Bridgnorth Journal - 08-Dec-2022

CARE HOME BID SETTOGOAHEAD

Controversialschemefor town centre carparkisrecommended forapproval

Controversialplans to buildacarehomeon part of aBridgnorth town centre carparkare settobeapproved–despitemajor opposition.

LNTCareDevelopmentsisask ingShropshireCouncil forpermission to builda66-bedcarehome on part of theOld SmithfieldCar Park Thecouncil’s planning officers arerecommendingthatthe South Planning Committee approvesthe proposal,atits meetingonTuesday.

Theprivately-owned carpark wasthe subjectofapreviousplan for five shops–which hasnow been abandoned.

Therehavebeenanumberof objections to thelatestplan, with Bridgnorth Town Council, Worfield &Rudge Parish Council,Astley AbbottsParishCouncil,Shrop shireCommunity Health Trustand Shropshire Council’sown conservation department allraising issues with theproposal.

Afurther objectioncamefrom SportEngland over concerns about thefactthatthe care home will borderthe boundary forBridgnorth Cricket Club –which hasusedthe ground for150 years.

In asubmissiontothe council, SportEngland raised worries about cricket ballshitting thebuilding,its solarpanelsorevenresidents

Bridgnorth Town Councilhas specificallyraisedconcern over theimpactofthe building on the Bridgnorth ConservationArea, and thelossofparking spaces

l Acceptable –Page2

Schooldonates 700items to food bank

Pupils andstaff at aBridgnorth school have rallied together to do nate 700items to alocal food bank as thecostoflivingbites

Foralmosta decade,members of theBridgnorth Endowedschool communityhavegivengenerously to theannualfood bank driveand this year wasno exception.

In supportofthe workcarried outbyBridgnorth Food Bank,pupils andstaff were askedtobring in non-perishablefood anddrink

items, as well as toiletries,cleaning essentials, andevendonations for pets. In theend,700 itemswerecol lected andScientiaHouse scooped theaward forthe biggesthaul. Head of house andproject lead er,MsLouisePoole,said: “Huge thanks go to alltutor groups as everyone hasmadesucha fantastic effort andshouldbeproud of what they’veachieved. We know that many people arestrugglingwith thecostoflivingatthe moment,so

we arethankfulfor thedonations.”

On Tuesdaymorning,the boxes were loaded intoaschoolminibus Agroup of Year 11s, whohelped with thecampaign, then personally deliveredthemtothe distribution centre on West Castle Street

Food bank managerLiz Bird showed thepupilsaroundand ex plainedthat, although thefood bank waswellsupported,itwas seeing adramaticriseinthose who areindesperate need of theservice

CliffRailway setto be closed forthree days next week

Bridgnorth CliffRailway will be closedfor threedaysnextweek whilemoreessential engineering workiscarried out.

Work wasundertakenonthe un dercarriages twomonthsago,with therailway’s chairman suspecting that wood containing acorrosive acid wouldneed to be removed.

Engineershavenow confirmed Dr MalvernTipping’s theory,asthe oakbufferbeams containtannic acid,which corrodes ferrousmetals. As aresult, thecorrodedsteelparts on theunder-carriages will be re placed next week,withthe railway beingclosedonMonday, Tuesday, andWednesday

Mr Tipping said:“Theundercarriages tend nottobenoticed by our passengers, butare an important component,because they carryand transport thepassenger cabins

“Asper my request, theexisting oaktimbers will be replaced with newsteelparts.Oak is awonderfulbuildingmaterialwhich Ilike to useelsewhere,but it comprises a greatdealoftannicacidwhich has acorrosive effect on ferrousmetals –therefore,ithas to go.

“Our metalfabricators will provide abetteralternative in the form of steel. Theclosures arean inconvenience, butenableustopro vide forthe future.Weare keeping people informed viaupdates on the news page of ourwebsite.”

Warning issued over severecoldweather

TheMet Office hasissuedasevere cold weatheralert forEngland,asit warned plummetingtemperatures couldincreasehealthriskstovul nerable people anddisrupt deliver ies.

Thelevel three, or amber, cold weatheralert wasissuedat the beginningofthe week andwarns that temperatures were expect ed to turn colder from yesterday (Wednesday)asair from theArctic spreadsacrossthe country.

Daytimetemperaturesare ex pected to be near or just above freezing.Nightswill be ‘verycold’ with potentiallyseverefrosts.

Year 11 pupils Sam Hirsch, Luke Hadley andFreya Cresswellloadingthe minibuswith itemsfor thefood bank

DOMINICROBERTSON newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Health chiefs give advice for cold weather

NHSchiefs saythere arethings people candotostaywelland look aftertheir neighboursas thetemperaturesplungeover thenextfew days

Thechief medicalofficerat NHSShropshire, Telfordand Wrekin says winter conditions canbebad forour health and especially forpeopleaged 65 or olderwithlongtermconditions.

Nick White, thecounty’s CMOsaid: “Winterconditions canbebad forpeoplewithlong term conditions such as heart or kidney disease, COPD,includingemphysema andchronic bronchitis, asthma or diabetes.

“The cold anddampweath er,ice,snowand high winds canalso aggravateexisting health problems andmakeus more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses.”

He adds that thereare lots of things people candotostaywell this winter

“Ifyou can, it is importantto keep your home warm –ideally to atemperature thatiscom fortable foryou.Thisshouldbe at least18°Cinthe roomsthat youregularly use, such as your living roomand bedroom.

“Thisisparticularlyimpor tant if you have reduced mo bility,are 65 or over,orhavea health condition.”

Casualtyiscut free aftercrash

Apersonwas cutfreefroma vehicle afterarushhoursmash involving four vehicles on theM54 in Shropshire.

Emergencycrews scrambledto theeastbound Junction 3nearAlbrightonshortlyafter5pm last Wednesday

AShropshireFireand Rescue spokesmansaid: “At5.17pmon Wednesday,SFRSFireControlreceived acallreporting that aroad trafficcollision hadtaken placein Albrighton. “One person assisted outofvehicle by fire service.”

Crewsusedcutters andspreaders andmadethe vehicles safe.

Loss of parkingspaces wasruled ‘acceptable’

Reportalsodismisses concerns over designofcarehome

DOMINIC ROBERTSON newsroom@emnamedia.co.uk

LNTCareDevelopmentsis askingShropshireCouncil forpermission to builda66-bedcarehome on part of theOld SmithfieldCar Park

In areport, Shropshire Council planning officerGrahame French said thesitewas privatelyowned andparking couldbewithdrawn at “any time”, adding thatthe pre viousapprovalfor shopsatthe site, grantedbythe SecretaryofState on appeal,showedthatthe loss of parkingwas considered acceptable.

He said thedeveloperswould be providing£83,000 over twoyears to paytowards potential costsfor thelocal NHSarising from thecare home

Mr French’s report outlines how thedeveloper hassaidthe home’s rear garden area will have a‘large pergolasecured by cricketnetting’.

He addedthe theapplicant had confirmed “thatthe nettingwould be cricketballproof”, “thatglass wouldbecricket ball proof”,“that solarroofpanelswould be resistant to cricketballimpact” and“that additional planting wouldbeundertaken within thesitealong the boundary with thecricket club”.

Mr French addedthatthe company wouldalso communicatewiththe cricket club “toensure that access to peripheral garden areasoutside ofthe netted pergolaisprevented when matchesare occurring”

Thereportalso dismissesthe ob jectionfromShropshireCouncil’s ownconservationteam, whichsaid thedesignofthe three-storey home caused “considerable concern,”over itsimpactonthe conservationarea.

Café launch fordebut single

Ayoung singer haslaunchedher de butsingleinaBridgnorth café,af termakingher name on TheVoice Kids last year

BeckyPetershit ourTVscreens last year on theBBC talent show, aspin-offofThe Voicefor young aspiring singers, whereshe sailed through to thesemi-final.

WhileBecky just lost outona placeinthe finalafterbeing men toredbyMcFly’s DannyJones,the 16-year-oldhas pursuedher dream andhas just released herdebut single: Circles. TheBridgnorthteen ager launched thesingleatCafé Zero,where sheregularly performs

at open micnights andlive lounge sessions

SamJennisonfromCaféZero said shewould never forgeet Becky’s firstperformance at the venue:“Shewas so sweetand quiet andappearedquite nervous.

“The voicethatcameout of her wasout of this world,her vocal rangeand powerwerejustamazing

“SincethenBecky hasappeared at most of ourfortnightly open mic nights, andlive loungesessions, andalwayswowsthe audience.”

“Circles is availabletodownload on allonline musicplatforms.We wish herall theluckinthe world.”

3,400patients wait over month to seeadoctor

Morethan3,000 patients arewaitinga monthormoretosee their doctor in oneareaofShropshire, accordingtonew NHSdatafrom October.

Some 3,422peoplein Telford& Wrekin faced awaitof28daysor more to seea GP in Octoberalone, with afurther 11,785 people in the area havingtowaitmorethantwo weeks.

It comesas more people arewaitingat leastamonth foraGPappointmentthanatany time since recordsbegan in 2017

Almost twomillion people in England hadtowaitmorethan28 days in October, whilea further4.3 million hadtowaitmorethantwo weeks.

At thesametime, thenumberof GPshas fallen to arecord low,leaving patients in a desperate scramble to be seen.Since 2013,4,600 GPs have been cut.

Labour’s Councillor Richard Overtonsaid: “PatientsinTelford &Wrekinare findingitimpossi bletosee aGPwhentheyneedto. Amongthose thousandswaiting morethanamonth or not getting an appointmentatall,there will be conditions goingundiagnosed until it is toolate.

“12yearsofConservativefailure to train thestaff ourNHS needs has left it with thousandsfewer GPs, andpatientsare paying the price. “

Cats rescued at house fire

Twocatswererescuedfrom ahouse fire in Bridgnorth by emergencycrews.

Firefighters were called to YewTreeGrove to deal with the blazeand save thepets.

AShropshireFireand Rescue spokesmansaid: “At9.17pmon Friday,December 2, SFRS Fire Controlreceivedacallreporting ahouse fire in Bridgnorth

“Fireinvolving cooker in kitchen. Twocatsrescuedfrom property by fire serviceperson nel. Two fire appliances were mobilisedfromBridgnorth and Cleobury Mortimer.”

It is unlikelythatcouncillorswillbeable to refuse permission fora care home to be builtin Bridgnorth basedonthe loss of parkingspacesto thetown.

BeckyPeters, 16,fromBridgnorth, with herdebut single, Circles

Appeal as public toiletsagain targeted by vandals

Vandalshaveagain damageda publictoiletblock in thelatestin alonglineofcriminaldamageat tacksincluding thelightingof fires in Broseley

Thepublictoilets,atDarkLane in thetown, have been subjected to persistent criminal damage this year

Afurther attack over theweek endhas prompted police to appeal forinformation

Police said that theweekend’s incidenthad forced theremoval of thebabychangingunitwhich has

alreadybeenreplaced twicethis year,aswellasdamagingthe toi let’slock, whichhas been replaced threetimes this year

They have also saidtheyhave received repeated reportsofyouths gatheringatthe toiletsand moving planters, evidence of firesbeing lit anda strong smellofcannabisin thearea.

PCSO MalcolmGoddard said: “The only item left that hasn’t been broken is thetoilet. This behaviour is completelyunacceptable.Itis damaging avaluablecommunity

assetand each repair hastobepaid forwithmoneythatcould have gone towardsany number ofuseful communityprojects.”

Police have askedthe public for help in identifyingthose respon sible. Anyone with informationis askedtocontact theBroseleyand Much Wenlock SaferNeighbour hood Team by emailing bmw.snt@ westmercia.police.uk

Informationcan also be passed anonymouslytothe independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org

Steamrailway’s apprentice Jack wins national skills title

ELEANOR LAWSON newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Jack

Before gaininghis placeinthe fi nals of thecompetition,the 22-yearoldhad to undergoa seven-month processofregionalheats andinten sive training.

“I’m really happyathow farI’ve come,” said Jack on hearingofhis success.“It’s been alongroadget ting here.The help andsupport from colleagues alongthe wayhas been invaluable,and winningthe gold medalmakes it allworthwhile.

“The twodaysofthe finals were quitenerve-wracking, butatthe same time Ienjoyedthe pressure of competingalongside others

“Our task wastoproduce four construction metalworkmodules, whichall came together to make asmall stove.Thistested us on a rangeofskills, such as oxyacet

ylenecutting,welding

“Weweregivena basicset of plates to mark out, cutout andthen find an efficientway of clamping it alltogether, readyfor welding, all thetimebearing in mind thetight tolerances you were beingjudged on.”

Jack is threeyears into hisfouryear apprenticeship as aboilersmith with theSevernValleyRailway and he attendsaday-release course at Dudley College.

“Wecouldn’tbeprouder of Jack,” said Duncan Ballard, SevernVal leyRailway’s head of steamengi neering. “He’sashining example of someone who’snot only extremely talented,but is also prepared to workhardfor what he wantsto achieve.

“Withyoung people likehim coming into theheritagesector, we know that thefutureofour locomo tivesand rolling stockisgoing to be in goodhands.”

TheSVR hasa number of young people within itspioneeringHerit ageApprenticeshipScheme. This wasestablished to ensure thecon tinuationofthe specialisedskills that areneeded to overhaul and maintain therailway’s fleetofloco motivesand heritage carriages

BY CLLR CHRISTIAN LEA, BRIDGNORTH EAST & ASTLEY ABBOTTS

No doubt many residentswill have noticed that thereare many street lights currentlynot working andwhich have been awaiting repair forawhilenow Having recentlypursued the repair of twostreetlightson Wellmeadow,the head of street lighting haskindlyinformedme as to thereasons forthe current delays in getting repairsunder taken. The35w SOX(sodium) lampswiththe olderorange glow arenolongerbeing man ufacturedglobally, so anylamp faultnow requires thewhole lanterntobereplaced.Thishas resulted in additional pressure on LEDlantern manufacturers having to supply ahigher than normalnumberofunits to cover thedemand. With Covidhaving closeddownfactories,thishas impacted on repair timesover thepasttwo years.

Nothelping street lightrepair timesare theresourcing issues which Shropshire Council’s street lighting contractor are experiencing.Street lighting isa very difficult industry to employ theright levelofstaff for. The contractor is nowlooking into utilising additional sub-con tractorstopickupthe slackand pull thenumberoffaultsback to amoremanageablelevel

In addition to theabove, ShropshireCouncilislooking to replaceall lanterns to LED stockwithinthe county over thenextninemonthswhich will provideamoreefficientand re liable assetinthe future

Thelocal communitywill seethe benefits of thelantern replacements, with research showingthatLED lights canim prove peripheral vision at night, as well as helpingdrivers to see obstaclesbetter. If you know of astreet lightwhich needsre pairing, please do emailmeat christian.lea@shropshire.gov. uk andIwill askfor theneces sary repairstobeundertaken.

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

andusing toolssuchasguillotines andangle grinders

Jack Kerswill working on aboileratBridgnorth. Photo: LesleyCarr.

Thepublictoilets in Broseley

Farmersshould checkinsurance

Ariseinlivestock thefttriggered by the‘cost of living’crisismeans farmersinand around Shropshire should be checking that they are adequately insured, an expert has advised.

Thewarning comesafter Stourbridge farmer,Louis Rose,had morethan60sheep stolen JamesTreverton, of insurance broker Lycetts, fearsanepidemic of rustling by criminalskeento exploitthe financialcrisiscould put farmers’ livelihoodsinjeopardy.

“Farmers face many risksand insuring againstlivestocktheft is oftennot apriorityfor them.Some decide againstinsuringtheir en tire herd or flocktokeeppremiums down,but if they aretargetedby rustlers, the financialimpactofun derinsurance couldbecrippling.”

Mr Rose,aLycetts client,who owns Prestwood Farm,said: “The number of sheepstolenfromme suggests it wasn’t an opportunistic theft, buta highly organisedoperation. If Ihadn’tbeeninsured,I wouldhavebeenforcedtoclose the business.”

He is thelatestinagrowing numberoffarmers to have fallen foul of sheepthieves

Mr Trevertonsaid: “Livestock that is grazed or keptsome distance from buildingsisatparticularrisk of theft. Identification is notonlyes sentialasproof of ownership, it can also actasa visibledeterrent.Tat toos,microchips, freeze branding, DNA marksand eartags, areways of demonstratingownership.”

Cheaperenergy

schemebacked

Bridgnorth’s MP hasurged peoplewithsmart energy meters to sign up to aschemethatpays them forcutting theirenergy consumption.

National Grid’s Demand Flex ibility Serviceoffersindividuals andbusinesseswho areusing certainenergyproviders the chance to earn money by simply reducing non-essential energy usefor up to acoupleofhours aday

Theenergysuppliers involved should be contacting customers whoare abletotakepartinthe scheme,who will then be paid if they reduce energy useatpeak times.

Ludlow MP PhilipDunne said:“As we allfacethe chal lengeofhigher energy bills fuelledbyPutin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, it is welcome news that theNational Grid have nowlaunchedthe Demand Flexibility Servicethat will reduce ournationalenergy consumptionand save householdsmoney

“Ifyou do not currentlyhave asmart meter, whichisrequired foryou to take part in themon ey-savingscheme, you canget in touchwithyourenergyprovider to find outifyou areeligible”.

TheDemandFlexibility Service wasapprovedbyenergy market regulatorOfgematthe beginningofNovemberand will rununtil March2023.

Historic bookshandedintocareoflibrary

Acollectionofbooks relatedtothe storyofhow agroup of children who were banished from Shropshire to newly-discoveredAmerica hundredsofyears agohas been handed over to acountymuseum

TeacherMikeBrogden,the late secretaryofanorganisationcalled Shropshire’s Mayflower Children, collected nine booksonthe subject of thefouryoung children of Kath arineMoreofShipton,who were banished to Americain1620.

Mr Brogden’swidow Wendy joined an officialparty as Much WenlockLibrary took thecollection

david.tooley@mnamedia.co.uk

into itssafe-keepingand forlending out.

Mark Cavendish,the chairman of Shropshire’sMayflower Children, said:“Mike was thepersonwho did about 90 percentofthe work, was an ex-schoolteacher whocollected booksfor hisstudies on thesubject “Hecollected them over alarge number of years, on variousdifferentsubjectsincluding on thehis tory of theAmericancoloniesand

of theMayflower.” Thepassengers on theMayflower,which setsailto thenewly discovered lands, arecon sideredthe founding fathers from whom theThanksgivingcelebra tion originates

“There is interest in thesubject from theUSbut Icannot sayI am inundated,”saidMrCavendish “I am awarethatthere have been tourists especially to seeaplaque that wasplacedinthe church by the Americans.”

Formoreinformation on Shropshire’sMayflower Children visit shropshiremayflower.com

Campaigners question council pensions group aboutscheme

Climatecrisiscampaigners have questioned ShropshireCouncil’s pensionfundcommittee aboutits pensionscheme.

Fossil Free Shropshiresaysthe £2 billion pensionschemecontinuestoinvestmillionsinfossilfuel giants likeBPand Shelland coal mining companyGlencore Anditsaysjusttwo of thecompa nies in thefund’sClimate Stewardship Plan arealigned with a1.5C scenario by 2050

During theShropshireand Telford andWrekincouncilspension fund committee,aseriesofpublic questionsabout theclimate emer gencywereasked by Shropshire residents andfundmembers. Among them wasaquestionfrom15-year oldIsobelRussell whoasked if the committee hadalegal obligation to safeguardher future andthatof otheryoung people in Shropshire

Joanna Blackman,a spokespersonfor Fossil Free Shropshire, said:“In January, thepension fund committee voted to stay invested in fossil fuel companies, preferring to putprofitbeforeplanet.

“Theycontinuetoinvestincom panies likeBPand Shellthatare openingnew fossil fuel infrastruc ture,eventhoughthe world’s scientistssay this will push us towards catastrophic climatebreakdown.”

Answeringthe questions, JustinBridges said therehad beenan overhaul of thesenior management team at Glencoreand said thecul ture of thecompany hadimproved dramatically.Hesaidthe fund had to take aholisticapproachtocli mate change risk andwas transitioningawayfromfossilfuels

Ex-special constablein tears as he denies rape allegations

Aformerspecialconstable accusedofthe road side rape of awoman whileoff-dutyinShrop shirehas broken down in tearsashedeniedany wrongdoing andclaimed theallegations left him feelingscared.

Former MetropolitanPolicevol unteerPaulHoile said he believed hisalleged victim wasconsenting during alate-nightencounter while he wasvisitingthe county in July

The40-year-old conveyor belt engineer,fromEssex,deniesthree counts of rape relating to thesame incident, claiming consensual activitytookplace “without fuss”after he anda friend metthe womanby chance

Giving evidence from thewitness boxyesterday,Hoile contradicted thewoman’s accountthathehad instructed hernot to drive after

SIMONSTONE newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

questioningher abouther driving licence.

Telling jurors he hadproduced hiswarrant card twiceatthe wom an’s request, Hoile also allegedthe complainant hadliedtothe jury abouthim “snatching”her phone. Hoile,who hassince resigned from hisrolewiththe Met, told WolverhamptonCrown Courthe hadbeenpolitewhiletalking to the woman

He told thecourt:“Shesaidshe wascalling ataxi. Iwas just being kind.”

Afterhe“stupidly”propositioned thewoman,Hoile said,she dropped to herknees andperformed asex actonhim before furtherconsensual activity took placenearafence in a“dark lane”.

Describinghis arrest on theday followingthe incident,Hoile said he rang police andprovidedhis ad

dressafter four officers visitedhis parents’ home

Wiping away tearswithhis hands as he recalled how he wasdetained andtransported “inacage” in a police van, Hoile added: “I didn’t know what hadgone on “The police turned up at roughly 10 o’clock. Isaw aBMW with no lights on justcrawlingdownthe road

“Thenpoliceofficers gotout.”

Hoile,who said he wasbrought up in apolicefamily, brokedownas he recalled themoment that he was told he wasbeing arrested on suspi cion of rape,beforebeing takento Basildon police station.

He said:“Iwas putina police cell Icouldn’tphone my family.

“I couldn’t tell anybodywhere I was, it wasjuststress.I didn’t know what on earthwas goingon.

“I wasjustscared, Iwas wor ried,” addedHoile

Undercross-examination by prosecutor Caroline GoodwinKC,

Hoilesaidhewas arespectableper son, andinsisted thecomplainant was“totally fine”and hadknown it “wasn’t apolicematter.”

Afterbeing takenthrough the wording of thepoliceoathtoserve with “fairness, integrity, diligence andimpartiality,”Hoile claimedhe hadnot produced hiswarrant card willingly andwas not performing hisdutywhenspeakingwiththe woman

TheCrown’s barristerasked Hoile: “Because of theway youhad treatedher,MrHoile,she found herselfin aposition on that road whereshe was, Isuggest,against herwillforced to comply with your drunksexualdemands.”

Hoilereplied:“Absolutely not.”

Thedefendant,ofThe Chase, Benfleet, deniesmisconductinpub licoffice,three counts of oral and anal rape,and achargeofcausing a person to engage insexualactivity withoutconsent

Thetrial continues.

From left:widow Wendy Brogden;Dan Thomas, Shropshire councillor;Duncan White, MayorofMuchWenlock; SimonBrown,councillorfor Shipton, Brockton&Stanton Long;Mark Cavendish,chairmanShropshire’s Mayflower Children;SelinaGraham,HighSheriff Shropshire;Catherine Westwood,MuchWenlock Library;and RevMatthew Stafford, Rector MuchWenlock

DAVIDTOOLEY

Fans raisethe roof as England setupshowdownwithFrance

Latest talk from historysociety

Bridgnorth Historical Societywill be holding itsDecember lectureon Monday (12),withaspecial dramat ic themefor themonth

Thetalkwill be given by David Skillen andisentitledCan You Hear Me Mother– TheArt of The Monologue. It will take placeinthe CommunityCentre,Low Town, Bridgnorth andwill startat7.30 pm,withChristmas nibblesavailableafterthe talk

Lookingahead to next year, January’stalkwill be Industrial andSocial History, andDialectsof Shropshire’sTitterstone Clee Hills by AlfJenkinonMonday, January 16.February’slecturewill be on Monday,February20withMax Keen giving atalkonThe History of Dudley Castle

AndonMonday, March20, Doug Newlyn will give thelecture:Why Do Judges Wear Wigs Etc?

Visitors arewelcome at an admission cost of £5

Parentsadvised on symptoms

DowningStreetisurgingpar ents to look outfor symptoms aftera rise in infections caused by theStrepAbacteria.

Officials saidtheycan “fully understand”thatparents are concernedbyrisingcases but stressed theNHS is “wellpre pared” forsuchsituations.

AndNumber10saiditwas notaware of anycurrent shortageofthe antibiotic amoxicillin.

Acrossthe UK at leastseven children have died with an in vasive form of theStrep Abac teria.

ThePrime Minister’s official spokesmansaid: “Weare seeingahighernumberofcases of GroupAStrepthisyearcom paredtousual. Thebacteriawe know causes amildinfection which is easily treated with an tibiotics. In rare circumstances it cancause seriousillness.”

MetOffice warns of very cold snap

Temperatures today(Thursday) wereexpected to plungebelow zero as an Arctic chill sets in acrossthe country.

Afan-tastic crowdsaw asuperbwin by England as Gareth Southgate’s side cruisedinto thequarter finals of the WorldCup.

Supporters packed TheCrown at Bridgnorth to therafters –and raisedthe roof with theirfootball chants andsongs

Thenoisy,good-natured crowd roared as England beat Senegal, the Africanchampions, 3-0toset up a quarter-finalclash with France LandlordAndyCorfieldsaidthe WorldCup hadcome at aperfect

SUEAUSTIN sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk

time forthe licensedtrade. “Pubs aregoing throughareallytough time anditissogood to seeThe Crownpacked,” he said.“We have been able to haveextra staffin, whichisfantastic.It’squite emotional.The atmosphere hasbeen greatfor everygame. We arehappy to have familiesinaslongasthey realise that things canget abit raucous.”

Twin brothers,11-year-old Char lieand Cory James, were watchingwiththeir dadScott andtheir

friendsSheaand Finlay.The twins, whothemselves play forBridgnorth Town juniors, said it wasa“bril liant” game.FatherScott said: “Thisissuchagreat atmosphere We areherewithour familiesand friends– you can’tget anybetter. Thetwins play football andlove watchingEngland.”

Amongthe fans were thefootball team from TheBear. PlayerGary Smithsaid: “Wehad agood wintodaysowecametowatch England follow ourlead.”

Penaltyscorerfor theBear Kallum Anderson wasgratefulthe game againstSenegal didn’t have to

go to penalties, whilethe Bear team managerSam Raybould said:“England have playedreallywellin the Cupsofar,longmay it continue.”

Motherand daughter Emma and EmilyRutterwereenjoyingthe at mosphere.“I’ve always lovedfootball andfollowedEngland,”said Emma.But whileEmily played football at school shesaidthere was no football forgirls when shewas at school.The Lionesseshavereally shownthe way, nowthe lads have to follow,” shesaid.

Andthe message from thefans at TheCrown was–“watch out, France on Saturday night”

TheMet Office waswarning of heavysnow in Scotland as winter arrivedinmiddle of theweekwith avengeance. Windswhich arecur rently blowingfromthe east are expected to shift to thenorth bringinganicy blasttothe countryand below-average temperatures forthe time of year.

Ayellowsnowwarning wasbeing putinplace last night(Wednesday) whichthe MetOffice wasadvising couldcause disruption to road,bus andtrain journeys

Alex Burkill,Met Office mete orologist, said that temperatures overnightWednesday into Thursdaywould drop to minus7Cor minus8C–orevencolder, in some partsofthe country.

“Wecould seetemperaturesof minus5Corminus 6C.”

Delight as Englandgrab agoal

Therewas areal family atmosphere

ThesefansatThe Crown, Bridgnorth, were ecstatic as theirheroescruised to awin.Pictures: Jonathan Hipkiss

‘Here we go’–emotions runhigh as supporters watchthe match Fans atthe puburgethe Lions on to victoryoverSenegal

More chickens areabandoned

Nearly 2,000abandoned chickens have been reported to theRSPCA alreadythisyearand thecharity fearsbird flucould make theprob lemworse

In theMidlandsthere have been 194reports of abandonedchickens since2020and thenumbers are eightper cent higher than last year Kate Norman,poultry expert at thecharity,said: “Keeping hens hasbecome increasinglypopular in recent yearsbut it’s incredibly sadtosee so many of them being abandonedand neglected.Weare concernedthatwecould seeanin crease in thenumberofdumped chickens duetothe cost of living crisis andconcernsoverbird flu.

“Weare nowsadly once again in themidst of abird fluoutbreak whichhas seen theUKGovernment take thenecessary stepstoissue a housingorder forall keepersof birdsinEngland. Notonlyisthis stressfulfor thehensasbirds that have previouslyroamedarounda garden or smallholding arenow be ingkeptinside, butit’salsounder standablystressfulfor owners

“Wewould urge anyone whois struggling to care fortheir pets to please reachout forhelpfrom friendsorfamily, or charities. Pleasenever abandonany animal.”

Petownersare also advisedtofol lowgovernmentbiosecurity advice to help protectthe health of their birdsaswellastotry andlimitthe spread of thevirus.All petpoultry owners need to stay vigilant for signsofdiseaseintheir flocks and it’s vitaltheyseekveterinary advice if they have anyconcerns.

Stolen horseled throughmarket

Police areinvestigatingafteran elderlyhorse wasstolenfrom a fieldinShropshireand led throughabusyGermanmarket in Telford.

Dollar,athoroughbred cross warmblood horse,wentmissing from his fieldinHinkshayon Saturday afternoon.

Police said they received sub sequent reportsthathehad been ledthrough theGerman Market at Telfordtowncentre, andthattwo menhad triedto take himupthe escalator into thenearbyAsdastore

Dollar waseventuallyrecov ered at theThomasBotfieldpub in CentralSquare.

Hisowner said that he had been left “extremely distressed” andwas barely able to stand.

He sufferswitharthritis in oneleg andcannot be ridden, andrequires medication to treat thecondition Shesaidthathehad been scared duetothe unfamiliar surroundings andatone point triedtoclimb on topofapolice car. Shesaidthathehad been left “traumatised” by theexpe rience,and addedthatitcould have been dangerousfor mem bers of thepublic.

Aspokesman forWestMercia Police said:“A19-year-old male waslater arrested on suspicion of theftand criminaldamage.”

Physio is recognised forsavinglife of teenager

AShropshirephysiohas received national recognitionfor saving the lifeofa manwho suffered acardiac arrest whileplaying golf AaronLambley,fromRadbrook, in Shrewsbury,was namedasa CPRherobythe BritishHeart Foundation (BHF)ata star-stud dedawardsceremonyinLondon.

The27-year-old wasrecognised forsavingthe lifeof18-year-old GuyGower afterhecollapsed whileplaying at theMeole Brace Golf Course in April2021. Aaron, whowas playingonanearbyhole, rushed to help afterhesaw what washappening

RealisingthatGuy hadgoneinto

cardiacarrest, he quicklystarted CPR. Luckily, therewas adefibril latorat theclubhouse,and it took only oneshock to restartGuy’s heart.

Aaronwas presented with his awardbyfootballlegendDavid Gi nola,whose ownlifewas savedby CPRafterhehad acardiac arrest in May2016.

Aaronsaid: “It’sahugeprivilege andextremely humbling to receive such aprestigious award. TheBHF is very closetomyheart notjust because theirCPR training helped me to save alife, butalso because my dadhad open heartsurgery ayearago.Operationslikethat

wouldn’tbepossiblewithout the incredible research that they do.” Guy, whoalso attended theevent andsaw Aaronreceive hisaward, said:“Iowe my life to Aaron–it’s as simple as that.Without him, I’m notsureI’d be here today. I’malso verythankfulfor theBHF andthe worktheydopromoting CPR. I have been raisingmoneyfor them andI plan to continue supporting theminthe future.”

TheBHF HeartHeroAwards, whichwereheldatthe historic Glaziers Hall in London,recognise people whohaveshown remark able braveryordedicationtohelp others

Mental health vanhitting the road to supportthe ‘isolated’

SUESMITH newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

TheIveco Dailyvan will housea seatingareaand tablewhere people will be able to visitand comfortably discussany problems

ShropshireMentalHealthSup port (MHS)workers hope that the potentiallife-saving projectwill go outonthe road forfourdayseach week

Therewill be twomembersof staffrunningthe unit whose sala ries have been paid forone year by TheRosePatersonTrust FundraiserGaryBroome,from southShropshire, kick-started the projectbyholding theGoFeral for Mental Health Festival in Ratling hope in September 2021

He raised£4,000 towardsthe purchaseofthe vehiclewhich cost £20,000

Theremainder of themoney came from Shropshire MHS.

HeatherIreland,chief executive officer, said:“Shropshire MHS wasestablished in 1974 as amen talhealthcharity,and we provide adiverse rangeofquality services acrossthe county forthe oneinfour people andtheir familiesacknowl edgedtobeaffected by mental or emotionaldistress.”

Mia opensvegan-friendly nail salonintown

Councillorshavevisited anailsa loninMuchWenlock whichhas been opened by anew resident.

Studio Sydney is thenew busi ness created by MiaCarr, whohas setupavegan-friendlybeautysa lon.

Thebusinessalso offers brow

Hard-upBrits ‘still wantholidays’

Budget airlineeasyJethas insist ed cash-strapped Britonswill not ditchtheir overseas holidays in thefaceofsoaring costsasitcon tinued itsrecoverywitharecord summer performance.

Thegroup,which fliesfromBir mingham,reported underlying pre-taxlossesof£178million for the12monthstoSeptember 30 againstlossesof£1.1billion the

previous year.EasyJetnotched up itsbestearningsfor asingle quarterover thesummer,at£674 milliononanunderlyingbasis, as theendingofpandemic travel restrictions putoverseas holidays firmly back on theagenda.

Chiefexecutive Johan Lund gren said consumerswould pri oritise holidays despitepressure from soaringinflation.

ELEANOR LAWSON

lamination to customers, as well as manicures.

ShropshireCouncillor Dan Thomas visitedthe property and said:“Welcome Miaand Iwish

you everysuccess with yourfuture here as aresidentand business owner.”

Much WenlockMayorCouncil lor Duncan Whitesaid: “Welcome to Much Wenlockand Iwishyou everysuccess in yournew business venture Mia.”

Christmascards settoboost hospice

Thebiggest ever rangeofChristmascards is availableatHope House children’s hospiceshops

It meanspeoplecan send special season’s greetingswhilesupporting seriouslyill children

This year’s cardsshow beautiful localscenes, whilethere arealso both modern andtraditionalcards

Therange includes English,Welsh andbilingualcards

Packsofcards rangeanywhere

from £2.50to£3.95.Cards canbe purchased online at hopehouse.org. uk/christmas-card-shop

People canalsosupport Hope Housebypurchasingtickets for itsBumperChristmas Raffle. With ticketsjust£1each, people could winajackpot of £6,000 whichcan be takenasalumpsum or £500 a monthfor ayear, as well as asecond prizeof£2,500and athird prizeof £1,500

Amobilementalmental health drop-inunitisset to take to theroads early next year to help people living in remote areasof Shropshire.

DavidGinola with AaronLambley

Shropshire CouncillorDan Thomas, business ownerMia Carr,and MuchWenlock mayorDuncanWhite

Bakerisontrack with cookies forrailway Log

Abaker whoset up anew smallbusiness during thepandemic hasbeenhandedthe perfectChristmas gift –makingmorethan 20,000 cookiesfor ThePolar Express.

Imogen Kelly, from Telford, setupIm mi’s Cakesand Bakesduringthe firstlock down of 2020 afterchoosingtostart abak ingbusinessoverateachingcareer.

It hasprovedasuccess anditisnow set to sky-rocket aftershe wasgiven ahugeor dertobake22,000cookies forthe Telford

SteamRailway.“It’s been really exciting andit’ssonicetoknowlargercompanies will consider localbusinesses, especially with thehigh costsweface. Even things likethe priceofeggshaverisengreatly Imogen,23, whogrewup in Newportbut nowlives inMuxton, builtupher business in lockdown usingsocialmedia andisnow fullyfocusedonthe jobinhand.

“I am working around theclock,every spare moment now,”she said

burner is thoughtto be causeof fire in roof

A fire in alog burner is believed to have spread to theroofofa house in South Shropshire.

Firefighters from Craven Arms respond ed to 999 callsabout the fire in asingle storey home in Woofferton at 3.45pm on Saturday.Three crewswenttothe prop erty alongwithanoperationsofficerand broughtthe fire undercontrol.

