includinga grantfrom theMarkBenevolentFundworth £45,000

Thesensory room,called‘Supernova’, hasspecialistequipmentincludingbubbletubes,LED lights, sensory soft play, and music to suit theneeds of allchildren.The aim is to ensure everychildcan have auniqueexperience tomaketheir stay at thehospicemoreenjoyable

HopeHouse physiotherapist Esme Turner said:“Thechildren will be abletochoosewhatthey want in thesensory room thanks to newswitchesand controls

“Theycan change thetypeofmusic, lighting or swap outequipment –itreallywillbea differentexperiencefor everychild, dependingon theirneeds.”

Therefitted aquatic poolisahuge upgradeonthe oldpool, whichwas over 25 yearsold

999 ordeal that lasted 17 hours

A42-year-old woman from Telford hasspokenofher ordeal waiting17hours foran ambu lanceafterhavingaseizure at home.Jenny Long,who livesin Donnington,sufferedafallon themorning of Monday, Octo ber31, whichthenbrought on a seizure.

Aftercominground,Jenny noticed that shehad injured herknee, whichappearedtobe swelling andgetting hotter to thetouch

When shephonedthe 111 hotline shewas initiallytoldthere wouldbeasix-hour wait foran ambulance.

Over thenext15hours Jenny made four furthercalls to both 111 and999 –at4pm,10pm, 2amand 5am–asshe said the pain wasgetting worse

An ambulancearrived at her homeatabout 7.15am thenext morning, Jennysaid.

When theparamedicsarrived at herhome,Jenny said they were “lovely” andshe “could not faultthem”.Theyapparently startedtheir shiftat6am and came straight outtoher West Midlands Ambulance Serviceapologised, saying the pressures it is seeing in health andsocialcareleadtolong hospital handover delays with crewsleftcaringfor patients that need admitting to hospital rather than responding to the next call

Fearsgrowing overhealthcare as NHSleftcreakingatseams

JOEGAMMIE Health Correspondent

Concerns aboutbed shortages, emergency response timesand poor care qualityhaveris en sharplyupthe list of issues people aremost worriedabout in the NHS, apollhas found.

Thesurveyreleasedtoday found long waitinglists andwaitingtimes to be themainissue of concernfor thepublic, with 62 percentsaying that this wastheir main worry about theNHS

Butwhile this wasfollowed by not enough staffand overworkedstaff, both at 57 percent, concernabout poor emergencyresponse times, shortage of beds andpoorquality treatment or care rosesharply be tweenJuneand October.

Thepoll, carriedout by Ipsos, foundthat52per cent of the1,030 Britishadultsquizzed in October listed pooremergency response, ambulancetimes and999 service as aconcern –upfrom44per cent in June

Ashortage of beds rose from 40 percentto51per cent –the larg estjumpofall theconcerns–while poor qualityoftreatment or care in creased from 26 percentto35per cent

Health leaderssaidthe poll re flectedthe concerns thepublichave about theNHS, whichisfacinglong ambulances response times, pa tients waitingfor hoursin packed A&Edepartments andstruggling with widespread staffing gaps

Thereare also fearsthata combination of fluand Covidontop of an alreadystretchedservice could make thewinterone of thetoughest thehealthand care sector hasever faced

Dr Adrian Boyle, presidentofThe RoyalCollege of EmergencyMedi cine, said thelackofconfidence wasthe consequenceofan“understaffed, under-funded” health and socialcareservice with ashortfall of beds

“Longwaits fo andlongwaits partmentsare over countrya increasing mon on month,”he added.

“Weknow these long waitsaffect health outcomesand can cause harm and even death. Th publicare righ ly concerneda these longwaits.”

Dr Boylesaidt well as theNHS to expand capaci “safelypossible” lish afully funded workforce plan,t workforce needed

to help dischargepatientsout of hospital.Tim Gardner, senior poli cy fellow at theHealthFoundation, said that itsown polling hadfound supporting andexpanding theNHS workforce wasa“majorpriority” forthe public even if additional fundingwas needed

He added: “Thislatestpolling from Ipsos is furtherconfirmation that thepublicare increasingly worried aboutthe severepressures on health services

“Workforce shortages remain the single biggestchallenge facing the NHS, afteradecadeofunderfund ingthathas left thehealthservice with over 130,000 vacancies.

“The NHSdesperately needs along-term workforce strategy, backed by sustained government investment.”The Ipsospollalso showed that 60 percentofpeople were not confidenttheywould geta GP appointmentatatimethatsuits

them,65 percentwerenot confi dent an ambulancewould arrive quicklyifneeded,and 67 percent were notconfidenttheywould be seen quicklyinA&E

This is broadlyunchanged from thesurveyinJune, butstill suggests thepublicare concerned abouttimelyaccess to treatments.

DanWellings, senior policy fellowatthe King’s Fund,saidthe numbersreflected that peoplewere becoming increasingly frustrated, andthere wasanger about thestate of theNHS.Headded: “The big shift rightnow is,and you cansee it in thepolling,behindall of this data arestories of people worried, people frustrated,peopleangry and less sure of thecaretheywill re ceivenow from theNHS.”

Buthedeniedthatthe public were “falling outoflove” with the health service, andadded: “Support forthe founding principles is as st ng as it hasever been “The collective belief theinstitution is still there. Despitebeing everelytested,the public’slovefor the NHSisfar from broken.”Louise Ansa ri,nationaldirector at Healthwatch England,said: “People were significantly less confidentthatservic es wouldsee them in areasonabletimeframe. However, people whoreceived care fora life-threat eningillness or injury re stillconfidentin uality of care they re .”

tthewTaylor, chief ecutiveofthe NHS Confederation, said the

findings echoed how worried health leadersare about thepressures the NHSfaces this winter

He added: “The NHSisdoing everything it caninthese circum stancesand is making progress in keyareas,suchasbyvirtually clearing thelistofpatientswho had been waitingthe longestfor an elec tive procedure, by carrying outa re cord number of cancer checks over thesummer,and by carrying out 10 percentmoreGPappointments than before thepandemicbut there is no escapingthe fact that this is a troubling time

“The Chancellor must seethese achievements andthe threat of the quality andsafetyofcaredeterio ratingsignificantly as thecasefor increasedand protected fundingin theNHS in hisimminentAutumn Statement.”

An NHSEnglandspokeswoman said health servicestaff contin uedtoface“significant pressure” acrossall services, deliveringrecord numbersofGPappointments with increasingdemandfor urgent care Sheadded: “The NHShas an nounced extensiveplans to prepare forwinter including24/7control centrestomanagedemandand capacity across theentirecountry, fallsresponse services andthe re cruitmentofextra call handlers –so it is importantthatpeoplecontinue to come forwardfor thecarethey need.”

ADepartmentofHealthand SocialCarespokespersonsaid: “The NHShas setout measures to increase capacity andresilience –suchascreatingthe equivalent of 7,000 more beds,including in novative virtualwards –and we’re investing£500million to speed up thesafedischargeofpatientsfrom hospital,freeing up beds andreduc inglongwaits in A&E.”

Themainconcerns aboutstruggling NHSservices have been revealed in anew poll

Iwas paramedics’onlypatient foranentireshift

Andy Maxwellhas nothingbut praise forthe ambulancecrew that ferriedhim from hishome in WellingtontoThe RoyalShrewsbury Hospital –and shares their frustrationathavingtowaiteight hoursinanambulance before he wasadmitted fortreatment

He wasthe onlypatient hiscrew dealtwithfor theirentireshift be causetheir ambulancespent the entire dayparkedoutside A&E.

The57-year-old salesand promotion managerhad aboutoffood poisoning on August 11 andhadn’t felt well on goingtobed

He gotuptogotothe toilet around 7amthe next morningbut blackedout,hitting thetoiletbowl as he went down

Hiswifecalledanambulance, whichtookanhourtoarrive, and he wastaken to hospital at around 8ambut hadtowaitinthe queue to be admitted.Althoughhewas barely conscious at timesduring

theeighthourdelay,hesaidit couldhavebeenmuchworse

He said:“Beinghonest theambulancewas air-conditionedand theteamlooking afterme, James andEmma, were firstclass and couldn’t doenough for me.

“Theygavemegas andair and even alollipopat onepoint to keep my sugars andawareness up

“Theyweretotally professional andI couldhavebeeninaworse place, as Ifound outwhenIwas admitted

“There were people in pain and strugglingonthe corridorsand it wasahot andsweatyenvironment so Iwas probably better offinthe ambulance, although of course it isn’tanideal situation.”

Mr Maxwelleventuallyspent five days in theRSH with apunc turedlungand sixcracked ribs

He said:“Ididn’trealise thediagnosisat first, though thepara medics didsay it looked likethere

wasdamagetothe ribs. Jamesand Emma said it wasthe firsttime they hadn’t been able to go on an othershout

“Minewas the firstofthe day andtheyspent theentireshift lookingaftermeinthe ambulance –obviouslythatisnot thebest used of skilled andtrained medical personnel.

“I don’tknowwhatthe answer is whetheritismoreinvestment in theNHS or trainingmorepeo plebecause in my case it wasn’t thelackofstaff it wasthe lackof beds to admitpatientsthatcaused delays andstopped theparamedics from gettingbackonthe road

“Myexperiencewas nothingbut positive from the way I was dealt with

“Butobviouslythere is aproblem with capacity that must be causing frustrationfor senior managers down to NHSstaff,patientsand theirfamilies.”

Ambulancedelaysjustkeep on getting‘worseand worse’

NICK HUMPHREYS nick.humphreys@mnamedia.co.uk

An ambulancecam paignerhas shared horrorstories of patients left waitingfor hoursin agonydue to “shocking” ambulancedelays.

Scenes of emergencyvehicles queuingoutside hospitals, andsto ries of patients waitingfor hours in thebackofambulances, in A&E departmentsand on trolleyshave been common this year as handover delays cause havoc.

Fresh figuresshowedthe distress facing patients.Inthe week up to October27, four consecutive days sawpatientswaitinginthe back of ambulances formorethan10hours outsideRoyal Shrewsbury

Thesuccessivelongestwaittimes from October22were10hours 36 minutes,11hours 32 minutes, 10 hours28minutes,and 10 hourstwo minutes.

In total, ambulances spent562 hourswaitingoutside Shrewsbury

At Telford, wherethe longestwait wasseven hours46minutes,the to talhours lost waitingwere453.

Acrossbothhospitals thelongest averagewaitcameatShrewsbury on October26, at 144minutes per person,and at TelfordonOctober 23, at 139minutes

Thesituation meansthatthe number of patients waitingover 15 minutes to be handed over was 312atTelford,and 250atRoyal Shrewsbury

Ambulancecampaignerand Ludlow councillor Darren Childs said: “Itjustgetsworse andworse.It’s shocking anddisappointing. We’ve always said theNHS is in crisis, but it’s nowatthe pointwhere we are losing theNHS.We’re getting to a

pointwhere we’renot goingtoget back from it.”

Mr Childs started campaigning afterhis baby daughter Myla was left waiting37minutes foranambulancewhenshe suffered aseizure in January.

Sincethen, several people have been in touchwithMrChilds, shar ingtheir horrorstories

“There wasone elderlyperson whohad ableed on thebrain who hadtowaitseven hoursin an am bulance. Then they were on atrolleyfor 12 hours. They were in hospitalfor threeweeks

“There wasaneight-year-old who broke herleg andhad to wait

forfourhours foranambulance to gettoher.”

This week hospital bossescon firmed that thetrust is taking part in apilot scheme designed to tackle thecrisis.

WMAS said that SaTH hadsigned up to itsnew pilot, whereitisemployingstaff to work in ‘ambulance decision areas’ –effectively part of thehospitalwhere ambulancepatients canwaitand be looked after by dedicatedstaff,beforetheycan be admitted to A&E.

Mr Childs said thenewsis“welcome”, butonlyhelps onepartofthe problem.

“Ithelps to getthe ambulances

back on theroad,”hesaid, “but it doesn’treducethe time you are waitinginA&E.It doesn’thelpwith dischargingpeople.”

KarenEvans, interimdeputy chiefoperating officeratSaTH, said on thepilot scheme:“We will soonbeintroducing an Ambulance Decision Area at RoyalShrewsbury Hospital

“Thiswillsee adedicated West Midlands AmbulanceService and SaTH EmergencyDepartment team lookingafter patients collab orativelyinhospitalratherthanon ambulances,which will help to free up ambulances to respondtonew emergencycalls.”

Some emergency callstobegiven a‘lower’ rating in trialscheme

Some of themostserious emergency callsare to be downgraded by West Midlands AmbulanceService

Theservice –which hassomeof theworst handoverdelaysinthe country– will be taking part in a NHStrial whichwill seeserious “Category2”calls re-assessed.

Thecategory–which includes strokes, heartattacks,sepsisand burns–will be reviewed by clinicians to find outhow quicklypara medics need to respond to an emer gencyinthe area –and whetheran ambulanceisrequired at all.

Butwhile theNHS chiefs have said themovewill prioritise response timestotime-sensitive emergencies, whichshouldberespondedtowithin40minutes,it will stillmeanmany999 callswill notbetreated as such

Themove,which is also being trialled by London AmbulanceSer vice,isexpected to affect around 40 percentof‘category 2’ 999 calls, theNHS said.The results of the trialwillthenbeusedtoestablish whethersome of the‘least’ serious ‘category2’emergencies –suchas some typesofburns –can be indefi nitely downgraded into‘category 3’ –which are‘urgent’but not imme diatelylife-threatening.

Aspokespersonfor theNHS said: “Thistrial,supported by clinicians, will startintwo areasofthe coun trywiththe aimofspeedingup ambulanceresponse timesfor the sickestpatientswho need care and treatment most quickly–in asim ilar waytohow category 3and 4 callscurrently work.

“The proposalbeing tested will seeacliniciancalland assess thosepatientswho couldbetreated throughother services,suchasa communityresponse.”

Last month theregion’sambulanceservice admitted that long handover delays hadbeenat“cata strophic”levelsfor 12 months and showingnosignsofimproving,with thedelayscostingthe service£4.29 million amonth with everyhour costing£150.

Theconsequences of ambulances beingstuck outsidehospital, known as stacking,are dire with some pa tients waitingaslongas19hours outsideand paramedics beingable to gettoemergencies

HelenMorgan, LibDem MP for NorthShropshire, said:“This new trialisthe ambulanceservice at tempting to putplastersonthe gaping woundthe Governmenthas opened by failing to deal with the ambulancecrisis.

“Ambulance response timesin Shropshirehavebeendangerously long formorethanayearand are expected to geteven worse over the winter

“Therefore it is rightthatWest Midlands AmbulanceService focuses itsresources on saving as many livesaspossible, butitshouldnev er have been forced intoaposition wherethisisnecessary

“Far toomanypeoplehavealreadydiedwaitingfor an ambu lancetoarriveand yetthe Conserv ativeGovernmentiscontinuingto ignoreagrave situation.”

Feeling better –AndyMaxwell

Ambulancecampaignerand Ludlow councillor Darren Childswith hisfamily

Womanbadly injured in crash

Awoman wasseriouslyinjured in a head-oncrash with alorry on ama jorShropshireroad

Thecrash took placeonthe A49 near Oniburyataround4pm last Thursday). West Mercia Police said thecrash hadinvolveda white Hyundaiand alorry

They said that afemalepassen gerinthe Hyundaihad suffered “serious injuries”inthe crash.

Shewas takentoQueen Eliza beth Hospital in Birmingham for treatment

Aspokesman forWestMidlands AmbulanceService said:“We were called at 4.36pm to theA49,Oni bury to reportsofacollision involv ingacar andaHGV

“The driver suffered non-seri ousinjuriesand wasdischarged on scene. Thepassenger sustained potentiallyserious injuries andwas given treatment on scene before be ingconveyedtoQueen Elizabeth Hospital forfurther checks.”

Newridersare welcomeathub

Asocialcycling grouphas an nouncedthe autumn dates memberswill be getting in the saddle,and newridersare wel come

ShropshireCycle Hubwill be holding ridestomorrow (11) from Shrewsbury to Upton Magna, andFriday, November 25 from Shrewsbury to Uff ington.Bothrides will be from 10am to 12pm

Aspokesman forthe hubsaid: “Wewantpeoplewho wouldlike to explorenew routes,gaincon fidence andmeetnew people in thecompany of asmall group. Autumn is theperfect time to enjoybeautifulShropshirescen eryonamix of cyclepathand trails.

“Itisagentlepacewithacafe stop,led by qualified andfriend ly ride leadersfromShropshire CycleHub.”

Driver unhurt as carendsonroof

Adriver escaped unharmed after theircar endeduponits roof

Firefighters from TelfordCentral were scrambledtoRandlay Inter change with theA442nearTelford Town Centre at 9.30pm on Sunday to reportsofa crash.

When two fire enginesarrived at thescene with an operations officer they foundthatno-one wastrapped Thecrews madethe vehicle safe and sent theirincidentstopmessage 12 minutes later

Aspokesman forShropshireFire &RescueService said:“This inci dentwas onecar on roof, no persons trapped, crewsmadevehicle safe.”

Ambulancecrews andpolicealso attended,but thedriver wasun hurt

Aspokesman forWestMidlands AmbulanceService said:“Upon arrivalwefound thedriver of the car. He wasassessedand wasunin jured. He received self care advice andwas discharged at thescene.”

Talent in thespotlight at cinema

An independentcinemainShrop shireisrolling outthe redcarpet in an effort to supportlocal film makers

TheWellingtonOrbit,Welling ton, Telford, will be welcoming GreyhoundProductions forthe premiere of theirnew short film laterthismonth.Ratsisbased on thestory of ayoung couple fight ingoff arat infestationintheir

newpropertywhilestrugglingto maintain theirrelationship. The premiere,which will take place at 7pmonNovember27willfea ture an exclusive Q&Awithdirec torMatthew Summer alongside director AliceHalstead, whose horrorshort film Jam, will also appear on screen nTickets areavailable from www.wellingtonorbit.co.uk.

Nominate dementiaheroesfor award

Individualsand organisationsin Shropshirewho have gone theextra milefor people affected by dementia couldberecognisedataprestigious awards ceremony

TheAlzheimer’sSocietyDemen tiaHeroAwardswillcelebrate the achievements of individuals, groups andorganisations whomeaningful ly involvepeopleaffected by demen tiainactivitiesand projects that make arealdifference.

Thereare nine awardcategories, includinganOutstanding Achieve ment award. Winnerswillbechosen by apanel of judges inresearchand innovation, localgovernment,those whocarefor people with dementia anddementia-friendly businesses, amongothers.

Nominations, whichclose on Fri day, November18, canbesubmit tedatalzheimers.org.uk/dementia heroawards

Footfall near pre-Covidlevels aftermajor lettings at centre

MEGANHOWE Community News Reporter

Footfall at Telford’s main shopping centre hasrecoveredtonear pre-pandemiclevelsaf teranumberofvacant stores were filled,bosses say.

OrionCapital Managers have an nouncedthatmajor letting success at TelfordCentre hashelped foot fall recover near to 2019 levels.

Thedemiseofthe national de partment store sector resulted in BHS, Debenhamsand Houseof Fraser allgoing in to administra tion.But,following astrategy ledby Sovereign Centros, newoccupiers have nowbeenfound forall three stores forfutureshoppingand lei sure

The90,000 sq ft former Deben hams hasbeenleasedtoindoor adventure park operator FlipOut, whichhas takenona15-year lease on 75,000 square ft

TheFlipOut adventure park in cludes zipwires,trampolines,slides andinflatablesfor young children allthe wayuptoteens andadults.

Boom Battle Bar, abar with gamesfor socialeventsand birth days, hasalsosignedupfor a 15-year-leaseonthe remaining 15,000 sq ft

The80,000sqft HouseofFraser storehas been leased to Fraserson a15-year leasetohouse anumberof retailersincluding Game,USC and

EvansCycles.

MeanwhileDanishretailerJysk, Poundstretcherand inflatable park operator Inflatanationhavebe tweenthemtaken 50,000 sq ft on 10-yearleases at theformerBHS unit

In addition,fashion retailer Va nillaistoopena 8,314sqftstore, Pavershas signed a10-year lease

fora 3,177sqftstore andPaper chasehas takena1,100 sq ft unit

This hasresultedincustomer footfall reaching itshighest levelfor twoyears at thecentre Councillor LeeCarter, Telford& Wrekin Council’scabinet member forneighbourhood services, regen erationand thehigh street said:“I am delightedtosee thenew retail

offerthatwill be coming to our town andparticularlypleased to seeanexcitingnew leisureuse for theformerDebenhams site.”

Matt Elgey, senior assetmanag er at SovereignCentros,said: “The collapse of theUKdepartmentstore sectorhas been well-reported butI am pleasedtosay that Telfordhas faredincrediblywell.”

Bosses risk chaosifworkers go WorldCup AWOL

Themonth-long 2022 FIFAWorld Cuphas thepotential to cause HR complications forbusinesses acrossthe West Midlands,with some workers likelytobeabsent during bigmatches

That is thewarning from Mid landsemployment lawyer Dar ryll Thomas whosaysbusinesses should preparefor both legitimate holidayrequestsand foremployees calling in sick to watchthe show piece tournament’s live matches.

Mr Thomas,apartner in the employmentand HR services de partment at mfgSolicitorswith officesinKidderminster,Ludlow andTelford, warned business lead

erstheyriskfacing‘weeksofcha os’unlesstheyprepare nowfor the Qatar-hosted tournament which runs from November20toDecem ber18.

With Englandand Walesboth competing, andalso in thesame group, workerswill be lookingto cheeronbothsides,along with people supporting othernations whoworkinthe region

Mr Thomas believes thetourna ment will cause aparticularhead ache foremployersincomparison to previous tournamentsdue to thetimingofmanygames,with scheduledkickoff timesof10am, 1pmand 4pmcutting acrossthe

traditionalworking day. He said: “LikeeveryWorld Cup, it’s still go ingtobehugelyexcitingwithpeo pleglued to screensathome andin pubs.But businesses must be able to keep moving as thereisareal potentialfor weeksofchaos

“Althoughhybridworking is very much thenormnow andis afeasiblesolutionfor many,the best thingfor employersistoplan ahead, be understandingand work with them,makingsurethatleave requestscan be accommodated andday-to-day aredutiescovered

“Some moreinnovative firmsare even installing TV screensintoof fice to find asolution.”

Anumberofvacant units at TelfordCentrehave been filled with newenterprises

Lawyer DarryllThomas

HowMissLuntprovided some sunshine into thelives

TOBY NEAL toby.neal@mnamedia.co.uk

In herelderly,opentopped car, headmistressLucyLuntwould take heryoung charges outfor ridesinthe Shropshire countryside, delightingthemas, with thehooddown, 25mph seemed fast andexcit ing.

They enjoyed many happyhours riding around thecountry lanes, andalthoughthe children couldnot enjoythe sights, they couldenjoy thesounds, smells, andsensations around them

Oneday Davidwas in aserious mood, andasked her: “Will Ibeable to do this myself?Drive,Imean?”

Only atruthful answer woulddo. “NoDavid.” “Not ever?” “NoDavid.”