Shareofhighstreet cash will help keep streetstidy

ELEANOR LAWSON newsroom@mnamedica.co.uk

Bridgnorth hasspent there mainderofits moneyfrom itsGreat BritishHighStreet on afood bank donation and towards the town’s dog poo fund.

Thetownwas awarded£5,000 afterit wasnamed thebestlarge market town in thecountry in 2018.

Previously,the moneyhas been spent on helpingtomakeBridgnorth businesses more Google-friendly, offering voucherson courses aboutlaunching businesses online andGoogleGaragetraining.

Moneyalso went towardsthe town’s art trail,which featured 13 modeltrainswhich were painted by localartists andsponsored by localbusinesses.

Andwhile theoriginalplanwas to auc tion offthe trainsatthe endofthe exhi bition, thereisagrowing demand forthe town to keep thetrainsfor thepublicto enjoy

With thelastofthe £5,000,ithas now been decidedthat£560will be donatedto afood bank as thecostoflivingbites and more andmorepeoplestrugglewiththeir bills.

Theremaining moneyisbeing given to Bridgnorth’s dogpoo fund to help tackle theissue in thetown.

Thefundhas seen largewooden bones dotted around Bridgnorth, each of which

comeswithasupplyofdog poo bags forany owners whosepupshavebeencaughtshort.

In 2021,the issueofdog poo beingaban donedbyownersled to volunteers taking action andBridgnorth’s MP,PhilipDunne, calling dogfouling a“blight on ourtowns”.

It wasthought acombination of more people walkingtheir dogs andbeing out side in general, both duetolockdown, had

made theproblem more noticeable. Moneydonated fromthe high street fund will help to purchasemoredog poo bags in an attempttokeepthe town clean.

People canreportany instancesof dogfouling to ShropshireCouncil on 03456789006 or at shropshire.gov.uk/ street-care-and-cleaning/environmen tal-maintenance/dog-fouling.

AUkrainian

NataliaVlasiuk came to Shrewsbury from Kyiv afterthe Russianinvasionof Ukraine, andhas settledintoher newlife with herhosts Deborahand RobUdakis in Bicton Heath, whoconsiderher part of thefamilysince hermove.

Nataliahas triedto find work, and regularlyspendstimeatthe Community Refugee Hubinthe Riverside whereshe meetswithother Ukrainianrefugees and sheattends regularEnglishand drawing lessons.

However,likemanyothersinShrews bury,Natalia is in need of dental treat ment

Shehas particularly sensitive teeth andexperiences pain consistently.She wasfortunatetoaccessfreeNHS dental treatment earlierthisyearbut thedental practice hassince informed herthatshe will need to payfor anyfuturetreatment

–withcosts likelytobein thehundreds Only 35.4 percentofadultsinShrop shirewereabletosecureanappointment with an NHSdentist in thepasttwo years, whichisdownfromthe 48.3 per cent whosaw an NHSdentist in thetwo yearsupto2018.

Alex Wagner is

health cam

He said:“Natalia’scaseisyet another in astringofexamples whereNHS care in Shrewsbury is notuptoscratch

“Itisessentially impossible to access dental care unless you have themeans to payfor it –thisisplainly wrong, and againstthe founding principlesofthe Na tional Health Service.

Compassionate

“Weare akindand compassionate country, andthe Homes forUkraine scheme hasbeena greatexampleofthat inaction.

“Itisadireshame that duetothe state of localhealthcare, both Nataliaand her host familyare beingput in areallytough position.Ifanyonereading this canhelp, please getintouch with me andIwill put you in touchwithRob,Deborah andNa talia.”

Nancy Brown,with Monty, andSally Themans promotethe dogpoo scheme

refugee whocametothe UK underthe Homes forUkraine scheme is struggling to access dentaltreatment in Shropshire.

alocal

paignerand councillor forthe Bicton Heathareawhere Natalia, Roband Deb orah live

NataliaVlasiuk is aUkrainian refugee

COMMENT

Britshaveacomplicated re lationship with drink.

Formost, alittletippleisan occasional treat that aids relaxationafteratiringday or week at work

Forsome,however,drinking in excess is aguiltypleasure. They know they should drink less butitdoesnot dominate theirlives.

Thereisanothergroup for whom alcoholisadangerous drug that hasthe potentialto ruin lives. Thevictims arenot just thedrinkers, butalsoloved ones

Christmas is adifficulttime, particularly forthose with an unhealthyrelationshipwith drink.

Thereare many whoneed to keep away from thetemptation that alcoholpresentsand their task is allthe moredifficult when advertsand socialoccasionsmakethatmorechallenging.

Progress hasbeenmade. Youngpeopleare nowaslikely to meet in acoffeeshopthana pub.But theculture of binge drinking remainswithmany andthatbringsthe obviousdan gers to health andwellbeing

Nowexperts have hadtheir sayand if,nothing else their advice should make us allcon siderour ownrelationshipwith alcohol.

Drinking in moderation is pleasurable anddoes notharm ourhealth.

Thereare many,however, whoare unabletoadopt that ap proach andfor them abstinence is anecessity

It is importantthatimproved educationisprovidedfroman earlyage aboutthe dangersof bingedrinkingand alcohol ad diction andabout ways to wean ourselves offitwhenitbecomes toomuch.

Those living on thecontinent have abetterrelationshipwith alcoholand we canlearn much from them

Housepriceshavestarted to fall,accordingtonew figures.

That is hardly surprising and probably isn’tabad thing,actually

Thehousing market hasbeen over-performing, pushingprices outofthe pricerange of many andforcingsometoborrow what they cannot afford.

Thehousing boomand the subsequent issues of negative equity helped feed thebanking crisis of adecadeago

Acheck in theever-increasing prices mayhelpavoid that happening again.

It mayalsohelpthose who wish to getontothe housing laddertoachieve theiraim.The keyistoavoid volatility in the market,which helpsnoone Having stability provides as surancefor thosewho paymortgagesand do not wish theirassets to depreciate.

It givescomfort forthose who want to buyand it avoidsthe mass of debt that would flood theeconomy if prices plummet ed andhouse owners defaulted

Don’t letalcohol spoil yourfun at Christmas

Canyou join in thefestive funand avoidthose dreadedhangovers?

Therun-uptoChristmas can be a frenzy of fizz-fuelled catch-upsand events –and whilebeing invitedto toomanyparties is agood problem to have, what if you’retryingto watch youralcoholintake?

Todayweexplorehow mindful drinking couldhelpusthrough the season,withsome helpfuladvice from experts.

Camille Vidal, agloballyrecog nisedmindfulness andmeditation teacher, says it is importanttoact in away that does notbring on re gret later.

Shesaid: “The waywecelebrate, theway we socialise –especially as we enterthe festiveseason–we want to have these momentsand make memories,but we do it in a waythatthe dayafterorfor afew weeksafter,wefeelheavy,wefeel anxious, we feel likewe’re notcel ebrating ourselves anddoing ourselves justice.”

So,how canyou embracefestive merrimentbut sticktoyourgoalof dialling down thehangovers? Here is some advice to take anoteof aheadofpartyseason:

THINK CAREFULLYABOUT THEEVENTS YOUATTEND

“It’shelpful to understand that for most people,iftheytry to go to all theevents they’reinvited to be causetheyfeelbad saying no,then firstlytheywill notbegreat compa ny as they will be feelingjaded with lowenergy– whichmakes excess drinking more likely,”saysSandra Parker of Just TheTonic Coaching, whoworks with clientsone-on-one to help them getcontrolover alco hol.

“Secondly,whenyou don’tgive yourself time to rest andrecover, you increase yourlikelihood of getting sick.Givingourselves permission to saynotosome invitations will ensure we canbeatour best at theevents we choose to attend.”

FIND QUALITYALTERNATIVESYOU LOVE

After15years in theindustry, Vidal appreciates theelementsthatmake certaindrinks feel special andthe role they play in socialoccasions andshe’s adamantdrinkingmore mindfullyshouldn’t mean missing out.

“For me,the keyistofocus on alternatives.Maybe it’s findingde licious, alcohol-free sparklingwine that you really enjoy, learning how to make averylow-alcohol cocktail that you’regoing to love this festive season,” says Vidal, whohas createdavastrange of ‘mindful cocktails’ recipes,ebooksand workshopsavailable viathe La Maison Wellness website.Some of these are alcohol-free,whilesome simply con-

tain less alcoholand more mindfully chosen ingredients.

“Bybringingthese optionsinto yourrepertoire, you aregiving yourselfthe opportunitytocelebrate, have aspecialmoment and somethingthattastesdelicious, withouthavingthe impact of alco holthe dayafter.”

Garnishes, colour and flavourcan allstill shine–and don’toverlook detailssuchasglassware.Vidal says she’ll even pour asparkingsoft drinkintoa fancyglass at home in theevening: “It’s aboutthinking how we candrink more mindfully butstill feel likeyou arehavinga sophisticateddrink.”

HAVE AN ACTION PLAN

What’s likelytomakesticking to yourgoals tricky?Getting to the barand panicking? Peer pressure? Explaining it to friendsand colleagues?

“It’scriticalheretoplanahead,” says Parker.“If you aregoing to a barorrestaurant, checkonline to seewhatalcohol-freeoptions there areand decide in advancewhatyou aregoing to drink. If you aregoingtosomeone’s home,takeyour favourite alcohol-free optionswith you.”

If telling others makesyou anxious, shesuggestsdoing so in ad vance: “Thisavoidsthe situation whereyou arehandedanalcoholic drinkand putonthe spot.Interms of how to tell people,Irecommend keepingitvague andsayingyou are on ahealthdrive,oryou’recutting down because alcoholhas disrupted yoursleep.Bothare easy explanationsthatwill resonate.Ifyou areworried aboutrealpressureto drink, then sayyou areonmedication.”

If you’rekeennot to draw too much attentiontothe fact you’re nothavingalcohol,havingadrink that lookssophisticated canalso help.Vidal says bartendersare used

STARTOFF SENSIBLY

AnotherofVidal’s toprecommenda tionsisto“startyourevening with somethingalcohol-free–because most of thetimewhenyou arrive at thebar or it’s theend of theday,actually youare just thirsty,”she ex plains.“Andifyou startwithsome thingalcohol-freethenyou quench that thirst,and you also have abit more time to thinkabout what you want to order.”

This is especially useful at abusy barorChristmas party, when abit of socialanxietycan creepinand it’s easy to getswept up in thewel come drinks or whatever everyone else is having

DON’TBEATYOURSELF UP IF YOUDON’T NAILITEVERY TIME

Vidal’s finalwordofadvice? “It doesn’thavetobeperfect,” she says.“People canhavereallyhigh expectations andthenfeellike they’vefailed, andsotheygiveup. Butit’sa journeyand there’sno rightanswer. We oftenfeellikeit hastobea one-size fits-all,instead of really figuring outwhatworks foryourself,” Vidaladds. “Findthe balancethatworks foryou anddoit foryourself –itdoesn’t matter what otherpeopleare doing.

“And if you plan on beingalcohol-freefor theweekand then find yourselfgoing outand having a glassofwine, don’tbeatyourselfup about it.Itdoesn’t mean thewhole festiveseasonisgameover.”

AndParkernotes,ifyou do find it abig struggle andfrequently drink more than feelshealthy,itmight be time to seek furthersupport, whetherthat’svia yourGP, acoach or aspecialistcounsellor

Thecensushappens every10 yearsand givesusapicture of allthe peopleand householdsin England andWales.Answers to census questionshelporganisationsmakedecisionsonplanning andfunding publicser vicesinlocal areas. TheOffice forNationalStatistics(ONS) is releasingdatafromthe 2021 census forEnglandand Wales overthe next fewmonths. Data released this monthhas provid ed insightintohow ourpopulation in SouthShropshireis changing

The findings in theLudlow Constituency have been unsurprising: 96%ofthe localpopulation were born in theUK, comparedto83% of thepollution of England.InSouth Shropshire 2% of peoplewereborninEU countriesand 2% in therestof theworld.59% of SouthShrop shireresidents stated they were Christian, compared with 46% nationally;34% of respondents indicatednoreligion(compared with 37%nationally)

Forthe firsttime, the2021Cen sus askedpeopleiftheyhad previouslyservedinthe UK armed forces.The question wasadded as part of theGovernmentcom mitmenttothe ArmedForces better to meet theneeds of veteransand others whosupport them.AcrossSouth Shropshire, theCensushas foundthatwe have 3,613veteranswithin ourcommunities,representing around 5% of ourpopulation. This is ahigherproportionthan Iexpected andwill help inform theimportanceofthe Government’s ArmedForcesCovenant in ourarea. Thisaimstoensure that thosewho serveorwho have served in thearmed forces, andtheir families,are well supported,including here in Lud lowconstituency.

TheCensushas also confirmed that we face thechallenges of an agingpopulation. At thetimeof thelastcensus in 2011,the av erageage inSouth Shropshire was44years old. Adecadelater the figure hasrisen to 48 years old. Whilethe averageage na tionally hasalso risenfrom39 to 40 yearsold,itisclear that ourpopulationhereinSouth Shropshire is ageing at amuch faster rate as more people choose to live here in theirretirement.Thisisachallenge for ourhealthand socialcarepro vision in yearstocome as well as theavailability of labour in thelocal workforce.Itiscritical that we focusonensuringthat young people born in Shropshireare able to find well-pay ingstablejobsand that we have housingavailable andafforda blefor localpeopletobuy their ownhomesand raise theirown familiesherewhenthe time comes.

PHILIP DUNNE MP

to people asking them to “make somethingthatlooks likea ginand tonic– becauseyou don’twantto drinkbut also don’twanttohave that conversation with everyone to night”

December anddrink go hand in hand formany

Time needed to repair damage of ‘longBrexit’

Everyone is sufferingfrom “longBrexit”, unlikelongCov id whichaffects some of our citizens.

Theresa May firstpromised to getBrexitdone, then Boris said getBrexit done,followed by Lizand nowRishi

Thereality is, sixand ahalf yearsafter thereferendum, Brexit is not done –itwill never be done or go away because of thedamageand on-going dam agetoour economyand stand ardofliving.

ThelistofBrexit failures growsweekly.

Thepound hasbeenper manently devalued by 20 per cent;the valueofour economy hasgrown at athird therate of Germanyand theUSsince thereferendum; many small companieshavestopped trad ingwiththe EU;companies aremovingtheir businesses outofthe UK;Government figuresshow that Brexit paper workonour borderscosts £7 billion each year;lastweekit wasleakedthatParis hassur passed London as thelargest financialcentre in Europe;and thereare many more negatives.

When will UK politicians face up to therealities,tellthe truthtothe people andstart to repair thedamage?

In thelastfew days thereare signs that some in Government know thedisasterBrexit is, but fear theirhardBrexiteers

Sadly, things will only get worse untilthe “Brexiteer Tory”governmentisvoted out.

Then it will take yearstone gotiatenew positive termswith EU.The UK will suffer agener ationofdecline

TheUKvotershavetoaccept theirpartin this disaster

Fifty twoper cent of voters believed theLeave Campaign ledbyBoris andMichael Gove, twojournalists whowere“eco nomicalwiththe truth”,mas termindedbyDominic Cum mings, andlet’snot forget NigelFarage.

Nigeldeceivedthe people with hispopulist messages just to feed hisown huge ego!

We canonlyhopethatthe younger generation insist that politicians sort outthe mess andcreatea positive wayfor ward

To do this, they have to find astrongleaderfor ourcountry Bill McClements,Telford

PICTURE FROMTHE ARCHIVE

Public transport lettingusdown

If you’veusedpublictransport in theSouth East,you’llknow howeasyand cheaperitisto use. Itsconnectivityispartly whyit’ssosuccessfuleconom ically, providinggood access to jobs,education andleisure

Thetentacles andbenefits of Transportfor London reach farbeyondthe capitalinto what couldloosely be called the ‘shires’, usinga zonalsystem with acorresponding pricing structure.

ComparethatwithTrans port forWestMidlands, where thebenefits arelargely con finedtothe county boundary Yetmuchofits roadsystemis clogged with incoming traffic from,for example, SStafford shireand SE Shropshire and otheradjacentshires.Here, public transport is largelyat themercy of what is deemed commerciallyviablebyopera tors, hencehigher fares, fewer moneysavingoffers, restricted operatingtimes andunattrac tive frequencieswithendless threatsofservice withdrawals.

As aresult, there’sareli ance on thecar.IfTransport forWestMidlandswas more regional with outerzones that offeredgood connectivity,then jobs,leisure andeducation

couldbeeasilyaccessedby many more people

You’dthink this wouldbe somethingthe government wouldsupport with ‘levelling up’funding,especiallyasso much taxpayers’ moneyhas been poured into improving services in London.Maybe our politicalrepresentativesshould consider raisingthiswithgov ernment?

MikeCrump,Bridgnorth

Can Putinbegin hisapologies?

Theconcernsregarding dis cussions betweenUkraine and Russia will be theinability of Putintoevenbegin these dis cussions

Firstly, he will need to ac knowledgehehas declared an illegal warona democrat ic country. Secondly,hewill need to saysorry,not only to Ukrainebut also to alarge part of theworld he hassoterribly impacted on.Thirdly,hewill have to payWar Reparationsto re-buildUkraine

Finally, andthismay well prove most difficult,asitin volves apologisingtothe Rus sian people Name andaddress supplied

Thelatestcensus figures show that nowlessthan half of thepopulationclaims to be Christian. That’s not necessarilyabad thing,if it meansthatpeoplewere genuinelythinkingitrath erthanjustputting down “Christian”because they’re English. Perhapspeopleare realisingthattruefaith in Christ is somethingcostly. Jesus acceptsusasweare, butHedoesn’t leave us as we are. True saving faithisnot justintellectualacceptance of thetruth thatJesusis Lord;itleads to acknowl edging thelordshipofChrist over allaspects of ourlives TheseasonofAdvent lead ingtoChristmas helpsusto reflectonhow we aredoing “Heavenly Father,aswe preparetocelebrate the birthofJesus Christ as our Saviour, help us to look for ward with confidencetoHis coming as ourJudge

“Helpussotolive in obe dience to Himthatweshine with thebeautyofHis love Amen.”

address and telephone number. Letterswill only bepublished anonymouslyinexceptional circumstances.The editor reserves theright to condense or amend letters

This early 20th centuryimage takeninAlbrightonshows threemilkmen(CharlesYates in thecentre) with horsesand cartsare picturedinfront of asubstantial housebuiltofbrickwith sash windows.

BY REVCLIVE MUNDAY, CURATE WITH THEBRIDGNORTH ANGLICAN TEAM MINISTRY

PRAYER OF THEWEEK

Police targeting hare coursers

Police are“actively targeting” hare coursing in southShropshireafter an increase in reportsabout activity. West Mercia Police areworking with landowners andfarmers to target coursing,inwhich dogs are usedtochase,catch andkill hares.

It comesafter an increase in re portsofcoursinginareas in the southofthe county includingBishop’sCastleand Chirbury Hare coursing hasbeenillegal since2004, yetstill takesplace in some partsofthe UK today. The illegal nature of hare coursing and itsassociatedgamblingoftenleads to theparticipation of people who areundertaking otherforms of criminal activity

Police areaskingresidents report anycrime online at:westmercia police.uk/report or call 999ifthere is acrime in progress.Anyonewith informationabout hare coursing is askedtoemail bccar.snt@westmercia.police.uk

Better lights plan at junction

Temporarytrafficlights being installedatamajor roundabout will operateona ‘moreintelli gent’system, trafficbosseshave promised.

National Highways is installingthe temporarylights at Em streyIslandinShrewsburythis week during overnightwork.

Lights on thewestern side of theroundabout, controlling eastboundtrafficonthe A5 joiningthe roundabout,have been outofactionsinceadriver ploughed into controlboxes last month, knocking outpower to twosetsoflights.

National Highways hassaid thetemporary tightswillbe in placeuntil workers have ac quired theparts to fixthe af fected controlboxes.

Aspokespersonsaid: “Itisa more intelligent temporarysys temthatwewill be using.”

Chamber in bid to join forces

‘Working together,wecan be stronger’was themessage to the business communityatShropshire ChamberofCommerce’sAGM.

Morethan80peoplecametogether forthe meeting at theWroxeter Hoteland presidentPiran Littleton said:“It’s been atough year,and it’s goingtobearemarkableyearnext year as well.But with people like us working together,Ithink we can getthrough it easier.”

RichardSheehan,the Cham ber’schief executivewho will be retiring at theend of March, told members: “I thinkitisimportant foryou to know that you arepartof somethingveryspecial. TheChamberhas enormous aspirationsfor growth andistotally committed to doingthat.”

Four newdirectors were elected to join theboard –RuthRoss, who replaces Mr Sheehanaschief exec utive, Carl Jones,MattSmall and Kirsty Smallman

Historic pubgiven newlookafter £420krevamp

AhistoricShropshirepublichouse near Shifnalhas reopened with a brandnew look followingacom plete £420,000 refurbishment.

ThetransformationofThe Bell Inn at Tong hasseenabrand new Farrow &Ballcolourpalette in troducedintothe venue, alongside wall panelling andbespoke tiling

Anew homely ‘snug’ sectionwas addedtothe barfeaturing cosy Chesterfieldseatingwhile theal frescodiningareahas been updated

Kate Harding-Jack,general managerofThe Bell Inn,said: “We aresoexcited to open thedoors andtoshow ourgueststhe final

result of ourrefresh.

“Wehaveinvested more than £420,000 into breathingnew life into TheBellInn.”

“The pub is much lovedbyits regulars, andweare so gladtosee everybodybackagain.”

Overhaul

Thepub’s transformationhas rung thechanges to keep pace with dining trends andthe needs of themodernfamily.

As aresultthere have been ma jorchanges to thefood offerand themenuhas receiveda complete overhaul

Thenew selectionofdishesincludes home-madechicken and chorizokebab,oven-bakedgarlic flatbread, crumbled feta cheese andpomegranate seed salad, honey,fruitychilli sauceand seasoned fries, antipastiboards, andsoy glazed salmon

Situated within theShrop shirecountryside,The Bell Inn is housed within a250-year-oldlist ed building,markedbyan18th centuryobelisk

Thepub’s orchard-stylebeer garden allows gueststodrink or dine alfresco,whilst thespacious andmoderninterior offers arelaxeddiningexperience

Health hubtransportissueis high on list forNHS leaders

DAVIDTOOLEY david.tooley@mnamedia.co.uk

Butbecause theNHS in ShropshireTelford andWrekinsaysit does notknowwhere thenew venue will be sitedyet they have confirmed that a“transportassess ment is impossibletoprovide”.

Apublicquestionwas raisedat thelatestmeetingofthe Integrated Care Board. It hadbeensubmitted in Septemberbut an answer de ferred.Itreferredtotransport and access forthe plannedhub SirNeilMcKay,who chairs the ICB, said:“This is an importantissue–itneedstobecarefullyborne in mind as are-appraisalofoptions is undertaken.”

Gareth Robinson, theexecutive director of delivery andtransformation at theNHS in Shropshire Telford andWrekin, said:“It is probablythe most high-profile issuethat ourcitizensand patients areraising andaskingfor us to bear in mind

“Until we areaware of theactual site location –and we arecurrently working through that processdur ingthe course of this calendar year –atransport assessmentisimpossi bletoprovide becausephysicallywe don’tknowwhere it will be.”

Museum helping visitors getinfestive spirit

Festivemagic awaits forvisitorsto theIronbridgeGorge this winter with preparations underway to welcome Father Christmasback.

TheTrust is promisinga Christ mastoremember at Blists Hill VictorianTownwiththe return of itspopular Christmas Weekends andChristmas grotto experiences.

As Blists Hillistransformed into ascene freshfromthe pages of aDickens’classic,visitorscan

Investigationovercheatingclaims

Acourse fortrainee firefight erswas suspended afterrecruits were suspected of cheating in an exam, fire chiefs have said

Midand West WalesFire andRescue Servicesaidithad launched an investigation.

Thecourse hadbeentaking placeatthe Earlswood Training Centre,JerseyMarine, Neath Port Talbot,where firefighter

recruits areput theirthrough theirpaces afterhavingpasseda selectionprocess.The fire service confirmed thecurrent course has been suspended because recruits were suspected of cheating It is notclear how many of therecruits were suspected of doingso.

Aspokesman said furthercom ment wasnot possiblepending theoutcome of theinvestigation

ELEANOR LAWSON Community News Reporter

soak up thefestive atmosphere at oneoftwo ChristmasWeekends.

From December 3to4 and10 to 11,families will be transported back to 1900 to experience howthe town’s resident Victorians prepare forthe Christmasseason. With plenty of traditional festive

fayreonoffer forfamiliesand food iesalike, theweekendsoffer the perfectopportunitytobrowsethe town’s shopsfor unique Christmas gifts, enjoy apantomime in theBig Topand even meet Father Christ mashimself

Children canalsolearn some brandnew elfskillslikehow to wrap presents, howtospreadfes tive cheerand howtodecorate the Christmas tree.

Shiningalight on best festive houses

AShropshiretownishoping to find thebestChristmas lights in the area by runningaspecial competition forresidents

People in Market Draytonwho lovetocelebrate Christmasare be ingencouraged to deck theirhomes with festive lights anddecorations, whileshopownerscan competein theirown category

Market DraytonTownCouncil is runningthe annual competition,

whichpeoplecan enterbydownloadinganapplication form from thewebsite

They canalso collecta form from thetowncouncil office from Mon daytoFridaybetween 9amand 1pm.

Theclosing date forapplications is December 8.

Judgingfor thecompetition will take placeduringthe week commencingDecember 12

Transport to ahealth andwellbeing hubin Shrewsbury is “proba blythe most high-profile issue” beingfaced by county NHSleaders,a meetingheard.

TheBellInn at Tong

Carol singing will be taking place at Blists Hill Victorian Town,Ironbridge

Driverswarnedover newbreathtests blitz

Drivers in Shropshire arebeing warned they are50per cent more likelytobebreathtested this December than any othermonth.

AnalysisofHome Office data by personalbreathalyser firm AlcoSense showsthatinDecemberlastyear, West Mercia Police stopped721 motoristssuspected of drink driving. That compared with 486inanaverage month.

Atotal of 64 motoristsinthe

SUEAUSTIN sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk

West Mercia area tested last De cember were foundtobeover the limit. Thefailure rate of nine per cent wasjustbelow thenationalaverageof10per cent

Police arenow stepping up their campaign againthisyear, targeting anyone tempted to driveunder the influenceafterwatchingthe World Cuporcelebrating Christmas.

“Enjoyinganevening game, whetherathome with familyor

down thepub,increases thelikelihood of drivingthe next morning with alcohol stillinyoursystem,” says Hunter Abbott,managingdirector of AlcoSense

“Ifyou drinkfourpints of medi um-strong beerorfourlarge glasses of wine during thefootball, it could take as long as 14 hoursfor thealcoholtoclear yoursystem.

“The rule is simple.Ifyou’vebeen drinking,don’t driveand if you’re driving, don’tdrink.Ifinany doubt, self-testwithapersonalbreathalyser to ensure you’reclear of alcohol.”

CentralCo-op supports21charitiesand goodcauses

CentralCo-op’scommunity divi dend fund hasawarded £31,980to 21 charitiesand good causes, allof whichsupport access to food, health andwellbeing,inclusion andthe en vironment.

As part of thefund, eligible groups canapply forbetween £100 to £5,000 to supportall manner of projects

“Asaco-operative, supporting

ourcommunities is akey element of ourethos andanessential part of this is ourCommunity Dividend Fund

“We’re pleasedtosupport so many goodcausesand initiatives that make ameaningfuldifference to membersofour communities,” commented theLichfield-based co-operative society’s secretary, Andy Seddon.

“Community dividendfund grants showcases how,bybeing a member andshoppingatyourlocal CentralCo-opstore allows us as a society to continue to invest and fund vitalprojectsinthe commu nity.”

Thoseinterested can find outthe full criteria andhow to applyfor fundingbyvisitingcentralengland coop/community/

Jonbowledoverby£10,000 prize

Abowling alleyhas made it a Christmas to remember foraTel ford familywitha cool cashprize Jon Gidney struck luckywhen he discovered he hadwon the ultimate prizefromTenpin– a £10,000 cheque.Tenpinhad been offering itscustomers acrossthe countryachancetowin cash priz es as athank you fortheir custom Mr Gidney posteda heart-warmingvideo of himand hisson planning atriptoTenpin in Telfordtowin himthe give away.Tobeinwithachanceof winningthe generous cash prize,

ELEANOR LAWSON newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

bowlingfansacrossthe country visitedtheir localTenpin, created avideo or photooftheir time in thevenue,and posteditontheir socialmedia.

Jon said:“I’msoproud to have wonthiscompetition with my son. Ralph is three yearsold,loves bowlingand we’vebeentoTenpin many times. Thankyou,Tenpin forcreatingthisuniquecompeti tion.”

Jonand his son, three-year-old Ralph,receiving thechequefrom Tenpin employees

Jury will hear howworker crushedbytree

An inquestjurywillhearhow afarmworkerwas crushedby atree.

Trevor KennethJones,anarable operator,was felling trees at SerpentFarmoff Lower Barnes Road in Ludlow,when theincidenthappenedonTuesday, February 8.

Apre-inquest review at Shirehall wastoldthatatabout 9.05am,54-year-old Mr Jones disappearedfromthe view of hiscolleagues. It wasdiscov ered that alarge treehehad just felled wasontop of him.

Mr Joneswas airlifted to theQueen ElizabethHospital in Birmingham butwas pronounceddeadshortlyafter ar rival.

JohnEllery, senior coroner forShropshire, Telfordand Wrekin,toldMrJones’s family membersinattendancethatit wasclear that he haddiedbecauseofanincidentatwork, andasaresultitneeded to be investigated by thepoliceand theHealthand Safety Executive (HSE)

“Bothhaveconcluded their inquiriestothispoint,” he said, “and theinquest hastobeheard in frontofajury.”

Mr Ellery adjournedthe in quest. It will take placeover March 20 and21.

Covidclinics are established for thehomeless

TheNHS is helpinghomeless peo ple by organising clinicstodrive up take of theCovid-19vaccine across Shropshire.

Thevaccineservice recognises that to reachthisvulnerablegroup it needs to ramp up effortsbyworkingclosely with shelters andcharitiesinthe area,toensure that homeless people whomay notbe registered with aGPorhaveaccess to acomputerorphone canstill get protected againstthe virus.

Shrewsbury Ark, theShrop shire-basedcharity whichprovides supportand daycentre facilities forthe homeless andvulnerable, opened itsdoors to Shropshire, Telford andWrekin’sCovid-19vaccina tion teamlastweek.

Theclinicoffered thoseattending thechancetoreceive either their first, second or boostervaccine. This wasthe latest in anumberof visits to TheShrewsburyArk and othervenuesacrossShropshire sincethe pandemic began.

EmilyBell, chairofShrewsbury Ark, said:“Access to healthcare is areallybig problemifyou’rehome less,sotobeabletohaveasafeenvironmenthereatThe Arkwhere we canensureeveryone cankeep up to date with theirvaccinationsis brilliant.

“Itwas lovely to seesomanypeo ple come forwardand topuptheir protection as we lead into what can be averychallenging winter period forthem.”

Campaignersaysambulance staffright to strike

Shropshire NHScampaignerDar renChildshas spoken outinsup port of county ambulancestaff whohavevoted to strike

TheLudlow councillor began his campaign forbetterambulance re sponse timesafterhis baby daughterMylasufferedaseizure scare andfaced alongwaitfor paramedics. Last month thenightmarewas repeated when Myla fell ill again andthe familytookher to hospital themselves afterbeing told there wouldbeawait.

He says paramedics arerightto votefor thedrastic strike action “These people areincredible,” he said.“Iamfullofsupport for

theambulance staff. We have been through Covidand nowwehave come outofthe otherside, our health services areunderfunded andunderstaffed. Waitingtimes areappalling,but when you finally getanambulance theservice you getisincredible.

“Theyworklongshifts andunsociablehours andthe paythat they getdoesnot reflectthat.

“Theysavelivesday in andday outbut year afteryeartheyhave seen theirwages frozen.I am fully behind thestrikes andalsofully behind nurses in areaswhere they have decidedtostrike.”

Uniteannounced that itsmem-

bers voted by up to 92 percentto take action,warning thatstrikes look settobegin aheadofChristmas.

Detailsare expected to be an nounced in thecomingdays.

Theannouncement followssim ilar votes forindustrialactionby ambulanceand otherNHS workersinUnisonand theGMB

Unitesaidits ambulanceservice membersreportthattheyusedto see10patientsaday discharged safely into hospital,but they can nowdealwithonlythree or four, spending hoursata time sitting outsideA&E with patients waiting to be seen.

County givenNHS ‘war room’ to manage intensepressures

MEGANJONES megan.jones@mnamedia.co.uk

Dozens of NHS“traffic controlcentres”includ ingone in Shropshire have goneliveina bid to manage theintense pressure on thehealth service.

Atotal of 42 controlcentresacross England will usedatasuchasA&E performance, waitingtimes,staff levels, ambulanceresponse times andbed occupancywiththe aimof managing demand

Thedatawill be usedbystaff who will divertambulancesawayfrom full hospitalstooneswithmore space

Onesuchcentre,also dubbed a “winterwar room”, hasbeenimplemented by NHSShropshire, Telford andWrekin.

It will runseven days aweek, fullymannedduringdaytime hours with on-callarrangementsover night.

SamTilley,directorofurgent andemergency care andemergen cy planning forNHS Shropshire, Telfordand Wrekin,said: “For the last couple of years, sincethe Covid

pandemic,wehavebeenexperienc ingpressures on services across the wholehealthand socialcaresys tem.

“These pressurescan strike different partsofthe system at differ enttimes or in tandem

“Thiscould be demand forambu-

lances, increases in peoplewalking into A&E, demand forcarehome beds,orfor primarycareappoint ments.

“Thisnew controlcentre isapos itivestepforward andwill allow stafftosee ‘real-time’datafrom acrosshealthand socialcareen-

abling us to seewhere ambulance queues arebuilding up,waiting timesare increasing,bed occupancy is challenged forinstance, andto worktogetheracrossthe system in ajoined-upway to addressthese is sues quickly.”

NHSbosseshavespokenofadditional planstohelprelieve pres suresonthe servicethiswinter, includingtoexpandfallresponse services andprovide local“respiratory infections hubs”.

ProfessorSir StephenPowis, NHSnationalmedical director, said:“With recent data hitting home thesignificant pressure staff arefacing– with 10 timesthe flu casesinhospitalthanwesaw go ingintowinter last year andthousandsofbedstaken up by patients medically fitfor discharge– it has never been more importantfor the NHStointroduce these important andinnovative planning measures aheadofwhatislikelytobeone of ourmostchallenging wintersyet

“The publiccan play itspartby usingNHS services in theusual way–dialling 999 in an emergency andusing 111 online forother health conditions –and vaccines remain an importantprotection againstserious illness so please come forwardifyou’reeligible.”

Shropshire worst in theregionfor 999 wait times

Shropshire andTelford have the longestambulance wait timesinthe region,new research hasrevealed.

Figuresuncoveredbythe Liberal Democratshaverevealedapostcode lotteryofambulance wait times acrossthe West Midlands,withpatients in Shropshirewaitingonaveragemorethan five minutes longer forlife-saving help than thosein Birmingham

Theresearch,uncovered by the LibDemsthrough Freedom of In formationrequests, revealshow pa tients whoselivesare in immediate danger arewaiting twiceas long in some ruralparts of theregionas in urbanones.

Category twocalls,including po

tentialheart attack or stroke pa tients, in Shropshireand Telford& Wrekin arewaitingfor an average of 49 minutesfor paramedics to ar rive –morethanhalfanhourover thetargetresponse time (18min utes).

Forthe most seriouscalls,patients in thecountywaitedfor an averageof11minutes and31sec onds forcategoryone responses, compared to sixminutes and20 secondsinthe BlackCountry

Thenationalstandardsetsout that allambulance trusts must re spondtocategoryone callsinseven minutes,and category twocalls in 18 minutes on average. Notone area inEngland achieved

both of these targets. MP forNorth ShropshireHelen Morgansaid: “These heartbreaking figuresshow that allacrossthe West Midlands andthe country, targetsare being missed andpatientsare beingleft waitingfar toolongfor an ambu lancetoarrive.

“Thisstark postcode lottery meansthatifyou suffer aheart at tack or stroke, your chancesofget ting to hospital on time depend on whereyou happen to live. If youlive in Birmingham or thesurrounding area youwill gethelpmuchfaster than in Shropshire.”