Miss Lunt suggestedthatagirl might drivehim.After much consideration Davidresponded “All right, that’lldo,”beforethumping hishandonthe seat andadding “Butit’llbemy car.”

Exploring

Foreightyears spanningthe 1950sand early1960s Miss Lunt washeadofanursery school for blindchildrenrun by theRoyal Na tional Institutefor theBlind BasedatOverley Hall,nearWel lington, it wasone of sixSunshine HouseNursery Schoolsrun by the RNIB andMissLunt’srolesaw her striving to bringsunshineintothe livesofthe youngsters, boys and girlsfromall over thecountry Thechildrenlovedthe hall,with itslarge gardens, andwerefasci natedwhenatreeblewdownas, throughexploringthe felled pine, they couldfor the firsttimeappreci atehow high trees were.There were holidaytrips to theseaside too.

During Miss Lunt’s time there

were normally24children living there,aged betweentwo andahalf to nine or 10,but most beinginthe four to eightage group, with thepri mary handicap beingblindness,although notmanyweretotally blind. When she firststarted some of the children were mobile,but graduallyitbuiltupasa household with children with additional physical or mental impairments.

On Saturday afternoonsshe wouldoften take some of theboys to listen to thetrains.

Frankiegot caught in athorn bush andcom plainedloudly.

“Shut up,Frankie,” said Dennis.“If you make anoise Ican’t see.”

That became thetitle

Everyday down thepit was‘a battle againstnature’

of Miss Lunt’s book publishedin 1965,three yearsaftershe hadleft OverleyHall, in whichshe told of herexperiences andofthe children underher care there.

“Myeightyears with these chil dren were probably thedeepest ex perience Ieverhad in my life,”she said Anditwas avaried life.

Born in Shrewsbury, shewas educated at Shrewsbury Girls’ High School,and during the warshe helped with the care of evacueesfrom Liverpool.

In 1947 shefound ed thenursery nurses’ trainingschemeatthe oldShrewsburyTechnicalCollege

Previouslyshe hadbeenheadof Leaton Knolls CofESchool, and also in charge of Hodnet Nursery School

Shelived with herparents in Oak Street,Shrewsbury.

On leavingOverley Hall in 1962 shehad intended to retire,but in steadwas askedtoreturntoher previous role of trainingnursery nursesinShropshire.

In herbookshe writes:“Ihope my storywill awakeorfosteran existing sense of comradeshipand warmth with thechildrenitdescribes, andcreatea willing and sympatheticwishtoknowand un derstand such children within your sphere

“Mostofthemhavesomuchneed forunsentimentalinterestand encouragement, andwantsodeeplyto be offeredfriendship.”

Youhad to enjoy lifedownthe pit, saysAlanDean. “Ifyou wentdownand didn’t enjoy it,you wouldnever go down again,” says theretired miner.

“Everyday wasabattle againstnature. People thinkwe went down thepit andgot big bonuses, butitwasn’tlikethat.”

Alan,ischairmanand a foundermember of Cannock ChaseMiningHistoricalSociety, whichhas seen thepub lication of 18 booksabout the coalfieldsince it wasformedin 2002.Now,after20years,heis calling it aday,and thesociety will be woundup at theend of this year

Thesociety wasformedat a meetingat theMuseumofthe CannockChase,whenthe late Mick Drury issued an appeal forformerminerstohelphim with abookabout theregion’s mining heritage.Sogood was theresponse that it wasdecided asinglebookwould not do it justice,and asociety wasformed that wouldproduce what has been describedasthe most comprehensive record mining history ever published.

Trevor Matthews, whowrote abookabout theHiltonMain andHolly Bank collieriesas part of thecollection, says the society’s combined worktotals some 1,750pages in allformats

“The National Mining Mu seum in Yorkshire, andMining RecordsinMansfield, have ac claimeditasthe best historyof anycoalfieldever,”saysTrevor, wholives in Claverley. He adds that none of it wouldhavebeen possiblewithout thededicated effortsofMickLucas,who edit ed theentireproduction.

“MickLucas wasutterly in dispensable,”saysTrevor. “He not only edited all18publica tions, each of whichusually required five drafts, butalso provided numerous maps and illustrations

“Thismonumentaltasktook from 2004 to 2017,and without himthishighly acclaimed, tre mendousworkwould nothave been published. We owehim a greatdebtofgratitude.”

Now90, Trevor beganhis career as agraduatetrainee at HiltonMaincolliery, Essington, in 1951,working hisway up to eventually become assistant managerofLittleton Colliery.

Storytime with Miss Lunt at OverleyHallinNovember1961.

Children gettogrips with aclimbing frameOverley Hall, Wellington, wherethe school wasbased

Trevor Matthews,from Claverley,atthe memorial

BRIDGNORTH

only 49 cattle penned today. Adisastrouslylow number forward this morning and at leasttwice as many will be required to maintain our buyersupport.Therewere934 lambs. What adifferenceaweek makes, asaleaverage of 263.5p/kgwithmeated, finished ambs selling to a real premiumand thebestshapedlambsover300p/kg to 319p/kgfor BeltexLambs from Pete Morris weighing 40kg. Very spirited bidding on allweights,withcustomersverykeen to buylamb regardless of weight.Heavier lambssold to £167for 59kg Texels from StuartMoss and Suffolk-siredlambsselling to £154 from RobertWatkins. Lambs under 40kgsold to 300p/kgfor 37kg Beltex ambs andmorecommercial typesweighingaround36kgsold to well over265p/kg.Morelambs required for next week.1500+ lambscould easily be sold everyweek hereatBridgnorth.Ewes(603).Asmallerentry of ewes, thefewest for many weeksand tradepossibly alittledearer,especiallyfor thestronger meatedewes. Texelewessold to £178 from StevePerkins with smaller, shapeyewesat£160. Suffolk ewes sold to £140 andNorth Country Mulesweremuchdearerthanlastweek,withveryordinaryMules £95.50 andleanerMuleewesto£70 plus. Smallersheep were £70for small Cheviots and£28 forverysmall Welsh. Rams sold to £144 for Texels,£122for Dorsets andgoats were very dear,withyearlingsat £114.50and smallBoer goats£67.Moreewesrequired for next week with astrong buying supportexpected. Goats of allsizes andtypes are required too.

‘Maximiserumen health’ to boostmilk production

Dairyfarmers arebeing encouraged to take stepsto maximise rumenhealthintheir herd andboostmilk production from fibrethisseason.

TheadvicefromLallemand Animal Nutrition’s productmanager Mark McFarlandcomesagainst the backdrop of variable grasssilagequality,high feed prices andwarningsofincreased mycotoxinriskin maizesilagethisseason.

“Ruminantshaveauniqueability to releaseasig nificant amount of energy from the fibrefractionof forage,” said Mr McFarland. “But harnessing this energy potentialdepends on both thequality of the forage andthe fibredigestion processwithinthe ru men.”

He said although it is toolatetoinfluencethe qual ityofforageavailable forfeeding thiswinter, farm erscan liftproductionfromforagebytakingsteps to boostthe degradability of fibrewithinthe rumen.

“Getting fibredigestion in therumen rightisre ally importantbecause this leadstohigher milk production,and more fertileand healthieranimals,” explains Mr McFarland.

“Research hasshownthatfor every5%increase in neutraldetergent fibre(NDF) digestibility within therumen,a cowwill increase herdry matter intake (DMI)by0.63kgper day, resultingina0.9kg increase in theamountoffat corrected milk (FCM) shepro ducesevery day.”

He says thephysiological status of acow –suchas thetemperature of her environment, stocking density andaccess to feed andwater –can have abig impact on thedigestion of fibrewithinthe rumen.

“However,how andwhata cowisfed is the biggest contributortohow efficientlythe rumenbreaksdown valuable fibre, so working closely with yourfeed advi sortomaximise this is worthwhile.”

Deal agreed over importsfromVikingcountries

BreedersVikingGeneticsUK hasformedanexclusive collaboration with livestockimporters, Best of Breed Live stock.

Thearrangement is de signed to streamline the import of livestockfromthe Viking countriesbyUK dairy producers.

Followingmanyyears spentworking together,the twocompanies have entered into this arrangementwhich sees allofthe VikingGeneticsbreedsimported to the UK exclusivelythrough this route. It pavesthe wayfor easier importsofthe high health status andtop genetic

meritanimals forwhich Denmark,Swedenand Finlandare renowned.The collaborationis aresponse to thehighdemand in theUKfor Scandinavia’sVi kingRed, Jersey andHolstein as well as ready-made crossbred cattle Owen Daley, managing di rector forBestofBreed Live stocksaysthe Nordic countries nowdominatehis importing business,thanks to theirhigh health status andabundance of high-quality stock.

Currentlyimporting at least50truckloadsfromthese countrieseachyear, he says: “The Nordic countriesare light-yearsahead in termsof

health status,and UK produc ers–whether restocking after ahealthbreakdown,justimprovingtheir stockorchang ingbreeds– find it much easier andmoresatisfactorytomeet theirneedsfromthissource, especially when high numbers areinvolved.”

He says theprocessofacquiringstock will typically startwithsightofpedigree, performanceand geneticrecordsbythe farmer,who will create ashortlist from there.

“UKfarmers will then ei ther choosetotravelwithusto Scandinaviaand select theanimalsthemselves, or leavethe finalselection to us,”hesays.

Equestrianholding is placed onto market for£1.15 million

JAMESPUGH newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Afarmstead near Newport, whichis well-known as an equestrian holding of over30acres,has beenplacedonthe market foroffers around £1.15million.

Having an extensivefront agetoLongfordRoad, Vauxhall Farm hasbeeninthe ownership of thePasseyfamilyfor some 40 years. It is aringfencedfarm offering attractive ruralviews

Thepropertybenefits from four separate gateways from Longford Road providingeasy access to thefarmhouse,farm buildingsand theland, comprisinganattractivedoublefront ed farmhouse with grounds, a comprehensiverange of farm buildingsand farmland

Thefarmisaregisteredholdingand hasthe benefitofan annual ruralpayment from the RuralPaymentsAgency.

Thehomesteadisa peri od sandstone/brick/tile-built farmhouseproviding well-pro portionedlivingaccommodation.There is alounge, sitting

room, kitchen, utilityroom with wc,and conservatory, with doorsopening outtothe formal gardens, having viewsof thefarmlandbeyond. Upstairs arefourbedroomsand afam ilybathroom. Thepropertyis approached offLongfordLane over asweepingdriveway with shaped lawnsand well stocked side bordersleading to aparkingareaofferingample space forseveral vehicles. Further formal lawnsare setthe other

side of thedriveway, enclosed by postand rail fencingwith viewsand access to theringfenced land beyond.The farm buildingswhich frontalong theLongfordRoadhavepoten tial fordevelopment subjectto thenecessaryapprovals and as they standcomprise nine looseboxes andatackroom/ workshopfrontingacourtyard Thereis aseparateaccess to a two-bayshedand athree-bay Dutchbarn. Thereisalarge

open-fronted storageareaand to therearisabrick-builtbuild ingwhich provides afurther 12 looseboxes andanadjoining storeroom. Thereisamains water supply to theland, which comprises four fields of level permanentpasture,bounded to thenorth by theStrineBrook, extendingin allto32.5acres

Thepropertyisfreehold andviewing is by appointment with theagentsTempertonson 01952812519.

Pope ‘could help climatecrisis’ by restoringmeat-free Fridays

ThePopecould bringabout a majorreduction in global carbonemissions by urging Catho lics to return to thetraditional practice of noteatingmeatona Friday,astudy suggests

Cambridge University re searchersassessedthe impact of areturn, in 2011,tomeatfree Fridaysfor Catholicsin England andWales

Whileonlyaroundaquarter of CatholicsinEngland and Waleschanged theirdietary habits, afterbishops called on congregationstodoso, this savedmorethan55,000 tonnes

of carbon ayear, accordingto thestudy.The research team saythisisequivalentto82,000 fewerpeopletakingareturn trip from London to NewYork over thecourseofa year They saythatthe environmental benefits couldbescaled up if thePopeweretoreinstate theobligationtoCatholics around theworld,orifbishops in othercountries made the same call.“Forinstance, even if only theUnitedStatesCatho licbishops were to follow suit, thebenefits wouldlikelybe20 timeslargerthaninthe UK,”

thestudy’s authorswrote

Theobligationtoforego meat on oneday of theweek, whichhas ancientorigins and is backed by CanonLaw,was re-established in Englandand Walesafter a26-year hiatus, accordingtothe study.

TheoverallCatholicshare of theBritish population has remained largelystablefor decadesatjustunder 10 per cent,the researcherssay.The currentCatholicleader, Pope Francis, hascalledfor “radical” responses to climatechange.

Thestudy’s lead author Pro-

“PopeFrancis hasalready highlightedthe moral imperativefor action on theclimate emergency, andthe important role of civilsociety in achieving sustainability throughlifestyle change.Meatagriculture isone of themajor driversofgreen house gasemissions.”

VauxhallFarmnear Newport, whichextends to over 32 acres, hasbeen putonthe market

fessor ShaunLarcom, from Cambridge’sDepartmentof Land Economy, said:“The Catholic Church is very well placed to help mitigateclimate change,withmorethanone billion followersaroundthe world.”

Owen Daley

LIVESTOCK MARKETREPORT–TUESDAYNOVEMBER8,Therewere

Data from ‘Sandy’can help with nitrogen usedecision

With pressure mounting on farm erstomeasure andreducetheir impact on water quality, Trinity AgTech haslaunchedan enhanced module within theirnatural cap ital navigation tool,Sandy,to specificallysupport farmersto optimise nitrogenuse andreduce nitrateleachingin real-time.

Utilising more than 300data

points, themodulehas thepoten tial to protectwater througha sub stantial reductioninnitrate leach ingand reduce costsbyanalysing each farm and field’snitrogenup take efficiency on adaily basis, the companysaid.

“Sandy’s dynamicwater protec tion module will help allfarmers to manage andreducetheir im

pact on water quality, whilealso saving moneythrough areduction in nitratewastage,” explainedDr MiladToolabi,directorofartificial intelligence-machinelearning(AI ML)advanced analyticsatTrinity AgTech.“Sandy’sforecasting and scenario analysiscapabilities can alertfarmers to theoptimum time andquantityofnitrogentoapply.”

He added: “Thisallowsapreci sion approach to applications, con tributingtowards cost saving and reductioninwater pollutionrisk.”

Having alreadybeenadoptedby farmsacrossEurope, UK farm tri alshaveindicated improvements notonlyinterms of financialsav ings andefficiency butalsofor farm sustainability

External pressuresimpacton conditions in thelambmarket

DAVIDBANNER newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Conditions in thelamb market remain unsteady as external pressures impact on consumerdemand,exporttrendsand supply,latest figures suggest.

Castinganexperteye over ayear of fluctuations,HCC’s data analyst GlesniPhillipssaid: “The lamb sec torhas been under pressure in 2022 duetorisingfarminput costs, glob al tradebeing impacted on by the warinUkraine,and inflationary pressuresonred meat consumers.

“Thishas influenced liveweight prices at auctionmarkets,which have fluctuated in recent weeks whilecurrent throughputatabat toirsisbelow what we would expect forthistimeofyear, suggestinga shorttermincreaseinsupplyasthe year endapproaches.

“However,averagelamblive weightpricesremain firm when compared to historicalaverages as export volumesrecover anddemand forlambonthe global market does remain strong.Despite recent fluc tuations, theliveweightaveragehas remained abovelevelsseenin2020, andalso abovethe longer-term five year average, forthe entirety of 2022.”

Salesoflambatretailare lower than thepreviousthree yearsasthe Covid“cook-at-home”factordissi pated andthe cost of living crisis hit

shoppers.Demandfor lamb on the domestic market hasbeenweaker as aresult. Data released by Kan tarreveals 12-weekconsumerretail spending on lamb to beginning of Octoberexperienced an 18 percent decreaseonyear-earlierlevels.

Glesni assertscontinued infla tion meansthe cost of feedingand finishingstock on farm remains

high.She said:“Lookingahead,we believeinflationary pressures will continue to have adirectimpacton thesupplyoflambontothe market, alongwithdemandfromconsum ers.

“Some producersmay continue to offloadanimals to save on expendi ture,and lightercarcases maycome forwarddue to limited food availa

bility andhighfeed costs.” Sheconfirmed thecurrent tight supply contributedtoan11per cent fall in sheepmeatproductiononthe year.Althoughlambkill numbers forthe nine-month period arethree percenthigherthan2021, they are in fact some eightper cent behind thelonger-term averagefor thecor responding period

Leadingvisitor attractions‘backinglocal produce’

Family attractions in theUKare servingmorelocal ingredientsand Britishmeatdespite battling with rising ingredient costsand staff shortages,according to aSoilAs sociation investigation.

Thefood andfarming charity hasranked16ofthe UK’s lead ingattractions in anew league tableafter an army of “secretdin er”parents helped to assess the qualityoffood on offer. TheOut to Lunchcampaignfound nine of theattractions aresourcinglocal ingredientsand half of them are sourcing 100per cent Britishmeat compared to athird in 2018 when theinvestigation last visited.

Good examples of localsourcing included Cornishmeatatthe Eden Project, alarge varietyofScottish produceatbothRoyal Botanic GardensEdinburgh andKelvin grove,and ChesterZoo wonpoints forsourcingmeatand dairyfrom Cheshireand theRibbleValley.

Soil Association head of food pol icyRob Percival said:“We arereal ly pleasedtosee visitorattractions supporting local, Britishfarmers

“Some of theseattractions are really leadingthe wayinsourc ingingredientsthatare notonly Britishbut produced on theirdoor stepsintheir localarea.

“Itisparticularlyencouraging

to seethiswhenweknowcaterers deal with rising prices,staff short ages andsupplychain disruption

“Itisa testamentbothtothe ef fortsofthe attractions, andtothe qualityofBritish products.”

BeckyFenner, Eden’s hospitality manager, said:“We aredelight ed to have come topofthe Out to Lunchleaguetable.The Eden Project’smission centresaround building relationshipsbetween peopleand planet to demonstrate thepower of workingtogetherfor thebenefitofall living things

“Centraltothisisour food story.

“Weexplore ways to deliver Earth-friendly food at scaleusing

afood systemratherthanafood productapproach, findingwaysof producingfood in aregenerative system that is climatepositive, increases biodiversity andenhanc es soil health.Healthy planet healthypeople.”

Five attractions failed to answer theSoilAssociation’s questions.

Mr Percival said:“Seriouscon cernsmustberaisedwhenanat tractiondoesn’t come cleanabout theiringredientsourcing.

“Risingingredient costsare putting ahugestrain on caterers, buttransparencyacrossour food chainisnot only what parentsare demanding.”

BY RICHARDYATES

TheEgyptianCOP27 confer ence hassadly received littlerec ognition in theUK. OurPrime Minister dithered andbelatedly joined theSharm el Sheikevent, clearlydemonstrating hislackof interest.It appearsthe shenani gans from I’mA Celebritydown underhavemoreresonanceto theBritish public than theloom ingenvironmental catastrophe. Schoolchildren acrossthe world canjustifiably throwtheir arms in theair andderideour politicalleaders fortheir leth argy.Clearly aglobalpandemic andPutin’s Ukrainianinvasion have muddiedthe waters but weneed to find freshimpetus to uphold ourenvironmental responsibilities.Despite allthe Brexit bravadoabout theUK becoming amajor world player again, thebrutalreality is that we area minor coginthe global machine. Case in pointthe deci sion by Russia to withdraw its participationin thegrain cor ridoragreement,which allows Ukrainianwheat boatstosail.

Cueanearly Monday call from yours trulytomyjolly grain merchantasthe wheatprice jumped £10/tonne.Manyspec ulatorsheldoff believingthat thewheat pricewould hitthe dizzyheights of £300/t plus that were attained in March.The game of Russianrouletteturned only aday laterwithPutin re versing hisdecision.The ships duly pulled up theiranchorsand sailed,and thewheat pricesub sequently dropped atenner.

Englishfarmers aremindful of ourdisappearinggovernment subsidies andseeking anyop portunitytoearnacrust.Take theissue of carbon credits. Thereis an optionbrewing for businesses to offset theircarbon footprintbypurchasingcred itsfromlandowners. This has ledtoaraftofagentslooking to seizetheir sliceofthe cake by besiegingfarmers with in ducements. Theconcern is that we areatsuchanearly stageof this operationand no onereally knowsthe credits’ true value. It wouldbeverygalling to jump in themarket earlyand undersell.

Therecentpolitical upheav al in this countryhas delayed theimplementationoftangible strategy.Itshouldbenosurprise that twicethe number of British farmershaveelected to take the earlyretirementschemeand vacate theirholding,thanhave signed up forthe government’s ELMs flagshipenviro-scheme

Taking threeyears of govern ment chequeswill duly require them to exit farming, rather than remain in thefarmhouse andpermittheir offspringto continue

My mindsetgoing forwardis to notput allmyeggsinone bas ket, to continue to juggle horn andcorn, andtry to tweakthe farm to operatemoreefficiently whilst upping productivity

Thelambsectorhas been underpressurein2022, figures show

TG in runningfor trio of accolades

Staffata firm have their fingers firmly crossedafter beingshortlist ed forthree high-profile national awards

TudorGriffithsBuilders’ Mer chants –adivisionofthe TG Group –has been namedasa finalist in threecategoriesatthisyear’s Builders’Merchants

Awards

TG Builders’Merchants gener al managerMarkEvans said the recognitionwas arealhonourfor everyone involved.

“We’re overwhelmedtohavebeen shortlistedin notjustone,but in threecategories, andwe’re proudof ourteamwho have workedsohard to deliver theverybestcustomerex perience at alltimes.”

Thecompany is in therunning forBuilders’Merchantofthe Year (six to 20 branches), Hard Land scapingDisplay ofthe Year,and Branch Manager of theYear.

Theawardsceremonywilltake placeonNovember 25

List of demands forailing firms

Business leadersare calling on theGovernmenttointroduce a series of measures to help firms in the“tough” monthsahead

TheBritishChambersof Commerce (BCC)saidcompa nies faced ahostofchallenges whichthreatenthe survival of many,including eyewatering energy bills, labour shortag es, 40-yearhighinflation, and rising interest rates. TheBCC said research highlightedan “alarming” drop in business confidenceand conditions, with keyeconomicindicatorsfalling back to Covid-crisislevels.

TheBCC publishedamanifes to settingout 17 policies needed to tackle challenges facing busi nesses.The demandsincluded investmentininfrastructure, supportfor energy costs, help with hiring workers andthe re movaloftradebarriers.

Firm takestothe floorwithForbo

Specialistbrand strategy andcom municationsconsultancy WyattIn ternationalhas been appointed UK digitalagencybyForbo Flooring Systemstopromote thebusiness’s offering acrossdigital platforms.

In this newpartnership,Wyatt Internationalwillbeworking with thecommercial flooring supplier, whichhas asiteinTelford,toin crease brandawareness in itstar getmarket sectors, with both speci fiersand flooring contractors.