Sheadded: “Ministers must bring forwardextra supporttoget ambu lanceservicesthrough winter as

well as along-term strategy to en sure people canget emergencycare when they need it.”

Aspokespersonfromthe West Midlands AmbulanceService said: “The ambulanceservice relies on each part of thehealthand social care system working together so that ourambulancescan gettopatients in thecommunity quickly.

“Sadly,the pressuresweare seeinginhealthand socialcareleadto long hospital handoverdelayswith ourcrews left caring forpatients that need admitting to hospital rather than responding to thenext call

“The result is that ourcrews are delayedinreachingpatients.”

Ambulanceresponse timeswillbetaken into considerationinthe move

Darren Childsand his family

State-of-the-art house goeson themarketfor a cool £2 million

LAUREN HILL lauren.hill@mnamedia.co.uk

Astate-of-the-arthouse in Bridgnorth hasgone onthe market for£2million

Thenewly-listed property,situated on Ludlow Road, boastsfront door finger printrecognition and designer bathrooms.

The‘ground-breaking’ resi denceiskitted outwithGerman engineered double-glazingand asmart system that allows the ownertocontrolambient light mood settings, audio, TV,video, CCTV andfront door security from theirphone

Afully-equippedkitchen featuresthe ‘latestcooking technol ogy’ with appliances that canalso be programmed by an app.

Thepropertylisted by BerrimanEaton on Rightmove has seven bedrooms, five bathrooms andfourlounge/receptionrooms with far-reaching views. Outside is aseparategarageand gym building,sitting privatelyin three to four-acre grounds, anditis within walkingdistanceoftown.

Themodernbuildalsohas un derfloorheating, asteel-fabricat ed floating staircasewithglass, bedroombalconies on threeof thebedrooms, anddesignerbathrooms.

In the24ftloungeisadual aspect logburner. Theprincipal bedroomalsooffersviews of the SevernValleyand thetown, and includes alarge en-suitebathroom fitted with heated towel railsand awalk-in twin shower

Campaignerswantcouncil to reveal legalfee costsinrow

NICK HUMPHREYS nick.humphreys@mnamedia.co.uk

return thelandtothe community. That followed thepublication of the RedfernReport–anindependent inquiryintothe sale

unlawful sale of publicopenspace –and againstthe Greenfields com munity –their owncouncil taxpay ers– andlandthatisprotected fora very good reason?

Greenfields CommunityGroup hasbeenembroiled in alegal battle over thesaleofpartofGreenfields Recreation Ground in Shrewsbury forseveral years.

Thegroup will have itscaseheard at thehighestcourt in thelandnext Wednesday, when it will be decided whetherplanningpermission grantedbyShropshireCouncil for homesonthe designated community land should have stood It comesafterShrewsburyTown Council, whichsoldthe land to CSE Developmentstobuild 15 homes, “unreservedly”apologisedfor the sale in June,and vowedtohelp

Nowcampaigners arecalling forShropshireCouncil to sayhow much thelegal fees have cost coun ty taxpayers. They have submitted aFreedom of Informationrequest to Shropshire Council’smonitoring officer.

“Wehaveasked Shropshire Councilhow much it is costingto defend itspositioninthe Supreme Court,”saidAlysonLanning,from theGreenfields CommunityGroup

“Onlylastweekthe councilannouncedthatthere is likelytobe a‘verybig rise’incouncil taxnext year forShropshireresidents.Why then is ShropshireCouncil going to theSupreme Courtto fightthe

“It’sabsolutelysenseless –and will be extremelycostly. It hasbeen suggested to us that thelegal costs alone, taking into accountofficer time andexpense,could cost ShropshireCouncil up to aquarter of a millionpounds!

“The recreation ground is inte gral to Greenfields Park.Thisis an irrefutablefact, endorsed by Mi chaelRedfern KC in hisindepend entinquiryreport, publishedin June this year.”

Thetowncouncil is currently waitingfor theconclusionofthe SupremeCourt hearingafter re ceiving“unequivocal” advice not to enterintonegotiationswiththe landowneruntil thecaseisresolved Thecampaigngroup raisedmore than £60,000 to meet thelegal costs

of apreviousjudicialreviewand courtofappealcase. TheGood

Aldi settotrail clearmilk caps

Aldi is trialling clear caps on milk bottles in itsShropshirestoresina bidtofurther improve therecycla bility of itsproducts.

Thesupermarket is scrappingthe greenbottletopsonits BritishSemi Skimmed Standard Milk products in favourofclear caps,which are easier to recycle.

Thetrial,which is in partnership with milk supplier Müller,was in troduced earlierthismonth in its Ludlow store.

If successfuland rolled outtoall Müller-suppliedstores, an addition al 60 tonnes peryearofrecycled High-Density Polythene(rHDPE) couldbeturnedback into food gradepackaging,asthe milk bottle tops will be reusedtocreatenew milk bottles

Thesupermarket is on track to have 50 percentofits plasticpack agingmadefromrecycledmaterials by 2025

Carinsuranceis driven upwards

Theaveragepremium paid by customers forprivate motorinsuranceinthe thirdquarter of this year wastwo percenthigh er than ayearearlier,asvehicle repair costsincreased,accord ingtoaninsurance industry body

Motorists typically paid £436 in thethirdquarter of 2022, whichwas athree percentincrease compared with thesec ondquarter of this year,the Association of BritishInsurers (ABI)said.

It said insurers have been findingitincreasinglychal lengingtoabsorbcosts, such as more expensiverepairs andris es in used carprices.

Theaveragecostofrepairingvehicle damage undera policyholder’s ownmotor policy jumped by 16 percenttojust over £3,000

Singercan build wellnessretreat

Councillorshaveunanimously backed plansbysinger-songwriter CharlotteChurchtoturnthe formerhome of LauraAshleyinthe Elan Valley,intoawellnessretreat

PowysCouncil’s planning committee voted to grantpermission forthe “Voice of an Angel” star’s proposal to change theuse of Rhydoldog House near Rhayader from a residentialdwelling to awellbeing andhealing retreat

Proposalsinclude converting part of barn to become artist’sstu dioand store, andinstalling solar arrays as well as otherassociated works.There hadbeenobjectionsto theplans on road safety issues

Senior planning officerKate Bowenwho presentedthe report to councillorssaidRhayaderTown Councilobjected to thescheme.

Shesaidroadwideningand buildingofpassing bays were part of the proposal anddue to this an objection couldnot be sustained.

Law Projectisbacking thegroup with fundingfor theSupreme Court case

ShropshireCouncil hasbeencon tacted foracomment

Theland atthe recreation ground

Thenewly-listedpropertyinBridgnorthboastsfront door fingerprint recognition.Pictures: Berriman Eaton.

Thekitchen features the ‘latest cooking technology’

Thepropertyhas asteel-fabricated floating staircase

Covid-19 and fluspread more easilyinwinterandcancause seriousillness.Sothebestway tostaysafeistoboostyourim munitywithvaccination.Ifyou’re50or over,pregnant,orhavealong-termcondition you’re eligible foranautumn Covidboosterandfreefluvaccination

“FluandCovid-19areunpredictable butthere arestrong indicationswe couldbefacingthethreatofwidelycir culatingflu,lowerlevelsofnaturalimmunityduetolessexposureoverthe last twowinters,and an increase in Covid-19 circulatingwith lots of variantsthatcanevadetheimmune response,”saysDrSusan Hopkins, chiefmedicaladvisoratUKHSA.“This combinationposes aseriousriskto ourhealth,particularlythoseinhigh riskgroups.TheH3N2flustraincan causeparticularlysevereillness.Ifyou areelderlyorvulnerablebecause of otherconditionsyou areatgreater risk,sogettingthefluvaccineisasensible,potentiallylife-savingthingtodo.

Weareextremelyfortunatetohave vaccinesagainst thesetwo diseases. Most eligiblegroupshavebeenselectedbecausetheyareathigherrisk ofsevereillness.”

Manyadultsand childrenalready getafreefluvaccination,whichisimportanttokeepuptodateasthevirus canchangeeachyear(findoutifyou’re eligibleatnhs.uk/wintervaccinations) Similartoprimary school aged children,two-andthree-year-oldsareeligibleforanasalsprayfluvaccination, providedtheywereagedtwoorthree on August 31, 2022. They gettheflu vaccineattheirGP.Primaryschoolkids usuallyhavethevaccineatschool.

Best protection

ProfessorSteve Powis,NHS England nationalmedicaldirector,warnsofa possible‘twindemic’ofCovidandflu, butsaysvaccinesofferthebestprotectionagainstit.“Withmanypeoplein hospitalwithCovid-19,andfluposing anevengreaterriskthisyear,Iurge everyone eligible to book both vac cines as soonaspossibletoprotect themselvesandtheirlovedones.With thousandsofGPpractices,localphar maciesandotherNHSsitesacrossthe countryofferingbothvaccines,it’snever beeneasiertogetthisprotection.”

Remember,ifyou’reinan eligible groupandnothadyourfirstorsecond dose of theCovid vaccine, or first boosterdose–bookanappointment onlineorvisitawalk-incentre

Mum of two Nicole,41, has lived with ulcerativecolitis since she wasin her20s and, likemanyotherswith aweakenedimmune system, she says keeping up to date with her Covid and flu vaccinations is vital.

“Ulcerativecolitis causes inflammation of the colon,and if I have aflare-up Ican getquitepoorly,with bleeding anda need to go to the toilet around 30 timesa day, which canresult in hospital stays,” says Nicole,fromManchester,mum to Sofia, six, and Alyssia, two.“No one canlivelikethat, so Ihave regular doses of immunosuppressants

“Running my baby sleep coaching business Baby2Sleep,and having twolittle kids,there’s no wayIcan function when I’mpoorly.”

Nicole waswaiting foramessage

–and when she wasalso offered the flu vaccine nthe same day, she as glad to take both.

“With my weakened mmune system, Iwas orelievedtoget my accinations.Ialways makesureI’m up to ateand have aflu ab every year.

“I wasworried hat if Icaught Covid I might endupin hospital,unableto ookafter thekids.”

Nicole is glad she canlivelifeto thefull, knowing she’s protected.

“It’s true that the vaccine doesn’t alwaysstopyou getting Covid, but it doesstopyou getting very ill with it, which is what’s importanttome. To dateIhave had Covid twiceafter my vaccinations and been fine.”

Whyisitimportant

Asatype1diabetic,I’m fullyawarethatthepotential sideeffectsofcontracting flu,coldsorCovidcanbe moresevereandcanplay havocwithmybloodsugar levels.Assomeonewhois immunocompromisedand whohasexperiencedthese sideeffectsinthepast,and withmyworkschedule presentingshowsandshoots alloverthecountryduring thePremierLeagueseason andupcomingWorldCup, Idon’twanttotakeanyrisks thiswinter

Did your diabetes diagnosis come as ashock to you? WhenIwasfirstdiagnosedin 2015,itwas atotal shockto

me,andIkeptitto myselfand close family andfriends foracoupleof years.Ididn’thave anyongoinghealth issuesandhadfull bloodstaken six months prior to di

SkySports presenter Adam Smith, 37,was shocked by his diabetes diagnosis –but it’s encouragedhim to be extra-careful whenthere areviruses about

Nicole Ratcliffe lives with along-term condition –but needs to stay healthytolook afterher daughtersand run abusiness

from her GPtocall her forthe Covid vaccine

for somethingcompletelydifferent, which showednothingamiss Thatchangedreally rapidlywithinafewmonthswhen ybecameveryill–I ustedand losing witharagingthirst stantneedtogo

ureact to thenews? challengingtoget round. I’dbeenin beforefor minor eeverythinggets youleave.Notthis as told:“Youhave pe1diabetesand willneedtoinject insulinevery day.”Howoften? “Fivetimes a day.”For how long?” Forthe restofyourlife Ifyoudon’t,you won’tsurvive.”

So it’s even more vital youhave the vaccinations? Yes! Ipersonally don’twanttotake chances,which is whyIwillbegetting Covidandfluvaccisthiswinter.

London-based business development director BayanMohajeri, 26,has multiple sclerosis,which makes him vulnerable to infection –sovaccinesare

“Duringthe pandemic I’dbeen isolating along with my mother, whois also immunocompromised. My neurologistput me forward foranew treatment called HSCT –it’sa week of intense chemo in an isolation room

“Theycollect your stem cells, freeze them, then wipeout your immune system completely and giveyou the stem cells back to create anew immunesystemin you. It meant my immunesystemwas pretty much that of anewborn “I then spentamonth in a hospitalroom. When doctors enteredtheywould be fully masked-up and my room was

disinfected everyday as I wassovulnerable.

“After 100 days Icould start gettingrevaccinated– all my childhoodjabs, thefluvaccine and my first Covid vaccine earlier his year

“That wasa hugemilestone –I wasnow on a ourneybackto normallife’.

“I had to have three Covid doses, then Iwas able to move back to London anddo things –thoughI still stayed outdoorsjusttobe safe.Ihad abooster inAugust, then another booster about three weeksago.It’svital to do everything Ican to protect myself.The colder it gets,the

vitalfor him

moreyou’restuck indoorswith an increased risk –especially with immunitywaning over time –soitwas critical Igot thelatest Covidjab andthe flu vaccine.

“It means Ican do regular activities: I’mgoingona work trip abroad, andifitwasn’tfor the newbooster,I’m notsure Iwould have been going.”

‘Vaccinations help me lead anormal life’

Call to help care forgardenbirds

Nearly 9,000 callstothe RSPCA aboutsickorweakgarden birds have prompted apleafor bird-lovers to cleantheir feedersregularly As autumn turnstowinterand bird-lovers step up supplementary feeding, datafromthe RSPCAhighlights just how vulnerable garden birdscan be to illhealth.

Thecharity received 8,750calls about sick or weak garden birdslast year,and with thehelplinestrug glingwithanunprecedentedhigh volume of calls, it is asking the publictohelpmaintainthe health of garden birds.

Whileonly52ofthose callscame from Shropshire,aspokesperson from thecharity said that this year’s bird fluscare wasatimelyre minder of thedevastationthatcan occurfromcontagiousdiseases

Whilebird fludoesn’ttendtoaf fect garden birds, stepstoprevent highly infectiousdiseases from spreadingthrough abirdpopulation areessential whatever thespe cies.The charityhas recommended cleaning feedersweeklyand water containers everyday

Feedersshouldalsoberotated around thegarden to keep bird droppingsand bacteria from buildingup, andfeeding areasshouldbe kept raisedabove thegroundtodetermice.

RSPCAscientificofficerEvieBut tonsaid: “It’ heart-warmingthatso many people –aroundhalfthe population–wanttohelpgarden birds by feedingthem. Butdatasuggests that birdsare notashealthy as they should be andone waywecan make adifferenceisgood hygiene.”

Dealerwho hid drugsisjailed

AdrugdealerfromShropshire whohid astash of cocaineand cannabisworth an estimated £21,000 around ahouse has been locked up for five years

Hayden De’Harrwas arrest ed afteraraidinwhich police foundthe haul of drugsata housein December 2021

The27-year-old is previously from Ketley in Telford.

He hidthe cocaineand cannabisin‘elaborate places’ata home in Rugby, Warwickshire Police said

Followingthe drugsraid De’Harrwas arrested andappeared before acourt

He washeldonremandfor al most ayearuntil his courthear inglastweek.

At Shrewsbury CrownCourt, De’Harrwas given aprisonsen tencefor possessionwithintent to supply classAand Bdrugs

He wasalsolinkedtoanout standing money laundering case

He wassentenced to a five year jail term forthe crimes Rugby-basedDetective Constable MatthewRapkins said: “Wewelcome thecustodial sentenceofDe’Harr

“Hewas sitting on alarge amount of controlled drugsthat no doubt wouldhavebeendis tributed to residentsofRugby.”

Ambulanceworkers

Nearly 3,000 ambulanceworkers acrossthe region have voted in fa vourofindustrialactionover pay andstaffing woes

Chiefs at theunion GMBsaid workers across theambulance servicesand some NHStrustshad vot ed to strike over thegovernment’s four percentpay awardwhich it claimedwas in effect apay cut.

Paramedics,emergency care as sistants, call handlers areamong theteams settowalkout in the West Midlands AmbulanceService

vote to

over possible datesinthe runup to Christmas. Thedispute is be tweenunionsand theDepartment of Healthand SocialCareand not theambulance trust.

Theunion will nowmeetwith reps to discusspotential strike datesbeforeChristmas,but the rulesrequiringemergency care to be provided will mean therewillbe limitedimpactonpatients.

Interimchief executiveofNHS Providers, SaffronCordery,said: “Trust leadershavebeenpreparing

back industrial action

forstrikes,including thepossibili ty of industrial action by different groups of NHSstaff,and trusts affected will do everything in their powertokeepdisruptiontoa minimum.

“Butwithstrikes by nurses and ambulanceworkers looming, trusts arerightly worried aboutthe potential forcoordinated andprolonged industrial action in thecoming months.Weunderstandwhy staff arevotingfor industrial action but it’s vitalthatthe governmentand

unions talk urgently.”

“Trust leadersremaincommitted to ensuring the safe deliveryof care andsupportingthe wellbeing of staffthroughoutany industrial action.”

GMBNationalSecretaryRachel Harrison: “Ambulance workerslike otherNHS workers areontheir knees. Demoralisedand downtrodden,they’ve faced 12 yearsofCon servativecutstothe serviceand theirpay,and nowfacethe worst cost of living crisis in ageneration.”

Shirehalldemolition‘awaste of money’ says poll in county

NICK HUMPHREYS nick.humphreys@mnamedia.co.uk

Campaignersbelieve de molishingShropshire Council’sHQ in favour of amulti-million pound civichub wouldbeunpopularwithvotersand a“wasteofmoney”.

TheSaveOur Shirehallgroup hascarried outa survey among countyresidents, asking whether they thoughtShropshireCouncil should spendthe money on anew Shrewsbury town centre office as plannedorinvest£4million to £5 million in refurbishing itsAbbey Foregate building.

Anger

Thegroup says 96.8 percent backed refurbishing Shirehall. The campaigners’ architects’and engi neers’ assessment,theysay,forecastsarefurbishment to cost up to £5 million.However,the council abandonedplans in 2019 to revamp Shirehall–workwhich theauthor itypredicted wouldcostmorethan £24million

On theSaveOur Shirehallsur vey, groupmemberMartina Cham berlainsaid: “Weapproachedacou ple of hundredpeopleatrandomon thestreets of Ludlow andShrewsbury andfound very littlesupport

forthe idea of anew Shirehall. Many people expressedanger that ‘moreofour moneyisbeing wasted againlikeonthe shopping centres’ anditwas ‘a no-brainer’thatthey should refurbishthe currentbuild ingwhich also serves thecounty better on thepresent site

“Thisnew buildwillbea very un popularmove with voters, especial ly in financiallydifficult timesand when continueduse of arefurbished Shirehallisthe only financialand environmentalresponsible option.”

Fellow member SallyStote added:“It is clearwhatShropshirepeo plewant. Hadweasked people in everyShropshiretown, villageand hamlet we thinkthe resultswould be very similar.”

Thecampaigners have been call ingfor Shirehalltobesaved formany years. They saythe largegreybuilding, whichwas officiallyopenedby thelateQueen ElizabethIIin1967, is of importanthistoricalsignificance. However an attempttoget English Heritage to give it acertificate of im

munity wasrejected in October2020 as it didnot meet thecriteria.

Thecouncil is expected to remain at Shirehalluntil newofficesare built. Theauthority wantstobuild a‘multi-agency hub’ as part of plansfor amajor re-development of theRiverside area in Shrewsbury

Thesitewould have space for about 200workers,and thecouncil said it wanted to occupy theoffices by 2026 –althoughasyet thereis no firm date over when anyofthe Riversideproject will be completed

Aspokesman said recently:“As we’vepreviouslystated,weare planning to leaveShirehall and move to anew council office and multi-agency hubaspartofthe Shrewsbury town centre regenera tion scheme

“Office hubs will also continue to be availablefor staffand coun cillorstouse in otherareas of the county,providing desks/office space outsideofShrewsburyfor staffwho requireit.

“Withfewer staffusing Shirehall,lessspace is required andonly theground, firstand second floors arenow availabletouse.Thiswill also lead to significant savingsin thecostofheating andlightingthe building.”

Lessonsand post disruptedasstrikes areheld

ThousandsofRoyal Mail workers, university lecturersand sixthform staffacrossthe region hitthe picket linesoverpay andconditions.

Yesterday’sstrikeaction–one of thebiggest walkouts in ayear dominatedbyindustrialunrest–ledtopostaldelaysand cancelled lessons.

In theWestMidlandsUniver sity andCollege Union (UCU) memberswereonstrikeatAston University,BirminghamCityUni versity, University of Birmingham, StaffordshireUniversity andUni versityofWolverhampton

Thestrikes were also backed by theNationalEducation Union

(NEU)and theCommunication WorkersUnion (CWU)–which is also planning seven morestrikes in December,including on Christ masEve

TheUCU followed up a48-hour strike last week with a24-hour stoppage amonguniversity staff. Arally in London sawstaff from theUniversity of Wolverhampton’s School of Artinattendance.

At sitesin Birmingham staff were on thepicket linesfrom8am, demandinganimprovedpay offer, fairer pensions andanend to the reliance on casualworkers

In theafternoonaregionalrally took placeinthe city centre fea-

turing stafffromacrossthe Black Countryand Staffordshire.

Strikers in Wolverhampton were backed by theuniversity’s students’union,which said in a statement: “The Students’Union stands in supportofthe Universi ty andCollege Union(UCU) staff taking strike action this month.”

Generalsecretary Jo Gradysaid: “University staffare prepared to do whatever it takestowin de cent pay, secure employment and fair pensions, andvicechancellors need to understand that they cannot simply ride this out. Students andstaff areunitedlikenever be fore

“Itisclear thosewho runour universities arebecomingincreas inglyisolated.

“Our union is readytodeliver more industrial action next year, butavoidingthatisentirelythe re sponsibility of employerswho have this week to make an improvedoffer. Theballisintheir court.”

ARoyal Mail spokesmansaid: “The CWUisstrikingatour busi esttime, holdingChristmas to ransomfor ourcustomers, businesses andfamilies acrossthe country.

“Weapologise to ourcustomers andstronglyurgethemtopostear ly forChristmas.”

Shropshire Councilwants to demolish Shirehalland build acivic hub

Farewell fornow to themighty Wurlitzeras it leaves county

DAVIDTOOLEY david.tooley@mnamedia.co.uk

Ahistoricpipeorgan hasbeenremoved from itsShropshirenightclub home in onelast‘wurl’ of effort andglory.

The1930s Wurlitzer, whichhas been afeature at theButtermarket in Shrewsbury since1988, hasbeen movedtoanew home to make way forchanges at theHowardStreet venue.LastTuesday asquad from theShropshireTheatre Organ Trustshifted themightyWurlitzer from itshomeofmanyyears to a new, hopefullytemporary,home in Suffolk.

EddHordley,ofthe trust, said it wasan“incredibly difficult day” as they sawthe safe removalofthe Wurlitzer console from TheButter market

Entertained

He added: “Describedbyour presidentPhil KelsallMBE as ‘one of thebesttransplantinstallations in thecountry’, Shropshire’s only theatre organinapublicvenue has entertainedthousands of people over theyears andhas been played formanyeventsranging from concertstoweddings, dances to birthdayparties

“The Shropshire Theatre Organ Trustis dedicatedtopreservingour piece of musicalheritageand is on thelookout forsuitablevenuesto accommodatesuchaninstrument.

“Inthe meantime, theWurlitzer will be kept at theGrangeMusical Collection in Suffolk, whose proprietor Jonny Ling hasarrangedlong term storage. Thetrust is indebted to Mr Ling forhis kindness andassistance during this time.”

Thetrust hasthanked theown ersofThe Buttermarket forhousingthe organfor so longand it is planning furtherevents around Shropshire in thenearfuture, until atimea suitable home canbefound whichcan accommodatethe 1936 Opus 2204 Wurlitzer.

It wasoriginallyinstalled in The Ritz Cinema in Chatham, Kent

In 2000,two additional ranksof pipes were addedat TheButtermar ket,Kinuraand EnglishHorn. The ShropshireTheatre OrganTrust currentlyputsonother elec tronicconcerts/ around thecou untilthe Wurlitz canplayinpub licagain

Even though theorgan or ig in al ly came from theUSA the tec hn ol og y wasinvented in theUK.

TheWur litzer’s finalcon cert at theBut market wash Sunday, September 18

Theowner of Shrewsbury’s Buttermarket Martin Monahansaid recently that thevenue hashad

to adaptand become ‘morethana nightclub’ to ride thestorm that hashit thenight-time economy.

Martin hasinvested around £500,000 into theButter,which he says booked up for ents from September forover ayear.

Th e three-storey club hosts re gu la r events on the top floorfrom boxing match es to themed nights while ill maintain gthe nightclub entinthe cellar bar.

An expansion of thestage andother changesaspartofa £500,000 investment in thevenue

by theowner meantthatthe Mighty Wurlitzerhad to be moved.

TheWurlitzer hasauniquesound andeventhoughthisorgan orig inallycamefromthe States,the technology wasinventedin theUK.

It started outatthe 2,332-seat Ritz Cinema in Chathamand was orderedfromthe Wurlitzer factory in NorthTonawanda,America, on November23, 1936

It wasshipped to theUKonDecember 12 of thesameyear.

Prior to theRitzCinemagoing overto bingo, theorgan waspur chased andremovedbyorgan builder DavidPawlyn in 1971 andstored in hisworkshops at Aylesbury. Da vidPawlynlater installedthe organ at TheButtermarket,Shrewsbury, in 1988

Formoreinformation on the trust visithttps://www.face bo ok .c om /6 84 82 32 58 2011 27/ posts/6086626101354122.

Orchestrahonours Queen’scoronationcomposer

Arenownedcomposerwho wrote thescore fora film of thelate Queen’scoronationwas honoured by aShropshireorchestra,with herniece amongthe ensemble TheShrewsbury Symphony Or chestra playedDoreenCarwithen’s Bishop Rock Overture in aconcert marking100 yearssince thecom poser’sbirth in November1922.

Joiningtheminthe violasection at theconcert last nightat Shrews bury School wasDoreen’sniece JenniCarwithen

WhileDoreen’smorefamous husbandWilliam Alwynearneda CBEfor hiscontributiontomusic, with five symphonies,fouroperas

andnumerousconcertos,classic film scores andstringquartets to hisname, hiswife’soutputhas been largelyoverlooked,until re cently Doreen’s centenaryyearhas seen arenewed interest in her work; therewas amusic festival in hernameinher birthplace village of Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, earlierinthe summer andthe BBC Promsincludedthree of herworks in its2022season.

JohnMoore,formerdirectorof musicat Shrewsbury School,and conductorofthe Shrewsbury SymphonyOrchestra,said: “Being able to introduce theorchestra andau-

diencestothese neglected works hasbeena huge privilege.

“Doreen’scomposition Bish op Rock is amasterpiece in film score-writing, fora film never made,but onethatonhearing her music, exists immediatelyinour minds. Thepiece is beautifully constructedand onecan sense the narrativeofthe wind,the surging sea, thecalling of seabirds andthe calm afterthe stormand freedom ofthe wide open spacearoundthe Bishop Rock lighthouse with avis ta to thedistant westernhorizon

“Itisexhilaratingand it stands in comparison with anyother work in that genrethatI canthink of.”

Poorlybunnies aretaken in by county rescuer

Eightpoorlystrayrabbitshavebeen welcomedbyaShropshireanimal rescue centre in abid to find them happyhomes.

TheFuzzy Furriesrabbit and guinea pigrescue centre in Pulverbatch,south of Shrewsbury, steppedforward to help eight‘malnourished’ bunnieswho hadcome into thecareofSilth’s Sanctuary.

Silth’sisa charitythatrescues, neutersand rehomescatsinLiv erpool.Whenthe servicerescued strayrabbits thatwerespotted roamingfreelateatnight in pour ingrain, theteambegan reaching outtoother animal rescue services to help rehome them

FuzzyFurries volunteered, andit wasarrangedfor theeight rabbits to arrive in Shropshire last Sunday.

ChloeOwen, from FuzzyFur ries Rescue,said: “I wasasked by anotherrescue owneronarescue networkFacebookgroup called BunnyAngelsUKifIhad spaceto do so,due to so many beingfulldue to thecurrent crisis.Isaidyes and wasput into contactwithafounder from thesanctuary straight away.”

Chloeisappealing fordonations to keep up with rising costsand the influx of animalsbeing surrendered as households struggle with thecost of living crisis

Thecentre will hold afundraisinggroomingday in December to help manage costs. Thedatewillbe announcedonthe FuzzyFurries so cialmedia page

Publicaskedto help shape the future in project

Aproject hasbeenlaunchedto ensure Shrewsbury’s future de velopments pass ‘The Shrews bury Test’.

Shropshirecouncil,onbehalf of theShrewsburyBig Town Plan partnership, haslaunched aproject that will askthe public what makesthemsay ‘Thisis Shrewsbury’.

Theproject hopestoestab lish aset of designprinciples forfuturedevelopment in the town,ensuring that thefuture design of Shrewsbury’s buildings,streets andpublicspaces enhancethe town’s unique character-whatthe councilhas dubbed meeting‘TheShrewsbury Test’.

Designand planning consult ants, LDADesignare planning on leadingaseriesofstakehold er engagement workshops to gaugepublicviews.

People canalso getinvolved developing thedesignprinciples by visiting shrewsburydesign code.commonplace.is andcom plete ashort survey to share theirhopes forthe future design of Shrewsburytowncentre

DeanCarroll,Shropshire Council’sCabinet member for growth andregeneration, said: “Wewanttoknowwhatmakes people go ‘wow!’; andconversely, what hasthe opposite effect.”

Thousandsofpeople have been entertainedbythe Wurlitzer’srichsound

Loadingthe organontoatruck

Aviewofthe impressivekeyboards

Wurlitzerfans

Accomplished -Doreen Carwithen

Newyearshows forcomic Lee

Award-winningcomedian Stewart Lee, whowas born in Shropshire andbrought up in theWestMid lands, hasshowsinthe region next year

TheWellington-born comicisappearing at Birmingham’s Sympho ny Hall on January 26 and27with hisnew show BasicLee

ThetouralsocomestoWolver hampton’sGrand Theatre on February12. Theshowsare part of anationwidetourwhich follows asold-outthree-month season at LeicesterSquareTheatre,London, ending on December 17

The54-year-old comedian began hiscareerashalfofthe duoLee and HerringwithRichard Herring. He hassince had several solo TV series andisalso knownasanauthor andwrote JerrySpringer: The OperawithRichard Thomas Hiscomedy coversawiderange of formsand subjectmaterial. His personae range from that of outspo kenleft-wing hero to that of adepressedfailure,

Mean calendar thiefarrested

Aman wasarrested afterfundraisingadvent calendarswere stolen from aShropshirechar ity shop with an officer subse quentlyreturning them allto thestore

TheshoplifterstruckatOxfaminDukeStreet,Wellington, Telford, during theweek, stealingtheir entire stockofadvent calendars.

Acting sergeant PeterRigby, of West Mercia Police,tweeted: “Itwas dishearteningtohear someone hadtargeted@Oxfam in Wellington by stealing all theirfundraising adventcalen dars.”

He added: “Fearnot,PCKer ry wasonthe case,amalewas arrested andeverythingwas returned.”

Blackmould is causingconcern

Councillorsin SouthShropshire saytheyhavebeeninundated with reportsofblack mouldin housing association properties

ThecouncillorsinLudlowsay a dozenhomesappeartobeaffected buttheyare impressedbythe re sponse from thelandlord. Remedial workhas alreadybeenscheduled forone property before Christmas.

Independentcountycouncillor Andy Boddington said therehad beenreports of significant black mouldin12housing association properties with reportsstill coming in.“In twocases, therewas asig nificant risk to infants, includinga newborn,”hesaid.

“Specialistcontractorsretained by thehousing association have alreadyassessedone property and remedial workisscheduled before Christmas.The otherpropertyis duetobeassessed.

He said thedeath of two-year-old AwaabIshak from mouldinRochdale hadheightenedconcerns.

Wedding worksfor Repair Shop star Jay

TheRepairShop’sJay Blades has marriedhis fiancéeLisa Zbozen, describing theday as “perfect”.

Thecoupleexchanged vows in frontof15guestsinthe grounds of abeachfrontvillain Barbados

Forthe afternoonceremony, Zbozen woreawedding dressfrom Romantic Dreams Bridal in Birmingham whileBlades, wholives in Ironbridge andworks in Wolver hampton, wore ablack linensuit.

Thefurniture restorer andpre senter,who hasbeenmarried once before,said: “One wordsumsup theday:perfect

“Wehad ourclosest family there, theweather held outand everything workedout so well.”

Fitnesstrainer Zbozen added: “Onceyou gettoacertain age, you realise what’s actually important on theday –and that is having the people around you that love youfor whoyou are. So we made theday ourday.”

Blades said he shed ateardur ingthe ceremony

“I thinkthe thingthatwas most emotionalfor me wasactuallysay ingthe vows,” he said “Itwas almost likeIhad tunnel

vision andIcould only seeLisa there. Andhonestly, that’s when it really hitme. Iwas like, ‘We’re really gettingmarried now!’.”

During theceremony, thepair exchanged ringsdesignedbyThe Repair Shop’s jewellery expert RichardTalman, basedonthe Egyptian styleofan imperfect circleand containing each other’s birthstones.

Zbozen said:“Ireallydon’t want aperfect weddingringbecause I thinknothing is perfect. It’s also more individual andhas gotalot morecareand love in it.”

Firmsbattleto find staff

MATTHEWPANTER matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

Brexit broughtchallenges as did negotiatingapandemic. And firms also face rising energy prices anda cost-of-living crisis

Now, on topofall that, firmsare wrestlingwithhiringchallenges settogointo2023and beyond Arecent Shropshire Chamberof Commerce survey revealed that 76 percentofthose businesses whorespondedare struggling to recruit.

Anotherfromthe Federation of SmallBusinesses reinforced that in fact 78 percentsaidtheywere findingithardtobring in newstaff

RichardSheehan,the chiefexecutiveofficerofthe Shropshire Chamber, says recruitmentisnow a“majorissue”inthe county and believes thepandemichas playeda significant role in therecruitment challenge.

Lockdowns

He believes thewhole ethosofrecruitmenthas changed as aresult of people beingforcedtoworkfrom home during lockdowns.

“The pandemic haschanged peo ple’srelationshipwiththe work placeinmanycases,”hesaid. “There arealot ofvacancies that companiesare struggling to fill sim plybecause they can’taccommodate awork-from-home environment.

“The ‘working from home’fac torissomethingwhich hasbecome alot more importanttoa lotmore people. It’s takenbusinesses along time to realise that,actually, they have to sell themselves nowbecause it is such atight labour market

“It’salmostareversalofthe past We areinasituationnow whereno longer do people applyfor ajob and it’s just aboutthemhavingtosell themselves.Businesses have to do thesame.

“The pandemic haschanged peo ple’swhole attitude towardswork andthe workplace. Themigrant labour issuehas affected us here in Shropshire too, especially with thesectors we have such as those surroundingagriculture,tourism, leisureand hospitality.

“Theyhavebeenhit really hard by thelossofthatlabour,there’s no question,and we have been flagging thatupfor morethana year and progress needstohappen.”

HollieWhittles, humanresources director at Telford-basedPurple Frog Systems, is aleading figure in theFederationofSmall Businesses andhas also reflected on recruit ment as a“massiveproblem”.

“Fromthe discussionsI am havinginShropshire, businesses just can’t find theright staffwiththe rightskills, in theright placeatthe righttime,”she said.“We have an ageing population in theMarches

“Weare arural areaand busi nesses arebeing hitbyall manner of rising costs, so recruitmenton

topofthatisa massiveproblem.We have anever-before-seen situation wherethe number of jobvacancies is higher than thenumberofpeople unemployed or lookingtochange career

“The pandemic ledtonew work practicesand flexibilities,which many people arereluctant to leave behind.Manyofthose whoare lookingfor workare holdingout for much higher payand much more flexibleworking arrangements

“Manyworkers in traditionally lowerpay,high-stress industries, have decidedtochangecareeraltogether,creatingevengreater shortages in areassuchascare, hospital ityand retail

“Theyare issues whichwould

pose challenges to anyone looking to recruitnew staff. With them all coming into play at thesametime, thesituationisbecomingcritical. Irecentlyheard from Shropshire SMEs whohaveturnedworkaway becausetheylackstaff capacity to take anything else on.Othershave runrecruitmentcampaigns and hadnoapplicantscome forward.