ForboFlooringSystems is alead ingglobalbrand in high-quality commercial floorcoverings andto talsolution flooring projects

Theircategory-leadingproducts includelinoleum, luxury vinyl tiles, flocked flooring andentrance floor ingsystems

KarenWilding,atForbo,said: “We’re excitedtopartnerwiththe expert team at WyattInternational to help elevate ourbusiness offering acrossall digitalplatforms.”

Charities seek help on energy bills

Morethan60charities have writtentothe PrimeMinister demandingmoresupport formil lionsofUKhouseholdsinfuel poverty.

Asurveyfor theEnd Fuel Pov erty Coalitionsuggests 76 per cent of people thinkthe Govern ment is notdoing enough to sup port vulnerable households this winter.Despite theEnergyPrice

Guaranteeand theEnergyBills SupportSchemepledgedbythe Government, 58 percentofthe population still believetheywill struggletopay theirbillsthis winter,the poll indicates. Some 83 percentare “very” or “quite” worried abouttheir billsincreas ingagain in Aprilwhenthe cur rent Governmentsupport pro grammesrun out.

Firm strengthensteamwithhires

Thecontested wills, trusts andes tatesteamatShrewsbury-based Aaron&Partnershas strengthened itsdepartmentwithtwo newhires Solicitors JemmaLandand Re beccaBeamanjointhe team which will focusprimarily on matters re latedtotrust andprobate disputes followingincreasingclientdemand.

Jemmajoins Aaron&Partners with more than10years’experi enceinthe industry.She’s an as

sociate member of TheAssociation of ContentiousTrust andProbate Specialists (ACTAPS) having com pleted thespecialistdiploma.She haspreviouslyworkedwithlaw firmsLanyonBowdler andPCB Solicitors,specialisingintrust and probatedispute

Rebeccalinks up after five years with Hatchers Solicitors.She brings arange of experience in trustand probatedispute work.

Training supportaimstoease construction labour shortage

JAMESPUGH james.pugh@mnamedia.co.uk

TheConstructionSupport Part nership(CSP) will providetailored training,mentoring andsupport to around 700new construction work ersorthose returningtothe sector

The£400,000project is being ledbysupported employment and training charityLandau, with fund ingprovidedbythe Construction Industry Training Board(CITB)as part of theEngland Construction Opportunities(ECO) programme.

Phil Taylor,chief operations of ficerfor Landau,said: “The new CSPprogramme will focusonsup portingpeopleinthe workplace through jobcoaching, mentoring, employer engagement,peerand buddysystems or anyother support whichmight be appropriate

“Itistargetedatnew entrantsto theconstructionindustryand those whoare returningafteragap of twoyears or more.

“The CITB is particularly keen to widenthe talent poolinconstruc tion,somanyofthe people we sup port will be from groups under-rep resented in theindustry. Thereis anationalshortageofskilled con structionworkers so it’s vitalthat newrecruitsdon’t leave.”

Firm plumbs in newtenantatindustrialunit

Anationalplumbers’ merchants hasopenedanew branch in Tel ford.James Hargreaves Plumbing Supplies hasopeneda 5,020sqft newunitonAccess442. Establishedin1923, thebusi ness has69branchesacrossthe UK andsaiditwas attracted to thenew site thanks to itshigh visibility andeasyaccesstokey road networks.The move is an ex pansionintothe Telfordmarket,

james.pugh@mnamedia.co.uk

as it growsits UK network. The business hasone of thelargestand fastestmovingproduct ranges in theindustry.

Itsnew unit will houseits ex tensiverange of plumbing,boilers, underfloorheating andbathroom products

RussellPengelly, Telfordbranch manager, said:“Thelocationand size of ournew unit is idealand we arelooking forwardtocreating newjobshere.”

LizLowe, of Morris Property, said:“JamesHargreavesbuildson thesuccess of Access442 showing thediversity of tenant mixand howthe unitsprovide property solutionstoawiderange of oper ators.”

Greentalkwithclients leadstoactionfor firm

Achartered ruralsurveyors has setabout future-proofing itsbusi ness base,seeking to achievecar bonzerowellbefore2040 and becoming cost efficientinthe pro cess

Balfours hasinvested in green energy,putting into practice rec ommendations frequently given to clients.

Theenergyefficiency refurbish ment is at thecompany’s head office of 10 years, NewWindsor HouseatOxonBusiness Park near Shrewsbury Business managerCraig Varley said:“Theofficessuitour business very well,itprovidesmorethan

10,000 feet square internal space andisideally situated on theedge of town with excellentroadlinks andampleparking.As aresultwe purchased thesitein 2020

“You couldcallthisphase two; updating the25-year-old building to provideuswiththe latest green solutions. That hasincludedso larpanelsonthe south/southwest roof.All windowsand doorshave been replaced with thelatestglaz ing technology, keepingheatin andcoldout

“Wehavebenefitted from ShropshireCouncil’sBEEP grant switchingall fluorescentlighting to LEDpanelswhich are75per

cent more efficient. Plansare also in thepipelinetoinstall half adoz en EV carchargingbaysin thecar park.”

Half of Balfours 80 staffwork outofNew WindsorHouse andthe majority have been pleasedtore turn to theoffice post-Covid.The refurbishmenthas provided bright lightofficeswhich aremoreener gy-efficient.

“The beauty of thePVisthatour staffare in during daylighthours andtherefore much of ourenergy usageisfor free.Furthermore,as property professionalsitisright that we should walk thewalkand talk thetalk.”

Amajor projecttosup port newconstruc tion workersand drive growth in theindustry hasbeenlaunchedbya training charity.

NewWindsor House, Shrewsbury

RussellPengelly, LizLowe andJackJames outsidethe newbranch

JAMESPUGH

ACROSS

1. Immanuel, German philosopher who authored Critique of PureReason (4) 3. Leguminous plant cultivated for its edible seeds (8) 8. Small semiaquatic amphibian (4) 9. ‘The Admirable ---’, play by JMBarrie (8) 11. 1986 film by John Badham featuring robot ‘No. 5’ (5,7) 13. Heroine of George Eliot’snovel Felix Holt (6) 14. Bay is between Greenland and Canada (6) 17. 1964 play by Arthur Miller (5,3,4) 20. Most northerly of the LeewardIslands (8) 21. ‘The ---’, 1898 sculpturebyRodin (4) 22. Medieval wandering musician (8) 23. Charles, British prime minister 1830-34 (4)

DOWN

1. Charles, author of WestwardHo! (8)

2. Port in Rhode Island (7)

4. Joel Chandler,creator of Uncle Remus (6)

5. Old World beetle also called the May beetle (10)

6. Shallow dish used in laboratories for producing cultures of microorganisms (5) 7. Amember of the aboriginal people of Japan (4) 10. Italian monk who founded an order at Monte Cassino in about 540 AD (2,8)

12. Island offthe coast of NWWales (8)

15. American sitcom spinoffofCheers starring Kelsey Grammer (7)

16. Clement, British prime minister 1945-51 (6)

18. Thief in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (5)

19. ‘Animal ---’, novel by George Orwell (4)

WORD WISE

REGURGITATE

Informal term for darts (6)

10 Across. Scottish League One football club whose home ground is Bayview Stadium (4,4)

Marcello former manager of the China and Italy national football teams (5)

Horse ridden by Dick Francis in the 1956 Grand National (5,4)

Shota ........., former Ajax and Rangers striker; together,he and his two brothers gained morethan 100 caps for Georgia (9)

Hernan former Argentina, Parma and Chelsea striker (6)

Nicole 2008 Olympic women’sroadrace cycling gold medallist (5) 15. Toni Spanish winner of the 2006 Portuguese MotoGP (5) 16. Tony ...., US golfer who won The Open Championship in 1964 (4)

All That Glue is the title of an album from which British electronic punk music duo?

In which sport is aperson towed behind aspeedboat?

In which year was Terry Waite freed from captivity in Beirut?

Which instrument indicates the rate at which acar moves?

In which county is Bath?

Which 1994 film featured Beverly Hills 90210 star Luke Perry as Rodeo legend Lane Frost?

Which unit of distance is equal to 1760 yards?

For which party was John F. Kennedy president?

In which ocean is Mauritius?

wheremechanics work (6)

66

68

70

71

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74

75

100 Stammers (8) 102 Adonkey (3) 104 Leave out (4) 106 Love affair (5) 107 Concordant (10) 109 Curved structure(4) 111 Measuring stick (5) 114 Spike of wheat (3) 115 Unable to hear (4)

116 Buckets

Mean and cowardly (9)

Serious in mind or intention (7)

Imaginary source of fear (7)

Asecond self (5,3)

Thick (5)

Expensive (6)

127

128

View,informally (6)

125

(7)

Mars is settobelooking spectacularthismonth

BrilliantMarsisclose to itsbest this month, writes Steve Szwajkun, of Shropshire Astronomical Society.Lookeastmid-evening andyou will seethe wonderful anddistinc tive sightofthe redplanetrising higher in thenight sky.

Abasic four-inchtelescope will reveal surfacedetail, buttry employingeithera red, orange or yellow filter to boostcontrast

Jupiteristhe brightestplanet visible, during theevening, throughoutthe month. Easily observable from 5.30pm GMT, a smalltelescope will easily reveal thedynamic cloudtops, andthe GreatRed Spot

Oneshouldalsobeabletotrack

Jupiter’sfourGalileanmoons (Io, Europa,Ganymedeand Callisto) as they danceround theirking. Although Mercuryand Venusare

not visible, beingtoo closetothe Sun,and Saturn coming closeto theend of useful viewing, Uranus stepsforward taking centre stage throughout themonth

Appearingtothe left of Jupiter, in theconstellation of Aries, Uranusremains above thehorizon all nightlong.

It’s another‘star’month for meteors, with theregular Le onid shower on November17and thechanceofbrilliantTaurids throughout themonth Thereisagoodchancethisyear that more than theaverage 10-15 meteorsper hour maybespotted, including fireballs.

However,you will need to be abit of anightowl andhaveaclear view of thebackwardquestionmarkin theconstellation of Leoasitrises in theeast. Taurid meteorsare the

resultofcomet2P/Encke, with up to about5 meteorsanhourbeing averagealthoughmore, including fireballsmightbeseenthisyear.

ThePleiadesopenstarcluster is oneofthe most familiar and magnificent sights in theautumn sky, either with thenaked eyeor through binoculars.Thoughthe clusteriswellknown as theSev ernSisters,stargazerstypically seeany number of starsexcept7 Most canrecognize the6 brightest whileverykeensighted observers candistinguishupto11.

WhySeven Sisters? Well in Greekmythology,the Pleiades were theseven daughtersofAtlas, aTitan whoheldupthe sky, and theoceanidPleione,protectress of sailing.The sisterswereMaia, Electra,Alcyone,Taygete, Asterope, Celaenoand Merope

Akwasi keepsshaping smiles with hishedge trimmingskills

MEGANJONES megan.jones@mnamedia.co.uk

Atopiarist from Telford is bringing joy to hiscommunity with his distinctiveand shapely frontgarden.

Leegomery man, Akwasi Okyere, plantedthe conifertrees in 2014, originallyintending to create a hedge forhis frontgarden

ButAkwasiwas shockedbyhow tall they grew –sohethought he’d do somethingalittledifferent Sincethen, he hasbeentendingtothemlovingly, turninghis HurleybrookWay garden into Leegomery’s owntopiarytreat

Topiaryisthe horticultural practice of clipping thefoliage and twigsofshrubsintoclearly defined geometric or fanciful shapes andit datesbacktoRoman times.

Plants usedintopiary areevergreen, like firs or box.

Mess

“The firsttimewas very terrible, amess!” Akwasi explained.

“But afteracoupleoftimes I’d gotthemlooking likethisand I’ve only gotbetter.”

Thetrees, fashionedintostun ning corkscrews,takeAkwasia two full days to tidy up,which he does twice ayear–but allofhis hard workhas notgone unnoticed

Councillor forLeegomery,Car ol Hughes said thetrees hadbeen bringing asmile to herfacefor years.

“The trees bringsomanypeople so much joy,” Councillor Hughes said:“If you can’tbejoyfulseeing thoseand admiringthe skill and hard workthenthere’s something wrongwithyou

“Ifwehavepeopleinour area that aremakingitsomuchbetter, even if it’s justthe one house, then they oughttobecelebrated.

ANTIQUES

Councillor Hughes andher husband Kenhad been admiringthe trees on theirwalks formanyyears andfeltthe time wasright to write himaletterofthank

Kenadded: “I’vebeenmeaning to reachout to thankhim foryears,I thinkit’sreallyreached thesummit of what he candowiththem.

“The trees areperfect spirals. It’s obviously such alabouroflove, and really stands out.”

Akwasi said he hadreceivedlots

of complimentsonhis handywork overthe yearsand waspleased his hard work is making adifference.

Akwasi said:“Sometimespeople knockand my door andask me if Iboughtthemlikethis! Ilikethat people areenjoyingmy garden.”

WITH JOHN RIDGWAYOF OLDMILLANTIQUESCENTRE

Allkinds of vintageitems are popularwithcollectorsand the humble bottleisalwayssought after.

Allofthe bottles we use to daytendtobediscardedand then ground up,unless they areunusualorkeptasa memoryofaspecial occasion,but yearsago many will have been thrown into rubbish tips intact Andthese oldbottles,found andcleaned up,havebeengiv en a new lease of life as vintage collectables.Some of them are extremely valuable,afew years agowesolda William andMary brandy bottlefound on ariver bank formorethan£400.

Butmuchmoreaffordable vintagebottles canbefound and they look good almost anywhere in thehome,fromthe hallway andkitchen to adiningroom or even ahome office.Old wine bottles make greatsingle-stem vases andcolouredoneslook really attractivedisplayed in a group.

Perfumebottles areacollector’sfavourite andare much sought afternot only fortheir

particular ageormakebut also fortheir shapes,theylooklovely in abedroom or bathroom

Generallyspeaking, look out forunusualshapesand colours, I’ve seen some very beautiful bottles that originated in other countriesand probably originallycontained liqueurs.Champagnebottles make very nice candlesholders, go forthe labels likeDom Perignon or Bollinger, andold glass inkwells, although notstrictly‘bottles’, look love ly displayedinahome office or used as penholders

Oldmedicinebottles also look goodgrouped together,maybe in abathroom, just checkthey arecompletelyempty before you putthemondisplay!Stoneware bottles dating from theVicto rian andEdwardian eras are perfectfor akitchen,lookout forthe brandedonesas they are especially collectable.

It is easy to find oldbottles forsale, butas with allvintage itemscheck them carefullyfor anydamagebeforeyou buy.

Akwasi Okyere brings smiles to passers-by with hisdistinctive front garden in Telford

Stargazers areinfor atreat

Acollection of vintagebottles

“It’samazing thatone personcan bringthatmuchjoy,probablywithouteven realising.”

you

Tips to help cut flowerslook greatfor as long as possible

Expertsshare budget-friendly ideastokeep thecold at bay

SAMWYLIE-HARRIS PressAssociation

Cut flowersare populardecora tive piecestohaveinthe home andwiththe rightcareand attention, they canlastlonger than many people think

Common mistakes when look ingafter cut flowersinclude making bluntcutsand not cleaning thevaseregularly ChrisBonnett,founder of GardeningExpress,sharestips on howtolookaftercut flowers: Choose theright vase Theright vase candetermine how longyour flowersstayfresh forand choosing therightvase dependsonthe type of flowers you have.Heavier flowerar rangements should be keptin ashort vase andshouldhave shortstems.A lighterselection of flowerscan be placed in atall er vase.

Usethe flower food pro vided –Mostcut flowerscome with apacket of flower food.Fill up thevaseand addthe sachet into thewater.You canmake yourown at home.Mix together twotablespoons of lemonjuice, onetablespoonofsugar andhalf ateaspoonofbleachfor everyli tre of water.

Keep the flowersaway from heat –You maythink placingcut flowersnearsun lightisbestfor theirgrowthbut actually,cut flowersthriveina cooler environment.

Change thewater every otherday –Bacteriathrives in stalewater so it’s importantto change thewater around every otherday to keepthe water freshand getthe most outof your flowers.

Don’tforget to wash the vase –Eachtimeyou change thewater in yourvase, you’ll also want to give it areallygood cleanwithwarmsoapy water. Don’tforgettogiveitagood rinse to ensure allofthe soapy residueisoff

Cutyour flowersproperly –Makesureyou have asharp knifeorsecateurs andcut the stem at a45degreeangle each time you replacethe waterin thevase.

Cleanupfoliage below waterlevel –It’simportant to keep thewater in yourvase cleansoyou should cleanupany foliagethatisonthe stemsbe lowwater level

n Formoreadviceonhow to care for flowersvisit Garde ningExpress

It’s been an unseasonably mild autumn,but winter is looming–andwe’dprefertofocus on thejoys of thefestive season,ratherthan worryingabout energy bills.

If you wanted to keep household costsdownand yourhome nice and cosy,there area fewsimplesteps you cantaketomakea difference

BLEED THERADIATORS

Firstup, ensure yourheating system is working efficiently, with theboilerpressureset betweenone andtwo bars

AnyDIY shop will have aradia torkey if you’vemislaid yours.It’s importanttobleed theradiators to getrid of anytrapped air, making sure they’reworking to full capaci ty.Justdon’t forget an oldtea tow el to catchexcesswater that might leak outinthe process.

REARRANGE THEFURNITURE

It’s understandabletowantyour sofa or WFHdesknearthe radiator –but make sure they’renot posi tioned so closethatheatcan’t circu late around theroom.

Likewise,you mightwanttomove yourbed or favourite accent chair away from thewindowsoyou’re notsitting or sleeping in adraught This is also agoodopportunityto bringinbrightcolourschemes and soft furnishingstovisually‘warm up’the room

KEEP THEDOORS CLOSED

No matter how smallorbig your space,adoorleftajarisaninvita

tion forheattoescape–sokeep doors firmly closed to make the most of thewarmth.

FITSELF-ADHESIVE FOAM STRIPS

Oneofthe easiestDIY tricks is to applyself-adhesive foam strips to windowsand doors. Placethe strips alongwindowjointsand door jams wherever you mightfeeladraught anditwill help keep thecoldatbay

DRAW THECURTAINSAND BLINDS

Closingthe curtains andblinds will help keep thewarmthin– and oneofthe bonusesofthe clockshav inggonebackisyou won’tfeellike you’reshutting outdaylightwhenit starts to getdarkaround4pm

Andifpossible, now is probably agoodtimetoremove anyradiator covers,tomaximise hotair circu lating around theroom.

GO SMALL

If you’redeterminedtoreallycut down on centralheatingcosts, you couldconsiderusing small, portable heaters– such as oil-filled radiators or smartfan heaters.

An oil-filled radiator canbe switched on wherever you are, and arebrilliantatretaining heat.With an adjustable thermostat you can choose thetemperatureyou want, andit’seasytocarry between rooms.

THINK THERMAL CURTAINS

Thermalcurtain liningscan be a lifesaver,withvarious optionsout there. Designedtoblock outlight (makingthemexcellent in thesum mer),theyare also speciallycoated to reduce loss of heat andregulate room temperaturethroughoutthe year

Youcan buythemready-made, with eyelet andpencilpleat options, or optfor lining kits –which arede signed to hang behind yourexisting curtains, so they’rehidden from view

HOTBOTTLES AREN’TJUSTFOR BEDTIME

Hotwater bottles have always been popularthistimeofyear, and area cheapand cheerful wayto keep cosy.Rightnow,fauxfur ver sionswithpom poms aretrending bigtime.

LAYERUP

Whetherit’sa shaggy rug, fluffy blankets, woolly jumpersorcosy socks –layerscan really help keep you warm inside.Hatsare also an obvious,but brilliantway to pre servebodyheat.

Keepingyourplantswarmand cosy this winter

With thecoldweather of winter on theway,it’sbecomingmoreand more importanttokeepindoor plants warm andcosysotheycan surviveand thrive into spring

That’s whythe gardeningex pertsat GardenBuildingsDirect. co.ukhavenamed themosteffec tive ways indoor plantloverscan keep theheatin this winter

Here areGarden BuildingsDi rect’s tips to keepindoorplants warm this winter:

1. Find thewarmest room Theeasiest waytomakesurein door plants stay an idealtempera ture this winter is to find outwhich room in thehouse is the warmest. Make surethatthisroomhas a good levelofsunlightduringthe

dayand keep moving the plants to thewarmest,bestlit spot in the room

2. Bubblewrap –Another simple tricktokeepindoorplants warm is to wrap layers of bub blewraparoundthe plant potto

containas much heat as possible around theplants.

3. Heat mats –Heatmatscan be abit more expensive, butthey area fantasticoptionfor keeping indoor plants warm as theweath er gets colder.Heatmatsare thin sheets of plasticwhich have heat ingelementsinside. Themat is plugged in andthe surfaceheats up

4. On topofthe fridge –This mayseemanunusualideatokeep plants warm –but in fact electric fridges actasheatmatsthem selves.The topofthe fridge often produces some heat,sokeeping plants on topofthe fridge will al lowthe plants to absorbsomeheat fornoextra cost

5. Space heaters –Using in door space heaters forplantsisa more costly idea butprovidesan effectivesourceofheattokeep indoor plants at theright temper ature. If using spaceheaters,make sure that plants aren’t placed di rectly in frontofthe heaters, oth erwise they couldget toohot

6. Waterindoor plants care fully –Indoorplantsare suscep tibletoover-wateringduringthe winter months, sincetheydon’t need as much waterastheydodur ingthe spring andsummer.Spray ingwater mist over theplants will help them grow in thedry air whilst avoiding over-watering.

n Formoreexperttipsvisit www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/

As theconversation heatsuparoundthe cost-of-living crisis, many of us arelooking forthe easiestwaysto stay warm at home withoutrunningupthe bills.

Thereare some easy ways to stay warm and keep your home nice andcosythiswinterwithoutblowing thebudget

Kitchenmishapsand culinary creationsfeature in newbook

PRUDENCE WADE PressAssociation

Ottolenghi’s

Kitch-

TheOTK,asit’slovinglyknown, headed up by fellow chef Noor Mu rad, 32,iswhere the newOttolenghi recipesare dreamedup –and afew kitchenmishaps areencountered “Exploding aubergines”are not unfamiliar in theOTK,sharesOttolenghi.

“Whenyou cook an aubergine withoutcutting it,there is achance you’regoing to getsteaminsidethe skin,and then it kind of pops,” says theIsraeli-born Britishchef. “And if it’s furtherdownthe line,itis a bigpop. Personally at home,and I thinkone or twotimes in theTest Kitchen, we have hadthis.

“It’s fine if it’s in theoven,be cause you just need to cleanthe oven. Butifit’sonthe stovetop, it’s thewhole kitchenthat’scovered in bitsofaubergine.”

Themoral of thestory?“It’s re ally importanttopierceyouraubergines before you startcooking them, if you cook them whole,”the 53-year-oldurges

Aubergines areaclassic ingredientinthe Ottolenghirepertoire, joiningthe likes of kohlrabiand za’atarinthe latest book co-authored with Murad, Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Extra Good Things,a follow-uptothe firstOTK book in 2021,Shelf Love

“Where ShelfLove wasall about strippingyourshelves,Extra Good Things is allabout filling them back up with allthe differentcondiments andsauces, sprinklesand pickles

that you canuse to accessorise your meals,”saysMurad

“It’saway of bringing luxury to yourtable at home.Soyou canhave beansontoast or scrambledeggs, or somethingreallysimple, butthen youcan elevateitwithall theselit tle flavourbombs. That’s really the wayweinthe Test Kitchenlove to eat.”

Andtheycertainly love to eatin theTestKitchen –which sounds likeadream job, although it can come with itspitfalls, says Murad.

“Working in theTestKitchen is themostamazing thing, butthe hardestthing is being surrounded by so much food allthe time –and trying nottoeat allofit, andnot feel completely sick at theend of the day.”

Ottolenghi’srecipes tend to in volveafew more ingredientsthan just cheese andpickle, andhis style is so distinct that hisnamehas even become averb: ‘toOttolenghify’

“It’sfunny, because Iknewitwas used in aparticular way– ‘Oh, let’s do Ottolenghi’ –but when Noor wrotethe introductiontothisbook andshe used theverb‘to Otto lenghify’…Iunderstood what she meantassoonasIreadit.

“Insome way, that meanstoinject somethingwhich is delicious butfamiliarwithsomethingwhich is abit unfamiliar, andabit of ex citement,” he says.“Inever quite understood it untilshe usedit, but now Itotally getit.”

So what woulditmeanifyou were ‘toNoorify’adish?

Ottolenghiisbestplaced to an swer this question:“There’salot ofzinginthe wayNoorcooks,with acidityand with herbs. Forme, that’s very Noor –totakeherbs andzinginess to theextreme,[with] extreme flavours.The otherthing Iloveabout theway Noor cooksis there’salwaysanicelittle finishing touchthatisabove andbeyond–it’s not just agarnish,it’saverywell thoughtout garnishthatrhymes with the flavourthatisalready in there.”

He dubs this kind of cooking“to Noorish” –aplayon“nourish”

Both styles areabout plentiful portions to sharewithlovedones, andOttolenghiand Muradhave alreadybeencooking recipes from theirnew book forfriends andfam ily.

n OttolenghiTestKitchen:Extra Good Things by Noor Muradand YotamOttolenghiispublished by EburyPress,priced £25. Photogra phybyElena Heatherwick. Availa blenow

Delicious chicken dish really packsatasty punch

refrigeratefor longer.Ifthe latter, remove thechicken thighs from thefridgeabout 45 minutesbefore cooking.

Placea largecast-iron sautépan on amedium-high heat.Oncehot, addhalfthe chickenthighs, skin side down.Weigh down thethighs. Cook forsix to eightminutes,or untilthe skin is charredand blackened.Remove thetop panand set thechicken thighs aside. Remove allthe chicken, settingitaside, andlet thepan cool

If needed,drain offall butone and-a-half tablespoonsofthe fat collected in thepan andreturntoa medium-high heat.Add thespring onions, usingapairoftongs to coat them in thefat,thenput back the chickenthighs, skin side up,and anyoftheir juices,along with 90 millilitres of water.Cookfor eight minutes,oruntil thechicken is tender andcookedthrough.Trans ferthe chickentoa cutting board

andleave to rest for five minutes before slicing.

Heat amediumsaucepanona medium-high heat.Oncehot,turn theheatdowntomediumand sprinkle in thesugar to coat the base.Swirl thepan,without stir ring,sothatall thesugar melts andturns deeply golden.Add the ginger andchillies,and stir con tinuouslyfor 45 seconds. Addthe vinegar, lime juiceand fish sauce, stirring to combine. Cook for30 seconds, then remove from the heat.Leave to cool for10minutes

Usea smallserrated knifeto slicethe clementinesintoone-cen timetre-thick rounds, thenpull at them gently to halvethem. Stir these into thecooledsauce

To serve, transferthe spring onions to alarge platterand top with thechicken andany panjuices.Pourthe dressing allover, then sprinkle with thecoriander.Lastly,squeeze overthe lime halves

Chef’s tangy dressing gives your humble fry-up aboost

“These arefried eggs butwitha veryeccentricwardrobe, thanks to theturmericand chilli,which make them as good to eatas they aretolookat,”say Yotam Ottolenghiand Noor Murad.

TURMERIC FRIED EGGS WITH TAMARIND DRESSING

Ingredients: Serves two 1shallot,peeledand sliced

2tsp lime juice

3½tbsp oliveoil

2garlic cloves,crushed

200g baby spinach

½tsp ground turmeric

4large eggs

1green chilli, finely sliced Salt

For thetamarinddressing: 30gtamarindpaste

1tbsplimejuice

1tsp fish sauce

2tsp lightsoftbrown sugar

5g freshcoriander,chopped

Method: Putthe shallot, lime juiceand apinch of salt into a smallbowland use your fingers to gently massageeverything together.Set asidetopickle.

Make thedressingbyputting allthe ingredientsintoa bowl andwhisking. Addbetween two to four teaspoons of water to loosenthe mixture.

Putone tablespoonofoil into alarge frying panoveramedium-high heat.Oncehot,add the garlic andcookfor 90 seconds, stirring,until lightlycoloured, thenstirin thespinach andan eighth of ateaspoonofsaltand cook untilwilted.Transfertoa servingplate andwipethe pan.

Addthe remainingtwo-and a-half tablespoons of oilplus theturmerictothe same pan, stirring to combine, andreturn it to amedium-high heat.Once hot, crackinthe eggs andquick ly sprinkle thewhiteswiththe chilli slices.Seasonwithagood pinchofsaltand use aspatula to separate thewhites. Fryfor threetofourminutes,spooning some of theoil over thewhites.

When ready, useaspatula to transferthe eggs to theplate of spinach,drizzling with anyextra turmeric oilinthe pan. Top with thepickled shallots and then drizzlewithsome of the tamarind dressing

Test

en –abuzzing hubof food creativity,brought together by YotamOttolenghi –soundslike some kind of culinary utopia.

Noor Murad andYotam Ottolenghihave joined forces for anew book

OttolenghiTestKitchen:Extra

Turmeric friedeggs

Blackenedchicken

Gettingaway from it allina camper van

TheVW campervanconjuresup images of flower-adorned vehi cles,favouredbyhippies,touringAmerica during thecounterculture eraofthe late 1960s, writes Bill McCarthy

Many of thosewho drove around them back in theday arenow citizens of acertain vintage.There arethose,too,who seeitasa differentadventure with theiryoung family. And whileitmay notbesocomfort able,for many it still feelship andcooltobeseendriving one.

With typical Britishstoicism, we packed up andheadedtowardsthe east coastofYorkshire. Ourweekawaytookus to asitenearFiley.One of several ownedbyHaven alongthat coastline, they offerall sortsof accommodation, from mobile homestospace formotorhomes andtents.The site hasspectac ular seaviews andofferspeace andtranquillity with allthe basicfacilities required forcamp ingand caravanning. Thereis also aregular busservice which givesabetterviewofthe coun tryside from thetop deck

Dailyrates were around £18 andincludedelectricity points andwater anddisposalfacilities as well as cleanshower blocks It also allows use of theHaven facilities andlive entertainment.Itwas handilyplaced for visits to Scarboroughand Bridlington. Atraditional seaside town,Scarborough features two sandybeaches with thelandmark 12th-century castle domi nating thecliffs.It also features atraditional promenade,shopping centre andaVictorian CentralTramway funiculartrain that links thetowncentre with SouthBay andits harbour.

Furthersouth is Bridlington, packed with attractions and amusements together with a sandybeach.Also worth avis it is nearby FlamboroughHead –designated aSpecialAreaof Conservation–and itstwo spec tacularlighthouses.Atripto Whitby is worthwhile, with its famous Abbeyoverlookingthe bay. It wasBramStoker’svis it to theharbour townin1890 that providedhim with loca tionsfor hisfamousGothichor rornovelDracula.

So if you want creaturecom forts, maybethe hotel is for you,but if you want ataste of thegreat outdoors with freedom to move at will,try thecamper van.

Making friendsofhuman and wild kind in magicalMexico

BY RICHARD JONES PressAssociation

Makingfriends on holiday is important, particularly if you’re flying solo.

It wasa scorchinghot dayin Mexico,and just as Icontemplated slinking over to theLaEscondida swim-upbar fora coolingCorona, I spiedapotential newpal

Aftera bit of rustling in the bushes,out popped theheadofan inquisitivegreycoati –akind-of crossbetween araccoon,monkey andanteater.

Secondslater,hewas joined by half adozen membersofhis band forasniff around,beforescurrying back into thejungle.

Iwas at UNICO20°87°resort on theRiviera Maya,astunning stretchofcoastline onMexico’s north-eastern YucatánPeninsula.

Luxuries

Although aperfect couples’ destination,Ifound this all-inclusive haven idealfor meetingnew people –aswellasthe oddwildanimal. My base forthree days wasapristine OceanViewRoom, complete with a jetbathtub on thebalcony,and fully stockedminibar

Robes, slippers,sun hats and otherluxurieswerealso provided, whilecomplimentary 24-hourroom serviceisavailable,shouldyou wish to relaxinyourroom.

Helpingtomakemystayascom fortable as possible wasmypersonal conciergeMarco,who wasonhand, allday everyday,via WhatsApp to book anyactivitiesorrestaurant reservations

Iexperienced threeamazing diningexperiencesduringmy stay.

On the firstnight,Iheadedto MexicanrestaurantCueva Sieteto munchoncrunchy corn tortillas with guacamoleand salsa, followed by beef steakwithashes andCotija cheese Sauce.

Then,atthe Mediterranean-in spired Mi Carisa,Iwas served char coal provolone in figjam,followed by creamy spaghetti carbonara. Fi

nally, at thehotel’s signaturesteak house, 20.87Restaurant, Iopted for amouth-wateringrib eyemarinated in chimichurrisauce

Acrossthe wooden bridge from UNICO, thereisanarrowbeach, dottedwithprotected turtle nests, idealfor astrollorswimin the warm Gulf of Mexico waters

However,mostgueststendto hang outbythe pools,whether they prefer listeningtomusic at the20°87°Pool, socialising at La UNICAPool, or chilled outbar-top gamesatLaEscondida.

Down thecorridorfromthe main lobby, you canindulge in a wine-tasting session at La Botella or achocolate-samplingsession at Soól

Meanwhile, over at theresort’s spa,I took part in therevitalising aquatherapy journeybeforebookinginfor arelaxingmen’s facial.

At night, thereisarosterofvar iedentertainment, andonmy fi

naleveningI headed to Palmera Loungefor thesilentdiscoand a fewMayan Mule cocktailswitha fewpalsfromPennsylvania

Aftersaying‘adios’ to therelax ingUNICO,Iwas driven 10 minutes up Highway307 forahotel ex perience of adifferent kind

Thesprawling Hard Rock Hotel RivieraMayaresort is splitintwo –the familythemedHacienda, and theadults-only Heaven.Followingatourofthe grounds, Imade abeeline forHeaven’sCentralPool whichfeatures live bands, DJsand dancersonthe 20-foot-high elevat ed stage.

During theweek, Igot to know a groupofother holidaymakers, and afterthe sunset,wemet up for drinks at theHeaven Bar, which turnsintoanightclub andpoolpar ty into theearly hours.

Thenextday,witha slightly sore head,Iembarkedonanother hydrotherapytour– sauna,steamroom

andhot andcoldbaths –at The Rock Spa.

Andwhile thedeeptissue massage felt rigorous at thetime, it did me theworld of good

Thefood anddrink at Hard Rock’s nine restaurantswas also second to none,particularlyatZen, whereteppanyakichefRoger threw knives into theair, flames on the grill andriceintoour mouths

Then therewas theAwakenYour Sensesdiningexperience,the Hard Rock’s French-inspiredLePetit Cochon,and Toro SteakHouse –a greatoptionfor loversofrib-eye, skirtand flank.

Thereare plenty of excursions availablefromHardRocktoo,includingatriptothe ancientMayantownofTulum andthe Zipline Xpress circuit throughthe jungle

Youcan even join aJam Band or have agoatmusic mixing.I,how ever,opted fora roundofgolfatthe resort’s course

FlamboroughHead

Plants that can attractwildlife during the winter season

Ways to cosy up at home with wintry woodland wonders

BY SAMWYLIE-HARRIS PressAssociation

With ahappy balanceof creature comfortsand woodland themed decos, it’s easy to capturethe laid-backvibes of coun tryliving– wherever you live.

Just as beingamongstnatureand wildlife canbring asense of calm, we canchannel thesefeelingsinour interiors, creating awelcome refuge from thestresses of modern life–not to mentionawealthofcreative inspirationinthe run-uptoChristmas.

Whetheryou’relooking to create alog cabinfeel, addatouch of rusticcharm or chill-out zone to snug gleupwithawinterwarmer, these pieces lightthe wayfor wintry won der…

1. EcoPot Disney Winnie The Pooh ‘Hundred Acre Wood’–23 litre –madefromrecycledplastic Bottles,£14.99, Jardinopia

This sweeteco-friendlyplant potoffersa whimsy escapetothe woods–and chrysanthemums can be switched forpoinsettias, as soon as they land in theshops

2. Setof2gemstoneleafhiball glasses, £10, Studio

Ideal forgreen smoothie reci pes,these highballswillalsolove aBloodyMary, especially with a celery stalkand greenolivesfor garnish.

3. Woodland oven glove, navy, £14, Fatface

Akitchen essentialfor soup seasonand hot pots

4. Emma Bridgewater oakFrench bowl,£21;greypartridge 8½inch plate, £19, andcockpheasantmedium pastabowl, £24(otheritems from aselection), Emma Bridgewa ter

Englishearthenware at its most joyous, this newoak collec tion imbibesthoughtsofcrunchingthrough fallen leaves,Sunday

roasts andchestnut stuffing.Lots.

5. Wooden pillar candle stick, £5, antler tealightholder, £4,stagtea lightholder, £5,and artichoke orna ment,£8, B&Mstores

Idealifyou want to introduce texture andawarmglow,these wood en candlesticks andtealights have an appealingcountry twist.

6. ArtFor TheHomestagwooden plaque, £35, Next

This handsome fellow projects thewonderofthe wilderness and canbeleftunadorned,orhungover asideboard and finished with acol lectionofrustictools

7. Stag luxury merino throw, £99.95, AnnabelJames

When you’re cosyingupinyour slippers andwanttotreat yourself, this super-soft merino throwina reversiblecream andgreystagdesign couldbeyourbestbuy

8. George Berber cushion, £10 (other itemsfroma selection),Direct.asda

When you’re pullingall your log cabin-inspired furnishingstogeth er,atuftedBerber-style cushion works beautifullywithluxewood tones.

9. Stag tablelamp, £65, Studio Astatementpiece andobjectof desire,welovethishandsome white stag topped with adesigner-look grey linendrumshade.Imagine himposingproudly on awooden side table, with awhite shaggy rug underneath

10.Glass decanter with stag’s head,£69.95, AtHome in theCountry

Youcan never have toomanydecanters, especially if you’replanning on throwing some stylishwin tersoirees –orreachingfor adram

of whisky to puta twinkleinyour eye.

11.Green brushedcottonstag duvetset,from£20,GreyBrushed Cotton Stag DuvetSet,from£20, andOakwood BrownThrow,£20, B&M stores

Brushedcottonishailedfor holdingin thewarmth, andmixingand matching greenand grey createsa striking contrast

Areclaimed wood headboard and string lights completethe look.

12.Natural HistoryMuseum woodland journalwallpaper,£12 perroll, Dunelm

Afeaturewallofwoodland finds provides theperfect backdrop for nature book or wildlifephotography collections. Otherwise, just enjoy thefabulous floraand faunaintheir newnatural habitat –yourhome!

As autumn creeps into winter, you’lllikelystart seeing less wildlife activity in yourgar den–but it’s atimewhenmany visitors, includingbirds,small mammalsand some insects, need us most

“Plantsare thebedrock of a wildlife-friendlygarden,and that includes throughout the winter,despite many beingreduced to theirskeleton,”says Adrian Thomas,gardeningexpert at theRSPB(rspb.org.uk)

“There aretwo keybenefits that plants offer: cover and food.Getting throughthe long, cold nights ischallenging for garden birds, so plants that of ferdense safe cover will allow them to snooze safely outofthe elements, saving valuable ener gy.Evergreenssuchasholly and ivyare ideal.”

Wildlife-friendlyplants

As well as themanyplants whichproduce berriesfor birds, includingcotoneaster,pyracan tha, berberis andyew,make sure you plantspecieswhere theberries should last beyond Christmas,suchasskimmia andguelder rose. Fieldfares and otherbirds mayvisit gardensto feed on windfall apples when it’s really cold

Ivyberries areavaluable source of nutritionfor birdsin late winter andearly spring, when food is scarce.Adult red admiral butterfliesfeed on nec tar-rich plants such as Verbena bonariensis, whichisstill visibly in flower in many gardens at this time of year,while the caterpillarseat leaves of the common nettle.Native plants includingcrabapple,elderand birch also create naturalfood supplies forbirds overthe winter, theRSPBsuggests

Shrubs

Winter shrubs including Viburnum xbodnantense, Lonicera fragrantissima and Christmas box(Sarcococca hookeriana)not only provide food andshelter forwildlife,but also give offthe mostamazing scent.

Seedheads

“Think aboutthe valuethat comesfromleaving theseed headsofherbaceous plants standing throughwinter, everything from lavendersto Verbenabonariensis, rudbeckiasand sedums, says Thomas

GeorgeBerbercushion,with itemsfromaselection,Direct.asda

Woodland journalwallpaperArt ForThe Homestagwooden plaque, Next

Robin on winter branches

QI

BBC2, 10pm

The term ‘national treasure’ is bandied around far too frequently these days.

But one of the celebrities that is probably deserving of the title is Stephen Fry, who, for various reasons, has aspecial place in the heart of the old and young alike.

Back in 2016, Frydecided to step down from his position as host of QI, and it raised the question –how do you replace the man who (along with regular panellist Alan Davies), was the heart and soul of the much-loved panel show?

Before the producers began their search for someone equally clever and witty to host the show,they realised the solution was right under their noses.

Recurring ‘Bantermeister’ Sandi Toksvig, who had already made 16 appearances as aguest on the show, was immediately moved into the hosting chair “QI is my favourite television programme both to watch and to be on,” she said at the time.

Although afew people were worried how QI would continue without Fry’s distinctive hosting style, it wasn’t long before the new incumbent won them over In an interview with The Guardian in 2020, Danish-born author and former News Quiz and The Great British Bake Off presenter Sandi explained why it wasn’t actually that daunting to step into Fry’s shoes.

“I’ve been abroadcaster areally long time,” she said. “I don’t know what there was to worry about. Iask aquestion and then Isee if anybody else knows the answer.”

“I hadn’t planned to wear his shoes, so it’s really not a problem.

“And, also, they tell you theanswers beforehand; he doesn’t know it all.

“I hate to break it to you. It’s like aboy’s card trick: ‘Look at me! Iknow everything.”

Saying that, she also admitted to Digital Spy that she didn’t think she’d last very long on the show “Stephen and Iare very different heights, and Itook over

on QI for the first season, and because they weren’t sure Iwas going to stay,Ihad his chair on abox that was this high, and Ihad to climb up into the chair in order to present the show

“Now,I’m pleased to tell you, Ihave my own chair on QI.”

Sandi has now been at the helm for six years (from series Nonwards), and begins anew run, revolving around the letter ’T’, tonight.

In the show,Sandi will be challenging guests Joe Lycett, Holly Walsh and Bill Bailey,along with Davies, to show off their knowledge of tips and tools.

When asked what she likes about theshow,Sandi points at the different ways in which the guests and audience can show they are clever –even resident ‘dunce’ Davies.

“I don’t like it when we rate intelligence by your ability to name the highest lake in the world,” she says.

“That’s what Ilove about QI. How could you be expected to know that picnics were originally held indoors, or that a slow loris has poisonous elbows?

“But our show is full of facts like that and it almost educates by accident.

“I love QI because education’s really fun, and the world is full of extraordinary things.”

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live (S). 10.10 Critical Incident (S). 10.55 TwoMinutes Silence (S). 11.05 Dirty Rotten Scammers (S). 11.35 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.05 Bargain Hunt (S). 1.00 BBC News At One; Weather (S). 1.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 1.45 Doctors (S). 2.15 Money ForNothing (S). 3.00 Escape To The Country (R) (S). 3.45 The Repair Shop (S). 4.30 The Travelling Auctioneers (S). 5.15 Pointless (R) (S).

6.00 Take AHike (R) (S). 6.30 The Repair Shop (R) (S). 7.15

The Travelling Auctioneers (R) (S). 8.00 Sign Zone: Trawlermen: Hunting The Catch (R) (S). 9.00 BBC News (S). 10.00 BBC News (S). 12.15 Politics UK (S). 1.00

Flipping Profit (R) (S). 1.45 Eggheads (R) (S). 2.15 Wanted: ASimple Life (R) (S). 3.00 War Walks (R) (S). 3.30 Super Cute Animals (R) (S). 4.30 Women At War: 100 Years Of Service (R) (S). 5.15 Flog It! (R) (S).

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S). 9.00 Lorraine (S). 10.00 This Morning (S). 12.30

Loose Women (S). 1.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.55 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 2.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal (S). 3.00 Riddiculous (S). 3.59 ITV Regional Weather (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (S). 5.00 The Chase (S).

Strictly: It Takes Two Analysis of the couples’ progress (S).

Live Men’s Rugby League World Cup The opening semi-final. Kick-off is at 7.45pm (S).

6.00 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 6.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 7.30 Emmerdale Chas makes an announcement (S). 8.00 Coronation Street Summer panics when Billy calls round unexpectedly (S). 9.00 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Ant and Dec look at highlights from the past 24 hours (S).

QI New series. Sandi Toksvig shares her top tips and tools (S).

Newsnight (S).

Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (R) (S).

The Secret Genius Of Modern Life (R) (S).

Zone: Trump: The Return? (R) (S). 1.05 Sign Zone: Our Dementia Choir Sings Again With Vicky McClure (R) (S). 2.05 Between The Covers (R) (S).

This Is BBC Two (S).

(S).

(S).

Sport

6.05 Countdown (R) (S). 6.45 Cheers (R) (S). 7.10 Cheers (R) (S). 7.40 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.05

Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.30 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.55 Frasier (R) (S). 9.25 Frasier (R) (S). 9.55

Frasier (R) (S). 10.30 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA (R) (S).

11.25 Channel 4News Summary (S). 11.30 Chateau DIY (R) (S). 12.30 Steph’s Packed Lunch (S). 2.10 Countdown (S). 3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) (S). 4.00 Sun, Sea And Selling Houses (R) (S). 5.00 Four In ABed (R) (S). 5.30 Come Dine With Me (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine (S). 12.45 Shoplifters & Scammers: At WarWith The Law (R) (S). 1.40 5News At Lunchtime (S). 1.45 Home And Away (R) (S). 2.15 FILM: Random Acts Of Christmas (Marita Grabiak 2019) Premiere. Drama, starring ErinCahill and Kevin McGarry (S). 4.00 BargainLoving Brits In The Sun (R) (S). 5.00 5News At 5 (S).