“Some,principally in theITsec tor, have hadstaff poachedbylarger corporateenterprisesand then struggled to back fill thevacancies.”

Holliesaysthat, moving forward, astrongerrelationshipisneeded betweenbusinesses andeducation in order to trytopromote opportunities andcareers

“Wefound in oursurveythatonly

It’s atough time for many businesses.Ofthe issues they face, finding theright kind of staffis nowamong thebiggest.

Graham Guestsays firms must work closer with colleges in future HR directorHollieWhittlessaysbusinesses‘

JayBladeswith hisbrideLisa

Spending on temporaryhousing doubles

ShropshireCouncil spentmillions of poundsonhousing homeless peopleinbed andbreakfastslastyear, new figuresshow

It comesashousing andhome lessness charityShelter said families arebeing pushed into homelessness andtemporary ac commodationacrossthe country, duetounaffordablerentand lackof socialhomes.

The figuresfromthe Depart ment forLevelling Up,Housing andCommunities show Shropshire Councilspent atotal of £4.8 million

on temporaryhomeless housingin theyeartoMarch –upsignificantly from £2.1 millionthe year before Bedand breakfasts accounted for asignificant amount of spending with £2.8 million paid –57per cent of thetotal expenditurefor temporary accommodationlastyear.

Last year’s spending isalso high er than theamountspent five years ago– when £923,000was puttowardstemporary homeless accommodation in thearea–equatingtoa real-terms increase of 363per cent AcrossEngland,anestimat

ed £1.6 billion wasusedbylocal authoritiestowards short-term accommodationfor people facing homelessness in 2021 to 2022

PollyNeate,chief executiveof Shelter, said:“Homelessness is badfor theeconomy andit’seven worse forthe people whose livesit destroys.Itdefies alllogic to shell outover£1.6billion on grim B&Bs andgrotty flats, insteadofhelping people to keep hold of theirhome in the firstplace.”

Thecouncil hasbeenasked fora comment.

Thescourge of homelessness

they need to keep alive

Publicfootpath ordersfacing a five-yeardelay

A five-yearpause on newpublic path applications couldhelpa council tackleits huge backlog.

At ameeting of thePlanning andTaxiLicensing andRights of Waycommittee,Powys Coun ty Councilmembers were given apresentationonapossible streamlinedand quickerway ofdealing with publicpathorders as theauthority attempts to deal with itsbacklog of about 200orders.

Apublicpathorder is the processwhere apublicrightof way, footpath, bridleway, or re stricted by-way canbediverted, anew path created or it canbe extinguished

Thereare about 12,000 foot paths andby-ways in Powys.

Countryside access andrec reationofficer, Sian Barnes explainedthe “all encompassing” review.In2010the council received up to 25 applications ayear–thiscreated abacklog even then

Thereisnow abacklog of more than 200pathorders.

Ms Barnes said:“We arepro posingamoratoriumonaccept ingnew publicpathorder cases foraperiodof five years.

“Thiswillallow us the time to review andaddress thecurrent caseload.” Shesaidthere would need to be some “exemptions”.

Pubreopens its doorsafter refit andnew name

Apub hasreopened itsdoors aftera majorrefurbishment anda change of name

TheColeham Tap, formerly The Crown at Coleham, in Shrewsbury, is back open afterthe doorswere shut forarevamp at thebeginning of November. Astatement on the venue’s socialmedia said:“And we’reback! Servingfood until9pm Baropenuntil 11.Can’t wait for you alltosee what we’vedone!”

Several punterssaidthey“can’t wait”tosee theupdated pub and that it “looks amazing”

17 percentofbusinesses areengaging with schoolsand colleges,” Holliesaid. “Sometimes, insteadof leavingittothe big businesses,we need to encouragesmaller business es to speakupand communicate.”

Graham Guest, principalofTel ford Collegeand skills champion of theMarches LEP, says that link betweeneducation andbusinessis vital, moving forward.

“Asacollege,wehaveseenthe challenges,” he said.“We recruit teaching staffbut,withregards to otherstaff,itbeenastrugglesowe feel everyone’s pain

“Whatweare beginningtosee is businesses with along-term plan, lookingtoworkwithschools and colleges to create apipelineofre-

cruits andthat’sreallypositive

With workexperienceand appren ticeships–there’s aplethoraofopportunitiesfor employerstoget in volved.There arelotsofinitiatives andhopefullybusinessand education canworktogethertomeetthe challenges.The more businesses that engage thebetter.”

Lookingahead, Richardsays therecould be “anopportunityfor businesses to bringbackintothe workplacesomeofthe economical ly inactive”

“Peoplemay have decided through Covidand when they were in asituationwhere theywerefur loughedwhere they felt they could manage in adifferent way,”hesaid.

“Theymighthavefelttheyhad

enough to getbyand decidedtostay at home anddoother things

“Butinflationary pressuresare nowstartingtoget people to look slightlydifferent nowand they mightthink ‘thismightnot be as comfortableasIthought’.

Relationship

“But, as Ihavesaid, people’s re lationship with theworkplacehas changed and, therefore, businesses need to find ways of workingwith them to make things happen.”

And, despitethe recruitment challenges,Holliesaysthere are ‘some groundsfor cautious opti mism’.

Shesays: “A largeproportionof Shropshirebusinessownerstellme

that they thinkthe sky-high aspira tionsofjob seekerswill settleover time,asworkpractices ‘normalise’ andmorepeople return to more tra ditional patterns of employment

“Also if inflationary pressures ease,sotoo will job-seekers’ pursuit of thehighest salary over everything else

“There arealso manytraining andemploymentsupport schemes availablenow andcomingsoon, whichshouldhelptoensure that lo calbusinesses canaccess abroader pooloftalentwhenstrengthening andgrowing their operations

“These changes can’tcome soon enough formanyofour embattled, smallbusinessownersinShrop shire.”

Earlierthisyearbrewerand pub companyMarstonswas given planning permission to carryout works on theGradeIIListed buildingwhich sits on theriverbank at Longden Coleham.

Pubgoers canexpecttosee new signs, logosand panels on theout side andahostofinternalworks

ShropshireCouncil planners agreed earlierthisyearthatthe proposed alteration andadditions to thesignage wouldhavenoadverse impact on thehistoricfabric of thebuilding and“wouldpreserve andenhance thecharacter andappearance of thebuildingand ensure itslongtermpreservation”

They addedthatthe development “will help ensure thelong-term fu ture maintenanceand preservation of thelisted building andcontinue to secure itsoptimum viable use”. Theinsideofthe pubhas been kitted outwithnew furniture.

‘cannot find therightstaff with therightskills, in therightplaceatthe righttime’ RichardSheehan says people have adifferent attitude to work sinceCovid

Graham Guest, HollieWhittlesand RichardSheehan discussthe issues

Mixedfortunes forJLR in sales

TheUK’snew carmarkethas re corded afourthsuccessivemonth of growth

Some 142,889new cars were registeredin November, up 23.5 per cent on thesamemonth last year, accordingtothe SocietyofMotor Manufacturersand Traders.

Thereweremixed fortunes for Jaguar Land Rover, whichhas its engine manufacturingcentre at the i54north of Wolverhampton.

Land Roversaw salesrise 25.7 percentto3,468 forthe month, but Jaguar wasdown45per cent at 736.

MG,which is basedatLongbridge buthas itscarsmadeabroad, saw salesup20.9per cent to 5,062.

Top-selling carmodel in the monthwas theNissanQashqai at 5,636.Itisalso leadingthe wayon totalsales this year at 39,198

Volkswagen topped theNovembersales chartwith13,757- up 59.3 percent. Plug-incarsaccounted for morethanaquarter of themarket

Salesshoppers show caution

Airfryers, clothesairersand electric blanketsbuckeda down ward trend forBlack Friday salesthisyearasbudget-conscious consumerstooka cautiousapproach.

This year’s BlackFridaydelivered theweakest resultsfor thetechnologyand durables sector for five years, with the totalmarket down 2.1per cent andonline salesbyvalue falling 3.8per cent,accordingtoana lystsGfK

However,consumers seeking to cutenergybillssentsales of airfryersup145 percentina year in oneofthe fewpositives.

Othertop-selling energy-effi cientappliancesincludedelectric blankets, heated clothes airers andheated throws.

Thermalcurtainsand blinds also provedpopular,partofthe “low-costrefresh”trend

Rail unionasked to considerdeal

NetworkRailworkers aretostage an extra strike in thelong-running disputeoverpay,jobsand conditions.

Membersofthe Rail,Maritime andTransport union(RMT) will walk outfrom6pm on Christmas Eveuntil 6amonDecember 27 and will pressahead with two48-hour strikesnextweek.

Theunion announceditwillput thelatestoffer from NetworkRail (NR) to itsmembers, with arecom mendationtoreject

TheRMT said therehad been no improvedoffer from thetrain op eratingcompanies,claimingthey still awaiteda mandatefromthe Government. Butrailunion chiefs have been urged to “think again” andcalloff strikeswhich areset to causetransport chaos.

DowningStreetsoughttoput pressure on theRMT to accept a newpay deal,insisting it wasthe “rightoffer”.

Growingpopularityfor a favouritefestive tradition

At Leaton Forest,nearShrewsbury,around2,000 trees,plant ed andcared forbythe dedicated team,are sold everyyear.

RichardDowmanhas been in volved in nurturingthe plantations forthe past 12 yearsand hasseen many familiar facesreturnduring thefestive season year afteryearto picktheir tree.

“I’vewatched children grow up andI’veseenteenagerscome back when they areolder with theirown children.It’snicetosee people come back andbuild arelationshipwith people,” says thefatherofthree Thousandsoftrees of varying heights andvarieties canbefound across14acres of land,which forms part of theLeatonKnollsEstate.

Everyyear, thegrowers replenish theforestbyplantingnew saplings, whichare sourced from trusted suppliers.

“Weonlybuy them from sources we know andtrust,” explains Rich ard. “Weknowthenthatthey’ve got theright starttolifeand they been well looked after.”

Thenew trees,which areusually around four-years-old when they go in theground, areplanted in the gaps left behind thosethathavealreadybeenharvested

Although many growerswill plantsaplingsshortlybeforethe startofspring, Richardprefers to plantLeaton Forest’s cropsinthe autumn,which he says hasmany benefits forthe young trees.

“There is still moisturein the ground

“Ifyou plantinspring, then by summer themoisturehas gone.In autumn,the trees areenteringdor

mancyand have abetterchanceof survival.Ithink this makesamas sive difference,” he explains Oftengrowers will plantthe same species in thesameareabut Richardtakes adifferent approach

“I’m notatraditional Christmas treegrower,”hesays.

“Mybackgroundisin arboriculture andforestrysosome of theide as come from there.

“Traditionally,Christmas trees of thesamespecies aregrown to gether butwevarywhatwegrow each year andmix thespeciesup.”

This reduces theriskofdisease spreadingthroughoutthe same species andpotentially wiping outa largenumberoftrees

Importantmembersofthe team at Leaton Forest arethe Shropshire sheepwho grazeonthe grassgrowingamongstthe trees

“Wetry not to usetoo much pes ticide andherbicide. The flockgraze betweenthe trees anditmeans we’renot using astrimmer or herbicide so it’s more environmentally friendly

“Where thesheep don’tgo, we will usea strimmer or roughter rain mower,”explains Richard.

Thereisnever aquiet daywhen managing aChristmas treeforest as they requireconstantcareand

attentionthroughoutthe year

“Everything is done by hand Thetrees arehand-planted,handtrimmedand hand-felled. It’s quite labour intensivebut it’s worth it,” says Richard.

It cantakesix to seven years forsomespeciestoreach 6ftwhile Nordmann Firs mayrequireafull decade to reachthatheight.

Leaton Forest is amemberofthe BritishChristmas TreeGrowers Association,which is dedicatedto representing andactively supportinggrowers acrossthe UK

Richardsaysthe organisation, with more than300 memberssellingapproximately sixtoeight mil lion trees per year,isalso on hand to offeradvice.

It’s no surprise that therun-up to Christmasisthe busiesttimeof year with theteamfulfillingorders fortrees andwelcoming customers on site

Notonlyare Leaton Forest’s trees destined forhomesacrossthe region,but they arealso chosen to be thecentrepiece of villages and townsinthe county Town andparishcouncilsalong with Shrewsbury BIDare among thosewho source theirtrees from theestate.

From November26until Decem-

ber23, thesiteisopentothe public whocan choose from trees ready cutinthe yard,orout in theplantations.

“People canchoosetheir treeand cutitdownwithahandsaw,” says Richard. “It’snicemeeting people It gets abit stressfulat that time of year butitisenjoyable.”

GrowingChristmas trees is a satisfying andrewarding process, Richardsays. “The ground conditionsand theway wetreat thetrees works andproducesgood trees.”

To help customers keeptheir trees as healthyaspossibleduring thefestive season,herecommends keepingthe treeoutside in water, outofits netand away from frost, untiltheyare readytobring it in doors.

“Cut twoand ahalfcentimetres offthe bottom of thestump,use a wateringholding standand don’t letitrun dry. Take it into thehouse as late as possible,” says Richard. He also advises people to keep their treeawayfromany heat sources such as radiatorsorlog burners once they have broughtitindoors

l Foropening times, visitleatonforest.co.uk/christmastrees andfor moreinformation aboutthe British Christmas Tree GrowersAssocia tion,visit www.bctga.co.uk

Thereisnothingquite like arealChristmas tree andfor many fami lies choosing theirown from the fieldisamuchlovedtradition.

JoePalmerharvesting NordmannFir trees

Trevor Garsidecutsthe trees Rows of Norway SpruceTrees at Leaton Forest

RichardDowman of Leaton Forest

Campaigntosavehospital wasabig victoryfor ‘people

HEATHER LARGE heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

2005:Amassive campaignwas launched to wardsthe endofthis year to save Bridgnorth Hospital,thenunder threat of closure be causeofa£36 million NHSfunding crisis.

LocalMPPhilipDunneand the leader of Bridgnorth District Coun cil,Elizabeth Yeomans, metatthe hospital in NorthGatetourgeas many people as possible to sign a petition againstany move to close wards.

Thehospitalwas underthreatbecauseShropshire’shealthservices were £36million in thered Potentialsolutions suggested by ateamofconsultants to clear severe debt problems included ax ingcommunity hospitalsincluding Bridgnorth Mr Dunnesaidhewanted thou sandsofsignaturesonthe petition before theofficialconsultationpro cess started in thenew year

He said:“Communityhospitals providemuchbettervalue formoney in health care provisionthanscrap ping them andmakingeveryone use acutehospitals.Weare such along wayfromTelford andShrewsbury that it makesmuchmoresense, particularly forpeople coming out ofmajor surgeryfor rehab, forthem to usetheir localhospital.”

Mr Dunneaddedthe consideration to closeBridgnorthwas absurd in themiddleofamulti-million poundinvestmentprogramme

Work began in June on atwo-sto reymulti-use health centre for maternity, minor injuries andout patients, dental, chiropody, physiotherapy,x-ray andrehabilitation clinics.

“Bridgnorth is rightinthe middleofa £6.5 million project and they arethreatening to closethe hospital,”headded. “Where is the

Councillor Yeomans, said it was importantfor residentstoshow

Shesaid: “People need to be very awarethatweare up againstitand we need to unite. We aretalking aboutthe needs andrequirements of thepeoplewecareabout.”

Twomonthslater,morethan 1,000 people took to thestreetsin amassive show of forceagainst the possible closure of theircommunity hospitals.

CampaignersfromBridgnorth andsurrounding areaswereonthe march to protestagainst plansto close hospitalstotacklespiralling debts.Young,old,sickand healthy alljoinedthe rallies to show the huge strength of feelingabout losinglocal healthcare.Councillor Yeomans, said it wasthe dayfor

people to standupand be counted

At least1,000 people gathered in thegrounds of Bridgnorth Castletohearrousing speechesbefore amarch throughthe centre of the town

Thebanner-waving campaigners, whotooka hospital bedthrough thestreets at theheadofthe procession, were handingpetitions containingthousands of signatures to Mr DunneatBridgnorth Hospital

As they setoff on theirtrek, they joined together to sing “Closing Bridgnorth is notanoption”to the USCivil WartuneBattleHymnof theRepublic.

Trafficwas broughttoa stand still as theprotestersmarched alongthe High Street.

Councillor Yeomanssaid: “Itis time forpeopletostand up now andshowthe strength of feelingfor

theirhealthservice andwecan only do it with strength of numbers.

“Weneed to keepitgoing -thisis only the firststage.Weneed to keep thepressureonfor therestofthe hospitals. We cannot allowour NHS to be destroyedinthisway.”

Thankfully, therewas goodnew in March 2006 when campaign erscelebrated thethe newsthat Shropshire’scommunity hospitals were safe Abriefing papertoNHS officials reported that closing hospi tals at Bridgnorth, Whitchurch and Ludlow wasnolongeranoption.

Mr Dunnesaiditwas avictory forpeoplepower

Bridgnorth mayor, Councillor Jennifer Durham,saidshe wasrelieved to hear thehospitalwas safe butadded: “Wedon’t want to be complacent.”

Shiningalight on little-known industrial historyoftown

Much hasbeenwritten about Ludlow’s royalconnections and itswell-knownmedieval, Tudor andGeorgianbuildings.

Butits northern, industrial quarterhas never been as well documented –until now. Previouslyuntoldstories aboutthe people wholived andworkedin this part of town as well as its buildingshavebeenrevealedin anew book

It hasbeenwritten by Jon athanand Rosemary Wood, whomovedintoThe Merchant House in LowerCorve Street in 2006.This15thcentury half-timberedhouse with the river Corverunningbehindit hasbeenowned by wealthydyers, tannersand glovers.

Andmorerecently it became world-famousasthe home of aMichelin-starredrestaurant ownedbymasterchef, Shaun Hill

When Jonathanand Rose mary movedintoThe Merchant House,Jonathan, amotoring historian, journalist andauthor, beganresearching itshistory Work intervened,and thefor mer chairman of Ludlow Historical Research Groupput the projectonholduntil his retire ment wouldallow himthe time to finish it

Sadlyin2019Jonathansuf feredastroke, whichmeant he couldnolongerwrite or carry outany research,sothe baton waspassedtoRosemary.

To ensure theworkhehad done prior to hisstrokedidn’tgo to waste,the couple then agreed thebookshouldbecompleted andthatRosemarywould un dertakethe outstandingwork.

“Jonathanhas always been in terested in localhistory andhas given anumberoflectures and Powerpoint presentations on localhistory,” shesays. “When we movedintoThe Merchant House,hebegan researching it in depth. He hadtoput it to onesideand theideawas that when he retiredhe wouldpick it up again. He hadspent alot oftimeresearchingand writing 30,000 words on thehistory of Merchant’sHouse so it seemed a greatshame if it didn’t happen.”

n ThePeopleand History of LowerCorve Streetand St Mary’s Lane,Ludlow, will be availablefromCastleBookshop, Ludlow,at£20

joined-upthinking?”

theirsupport

Protesters pass thetownhallonthe high street on theway to Bridgnorthhospital

Marchers proceeddownthe High Street to protestinJanuary2006Thousands gatheroutsidethe HospitalinBridgnorth

Jonathanand Rosemary

MARKET REPORT

BRIDGNORTH

LIVESTOCK MARKETREPORT,Tuesday

December 6, Therewere91cattletoday

Decent numbers of cleancattle, butwith severalcattletoo lean forthe job. Asharp trade on thebetter steers andheifers,withthat300p/ kg figure broached on severaloccasions. We were desperatelyshortofbulls,withsome orders unab etoget started.Thirty to 50 bulls areneeded eachweek.Weare expecting a normalmarketnextTuesday,December13, so good entrieswillberequired then.Pleasekeep in touch with theauctioneerswithyourpotential cattle entriesoverthe Christmas period,sowe caninformbuyersofthe numbersand types coming forward.Thereweresome usefu steersforward this morning with lightweights selling to 320p/kg with atop priceper head of £1766.48 with no heavy weights penned. Heiferssoaredto340p/kgwith16othersat 300p/kgormore. Heavyheifers fell just short of £2000 at £1924inthe lump.Asmall show of bulls whichwereall dairybred, barthree Continentals topped at 234p/kgor£1596 in the whole. Decent square black andwhitessoldto 223p/kg. Therewere1000lambs–whatcan only be described as amediocreentrywithfar too many lean,under finished sheepand Welsh siredlambspenned.Bestlambsjustasdear as last week,withTexel lambsfromRob Jones 45kg toppingthe dayat295p/kg andfor the second week in succession Sarah Levis’ 50kg pluslambsselling to £138.50. Heavier sheep seem easier to sell,but possiblyareflection of thelevel of finishrather than weight. Customers lookingtobuy finished,shapeylambs. Lambs under 38kg generallylacked finishand were of hill descent.WithWelsh lambsjustover200p/ kg,although Texellambsweighing 35kg sold to 255p/kgfromRob Rose.Therewere740 ewes –asmaller entrytolastweek.The bestwere keenly sought afterand meatwas easily sold, howeverlean, nothing ewes andsmaller hill ewes remain harder work –mostbeing boned outand chilled in theexpectation that thetrade oneday willrise.Continentalewessoldto£170 for Texels,£140for Suffolks,withMules trading around £100 as perthe lastfew weeks. Plainer sheep,withshape,sell well,but themoreMule typestakecagey auctioneering andnervesof steel.Welsh type ewes sold to £65, with Welsh Mountain £47, Rough Fell ewes£84.50, small, half-meatedBeulahs £50and lean,horned ewes £37.50.Texel Rams sold to £157.50, with Beltex £125 andValoiscrosses £104 ThreeBoer goatssold to £128.Moregoats are required everyweek

Dairydisease is ‘moreprevalent’

Mycoplasma bovisismorewidespread than previously thought, affectingbeefand dairycattle acrossthe country, accordingtoresultsfroma newsurveillancepro gramme

Anditcan be easily detected throughbulkmilkserologytesting, whichthe resultssuggestare more sensitivethanother formsoftesting.

“For afew years, Ihavesuspect ed that M. bovisismoreprevalent than expected,” explainedGraeme Fowlie,directorofMeadows Vets.

“And from working with vets acrossthe countrytakingpartin thesurveillance programme, it’s become clearthatthatisthe case.”

He said farmersbeaware that diseasecould more prevalent than they mightimagine

:”Theresults,fromvet practices acrossEngland,Scotland, Wales andNorthernIreland,show that M. bovisispresent in everyregion, in both beef anddairy herds.”

Thedisease causes pneumonia, mastitis, swelling,sorejointsand otitis, andisalso likelyresponsible forarange of chronicunderlying health issues, whichhaveamajor impact on welfareand productivity

Naturalsolutions can‘bringbenefits’tofarms

Integratingtrees, hedges and3D buffersonfarms canimprove soil quality, reduce run-offand create valuable habitatsfor wildlife,a newpiece of work hasfound Work carriedout by SACCon sultinghas identified keyactions farmerscan take to better conservenatural capitalassetson theirland, whichcould have huge benefits to theirbusinesses.

er factsheets, videos andpodcasts, andsharedexperiencesfromfarmerstooffer advice on how to embracethese actions.

Integrated sedimenttrap

Thefocus hasbeenonexploring the benefits of agroforestry,plant inghedgerows,and creating 3D buffer strips –which consider ecosystemsbelow ground,atground leveland thecanopies above ground.The teamhas puttogeth-

SACConsulting’sRachelSmillie said:“Thepurpose of this workwas to highlightthe magnitudeofeco system services supplied by what areconsideredasthe leastproductive areasofthe farm,hedgesand edges.Wewanted todemonstrate that increasing the ecosystemser vicessuppliedbyyourlanddoesn’t need to take valuable land outof production andhow youcan get themaximum benefits from these areas. Throughre-designing areas such as buffer strips, they can

be enhanced to 3D buffer strips This type of bespokebufferstrip cansupplyecosystem services in sub-soil,onthe surfaceand above ground in thetreecanopyand can be designed to comply with regulations, andcan relievepressures on yourfarmaswellasthe water environment.”

In the firstpodcast episodelook ingspecificallyat agroforestry, Rachel spoketofarmerand consultantStephenBriggsfromAbacusAgriculture whoplanted 4,500 appletrees on hisarable farm in Cambridgeshirein 2009 l Thefactsheetsand podcasts canbefound at sruc.ac.uk

Keyissues putinspotlight at union’sannualgeneral meeting

DAVIDBANNER newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

More than 100farmers were at aShropshire meetingwiththe NFU presidentwhere they discussedsectorissues, unionbusinessand po liticalcampaigning.

Tradedeals, labour,animal health, thefarmedenvironment andsupplychain fairness were put underthe spotlightatthe NFU Shropshire annual generalmeeting, includingcurrent challenges in poultry, pigand other sectors.

At themeetingatthe Wroxeter Hotel, NFUpresidentMinette Batters andfarmers also discussedspi ralling costsfollowing unprecedented hikesinfuel, feed andfertiliser overthe past 12 months.

TheEnvironmental Land ManagementScheme(ELMs)was also raised, andShropshirefarmers agreed it needed to be fitfor pur pose andallow them to continue to producetraceable, sustainable, climate-friendlyfood, anddeliver for theenvironment

ELMs is thenew wayGovernment will supportfarmers follow ingthe UK’s exit from theEUfor protecting andmaintaining the environmentthrough sustainable farmingpractices

Membersheard ELMs wasfar too

prescriptiveand therealso needed to be theright leveloffunding and budgetinthe SustainableFarmingIncentive (SFI)strand of it for farming, food production andthe environment.

Westminster andgrassroots campaigning andlobbyingwerealso discussedand themeetingheard aboutworkduringthe BorisJohnsonera,discussions with LizTruss

when shewas in powerand contin uedtalks nowwithPrime Minister RishiSunak,his Governmentand departments.

“Everything is political,”Mrs Batterssaid. “Be it thefutureof ELMs,the future of people working in ourindustry, thefutureoftrade or ourrelationshipwithEurope, andfor us as aproudly apolitical organisation it’s been importantto

forgeand create relationshipswith everyone

“Whether that is with this Government, with Oswestry andNorth ShropshireMPHelen Morgan, followingher election as aLiberal Democrat politicianthisyear, with SirKeirStarmer,CarolineLucas or even SirTonyBlair,who Imet re cently.

“These relationshipsand thedis cussions we have with politicians aresoimportant andthe challenge is to workupasolutionwhenever thereisa problembut to also campaignfor change,keepfarming at thefront of theagendaand to get MPsout on farm.”

In Shropshire,alongsideconstit uencymeetingsfromLudlow to Market Drayton, theunion recent ly metRanil Jayawardenaat PDM, near Newport, when he wasDefra SecretaryofState

MrsBatters said that workand thosediscussionsnow continued with TheRtHon Thérèse Coffey in post

“I wouldurgeyou to continue to getyourMPs outonfarmtoshow them what you do andraise sectorissues, working with theNFU team,” sheadded.

“Shropshireisastrong farm ingcounty, it hasincrediblegrowersand farm businesses largeand smallwho we represent –beassuredthe NFUwillcontinueto back youand workhardfor youand yourbusinessinthe monthsand yearsahead.”

Newtool measuringpeatlandlevelshelps farmers manage naturalcapital

Hilland fenlandfarmers arebeing urged to measureand manage their farm’s naturalcapital in lightofthe renewedfocus on peatlandrestora tion

Butwithmismanagement of peatland having thepotential to derail theindustry’snet zero am bitions, farmersmustbegiventhe righttools to do so,saidTrinity AgTech’s director of business development Anna Woodley.

“Peatlandisincrediblyimpor tant forimproving the ruraleconomy, domestic food security,and

reaching ournet zeroambitions,” explainedMsWoodley. “Yet many first-generation carbon calculators do nottakepeatlandintoaccount Whereitdoesexist,the methodology lacks sophistication andaccuracy andbulks peat in theFensasthe same as theWelsh uplands, whichit clearlyisn’t

“Farmers cannot be expected to be effective stewards of thelandif they arenot given theright insights andreliableanalytics.”

Ms Woodleysaidanew peatland module within next generation nat-

ural capitalnavigator Sandyhas recently been launched to support farmerstocrediblyand accurately measuretheir carbon andbiodi versity footprints forthe very first time

Developedbya team of scientists andengineers,the system’s founda tion is builttoaccuratelycapture andreflectthe specificfeaturesof afarm, includingamethodology for categorising peatland

“Farmers want andneed to make sure allaspects of theirfarmare accountedfor when doingafull car-

bonassessment,”she adds.“Some sectors, such as livestock, have been unfairly scrutinisedhistorically,partlydue to theinability of existing toolstoreportinGWP (globalwarming potential) or take proper accountofpeatlandand soil carbon sequestration.”

“It’simportant to usea reliable andcrediblenew generation navigator,togivea true andaccurate accountofa farm’s characteristics. This is to ensurethatthe analytics andinsightsbeing provided canbe relied upon by farmers,”she adds

Minette Batters

Charityhelpline canoffer free supportoverAvian flu

Followingthe introductionofDefra’sAvian Influenza(AI)man datory housingorder,farming charityRABIisreminding poultry producersofthe supportservices availableduringthisworrying time

RABI’s services managerHelen Sisk said anyfarmerimpacted by therapid escalationofthe latest

AI outbreakcan access thechari ty’s free confidentialhelplineand arrangeprofessionalin-person mental health counselling

MrsSisksaid: “These housing measures have been introduced to safeguardanimalwelfare,yet RABI knowsthatthismandatory orderplaces additional stresses on an alreadypressured poultry

sector.Weprovide easily accessible, round-the-clock services that canhelpfarmers during difficult times.

“Ifanyoneisstrugglingasaresult of this recent news,pleasecall ourfarming-trained teamwho can help you getthe supportyou need.”

RABI’s free counselling isdeliv ered by BACP accredited counsel-

lors. Counselling sessions cantake placeface-to-face, by telephoneor videoconferencingand aretailored andled by each individual.Clinical or GP referralsare notnecessary, with counsellorsrespondingtoini tial requests forsupport within 24 hours.

Call thehelplineon0800188 4444 forsupport

Farmersurged to ‘consider spring herbicideprogramme’

DAVIDBANNER newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Farmersshouldconsidertheir spring herbicideprogramme care fully, expertsatcropproduction specialists Hutchinsons say.

They sayfarmers need to avoid carry-over of anyresidualactivity from spring appliedsulphonyl urea herbicides,particularlyifitremainsdry andthenturns wetlater on in theseason.

Hutchinsons’technical manager

Dick Nealesaid: “Thisisparticu larlythe case forthose growerswho arethinkingabout increasing the areasofcover cropstheywillgrow next summer or forthose thinking of coming back into or extending theiroilseed rape acreage.

“The valueofbothcrops is high so it’s best to avoidcompromising theirestablishment if avoidable.

“Thisputsmoresignificanceon how weed controlisbuiltupinthe spring to avoidresidualherbicide activity carrying over

“Itdoesn’t mean holdingoff controlling thedifficult weeds,but look at how ‘softer’ sulphonyl ureas couldworkwhilststill controlling the weedswithout thelongtailof residuality. It’s the fine detailsthat will matter.”

Mr Nealepointsout that grassweed contacts such as Hatra and Pacifica Pluscan have long-lasting effectsinthe soil

He said farmershavetoconsider this if they areplanningtoincorporatetheminspringherbicide programmes wherecover cropsor

oilseed rape is following. He ex plains:“We used to applythese products in theautumn andissues rarely occurred,but as theireffica cy on blackgrass hasdeclinedthey arenow increasinglyusedtotackle wild oats, bromesand ryegrass with aspringapplication.”

“Wild-oats canemergeanytime from February to Apriland it is

when herbicides areapplied later to these cropsthatissuescan be seen in followingcovers andoilseed rape.“

“Also broadleavedweedSU’s, for examplein Ally Max(metsulfuron methyl andtribenuronmethyl),cov ersa wholerange of weedsand has an extended growth stageonits la belsoisa popularoption-but it is

also very persistent in thesoil.”

He suggestsanalternative to this wouldbetouse tribenuron methyl andthifensulfuron as amix with no metsulfuron.“Although there is areduced weed spectrum -there is no wherenearthe same levels of persistence. Otheroptions wouldbe products with activescontaining florasulam and fluroxpyr,”hesays.

Newtechnical lead appointmentisannounced

Agronomy firm ProCam hasap pointed SimonMontgomery as technicalteamleadfor itsField Optionsdivision.

Simon joinsField Optionsfol lowing theretirementoftechnical director FrancisDunne. He will be responsiblefor helpingtobring thetwo operations of thebusiness, FieldOptions andProCam, closer together underone umbrella to de liver an improvedservice forboth customers andpersonnel

Setupin2004, FieldOptions marketsacomprehensive rangeof forage seedsand associatedprod ucts,fromgrass mixtures,maize, fodderbeet, andwholecrop forage

mixtures to seedsfor environmen talschemes,green manuresand game cover. Thecompany also provides forage planning advice andsuppliesspecialist fertilisers, silage inoculants andcropprotec tion agrochemicalstolivestock farmers.

Simonjoins FieldOptions from NickersonSeeds wherehehas spentthe last 14 yearsworking as aseedspecialistinthe SouthWest. Prior to this he farmed in Zimbabwe, working in thedairy andbeef sectorsand growingawidevariety of crops. He also spentthree years growingcottonand maizeinTan zaniaand is agraduateofthe Roy

al Agricultural University with adiplomainFarmManagement andaMasterofBusinessAdministration in Agricultureand Food Industries

Commenting on hisappoint ment,Simon said:“I’mdelighted to join FieldOptions andlookfor ward to working with thewider ProCam teamtobuildonthe successes that Francishas overseen forthe past eightyears.Wehavea considerable legacy to safeguard, butI’m confident FieldOptions andProCamare ideallypositioned to continue offering thebestquali ty,value-addedforageseedstoour customers throughout theUK.”

BY RICHARDYATES

As asport aficionado, I’ve be come used to experiencinga rollercoasterofemotionsinmy 50-odd yearsoffollowing our country’s sporting elite. Hence, Irefuse to be blownawayby themedia hype –I’m aWolves fanafter alland it usuallyends badly. With Englandfootballers having faced fairly mediocre op position so far, France will be a majorstepupinclass.Can we rise to thechallenge?

RishiSunak’sgovernment is entering similar territory, promisingour countryagreat er future.Thisrhetoricneeds to be accompaniedbyaction–and soon. Credit to theChancellor forsteadyingthe self-inflicted leakyship, butthisgovernment is playingcatch-up. There’spre ciouslittlelightat theend of the railway tunnel as Mick Lynch runs ringsaroundthe government’s haplessPRmachine.It is forecast that in therun up to Christmasthere will be one million of theUK’sworkforce on strike.A seriousdoseofreality is essentialtodeflatethisesca latingsnowballofmisery. Is it agiven that Britishfarmerswillnot down tools? Much prideisrightlytaken in ourhuge obligationtofeed ournation. However,the doublewhammyof Covidand theRussian invasion of Ukrainehas initiatedhuge inflationary pressureonusall In hiselectioncampaignRishi promisedtoestablish anew food security target.Thisincludeda statutorydutytomonitor and report on food production levels Also to hold an annual food se curity summit andintroduce a newtargetfor public sector or ganisationstobuy 50%oftheir food locally. When therehave been such cataclysmicrisesin energy,fertiliser, feedstuffs anddiesel, many farmersare scratching theirheads as to ourfuturedirection.Six years on from Brexit andour government is still tinkeringonhow to incentivise farmerstomanage ourlandscape.Meanwhileifwe compareour farmingsectorto pre-pandemic 2019, we seethat thereare five million (13%)few erlayinghens, beefproduction slippedby25,000tonnesand ourpig herd is down by athird.

DefraMinisterTherese Coffeymustget into gearand incentivise ourfarmers that it’s worth working 24/7 in all weathers.Agriculture must be seen as avulnerablesectorinregard to energy security.Action clearlyneedstobetaken whereby supermarkets ride roughshod over, forinstanceegg producers. Many eggproducers will be rightlyappalledatbrokensup plychains,especiallywhenretailersrefuse to back Britishegg menand import Italianeggs.

Fair treatment by allinthe supply chainiscrucialtoena blefarmers to invest with confi dence. Don’ttakeusfor granted.

ExpertsatHutchinsons sayfarmers shouldconsider theirspring herbicide programme carefully

SimonMontgomery

Businesses must actonanalytics

An award-winningdigital expert is warningofasignificant change in theworld of Google Analyticsand is urging businesses to actnow to ensure asmoothtransition.