6.00 The Early Rundown (R). 6.30 The Early Rundown (R). 7.00 Sky News Breakfast (R). 7.30 Sky News Breakfast (R). 8.00 Beth Rigby Interviews 8.30 Road Wars (R) (S). 9.00 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 9.30 Nothing To Declare (R)(S) 10.00 Supergirl (R) (S). 11.00 NCIS: LosAngeles (R) (S). 12.00 NCIS: LosAngeles (R) (S). 1.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 2.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 3.00 Patrick Aryee’s Wild World (R). 4.00 Patagonia (R) (S). 5.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 5.30 Futurama (R) (S).

6.00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 7.00 The Cabins (S). 8.00 Secret Crush (S). 9.00 Secret Crush (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S). 1.15 Celebrity Catchphrase (S). 2.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 3.05 One Tree Hill (S). 4.00 HartOfDixie (S). 5.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S).

6.00 The Simpsons (S).

6.30 Hollyoaks The McQueen’s struggle to adjust to the divide between them (R) (S).

7.00 Channel 4News (S).

7.30 Unreported World A silent crisis of abuse and child pregnancies in rural Guatemala (S).

8.00 The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice AJ Odudu, Joel Dommett and Lorraine Kelly discuss Patisserie Week (S).

9.00 Gogglebox The amateur critics share their thoughts on the week’s telly (S).

6.00 Parking Hell Cameras follow PC Mark Hodson who tracks down dangerous parkers (S). 6.30 Eggheads (S). 6.55 5News Update (S).

7.00 IKEA:How Do They Really Do It? The secrets of the world’s biggest furniture seller (R) (S).

7.55 5News Update (S).

8.00 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out Susan and her campervan head for the Shropshire Hills (S).

7.00 TopOfThe Pops Performances by Mariah Carey, Aerosmithand WetWet Wet(S). 7.30 TopOfThe Pops (S).

8.00 TopOfThe Pops With Kenny Everett and Mike Vickers, Roxy Music and Boney M(S).

8.30 TopOfThe Pops (S).

6.00 Futurama Frytries to resurrect the Star Trek series (R) (S). 6.30 The Simpsons (R) (S).

7.00 TheSimpsons The family faces aseries of Thanksgiving nightmares (R) (S). 7.30 Young Rock

8.00 Jamie And Harry’s World Cup Challenge: Got, Got, Need The Redknapps flyto Madrid for ameeting with Luka Modric (R).

Catchphrase Guessing game, hosted by Stephen Mulhern(S).

6.00 Classic Coronation Street (S). 6.35 Classic Coronation Street (S). 7.00 Classic Emmerdale (S). 7.35 Classic Emmerdale (S). 8.05 Bless This House (S). 8.40 Bless This House (S). 9.10 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 10.20 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 11.30 Heartbeat (S). 12.35 Heartbeat (S). 1.40 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.15 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.50 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.25 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.55 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 Kirstie’s Vintage Gems (S). 9.15 APlace In The Sun (S). 10.05 APlace In The Sun (S). 11.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 12.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 1.10 Heir Hunters (S). 2.10 Four In ABed (S). 2.40 Four In ABed (S). 3.15 Four In ABed (S). 3.50 Four In ABed (S). 4.20 Four In A Bed (S). 4.50 Kirstie And Phil’s Love It Or List It (S). 5.55 Escape To The Chateau: DIY (S).

10.00 ILiterally Just Told You Game show,hosted by Jimmy Carr(S).

11.05 The Big Narstie Show New series (S). 11.55 The IT Crowd Jen goes on adate (R) (S). 12.30 The IT Crowd (R) (S). 12.55 The IT Crowd (R) (S). 1.20 The IT Crowd (R) (S). 1.45 MMA: Professional Fighters League Highlights (S). 2.40 Ramsay’s Hotel Hell (R) (S). 3.30Come Dine With Me (R)(S). 3.55Come Dine With Me (R)(S). 4.20Come Dine With Me (R)(S).

9.00 Building The Impossible RobBell discovers how the Hoover Dam was built (S).

10.00 Deep-Sea Super Predator Documentary about amysterious marine creature (R) (S).

11.15

FILM: Godzilla (2014) Monster thriller remake, starring Aaron Taylor Johnson (S).

1.30 The LeoVegas Live Casino Show (S). 3.30 Entertainment NewsOn5 (S). 3.35Warship: Life At Sea (R) (S). 4.20Around The World By Train With Tony Robinson (R)(S). 5.10 House Doctor (R)(S). 5.35 EntertainmentNews On 5 (S).

5.40 PawPatrol (R) (S).

9.00 Petula Clark At The BBC Alook at the singer’s extraordinary career that’s stretched across eight decades (S).

10.00 Petula Clark In Concert Part one of two. A1974 performance by the singer (S).

10.45 Petula Clark In Concert Part two of two (S).

11.30 The Sound Of Petula Petula Clark presents and stars in her own show from 1973 (S).

9.00 Resident Alien Harry learns which extraterrestrial race is on Earth.

Dress To Impress Sophie, Shannon and Amelia pick outfits for Neeki (S).

12.00 Singer-SongwritersAtThe BBC (S). 1.00 TopOfThe Pops (S). 1.30 TopOfThe Pops (S). 2.00 TopOfThe Pops (S) 2.30 TopOfThe Pops (S). 3.00 Close

10.00 Fantasy Football League With guests Trevor McDonald and Maisie Adam (R). 10.35 Late Late Show Best Of The Week

11.35 Formula 1 The Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint Race Qualifying session (R).

1.20 TheRussellHoward Hour (R). 2.10 Road Wars (R) (S). 3.05 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 4.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 5.00 Motorway Patrol (R). 5.30 MotorwayPatrol (R) (S)

Radio

8.00 Bob’s Burgers Bob has to close the restaurant due to aleak (S). 8.30 Bob’s Burgers (S). 9.00 FILM: Bad Neighbours 2 (2016) Comedy, starring Seth Rogen (S). 10.50 Family Guy Stewie attempts to combat ageing with plastic surgery(S). 11.20 Family Guy Peter accidentally becomes the face of social justice (S). 11.45 American Dad! (S). 12.10 American Dad! (S). 12.40 Bob’s Burgers (S). 1.05 Bob’s Burgers (S). 1.35 Hey Tracey! (S). 2.15 Celebability (S). 3.00

7.00 Heartbeat Rosie receives unwelcome attention from an admirer (S).

6.55 Escape To The Chateau Dick Strawbridge and Angel Adoree make plans to host weddings on the grounds (S).

7.55 Grand Designs An update on a prefabricated home in west Cumbria (S).

Midsomer Murders Akiller uses ancient torture methods to punish modern-day “sinners” (S). 10.00 Foyle’s War Awoman is killed in an explosion (S).

Agatha Christie’s Marple (S). 2.10 Unwind With ITV (S). 2.30 Teleshopping

6.00 Heartbeat ARussian trawlerman is accused of being aspy (S). 9.00 Astrid: Murder In Paris The body of a best-selling novelist is found in his apartment. In French (S). 10.05 24 Hours In A&E A 36-year-old man is involved in ahighspeed road traffic collision (S). 11.15 24 Hours In A&E A headteacher arrives having been involved in acollision with abus (S). 12.15 8Out Of 10 CatsDoes Countdown (S). 1.20 8Out Of 10 Cats DoesCountdown (S). 2.20 24 Hours In A&E (S) 3.25 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.55Close

JOOLS’ 30TH BIRTHDAYBASH

BBC2, 9.00pm

On October 8, 1992, BBC2 brought us the first edition of anew musicshow,Later with Jools Holland Fronted by the pianist and former Squeeze member,who had made his first foray into presenting on Channel 4’s influential The Tube, it featured performances by the Neville Brothers,the Christians, Nu Colours and D’Influence.

Originally conceived as aspin-off from the arts programme The Late Show (which explainthe name), the idea was to get adiverse group of musicians, from living legendstoup-and-coming artists,ina room and let them play live. It was asimple format, but it proved to be very enduring as it’s now been on air for 30 years. That’s no mean feat when so many other musicshows, from the much-loved, one-time schedule mainstay Topofthe Pops to the more recent, short-lived Sounds Like Friday Night, have fallen by the waysideinthe three decades it’s been on air

Althoughthat wouldsuggest that Later… isn’t broken and thereforedoesn’tneed fixing,there have been afew changes over the years. In 2008, the show introduced Later Live, a30-minute edition which would be broadcast live on Tuesdays, followed by a longer,pre-recorded episode on Fridays.

In 2019, it was decided that Jools needed aweekly guest host, while the following year,the pandemic forced abigger change on the show.Unable to gather musicians together in astudio, let alone have alive audience, Jools instead began introducingguests by video link and inviting them to pick theirfavourite moments from the show’s impressive archives.

As restrictions began to lift, Later began to get back to something resembling normal,and for its 30th birthday it was even able to get outofthe studio and in front of apacked audience.

The presenter is definitely in the mood for aparty

Jools says: “It’s unbelievable that this year sees my show reach its 30th birthday

“It’s atestament to the greatpower of music that we are still going strong, and are now the longest running internationalmusic show on earth. I’m delighted and honoured that we’re going to celebrate this monumental milestone with aspecial one-off event in the fabulous Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, the scene of so many legendary musical moments.”

In keeping with the Later spirit, the30th Birthday Bash features an eclectic mixofartists whohave at least one thing in common –they’ve all appeared on the show over the years.

They are Robert Plant, First Aid Kit, Michael Kiwanuka, Richard Hawley,Seasick Steve, Benjamin Clementine, Martin and Eliza Carthy,Gogol Bordello, Poppy Ajudha, Imelda May,The Joy andCeleste.

They’ll all be taking to the stage for some special live performances, and of course Jools himself will also be there to take charge. He’ll be conducting a few interviews (giving long-standing fans achance to see how much his technique has improved over the past 30 years),but perhaps he can also be prevailed upon to join his guests on the piano…

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15

Saturday Kitchen Live (S). 10.45 The Lord Mayor’s Show (S). 12.00 Football Focus (S). 1.00 BBC News; Weather (S). 1.15 Bargain Hunt (R) (S). 1.45 Live Men’s Rugby League World Cup England vs Samoa. Kick-off is at 2.30pm (S). 4.30 Final Score (S).

5.10 BBC News (S). 5.20 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 5.30 Celebrity Mastermind (S).

6.40 Love Monster (R) (S).

6.45 Go Jetters (R) (S). 7.00 Go Jetters (R) (S). 7.10 Hey Duggee (R) (S). 7.20 Hey Duggee (R) (S). 7.30 Shaun The Sheep (R) (S). 7.35 Dennis &Gnasher Unleashed! (R) (S). 7.50 Ninja Express (R) (S). 8.00 The Deep (R) (S). 8.25 Odd Squad (R) (S).

8.35 One Zoo Three (R) (S). 9.00 Newsround (S). 9.05 Nova Jones (R) (S). 9.30 Blue Peter (R) (S).

10.00 Deadly Pole To Pole (R) (S). 10.30 Britain’s Secret Seas (R) (S). 11.30 Mountain Vets (R) (S). 12.00 TopOfThe Shop With TomKerridge (R) (S). 1.00 Live

Snooker: UK Championship (S).

5.15 FILM: WarHorse (Steven Spielberg 2011) (S).

6.00 Live Women’s World Cup

Rugby Union England vs New Zealand. Kick-off is at 6.30am (S). 9.15 ITV News (S). 9.25 James Martin’s Saturday Morning (S). 11.35 Ainsley’s World Cup Flavours (S). 12.40 Women’s Rugby World Cup (S). 1.10 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.25 ITV

Racing: Live From Cheltenham Coverage of the second day of the November Meeting (S). 4.00 Family Fortunes (R) (S). 5.00 Celebrity Lingo (S).

Of Later With Jools Holland: From Adele To ZZ Top Highlights from the music programme (R) (S). 12.05 Snooker: UK Championship (S). 12.55 Snooker: UK Championship Extra (S). 2.55 This Is BBC Two (S).

6.00 ITV News; Weather (S). 6.10 ITV Regional News (S). 6.20 FILM: Aquaman (2018) Premiere. Adventure, starring Jason Momoa (S). 9.00 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Ant and Dec present the celebrity survival challenge (S). 10.00 The Jonathan Ross Show With Sylvester Stallone, Tyson Fury, Martin Freeman, Danai Gurira and Rio Ferdinand (S). 11.05 ITV News; Weather (S). 11.25 English Football League Highlights Action from the latest fixtures (S).

1.10 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 4.15 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh (R) (S).

AQUAMAN

Maine lighthouse keeper Thomas Curry discovers Atlanna, Queen of Atlantis, injured on the shore and nurses her back to health. They fall in love and she gives birth to aboy called Arthur,who can breathe in water and communicate with aquaticlife. Alas, the queen is forced to abandon her child and Arthur (Jason Momoa, pictured) grows up believing that she died to give him life. Many years later,Mera, daughter of King Nereus, visits Arthur and implores him to challenge his power-hungryhalf brother Orm, who has declared war on humanity

VENOM

(Channel 4, 9.00pm)

While exploring space for new worlds, aprobe belonging to the Life Foundation discovers a comet covered in symbiotic lifeforms. Following

the probe’s returntoEarth, journalist Eddie Brock investigates sinister trials being carried out by the corporation, and after being infected by an alien symbiote, develops superhuman strength and power.Fantasy adventure, starring TomHardy and Riz Ahmed.

Sport

Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.15

Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.45 The Simpsons (R) (S).

9.15 The Simpsons (R) (S). 9.40

The Simpsons (R) (S). 10.10 The Simpsons (R) (S). 10.40 Four In ABed (R) (S). 11.10 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 11.40 Four In ABed (R) (S). 12.10 Four In ABed (R) (S). 12.40 Four In ABed (R) (S).

1.15 FILM: The Karate Kid Part III (John GAvildsen 1989) (S).

3.25 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces (R) (S). 4.30 Huge Homes With Hugh Dennis (R) (S). 5.30 Grand Designs (R) (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 10.00

The Smurfs (R) (S). 10.15

SpongeBob SquarePants (S).

10.20 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 10.25 Friends (R) (S).

10.55 Friends (R) (S). 11.25 Friends (R) (S). 11.55 Friends (R) (S). 12.25 FILM: Christmas

Under The Stars (Allan Harmon 2019) Romantic drama, starring Jesse Metcalfe (S). 2.15 FILM: Christmas In Paris (Justin GDyck 2019) Romantic drama, starring Rebecca Dalton and Karl ELandler (S). 4.05 FILM: AHeavenly Christmas (Paul Shapiro 2016) Festive romance, starring Kristin Davis (S).

6.00 New Kids In The Wild (R) (S). 7.05 New Kids In The Wild (R) (S). 8.10 The Simpsons (R) (S). 8.45 Formula 1 (R). 10.30 Soccer AM With John Fendley and Jimmy Bullard. 12.00 The Slow Mo Guys’ Big Adventures (R). 12.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 1.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 1.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 3.00 Gillette Labs Soccer Saturday Football updates (R). 5.00 Legends Of The Pharaohs (R).

6.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 6.15

Coronation Street Omnibus (S). 9.00 Secret Crush (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S). 1.15 In ForAPenny (S). 1.50 FILM: Evan Almighty (Tom Shadyac 2007) Comedy sequel, starring Steve Carell (S). 3.45 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S). 4.55 FILM: Hotel Transylvania 3: AMonster Vacation (Genndy Tartakovsky 2018) Animated sequel, featuring the voice of Adam Sandler (S).

6.00 Bless This House (S). 6.40 Foyle’s War (S). 8.35 Foyle’s War (S). 10.50 Midsomer Murders (S). 12.50 Midsomer Murders (S). 2.55 Midsomer Murders (S). 5.00 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 Food Unwrapped (S). 9.30

APlace In The Sun (S). 10.25

APlace In The Sun (S). 11.25

APlace In The Sun (S). 12.30 Location, Location, Location (S). 1.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 3.10 Come Dine With Me (S). 3.40 Come Dine With Me (S). 4.10 Four In ABed (S). 4.40 Four In ABed (S). 5.15 Four In ABed (S). 5.50 Four In ABed (S).

7.00 Titanic: Building The World’s Largest Ship The untold storyofthe doomed steamship’s construction (R) (S).

7.30 5News Weekend (S). 7.35 Inferno: The Great Fire Of London (S).

7.00 Raiders Of The Lost Past With Janina Ramirez The truth behind the myth of the minotaur (S).

7.00 The Simpsons A pickpocket targets Springfield (R) (S).

The Simpsons (R) (S).

Shanghai Knights (2003) Martial arts comedy sequel, starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson (S).

7.00 Midsomer Murders Barnaby is implicated in the murder of a photographer (S).

6.20 Four In ABed (S). 6.55 Matt Baker: Our Farm In The Dales The family work on the farmhouse. Last in the series (S).

9.00 FILM: Venom (2018) Fantasy adventure, starring TomHardy (S).

9.00 Deep-Sea Super Predator Documentary about amysterious marine creature (R) (S).

FILM: Wild Men (2021) Premiere. Norwegian comedy,starring Rasmus Bjerg (S).

FILM: The Dry (2020) Crime drama, starring Eric Bana (R).

FILM: Ted (2012) Comedy,starring Mark Wahlberg (S).

9.00 Midsomer Murders Murder strikes at a disused abbey that is believed to be cursed (S).

11.10

1Sao Paulo

Prix Qualifying

battle for pole in the 21st round of the season (S).

Decreasing Circles Hilda thinks Ann is having an affair.First shown in 1987 (S).

The Young Ones (S).

Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 2.05 Unwind With ITV (S). 2.30 Teleshopping

9.00 24 Hours In A&E Aman arrives after collapsing in the street whilst walking his dog (S).

8.00 Secrets Of Egypt’s Valley Of The Kings An archaeological team uncovers astatesanctioned looting scandal (S). 10.00 24 Hours In A&E A 64-year-old man is brought to St George’s in an induced coma (S).

8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 1.15 24 Hours In A&E (S). 2.20 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.25 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.50 Close

TOP GEAR

BBC1, 8.00pm

It may seem hard to remember now,but when it was revealed that JeremyClarkson, James May and Richard Hammond were leaving TopGear, some people wondered if the motoring show would survive.

Admittedly,it did take awhile for the BBCto find apresenting line-up that truly gelled, but under the stewardship of Chris Harris, Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness, it’s once again pulled ahead. However,Paddymodestly suggests that it’sthe format, rather than just the presenters, that’s behind the show’s continuing popularity

He says: “I think essentially,it’s got abit of something for everyone. It’s got petrolhead bits in there of course, but it’s also got alot of entertainment as well. And it’s great escapism on aSunday night isn’t it, before getting ready to go back to work.

“People like to switch off by watching us driving around in exotic cars or old bangers, going round the world and visiting different places that you never get achance to see.”

So farthis series, the places that you never get achance to seehave included aderestricted Autobahn in Germany,which might have madefor fun viewing but was apparently fairly scary to film.

Paddy explains: “It sounds amazing on paper and Iwas really looking forward to it, but when you’re actually there it’s terrifying. You’re going up aroad which is essentially like the M60 where people are driving on their way home from the office,and there’s alane that is de-restricted every couple of miles or so where you can drive as fast as yourcar will go.

“I was driving aPagani Huayra which doesn’t have aroof and it feels like it’s doing 100mph even when you’re doing 30mph and there was one moment where Iwas doing about 167 mph and Ithought, this is just terrifying.”

Luckily,he’s less stressed tonight, as he gets

behind the wheel of aRanger Rover that’s being billed as the most luxurious car Land Rover have ever built. However,adrive around London doesn’t seem like much of atest, so he and Chris take it to the country’s toughest off-road event, the King of Britain, to really put it through its paces.

Paddy says: “Normally you see Range Rovers wafting around town, you’ll see someone doing the school run in one, or nipping to the supermarket and you’ll never ever use what thosecars are designed for,which is their off-roading capabilities. So, we showed the car in areally sexy light around London… but then we said ‘right let’s see what it’s all about!’”

Also in this episode, Freddie Flintoff is trying his hand at F1 -F1Stock Car Racing, that is. It’s afullcontact motorsport where bumping your opponent is actively encourage, and it seems like it should be the perfect fitfor the fearless (and very competitive) Fred. But is he in for abruising experience?

Meanwhile, Chris Harris is also in the world of racing as Mercedes invite him to try out an F1 car they have built for the road, but the testdrive doesn’t go exactly to plan.

6.00 Breakfast (S). 7.25 Match

Of The Day (R) (S). 9.00 Sunday

With Laura Kuenssberg (S). 10.15 Remembrance Sunday: The Cenotaph (S). 12.30 Bargain Hunt (R) (S). 1.00 BBC News; Weather (S). 1.15 Songs Of Praise: Remembrance From Portsmouth (S). 1.50 Lifeline (S). 2.00 Live Snooker: UK Championship Coverage of the afternoon session on day two (S). 5.10 Garden Rescue (R) (S). 5.55 BBC News (S).

6.05 Countryfile Ramble ForBBC Children In Need 2022 (R) (S).

7.15 The Wild Gardener (S). 8.15 Beechgrove Gardens In Winter (S). 8.45 Landward (S). 9.15

Trawlermen: Hunting The Catch (R) (S). 10.15 Saturday Kitchen

Best Bites (S). 11.45 Live Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Coverage of the opening semi-final. Kick-off is at 12pm (S). 2.00 Live Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Coverage of the second semi-final. Kick-off is at 2.30pm (S). 4.40 Reel History

Of Britain (R) (S). 5.10 This Farming Life (S).

6.00 CITV 7.30 The Chase (R) (S). 8.25 Love Your Garden (R) (S). 9.25 ITV News (S). 9.30 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh (S). 11.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 11.45 Live Gallagher Premiership Rugby Union Saracens vs Northampton Saints. Kick-off is at 12.15pm (S). 2.40 FILM: Despicable Me (Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud 2010) Animated comedy,with the voice of Steve Carell (S). 4.40 Celebrity Lingo (R) (S). 5.40 Love Your Garden (R) (S).

People’s Piazza: AHistoryOfCovent

David Olusoga explores the history of the public space in London’s West End (S). 10.30 FILM: Here Before (2022) Premiere. Psychological thriller, starring Andrea Riseborough (S). 11.50 FILM: Know The Grass (2021) Premiere. Short folk horror,starring India Fowler (S). 12.05 Snooker: UK Championship (S). 12.55 Snooker: UK Championship Extra (S). 2.55 Sign Zone: Question Time (R) (S). 3.55 Sign Zone: Panorama (R) (S). 4.55 This Is BBC Two (S).

6.35 ITV News; Weather (S). 6.50 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 7.00 Family Fortunes The Ecclestons go up against the Burns family (S). 8.00 The Larkins Ma and the children trytoconvince Poptotake the court case seriously (S). 9.00 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Ant and Dec present highlights from the past 24 hours (S). 10.15 ITV News; Weather (S). 10.30 Children Of Ukraine The storyofthe war told through the eyes of 10 Ukrainian children (S).

Gallagher Premiership Rugby Union Highlights Action from the 10th round of fixtures (S). 12.40 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 MotorsportUK (R) (S). 3.50 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 Ainsley’s World Cup Flavours (R) (S).

HERE BEFORE (BBC2, 10.30pm)

Several years after the death of her beloved Josie, Laura (Andrea Riseborough, pictured) has rebuilt her life in asuburb of Belfast with her husband Brendan (Jonjo O’Neill) and son Tadhg (Lewis McAskie). The arrival of new neighbours –Chris (Martin McCann), Marie (Eileen O’Higgins) and their 10-year-old daughter Megan (Niamh Dornan) –unsettles Laura as she suspects asupernatural connection between thetwo girls but her fascination with Megan is acause of rapidly mounting concernfor Chris and Marie.

AFISH CALLED WANDA (BBC1,

11.30pm)

British barrister Archie (John Cleese) has his world thrown into chaos when he meets Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis), asultryAmerican thief who wants to

know where his client George has hidden astash of diamonds. While being seduced by Wanda for inside information may have its upsides, Archie becomes entangled with her thuggish lover Otto (Kevin Kline), who is also busy terrorising George’s animal-loving sidekick Ken(Michael Palin).

6.05

6.25

6.00 Milkshake! 10.00

6.50

King

(S). 7.15

Loves Raymond (R) (S). 7.40 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.05 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.30 The Simpsons (R)

The Smurfs (R) (S). 10.15 SpongeBob SquarePants (S). 10.25 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 10.30 NFL End Zone (S). 11.00 5News Special: Remembrance Sunday (S).

11.05 FILM: ARoyal Christmas (Lee Friedlander 2021) (S). 12.55

FILM: Next Stop, Christmas (Dustin Rikert2021) Premiere.

Festive fantasy,starring Lyndsy Fonseca (S). 2.50 FILM: Saving Christmas Spirit (Wendy Faraone 2021) Premiere. Romantic drama, starring Ashley Newbrough (S). 4.40 FILM: Kong: Skull Island (Jordan Vogt-Roberts 2017) Action adventure, starring Tom Hiddleston (S).

6.00 Home: Adventures With Tip &Oh (R) (S). 8.05 New Kids

In The Wild (R) (S). 9.05 New Kids In The Wild (R) (S). 10.05 Formula 1 (R). 11.05 Futurama (R) (S). 11.35 Futurama (R) (S). 12.05 Futurama (R) (S). 12.35 Futurama (R) (S). 1.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 1.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 3.00 The Bachelor King (R) (S). 4.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 5.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 5.30 The Simpsons (R).

6.00 Totally Bonkers Guinness

World Records (S). 6.35 Secret Crush (S). 7.35 Secret Crush (S). 8.25 Dress To Impress (S). 9.20 Dress To Impress (S). 10.20 Dress To Impress (S). 11.20 The Masked Singer: I’m ACelebrity Special (S). 1.00 Celebrity Catchphrase (S). 2.00 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S). 3.00 FILM: Johnny English (Peter Howitt 2003) Spy comedy,starring Rowan Atkinson (S). 4.50 FILM: Despicable Me 3 (Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin2017) Animated sequel, with the voice of Steve Carell (S)

6.00 Bless This House (S). 6.35 Bless This House (S). 7.05 Emmerdale Omnibus (S). 9.55 Midsomer Murders (S). 11.55 Foyle’s War (S). 1.55 Foyle’s War (S). 3.55 Foyle’s War (S).

8.55 George Clarke’s Amazing Cabins In The Wild (S). 9.55 Ugly House To Lovely House With George Clarke (S). 11.00 George Clarke’s Old House, New Home (S). 12.00 Come Dine With Me (S). 12.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 1.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 1.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.40 Four In ABed (S). 3.10 Four In ABed (S). 3.40 Four In ABed (S). 4.15 Four In ABed (S). 4.50 Four In ABed (S). 5.20 Come Dine With Me (S). 5.50 Come Dine With Me (S).

6.00 The Simpsons Todd Flanders stops believing in God (R) (S). 6.30 The Simpsons (R) (S).

7.00 The Clangers Astrange visitor arrives (S).

7.10 Really Wild Show (S).

7.35 Record Breakers (S).

FILM: The Soldier’s Tale (2021) A2021 performance of Stravinsky’s dark masterpiece of music theatre (S).

Queers (S).

Talking Heads 2 (S).

Dan Cruickshank’s Monuments Of Remembrance (S). 10.55 Secrets Of British Animation Documentaryexploring British animation from the Victorian era to the present day (S).

Inside America’s Treasure House: The Met The Met examines its record on inclusion and diversity (S).

Lights Up: Isla (S). 1.55 Nature’s Miniature Miracles: Natural World (S). 2.55 Dan Cruickshank’s Monuments Of Remembrance (S). 3.55 Close

7.00 Hurst: The First And Only Geoff Hurst discusses his life and career (R).

6.20 Come Dine With Me Body artist Pascale hosts the third night in Devon (S). 6.55 Come Dine With Me (S).

9.00 Italia 90: Four Weeks That Changed The World New series. The storyofthe 1990 World Cup tournament. 10.00 Formula 1 The Sao Paulo Grand Prix (R). 11.00 Saturday Night Live American sketch show (R). 12.25 Libby,Are YouHome Yet? (R) (S). 1.25 Kingdom Of Dreams (R). 2.25 Road Wars (R) (S). 3.25 Road Wars (R) (S). 4.00 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 4.30 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 5.00 The Early Rundown (R). 5.30 The Early Rundown (R).

BBC RADIO 1 6am Radio 1’s Chillout Anthems. 7.00 AdeleRoberts. 10.00 Radio 1Anthems. 10.30 Newsbeat. 10.32 Radio 1Anthems 11.02 Radio 100s WithNat O’Leary. 1pm Matt AndJamie. 4.00 Radio 1’sLife Hacks. 6.00 TheOfficial Chart: First Look On Radio 1. 7.00 Radio 1’s Chillest Show 9.00 Radio 1’s Indie Show With Jack Saunders. 11.00 BBCIntroducingOn Radio 1. 12mdn’t Radio 1’sFuture Soul WithVictoria Jane. 1.30 Radio 1’sUK R&B Mix. 2.00 Radio 1’s DecompressionSession. 3.00 Radio 1’sChill Mix. 3.30 Radio 1’sMotivate Me Mix. 4.00 Radio 1Dance 5.00 Radio 1Early Breakfast With Arielle Free. BBC RADIO 2 6am Good MorningSunday 9.00 SteveWright’s Sunday LoveSongs 11.00 TheMichael Ball Show 1pm Elaine Paige On Sunday 3.00 SoundsOfThe 70s With Johnnie Walker. 5.00 RobBeckett 7.00 Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour 8.00 CMAAwards 2022. 10.00 Radio 2Unwinds WithAngela Griffin. 12mdn’t OJ Borg 2.30 One Hit WondersWithOJBorg 3.00 Alternative SoundsOfThe 90sWithDermotO’Leary. 4.00 EarlyBreakfast Show BBC RADIO 3 7am Breakfast. 9.00 Sunday Morning 12noon Private Passions. 1.00 Radio 3Lunchtime Concert. 2.00 The Early Music Show 3.00 Choral Evensong. 4.00 Jazz RecordRequests. 5.00 TheListening Service. 5.30 WordsAnd Music. 6.45 Sunday Feature: The Sonic Century– The Microphone 7.30 Drama On 3: The SorrowsOfYoung Werther 9.00 RecordReview Extra. 11.00 Opera, The ArtOfEmotions 12mdn’t Classical Fix. 12.30 Through TheNight BBC RADIO 4 6am News Headlines. 6.05 SomethingUnderstood. 6.35 On Your Farm 6.57 Weather 7.00 News;Sunday Papers 7.10 Sunday 7.54 Radio 4Appeal 7.57 Weather. 8.00 News; Sunday Papers. 8.10 Sunday Worship 8.48 APoint Of View. 8.58 Tweet Of The Day 9.00 News;Sunday Papers. 9.15 The Archers 10.30 CeremonyOfRemembrance From TheCenotaph 11.45 Just OneThing With MichaelMosley 12noon News 12.01 (LW) ShippingForecast. 12.04 It’s AFair Cop. 12.30 TheFood Programme. 12.57 Weather 1.00 TheWorld This Weekend. 1.30 TheComing Storm 2.00 Gardeners’Question Time. 2.45 What Really Happened In The Nineties? 3.00 Drama: Working Titles: The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin. 4.00 Open Book. 4.30 TheLanguage Exchange. 5.00 File On 4. 5.40 Profile. 5.54 Shipping Forecast. 5.57 Weather 6.00 Six O’ClockNews. 6.15 PickOfThe Week. 7.00 TheArchers. 7.15 NowYou’re Asking With Marian Keyes And Tara Flynn. 7.45 Voices In The Valley 8.00 Feedback. 8.30 Last Word. 9.00 Money Box. 9.25 Radio 4Appeal. 9.30 Analysis. 10.00 TheWestminster Hour 11.00 LooseEnds. 11.30 SomethingUnderstood. 12mdn’t News AndWeather. 12.15 Sideways. 12.45 BellsOnSunday. 12.48 Shipping Forecast. 1.00 As BBCWorld Service. 5.20 Shipping Forecast. 5.30 News Briefing 5.43 Prayer ForThe Day. 5.45 Farming Today. 5.58 Tweet Of The Day BBC RADIO 4EXTRA 6am Auntie’s WarOmnibus 7.10 Inheritance Tracks. 7.20 The Citadel. 8.30 TheEnchanting World Of Hinge And Bracket. 9.00 TheInimitable Jeeves 9.30 Coming Alive. 10.00 DesertIslandDiscs 10.30 CutOff At The Fringe. 11.00 TheMoth Radio Hour 11.50 Inheritance Tracks 12noon Poetry Extra 12.30 Angstrom. 1.00 Home FireOmnibus–PartOne. 2.10 Inheritance Tracks. 2.20 ARaging Calm Omnibus–PartTwo. 3.30 Fu ManchuIn Edinburgh 4.00 TheOther Side Of TheWorld 5.00 Poetry Extra 5.30 Angstrom. 6.00 DanDare: 21stCentury Spaceman. 6.30 Ancient Sorceries. 7.00 TheMoth Radio Hour 7.50 Inheritance Tracks 8.00 TheOther Side Of TheWorld. 9.00 DesertIsland Discs 9.30 Cut Off At The Fringe. 10.00 Comedy Club 10.00 ComedyClub: Angstrom 10.30 Comedy Club: Can’t Tell Nathan Caton Nothing. 10.45 Comedy Club: Elastic Planet 11.00 ComedyClub: The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy: ThePrimary Phase. 11.30 Comedy Club:ElisJames’ Pantheon Of Heroes. 12mdn’t Dan Dare: 21st Century Spaceman. 12.30 AncientSorceries. 1.00 HomeFireOmnibus –Part One. 2.10 InheritanceTracks. 2.20 ARaging Calm Omnibus –PartTwo. 3.30 Fu Manchu In Edinburgh. 4.00 TheOther SideOfThe World. 5.00 Poetry Extra BBC 5LIVE 6am 5LiveScience 7.00 Sunday Breakfast. 10.00 Helen Skelton. 12noon 5LiveSport 2.00 5LiveSport 4.00 5Live Sport 4.30 5Live Sport 6.30 6-0-6. 8.00 Kammy &Ben’s ProperFootball Podcast. 8.30 DifferentWith NickyCampbell. 9.00 Stephen Nolan. 12mdn’t MomentOfTruth. 12.45 If BlackburnSigned Zidane 12.55 5MinutesOn. 1.00 DotunAdebayo 5.00 Wake Up To Money BBC 6MUSIC 6am Amy Lamé. 8.00 Radcliffe And Maconie. 10.00 Cerys Matthews 1pm BBC Vaults. 2.00 GuyGarvey’s FinestHour 4.00 Iggy Pop. 6.00 NowPlaying @6Music. 8.00 Stuart Maconie’s Freak Zone. 10.00 Don Letts’ CultureClash Radio. 12mdn’t Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour 2.00 6Music’sJukebox 3.00 6Music’s Rave Forever 4.00 6Music’s Jukebox CLASSIC FM 7am Aled Jones. 10.00 Zeb Soanes. 1pm Catherine Bott 4.00 John Humphrys. 7.00 Smooth Classics At Seven. 9.00 Moira StuartMeets –Adam Kay 10.00 Smooth Classics. 1am BillOverton. 4.00 Early Breakfast. ABSOLUTE RADIO 8am Jason Manford. 11.00 SarahChampion. 2pm Rock ’n’ Roll FootballWithJay Lawrence. 6.00 Request Show WithClaire Sturgess. 8.00 Sunday Night MusicClub. 12mdn’t Dan Noble. November13 FULHAM V MANCHESTER UNITED Sky Sports Main Event, 4.00pm Live coverageofthe top-flight clash fromCraven Cottage. SUNDAY 43

1966: WHO STOLE THE WORLD CUP?

Channel 4, 10.00pm

It is one of the most iconic images in British sporting history,when HM The Queen presented England captain Bobby Moore with the gleaming Jules RimetTrophy at the oldWembley StadiuminJuly1966

However,aspeople who know theirfootball folklore will tell you, it almostnever happened.

Ahead of the2022World Cup which kicks off in Qatar this weekend, thisdocumentary,narrated by AlanFord (Lock, Stock &Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch),looks at oneofthe most audacious and surprising storiesinthe tournament’s history –one that took place entirelyawayfromthe pitch

The tale, whichinvolves spivs and wide boys fromsouth London,the FlyingSquad, anda dognamed Pickles, is worthyofany classic Britishcrime flick.

It begins in January 1966, when the Football Association receives the silver-gilt trophyaheadofthe scheduled World Cup in the July

While it wasusually keptintheir headquarters at Lancaster Gate,StanleyGibbons’ Stampexcompany received permission to place the trophyintheirexhibition on condition that it would be under guard at alltimes.

However,onSunday 20 March, guards noticed that someone had forcedopen the display case andstolen the trophy.

With the FA,the government and the police in danger of becominganinternationallaughing stock,Scotland Yard tookcontrol of thecase

The story wentpublicthe nextday,before FA Chairman Joe Mears receivedananonymousphone call.

Aparcelwas eventuallydeliveredtohis home containing the removablelining fromthe topofthe trophyand a ransom note demanding£15,000 in £1 and £5 notes.

Despitewarningsfrom the thieves that they would melt the trophy down, Mears metDICharles Buggyfromthe FlyingSquad and gavehim the package

What followed was agameofcat andmouse, with the police instructingMearstocreate afalseransom payment outofbundles of paper and arrangeaswitch.

After asomewhatfailed undercover operation, the blackmailer,who wasgoing by thename of ‘Jackson’ was identified as petty thiefand used cardealer Edward Betchley

Afew dayslater, on 27 March, DavidCorbett and his dog Pickles were walkinginBeulahHill, south east London, when Pickles began to sniff at aparcel lyingunder a hedge.

WhenCorbett opened the package, he recognised the trophyand handed it in at GipsyHill police station.

Policeannouncedthe recovery of the World Cup the nextmorning, and Pickles became acelebrity,appearing on TV and in movies,while Corbettattendedthe players’ celebration dinnerafter theWorld Cup final.

Meanwhile,Betchley was convictedofdemandingmoney withmenaces with intenttosteal andbanged up But that wasn’t theend of the story

In 2018,investigative journalist TomPettifor identified the Jules Rimet Trophy thief as Sidney Cugullere, acriminal known by many as Mr Crafty,who loved to boast that he was‘the first Englishmantoliftthe World Cup’.

The 1966 tournament is,sofar,isthe onlytime the Three Lions have,legitimately, got their hands on thefamous trophy.

Fans will be hoping thatchangessoon,but in the meantime,this film is areminderofhow the nation’s greatest footballing achievement was almost overshadowedbyanaudacious theft –and saved by a curious dog.

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live (S). 10.00 Expert Witness (S). 10.30 Dirty Rotten Scammers (S). 11.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.15 Bargain Hunt Football Special (S). 1.00 BBC News At One; Weather (S). 1.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 1.45 Doctors (S). 2.15 Money ForNothing (S). 3.00 Escape To The Country (S). 3.45 The Repair Shop (S). 4.30 The Travelling Auctioneers (S). 5.15 Pointless (R) (S).

6.30 The Repair Shop (R) (S).

7.15 The Travelling Auctioneers (R) (S). 8.00 Sign Zone: MasterChef: The Professionals (R) (S). 9.00 BBC News (S). 10.00 BBC News (S). 12.15 Politics

Live (S). 1.00 Live Snooker: UK Championship Coverage of the afternoon session on day three (S). 5.15 Flog It! (S).

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S). 9.00 Lorraine (S). 10.00 This Morning (S). 12.30 Loose Women (S). 1.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.55 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 2.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal (S). 3.00 Riddiculous (S). 3.59 ITV Regional Weather (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (S). 5.00 The Chase (R) (S).

TRUE GRIT

Snooker: UK Championship Action from the first round (S).

UK Championship Extra (S). 2.05

Countryfile Ramble For BBC Children In Need 2022 (R) (S). 3.15

Zone: Unbreakable (R) (S). 4.15 This Is BBC Two (S).

6.00 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 6.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 7.30 Emmerdale Chas is thrown when Kerry asks afavour (S). 8.00 Coronation Street Bernie’s ploy to smoke out Fern culminates in kidnap (S). 9.00 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Ant and Dec present the celebrity survival challenge (S). 10.00 ITV News At Ten; Weather (S). 10.30 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 10.45 The Crossing (S). 11.45 All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite Hard-hitting action from the world of All Elite Wrestling (S). 1.25 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 The Cube (R) (S). 3.50 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 Dickinson’s Real Deal (R) (S).

RESISTANCE

6.00 The Simpsons Marge and Homer leave Grampa to babysit the kids (S).

(R)

10.30

The Latest

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6.30 The Early Rundown (R).

7.00 Kay Burley (R). 7.30 Kay Burley (R). 8.00 Hope For Wildlife (R) (S). 9.00 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 9.30 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 10.00 Supergirl (R) (S). 11.00 NCIS: LosAngeles (R) (S). 12.00 NCIS: LosAngeles (R) (S). 1.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 2.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 3.00 Patagonia (R) (S). 4.00 Patagonia (R) (S). 5.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 5.30 Futurama (R) (S).

6.00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Totally

Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 7.00 The Cabins (S). 8.00 Secret Crush (S). 9.00 Secret Crush (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S). 1.15 Catchphrase (S). 2.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 3.05 One Tree Hill (S). 4.00 HartOf Dixie (S). 5.00 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S).

6.00 Classic Coronation Street (S). 6.35 Classic Coronation Street (S). 7.00 Classic Emmerdale (S). 7.35 Classic Emmerdale (S). 8.05 Bless This House (S). 8.40 Bless This House (S). 9.10 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 10.20 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 11.30 Heartbeat (S). 12.35 Heartbeat (S). 1.40 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.15 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.50 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.25 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.55 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 Kirstie’s Vintage Gems (S). 9.15 APlace In The Sun (S). 10.05 APlace In The Sun (S). 11.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 12.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 1.10 Heir Hunters (S). 2.10 Four In ABed (S). 2.40 Four In ABed (S). 3.15 Four In ABed (S). 3.45 Four In ABed (S). 4.20 Four In A Bed (S). 4.50 Kirstie And Phil’s Love It Or List It (S). 5.55 Escape

To The Chateau: DIY (S).

11.30

12.30

Through

2.00

6.00 Futurama Fryunearths the remains of his beloved dog (R) (S). 6.30 The Simpsons The sea captain finds treasure (R) (S). 8.00 Bob’s Burgers Teddy loses confidence in his handyman skills (S). 8.30 Bob’s Burgers (S). 9.00 Family Guy Lois becomes addicted to painkillers (S). 9.30 Family Guy (S). 10.00 Family Guy Amix-up results in areportthat Meg has been killed in a car crash (S). 10.30 Family Guy (S). 11.00 Family Guy Principal Shephard moves in with the Griffins (S).

8.00 David Attenborough’s Conquest Of The Skies Insects capable of flight (R) (S). 9.00 The Great Debate Trevor Phillips addresses anew topic with apanel of newsmakers. 10.00 Royal Mob Willy at last ascends the German throne. 11.00 Last Week Tonight With John Oliver A satirical look at news and pop culture (R). 11.40 Fantasy Football League (R). 12.15 The Russell Howard Hour (R). 1.00 Sex And The City (R) (S). 1.30 Sex And The City (R) (S). 2.00 The Force: North East (R) (S). 3.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 4.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S) 5.00 TheEarly Rundown (R). 5.30 The Early Rundown (R).

American Dad! (S).

Dad! (S).

Burgers (S).