UniversalAnalytics –the version of Google Analyticsthatmostweb sitesare using– will stop working on July 1nextyear. Itsreplacement, Google Analytics4,will notbeen abledautomatically andbusinesses will need to ensure it is setupand configurediftheywishtocontinue usingGoogleAnalytics.The new serviceisalready availablefor busi nesses to startusing straight away HelenCulshaw,DirectorofNew port-baseddigital agency Ascend ancy,saiditwas importantthat businesses made theswitchnow to avoid theproblem of having no availablehistoricaldataafterthe July 1deadline.

Shesaid: “Whilebusinesses can make thenecessary changes them selves,setting it allupisnot easy.”

Firm expandsto meetdemand

Theplanningand develop ment department at aShrews bury-basedcompany is ex pandingdue to demand forits professional services forresi dential, commercial, agricultur al andleisure developments.

Hallsmanages thecomplete process, starting with identify ingand promoting potentialdevelopment land,advisingofop tionsand then preparingplans andsubmittingplanningappli cations. Should aclientwish, thecompany canmanagethe sale of letting of land or com mercialorresidential property DirectorShaun Jones said: “Planningapplicationshave become much more complex in recent years.

“The staycationingboomhas createdgreater demand forlei sure type developmentsinrural areas.”

Driversoffered newHGV course

Abus andHGV driver trainingpro gramme hasbeenlaunchedtomeet thespecificneedsofcoach andhaul ageoperators across thecountry. Theprogramme is thebrainchild of driver trainingspecialistDulson Training andthe pilotproject has seen thecompany’s trainers spend time at Shropshire-basedLakeside Coachestodevelop acoursestruc turedtomeetthe leading coachop erator’s needs.

Thenew servicecentresonDriv er CPC,alegal obligation whichre quires bus, coachand HGVdrivers to complete 35 hourstrainingover a five-yearperiod, andthe success of thepilot projecthas now seen DulsonTrainingrollout thepro gramme to otheroperators whoare alreadyrecognisingthe benefits

SteveDulson, of DulsonTrain ing, whichhas threeShropshire centres, said:“We arenow pro viding bespoke driver trainingfor coachand haulageoperators.”

Roadshow proves major success

Aroadshowaimed at helpingto establishnew strong business connectionsand sharebestprac tice hasbeendeclaredahugesuc cess

Shropshire’s‘Business Growth Roadshow’ended itstourwitha well-attended breakfastsession at Shrewsbury Town FC this week.The free eventpreviously stoppedoff in Oswestry, Lud

low, Whitchurch, Telford, and Bridgnorth

ShropshireChamber director Rachel Owen said:“It hasbeen fantastictobeabletotakethis differentkindofbusinessevent to allcorners of thecounty.”

“We’ve held theroadshowin afantastically diverse rangeof premises andfeedback hasbeen fantastic”

National accolade forlegal expert

Alegal expert from locallaw firm mfgSolicitorshas been ratedastop ranked lawyer in the2022edition of theLegal 500.

Robert Weston,who leadsthe law firm’s ContentiousTrustsand Pro bate department,has been named in thelegal guide’shighestrated hall of fame list forhis consistently excellentservice andadvicetocli ents in complexwills andinher itance cases

Thenewscomesasthe whole department,which includes col leaguesSuzanne Lee, Victoria Wall andAndrewChandler, hasalso been highlightedagain as coveted “TierOne”department– forthe 10th year in arow

Thelaw firm,which hasofficesin Telfordand Ludlow ,has also seen itsAgriculture andRural Affairs team beingrankedagain in Tier Oneafterasuccessfulyear.

Fundingsets up import firm formajor expansionscheme

MATTHEWPANTER matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

ATelford-based wholesale import andexporter hassecured nearly £260,000 as part of majorexpansion plans.

The€300,000 facility,from Growth Lending, will provide New port Farmer with theworking cap ital to expandintonew suppliersas well as diversify itscustomerbase.

Foundedin2019, NewportFarm er facilitatesthe import andexport of producesuchasbananas,limes, plantain andmangoesthrough an integrated supply chainnetwork

Thebusinessworks with aselec tion of producersfromthe Domin ican Republic, Mexico,Costa Rica andColumbia, ensuring that clients acrossEuropereceive thebestqual ityproduce

Thefacility from Growth Lend ingwill enable thebusinesstocon tinuetoimprove theefficiency and reliability of goods,service andcost to clients.

In addition,itwillensure New port cancontinueits missionofrep resentingfarmers andproducers by working directly with distribu tors at theend of thesupplychain, giving them thebestchanceofa goodprice in ahighly competitive market.The business has chosen to workwithGrowthLending as it wasabletooffer astandaloneEUR facility,withnoconditional require ment to fund GBPalongside it

Agency completes£250k investmentdrive

AWestMidland estate andletting agency hascompleted a£250,000 investmentdrive that hasseenit establisha newWorcestershire office near Kidderminster andem bark on arecruitment campaign Berriman Eaton, whichalso has officesinBridgnorth, Tettenhall andWombourne,has used the fundingboost to secure sustained growth in housesales andalet tingsportfolio that hasincreased

CORSER

john.corser@mnamedia.co.uk

by 25 percentto400 properties undermanagementinthe last 12 months

In order to continue to offerthe highestlevelsofcustomerservice, thebusinesshas takenonthree newapprentices to join theteam, followinginthe footstepsofiden

ticaltwins Hannahand Sophie Jones andEllaColeman whohave just completedtheir apprentice ships

The finalmajor development has been thelaunchofthe new Ber rimanEaton brandand corporate identity, “NickBerriman, director at Ber rimanEaton,said: “Our £250,000 investmenthas been putinplace to buildonour strong position ”

Newpress will increase printcapacityatSirane

Telford-based packagingspecial istthe Sirane Group, thelargest flexible pouchmanufacturerin theUK, hassigneda deal foran undisclosedsum with Bobstfor installation of the firstVisionCI flexopress in theUK– andthe only onecustomisedtorun Sirane’s wa ter-basedprint technology.

Theinstallationofthe Bobst VI SION CI, whichshouldbeupand runningbythe endofFebruary, will significantly increase print capacity at ourTelford site.Itwill also offersignificant advantages in ourdrive forincreased sustaina bililty.

PeterRalten, chief commercial

officer, said:“Sirane’s alreadythe UK’s largestproducerof flexible packagingpouches in theUK–andthisnew printing pressfrom Bobst will allowustobuild on that position,and move forwards.”

Thenew Bobst pressisdesigned to deliver themostefficientperfor mancefor printing on allmateri als– includingtraditional flexibles –aswellas on Sirane’s innovative andrecyclablepaper-basedEarth film andrecyclableRePEatstruc tures–and Bobsthavecustomised thepress to ourneeds, ensuring it is compatible with ourwater-based printing andwithour innovative Amethyst printtechnology.

As well as thebuildquality and performance, theenvironment was also part of theconsideration.The presshas adualtechnologydrying tunnel with thesmartHEAT re coverysystem. Thesmart Graphic PositioningSystem, smartGPS is amajor innovationin thedevel opment of digitalizedautomation systemsfor theprintingindustry andwill dramatically reduce the amount of material used during theset-upofa printing job.

This smartGPS system andthe catwalkviewing window,will to gether significantly reduce the amount of material wasted while settingup thepress to printajob

Andy Roberts,CarolineEaton andNickBerriman,ofBerriman Eaton

JOHN

ACROSS

1. City which houses HarvardUniversity (9)

8. ‘The Private ---’, play by Peter Shaffer (3)

9. Draper in a1905 novel by H.G. Wells (6,5)

11. African river which forms the frontier between Zambia and Zimbabwe (7)

12. River which passes through Lake Constance (5)

13. In Britain, the actors’ trade union (6)

15. Shrine at which agod is consulted, such as that at Delphi (6)

17. Rainer Maria, poet who authored Sonnets to Orpheus (5)

18. Male character from French pantomime with awhite face (7) 20. 1934 novel by Laurens VanDer Post (2,1,8) 22. Machine used for separating seeds from raw cotton (3) 23. ‘The Living ---’, 1987 James Bond film (9)

DOWN

2. Scottish port on the Firth of Clyde (3)

3. Baton ---, state capital of Louisiana (5)

4. Small antelope of the genus Madoqua (3-3)

5. Antarctic penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri (7)

6. French actress whose screen roles included An American in Paris (6,5)

7. British cleric who became general secretary of C.N.D. in 1980 (5,4)

10. ‘--- the Great’, play by Christopher Marlowe (11)

11. Seaport linked by canal to Bruges (9)

14. Rock group whose last concert was filmed by Martin Scorsese as The Last Waltz (3,4)

16. Plant with whorled leaves and white flowers (6)

19. The short final stanza of apoem (5) 21. Small domesticated feline mammal (3)

WORD WISE

FAMULUS

A Attendant to amagician

B Basket for sowing corn

C Ancient lighthouse or beacon

gives athirdfabric

Marat ....., 2000 US Open men’ssingles tennis champion (5)

In bowls, the part of abowl designed to allow it to curve when thrown (4)

&2DFrance-born Spurs defender whomoved to Portsmouth in 2006 (3,7)

Kakuro

QUIZ

In which month is theHenley RoyalRegatta held?

Small piece (6)

Made familiarwith (4,2)

Lucrative job or enterprise, informally (6)

Silver keepsakes that tell astory arecherished

Ourfavourite jewellery canrepre sent specialmomentsin ourlives, evokehappy memoriesand connect us with lovedones.

Lori Ridgwayloves creatingbespokepiecesfromsilver that tell a storyand will be cherishedbytheir ownerfor yearstocome

Shealso specialises in giving cherishedsentimental itemsanew leaseoflifebyremodelling them into newpiecesthatcan be worn moreeasily.

Lori,who hasaworkshopin Featherstone,has been making jewellery formanyyears andhas workedwithsilver clay forthe past decade

“I’vealwaysmadejewellery, sinceIwas achild.I’m thesortof person whodecideswhatjewellery they want andthenmatches their outfittothe jewellery rather than

theother wayaround. When Iwas younger Icould never find what I wanted,soIstarted making my own. I’dalwayswantedtomake silver jewellery butIthought it wouldbetoo expensiveand Iwould need abig workshop. Then Ifound outabout silver clay anddecidedto give it ago,”she says Silver clay hasbecome an in creasingly popularchoice amongst jewellery makers as it allows them to easily create finely detailed piec es.It’sformedfromtinypiecesof silver,recycledfromindustry, that is mixedwithabinderand mois ture.Itcan be sculpted,moulded andtexturedjustlikeregular clay to create itemssuchaspendants, earrings andcharms.

Lori is also commissioned to re design piecesthatmay holdsenti mental valueorhavebeenhanded

down throughthe generations.

Lori will re-purpose themetal andstonesand create something newthatthe ownerwill able to and will want to wear againand again.

“A lotofsentimental jewellery sits in people’s jewellery boxesand is never wornsoit’snicefor it to come outand seelifeand be worn again,”she says

As well as making jewellery,Lori also enjoyssharing herexpertise andinspiring others to be creative

The50-year-old,who hasahigh er diplomainsilver artclay, runs workshops throughout theyear teaching participants how to use silver clay andmakea varietyof differentjewellery

Theseare runatThe Granary Workshop in Featherstone and Westhope CollegeinCravenArms.

n Seelrsilverjewellery.co.uk

Helpingdog owners create a positive bond with theirpet

HEATHER LARGE heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

Creating positive relationshipsbetween dogs andtheir owners is theaim of experienced trainerand behaviourist Rich vanEggermond.

Having grownupwithdogsin TheNetherlands,heknewfroma veryyoung agethathewanted to workwithdogssome day.

Rick became fascinatedbythe behaviourofdogsand completed aMasters degree in clinical psychology(MSc) –asthere were no animal behaviourqualificationsat thetime. He hasmanaged thedog department at oneofthe largest rescue centresin TheNetherlands andworkedinthe rehabilitation de partment at BatterseaDogs&Cats Home,which waswhere he methis wife Sam, whowas involved in re homingand assessingbothcatsand dogs

Afterencounteringmanydogs with behaviourproblemsthrough hiswork, Rick decidedtoset up All Positive DogServices five yearsago Rick,who is afullmember of the Association of PetDog Trainers, nowworks with petsand owners from southShropshireand Here fordshire. Hisdream wastohelp owners develop apositive bond with theirdog and, in turn reduce the number of animalsthatend up in rescues–aphilosophythatisvery close to hisheart

“A lotofdogsend up in rescue throughnobody’sfault or because no oneunderstands what it takesto look aftera dogofa certainbreed,” says Rick

He is determined to preventthis from happeningbyworking with dogs from an earlyage,where possible, andhelping puppiestobecome “well-adjusted adults”solessani mals endupinrescue

As well as classesofferingbasic trainingfor puppiesand advice on common issues,likechewing,sleep ing, toiletingand lifeskills, his team also offerdedicated sessions forpuppy socialising

“Mostdog owners know to socialise theirdog with otherdogsbut thereare alot of misconceptions abouthow to do this,” says Rick

Theclasses provideasafeenvironmenttodevelop skills such as getting used to newnoises, objects andsmells, how to meet andgreet people,how andwhentogreet other dogs andlearningtoignoreother dogs.

When he firstset up AllPositive DogServices, he workedalone,hir ingalocal villagehalltoteach afew

classes butnow theteam, basedin Hope-under-Dinmore, hasgrown to five

Eachmember of theteamspe cialisesinspecificareas,allowing them to teach arange of different disciplines fordogsofall ages and abilities –frompuppy classes and one-to-one trainingtoscent work andagility

Sessions take placeineithertheir two-acre secure fieldorthe largein door trainingarea.

They also offerworkshops specifically forgun dogs whichare delivered by HelenPhillips, oneofthe UK’s topgun dogtrainers, andhelp owners to learnhow to harnessyour canine friend’s naturalinstincts to buildasolid partnership.

Rick spends alot of histime workingwithdogsthathavebehav iour issues,suchasaggressionand anxiety, whichhavebeenreferred to himbyvetsand rescue centres.

He takesa holistic approach whichmeans lookingatadog’s health, behaviourand environment as awhole andworks closely with vets as theremay be amedical reasoncausing the dogs to actthe way they are.

“I always really enjoy meeting lotsofdogsand people,everydog andeveryowner is different. Ireally enjoy helpingownerstotrain theirdog too.”

n Visitwww.allpositivedogservices.co.uk to find outabout training classes.

ANTIQUES

JOHN RIDGWAYOF OLDMILLANTIQUESCENTRE

Some people have alreadydecorated theirhomesfor thefestive season butfor thoseofyou still to deck yourhalls we have suggestionsabout vintageitems to make yourrooms look amazing.

Let’sbegin with candles and holdersasyou will most likely be usinganumberofthese, scentedcandles really doadd to theYuletideatmosphere.

Atraditional silver candle stickorcandelabralooks lovely on the Christmas dinner table andsmall candlesand tealights canbehousedinanythingfrom china cups to coloured glasses

Red, green, silver or gold candles arethe obviouschoicefor themoreformalholders and scentedtea-lights canbeplaced in cups andvases decorated with holly, berriesand ivy.

Vintagebowls canbeusedfor potpourri, nuts, sweets,pinecones, chocolates,fruit andeven smallcrackersand they look nice filled with allthose colour ed baublesthatdidn’tmakeitto theChristmas treethisyear.

Youcould usesmall urnsand planters forseasonalplantslike

poinsettiaand largevases or jugs fordisplaysofholly andivy or artificialgoldand

ow

and

Always remember that poinsettia, mistletoe, hollyand lilies arepoisonous to petsso it’s agood idea to useartificial foliageifyou have cats anddogs.

If you can find some putVic torian or EdwardianChristmas cards on displaywithyourmod ernonesand why notadd some vintagetoyssuchassmall dolls, toysoldiersand teddies to your gift collectionaroundthe tree?

If you’relucky you mightbe able to find some genuinean tiquetreeornaments in good condition, theolder ones are more difficult to track down but it is still possible to buythem still boxedand pristine –wedo have some on sale here

Look outfor chinarobinsand snowmen, they look greatinany room,and also oldbooks that people like to read at this time of year such as AChristmas CarolbyCharles Dickens.

Membersofthe team at AllPositiveDog Services

Silversmith

Lori Ridgway

silver fl

ers, berries, twisted willow

twigs.

WITH

Snow babies

Succulentmeat foryourfeast

Whetheryou liketokeepthings traditionalatChristmas with turkey, or fancyachangewithduck, then Gressingham hasall yourbas es covered.

Producingturkeys andducks to high welfarestandards,Gressinghamcan ensure that you find the perfectand most succulentbirdfor yourfestive table.

AllofGressingham’s turkeys come from RedTractor assured Britishfarms acrossSuffolk, Norfolk andEssex.Gressingham offers both free rangeturkeys andturkeys that have been reared free to roam in largeairybarns with natural daylightand good ventilation.The turkeysare given perches andpeckingobjects to encourage them to in teract andbeactive during theday andatnight they areencouragedto roostand sleep. They eatamix of wheatand soya with vitamins and minerals to ensuretheyare given a balanced diet to meet theirneeds.

If you fancyhavingduckfor Christmas lunch, then Gressing hamoffersdeliciouswhole ducks or crowns that servethree to four people. Perfectfor asmaller crowd, butstill special andsomething a bitdifferent,Gressingham breeds, hatches, rearsand then prepares theducks by hand

Gressingham turkeysare availa blefromCostco andbutchers/farm shops. Prices vary.Gressingham ducksare availablefromSains bury’s,Tesco, Asda,Morrisons, Waitroseand Ocadoall year round. Prices vary

Festiveslice is back in stores

Iconic pastry brandGinsters hasannounced that itslimited-edition Festive Chicken& Stuffing Slicewill return to supermarket shelves,following aTwitter campaign wherehun dredsoffansofthe comforting treat lobbiedtosee itsreturn.

Onefan commented“BRING IT BACK”, whileanother Twitter user said,“C’mon lads getto work!”.

Theperfect lunchtoget into theChristmas spirit,the GinstersFestive Chicken&StuffingSlice includes 100% British chickenand smoked baconina creamy sauce, bakedwithpotato,and asageand onionstuffing made from locallysourced veg (where possible)– allwrapped up in alightpuffpastryand topped with acrispysage crumb.

Forthose whosimplycan’t wait untilthe bigday fortheir festivelunch,the sliceisenjoyed best afterbeing heated in the oven for20minutes (evenquick er in an airfryer)–Christmas musicoptional.

What’s more,costingjust £1.65, notonlydoesitmakea warmingand satisfying lunch, it does so withoutbreakingthe bank.

TheGinstersFestive Slice is availablefromTesco, Asda, Morrisons, Coop, andSains burys.

Truffles combinetangy marmaladeand chocolate

1tbsplight brownsugar

Forthe toppings: BucksFizzMarmalade 15gcocoa powder,sifted 100g roasted, chopped hazelnuts

Method: In asmall saucepan, bringthe cream, butter andsugar to just belowboiling point, stirring over agentleheat. AddBucks Fizz Marmaladeand stir throughuntil melted.Zestthe orange into the mixture.

Pour thehot creammixture over thechocolate chipsand stir gently

untilmeltedand smooth.Pourinto ashallow dish or tray to cool,then coverand chill in thefridge forat least3hours,oruntil firmed up Putthe marmalade, cocoapow der, andhazelnutsin separate bowls.

Remove trufflemixture from thefridge. Usingaspoon, scrape from thedish, thenuse yourhands to shapethe chocolateintosmall balls.

Starting with themarmalade, then thecocoa powder andlastly thehazelnuts, roll thetruffles in thedifferent toppings untilevenly coated.Chill againto firm up.Pop into mini papercases, if you like.

Tastytreatstofeed allthe familyduringthe festivities

ANDY RICHARDSON andy.richardson@mnamedia.co.uk

Ingredients: Serves 8

Forthe trifle:

1x340gjar CottageDelight

MagicalMulled Wine Jam

2oranges,peeled andslicedin halves

420g sponge swiss roll

480mlcustard

360mldoublecream,whipped to soft peaks

500mlmulled wine (ready-made or usingrecipebelow)

135g pack raspberryjelly

Fresh/frozen berries,to decorate

Ground cinnamon,todecorate

Forthe mulled wine jelly:

Forhome-made mulled wine:

500mlred wine

2bay leaves

1staranise

1orange, thinly sliced

8cloves, whole

2tbspsugar

2cinnamon sticks

1packetraspberry jelly

Method formulledwinejelly:

Combineall ingredients(notincludingraspberry jelly) in saucepan andheatgently. Do not boil.Holdat gentle simmer foratleast 10 minutes.Remove from heat andstrain theliquid.

Return liquid to panand dissolveinjelly cubes. If usingbottled mulled wine,heataccordingtobot tleinstructionsbeforedissolvingin thejelly cubes.

To assemble thetrifle: Make your mulled wine jelly in advance, using recipe andmethodstatedabove Pour jelly mixtureintoasmall rectangleorsquarebakingtin,soit’s roughly1 inch high.Leave it in the fridge to set.

To assemble,linethe bottom of atriflebowlwithhalfofyourcake slices.Press slices half wayup alongthe sidesofthe bowl.Arrange halved orange slices around side of bowl.Arrange half of thejelly squaresover thecakemixture.Pour over half of thecustard.Spoon over half of theMagical Mulled Wine Jamevenly.Repeatsteps twotosix Cover thetop with plasticwrap andleave in thefridge foratleast four to sixhours.Whenyou’re readytoserve,add whippedcream andfresh or frozen berriestodecorate before dustingwithcinnamon.

CHRISTMAS MORNINGMARMALADE BUNS

Ingredients: Makes12buns

Fordough: 240mlwhole milk

135g dark brownsoftsugar 2tsp mixedspice

½tsp ground cinnamon

2sachets instant yeast(7g) 115g unsalted butter,softened, cutintofourpieces

2large eggs,lightly beatenat room temperature ½tsp salt

563g strong whitebread flour, plus more forsurfaces

2tsp oilfor bowl

Formarmalade filling: 1x340gjar CottageDelight Winter WarmingThinCut

Marmalade, room temperature

100g unsalted butter,verysoft

Forcream cheese frosting: 55gfullfat creamcheese

250g icingsugar

2tbspdoublecream

2-3tsp orange extract

Method: Grease alarge bowl using 2tsp of oil, setaside.Heatmilkto justbelow boiling pointtoscald

Remove from heat andcooltoroom temperature.

In astand mixer,using thedough hook attachment,combineall dry dough ingredients. Addeggs, followedbythe warm milk.Mix at a medium speedfor 10 minutes be fore tippingontoalightly floured surface.

Kneaddough into aballand place into alarge,greased bowl.Cover tightly with cling film andmoveto awarmspottoprove fortwo hours

Once proved, knockbackthe dough.Tip onto alightly floured surface. Gather into aneatball andusing alightly flouredrolling pin, roll dough into a50x35cmrec tangle,makingsurethe dough is smooth andevenlythick as possible

Placethe rectangleofdough with alongedge facing you.Spreadthe softened butter alloverrightto theedges. Spoonover jarofWin terWarming Thin CutMarmalade (reserve 1tbspfor dressing)and spread over thetop of thebutter.

Starting from thelongedgefur thestaway, roll thepastrytowards you,keeping thedough as tightas possible as you roll (makesurethe seal is on thebottom).Takeasharp knifeand trim theends(roughly1-2 inches each side).

Cutthe rolled doughinhalf, then halveyourtwo halves again. Slice each quarterintothree equalslic es andplace on theircut side into agreased andlined 20x30cmbak ingtin.Cover therolls tightlywith cling film andallow to rise until doubled in size.

Pre-heat theoven to 200°/180°C fan/gas6.Oncedoubled,remove cling film andplaceinoven for2530 minutes,oruntil lightlygolden on top. Placetin on wire rack to cool

In amediumbowl, beat the creamcheeseona medium speed untilsmoothand creamy.Add dou blecream andsifted icingsugar Switch to high andbeatfor amin ute. Addorangeextract andbeaton high to combine. Spread theicing over warm rollsinswirlsand serve immediately.

Dust with cinnamon anddecorate with reserved marmalade.

MAGICAL MULLEDWINE JAMTRIFLE

BucksFizzDarkChocolate and Marmalade Truffles

Serveup deliciousChristmas with recipessuretoimpress

Celebrate Christmasin style this year with CaliforniaWalnuts, whohas shared four newrecipes that areset to impress this festiveseason.

From freshlybaked California Walnut,Brie&Cranberry Croissants, to homemade Spiced Apple &CaliforniaWalnut Cookies, a comforting FriedGnocchi dish with Squash &CaliforniaWalnutsand finally, ashowstopping FestiveIn spired Trifle.

Eachrecipe is designed to help useupyourleftoversand areless than £2 perserving,helping you to keep thefestive cheerhigh, while keepingcosts low

CALIFORNIA WALNUT,BRIE& CRANBERRYCROISSANTS

Ingredients: Serves six 350g cancroissant dough

50gcranberry sauce

100g California Walnuts, chopped

100g brie, sliced

1mediumegg,beaten

Method: Preheatthe oven to 200oC, gasmark6.Linealarge baking traywithbakingparch ment

Open thecroissant doughcan accordingtothe pack instructions andcut alongthe perforated linesto make sixtriangles.Spreadeachtri anglewithcranberry sauce. Sprin kle75g walnutsover thedough Placethe brieatthe shortedgeof thedough androlltothe opposite corner to form acroissant shape, transfer to thebakingtray.

Brushwithegg andsprinkleover thereserved walnuts. Bake for1518 minutes untilgolden.Serve warm.

SPICED APPLE &CALIFORNIAWALNUT

COOKIES

Ingredients: 20 cookies

100g butter,softened

125g castersugar

1mediumegg,beaten

1small redapple,peeled, cored and finely diced

50gdriedcranberries

50gCaliforniaWalnuts, chopped

300g self-raising flour

2tsp mixedspice

Method: Preheatthe oven to 180oC, gasmark4.Line1-2 large baking trays with baking parchment

Whiskthe butter andsugar to gether untilpale. Whiskinthe egg andstirinthe apple, cranberries andwalnuts. Stirin the flourand

mixedspicetogivea

100g California Walnuts

FRIEDGNOCCHI WITH SQUASH& CALIFORNIA WALNUTS

Ingredients: Serves four

2tbspoil

1red onion, chopped 150g dicedsmokedpancetta

250g frozen dicedbutternut squash

2clovesgarlic,crushed 200g mushrooms, sliced 400g Brussels sprouts,thickly sliced,defrostediffrozen

500g pack gnocchi

1tbspthyme leaves

1tbspchopped sage

Method: Heat theoil in alarge fryingpan andfry theonion,pancetta andsquashfor five minutes. Add thegarlic, mushroomsand sprouts andcookfor afurther five minutes Meanwhile, cook thegnocchi in boiling water forthree minutes, drain. Addthe gnocchi, herbsand walnutstothe panand fryfor one to twominutes,seasontotaste

FESTIVE INSPIRED TRIFLE

Ingredients: Serves eight 135g pack raspberryjelly 300mlmulled wine

100g Madeiracake, sliced 50gcustard powder

150g castersugar ¼tsp grated nutmeg 600mlmilk

100g California Walnuts 300mlwhippingcream

Sprinklestodecorate

Method: Cutthe jelly into cubes andplaceina largejug.Heatthe mulled wine to justbelow boiling andpourover thejelly,stirtodis solveand topupwithwater to give 500ml.

Placethe cake slices in thebase of a1.2-litre trifledishand pour over thejelly,chill untilset Meanwhile, placethe custard powder, 50g sugarand nutmegin asaucepanand blendinthe milk, bringtothe boil,stirringcontinuously untilthickened.Chophalf thewalnutsand addtothe custard. Transfer to abowl, cover with cling film andallow to cool Meanwhile, place50g sugarina smallsaucepanwith50ml water, bringtothe boil then addremainingwalnuts, cook fortwo minutes. Placethe remainingsugar on a plate. Usingtwo forksremove the walnutsfromthe syrupand toss in thesugar,allow to cool.

When thejelly is set, spread over thecustard.Whisk thecream to soft peaksand spoonoverthe cus tard.Sprinkleover thesugared walnutsand sprinklestoserve

IN SEASON

Essentialveg forthe table at Christmas

In thedeepmid-winter, frosty pars nips mademoan. Or somethinglike that.Weare in winter.Itwillsoon be Christmas. Andparsnipsare in abundant supply Parsnips have been around for ever.They’ve been used as vegeta bles sinceantiquity andwereculti vatedbythe Romans.Prior to the arrivalofcanesugar,inEurope, they were used as asweetener.With a flavoursomewherebetween po tato andsweet potato,theycan be used forjustabout anything:stews, soups, salads,desserts, sidesand savouries.And,ofcourse, they’re an essentialonthe Christmas table. Roastparmesanparsnipsare a goodway to dazzle friendsand familyat Christmas.For atwist on afa vourite Sunday roastorChristmas side dish,coatparsnipsinpolenta andgrated Italiancheesetoen sureatasty,crunchy finish.Cook untiljusttenderinsaltedboiling water,thencoatin theParmesan andpolenta mixbeforecooking at 220C for15minutes,until crisp. As

an alternative,makeparsnipsex tra-special with a flavourful white miso andmaple glaze. Usethe same method, cookinguntil tender in salted boiling water, before coating in whitemisoand maplesyrup and roasting for10-20 minutes at 200C Thereare myriad ways to pimp yourparsnips, andthe last fornow is acrisp honeyand mustardnum ber. Youknowthe drill:cookuntil tender,add alittlehoney anddried mustardthencrisp up

Parsnips make agreat mash andyou cangivethataspicykick by adding alittlemildcurry powder. They make agood pilaf, with slow cooked basmatirice, lentils andspices.A beef,ale andparsnip puddingisaworkofbeauty, particularlywhencoldnightscallfor warmingdishes. Make it with suet pastry as you putaparsnip-eyspin on thetraditional steakand alepie

Parsnips make greatsoups and MasterChef judge Monica Galleti hasarecipefor aparsnip soup with parsleycream.Makethe soup with onion, parsnips, milk,vegetable stockand bayleaves, before adding parsleycream as agarnish.

Don’tforgetthe joy of agood parsnippud.Parsnipsmakeagreat cake,alongwithmaple syrup, while parsnippancakescan be served with rashersofcrispybacon

FriedGnocchiwith Squash &California Walnuts

California Walnut, Brie &Cranberry Croissants

CaliforniaWalnut, brie and cranberrycroissants

FestiveInspiredTrifle

Parsnips have been used as vegetables sinceantiquity

by Andy Richardson

Howthe first 1,000 days have an impact on your baby

Hassocialmedia helped make self-improvement toxictrend?

IMYBRIGHTY-POTTS PressAssociation

TikTok is full of tips

us find new ways to be more produc tive,peaceful, efficient,

It’s longbeenknown that childhood sets alarge part of the blueprintfor therestofour lives. Butnew research suggests somethingevenmorespecific than that –events during our first1,000 days,fromconcep tion to agetwo,makeuswho we are.

Thenew book,WhatMakes aPerson: SecretsofOur First 1,000 Days,outlinessomesur prisingdiscoveriesthatshow what happensinthe period af terconceptionand birth, and explains howwecontrolour bodies throughprocesses that go waybeyondjustthe geneswe inherit.

So what arethe secretsof thoseveryearly days of life? Co-authors ProfessorMark Hansonand ProfessorLucy Greenshare afew of them

1. Foetuses ‘breathe’inthe womb –Hansonsaysthe latest informationsuggests foetuses make rapid,shallow breathing movements –althoughobvious ly they’renot taking anyair into theirlungs as they’resur roundedbyamniotic fluid.

2. Foetuses sleepand may dream –Green says research hasshown thefoetusgoes throughstatesofsleep,justas we do afterbirth, includinga statesimilar to dreaming

3. Early development in fluences risk of non-com municable diseases –The authorspoint outthatalmost three-quarters of deaths world wide arecausedbynon-commu nicablediseases (NCDs) such as heartdisease, stroke and cancer.Dutch studiesofchil dren born to women whowere near-starvationduringtheir Second WorldWar pregnancies have foundthatthose children whowerefamishedinearly ges tation hadasubstantially high er risk of many NCDs

4. Nutrient balanceeffects howgenes work –Hansonsays thebalance of nutrients, such as proteintocarbohydrate, af fectshow inheritedDNA works by epigenetic processes(small marksonthe DNA)which influ ence how theembryodevelops.

5. Thedigital worldaf fects youngchildren’s brain development –New research foundthatyoung children who spendseveral hoursa dayon screen-basedactivitiessuchas acomputerorTV show altered executivefunctions

and well-roundedevery time we switch on theapp. Self-helphashtags aregrowing in popularity #WorkOnYourself has119.5 million views, #GetYour LifeTogetherhas over 40 million and#SelfLoveLifestyle hasnearly threemillion.Itseems like every oneisscrolling forself-improve ment,and it’s made so much easier with seemingly countlessvideos at your fingertips –but thepressureto be better allthe time canget over whelming

Surely we can’tall be bettering ourselves allthe time?And at what pointdoesour desire to be better actually become aburden?

SOCIAL MEDIACAN MAKE US FEEL INFERIOR

When it comestoself-help,“Most of us want aquick fix–somebodyto tell us what to do andmakethings better”, suggests Gillian McMi chael, author andfounder of Full CircleGlobal(fullcircleglobal.com)

“Weare in an ageofsocialmedia overload –wecompare andcon trastourselves to others andwe want what they have.Never has therebeenatimelikenow,where keepingupwiththe Joneses hasa wholenew meaning. Socialmedia platformsshowcase how we canget ourgoals, change ourlivesand bet terourselves.But because it is in a short30-second clip,wedon’t know how to applythistoour ownlives.”

Andthisconstantbombardment of self-improvementcontent canbecome exhausting

“Withsocialfeedoverload, it is difficult to decide what toptips or ideasweshouldtakeonand do somethingwith, as thenextday therewillbethousands more reels

telling us to do somethingdifferent –it’sconfusing andunsustainable,” says McMichael. “Quick fixesnever workinany aspect of yourlife, espe ciallyyourwellbeing –Ithink this approach adds pressure andcan give false expectations.”

WE ONLY SEETHE BEST BITS

MaxHoveyisaninfluencer who focuses on empowering theLGBTQ+ communityand promoting body positivity andself-compassion

“The idea of beingyourperfect self hasalwaysbeenapressure from socialmedia,” he says,adding that ourobsession with self-improvementisthe “natural evolu tion”ofthis.

“Everyone hastheir ownstrug gle, andthe pressureconstantly to be ‘getting yourlifetogether’ is

incredibly toxic,”hesuggests.“The idea of ‘havingittogether’ doesn’t exist. I find it unlikelythatthe people creating thiscontent have it together anddon’t have otherstuff goingoninthe background

“Weare showingall thegreat things in life andnot showingany thingelsethatisgoing on,making otherpeoplefeelbad aboutthemselves.”

THEBUSINESS OF BEING PERFECT

Notall self-helponsocialmedia is toxic, with McMichaelsaying: “I thinkthere areahandfulofskilled professionalssharing theirtipsand techniqueswithawider audience Butthere arealot of people jump ingonthe bandwagon because well ness,self-improvementand trans formingyourlifeisinvogue now

morethanever.” In recent years, “The awarenessofmentalhealth hassignificantly grownand every onewants to better themselves,” McMichaelsays. “Hence, we are more informed,meaning these top icsare nowmorerelatable.”

However,McMichael recom mendsbettering yourself forthe rightreasons –and in asustainable way. “The realityissimple, you’d be much happierifyou invested in self-improvementand self-carebecauseyou wanted to find balance rather than theperfectionthatis presented

“Ifyou arelooking to change yourlife, then find aqualified coach to supportyou –ratherthansome body on TikTokwho is not qualified or experiencedenoughtogiveyou advice on whatyou should do.”