BBC RADIO 1 6.57am Newsbeat. 7.00 Radio 1BreakfastWithGreg James. 10.30 Newsbeat. 10.32 Rickie,Melvin And Charlie 12.45pm Newsbeat 1.00 DeanAnd Vicky 3.30 Newsbeat 3.32 Going Home With Vick And Jordan. 5.45 Newsbeat. 6.00 Radio 1’sFutureSounds WithClara Amfo. 7.00 Radio 1’sHottest RecordsOf The Week. 8.00 Radio 1’sFuture Artists With Jack Saunders. 10.00 Radio 1’sPower Down Playlist With Sian Eleri. 11.00 Rock Show WithDaniel PCarter 1am BBC Introducing Rock On Radio 1WithAlyx Holcombe. 2.00 Radio 1’sFuture Alternative 3.00 Radio 1’sWorkout Anthems. 4.00 Radio 1Dance. 5.00 Radio 1Early Breakfast With Arielle Free. BBC RADIO 2 6.30am The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show 9.30 KenBruce 12noon Jeremy Vine. 2.00 Scott Mills. 4.00 SaraCox 6.30 SaraCox’sHalf Wower 7.00 Jo Whiley’s Shiny Happy Playlist. Jo plays her favourite album tracks and musical gems rarely heard on Radio 2. 7.30 Jo Whiley. Musicand chat. 9.00 The Blues Show With Cerys Matthews.New andclassic blues tracks. 10.00 Trevor Nelson’s Magnificent7 10.30 TrevorNelson’s Rhythm Nation. 12mdn’t OJ Borg. 3.00 SoundsOfThe 90s With Fearne Cotton. 4.00 EarlyBreakfast Show BBC RADIO 3 6.30am Breakfast. 9.00 Essential Classics. 12noon Composer Of The Week: The Harlem Renaissance. 1.00 Radio 3Lunchtime Concert. 2.00 Afternoon Concert. 4.30 New GenerationArtists. 5.00 In Tune 7.00 In Tune Mixtape.Aneclectic non-stop mixof music. 7.30 Radio 3InConcert. Danish National SymphonyOrchestra performs Shostakovich and Ravel. 9.00 UltimateCalm. Olafur Arnalds shares music inspired by the dawn 10.00 MusicMatters 10.45 BetweenThe Ears: Miniatures. 11.00 Night Tracks. 12.30am Through The Night. BBC RADIO 4 6am Today 9.00 Start The Week. 9.45 (LW) Daily Service 9.45 (FM) BookOfThe Week: Colditz: PrisonersOfThe Castle. 10.00 Woman’s Hour 11.00 The Untold 11.30 TheBottom Line. 12noon News. 12.01 (LW) ShippingForecast 12.04 You And Yours. 12.57 Weather 1.00 The World At One. 1.45 Property Of The BBC. 2.00 TheArchers. 2.15 Drama:The 5000. 3.00 BrainOfBritain 3.30 The Food Programme. 4.00 Ukraine: WarAnd Words 4.30 The Digital Human 5.00 PM. 5.54 (LW) ShippingForecast. 5.57 Weather 6.00 Six O’ClockNews. 6.30 I’m Sorry IHaven’t AClue. Newseries. Jack Dee hoststhe comedy panelgame. 7.00 TheArchers. 7.15 Front Row. Arts programme 8.00 The New Age Of Autarky? New series.The possibility of anew era of national economicself-reliance. 8.30 Analysis. 9.00 The ShadowPope. 9.30 Start The Week. 10.00 TheWorld Tonight. 10.45 BookAtBedtime: Demon Copperhead. 11.00 TheWitch Farm 11.30 TodayIn Parliament 12mdn’t News And Weather 12.30 Book Of The Week: Colditz: Prisoners Of The Castle. 12.48 Shipping Forecast 1.00 As BBCWorld Service. 5.20 Shipping Forecast. 5.30 News Briefing. 5.43 PrayerFor TheDay 5.45 Farming Today 5.58 Tweet Of The Day BBC RADIO 4EXTRA 6am MysteryPlayhouse: Mrs Belloc-Lowndes– An Unrecorded Instance. 6.30 TheHouse. 7.00 In And OutOfThe Kitchen. 7.30 It’s AFair Cop. 8.00 Round The Horne. 8.30 Anything Legal. 9.00 Dilemma. 9.30 Double Income,NoKidsYet 10.00 Joseph Andrews. 11.00 TEDRadioHour 11.50 Inheritance Tracks. 12noon Round The Horne 12.30 Anything Legal 1.00 MysteryPlayhouse: Mrs Belloc-Lowndes –AnUnrecorded Instance. 1.30 TheHouse. 2.00 TheChannel. 2.15 Carmen. 2.30 He Belonged To Glasgow –The Will FyffeStory. 3.00 JosephAndrews. 4.00 Dilemma 4.30 Double Income, No KidsYet 5.00 In And OutOfThe Kitchen 5.30 It’s AFair Cop 6.00 Dan Dare: Reign Of The Robots. 6.30 AGood Read. 7.00 Round The Horne 7.30 Anything Legal 8.00 MysteryPlayhouse: Mrs Belloc-Lowndes– An UnrecordedInstance. 8.30 TheHouse 9.00 TED Radio Hour. 9.50 InheritanceTracks 10.00 Comedy Club 10.00 Comedy Club:It’sA Fair Cop 10.30 ComedyClub: Twenty Players 10.45 ComedyClub: Self Storage. 11.00 ComedyClub:The Now Show 11.30 ComedyClub: SorryAbout Last Night. 12mdn’t DanDare: ReignOfThe Robots 12.30 AGood Read. 1.00 Mystery Playhouse: Mrs Belloc-Lowndes –An Unrecorded Instance 1.30 The House. 2.00 The Channel. 2.15 Carmen. 2.30 He Belonged To Glasgow –The Will Fyffe Story. 3.00 JosephAndrews. 4.00 Dilemma. 4.30 Double Income,NoKids Yet. 5.00 In And OutOfThe Kitchen 5.30 It’s AFair Cop. BBC 5LIVE 6am 5LiveBreakfast 9.00 Nicky Campbell 11.00 Naga Munchetty 1pm NihalArthanayake 4.00 5 Live Drive 7.00 5Live Sport 9.00 MatchOfThe Day: Top10. 9.30 5LiveSport:5 Live Cricket 10.00 Colin Murray. 1am Dotun Adebayo. 5.00 Wake Up To Money BBC 6MUSIC 7.30am Lauren Laverne. 10.30 Mary Anne Hobbs. 1pm Craig Charles. 4.00 Steve Lamacq 7.00 Marc Riley 9.00 Gideon Coe. 12mdn’t TheFirst TimeWith FlorenceWelch 1.00 Florence &The Machine At The BBC 2.00 Florence&The Machine Live 4.00 The Florence&The Machine Playlist. 5.00 Chris Hawkins. CLASSIC FM 6am More MusicBreakfast. 9.00 Alexander Armstrong 12noon Anne-MarieMinhall. 4.00 Sam Pittis. 7.00 Smooth Classics At Seven 10.00 Smooth Classics. 1am Bill Overton 4.00 Early Breakfast ABSOLUTE RADIO 6am Dave Berry 10.00 LeonaGraham. 1pm Ben Burrell. 4.00 BushAnd Richie. 7.00 DaniellePerry 10.00 Jay Lawrence. 1am Dan Noble. November14 LIVE GRAND SLAM OF DARTS Sky Sports MainEvent, 7.00pm Coverage of day three at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton. MONDAY 45

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RICHES

Jeremy Layton Hurry

Died on October 23, 2022.

Much loved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Brother AService of Thanksgiving will be held at St Chad’s Church, Pattingham on Friday,November 25 at 2.30pm. No flowers please. Donationsifdesired via http://www.memorygiving. com/jeremyriches

Inquiries to

LEDBETTER

Margaret

No one knows the heartache of whatitwas like to lose you but in

FORD KA 2002, 57,700 miles, full MOT, two owners from new, good condition. £500 07935 040228.

JEEP SUZUKI JIMNEY OFF ROADER Converted pickup with a hydraulic tipping body. Unfinished project. No MoT Ideal for mucking out horses or carrying logs Call for details. £1,500. 01543 454304.

SENIOR JOURNALISTS

The Midland News Association, publisher of the Express &Starand Shropshire Star,islooking forsenior journalists to join itsteam.

This is theideal role forambitious, dedicated and enthusiasticjournalists with aproventrack record of digging out the bestoff-diarynewsstories, features and analysis.

As amulti-media journalist, youmustbecomfortable producingcontent forall of our printand digitalplatforms –fromin-depth news features forour newspapers, to breaking news articles forour websites, as well as covering stories as theyhappen on liveblogs.

The ideal candidateswill be abletocome up with ideas and deliver compelling stories on aconsistent basis.

We arelooking forNCTJ-trained journalists, able to deliver accurate, entertaining copy to meetstrict deadlines. Afull,clean drivinglicence is required.

We will also consider NCTJ Diploma trained journalists who areworking towardstheir NQJ. This is abrilliantopportunity to join our newsroom, covering adiverse,vibrant andbusypatch.

Benefits include acompetitive salary, 25 days’annual holidayand the chance to develop your career at Britain’s largest independentregional news company.

If youare interested in this role, please send a copy of your CV and coveringletter forthe attention of the editor-in-chief, MartinWright, to: hr@claverleygroup.co.uk

Closing date Friday, November 25

about RupertBevan Ltd visit https://rupertbevan.com/

LotusEletre will hitthe road priced from £89,500

Lotushas announced that itsnew Eletre electric SUVwillbepriced from £89,500and availa ble with achoiceoftwo powertrains.

FirstrevealedbackinMarch,the Eletre will form part of anew range of electric SUVs from Lotus. En try-levelEletre andEletre Smodels will bring593bhpand 710Nmof torqueaswellasarange of up to 373miles

Amorepowerful Eletre Rwill sitatthe topofthe range, bringing 893bhp and985Nm of torque anda slightlysmaller rangeof304 miles. TheEletre andEletre Swill bringa 0-60mph time of 4.3seconds,while theR shaves this down to under threeseconds.

The112kWh batterywill also be able to return a10-80%chargeinas littleas20minutes when hooked up to arapid charger.

Matt Windle,group vice-presi dentand managing director,Lo tusCars, said:“Confirmationof thepricing andspecs of theLotus Eletre is akey moment in thetrans formationofLotus throughour Vi sion80 strategy

“Weknowfrommedia andcus tomerfeedback that they’rehugely excitedbythe arrivalofthiscar indeed, the Eletre has already won awards as 2023’s ‘mostexcited to see’ newmodel.Customerdeliver iesstart during the firsthalfofnext year.”

TheEletre also incorporates a new‘digitalcockpit’systemwhich uses theLotus HyperOSsystem.

Drawingtechnologyfromthe gam ingsector, this setupallowsLotus to create ‘next-generation 3D con tent andexperiences’.

Lotushas also announced apart nershipwithDolby,which will fit itslatestAtmos musicsystemtothe Eletre

Standard equipment on theen try-levelEletre includes active air

suspension, torque vectoring, ma trix LEDheadlightsand 22-inch forged alloywheels. Inside,there are12-wayelectricallyadjustable seats, four-zone climatecontroland a15.1-inch centralinfotainment screen

Step up to theEletre S– priced frOm £104,500–and privacyglass andanactive rear spoilerare add

ed,aswellasilluminated side sills andsoft-closedoors.The range-top ping Eletre R, whichispriced from £120,000,bringsa lowered ride height, performance-orientated set tingsfor thedampers andanti-roll control. Atrack mode also fully opensthe active grilleand activates launch controlfor super-fast accel eration.

Armoured security fornew Defender

Land

Anew agreementbetween Jaguar Land Rover andvehicle protection specialistTrascohas resulted in an upgraded version of theDefender beingmadeavailable.The 110-spec ification carcan nowbe fitted with a lightweightAnti-Kidnap–orA-Kip –conversionkit,but thanks to an ‘in conspicuous design’it’sbarelynoticea bleagainst astandardcar

Lightweightsecurity-gradesteel, glassand composite materialsare in corporated throughout theDefender, bringing addedprotectiontodriver andpassengers.

Variouslevelsofballistic protec tion –certified by theVPAMstandard forarmouredcars–feature in areas such as thewindscreen, door anddoor glass, andfootwells.There’s also anew ballistic rear partition.

Nick Collins, executivedirector,

vehicleprogrammesfor Land Rov er,said: “The Defender is themost capableLandRover ever made and this newcollaboration makesiteven moredependablethanbefore. Thenew A-KIPlightweightprotection solution from Trasco turns ouraward-winning all-terrainvehicle into ahighlycapa bleand discreet refuge forits occu pants, providingenhancedsecurity andprotection.”

Buyers arealsoabletospecifyad ditional features,including a fire suppressionsystemfor theengine, a frontgrille-integrated blue lightemer gencypack,anintercomsystemand aself-sealingfueltank, amongother equipment

AllanPetty,Europeansales man ager at Trasco,said: “Discretion is of tenthe best form of defence, andwhat we have createdfor Defender allows thosewho need additional protection to blendinwithnormaltrafficasthe vehicle is virtuallyindistinguishable from astandardmodel.”

MOTS • REPAIRS

01746 764200

StanleyLane, Bridgnorth. WV16 4SF

2017(17)Mercedes-BenzCClassC63Premium2drAuto

White,Petrol,Auto,6,820miles £42,995 2021(21)VolkswagenPassat2.0TDIEVOSCRSENav5drDSG Black,Diesel,S-Auto,31,981miles £22,795

2019(19)MitsubishiL2002.4DI-D178Titan4WD

Grey,Diesel,Manual,33,432miles £20,995

2020(70)FordPuma1.0EcoBoostHybridMHEVST-Line5dr

White,Petrol,Manual,17,841miles £20,650 2020(69)NissanJuke1.0DiG-TTekna5drDCT

Red,Petrol,Auto,7,953miles £20,495

2020(70)FordFocus1.0EcoBoostHybridmHEV 125ST-LineEdition5drBlue,Petrol,Manual,4,965miles £18,995 2019(69)JeepCompass1.6Multijet120Limited5dr Blue,Diesel,Manual,27,313miles £17,995

2016(66)BMWX3xDrive20dSE5drStepAuto Black,Diesel,Auto,47,749miles £17,950

2018(18)AudiA11.4TFSI125BlackEditionNav5drSTronic Red,Petrol,Auto,38,560miles £16,995

2020(70)FordFiesta1.0EcoBoost125ST-LineEdition5dr Blue,Petrol,Manual,14,877miles £16,950

2017(17)FordKuga1.5EcoBoost182Titanium5drAuto Grey,Petrol,Auto,19,280miles £16,295

2018(68)NissanQashqai1.2DiG-TTekna5dr Silver,Petrol,Manual,28,382miles £16,295

2015(65)Mercedes-BenzGlaGLA200CDIAMGLine5dr Grey,Diesel,Manual,33,134miles £15,895

2018(68)BMW1Series118iSport5dr Blue,Petrol,Manual,34,038miles £15,595 2019(19)FordMondeo2.0TDCi180ST-Line5dr White,Diesel,Manual,57,330miles £14,795

2016(65)SKODASUPERBESTATE2.0TDiSEBUSINESSD5G, Grey,Diesel,Auto,49,516miles £14,495

2018(18)SkodaSuperbEstate1.6TDICRSE5dr Grey,Diesel,Manual,52,632miles £14,695

2018(68)VolvoV40T2MomentumNavPlus5dr Silver,Petrol,Manual,31,331miles £13,995 2019(68)VauxhallMokkaX1.4TecoTECEliteNav5dr Red,Petrol,Manual,5,482miles £13,950

2017(17)FORDESCORT1.5ZETECPOWERSHIFT, Blue,Petrol,Auto,2997miles £12,495

2017(17)FordMondeo2.0TDCiTitanium5drPowershift Black,Diesel,Auto,76,483miles £11,995

2015(65)NissanQashqai1.5dCiN-Tec+5dr Grey,Diesel,Manual,39,838miles £11,995 2014(64)HondaCR-V1.6i-DTECSR5dr2WD

Brown,Diesel,Manual,36,964miles £11,995

2017(67)FordMondeo2.0TDCi180ST-Line5drPowershift Grey,Diesel,Auto,78,832miles. £11,795

2017(17)FordMondeo2.0TDCi180Titanium5dr Powershift Blue,Diesel,Auto,88,601miles. £11,595

2015(15)VolkswagenPassat2.0TDISE5dr

White,Diesel,Manual,76,707miles £10,995

2016(66)FordMondeo2.0TDCi180Titanium5dr

Blue,Diesel,Manual,93,090miles £10,695

2018(18)VauxhallAstra1.0TecoTECSRiNav5dr

Grey,Petrol,Manual,37,264miles £10,495

2014(14)KiaSportage1.7CRDiISG45dr

Silver,Diesel,Manual,56,469miles

2017(17)FordMondeo2.0TDCi180ST-Line5drPowershift

Genesispacks Shooting Brakewithraftofgoodies

BILLMcCARTHY

Like many estate type cars or tourers, style andpracticalityhavebeenmarried to delivercoupe-likestyling,with littlecompromiseoninterior space.

Theterm“shootingbrake”issupposedly from turn-of-the-last centuryEngland, whereitreferredtoacar used to transport ahunting partyand itsgear. “Brake”referred to achassis thatwas used to break in horses

It eventually just came to refertoearly wagons in general.

Thetermwas laterapplied to custom-builtwagonsbyhigh-endcoachbuildersand subsequently became synonymous with thestation wagonor, nowadays,the estate

With achoiceofPremium Line,Luxury Line andSport Line trim levels, it certainly is apremium,stylish vehiclewithits sleek, coupe-likeprofile andfeaturing the signa ture crestgrillequad lampsand notforgetting theBentley lookalikewingedbonnet badge

TheSport Line modeladdsdark-chrome finish forthe window surroundsand front grille, whichalsogetsadarktinted chrome mesh insert.It also features 19-inchalloys with redBrembobrake calipers

To therearofthe vehicle asingle-piece glasshatch accommodates part of thelight clusterand a“floating type”integralspoil er

Rear wheeldrive,itfeaturesapowerful 2.2-litre diesel engine mated to an eightspeed auto boxthatoffersreasonableeconomywhiledeliveringdecentpace.

Packed with high endgoodies,itisspa ciouswitha premiuminterior

Oneofthe star attractions is thetwo main binnacle dialswhich turn into cameras to show theroaditisturning into when theindicator is activated

Arealsafetyfeature that helpskeepcyclists andpedestrians safe

This is aproperpremium motorwith

state-of-the-art technologies, qualitymaterials, anda finish to create what the GENESISdescribe as ‘a fighterjet cockpit appearance.’

Centralisthe 10.5-inchHDinfotainment screen and12.3-inch TFTinstrumentclustercontrolling connectivity andnavigation functions.

It operates theimpressivesound system, whilethe GenesisConnect system offers voicerecognition andliveupdates and smartphone integration.

Boot spacesonthese type of estatesor tourersare not as capaciousassome of the olderstyles, butwith465 litresavailable, expandingto1,535-litre load area with 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats, it offers plenty of stowagespace

On theroad, therefined200PS diesel deliverssmoothacceleration. It powers to 60mphin around 7.5seconds,withlittle diesel noise.Plentyofpunch butdelivering real worldeconomy of around 40mpg.

Therideand handling areexcellent,with tuned suspensionand electronicallycon trolled adaptive damperssoaking up the worst of thepotholes, whiledeliveringagile handling forsuchabig car.

Price: £41,430

FACTFILE

Mechanical: 200PS,2,199cc,four-cylinder diesel enginedriving rear wheels viaeight speedautomatic transmission

MaxSpeed: 140mph

0-62mph: 7.5seconds

Combined MPG: 40.7-41.8

C02 emissions: 177-182g/km

Warranty: 5years/unlimited miles

454bhpBMW M2 is revealed

£9,995

Silver,Diesel,Auto,105,677miles £9,925

2014(64)Mazda32.0SportNav5dr

Red,Petrol,Manual,56,616miles £9,450

2014(64)VolkswagenEos2.0TDIBlueMotionTechSport2drDSG

Grey,Diesel,Auto,80,451miles £8,595

2016(65)FordB-Max1.0EcoBoostTitanium5dr

Black,Petrol,Manual,47,519miles

2015(15)ToyotaAygo1.0VVT-iX-Pression5dr

£7,695

Blue,Petrol,Manual,24,574miles £7,495

2015(64)PEUGEOT20081.6HDiALLURE5dr, Black,Diesel,Manual,45,819miles £7,395

2012(62)FordFocus2.0TdciTitaniumXPowershiftEstate

Blue,Diesel,Auto,80,200miles £6,695

2015(15)FordFocus1.6TDCi115Titanium5dr

White,Diesel,Manual,96,593miles £6,595

2015(15)CitroenDS31.6e-HDiAirdreamDStyleplus

White,Diesel,Manual,78,327miles £5,995

2012(62)SUZUKISWIFT1.2SZ35dr, Red,Petrol,manual,68,934miles £4,695

BMWiscontinuingcelebrationstomark50 yearsofits performance‘M’ division with therevealofthe newM2.

Entering asecondgeneration, this new sports coupehas bigboots to fill,as thepre viousM2was widely regarded as oneofthe best performancecarsaround. It wasalso BMW’sbest-selling‘M’ model.

Getting atuned version of itspredecessor’s3.0-litre twin-turbo in-linesix engine, it’s themostpowerfulM2date–putting out 454bhp and550Nm of torque. Coming with an eight-speedSteptronicSport automatic gearbox as standard,BMW will also offer asix-speed manual formoretraditional sports carfans.

Thenew M2 also bucksthe increasing trendfor all-wheel-drivesportscars, as it remainsrear-wheel-driven

Accelerating to 60mphtakes just 3.9sec ondsin theautomatic car(0.2seconds more forthe manual), with versions coming from thefactory limited to topspeed of 155mph,

though this canbeincreased to 177mph with theoptionalM Race Trackpackage included

TheM2utilises an active differential as standard,along with electronicadaptive dampersand abrake pedalthatofferstwo settings of ‘feel’

Thenew M2 is 11.4cm longerand 1.6cm widerthanits predecessor, though it’s only

marginallylower.Withwider arches,it looksnoticeablymoremuscular than the standard 2SeriesCoupe.It also getsa distinctive frameless kidney grille, whilea lightweightcarbonroofisincludedonall models.The M2 rideson19-inch alloys at thefront and20s at therear, whileabold ZandvoortBluecolourisavailable exclusively on this model.

Moving inside,customers canchoose lightweightcarbon fibrebucketseats as an option,in placeofthe standard heated M Sportseats, whileBMW’s newCurvedDis play (incorporating a14.9-inch touchscreen and12.3-inch digitalinstrumentcluster) hasbeenintroducedtoo

Morestandardequipmentis fitted to the M2 as well,including ahead-up display, Harman Kardon soundsystemand areversing camera

Thenew BMWM2isset to be launched in May2023, with prices starting from £61,495.

Marketacleansupasshe claims awinning double

MarketaVondrousova impressively wonboth thesingles anddoubles titles at TheShrewsbury Club’s ITF WorldTen nisTourevent –with thetournamenthaileda huge success.

TheCzech Republicstarbeat EvaLys from Germanyinthe singles finalbeforefollowing it up by partnering Miriam Kolodziejova, anotherCzech player, to victoryin thedoubles final.

Acapacitycrowd ofmorethan 500enjoyed Finals Dayatthe BudgenMotorsW100Shrewsbury tournament as Vondrousova, who reachedthe 2019 French Open final andwas asilver medallist at last year’s Olympics, lifted two trophies.

Currentlyranked121 in the world,havingbeenashigh as 14, Vondrousovasaved four setpoints in theopening set of thesingles fi nalagainst Lys, whowentintothe finalona nine-match winningrun Vondrousovaeventuallycomplet ed a7-5,6-2 victorytobecrowned W100 Shrewsbury championin only thesecondtournamentshe has playedsince April.

Having hadwrist surgeryearlier this year,she madeher return at aW80 tournament in France last week

“I’m superhappy,” said eighth seed Vondrousova. “I really enjoyed this week andI’m just very happy to be back competingand playing matchesaftersuchalongtime.

“I playedreallytough matches this week,soI’m just happytobe back at my level.”

Reflecting on saving setpoints in theopening set, Vondrousova added: “Itwas very tough. Evawas playingprettygreat andIwas just trying to puteveryballintothe courtand stay in thematch and fight. I’mjustreallyproud how I fought andhow Iplayed.”

Lys, 20,currently acareer-high 126in theworld rankings enjoyed a fine week in Shropshire,knocking outthree Britishplayers before also beatingCroatianAna Konjuh in the semi finals.

“I’m very proudI made it this far,” said Lys, afterthe final. “Everysin glematch wassuchagood fight, so I’mjusthappy that I’ve playedthis tournament this well.”

Vondrousovathenenjoyed that winningfeeling againlater in theafternoonasshe partnered Kolodziejova to victoryinthe dou bles final. They gotthe better of JessikaPonchet,fromFrance, and Renata Voracova,fromthe Czech Republic,7-6,6-2

Dave Courteen, TheShrewsbury Club’s managing director,high-

lightedthe achievementofVon drousova in winningboththe sin gles anddoubles titles

“Towin thesingles anddoubles meansyou have hadtowin alot ofmatches throughout theweek,” he said.“She’sbeenplaying two matchesaday in some cases

“It’sa bit of ararityfor someone to be both asingles anddoubles championat thesameevent.It’sthe firsttimeit’shappenedinanITF tournament at TheShrewsbury Club anditjustproveswhataclassy playershe is.”

Reflecting on thesuccess of the tournament,headded: “Weare proudthatwehavebeenableto host such ahighquality eventin Shrewsbury that brings such ahigh leveloftennistothe town

“Weare oneofonly13towns or cities acrossthe world to host an ITF eventofthisstature,sofor Shrewsbury to have done that is amazing. Thequality of thetennis hasbeenwonderful.”

RichardJoyner, thetournament director forthe LTA, wasdelighted with thesuccess of theevent

He said:“This tournament is the culminationofanumberof yearsbuildinguptothis. It was Dave Courteen’sdesiretobring as high alevel tournament as possible to Shrewsbury.That’snow been achieved whichisfantastic

“The atmosphere made it aspe cialoccasion. We shouldn’tunder estimate how much players enjoy playinginanatmospherewithfull stands andlotsofnoise.”

Keybowls figuresare honoured by PremierLeague

SallyKing, part of Wrockwardine Wood’s championship-winning team this season –collected their dad’scertificate

Hill’slatestrike earnsTowna valuable point

Shifnal Town fought back from alosing position threetimes to secure alatepoint at home to MidlandLeaguePremier Divi sion leadersWalsall Wood

JoeFitzpatrick gave thevis itorsthe leadafter38minutes before Shifnal’sTyroneOfori equalisedjustbeforehalf-time

Only four minutes afterthe breakMatthew Hughes re stored Wood’s lead before an instantresponse from Shif nal, inside aminute, saw MichaelNelsondrawthem level.

Wood went aheadfor thethird time in thematch when Adam McGurk struck in the68thmin ute.

Thevisitorslookedset to take allthree points untilthe hosts equalisedfor athird time,inthe 91st minute, throughThomas Hill

Shifnalare fifthinthe divi sion,level on points with fourth placed DarlastonTown, who they have agamein hand over TheShropshireoutfitalso have twogames in hand on allofthe topthree teams and only athree-point gapstands in theway of them catch ingsecond-placed Stourport Swifts.

Elsewhereinthe league, Market DraytonTown crashedto their14thconsecutive league defeat,as they lost 1-0awayat Highgate United.A 57th-minute goal from Jack Till separatedthe sides. Draytonremainrooted at thebottomofthe league with onewin from 15 games, which came on theiropening league fixturebackinAugust.

Meanwhile, thegamebetween Tividale and Whitchurch Al port wasabandoned at half time duetoanalleged racist commentdirected at aTividale playerfroma member of the crowd.

In MidlandLeagueDivision One, AFCBridgnorth lost 3-1 in acrunchclash away to Coven tryCopsewood

With both clubs languishing towardsthe wrongend of the table, Bridgnorth failed to build from theirwin last week with a poor defeat

They sit16thinthe league, now just twopointsahead of 18th-placed Copsewood andjust four points offthe relegation zone

Haughmond also tasted de feat,losing3-1 to Wednesfield, while Shawbury United were beaten 2-0byStapenhill

TheShropshirePremier League, nowsponsoredbyTaylorSupport, have awardedthe honour to Helen Clee and, posthumously, to Phil Clee

“Weare proudtorewardHelen andPhil Clee with lifemembership

theleaguebecause of theireffortsasresults secretaries forover 10 yearsatthe startofthe 2000s,” explainedleaguechief RobBur roughs.

“Sadly we lost Phil recently, so hischildren –StuartCleeand

“Theywereresults secretaries from 1999 to 2012,doing agreat job of collatingall theresults in that time andthenemailing or faxing them over to thethen fix turessecretary Mark Burroughs so he couldplacethemonthe website.

“Theyalso hadtofax andlater emailthe resultsthrough to ShropshireStarover that time,providing peoplewithresults in theSaturday paper, longbeforethe internet was widelyavailable.”

In theNorth West Counties League Division OneSouth, EllesmereRangers suffered a blow in theirpromotion race as they lost 3-1tostrugglersCheadleHeath Nomads

Thevisitorsraced into a3-0 lead andSteven Hole’s goal for Ellesmerewas nothingmore than aconsolation

Afterthe defeat,Ellesmere sit thirdin thetable andninepoints offleaders StockportTown, whilethe winnersonthe dayare in therelegationzone.

Marketa Vondrousova with EvaLys and, inset, with doublespartner Miriam KolodziejovaPicture:Richard Dawson

Twokey figuresinthe growth of thecounty’selite bowlingleague have been rewarded with lifemem berships

of

Premierlifemembershippresentation,fromleft: StuartClee, Sally King, league treasurerRob Burroughsand HelenClee

STUART DUNN sports@mnamedia.co.uk

Ludlow proveto be spot on as they progress

Ludlow held theirnerve to book theirplace in thenextround of theSalop LeisureLeaguePre mier Division Cup.

Theirclash with Broseley provedtobeakeenlycontested affair andwas finallydecidedvia apenalty shoot-out.

Thetie endedall square at 2-2withJackMarston scoring twicefor Ludlow andRonan Ma riemoutouand RyanMountford replying forBroseley

Butitwas Ludlow whopro gressedtothe next roundafter triumphing 3-1onpenalties

PremierDivisionleaders DawleyTowntooktheir league form into thecup competition.

They were toostrong forvis itingWrockwardineWood, running out7-2 winnerstomakeit aperfect 11 wins from 11 games in allcompetitionsthisseason.

George Lees (two), Charlie Knowles(two),Dan Beddows, Kieran Buckleyand TomBradleynetted forTown.

Church StrettonTownare an othersidewho will be eyeing a possible league andcup double Stretton,who aresecondin thetop flightstandings,hit form on theroadtoeasepastErcall

ColtsJuniorsEvolution

AlexanderRyder ledthe way with ahat-trick as Strettonwon 7-2. He wasjoinedonthe scoresheetbyHarry Morris(two), SamJones andJames Hill.

WemTownwithstood aspirited fightbackfromMorda United to book theirplaceinthe next round.

Morda cancelledout atwo goal deficittodrawlevel but werethenundonebya late winner. Luke Darrell, Keegan Green andAndrewHinks were themen on target forWem

Samuel Florymaintainedhis impressive goalscoringformto help Prees United to a4-2 victory on theroadatStMartins

Floryopenedthe scoringand then Liam Mooreaddedasec ondbeforehalf-time.Alexander Cadman andasecond forFlory completedUnited’shaulafter thebreak

GobowenCeltichit sixofthe best to send MadeleySports packing.

Ed Rogers andZakhWard struck in the first-half with ShaunDaviesreplyingfor Sports.But Celtic then took charge inthe second period with Ward,JackHughes, Tristan Lloydand substituteScott Hale adding furthergoals to seal a6-1 success

TheDivisionOne League Cup action sawthe toptwo,AFC Bridgnorth Development and WellingtonAmateursDevelop ment,gohead-to-head.

Anditwas Wellingtonwho emerged 3-2winners thanks to twogoals from Matteo Basi ni-Gazzi andone from Hayden Norry.

Mike Whitehouse,Mathew Lainsburyand Robert Jones netted to earn Llanymynech a3-0 winagainst Shrewsbury JuniorsDevelopment

Shabaz readytotakenext step on journeytothe top

LIAM KEEN liam.keen@mnamedia.co.uk

ShabazMasoud is ready to announce himself as a‘worldlevel’ fighteras he preparestotakeon fellow undefeated boxer Jack Batesonfor the WBAInter-Continental super-bantamweightti tle.

Coming offthe back of atwo rounddemolitionofYoanBoyeaux in Dubaiearlier this year,Masoud is nowreturningtothe ring fora huge bout againstBateson on Friday.

Masoud started outatWellington Boxing AcademyinTelford andnow trains with TysonFury’sformer coachBen Davison, andisready to prove hisskill on Probellum’scard in Sheffield.

“I’vebeencalling for fights like this fora while. Themainthing is thatit’sherenow andthe timing is right,”Masoudtoldthe Shropshire Star

“I’vegot better andbetter. Ikeep improvinginthe gym. I’mshining with everychallenge.Peoplewill be raving aboutmeafterthis fight.

“Camphas been amazing.I’ve putinthe worknon-stopand I’m just readytogonow

“I wasplanningongetting outin August butafew things happened that stoppedthat.

“I’vebeeninthe gymsince my last fight. I’ve nottaken anyrest or anybreak,I’vebeeninthe gym non-stop

“As soon as this fight got men tioned,I waspushing foritstraight away.All Idoiseat,sleep,repeat boxing.That’smylife.

“Mylast fightwas adifferent experience.Itwas abroad andthe

weatherwas alot hotter

“Boyeaux hadbeeninwithalot of good guys andfoughtfor aworld title. He wasonthatlevel as an op ponent andI took himapart

“I’vestill gota lotmoretoshow No-one hasseenmybestyet,I just keep gettingbetter.”

To achievehis dreams, however, Masoud hastoget through hisnext challenge as he faces17-0undefeated fighterBateson

“He’sagoodopponentwho has verygood amateurexperience,” Masoud added. “Since he’s turned prohe’sdonewell, butIfeellikeI’m morethancapable of exploitinghis weaknesses

“He’sagood fighter,but Ihave thetools to beat him. It will show people that I’mworld level

“There’s a fine line betweencock inessand confidence. Sometimes people whodon’t know me or understandmyjourney,theythink I’m cocky. When they gettoknow me, understand thestruggleI’vebeen through andthe graftI’veput in, they then realise whyI’m so confi dent.Mystruggles have made me likethis.”

Notonlyisthis fightfor theWBA Inter-Continentalbelt, butitisalso a finaleliminatorfor theBritishti tle.

That crowniscurrently held by

Telford’sLiamDavies, whois fight ingonNovember19for theEuropean title, andMasoudcan seea fight with Davies in thefuture.

“There’s alot of options forme afterthis fight, butforgetall the titles,for me it’s about gettingin thereand beatinghim,” Masoud said.“Some of theseguyswithtitles,I’d beat them tomorrow.They getmatched righttowin those ti tles, buttheywon’t be abletoavoid me now

“Afterthis fight, alot ofpeople will realise what I’mabout.I’ll leaveittothe team to seewhatthey want to do next,but thereisa fight therewithLiam.”

Juniorsend in stylebybeating theS&H seniors

Shropshire&Herefordshire

This

andJack Dirkin (Wrekin) hitbacktodefeat Tony Greenand GrattanSmall man1up

SteveHawke andSandy Johnston putthe seniorsahead once more, 2&1against HarryBryce (Telford)and HarrySlater (Wre kin)

AlfieDaniels (Wrekin) andSeb

holesdowntoforce

Golf returns. ArscottMen’s Stableford. DivOne:1 AllenHum phries (10) 38pts; 2Del Skone(9) 36pts; 3Russell Wellings(11)35pts DivTwo:MikeJones (16) 43pts; 2 Paul Carpenter(15)42pts;3 Jon Lyttle(13)38pts.Div Three: 1Paul Ellis(24)35pts;2 Alan Davies (26) 34pts; Mark Newman (26) 33pts. Llanymynech. Ladies’18-Hole Stableford: 1Denni Coleman41pts;2 Beverley Cadwallader37pts.NineHole Stableford:1GwenanDavies 20pts.Wrekin. SeniorsWinter Stableford. DivOne:1PaulLewins 23/9;2 IanSmith 21/9;3Bernie English20/9. DivTwo:1AlexCun ningham 22/11; 2JohnSaul19/10; 3David Rogerson19/11

Shabaz Masoud hashis sights setonInter-Continentalsuper-bantamweightglory and a fightwith Liam Davies

Shropshire &Herefordshire Under-14s andseniors sides at Bridgnorth

Reynolds (Shifnal) levelled things up again, 1upagainst TimHam mett andSimon Jones, andFletcher Park (Ludlow)and Ross Coleman (Wrekin) fought back from four

ahalfagainst senior captainJohnWilliamsand Dave Jones.Thatmeant thematch waslevel with onegametocome in,but it wasjuniorsHugoRoberts

(Shifnal) andHarry Smith(Ludlow) whoheldoff Damien Scholes andDonaldMcKellor to win1up andtakethe match3.5-2.5

Shropshire’s fabfourare handedaSparkscall-up

Four playersfromthe Shropshire girls’ agegroup pathwayhavebeen selected in CentralSparkssquads for2023.

TheSparksare theregionalside basedinBirmingham whichplay at thetop levelofwomen’s cricket againstother regional teams from acrossthe country.

EmilyChurmsand CaitlinBelch er have been picked to be apart of theSparks’ Academyintakefor thenext12months. They will be involved with an extensivewinter trainingprogramme leadinginto summer matcheswhere theCen tralSparkswill competeagainst otherregionalacademies

Churms is also on thereservelist forthe England Under-19ssquad forthe WorldCup in SouthAfrica in January.

Lauren Kenvyn andAmy Grif fithswill be part of theSparks’ expanded Emerging PlayerPro gramme this Winter whichismade up of players from Shropshire,

Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshireand Herefordshire.

Also selected in theSparksAcad emyisEllieAndersonwho plays for Alveleyand is part of theWorces tershirepathway

Allwereselected afterextensive trials in recent months.

Cricket Shropshire’s Women andGirls PathwayLeadDarrell Corfield, whohas been involved in theprocess,said: “Congratulations to thefourgirls from ourpath waywho have been chosen in the Sparks squads.

“It’sgreat to seethe system establishedsogirls involvedin Shropshire cansee thereisaclear pathwayfromclubcricket andthe county agegroup set-up throughto theSparksand then thenational side.”

Shropshire is also represented in theseniorCentralSparkssidewith EveJones,who beganher career at Whitchurch andinthe Shropshire agegroup ranks

Alicefull of prideafter a stunning all-roundeffort

AliceKinsellahailed ‘one of theproudestmomentsofmylife’ after finishingwithin awhisk er of theWorld Champi onship all-around podi um.

Kinsella finished fourth, just 0.134marks behind compatriot Jes sica Gadirova,who became Great Britain’s firstwomen’s all-around medallist in thecompetition’s his tory

It marksthe latest in astringof near-missesfor the21-year-old,who also finished fourth in all-around andbeamatthe Commonwealth Gamesinthe summer,but shewas in no mood to ruewhatmight have been.

“No-one likescomingfourthbut this is probably oneofthe proudest momentsofmylife,”saidKinsella, whotrainsatParkWrekinGym nasticsClubin Telford. “I didthe all-around finalin2019and fin ished12th, so to nowsay to myself Icamefourth, Icouldn’tbemore proudofmyself.

“Myconfidencehas just gota lot better.AfterCovid Ifeltlikemy gymnastics wasgetting better as well andmydifficultywas going up.Now that I’ve gotprettymuch my full difficultyatthe startofthe year I’ve managedtoimprove it through theyear, andI hadalot of confidencecomingintothisWorld Championships.

“Knowing I’mthe fourth best in theworld givesmealot of confi dencegoing into next year.”

Kinsellahelpedthe hostsearn team silver earlierin theweekde

spiteafallonthe beam in theirpe nultimaterotation.

Thetroublesome apparatuswas firstup in theindividual finaland sheavoided arepeattoget her challengeoff to astrong start. She shoneon floor, hailing her‘best-ev er routine’ aftera scoreof13.633 whichkepther firmly in contention fora medalgoing into her finale on theuneven bars

Kinsellafelljustshort of knock ingGadirovaoff the finalspoton thepodiumbut shecan nowreas sesswhatshe maybecapable of with the2024Olympicslooming on thehorizon

“I didn’t really thinkabout ex pectations beforehand,” shesaid. “IfI putpressureonmyself, that’s when it normallygoes downhill.I

just wanted to go outthere anddo my best

“I told myself to just go outand enjoy it,it’salwaysa dreamtomake anyall-around final

“I couldhaveimprovedonafew bits butIcan’t askfor much more than beingfourthbestinthe world

“Being last on bars wasabit nerve-wracking butI managedto composemyself.

“Itwasn’tthe best barroutine I’ve ever done,but it wasmyfull difficulty, andI’m just proudIman aged to do it underpressure.”

Kinsellahad shownplentyof characterearlier in theweekwhen sherecoveredfromher fall on the beam in theteamevent, bouncing back to deliver an accomplished floorroutine as Britainrecorded

theirbest-ever women’s team result at this event.

It wasalso enoughtosecure aquota placefor theParis 2024 Olympics, with Kinsellaadding anotherteammedaltoacollection alreadycontainingOlympic bronze, European silver andCommon wealth gold

“I hadthe mistakeonbeamand putthatbehindme,”she said

“Itwas toughbut having these girlsreallyhelped. Ijustwanted to go outthere andabsolutelysmash floor, trustmyself, trustmytrain ingand that’s what Idid

“Ithelps having such an amazing teamaroundme. They broughtme back up because Iwas abit down Withoutthem, Iwouldn’thavebeen able to do it.”

Doublesbattles serve up afew surprise results

TheBridgnorth League took a second rest from playingleague snookeras theRay HalfordDou bles preliminary, firstround and quarter-finalmatches took cen tre stage.

Andas is oftenthe case with handicap competitions,there were afew surprises

Chasingadeficitof27points, Woodfield’stwo in-form players, Neil Drewettand hisson Cam eron,wereeliminatedinthe pre liminary round, succumbing to Mark Jonesand JasonBrown

TheWoodfieldladscameclose to levelling thematch in frame two, but theSt. John’spairhung on to claima 2-0win

Chelmarsh’sSimon Thomas andDaveSiddons, winnersof numerous doubles competitions in thepast, were beaten 2-0by Nick Carson andOwenHughes, from Broseley,inthe firstround Also firstround casualties were IanPostans andCarlWalk er,and Beamer Jones andChris Petford, allfromChelmarsh.In fact,for the firsttimeinmany ayear, theChelmarsh club will nottable ateaminthe semi fi nals

It wasaparticularlygood nightfor Broseley pair Neil Cas well andAndyGarbett.

They sawoff Postansand Walker andthentheywentonto beat St. John’sduo Mike Craw leyand KevinSmith, thecon quersofJones andPetford,for awell-deserved semi finalplace.

Anditwas also agood night foranother Broseley pairing–that of CameronBradenand BrianEdwards

They firsteliminatedAlveley’s ChrisJepsonand RegBurton andthenMarkJones andJason Brown–bothmatches ending 2-1. Ahealthy rubofthe green sawthemthrough in the final frames of both matches.

A firstround winfor Matt Smoutand Gary Watsonen sured that allofthe Broseley Ateam’splayers arestill in thecompetition.TheybeatSt. John’stop seeds Martin Lippitt andTim Steele

Maddock’s TomMaxfieldand DanMorrismadetheir way into thelastfourby firstbeat ingAlveley’s BrianArnoldand SteveColdecott 2-0, despitea32 pointhandicap.

They then knockedout Rob Powell andJosh Summers, from St. John’s, by thesamescore in a much closer handicappedclash Powell andSummershad pre viouslybeatenBroseley’s Andy Carsonand Pete Thomson.

Sixpartnerships remain four from Broseley andtwo from Maddock’s

Thetwo remainingquarter fi nalmatches –Cameron Braden &Brian Edwardsv JamesBren nan& Paul Harper andNick Carson& Owen Hughes vMatt Smout& Gary Watson–are due to be playedbySunday, March 24

Thesemi finals and finalwill be played on Tuesday,April 18 (Venue TBA)

AliceKinsellahad reason to celebratefollowing some impressivedisplaysinthe World ChampionshipsinLiverpool

EmilyChurmsisalsoonthe reservelistfor theEnglandUnder-19squad

Double delight Marketa stars in Shropshire –P51

NORTHURGED TO STAY ON SCRIPT

NICK ELWELL nick.elwell@mnamedia.co.uk

Bridgnorth

Avaand Lottie make thegrade

Toughtestfor Meadowmen

AFCBridgnorth will be look ingtoraise theirgamewhen title-chasing Dudley Town roll into town on Saturday

TheRobinsare currentlyset ting thepaceatthe topofthe MidlandLeagueDivisionstand ings having lost just twiceis18 league gamesthisseason.

ButBridgnorth secretarySte ve Groome is hoping theCrown Meadow menwill prove up for thechallenge as they didagainst theleading contenderslastsea son.

“Dudleyare agood, powerful footballing side anditwill obvi ouslybeatough game forus,” said Groome

“Butasweshowedonnumerous occasionslastseason, playingagainst thebettersides tendstobring outthe best in us

Smallman’s side werebeaten2013 by theRegional1 Midlands rugby basement boys last Saturday –a result that sawthemslipaplace to thirdin thestandings aheadofthis weekend’striptoOundle.

Afreak training injury denied theAll Blacks theservicesofJonahBoyce butSmallmanwas still shockedbyhis side’s display.

“Itwas horrendous. We seem to have amonkeyonour backswhenit comestoNuneaton,”hesaid.

“Welostthere last season in what wasour worst performanceofthe season andweseemedtocarry that with us

“Welostour prop andcaptain Jonah Boycetoafreak injury in training on Thursday andthere wasjusta feelingleading into the game that we didn’t have thesame intensityand focusthatwehad the week before

“Wewerealwaysbehindand chasingthe game.Itwas likea free forall with everyone goingoff script

“Weare not goingtobeatour selves up butthere were afew stern words andifweplaylikethateach week we won’twin anothergame this season.Wewillanalyse the game anddoareviewsession

“Wewon’t trytoreinventthe wheelbut making sureeveryone is on script is really keytous.”

Will Biddell andMorganFrench scored Bridgnorth’s trieswithElli ot Murphy adding apenalty

Busy students at Bridgnorth Tae Kwon-Dohavecause forcelebration as they welcomedtwo newblack beltsintotheir ranks.

Avaand LottieMartin,aged11 and14respectively,are thelatest students from theclubtobepro motedtoblack belt

Thegirls startedtheir training at anothercluband transferred to Gary Plant’stuition afterthe first

Covid-19 lockdown

Sincethen, they have shown greatlevelsofperseverance and tenacity by maintainingand im provingontheir trainingstandards despitevarious setbacks Plantsaid: “Ava andLottiejoined us keen to gradebut they have re spected my decision to train fora longer time first, in ordertobuild on theirstrength andpreparation,

as well as allthe delays andchange of rulesthathavecome with the pandemic

“Since joiningustheyhave passed twocolourbeltgradesand nowas blackbelts, they have really maturedand developed as students Avaand Lottieare the firstfemale students to achieveblack belt since Itookoverthe club in 2012 andI am really proudofthem.”

“Wehad some good perfor mances andresults against the topsides lastseason, including Dudley

“The lads seem to raise their game againstthe better teams andhopefullythatwill be the case againonSaturday.”

Bridgnorth will go into the clashonthe back of adisappointing3-1 reverse away to Coventry Copeswood last weekend.

Boss JasonPike’spre-match planswereleftintatters when he washit by anumberofdrop outs on themorning of theclash that left home with just 12 play ers.

ScottBeckerwas on target for Bridgnorth

head coach BryanSmallman will demand hissidestick to thegameplaninabid to quicklybanisha nightmare performanceat Nuneaton.

AvaMartinand Lottie Martin show offthe spoils of theirsuccess withBridgnorthTae Kwon-DoinstructorGaryPlant

First class entertainment, VIP packages, gift vouchers, theatre memberships, there’sa gift for everyone this CHRISTMAS at the Grand!