Change in routinecan help beat themorning blues

Waking up during thedarkerwin termorningscan become quitea challenge, as thelimited amount of sunshine cansignificantly impact thecircadian rhythm

Adapting thebedtime routine by having thelightsset to turn on automaticallytoaddingmoreVi taminB-12intothe diet canhelp people wake up feelingenergised forthe day. NicShacklock,from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk, shares eightusefultipstouse in yourbed time routinethiswinter:

n Make themostofthe day light– Walksthroughoutthe pre viousday canhelpnot only get enough VitaminD,but it will help keep youramountofcontact with

daylightatahealthy rate before theearly winter nightkicks in

n Turn lights on automatically –Setting thelightstoturn on at thetimeyou want to wake up,can make you feel morealert andready to getout of bed.

n Hottea in themorning Selectingthe righttea to drink is crucialtofeeling more relaxed andawake in theearly hours. Try greentea or peppermint tea

n Vitamin B-12 –Increasing theamountofVitamin B-12 in yourdietcan tremendously help to improve yourenergylevelsand overallmood.Thiscan be done ei ther throughhealthy supplements or throughfoodssuchasapples,

oranges anddairy products

n Change your wake-up sound –Testingout different soundsfromrainfalltoocean wavescan help preventwakingup feelingsluggishbut rathermore peaceful andrelaxed

n Plan thenextday –Having theday plannedout canhelpyou feel motivatedwhenyou wake in thedarkermornings.

n Placealarmsaroundthe room –Place anotheralarm at the othersideofthe room so you have to getout of bedtoturnitoff

n Increase theroomtempat wake up time –Ifthe temperature is chillyitcan make you want to cosy up andstayinbed

forself-improvement, helping

self-compassionate

Theconstant bombardmentofself-improvement contentonsocial mediaplatforms canbecome exhausting

Bake OffstarVal sharesher food budgeting tips

Householdbillsare aworry for everyone,but thereare stepsthat canbetaken to cutcosts on your food shopping whilestill making themeals you love

From discoveringdiscountsto prioritisingpurchases,former GreatBritishBakeOff contestant ValStoneshas shared hertop tips

n Is it aluxury or an essential? –Whentempted by apricey purchase, wait afew days before buying.You mayrealise theitem wassomethingyou wanted rather than needed –and you candevelop aplantosavefor it

n Skilluponcooking from scratch –Cookfromscratch (even

better with homegrownproduce) to save money; if you buyready meals, themaincostisn’t theingredients, it’s thepreparation that’s gone into making it.Planning mealsfor theweekahead can cutdowncosts as well as waste.

n Become ayellowlabel connoisseur –Bepreparedtoswitch tosupermarket home brands.I’m a lover of yellow discount labels,soI checkthe sell-bydates andwheth er they canbefrozen.

n Looksaren’teverything –Buying“wonky” vegetables doesn’taffecttaste,and they are oftensoldloose soyou aresaving on packaging.

n Be smartwithingredient choices –Pasta andricedishes areincredibly fillingand make use of low-costingredients– thereare lots of money-saving recipesavail able online andinmagazines

n Your freezerisyourbest friend –Iwill batchcookmeals that will serveenoughportionsfor multiple days,freezingthe lefto verstoheatuplater

n Turn to theinternetfor coupons –Learningtonavigate money-saving websites couldlead to huge discountsatthe supermar ket checkout –signing up to email newsletters oftenresults in discounts beingoffered too.

Cost of living crisis putting pressure on petloverstoo

VICKYSHAW PressAssociation

Pets areanimportant andmuch-lovedpartof thefamily– butfor some owners,the cost of their animal,ontop of other bills, is causingrealcon cern.

Research fordog welfarecharity

Dogs Trustfound more than four fifths (84%)ofdog owners have seen arise in costsrelated to theirpet Sadly, thecharity says itsrehom ingcentreshavebeenseeinga rise in dogs arriving with untreated health conditions.Itbelievesthis is duetosome owners simply being unable to afford treatment

“Weknowdog owners arefacing adifficult time,and eightin10dog owners have seen an increase in theamountitcosts to care fortheir canine companions,”saysPaula Boyden, veterinary director at Dogs Trust

“Manyare lookingat ways they canreducethe amount they are spending on theirdogs, butat Dogs Trust, we areworried that some of thechoices beingmadebyowners couldbedetrimental to thehealth of theirdog,and actually endup costingownersmoreinthe long term.”

Worryingly,one in 10 (10%)dog owners surveyed by thecharity haddelayedseeking treatment fornon-routine procedures dueto costs. Asimilar number (9%) had delayedormissed routineappoint ments. Thecharity emphasises it is notlayingthe blameatthe door of vets, whoare themselves impacted by rising costs.

Boyden says:“Whileskipping yourdog’s annual vaccinationsmay save you some moneyinthe shortterm,you couldbeputting yourdog at risk of seriousillness andeven death.

“Delayingboostersmay also re sult in theneedtorestart yourdog’s vaccinations, whichwill cost more.

“Wealsorecommend that you

keep up with your dog’s flea and worming treatments. Fleasmight seem aminor issuetodealwith, but abad infestationcan causeyourdog intense irritation.”

Delaying worming treatments is also arisk. Some types of worms areapublichealthriskand canbe passed on to humans,saysBoyden

As forfood costs, around in five (22%)dog owners surveyed by Dogs Trusthaveswitchedtheir usualdog food to acheaper version.

Forthose consideringdoing this, Boyden says it’s importanttocheck whetherthe food is “complete”and designed to be used by itself,or “complementary”,which needs to be served with otherfoodstodeliver alloftheir nutritional needs.

“It’salso reallyimportant to checkthe food is suitable foryour breedofdog andthe stageoflife yourdog is at,” sheadds.

“We’dreallyrecommend that dog owners speaktotheir veterinary surgeryfor advice before changing their dog’sfood to ensure it’s right fortheir pet, andtogradually in troduceany newbrand of food, as achangeindietcan cause stomach upsets.”

Senior vetDaveTweedle,who works forthe My FamilyVetsnet workofclinics, says estimatessug gest it cancostasmuchas£30,000 to keepa dogovertheir lifetime, and£24,000 foracat

He says asignificant proportion of dogs andcatsare actually overweight, whichcan lead to costly health conditions, such as arthritis, breathingproblems, heartdisease anddiabetes.

Keepingup-to-datewithparasite prevention,vaccinations, andget ting regular health checks canbe covered as part of monthlyhealth-

care plans, whichmanyvetsoffer, andmay provide valuefor money, he says

Meanwhile, theRSPCA’swebsite cautions that exotic petscan be particularly expensive. Thecharity warnsthatturning down temperaturesorlight sourcesfor exotic pets mayleadtoserious health problems forthem–and potentiallyhighvets’ bills.

It suggests that, forthose strugglingwithcosts, multiple reptiles couldbemovedtothe same room to shareheatsources –but make sure thatanimals do notoverheat

Petinsurance is also amajor considerationfor owners.The Dogs Trustfound 41%ofdog owners claimedthe cost of theirpet insurance hadincreased

Thecharity suggestsshopping around forcoverand always read ingpolicydocuments –asthere will be differencesinthe levellevel of cover,what’scovered andfor how long JonathanPurvis, at theABI, says:“TheUKpet insurancemar ket remainscompetitive despitethe underlying pressures insurers face, with therisingcostfor veterinary treatment,medicines andlabour

“Whenitcomestoour pets, thereis no NHSfor animalsand anyemergency treatment canbe eye-wateringlyexpensive,” he adds “Ifyou areconcerned aboutthe cost of your cover, speaktoyourinsur er to seeifthere areany optionsto manage this.You mayalso benefit from shopping around,but be sure to always chooseapolicythatbest suitsyourneeds.”

Graeme Trudgill,fromthe Brit ishInsurance Brokers’ Association (Biba),sayswithanew policy,it’s importanttocheck whetheritwill cover pre-existing or recurringcon ditions. “Accidentonly” policies will only cover treatment foraccidental injury

Trudgill adds:“Some cover is always better than none –and re member most petinsurancealsoincludes liability that cancoveryou if your petaccidentallyinjures some one throughnofault of yours.”

Howtoorganise your December social calendar andstayrelaxed

With thefestive season almost upon us,how canwestopourselves from burningout,but stillhavefriends left after? writes ImyBrighty-Potts December canbea blur of glitter, booze, familycatch-ups, partiesand secret Santas,which soundsgreat on paperbut in realityoftenends up beingextremely stressful.

But, saying no to invitations–particularly with theaddedpressure to make up forlosttimeafter lockdown –can come with abar rel-load of guilt. Youdon’t want to upsetanyone, butyou definitely can’tsay yestoeverything either

So,how canyou getthe best of both worldswithyoursocialcalendarinDecember?

n Theremay be alot ofpressure to seeeveryoneand join in with everything,but remember that you gettodecide what you sayyes to andhonouring yourlimitsis certainly nota badthing

As clinical psychologist Dr Mari anne Trent(goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk)says: “Itis ok if you have time offoverthe holidaystochoose rest andrecharge, insteadofadditional stressorsthatmay include socialobligations with friendsand familythatcan come with compli cationsaswellasjoy.Itisoktoset boundaries andprioritiseyourself.” n Gettingorganised couldhelp remove some of theoverwhelm Lizzie Grant, professional organiserand founderofDeclutter on Demand (declutterondemand.com), suggests:“Make alistofsocial events and‘must do by’deadlines you have coming up in December Forexample,booking theatre tick ets, restaurants andtravel.

“Thenadd theseevents to your digitalcalendar, with alerts with thecorrect date andtime. Include addresses forevents, so you’renot scrambling around trying to find thoselast-minute. Sync yourdigital calendar electronicallywithrelevant friendsand family,orprint out aphysicalcopyaswelland putitin thehallway or on thefridge where everyone in yourhousehold will see it.”

n It maysound over thetop, but feelingcalmand organisedmeans knowingwhere yourtimeisbeing spent. Time-blockingisagreat way to approach this –basically assign ingaset blockoftimeto each thing you need to do.“Putchunksof time in forsocialengagements and tasks, with astart and finish time, includinghow longitwill take you to getthere,” says Grant. “Thisenablesyou to seeexactly how much time you have availabletocommit to things otherthanthe festive pe riod.Remember,it’salwaysbetter to over-estimatethanunder-estimate how longthingswill take.”

Planning to only be at aparty foracoupleofhours before heading to somethingelse? Allowanextra hour at whichever one you would prefer to be at

n Stop committing to 1,000 things –and leavingnotimeorenergyfor thethingsyou trulylove alongthe way. “Identify what you most enjoydoing andwho you most enjoyseeingat this time of year,to make it special foryou,” says Grant.

Tackling petcarecosts canput pressure on struggling families

Bake Off’sVal Stones

Christmas film setlocations that youcan visittoexplore

Newresearchhas revealed the iconic Christmasmovie loca tionswhere fans canactuallygo andvisit Photographyexperts at ParrotPrint.com have found filming locationsfromclassic Christmas filmswhere visitors canwander around andexplore. Here are some iconic filminglocations to getin thefestive spirit: Shere,Surrey–The Holi day

Fans of this Christmasclassicwillwanttovisit Iris’s cottage.Unfortunately hercosy home wasaset builtfor filming. However,visitorscan explore thechocolate-box villagewhere Amanda spends thefestive season.

St Luke’s Mews,Notting Hill –LoveActually

AFansoan visitthe iconic scenewhere Mark expresses hislovetoJuliet on herdoorstep with aseriesofhandwrittensigns.The pretty street is St Luke’s Mews in Notting Hill, London –and thepinkhome number 27 –has become atouristhotspotf

671 LincolnAvenue,Winnetka,Illinois–HomeAlone 2

Thehome of theMcCallisters is averyimpressivered-brick home that attractsfansfromall overthe world.Tnd theneigh bourhood is decoratedwithlots of lights forthe festive season, TheIce Rink at Rockefel lerCenter, NYC– Elf

Themajorityof filmingfor this festive favourite took place in NewYorkCity,–and oneof themostfestive things to do is go skatingonthe icerinkat theRockefeller Centre,where Buddyand JoviegoonaChristmassydateand sharetheir first kiss on theice.

3159 W11thSt, Cleveland, Ohio –AChristmasStory

Tmuseum dedicatedtothis comedy film hassome iconic propsaswellasbehind-thescenes photosand agiftshop. Theiconichome of Ralphie Parker is open allyearround, Oakville, Canada–The SantaClause

TheSanta Clause ias filmed allaroundOakville–Ontario’s largesttown. Thehome of Scott Calvin is located at 17 Chisholm Street, Oakvillehosts an an nual SantaClaus parade,hich exploressome of theiconiclocationsfromthe film

Caribbeanislandgem’s deep blue skiesand sapphire seas

BY LAUREN TAYLOR

Liftingthe venomous spikes,I carefullycut alongthe striped purple skin of thelionfish. When alive, thesesharp spikes candelivera stingcausing extreme pain andevenparalysis. So catchingthisdelicacy is no easy feat.

They’realso notoriouslydifficult to find,hidingcamouflaged in coral andimpossibletocatch in nets.But here on theDutch CaribbeanIsland of Curaçaothese striking seacreaturesare an invasive species, nega tively impactingnative fish colonies andreefs surroundingthe island since2009afterbeing introduced into Florida’swater.Culling efforts mean huntingthese fish is nowle gal–and necessary.

Localchef, HelmiSmeulders, originallyfromThe Netherlands, liftsahugewooden spearintothe air, with asharp metalend anda spring,pulling it back andsending it forwardtoshow how shecatches lionfish whilediving. They sell for $10eachwhole,and four timesthat filleted,sofor divers able to find them,it’slucrative.Plus, the fish is deliciouspan-fried or deep friedin batter,she says

Just 37 miles from theVenezue lancoastline,between Arubaand Bonaire–makingupwhat’sknown as theABC islands– Curaçao, with itsdiverse cultural historyisthe location of thenew SandalsRoyal Curaçao, whichopenedinJune.

A25-minutedrive from thecap ital Willemstad,the all-inclusive, couples-only resort boasts an open airentrancelobby,leading outonto aviewofthe,double infinity pool –the firstinthe brand’s 17-strong collection across theCaribbean, pool-sidegazebos,palmtrees and, ocean.

“hit forhoneymooners, there’s arealair of exclusivity, withouta hint of pretentiousness; Whileon

thehotel’s beach, crystalclear shal low water gently laps thesandand guestsreadbooks on floating pla toons, leaving only perhapstoorder a‘dirtybanana’ cocktail (rum,cof feeliquor, banana andcream)orthe world famous Blue Curaçaoliqueur

With unlimited alacarte dining, there areeightrestaurants to eatat –fnd eightpools to swim in,includingsome guests canstepstraight into from theirprivate terrace. A

If you want even more space,15 milessouth of Curaçao, is theuninhabited islandofKlein Curaçao. As we glideintothe brightestoftur quoise wateronacatamaran tour with Island Routes (islandroutes. com, $138 USD/£114pp)beforediv ingintoswimtothe longstretch of emptysand, it’s postcard-perfect.

Turtle spotting is common here andreefs offerdiversplentytosee, buta low, flat island is apparently difficult to spot from thebridge of a ship,and as aresulta huge,rusting

wreckofanshipfromthe 1980s and adilapidated weather-beaten lighthouse standlikeeerie beaconson theotherwise empty, smallslice of Caribbeanparadise.

Humanhistory on this constituent countrywithinthe Kingdom of theNetherlands canbetraced back in picturesque world heritage site,Willemstad.HereI find strik ingcoral stonebuildings in Euro pean neoclassical styleadorned in vibrantCaribbean colours. Agov ernor once orderedall homestobe painted in bright coloursbecause thewhite buildingsweregivinghim aheadache, ourguide Maja Atalita Vervuurt says It transpiredheowned theisland’s biggest paintcompany,but thecolourful houses stuckand thesedayswalls of thecitycome with alot ofbeautiful street arttoo.

The17thcentury oldtowncen tre Pundawiththe picturesque Handelskade–acolourful stretch

of waterfrontbuildingsgivingseriousAmsterdam vibes– andthe 19th centuryOtrobanda(meaning “the otherside” in Dutch) aresep arated by thewatersofSaint Anna Bayand itsfamous floating pon toon bridge.And if you’re crossing when aboatneedstopass, it simply swings open into thechannel,sopedestriansbetterholdontight Museum Kura Hulanda, located at thecity-centre harbour, docu mentsthe island’s devastatinghis tory of slavetradingfrom1660s to therevoltof1795famouslyled by national hero Tula,who Danny Glover portrayedinthe 2013 film by thesamename.

Didthatclassicliqueur that featuresin many holidaycocktails and hasmadethisislandfamous? It’s namedafterthe driedpeelofthe bitterorangelaraha, acitrusfruit grownhere. ButIprefertothink it’s areference to thesapphireseas anddeeplyblueskies

Theharbour in Williamstad

The17thcenturytownofPundawith itscolourful buildings

Thedouble infinity poolatSandals Royal Curaçao

ShereinSurrey

Treatyourselftosomething forthe home this Christmas

BY SAMWYLIE-HARRIS

Lookingfor Christmas shopping inspiration?

Pretty much everyone lovessomethingnew for thehome– andthe op tionsare endless.

Whetherit’sanartisanpiece to addinterest, an exciting kitchen gadgetorglitzydecoyou’d never splash outonyourself butwould love to receive,home giftscan take oh so many forms.

Andtohelpyou beat thecrowds, we’veplucked thebestpresents from thepile…

1. LowesGreen wine glassesset of four,£32.50, Oliver Bonas

With ribbed detailing,acurved silhouette andfashionable sage greenbase, theseelegant wine glasses will sitbeautifully against freshorfauxfoliage foratimeless tablescape

2. RussellHobbs RHMD714BL17

L700 WScandibluedigital micro wave,£84.99, Amazon

Microwaves arehavinga moment –using asoupçon of theenergyofa conventional oven –and this one’s especially sought-after.Welove the attractiveScandi-stylefor starters, plus it features eightautocookmenus, five powerlevelsand multi-stage cooking.

3. Retro television planter, £15, RedCandy Switch up succulenthourwith this cute planter.

4. AbigailAhern setof3 rattan handledcheeseknives, £35, Free mans

Everycheeseboard criesout for theright knifetoslice into acorner of Stilton or ripe brie.Presented in agift box, this rattan-handled set is tailor-madefor seasonal settings

5. Pomegranatepillar candle, £22, TheWhite Company

If you scentsurroundwithonly one candle this Christmas,the en ticing exotic topnotes of pomegran ate, muskypatchouli andtouch of

amberalwaysfeels rich andfestive

6. Perfumediffuserwood tray andporcelain flowers, £48, Natalia Willmott

When you want to rekindle mem oriesofholidaysinthe sun, these pretty petals areinspiredby flowers from theMaldives. Simplypop afew dropsofperfume or essentialoil on thepistiland enjoy some calming–andstylish –aromatherapy.

7. STAR By Julien Macdonald glasspineapple lamp,£60,Freemans

This chic tablelamp, finished with gold leaves andneutralshade, is abrightchoicefor afastdesigner update

8. M&SCollectioncocktailshak er with recipes,£19.50, Marks& Spencer

Rustling up acocktailismade easy with this elegantshakerand bartender guideinone.Simplyro-

tate thebasefor favourite classic recipestocheer aspiritedChrist mas.

9. I’mDreamingOfAWine Christmas reversiblecushion,£45, Neonimo

This soft, velvet-feel cushionis sealed with aheart zippendant Onefor thewinelover in yourlife.

10.Georgegreybodyvase, £12, Direct.asda

Body vases aretrendingbig time…surely themostseductive waytodisplay dried flowers and freshblooms.

11.Trinity greenvelvet round trinket boxsmall,£17.50; Trinity pink velvet jewellery boxmedium, £29.50,and Trinitybluevelvet jewellery boxlarge,£32.50, Oliver Bonas

‘Tisthe season fortrinkets–and these opulentvelvetboxes will do a fine jobofstoring those precious

pieces in style.

12.Helen MooreArcticleopard faux furhot water bottle,£49,Lux deco

An object of desire,thisfauxfur leopardprint hotwater bottle will warm toesand tinglestyle buds

13.M&Coplumchenilleknitted throw, £28.80 (was £36),M&Co

This luxurious-lookingthrow has cosy writtenall over it

14.M&S collectionsupersoft faux furthrow,from£25-£39.50,Marks &Spencer

This sumptuousthrow in light grey is bound to please

15.Goldmatteffect3piece saucepanset,£75,Dunelm

Pots with panache, give meal timesthe Midastouch with this glammy gold trio whichmarries flairwithfunction. Suitable forall hobs,including induction, they are ovensafeto180 degrees

Terrariums can addatouch of festive magic

Addatouch of festive magicto yourhome with alow-maintenanceterrarium that canbe completely personalisedtosuit yourstyle –and will last long afterthe otherdecorations have been packed away

“Tokeepcosts down,open terrariums caneasilybecreat ed with glassware you already have in yourhome,suchasvases or fish bowls,”saysClaireBish op, senior houseplantbuyer for DobbiesGarden Centres(dob bies.com). “Closedterrariums usuallyfeature acorktopper andcome in alldifferent shapes andsizes, so youcan choose a stylethatsuits yourspace.”

Awidevariety of plants can be used in yourterrarium

“Ideally you want to use slow-growing plants,”saysBish op.“Succulents areperfect for this.”

Terrariums aretypically hu midenvironmentssoany ferns will make agreat addition,says Bishop.Whileterrariumsare low-maintenance, Bishop notes they do requiresome attention when planting to keep them healthyand happy.

“Ifyou’recreatinganopen terrarium, give it an occasional water or amistvia theopening,”she says.“If yourterrar iumistoppedwithmoss, keep themossdamp. If you have a closedterrarium,you only need to water this when you firstcre ateit.”

To create an open festiveter rarium,you will need:A terrar iumorglass container; terrar iumcompost mix; moss;moss branches;tot’plants; lights; decorative items

Method:

1. Startbyliningyourterrariumwithcompost mixand give it agood mist with water.

2. Addyour‘tot’ plants, en suring you mulchwelland don’t overcrowd thecontainer.Sstart with thelargestplant first andthenadd smallervarieties around it

3. Once you arehappy with how theplantslook, addmoss over theexposedsoil, andgive this amistwithwater

4. Decorateyourterrarium with smallpinecones, Christ mastreetrimmings andany otherfestive accessoriesyou have.

5. WiredLED lights placed in side will addatouch of Christ masmagic

I’mDreaming Of AWineChristmasreversiblecushion,Neonimo

RussellHobbs RHMD714BL17L 700W Scandi blue digitalmicrowave Pomegranatepillar candle

Plant expert ClaireBishop

KIRSTIE’S HANDMADE CHRISTMAS

Channel 4, 8.00pm

As anation, we seem to love watching people make things. How else can we explain the popularity of such shows as The Great British Bake Off,Sewing Bee, Pottery Throw Down, Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker,All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star,Portrait Artist of the Year,MasterChefand all the many other similar competitions out there? You might even suggest that The Repair Shop, thanks to its make do and mend attitude, continues the theme Anothertoadd to the list is Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas. It has been known to feature contests, but it has aless stressful, cosier feel to it, and pops up annually to get viewers in the mood for the festive season. It started out as an offshoot of Kirstie Allsopp’s 2009 series Handmade Home, in which she (with help from various experts) decorated her then new Devon house with craft items she made herself

In the years since her first dabble into the world of the handmade, crafts have really risen in popularity, with thousands across the country taking up knitting, crochet, sewing, baking, woodwork and more. During lockdown, their appeal grew even more, as the public searched for ways in which to spendtheir time that didn’t involve leaving the house –thanks to numerous online tutorials, they were able to pick up new skills in no time.

But for Kirstie, crafting isn’t just for pandemics, it’s for life.

“I think it’s always interested me, but Inever thought Iwas capable of doing it,” she says of the crafting world. “So Iwould buy it. I’d see something that was made with love and care, and Iwould purchase it. Ineverreally thought Iwas capable of that.

“I was avery early advocate of the immaculate

Christmas, making abig effort with that kind of stuff But it was asurprising discovery for me that Iwas capable of making things myself.”

However,she does admit defeat in some areas, but thinks that afear of failure shouldn’t put people off trying new things.

“The ones that Ican’t get good at involve knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching –I just can’t feel my way towards them,” she admits. “But alot of the crafts are made much, much more difficult on the show by the time aspect, and by having the cameras there.

“There are times when you see me throwing a wobbly,but the truth is,I’m throwing awobbly at the process of being filmed while under this kind of pressure. That is what gets to you –because you are doing this flower arrangement, for example, and someone will say ‘Kirstie, can you talk about what you’re feeling now?’”

Hopefully she’ll be keeping her cool during this programme, in which she confronts her fear of making pastry while creating achoux-inspired wreath. Other masterclasses to look out for include Christmas crackers made from pasta (hopefully they can be eaten afterwards), aboozy hot chocolateand turning odd socks into fun festive friends.

In the event of World Cup 2022 matches not being shown the following schedule is subject to change:

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live At Christmas (S). 10.00 ExpertWitness (S). 10.45 Claimed And Shamed (R) (S). 11.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.15 Bargain Hunt (S). 1.00 BBC News At One; Weather (S). 1.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 1.45 Doctors (S). 2.15 Planet Earth: AMeerkat’s Tale (R) (S). 2.30 MOTD Live: Fifa World Cup 2022 (S). 5.15 BBC News At Six; Weather (S). 5.45 BBC Regional News; Weather (S).

6.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 7.15 Bargain Hunt (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 Best House In Town (R) (S). 1.45 Lightning (R) (S). 2.15 FILM: Dancing Through Christmas (Paul Shapiro 2021) Romantic drama, starring AnnaLynne McCord (S). 3.40 FILM: Christmas ALa Carte (Graeme Campbell 2021) Romantic drama, starring Erin Agostino (S). 5.10 Beechgrove Repotted (S). 5.15 Flog It! (R) (S).

In the event of World Cup 2022 matches not being shown the following schedule is subject to change:

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 Fifa World Cup 2022 The first quarter final. Kick-off is at 3pm (S). 5.15 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 5.30 ITV News; Weather (S).

SPEED

(ITV4, 11.10pm)

Keanu Reeves (pictured) portrays LA bomb squad member Jack Traven, who plays adeadly game of cat-and-mouse with the deranged Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper). The latter plants adevice on a bus that will detonate if the vehicle drops below 50mph. While Jack tries to figure away of getting the passengers off the vehicle, keeping it on the road is lefttofeisty Annie (played by Sandra Bullock), who ends up at the wheel when the driver is shot.

LOVE ACTUALLY (ITV2,

9.00pm)

Richard Curtis’s directorial debut creates atableau of modern-day London life in which peoplefall in and out of love to asmoochy soundtrack in the

run-up to Christmas. The film stitches together ten separate stories of love, longing,camaraderie and failed relationships, among them Hugh Grant as abachelor PM falling head over heels for atea lady played by Martine McCutcheon. Deliriously, gloriously romantic.

6.05 Countdown (R) (S). 6.45

Cheers (R) (S). 7.10 Cheers (R) (S). 7.35 Everybody

Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.00

Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.30 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 9.00 Frasier (R) (S). 9.30 Frasier (R) (S).

10.00 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 Kirstie’s

Handmade Christmas (R) (S).

4.00 APlace In The Sun (S).

5.00 Four In ABed (R) (S). 5.30

Come Dine With Me (R) (S).

6.00 The Simpsons Halloween-inspired tales (R) (S).

6.30 Hollyoaks (R) (S).

7.00 Channel 4News (S). 7.30 Unreported World Acontroversial drug being used in Mexico to address mental illness and drug addiction (S).

8.00 Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas Kirstie Allsopp offers festive tips on how to have a stylish Christmas (S).

9.00 Gogglebox Theamateur critics share their thoughts on the week’s telly.Last in the series (S). 10.00 The Last Leg Jimmy Carrand Joanne McNally join the regulars (S). 11.05 The Big Narstie Show With guests Scarlett Moffatt, Eddie Hearn, Kojey Radical and Carol Vorderman (S). 11.55 Black Books (R) (S). 12.25 Black Books (R) (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine (S). 12.30 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) (S). 1.25

5News At Lunchtime (S). 1.30

FILM: Christmas Matchmakers (David DeCoteau 2019) Premiere. Romantic drama, starring Vivica AFox (S). 3.15 FILM: The Christmas Crashers (Sheldon Epps 2022) Premiere. Comedy, starring Skye Townsend (S). 5.00 5News At 5 (S).

PAKISTAN VENGLAND

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 Hope ForWildlife (R) (S). 9.00 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 9.30 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 10.00 Supergirl (R) (S). 11.00 NCIS: New Orleans (R) (S). 12.00 NCIS: New Orleans (R) (S). 1.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 2.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 3.00 World’s Most Toxic Animals (R) (S). 4.00 Will &Grace (R) (S). 4.30 Will &Grace (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 Love Bites (S). 9.00 Love Bites (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 Rolling In It (S). 1.00 Family Fortunes (S). 2.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 3.05 One Tree Hill (S). 4.00 Chuck (S). 5.00 Chuck (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 Man About The House (S). 8.35 Man About The House (S). 9.10 Maigret (S). 10.25 Maigret (S). 11.35 Heartbeat (S). 12.35 Heartbeat (S). 1.40 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.15 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.50 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.20 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.50 ATouchOfFrost (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).

6.00 Gregg Wallace’s Magical Christmas Market The Christmas market in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens (R) (S).

7.00 Hamleys At Christmas The hidden stories of the famous London toy store (R) (S). 7.55 5News Update (S). 8.00 Costco At Christmas Cameras go behind the scenes at the membership-only retailer (S). 9.00 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out The presenter heads to Cumbria. Last in the series (S).

7.00 Christmas University Challenge Corpus Christi, Cambridge take on St Anne’s, Oxford (S).

7.30 TopOfThe Pops (S).

6.00 Futurama Earth is invaded by intelligent cats (R) (S). 6.30 The Simpsons (R) (S).

Simpsons Mr Burns buys his employees hi-tech specs so he can spy on them (R) (S). 7.30 Young Rock

10.00 Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs The ultimate 1980s chart(R) (S). 12.50 Criminals: Caught On Camera (R)(S). 1.15 The LeoVegas Live Casino Show (S). 3.15 HenryVIII: Endgame (R) (S). 4.00Ben Fogle: New Lives In TheWild (R) (S). 4.50 Christmas With Mariah Carey (R) (S). 5.35 HouseDoctor (R) (S).

8.00 TopOfThe Pops With Sub Sub, Radiohead, Bjork, Meat Loaf and Chaka Demus &Pliers (S). 9.00 Definitely Dusty An insight into Dusty Springfield’s personal life (S). 10.00 Dusty Springfield At The BBC Atribute to the London-bornpop diva (S). 11.00 Dusty With guest Scott Walker (S). 11.25 CountryMusic By Ken Burns (S). 12.15 CountryMusic By Ken Burns (S). 1.10 TopOfThe Pops (S). 1.40 TopOfThe Pops (S). 2.40 Definitely Dusty (S). 3.40 Close

8.00 David Attenborough’s Global Adventure The greatest filming sequences of David Attenborough’s career (R) (S). 9.00 FILM: The Princess (2022) An insight into the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales (R) (S). 11.00 Late Late Show Best Of The Week Highlights of the talk show

Radio

8.00 Bob’s Burgers Bob realises he could learn from Linda’s customer service skills (S). 8.30 Bob’s Burgers (S).

Celebrity Catchphrase Stephen Mulhern hosts the second of two special World Cup editions (S). 8.00

Dress To Impress Rhiannon, Livand Georgia compete for the affections of model Brad (S).

9.00 FILM: Love Actually (2003) Romantic comedy,with Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon (S). 11.45 Family Guy Peter joins the TeaParty andshuts down the government (S).

Family Guy (S). 12.40

Dad! (S). 1.10

Dad! (S). 1.40 The

Up Sketch Show (S). 2.10 The Stand Up Sketch Show (S). 2.40 Unwind WithITV (S). 3.00 Teleshopping

Heartbeat Adebt collector suggests a way to toughen up Geoff (S).

Martin Louisa plans aspecial evening to celebrate Martin’s birthday (S).

6.55 Escape To The Chateau At Christmas Dick and Angel prepare for Christmas (S).

7.55 Grand Designs Awater tower conversion in central London (S).

Martin The doctor has his second GMC assessment (S).

Cracker Part two of three. Time is running out (S).

Cracker Part three of three. The hunt is on for Albie (S).

Of Frost (S).

Unwind With ITV (S). 2.30

Heartbeat An informant leads police to adrugs shipment (S). 9.00 Astrid: Murder In Paris Astrid questions a seemingly wrapped-up case. In French (S). 10.15 24 Hours In A&E A woman is airlifted to hospital after falling off her mobility scooter (S). 11.20 24 Hours In A&E A man who has been hit by acar may have sustained ableed to the brain (S). 12.25 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 1.25 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 2.25 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.25 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.55 Close

THE HIT LIST

BBC1, 5.30pm

On The Hit List, it probably helps to have agood bond with your teammate, but is it possible to know each other alittle bit too well?

We could find out tonight, as Marvin and Rochelle Humes introduce a1990s special. The contestantsare Westlife’s Brian McFadden and Boyzone’s Keith Duffy,SClub 7’s Tina Barrett and Bradley McIntosh, and 911’s Lee Brennan and pop legend Sonia, and according to the presenters it’s clear that some of them have served in the pop trenches together

Marvin says: “In the nineties special you can tell there was alot of banter flying about between Westlife’s Brian McFadden and Boyzone’s Keith Duffy with the SClubguys and Lee from 911, obviously they’ve spent alot of time on the road together so Ifeel like, as much as they love seeing each other again, there was alot of banter…”

Rochelle adds: “It was quite alot wasn’t it? At some points Iwas like ‘Is this ok? Do they know each other,tobebantering this much?’ but they seemed very friendly but it was like they were back on the tour bus together again ”

In between the bantering, they will be answering question on pop music, which is the point of the show.When asked to sum up The Hit List for newcomers, Rochelle says: “Well first of all where have you been?! Secondly,itisthe ultimate music quiz, it is ashow for the whole family,it’s fun, it’s light, it’s that feel good telly that you will want to watch on aSaturday night.”

Marvin adds: “Everyone can get involved, we play music from across the decades, 70s, 80s, 90s, noughties, 10sand 20s, but like Roch said it’s feel-good family entertainment. You’ll be shouting at the TV screen and you’ll want to apply for the

show!”

The married couple are arguably the perfect hosts for the show –after all they have both a background in pop. Rochelle was in girl group the Saturdays and Marvin found fame in JLS.

As Rochelle says: “It was just really important for us to work on ashow togetherthat we were both equally as passionate about, and obviously music is what we’re both known for and it’s something that we’ve always really bonded over,soitwas just like anobrainer,really.”

The only drawback may be if aquestion comes up about one of their groups, although luckily Rochelle isn’t offended if the contestants fail to get them right.

She laughs: “They’ve both come up,but Idon’t think they got either of them! They knew the song but they said different boy bands and different girls bands. Ithink it’s quite funny!”

Let’s just hope no one tonight gets aquestion wrong about one of the other contestants, or all that banter may take amore pointed turn…

In the event of World Cup 2022 matches not being shown the following schedule is subject to change:

6.00 Breakfast (S). 10.00 Saturday Kitchen Live: Countdown To Christmas (S). 11.30 Nigella: At My Table (R) (S). 12.00 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 1.00 BBC News (S). 1.10 BBC Regional News; Weather 1.20 Bargain Hunt (R) (S). 2.00 Money ForNothing (R) (S). 2.30 MOTD Live: Fifa World Cup 2022 Coverage of the third quarter final. Kick-off is at 3pm (S). 5.15 BBC News; Weather (S). 5.30 The Hit List (S).

7.45 Ninja Express (R) (S). 7.55 The Deep (R) (S). 8.20 Odd Squad (R) (S). 8.30 One Zoo Three (R) (S). 8.55 Newsround (S). 9.00 Deadly Pole To Pole (R) (S). 10.00 FILM: AChristmas Story (Bob Clark 1983) (R) (S).

11.30 Mountain Vets (R) (S).

12.00 TopOfThe Shop With Tom Kerridge (R) (S). 1.00 The Sweet Makers At Christmas (R) (S).

2.00 FILM: AMatter Of Life And Death (Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger 1946) (S). 3.45 Flog It! (R) (S). 4.05 Christmas Classics: Talking Pictures (R) (S). 4.50 FILM: Nativity 2: Danger In The Manger! (Debbie Isitt 2012) Comedy sequel, starring David Tennant (S).

In the event of World Cup 2022 matches not being shown the following schedule is subject to change:

6.00 CITV 9.25 ITV News (S). 9.30 James Martin’s Saturday Morning At Christmas (S). 11.40 John And Lisa’s Christmas Kitchen (S). 12.45 James Martin’s American Adventure (R) (S). 1.45 ITV News; Weather (S). 2.00 Fifa World Cup 2022 Coverage of the third quarter final. Kick-off is at 3pm (S). 5.15 Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals (R) (S). 5.40 ITV News; Weather (S). 5.50 ITV Regional News; Weather (S).

Self Esteem At 6Music Festival 2022 (S). 12.55 Cinderella: AComic Relief Pantomime ForChristmas (R) (S). 1.50 How To With John Wilson (R) (S). 2.20 How To With John Wilson (R) (S). 2.50 This Is BBC Two (S).

6.00 Fifa World Cup 2022 Coverage of the fourth quarter final. Kick-off is at 7pm (S). 9.15 The 1% Club Quiz, hosted by Lee Mack (R) (S). 10.15 ITV News; Weather (S). 10.35 FILM: Taken (2008) Thriller,starring Liam Neeson (S). 12.20 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 4.15 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh (R) (S).

Sport

6.05 The King Of Queens (R) (S).

7.20 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.35 The Simpsons (R) (S). 9.05 The Simpsons (R) (S). 9.35 The Simpsons (R) (S).

10.05 The Simpsons (R) (S).

10.35 The Simpsons (R) (S).

11.05 Couples Come Dine With Me (R) (S). 12.05 Four In ABed (R) (S). 12.35 Four In ABed (R) (S). 1.05 Four In ABed (R) (S). 1.40 Four In ABed (R) (S).

2.10 Four In ABed (R) (S). 2.45

Secrets Of The Middle Aisle At Christmas (R) (S). 3.45 Jamie’s Easy Christmas (R) (S). 4.50

Channel 4News (S). 5.20 FILM: Jingle All The Way (Brian Levant 1996) Comedy,starring Arnold Schwarzenegger (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 10.05 SpongeBob SquarePants (R) (S). 10.20 SpongeBob SquarePants (R) (S). 10.30 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 10.40 Friends (R) (S). 11.10 Friends (R) (S). 11.40

FILM: Jack Frost (Troy Miller 1998) Family fantasy drama, starring Michael Keaton (S). 1.45 FILM: Christmas In Pine Valley (2022) Premiere. Romantic drama, starring Rene Ashton (S). 3.45 FILM: You, Me And The Christmas Trees (David Winning 2021) Premiere. Romantic drama, starring Danica McKellar and Benjamin Ayres (S). 5.30 FILM: Christmas On 5th Avenue (Amy Force 2021) Drama, starring Kathryn Davis (S).

6.00 Futurama (R) (S). 6.30 Futurama (R) (S). 7.00 Futurama (R) (S). 7.30 Futurama (R) (S). 8.00 Futurama (R) (S). 8.30

Extreme Snakes: Australia (R) (S). 9.30 Extreme Snakes: Africa (R) (S). 10.30 Soccer AM With John Fendley and Jimmy Bullard. 12.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 12.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 1.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 1.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.35 Monkeys: An Amazing Animal Family (R) (S). 3.35 Monkeys: An Amazing Animal Family (R) (S). 4.35 Monkeys: An Amazing Animal Family (R) (S). 5.35 Legends Of The Pharaohs (R).

6.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 6.15 Coronation Street (S). 7.05 Coronation Street (S). 8.05 Coronation Street (S). 9.05 Love Bites (S). 10.05 Dress To Impress (S). 11.05 Dress To Impress (S). 12.05 In For APenny (S). 12.40Family Fortunes: Celebrity Christmas Special (S). 1.40 Celebrity Catchphrase: Christmas Special (S). 2.45 FILM: Rio (Carlos Saldanha 2011) Animated comedy,with thevoice of Jesse Eisenberg (S). 4.40 FILM: The Proposal (Anne Fletcher 2009) Romantic comedy,starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds (S).

6.00 Man About The House (S). 6.35 Maigret (S). 7.35 Maigret (S). 8.45 FILM: Holiday On The Buses (Bryan Izzard 1973)

Comedy,starring RegVarney (S). 10.30 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 11.40 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 12.50 Midsomer Murders (S). 2.55 Midsomer Murders (S). 5.00 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 APlace In The Sun (S). 9.55 APlace In The Sun (S). 11.00

APlace In The Sun (S). 12.00

Location, Location, Location (S). 1.00 Come Dine With Me (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 Four In ABed (S). 4.15 Four In ABed (S). 4.50 Four In ABed (S). 5.20 Four In ABed (S). 5.50 Four In ABed (S).

7.05 FILM: Finding Your Feet (2017) Comedy, starring Imelda Staunton and Celia Imrie (S).

7.20 5News Weekend (S). 7.25 FILM: AChristmas Carol (1999) Dickens’ classic ghost story, starring Patrick Stewart (S).

7.00 Raiders Of The Lost Past With Janina Ramirez The discovery of a40,000-year-old artwork known as The Lion Man (S).

7.45 Flying Monsters With David Attenborough

The broadcaster explores the world of the pterosaur (R) (S).

9.15 FILM: Murder On The Orient Express (2017) Mystery, starring Kenneth Branagh (S).

9.15 Christmas At Kew Gardens Following the festive celebrations at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew(R) (S).

9.00 Señorita 89 Raúl López Morton threatens Elena (S). 9.45 Señorita 89 (S).

9.15 FILM: Elf (2003) Fantasy comedy,with Will Ferrell (R) (S).

9.00 FILM: 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Comedy,starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles (S).

7.00 Midsomer Murders

Tragedy strikes at a family friend’s wedding (S).

6.25 Come Dine WithMe Chauffeur James hosts the first of five parties in Surrey (S). 6.55 Come Dine With Me (S).

7.25 Come Dine With Me (S).

7.55 Come Dine With Me Music teacher Caroline is the fourth host in Surrey (S).

11.25 FILM: WarFor The Planet Of The Apes (2017) Sci-fi adventure sequel, starring Andy Serkis (S).

11.25 To The Manor Born Richard is reprimanded (S). 11.55 Sykes Eric and Hattie spend Christmas with Corky (S).

11.10 Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything Comedy, starring Sheridan Smith (R). 11.40 FILM: Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) (R) (S).

9.00 Midsomer Murders Rivalries behind the scenes at atouring dance show lead to murder (S).

9.00 24 Hours In A&E A teenager with anorexia nervosa is rushed in with low blood pressure (S).

11.05 Family Guy Joe cheats on Bonnie (S). 11.30 Family Guy Lois is reunited with an old flame (S).

11.55 The Ruth Rendell Mysteries Drama, starring Jerome Flynn and Sadie Frost (S).

11.10 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown Sean Lock and Jason Manford take on Jon Richardson and Roisin Conaty (S).

Of 10 Cats Does Countdown Christmas Special (S). 1.15 24 Hours In A&E (S). 2.20 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.25 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.55 Close

STRIKE: TROUBLED BLOOD

BBC One, 9.00pm

Lately,JKRowling has been hitting theheadlines due to hercontroversialviews on certain matters,but when it comes to writing,she’sstillgot the Midas touch. Most authors dreamofhaving one successful series undertheir belt, but she hastwo –three, if youcount the HarryPotterspin-offFantastic Beastsand Where to Find Them.

Forthose of us who couldn’t get intotheir fantasy worlds, Rowling came up with something far more down to earth and gritty, although she initially tried to keepita secret by writingunder thepseudonym Robert Galbraith. The result wasthe bestselling CormoranStrike crime novels. Earlier thisyear,she released thesixthinthe series, entitled The Ink Black Heart.

The TV adaptations are alittle behind, however,so when theprivate detective and his professionalpartner Robin Ellacott return to our screensthisweek, they’ll be tackling the novel’s predecessor,Troubled Blood.

Whenthe BBCannounced it wasgoing to make aseries based on Rowling’s work,fansstruggledto come up withanactorperfect for the role of Strike, a large, somewhatrumpled but attractive manwho lost half of his left leg while serving with thearmed forces in Afghanistan.Afew eyebrows were raised when Tom Burke washanded thepart, andalthough not fitting Rowling’soriginal literary description, he’s madethe part his own.

Perhaps he turnedtohis own father, actor David Burke, for advice on portraying aliterary detective he played Dr Watsoninthe first series of ITV’s The AdventuresofSherlock Holmes, opposite Jeremy Brett.

“I feel Iowe alot to my forebears, thedetectives I greatly enjoy watching, or the portrayals of detectives Igreatly enjoy watching,”says Burke Jr.“Sometimes one feels that theybalancemoral imperative witha kind of obsessive need to try to understand evil. Ilike

the fact thatStrike alwaysseems to think he’s gotthe measureofthe killerand why they’vedone it.”

This time, while visiting his family in Cornwall, Strike is approached by awoman whowants to know what happened to hermother.GPMargaretBamborough vanishedin1974after aconsultation with apatient Strike’snever tackled acold case before, but the story intrigues him,sohedecides that he and Robin (Holliday Grainger)should give it ago.

Of course, it proves to be far from straightforward, and beforelong, the dynamic duo realise they’reon the trailofa psychopathicserialkiller.What’smore, the supposed witnesses cannot be trusted.

But what manyStrike fans want to know is: will he andRobin ever move out of the ‘friend zone’ and act on the obviousattraction between them?

Well, that would be telling –and Burke isn’tgiving anything away either.Instead, he’s hopingfor something ratherdifferent.

“Not in real life, of course,but I’m quite afan of catastrophe. I’d quite like things to go very,very wrong. But Idon’t know –we’llsee…”

Well, with Rowling’sskills as astoryteller still firing on all cylinders,literally anything could happen

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.00 Sunday

With Laura Kuenssberg (S). 10.00 Politics England (S). 10.30

My Life At Christmas With Sally Phillips (S). 11.30 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.00 BBC News; Weather (S). 12.15 MOTD

Live: Women’s Super League Manchester City vs Manchester United. Kick-off is at 12.30pm (S). 2.30 MOTD World Cup Top10: Controversies (S). 3.00 Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022 (S). 5.30 Wallace &Gromit: A Grand Day Out (R) (S). 5.50 BBC News (S).

6.20 Gardeners’ World Winter Specials (R) (S). 7.20 Countryfile (R) (S). 8.15 Landward (R) (S).

8.45 This Farming Life (R) (S).

9.45 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites (S). 11.15 MaryBerry’s Country House Secrets (R) (S). 12.15

Fern Britton Meets June Brown (R) (S). 1.15 Songs Of Praise: Young Chorister Of The Year –Final (S). 2.00 FILM: Clash

Of The Titans (Desmond Davis 1981) Mythical adventure, starring Harry Hamlin (S). 3.55 Tiger

Dynasty: Natural World (R) (S).

4.00 European Cross Country Highlights (S). 5.00 Chris & Michaela: Under The Christmas Sky (R) (S).

6.00 CITV 9.25 ITV News (S). 9.30 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh (S). 11.30 John And Lisa’s Christmas Kitchen (R) (S). 12.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 12.45 English Football League Highlights Action from the latest fixtures (R) (S). 2.45 Live Champions Cup Rugby Saracens vs Edinburgh. Kick-off is at 3.15pm (S). 5.45 Catchphrase (R) (S).

3.50 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 Ainsley’s Food We Love (R) (S).

Sport 6.00 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 6.25 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 6.50 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 7.15 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 7.40 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.05 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.20 Quentin Blake’s Clown (R) (S).

2.45 TerryPratchett’s The Abominable Snow Baby (R) (S).

3.20 The Tiger Who Came To Tea (R) (S). 3.50 Father Christmas (R) (S). 4.25 FILM: Miracle On 34th Street (Les Mayfield 1994)

Christmas family drama remake, with Richard Attenborough (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 10.00 SpongeBob SquarePants (R) (S). 10.25 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 10.30 NFL End Zone (S). 11.00 Friends (R) (S).

11.30 FILM: ACozy Christmas Inn (2022) Premiere. Romantic comedy,starring Jodie Sweetin (S). 1.20 FILM: AChristmas Waltz (Michael Damian 2020) Premiere. Festive romance, starring Lacey Chabert(S).

3.10 FILM: Christmas Tree Lane (Steven RMonroe 2020) Romantic drama, starring Alicia Witt (S). 5.00 FILM: Jumanji (Joe Johnston 1995) Fantasy adventure, starring Robin Williams (S).

6.30 Channel 4News (S).

7.00 Big Ben Restored: The Grand Unveiling The extraordinarystoryof the six-year renovation of the iconic clock tower (S).

8.00 Escape To The Chateau Dick and Angel create aconservatory-style winter garden room (S).

9.00 The Handmaid’s Tale June considers a tempting but risky offer from asurprise visitor (S).

10.05 Gogglebox Festive Special The armchair critics cast their eyes over 2020’s biggest Christmas television shows (R) (S).

11.30 Gogglebox Theamateur critics share their thoughts on the week’s telly (R) (S).

7.00 Jackanory (S).

7.15 ChuckleVision Paul and Barry move into ahotel (S). 7.35 Why Don’t You...? (S).

6.00 The Mighty Ones 6.25 The Mighty Ones 6.50 The Mighty Ones 7.15 The Mighty Ones 7.40 The Mighty Ones 8.05 World’s Most Toxic Animals (R) (S). 9.05 World’s Most Toxic Animals (R) (S). 10.05 The Simpsons (R) (S). 10.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 11.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 11.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 12.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 12.30 UFO (R) (S). 1.30 UFO (R) (S). 2.30 David Attenborough’s Dragons And Damsels (R) (S). 3.30 Live WSL Aston Villa vs Arsenal. Kick-off is at 4.15pm (R).

6.00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Love Bites (S). 7.35 Love Bites (S). 8.25 Dress To Impress (S). 9.30 Dress To Impress (S). 10.30 Dress To Impress (S). 11.30 Rolling In It: Christmas Special (S). 12.30 In ForAChristmas Penny (S). 1.15 Catchphrase Christmas Special (S). 2.20

FILM: Mr Popper’s Penguins (Mark Waters 2011) Family comedy,starring Jim Carrey (S). 4.10 FILM: The Grinch (Yarrow Cheney,Scott Mosier 2018) (S). 5.55 FILM: Arthur Christmas (Sarah Smith, Barry Cook 2011) Animated comedy,with the voice of James McAvoy (S).

6.00 Man About The House (S). 6.40 Emmerdale (S). 7.30 Emmerdale (S). 8.30 Emmerdale (S). 9.30 Maigret (S). 10.40 Maigret (S). 11.55 Midsomer Murders (S). 1.55 Midsomer Murders (S). 3.55 Midsomer Murders (S).

12.25 GreatestEver Christmas Movie Blunders (R) (S).

8.00Winter Journey: Schubert’s Winterreise Benjamin Appl and James Baillieu reimagine Schubert’s song cycle (S). 9.30 Dame Fanny Waterman: ALifetime In Music The renowned pianist reflects on her life and career (S). 10.00 Simon Schama Meets Ai Weiwei (S). 10.30 Simon Schama Meets Nadya Tolokonnikova (S). 11.00 Simon Schama Meets Margaret Atwood (S). 11.30 The Truth About Christmas Carols (S). 12.30 Discovering The Bridge

On The River Kwai –Malcolm Arnold (S). 1.30 Mark Kermode’s Secrets Of Cinema: British Comedy (S). 2.30 Write Around The World With Richard EGrant (S). 3.30

Radio

6.00

7.25 Come Dine With Me The last to host is 24-year-old recruitment consultant and lover of all things Essex, Grace (S).

11.05 Emergency Helicopter Medics Aman requires urgent medical care after falling from his motorbike (S). 12.05 999: On The Front Line (S). 1.10 24 Hours In A&E (S). 2.15 Emergency Helicopter Medics (S). 3.20 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.50 Close

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 SamAnd Danni. BBC RADIO 2 6am Good MorningSunday 9.00 SteveWright’s Sunday LoveSongs 11.00 TheMichael Ball Show 1pm Elaine Paige On Sunday 3.00 Sounds Of The 70s With JohnnieWalker 5.00 Judi Love. 7.00 Tony Blackburn’sGolden Hour 8.00 Young Chorister Of The Year 2022. 9.00 Radio 2PianoRoom. 10.00 Radio 2 Unwinds With Angela Griffin. 11.00 Radio 2Unwinds With Angela Griffin. 12mdn’t OJ Borg 2.30 OneHit WondersWithOJBorg. 3.00 Alternative Sounds Of The 90s With DermotO’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. 4.30 Jazz RecordRequests. 5.00 TheListening Service. 5.30 WordsAnd Music. 6.45 Sunday Feature: Shostakovich And The BattleFor Babi Yar. 7.30 Drama On 3: Venice Preserved. 9.00 RecordReview Extra. 11.00 Keelan Carew’sPiano Odyssey 12mdn’t Classical Fix 12.30 Through TheNight BBC RADIO 4 6am News Headlines. 6.05 SomethingUnderstood. 6.35 Natural Histories. 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 SundayWorship. 8.48 APoint Of View. 8.58 Tweet Of The Day 9.00 Broadcasting House. 10.00 The Archers. 11.15 Desert Island Discs 12noon News 12.01 (LW) Shipp ng Forecast. 12.04 I’mSorry I Haven’t AClue 12.30 The Food Programme 12.57 Weather 1.00 TheWorldThisWeekend. 1.30 Faith In Music 2.00 Gardeners’ QuestionTime. 2.45 One Dish. 3.00 Drama: Working Titles: Convenience Store Woman. 4.00 OpenBook. 4.30 ThePoetryDetective. 5.00 ParadiseLost:The RiseAnd Fall Of The Eldonian Dream 5.40 Profile 5.54 Shipping Forecast 5.57 Weather. 6.00 Six O’Clock News. 6.15 Pick Of The Week. 7.00 The Archers. 7.15 TheConfessional. 7.45 Voices In TheValley. 8.00 Feedback. 8.30 Last Word. 9.00 Money Box. 9.25 Radio 4Appeal. 9.30 Britain’s Communist Thread. 10.00 TheWestminsterHour 11.00 Loose Ends. 11.30 Something Understood 12mdn’t News AndWeather 12.15 Sideways. 12.45 BellsOnSunday 12.48 Shipping Forecast 1.00 As BBC World Service 5.20 ShippingForecast. 5.30 News Br efing 5.43 Prayer ForThe Day 5.45 Farming Today 5.58 Tweet Of The Day BBC RADIO 4EXTRA 6am Poetry Extra 6.30 DearestSquirrel Omnibus. 7.40 Inheritance Tracks. 7.50 APassage To India Omnibus 9.00 Stilgoe’s Around. 9.30 Something To Shout About. 10.00 Desert IslandDiscs 10.30 Susan Hill–Autumn. 11.00 PoetryExtra 11.30 Dearest Squirrel Omnibus. 12.40pm InheritanceTracks. 12.50 APassage To IndiaOmnibus 2.00 Stilgoe’s Around. 2.30 Something To Shout About. 3.00 DesertIsland Discs. 3.30 Susan Hill– Autumn. 4.00 MR James Stories. 4.30 RedAsBlood. 5.00 PoetryExtra. 5.30 Dearest SquirrelOmnibus. 6.40 Inheritance Tracks. 6.50 APassage To India Omnibus. 8 00 Stilgoe’s Around. 8.30 SomethingToShout About. 9.00 Desert Island Discs. 9.30 SusanHill– Autumn 10 00 Comedy Club 10.00 ComedyClub: ElectricInk. 10.30 Comedy Club: SonOfCliche. 11.00 ComedyClub: Detective SergeantNickMohammed. 11.30 Comedy Club:AtHome WithThe Snails. 12mdn’t Poetry Extra 12 30 Dearest Squirrel Omnibus. 1.40 nheritance Tracks. 1.50 APassage To IndiaOmnibus. 3.00 Stilgoe’s Around. 3 30 Something To Shout About. 4 00 Desert Island Discs 4 30 Susan Hill –Autumn. BBC 5LIVE 6am 5LiveScience 7.00 Sunday Breakfast. 10.00 Chris Warburton. 12noon 5Live Sport 12.30 Women’s Football. 2.30 5Live Sport 5.00 5Live Sport 6.00 6-0-6. 8.00 Kammy &Ben’sProper Football Podcast. 8.30 Different With Nicky Campbell 9 00 Stephen Nolan. 12mdn’t MomentOfTruth 12.30 MomentOfTruth 1.00 Dotun Adebayo 5.00 Wake Up To Money BBC 6MUSIC 6am Amy Lamé. 8.00 RadcliffeAnd Maconie. 10.00 Cerys Matthews. 1pm The First Time With 2.00 Guy Garvey’s FinestHour 4.00 Iggy Pop. 6.00 NowPlaying @6Music 8.00 StuartMaconie’s Freak Zone. 10.00 Don Letts’ Culture Clash Radio. 12mdn’t TheHuey Show PresentsThe Hip Hop Mixtape 1.00 6Music’s Rave Forever 2 00 This IsUs–6MusicAt20. 3.00 This Is Us –6Music At 20. 4.00 The BBCIntroducing Mixtape 5.00 ChrisHawkins CLASSIC FM 7am Aled Jones. 10.00 John Brunning 1pm Catherine Bott 4.00 John Humphrys. 7.00 Smooth Classics At Seven. CharlotteHawkins introduces YoungClassical Star LucienneRenaudin Vary 9.00 Moira Stuartt Meets –BillBailey 10.00 Smooth Classics. 1am Bill Overton 4.00 Ear yBreakfast. ABSOLUTE RADIO 8am Jason Manford. 11.00 SarahChampion. 2pm Rock ’n’ Roll FootballWith Jay Lawrence. 6.00 Request Show With ClaireSturgess. 8.00 Sunday Night MusicClub. 12mdn’t Dan Noble. December11 QUEENS PARK RANGERS V BURNLEY Sky Sports Main Event, 12.30pm Live coverageofthe Championship match. SUNDAY 45

THE SAVOYATCHRISTMAS

ITV1, 9pm

Access-all-areas programmes about hotels, holiday resorts and stately homes are all over the TV schedules these days.

But what makes fly-in-the-foyer series The Savoy stand out from the crowd is the fact that the place is not just a central London hotel, it’s anational institution.

Filled with glamour,elegance, history and character,The Savoy has sat alongside the River Thamesfor over 130 years and was the first luxury hotel in Britain.

It has hosted rock stars and royalty,Oscar winners and world leaders, and you can almost hear thevoices of these of other prestigious guests when youset foot inside the place.

The first run of The Savoy was filmed during the most dramatic period of the hotel’s history –anincredibly busy winter season complicated by the devastating coronavirus shutdown.

Despite the obstacles in their way,wesaw how the staff catered for those lucky enough to be able to afford this slice of luxury,with cameras capturing the upstairs, downstairs and the most secret of corners.

As aresult, viewers got to know the team there, including Head Butler Sean Davoren, personally “There is no other hotel of this calibre with its history,” he says.

“I would like people to discover that we are a welcoming, friendly hotel. We are not astuffy hotel. We want everyone to come in and to enjoy this building.

“Sometimes people are put off when you mention The Savoy,but Ihope this series shows that our service is for everybody,not for achosen few “Viewers see avery natural and honest view of The Savoy and they will see exactly how we work on adaily basis.”

In the past, special occasions such as theBAFTAs and Valentine’s Day have featured in the series, which is narrated by Adjoa Andoh.

But like many hotels, the festive season is by farthe most profitable time of year for The Savoy

After the previous year’s Christmas festivities were cancelled, 2021 is now themost vital yuletide in its history The Savoy is fully booked, and across the property,

every department is preparing for the rush.

Christmas preparations begin in mid-November when, for six intense weeks, the staff work day and night to transformthe hotel into afestive wonderland.

Sean, who is now Guest Experience Manager is scheduled to have his first Christmas off in 10 years.

But before he does, he is on amission to ensure his new butler team is ready for thebig day.Hopefully,staff sickness won’t ruin his festive plans…

Meanwhile, in the Thames Foyer,guests check out the hotel’s seasonal afternoon tea menu.

And 13-year-old opera singer Alfieisinfor asurprise when afamous face drags him on stage up to perform.

Down in The Savoy cellar,Ella from the procurement team has to organise hundreds of tons of food and wine, as the hotel stockpiles in preparation for the celebrations.

With Sean and Michael both off,fellow Guest Experience Manager,Emily plans to wow some new guests, but she has to scramble somewhat to make sure a family has an emotional Christmas to remember Finally,inThe Savoy Grill, Restaurant director,Thierry and head chef Michael are working flat out to meet guests sky high expectations.

Can they successfully deliver asix-course Christmas day tasting menu, worthy of acertain Mr Ramsay?

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live At Christmas (S). 10.00 ExpertWitness (S). 10.45 A Countryside Christmas (R) (S). 11.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.15 Bargain Hunt (S). 1.00 BBC News; 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 Bidding Room (R) (S). 4.30 The Weakest Link (R) (S). 5.15 Pointless Celebrities (R) (S).

6.15 My Life At Christmas With Sally Phillips (R) (S). 7.15 Escape To The Country (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

Meet The Street At Christmas (R) (S). 1.45 Celebrity Eggheads (R) (S). 2.15 The Best Christmas Food Ever (R) (S). 3.00 World’s Weirdest Events (R) (S). 4.00 Back In Time ForSchool (R) (S). 5.00 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 (R) (S). 3.00 Tenable (R) (S). 3.59 ITV Regional Weather (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (R) (S). 5.00 The Chase (R) (S).

At Christmas Alook at preparations for the festive period at the London hotel (S). 10.00 ITV News At Ten; Weather (S). 10.30 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 10.45 Peston (S). 11.40 All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite Hard-hitting wrestling action (R) (S). 1.25 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 Cooking With The Stars (R) (S). 3.50 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 The Cube (R) (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine (S). 12.30 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) (S). 1.25 5News At Lunchtime (S). 1.30 FILM: Christmas Lucky Charms (Amy Force 2022) Premiere. Romantic drama, starring Sugenja Sri (S). 3.15 FILM: Our Family Christmas Memories (Catherine Cyran 2022) Premiere. Drama, starring Jesse Irving (S). 5.00 5 News At 5 (S).

VWEST BROMWICH ALBION

6.00 The Early Rundown (R). 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: New Orleans (R) (S). 12.00 NCIS: New Orleans (R) (S). 1.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 2.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 3.00 Big Beasts: Last Of The Giants (R) (S). 4.00 Will &Grace (R) (S). 4.30 Will &Grace (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 Love Bites (S). 9.00 Love Bites (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 Rolling In It (S). 1.00 Family Fortunes (S). 2.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 3.05 One Tree Hill (S). 4.00 Chuck (S). 5.00 Chuck (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 Man About The House (S). 8.35 Man About The House (S). 9.10 The Darling Buds Of May (S). 10.25 The Darling Buds Of May (S). 11.35 Heartbeat (S). 12.35 Heartbeat (S). 1.40 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.15 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.50 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.20 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.50 ATouchOfFrost (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 Heir Hunters (S). 3.10 Four In ABed (S). 3.40 Four In ABed (S). 4.15 Four In ABed (S). 4.50 Four In A Bed (S). 5.20 Four In ABed (S). 5.55 Escape To The Chateau: DIY (S).

6.00 The Simpsons Homer challenges Marge to a cooking competition (R) (S).

6.30 Hollyoaks (R) (S).

7.00 Channel 4News (S).

7.55 The Political Slot John Healey MP discusses the Labour Party’s view on the importance of Nato (S).

8.00 Waitrose At Christmas Behind the scenes at the supermarket in the run-up to Christmas (S).

9.00 The Disappearance Of April Jones New series. The storyofthe investigation into the disappearance of a fiveyear-old (S).

10.00 Undercover: Sexual Harassment –The Truth (S).

6.00 Secrets Of The Christmas Factory (R) (S). 6.55 5News Update (S).

7.00 Police Interceptors Dan is involved in a high-speed pursuit(R) (S). 7.55 5News Update (S).

8.00 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders Adriver leaves the scene after ahead-on collision (R) (S).

9.00 Police: Night Shift 999 New series. Returnofthe documentaryfollowing Gloucestershire Constabulary(S).

10.00 Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts Doctors treat atwo-year-old girl with dangerously low blood-sugar levels (R) (S). 11.05 999: Critical Condition A17-year-old is rushed in by helicopter after a mountain bike accident (R) (S). 12.05 Police Interceptors (R) (S)

7.00 Wild Scotland (S). 7.15 Christmas University Challenge (S). 7.45 Great Continental Railway Journeys (S).

8.15 June Brown: AWalford Legend The EastEnders actress looks back on her life and career (S). 8.45 EastEnders (S). 9.15 Quentin Blake: The Drawing Of My Life The artist tells the story of his creative life in his own words and pictures (S). 10.15 James May: My Sisters’ TopToys A celebration of toys through the decades (S). 11.15 What We Were Watching: Christmas 1991 Grace Dent takes atelevisual trip back in time (S). 12.15 Painting The Holy Land (S). 1.15 Great Continental Railway Journeys (S). 1.45 Discovering The Bridge On TheRiver Kwai –Malcolm Arnold (S). 2.45 What We Were Watching: Christmas 1991 (S). 3.45 Close

7.00 The Simpsons Lisa’s guinea pig destroys a painting in thefamily’s living room (R) (S). 7.30 The Simpsons (R) (S).

8.00 Sport’s Funniest Moments Farcical moments from the sporting world (R) (S).

9.00 ALeague Of TheirOwn Christmas Special 2022 Afestive edition, with Tony Bellew,Eve Muirhead, John Barnes and David Seaman.

10.00 Micky Flanagan –An’ Another Fing Live Astand-up show recorded at London’s O2 Arena (R) (S).

6.00 Futurama An invention allows peopletoswitch minds (R) (S). 6.30 The Simpsons Grampa moves in with the family (R) (S) 8.00 Bob’s Burgers Bob inherits astorage unit from arelative (S). 8.30 Bob’s Burgers (S). 9.00 Family Guy Peter goes to abusiness conference in Atlantic City with Preston (S). 9.30 Family Guy (S). 10.00 Family Guy Part one of two. Stewie decides to take revenge on Father Christmas (S). 10.35 Family Guy (S). 11.05 Family Guy The Grif

An explosion in the woods is linked to the activities of a dangerous criminal (S).

Escape To The Chateau Dick and Angel Strawbridge transformone of the old outbuildings (S).

Grand Designs A disabled Royal Marine builds aspecially adapted home (S).

12.00 The Russell Howard Hour (R). 12.45 Sex AndThe City (R) (S). 1.15 Sex And The City (R) (S). 1.45 The Force: Manchester (R) (S). 2.40 Road Wars (R) (S). 3.10 Hawaii Five-0 (R). 4.05 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 5.00 The Early Rundown (R). 5.30 The Early Rundown (R).

Radio

Highclere: Behind The Scenes The team prepares to host their first charity gala in three years (S).

Coastal Railways With Julie Walters The actress travels from Newcastle to Edinburgh (S).

24 Hours In A&E A 63-year-old builder falls from agreat height while working on a construction site (S).

8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 1.15 Emergency Helicopter Medics (S). 2.20 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.25 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.50 Close

experiencedweareandhowwepreformedon theirproject.You canviewphotosofthe project’swehave completedand customer reviews on ourwebsiteWecover

Northwood&Sons

HUMPHRIES

Ersilia Rosa (Celia)

On November 29, 2022, peacefully at Oldbur y Gran ge Re sid ent ial Care Home, Bridgnorth following along illness Ersilia Humphries, of The Hookfield, Bridgnorth,aged 85 years R.I.P

Deaths

BELL

James

Anthony (Jim)

On November 26, 2022, peacefully in Hospital at Telford,Jim Bell, formerly of Wellmeadow,Bridgnorth, aged 97 years.

The devoted Husband of the late Betty Bell, loving Dad of Margaret and the late David,adearFather-in-law and special Grandad and Great-Grandad.

Much loved, Jim will be sadly missed by all his Family and many Friends.

Funeral Service will be cond ucted at Te lford Crematorium (TF2 9NJ) on Wednesday,December 21, at 4.30pm.

Family flowers only by request please,but donations to Ward 17 at The Princess Royal Hospital, NHS Trust at Telford are being gratefully received, for which purpose a col lect ion bo xw ill be pr ov id ed at th e Crematorium, or online at www.perryandphillips funerals.com

All inquiries to Mr.J.C.Adams,

The Wife of the late Bryan, the lovingMother of Julia and Mari a, Mother-in-law of Steve and Dave, the much loved Nan of Fr ancesca, Georgina, Victoria and Tabitha and dear Sister-in-law of Hazel and Maria.

Much loved, Ersilia will be sadly missed by all her Family and Friends.

Reception into The R.C Church of St. John The Evangelist, Northgate, Bridgnorth, on Monday, December 19 at 6pm.

Funeral Service at The R.C. Church of St.John The Evangelist, Northgate, Bridgnorth, on Tuesday, December 20 at 12 noon, to be followed by Interment at Bridgnorth Town Cemetery.

Fa mily flowers only by request please, but donations for ‘Dementia UK’ are being gratefully received, for which purposeacollection boxwill be provided outside the Church, or online at www.perryandphillips funerals.com

All inquiries to Mr.C.C. Adams,

URRY Dorothy

Passed away peacefully on November 28, 2022, at Arden Grange Care Home,Ditton Priors, aged 99 years.

FormerlyofAlveley,near Bridgnorth.

She will be greatly missed by her Family and Friends.

Funeral Service to be held at The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Alveley on Friday, December9at11.30am, followed by Interment in the Churchyard.

Family flowers only please, donations if desired for a small local charity Dorothy and her late Sister Joan supported, Rose CottageCat rescue, forwhichpurpose acollection boxwill be provided in Church or can be sent to the Funeral Directors.

WILKINSON

Daphne Mary

Of Homer,near Much Wenlock, passed away at The LadyForester Nursing Home, MuchWenlockon Monday November 28, 2022, aged 96 years.

She will be sadly missed by all who knew her

Funeral Service to take place at Emstrey Crematorium, ShrewsburyonTuesday, December 20 at 2.45pm.

Family flowers only by request but donations if so desired will be divided between the Severn Hospice and The Lady Forester NursingHome,Residents Comfort Fund.

All donations willbevery much appreciated, for whichpurpose adonations boxwill be provided at the Crematorium.

All inquiries to

Barbara Arthur Trevor Bishop

Don Boyling

Glenys Breeze

Amy Chapman Brian Clayton

Josephine Cook

TomEvans

Vera Evans

Patricia ‘Anne’ Evans

Julie Fowler

Michael Gorman

Elisabeth Green

Anne Griffiths

Tony Hancox

ValHughes

Peter Humphreys

Ray Johnson Carl Kendalll

Robin Kinvig

David Lea Brian Lewis

Matthews

yMitchell

Shirley Moore Edith Morris

Mortimer

Carole Mott

Malcolm Peel

Phillip Ralphs

Natasha Raynes

Clive Reynolds

Brian Richie Marian Sayer

Gregg Scott John Seddon

Daphne Smewing Carolyn Smith

Brenda Turner Gillian Wheal Williams

COOPER

Charles Edwin Francis (Charlie)

Of Orcha rd Dri ve, Bridgnorth.

On November 23, 2022, Char lie passe da way peacefully in his sleep, after along illness borne with dignity,atDanesford Grange NursingHome, Bridgnorth, aged 92 years.

The beloved Husband of the late Ann Cooper, now reunited, loving Father of Paul and Gillian, Father in-law of Carol and Garry, dear Grandad of Neal and Tania, Kayand Jason, Darren and Danielle, Carl and Emma and Robert and Sara, Great Grandadof Charlie, Lauren, Alana, Sophia, Jackson, Jasmine, Skyla, Zack, Rowan, Rupert and Ralph.

Much loved, Charlie will be sadly missed by all his Family and Friends.

Funeral Service to take place at Telford Crematorium, on Thursday December 22,at 2.30pm.

Family flowers only,by request.

Donations if desired, for Diabetes UK, for which purpose acollection box willbeprovided at the Crematorium.

TISDALE

Valerie Beatrice Ann (Val) nee Evans

On November 15, 2022, peacefully in Hospital at Wolverhampton, in the presence of her Family, following along illness borne with great courage and dignity,Valerie Tisdale, of Chestnut Drive, Worfield, Nr.Bridgnorth, formerly of Dudley,aged 80 years.

The beloved Wife of Brian, the adored and cherished Mom of Deb, Johanne and Julie, Mother-in-law of Nigel, Andrew and Markand the dearNana of Alex, Isobel and Anna.

Muchloved, Valerie willbe so verysadly missed by all her Family and Friends.

FuneralService at Gornal Wood Crematorium, Dudley (DY3 2RL) on Wednesday, December 14, at 2.10pm.

Fa mily flowers only by request please but donations,which are to be dividedbetweenCompton Careand The R.N.I.B. are being gratefully received, for which pur pose a col lect ion bo xw ill be pr ov id ed at th e Crematorium, or online at www.perryandphillips funerals.com

All inquiries to Mr.C.C. Adams

NOTICE TO READERS

Please be awarethat when purchasing apuppy there are some simple guidelines you can follow to ensure that you are not purchasing from a Puppy Farmer:

Try to ensure you visit the

whilst it is still with its Mother.

Do not arrange to collect a puppy from any other location than that of the breeder.

Ensure that you are given any KC documentation, if pedigree. Whilst Midland News Association publications take great care to avoid publication of advertisements from Puppy Farmerswecannot acceptany liability should readers purchase from this kind of establishment.

Correspondents –Reporterswith relish who will bring in hardnewsstoriesand human interest features, bringing in frontpageleads and substantial onlinetrafficand able to take on lively and interesting background news features. These areroles forambitious, dedicatedand enthusiastic journalistswith aproventrack record

As amulti-mediajournalist,you must be comfortable producing contentfor all ofour printand digitalplatforms –fromin-depth news features forour newspapers, to breaking news articles for our websites, as well as covering stories as theyhappen on live blogs.

We arelooking forNCTJ-trainedjournalists, able to deliver accurate,entertaining copy to meetstrict deadlines. Afull, clean driving licence is required.

We will also consider NCTJ Diploma trained journalists who are working towardstheir NQJ.

This is abrilliantopportunity to join our newsroom, covering a diverse, vibrantand busy patch.

Benefits include acompetitive salary, 25 days’annual holidayand the chance to develop your career at Britain’slargest independent regional news company.

If youare interestedinthis role, please send acopyofyour CV and covering letter forthe attention of theeditor-in-chief, MartinWrightbyDecember 19, to:hr@claverleygroup.co.uk

FirstDrive: Peugeot408

TEDWELFORD PressAssociation

Againstthe vast swathes of SUVs,manufacturers areincreasinglyhavingto thinkoutside thebox when it comestodesigns –which equatestoincreasingly bolder optionsfor custom ers. Thelatestexample of this comesfromPeugeot, with itsnew 408.

Designed to sitbetween theconven tional 308 hatchbackand 508saloonin theline–up,Peugeot’scalling it a‘fast back’and is targetingbuyerslooking to escapeanSUV,yet want something more exciting thanatraditional hatch back

The408 is anew addition to Peuge ot’s rangeand arriveswithastriking newlook. Afew highlights areits fan tastic colour-coded,frameless grille alongwiththe popularSUV cladding foramoreruggedappearance.

Electrification is core to the408 too,withhybridversionspredicted to accountfor thebulk of sales, while there’sthe newversion of Peugeot’s i-Cockpitsystem, bringing thelatest in-car technology.

Thereare threepowertrainswith the408 –a128bhp 1.2-litre turbo charged petrolenginethatservesas theonlynon-electrified version,and a choice of twoplug-inhybrids

Both these hybridsuse a1.6-litre turbocharged petrolengine, andare paired to thesameelectricmotor anda 12.4kWhbattery

Peugeotclaimsupto40miles of electric rangeispossible, with Peu geotsayingmorethan200mpgand CO2emissions of 26g/km.Itwill take threehours and25minutes to charge the408,thoughyou canreducethisto an hour and40minutes with afaster 7.4kWonboard charger

Peugeotwon’t admitit, butthe 408 is essentiallyasibling modeltothe Citroen C5 X– amodel with apar ticularfocus on comfortwithits soft er suspension. Buthere, Peugeothas managedtolivenupthe experience atouch,withthe 408feeling flatter throughthe corners, andfeeling more secure if you putyourfootdownabit It’s no sporting model, butitsticks to theroadwell, whilethe hybrid setup deliversa decent amount of punch

when the‘Sport’driving mode is se lected.Atthe same time,itrides well with comfortableleather andAlcan tara seatshelping outwiththis, while therefinement on motorwayswas par ticularlyimpressive.

The408’s design couldreallydivide opinion. It’s Peugeot’sboldest model in some time –and that’s coming from abrand that hasbeenpushing the boundaries anyway

If you likeaclean,fuss-free look,it mightnot be thecar foryou –asthere’s an awfullot goingon.

We thinkthere’s toomuchplastic cladding goingonatthe rear,while the20-inch alloywheels(optional) are challenging.

Inside,the 408reallydeliversonthe promise of feelinglargerthanaregu larhatchback.The 471-litre boot(536 litresonnon-plug-inmodels),isagreat size,whilethere’s adecentamountof room in therearseats.Headroomis slightlyimpeded by acombination of asloping rooflineand panoramic sun roof, but6ft adults will stillbeableto sitcomfortably

Standard equipment on theen try-levelAlluretrimincludesPeuge ot’s latest 10-inchtouchscreen,which offers quickand easy widgets that make it farless fiddlytouse on the move,along with a10-inch digitalin strument cluster, 17-inchalloy wheels andareversing camera

Mid-spec Allure Premiumbrings much more visually-pleasing 19-inch alloywheels, alongwithkeyless entry andadaptive cruise control. If you want allthe bellsand whistles,the GT packs full Matrix LEDheadlights, aheated steering wheeland electric boot,along with thecolour-codedgrille.

FACTFILE

PEUGEOT408 GT HYBRID225 E-EAT

Price as tested: £43,200

Engine: 1.6-litre plug-inhybrid

Power: 222bhp

0-60mph: 7.6seconds

Topspeed: 145mph

Economy: 211.3-269.5mpg

CO2 emissions: 24-30g/km

Electric range: 39-40miles

MOTS • REPAIRS

01746 764200

StanleyLane, Bridgnorth. WV16 4SF

2020(20)NissanNavara2.3DciTeknaAuto

Grey,Diesel,Auto,32,947miles £24,995+VAT

2019(19)MitsubishiL2002.4DI-D178Titan4WD

Grey,Diesel,Manual,33,432miles £17,495+VAT

2020(70)FordPuma1.0EcoBoostHybridMHEVST-Line5dr

White,Petrol,Manual,17,841miles £20,650

2020(69)NissanJuke1.0DiG-TTekna5drDCT

Red,Petrol,S-Auto,7,953miles £20,495

2019(69)JeepCompass1.6Multijet120Limited5dr

Blue,Diesel,Manual,27,313miles £17,995

2017(17)VolkswagenTiguan2.0TdiSENav4Motion

White,Diesel,Manual,36,644miles £17,795

2018(68)MiniHatchback2.0CooperSII5dr

Silver,Petrol,Manual,33,158miles £16,995

2020(70)FordFiesta1.0EcoBoost125ST-LineEdition5dr

Blue,Petrol,Manual,14,877miles £16,950

2018(68)NissanQashqai1.2DiG-TTekna5dr

Silver,Petrol,Manual,28,382miles £15,995

2015(65)Mercedes-BenzGlaGLA200CDIAMGLine5dr

Grey,Diesel,Manual,33,134miles £15,895

2016(66)AudiA42.0TDIUltra190SLine5drAvant

Blue,Diesel,Manual,71,168miles £15,795

2018(68)BMW1Series118iSport5dr

Blue,Petrol,Manual,34,038miles £15,295

2016(65)SkodaSuperb2.0TDICRSEBusiness5drDSG

Grey,Diesel,SemiAuto,49,516miles £14,495

2018(18)SkodaSuperbEstate1.6TDICRSE5dr

Grey,Diesel,Manual,52,632miles £14,295

2018(68)FordTransitCourier1.5TDCi100SportVan

Red,Diesel,Manual,42,550miles £13,995

2019(68)VauxhallMokkaX1.4TecoTECEliteNav5dr

Red,Petrol,Manual,5,482miles £13,950 2018(68)VolvoV40T2MomentumNavPlus5dr

Silver,Petrol,Manual,31,331miles £13,495

2016(66)CitroenBerlingoMultispace1.6BlueHDi100FeelEdition5dr

Blue,Diesel,Manual,15,725miles £12,495

2017(17)FordEcosport1.5Zetec5drPowershift

Blue,Petrol,Auto,2,997miles £12,495

2017(67)FordMondeo2.0TDCi180ST-Line5drPowershift

Grey,Diesel,Auto,78,832miles £11,795

2015(65)NissanQashqai1.5dCiN-Tec+5dr

Grey,Diesel,Manual,39,838miles £11,595

2017(17)FordMondeo2.0TDCi180Titanium5drPowershift

Blue,Diesel,Auto,88,601miles £11,495

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 £9,995

2017(67)FordMondeo2.0TDCiTitanium5drPowershift

White,Diesel,Auto,111,704miles. £9,595

2014(64)Mazda32.0SportNav5dr

Red,Petrol,Manual,56,616miles £9,195

2014(14)VolkswagenGolf2.0TDiSE5dr, Black,Diesel,Manual,71,084miles £8,695

2014(64)VolkswagenEos2.0TDIBlueMotionTechSport2drDSG

Grey,Diesel,SemiAuto,80,451miles £8,595

2015(65)Peugeot20081.6BlueHDi75Active5dr

Black,Diesel,Manual,45,819miles £7,395

2015(15)SkodaFabia1.2TsiSE

Black,Petrol,Manual,75,926miles £6,795

2015(15)FordFocus1.6TDCi115Titanium5dr

White,Diesel,Manual,96,593miles £6,595

2015(15)CitroenDs31.6e-HDiAirdreamDStylePlus3dr

White,Diesel,Manual,78,327miles

MG HS picksupthe pace

BILLMcCARTHY

Is thereabettervalue SUVonthe road than this plug-inhybrid?

It’s aserious question,and yesthere aresome brilliant candidates,but in termsof sheervalue formoney, HS takessome beating.

Price, well it speaks foritself andstartsatjustover£31kand still comeswiththe market leadingormatchingseven-year warranty andfeaturesMGPilot, araftofsafetymeasures usuallyseenasanoptionalextra on rivalbrands.

TheHSisthe largestofthe SUVs coming in just above the equallystylish ZS.There are twomodels, theExciteand the Exclusive, driven here.MG’s firstplug-inhybrid, it combines a90kWelectricmotor with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine.Thisdeliversacom bined poweroutputof258PS andanelectric-only rangeof32 miles.

Thepower unit is matedwith a10-speedautotransmission to deliver rapid pace,allowing it to hitthe 60mphmarkin6.9 seconds. Economyisatheoretical155.8mpg, but Ifound it to be quitethirstywhenthe elec tric rangewas exhausted,with an estimatedmid-40s mpg.

At just over £33k forthe range-topper,ithas thrown down thegauntlettomoreestablished andmuchmoreexpensivecompetitors

Theeye-catchingdesignfea turesthe iconicMGbadge dominating thedeepgrille, flanked by LEDheadlight clusters and largeair scoop.

Sitting on smart, 18-inchalloys, themuscular linesslope to therearwhere thetwintailpipes andanaluminium lower bumper give it asporty finish

Thelarge interior hasgood head andlegroom allround andthismodel hascomfortableelectricallyoperatedleather seatsgivingthe driver acom mandingviewofthe road.It features an arrayofsoft-touch finish to dash andsportsseats, with fewerofthe harshersolid plastics Standard kitincludeskeyless entrywithpushbuttonstart, a10.1inchcolourtouchscreen with AppleCarPlay andAndroidAutoand electric folding andheateddoormirrors and 360-degree camera

Thereisalsoa leather finish to themulti-functionsteering wheel, whilethe centraltouch screen infotainmentsystem controls sat nav, DABradio/CD/ auxand phoneconnectivity.

Thegoodiesget better as you move up therange andthis range-topper adds frontand

rear LEDsequentialindicators, dual-zoneclimate control, am bientlightingand panoramic sunroofand electronicopening tailgate.

Rear seat passengers arecateredfor toowiththe reclining seats.

Therideiscomfortable while handling is decent apartfrom theoccasionalwallowoncor ners.The model deliversplenty of pace forits size,while emis sionsof43g/kmmakeitcheap to tax.

Thesizeofthe carismatched by thebootspace with an im pressive 448litresofluggage space.Folding the rear seats flat extendsthe totalcapacityto 1,375litres. There’salso adual heightboot floor.

Safety kitisimpressivewith theMGPilot set-up offering safety aids,including Active EmergencyBraking,LaneAs-

Christmasmarkets to visitinanEV

ThebestChristmas marketsin England to visitifyou’redrivinganelectriccar have been revealed in anew study.

Manchester Christmas Market topped therankingsofthe survey conducted by Peugeot UK,which looked at thenum berofpublicchargepointsthat were offeredwithinathree mileradiusof14ofVisit England’s most-popular Christmas markets. They also looked at charging speeds available, andaccommodationwithfree charging wasalsoscored.

Alltop 10 Christmasmarkets –savefor Padstow’seventin Cornwall –wereaccessible from at leastnineofthe UK’s most populatedcities. Manchester’s Christmas market came out on top, with 14 cities in the UK within a225-mileradius. It also hadthe highestnumber of charging stations,with69 availablewithinathree-mile radius.Thisincluded16rapid chargers offering speedsofover 50kW

£5,995

Theresearchalso investigat ed howmanyofthe markets couldbereached usingthe 225milerange of thePeugeote-208 from 15 of themostpopulated cities in theUK.

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas market came in secondplace, with Leeds placed thirdwithits 62 charging stations–including 17 rapid units. TheYorkshire city couldalso be reachedfrom13 of theUK’s most populated cities within

thee-208’s 225-milerange

JulieDavid,managingdirector,PeugeotUK, said: “Christmas marketsare apop ular destinationtovisit during Novemberand December and Peugeot’slatestresearchhas revealed themarketsand cities that best caterfor electric driv ers.

“Withmorethanamillion

sist,AdaptiveCruiseControl, ForwardCollision Warning, BlindSpotDetection,LaneDepartureWarning System and Rear CrossTrafficalert

FACTFILE

MG HS EXCLUSIVEPHEV

Price: £33.595

Mechanical: Combined 258PS 1,498cc, 4cyl petrol engine andelectric motor driving frontwheels via10-speedauto gearbox

Maxspeed: 118mph

0-62mph: 6.9seconds

Combined mpg: 155.8

CO2emissions: 43g/km

Warranty: 7yrs/80,000 miles

electric driversonUKroads today, things likedistanceand charging infrastructure will play an importantrolein determining wheredriversheadto this Christmas.”

York topped thetablesin termsofEV-focusedaccommodation options, with 19 differ enthotelsand B&Bs offering free charging forcustomers

APeugeot wasusedinthe study

Sittingvolleyballonthe up as TelfordEagles flyhigh

PAUL JENKINS paul.jenkins@mnamedia.co.uk

TelfordEaglessitting volleyball team is alive andkicking as thesport goes from strength to strength.

Theteamwas formed in 2018 when coachPaulTwitchell re turned from watching the Invictus Gamesin Australia, amulti-sport eventcreated by Prince Harry for wounded, injuredorsickarmed forces personnel.

He wasinspiredbythe inclusive nature of thesport andbrought it to thealready existing TelfordVol leyballClubwhere he trainedand played.

In England, sitting volleyball is playedbetween mixed-sexteams of disabled andnon-disabledplayers, with theemphasis on itsinclusive nature

Thehighest competitiveoutlet at themomentisthe Paralympics wherethe sportisplayedbetween same-sex teams of athletes with qualifying disabilities

On theinternational scene, Great Britainhas amen’s andwomen’s sitting volleyball team plus ateam that goes to theInvictusGames

TheEaglescompetedintheir firstnationalGrand Prix series in 2019 with Twitchellastheir coach, managerand captain.

He hasstepped down nowbut theclubcontinues andtrainsevery Wednesdaywiththe supportof coachesand players from Telford Volleyball Club’s standing teamand thecommitmentfroma fewofthe originalEaglesmembers

RichardLewis from TelfordVol leyballClubsaidthe sportgeneral ly is growingall thetimebut with publicity generatedbythe Invictus Games, thesitting versionisgoing from strength to strength

He said:“Sincelockdownwe

have seen amassive interest from theyounger generation wishingto participatein volleyball,including my ownson whowas committed to football at one pointbut joined the Telfordcluband nowlovesplaying thesport

“Over thelastyearinparticular

we have seen teenagers improve so much we have enteredsecondteams in both themen’s andladies’ senior league on topofour successful first teams.”

TheEaglestrain everyWednesdayatOak Tree Centre,Light moor Village(6.15-7.15pm) with

thesessionsofferingvolleyball accessible forall ages, abilities or disabilities

They welcome newcomersorexperiencedplayers andto find out more,gotothe TelfordVolleyball Facebook page or www.telford volleyballclub.weebly.com

Stretton in seventhheavenastheyreach thesummit

Church Stretton Town took ad vantageofleaders DawleyTown not playingtomovetothe topof theSalop LeisureLeague.

WhileDawley’s clashwith SAHA FC waspostponed,Stretton put seven past hosts MadeleySports, whomissedthe chance togo fifth in thePremier Division table.

ShaunDaviesmay have scored in the28thminutefor Madeley, butthatwas asgood as it gotfor them as bagged sevenoftheir own to take theirgoaltally to 62 in just 12 league gamesthisseason.

Jack Briscoe andHarry Morris each bagged abrace,whileJames Hill, AlexanderRyder andsubstitute Dean Richards were also on target

Hodnet sitinthird –six points behind Stretton,but likeDawley,

with twogames in hand.Their latest victorywas a5-1 success at WemTown,thanks in part to ahat-trick by Macauley Clifton Marcus Dillon andCameron Dour ishalsohit thenet

Fourth-placed Ludlow and fifth-placed MordaUnited were involved in ShropshireChallenge Cupaction, with Ryan Clarke scor ingfourofLudlow’s eightgoals in a huge victory.

Josh Bull,Harry Jones,Ryan Lewisand Stefan Varsi-Hirons were also on target,whileMorda couldnot respond.

While PreesUnited couldnot quitematch their14-0 triumph from thepreviousweek, they hit thegoaltrail once more to down St Martins 8-1.

Last week’s four-goalheroSam

uelFlory hadtosettlefor just abrace on this occasion –afeat matchedbyChris Owen

Theother Preesgoalscorerswere DannyBeirne, TomClive,Ollie Sumner andJacob Freely Eric Mensah andMartinMensah each notchedsecond-half doubles as Ercall ColtsEvolution sawoff GobowenCeltic5-1

AgoalfromMatthew Stuart andapenalty by JamiePortersaw Wrockwardine Wood edgeout Shrewsbury Up &Comers 2-1, with AblaySowe on target forthe county town team.

Just onematch took placeinDivision One, butitsaw Ercall Colts Revolution climbaplacethanks to a5-1 victoryat Shrewsbury Juniors Marc Wardle,Westley Weston,

Dillon Robb, DominicUdohand Alistair Heighway scored forErcall

Andinthe Division OneLeague Cup, BrownClee were 2-1win ners at bottom club Ercall Colts Rangers

Saturday’s fixtures (2pm kick-offs)

PremierDivision: Broseley v Church StrettonTown; Gobowen Celtic vWem Town;Hodnetv MadeleySports; PreesUnitedv Wrockwardine Wood;SAHA FC vMorda United;Shrewsbury Up &ComersvDawleyTown; Ercall ColtsEvolution vLudlow.

Division One: AFCBridgnorth DevelopmentvLlanymynech; BrownCleevShrewsburyJun iors; Wellington Amateurs vErcall ColtsRangers

Alportleave it late forathrilling victoryoverCity

Whitchurch Alport pulled off an extraordinarylatecomeback to take allthree pointsinaninegoal thriller againstWorcester City

Worcester, whoare struggling just outsidethe MidlandLeague PremierDivisionrelegation zone,tookthe lead through Dy lanHart andReiss Taylor-Ran dle. JamesRowland notched for Whitchurch before the break, as they enteredhalf-time losing 2-1.

Thevisitorsmadealightning fast starttothe second half as Hart scored againwithinamin utetomakeit3-1,beforeSam Yeardley pulled onebackfor Whitchurch just twominutes later. Then,justtwo minutes af terthatgoal, Whitchurch equalisedthrough Alex Hughes.

In what wasafrantic fixture, Taylor-Randlescoredhis seconddirectlyfromafree-kick to restoreWorcester’s lead, before thehosts edged thecontest Whitchurch hadtowaituntilthe 80th minutefor another equaliserwhenJordanEvans pulled them levelbeforeHughes notched hissecondofthe game in the90thminutetogivethe hosts adramatic5-4 lead.Joe Care wasgiven asecondyellow card in the95thminute, but they held on Elsewhereinthe league,anotherhigh-scoringaffairsaw Market DraytonTownlose 5-2toStudley

JamieHands andHarvey Lewisscoredthe goalsfor the hostsbut it wasnot enough as theleague’sbottomclubfellto their17thlossfrom18games

Meanwhile, Shifnal Town were held to agoallessdraw away at LichfieldCity. Kane Lewiscameclose forthe visitors, whileKeanu Cooper wasdenied by thecrossbar in atight contest

In MidlandLeagueDivision One, Shawbury United picked up acrucialwin with a1-0 victory away at Ingles

Despite theLeicestershire club complainingonsocialmediaabout theofficials, claim ingthe free-kickthatled tothe Shawbury goal was‘soft’and that they were denieda‘blatant penalty’,the Shropshire outfit returned home with allthree points

Elsewhereinthe league, AFC Bridgnorth threwawaya lead to lose 5-2athome to Hinckley

AKarlGriffithscornerwas turned into hisown netbya Hinckley defender aftersev en minutes to putBridgnorth ahead, butthe visitors turned on thestyle to take a4-1 advantage. Griffithsscoredasecondhalf consolation before the visitors addedanother,as Bridgnorth fell to defeat

Bottom club Haughmond also lost 6-3toOJM BlackCountry, whileinthe NorthWest Counties League Division One South, EllesmereRangers lost 3-1toleagueleaders Stockport Town

TelfordSitting Volleyball Clubhas been buoyedbythe Invictus Games

Roll of honour

Junior Boy: MatthewMorris

Junior Girl: MillieParry

YouthMale: Oliver Parton

YouthFemale: Lauren Kenvyn

GerryGladwellAward(wicketkeeping): Charlie Ward

Disability Awards

S9sPlayer: OliHarrison

D40Player: Shaun Rigby

Disability Champion of the Year: Dave Hassall

CoachingAwards

YoungCoach of theYear: Josh Anders

Coachofthe Year: Naomi Payne

Outstanding Contribution, Services to Coaching: Andrew Leggatt

Outstanding Contribution, Services to Coaching Development: Rod Jones

Schools Awards

Primary School of the Year: OldParkPrimary

SecondarySchoolofthe Year: HLC

PrimarySchoolTeacher of theYear: Andy Parton,Old Park

Primary

SecondarySchoolTeacher of theYear: SophieJones,HLC

SEND School of theYear: Southall School,Dawley

SEND Teacherofthe Year: Rob Davies,SouthallSchool–Women& Girls’ Awards

Women’sCricket Champion: NaomiPayne

Women’sUpand Coming Club of theYear: ChelmarshCC

Women’sTrailblazers: Shel tonCC

Women’sClub of theYear: WemCC

Women’sTeamofthe Year: Frankton CC

Girls’ Club of theYear: WellingtonCC Shropshire Star Awards

AllStars Champion Club: AlveleyCC

DynamosClub: WilleyCC

InspireAward: Whittington WitchesCC

Beyond theBoundaryHub: Sutton HillHub on theHill

Beyond theBoundaryCom munity Champion: MarvynJoseph Development Club of the Year: Sentinel CC

ECBGrassrootsAwards

ConnectingCommunities: WellingtonCC

Inspired to Play: Matt Earley

Rising Star: GriffDavies

Game Changer: Chloe Green

UnsungHero: TimBarber

Growingthe Game: Neil and Sally Owen

Lifetime Achiever: Dave Ralphs

Safehands Award: Jennnie

Good VolunteerGroundsManage

ment of theYear: Keith Yapp

Hall of Fame: EveJones

Clubmarkclubs

AlbrightonCC, Allscott Heath CC,Alveley CC,Bomere Heath CC,BridgnorthCC, Chelmarsh CC,Claverley CC,Condover CC, Cound CC,Ellesmere CC,Forton CC,FranktonCC, Knockin &Kin nerley CC,LilleshallCC, Ludlow CC,Madeley CC,Newport CC, Oswestry CC,Pontesbury CC, QuattCC, Sentinel CC,Shelton CC,Shifnal CC,Shrewsbury CC, St Georges CC,WellingtonCC, WemCC, WhitchurchCC, Woore CC,WorfieldCC.

Acelebration of

Theachievementsof clubs, players, schools, communitiesand volunteersincricket across Shropshirewerecele bratedatthe Board’s annual Presentation Evening.

Morethan250 people were at theSovereignSuite at Shrewsbury Town’s Montogmery Waters Mead ow forthe event– the firsttimeit hasbeenheldatthe venue.

BoardChair Adrian Collins paid tributetoall whoreceivedawards on theevening

He said:“It wasgreat to seeso many people in attendance on the nightcelebrating theachievements of people acrossthe cricket community in Shropshire

“There issomuchgoodworkbeingdonetopromote andgrowthe game,and it is brilliantthatweget thechancetohighlightthe achievementsofsomanydifferent people whohelpmakecricket thegreat game it is in thecounty.”

Anew sectionwas introduced to theevening to recognise theimpor tanceofthe growinglinkthe Board andschools in thecounty.

Sixawardsweresplit between Primary, Secondaryand SEND (SpecialEducational Needs) schools.

ThePrimary Teacherofthe Year awardwenttoAndyPartonfrom Old Park PrimarySchoolinTelford CommunityCoach RyanLockley said:“Andy couldn’t have made us feel more comfortableeachtimewe enteredthe school,his welcoming stylewas extremely reassuring

“His excellentknowledge and willingness to help wasshownin theway they supported with deliveryinschool.

“His dedication wasextended furtherasthe school enteredboth theKS1&2 Chance to Shineprima ry school competitions

“Heisasuperstar at dishingout flyers forlocal club links,promoting summer events at Malinsleefor our communityprojectsand is also very engaging forthe children of Old Park Primary.

“Heisanabsoluteinspiration to cricket in thecommunity and school.”

Old Park School were named Chance to ShinePrimary School of theYear

Lockleysaid: “Thisschoolset the standard extremely high with great attainmentand 100per cent effort from allstudents within theclasses that we delivered to

“The staffengagementwas also fantastic, theirwillingness to get stuckinand supportcontributed to thehugesuccess.”

Hadley Learning Communityhad doublecause forcelebration after landingThe SecondarySchoolof theYearaward whileSophieJones collected TheSecondarySchool Teacherofthe Year accolade

Southall School in Dawley also landed awinningdouble, picking up TheSENDSchoolofthe Year award

whileRob Davies took TheSEND Teacherofthe Year award.

Theeveningalsocelebratedanothergreat yearfor Women& Girls’ cricket in Shropshire with more teams gettinginvolvedatall levels of thegame.

Womenand GirlsRecreational Cricket OfficerKatie Rushtonsaid: “There hasbeenplentyofaction throughoutthe year.

“The autumn andwintersaw the

Indoor leaguesreturnat Wrekin Collegepreceded by theadditional league at Shrewsbury School Cricket Centre

“Spring sawtastersessionsat AllscottHeath CC as they look to re-engageand encouragenew la dies to join theirset up

“SoftballFestivals were in full swingwithlastyear’strailblazers NewportCCand Albrighton CC continuing to thrive

“The indoor season also proved successfulfor ourhardball teams with more involved this year than ever before

“Following this severalnew teamsjoinedsummer hardball ac tivity, includingthe Pontesbury ladies findingtheir feet in themid week league andKnockin &Kin nerley striding into thenew Shropshire8sLeagueFinals Dayduring their firstseasons of hardball.”

Jennie Good –Safehands Award

Disability Champion Dave HassallVolunteer

AwardwinnerKeithYapp Lifetime Achiever Dave Ralphs

Manny andJuliefromHub on theHillPictures: BrianClarke/Kidz in Focus

WemCCare allsmilesafter winning theWomen’s Club of theYear award

Andy Parton from OldPark Primary

agolden summer

Pace aceDillon presents awards to thefab four

Four Shropshirecricket coaches were honoured on thenightand were presented with theirawards by Worcestershire andShropshire fast bowler Dillon Pennington

TheYoung Coachofthe Year awardwenttoJoshAndersfrom Shrewsbury CC.

Ed Ashlin, whoissecretary of the ShropshireCricket CoachesAssociation, said:“Josh hasbeeninstru mental in thedevelopment of both of youngpeopleand more recently the ladies at theirclub.

“Hehas demonstrated excellent commitment to theclub.”

TheCoach of theYearaward went to NaomiPayne from Oswestry CC

Ashlinsaid: “The nomination for Naomiwas impressive,there is no doubtshe hasgonethe extra mile to extend thereach of cricket in and around theirclub.”

TheOutstanding Contribution Services to Coaching Awardwentto Andrew LeggattfromOswestryCC.

Ashlinsaid: “Andrewhas had ahugeimpactonjunior cricketat theirclubfor over 20 years. With outhis dedication,the club would nothavethe junior sectionthatit continuestoproduce.”

TheOutstanding Services to CoachDevelopmentaward went to RodJones

Ed said:“Rodhas hadahugeim pact on coaching andcoach develop ment within Shropshire over along period of time,” said Ashlin

“Hewas one of theearly ECB ‘tu tors’and hasworkedextensivelyon ECBcertificatedcourses, enabling coachestopassthrough andhave apositive impact in the fieldwith theirclubs andschools.”

Furber appeals fornew players

An appeal to find more disabili ty cricketers in Shropshire was made during theevening

Eveleads theway into Hall of Fame

TheCricket ShropshireHallof Fame waslaunchedatthe annual PresentationEvening–withCen tralSparksand Birmingham Phoe nixstarEve Jones the firstcricket er to be inducted Shewas presentedwithaframed copy of thecitationwhich will hang on thewallatboard’s officesas part of theHallofFame.

Cricket Shropshire Lead Of ficerSteve Reesesaid: “Wehave arecordofproducingtop quality cricketersinShropshire, andwe decideditwas time to startrecog nising theirachievements through theHallofFame.

“Eve wasanobvious choice to be the firstasshe hasbeenatrailblaz er sinceshe wasayoungster and hasbeenagreat ambassadorfor Shropshire.”

Jones started hercricket jour neyatWhitchurchand wasone of the firstplayers on theShropshire Girls’ AgeGroup pathway. She

made herfull Shropshiredebut in 2008 againstNorthamptonshire andtop scored with ahalfcentu ry.Overthe next four yearsshe became establishedinthe side and wasthe leading runscorerinboth 2010 and2011.

From 2012 shemovedupa level to Staffordshirefor four years, leadingthe runscoring charts therein threesuccessiveseasons

Hernextmovewas to Lancashire whereshe wasamember of theside whichwon theCountyChampionship andTwenty20Cup doublein 2017.In2018she became captain and2019led them to second in the County Championship.

Sheplayedinthe Women’sSu perLeaguefor both Loughborough Lightningand then Lancashire Thunderbeforebecoming oneof the firstplayers to sign aregion al professional contract with West Midlands Cricketin2020.

That sawher switch to play for

Warwickshire, CentralSparksand Birmingham Phoenixin thenewly createdHundred

Shewas namedasCentral Sparksskipper in 2020 andina stellarcampaignin2021, shewas thethird topscorerinthe Rachel HeyhoeFlint Trophy in thecountry, andled therun scoringcharts in theCharlotte Edwards Cup.

In theinaugural Hundredfor Birmingham Phoenixshe was fourth in therun scoringchartsfor thewhole tournament –including the overseas stars.

Thoseperformancessaw herrat ed as the first-ever PCAWomen’s OverallDomestic MVP, andthen votedas thePCA Playerofthe Year by herpeers

Sheearnedacontract forthe MelbourneRenegades in theWom en’s BigBashLeaguefor 2021/22 andthenselection as theEngland Acaptain fortheir tour of Australia.

It came from coachGraham Furber as he highlightedthe successes of the2022season before presentingthe Disability Awards sectionofthe evening.

He said:“ArecentSCB au ditindicated that clubsdo have players in thecountywho could be considered forselection

“Welookforward to working with TylerIbbotsonasour first dedicatedDisability Officerand thenew Disability Hubclubs like St Georges,Shelton andWel lingtonindeveloping disability cricket in thecountyand hopefully findingsome morecounty standard players of both sexes to take thesquadsforward.

“Pleasebeassured that this is not‘Mickey Mouse’cricket –we areoften playingsides containingplayers whoplaySaturday cricket fortheir clubs, andeven in PremierLeagues throughout thecountry.Pleaseget in touch with us, we do need yourhelp!”

Thereare twodisability County squads. TheS9s play in crdiball cricketwithaminimum of nine players-a-sidewith30over gamesand theD40 which playsconventional 11-a-side cricket with 40-over games.

TheGrowing theGameaward recipientswereSally andNeilOwen

MembersfromShelton CricketClubwith theWomen’s Trailblazers awardRepresentativesfromWilleyCricketClubwith their Dynamos Club award

CentralSparks star Eve Jones

Chloe Green –GameChanger

S9saward

winner OliHarrison

Agoldensummer Cricketers celebrate success –inside

ALLBLACKSFACE ACRUCIAL CLASH

Promotionchasers

Bridgnorth beganthe second half of theirseasoninawinning fashion –ahead of ahugegame this weekend.

TheAll Blacks,third in rugby union’sRegionalOne Midlands, toppledBroadstreet 26-19onhome soil

That left them sixpointsbehind leadersDudleyKingswinford andthree behind second-placed Bromsgrove,who they traveltothis weekend.

Bridgnorth started thegamewell andtookthe lead as rightwinger JamesBarhamtooka high pass on thewingand brokethrough four attemptedtackles to crossthe line Elliot Murphy kicked theconver sion

Theleadwas short-lived, how ever,asBroadstreet scored their ownconverted try, butBridgnorth respondedwelland scored an excellent teamtry,WillBiddell touching down afteragoodinsidepassfrom Jordan Burgess.

Bridgnorth started thesecond half attackingthe majority of their supportand increasedtheir lead to 19-7.Barhammadeagreat break andwas able to pass theballto George Newman,who crashedover by theposts afterastrong run.

Murphy kicked theconversion Broadstreet were not finished andscoredtwice more to level at 19-19, butthe matchwas wonwhen DanSpencer-Tonks made an excellent runand offloadedtocaptain Jonah Boycetoscore

Murphy kicked theconversion andBridgnorth held on despite threelateclearancesbeing charged down

We aregetting better,insists Wilkin

Shrews making Januaryplans

Planning forthe Januarytrans ferwindowiswellunder way–accordingtoShrewsburyTown bossSteve Cotterill

Hissidehavemadeanimpressive starttothe season sitting 12th in theLeagueOne table, despitebeing severelyhampered by injuries

In Saturday’s 2-0win over LincolnCityatMontgomery Wa ters Meadow,the bosswas only able to name sixplayers on the bench, andtwo of thosehave never madealeagueappearance. Andthe bosssaidtheystarted planning forJanuary alongtime ago.

“October,” he said when asked when hisattention turned to theupcomingtransferwindow. “You cannot allofsudden think ‘January hasarrived,whatare we goingtodo?’First andforemost,there arelotsofthingsand hoops to jump throughtosigna playerwhether it is in January or at anyother time of theyear.

“And that is firstofall finan cially, canweaffordthem? If we can’tthenwecan’t andthatis theway it is

“Thatisthe firstthing,the second thingisthe availability of theplayers we need.”

Town areonlyallowed to name five loaneesina matchday squad –makingany additionsin thecomingwindowmorediffi cult

“Atthismomentintime, we have maxedour loansout,” the bosssaid.”

TheBucks have notwon agame away from home formorethantwo years, andthe 1-0defeathas made thepositioninthe National League Northevenmoreperilous– being11

buoyed by their firstleaguewin un derthe bossonSaturdaywhenthey beat Banbury2-1,and they putin agoodshowing in Yorkshiredespite thedefeat.

He said:“We really felt therewas an opportunitytobuild on what we didonSaturday, andwhenyou don’t, andyou lose by an oddmoment in thegameitisdisappointing. Ifeelthatweare gettingcloser to wherewewanttobe, clearly

thereare still stridestomake. But in the firsthalf, wewereexcellent, so it is akickinthe teeth,but they kept goingand forced issues

“I thoughtwewereworth at least adraw, andweshouldreallyhave wonthe game if we wouldhavetak en ourchances.

“Wecreated lots of chancesin that firsthalfand some goodhalf chances. We looked really comfortable in thegame.”

Montel Gibsonnettedthe

winner in Telford’svictory overBanburyUnitedonSaturday

Picture: Kieren Griffin

KevinWilkinbelievesAFC Telford United aretakingstrides in theright directiondespite another away defeat atBradfordParkAve nueonMonday.

points adrift of 20th-placed Buxton Wilkin’s side went into thegame