Market Drayton Advertiser - 17-Nov-2022

FESTIVEEVENTS TO BOOSTTOWN

Residents can step into Christmas thisweekend for Festival of Lights andWinterFair

MEGANHOWE newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Market Draytonishop

ingfor awinterboost as thefestive season kicks in officially with the launch of twoChristmas events.

People have been invitedtostep into Christmasthisweekend for thereturnofthe Festival of Lights switch-onand theMarketDrayton Winter Fair

Town mayorCouncillor Mark Whittlesaidhewas hoping fora greatturnout,particularlyafter thesuccess of theRemembrance Dayparade.

Commenting on theswitch-on,he said:“Thetowncouncil hasworked hard towardsitand thecommunity itself is turningout to allthe ma jorfunctions.Soit’sa goodsignthe communityare coming back togeth er –thisisone of thebestthingsfor it.”

TheFestivalofLightsswitch-on is afamilyfun day, whichincludes live music, market stalls, entertainersand avisit from Father Christ mas.

Therewillbesomething for everyone to get involved with on Saturday andthe switch-onwill of ficiallytakeplace at 5pm.

“I expect thewhole square to be full,” said Mr Whittle.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, theMar ketDrayton Winter Fair will return to Festival DraytonCentre forthe communitytoget aheadstart on Christmas shopping

TheChristmas fair will startat 10am andcontinuethroughoutthe dayuntil 4pm.

Café nowlaunchedatwinebar andshop

Staffata wine shop in Market Draytonare celebratingarecent expansion to become acafébyday andwinebar by night.

NomadatNo63openedinMarch, welcomingcustomers forevents includingmurder-mysterynights, musiceveningsand wine-tastings.

Run by Rachel Tremblay and

CameronCousens,Nomad hasa wine cellar forpeopletoshop, a tastingroom–and hasnow addeda café to themix.Duringthe day, the room is open forcoffees,teas, cakes, as well as lunchesand it switches to awinebar in theevening Rachel,co-founderofNomad at No63, said:“We have addedsome

deliciousdishestoour menu andwe arealso offering proper coffee and homemade cakestoo “Westill focusonquality –wefocusonwines from independentfam ilyproducers,and we hold thesame values foreverything. Forexample ourcoffeeisethically sourcedand locally-roastedinCheshire.”

Get‘pumped up’for WorldCup at club

ARoyal BritishLegionbranchin Market Draytonishosting aseries of partiestoget football fans ‘pumpedup’ before each England WorldCup game

TheWorld Cupkicks offonSun dayafternoon with hostsQatar takingonEcuador at 4pm. Thefollowingday it is England’sturnwhen they play Iran at 1pm.

TheRoyal BritishLegionin Market Draytonhas announced it will be holdingdiscoparties before everyEngland matchwithfresh food

Theclubwill have five bigTV screensand alarge projector.

Allset forChristmas Teddycompetition

Aparishcouncil haslaunchedits annual ‘Findthe ChristmasTeddy’ competition.

Thefestive children’s competition hasbeenlaunchedinMarket Draytonand people have been en couraged to take part to winabig teddybear.

Children must record each of the teddiesinvarious shop windows from this Saturday untilDecember 1. Formswill be availabletocollect from Market DraytonLibrary or theTownHalland canalso be re turned to either

Allcorrect entrieswill be entered into aprize draw

Mayor is delighted by parade turnout

Market Drayton’smayorhas welcomedthe “crackingturnout”for itsRemembranceDay events

Therewas ahugeparademadeup of membersofthe RoyalIrish Regiment, theNavy, theAir Forceand cadets.A Dakota planeand biplane also flew past

Market Draytonmayor Coun cillor Mark Whittlesaiditwas a ‘crackingturnout’– thebiggest he hadseeninthe last 15 years.

He thankedeveryonefor attend ingonthe dayand said it hadbeen touching to seesomanypeoplepay ingtheir respects l Pictures –Page6

Rachel Tremblay, LillyCargill,Natasha Chamberlain-Kent andCameron CousensatNomadatNo63inMarket Drayton

Knitters create 20 blankets to support babies

Agroup of keen knitters from NorthShropshirehavebeen working hard to create 20 blan ketsfor prematurebabiesata localhospital.

Membersofthe Market Dray tonKnittingGroup have donated theblanketstothe Neonatal Unit at RoyalStoke University Hospital in time forWorld Prematurity DayonNovember 17 WorldPrematurityDay is a global movementtoraise awareness of prematurebirth andthe sometimesdevastatingimpact it canhaveonfamilies

Lucy Fogg,founder of Wool Wellness UK,who runs the Market DraytonKnitting Group, hopes that more will get involved in future projects

“Whenyou have peopleofall ages sittingtogetherworking on aproject,using skillsthathave sincebeenlosttomostcom munities,sharing theirstories, giving supportand advice,itisa wonderfulfeeling,” shesaid.

“Thisreallyishow communities aremade. Knitting is such atherapeutic pastime. It al lowsthe passiverelease of stray thoughts andthe rhythmic and repetitive movementofknitting allows therelease of calming serotonin, whichlifts themood anddulls pain.”

Crewscalled to tumble drier fire

Emergencyserviceswerecalledafteratumbledryer caught fire in a housein Market Drayton.

Firefighters were called to Bevan WaylastWednesday afternoon.

AShropshireFireand Rescue spokesmansaidacallwas received involvingakitchen fire

“Thisincidentinvolvedan elec trical tumbledryer.The fire was outonarrival.Crews assisted with ventilating theproperty.

“Two fire appliances were mo bilisedfromHodnetand Market Drayton.

“Anoperationsofficerwas in at tendance.”

Councillorsbackcall forcameras on A41

Police commissioner askedtofundroad safety improvements

SUEAUSTIN sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk

aver-

camerasin-

sectionofthe A41.

They saythose wholive alongside theroadshouldnot have to putup with theproblemsday-to-day

At full councilmeeting of Telford &WrekinCouncil,memberssaid £400,000 in thePoliceand Crime Commissioner’s fundingpot foraveragespeed camerasshouldgoon theroad.

Councillorsare also calling for more fundingfor otheraccident hotspots in theborough

Putting amotiontoThursday’s councilmeeting,CouncillorAndrew Eadesaid: “Weare allaware that theA41 hasbeenthe sceneof numerous trafficaccidents andfa talities.Wemay notappreciatethe effect this hasonpeoplewho live alongsidethe road on adaily basis.”

Councillor Eadesaidtoaddress theproblemsthe councilshould draw up alongtermplanalongside theHighwaysAgencyand ShropshireCouncil forimprovements and he called forapartnership approach to ensure thefunding forthe work.

“The councilmustundertake to supportcolleaguesatShropshire Councilinlobbyingthe Police and Crime Commissioner to allocate the £400,000 availablefunding to deliver this essentialsafetymeasure.”

An amendmenttothe motion proposed by Councillor Richard Overtonsaidthe council, whilecon cerned over accidents on theA41 andpressingfor theaveragespeed camera funding, it should also ex pressits concernabout otherroad safety issues acrossthe borough.

He said thecouncil wasalready lookingatimprovements on the A5223and 20mphzones

Fire crewstacklefarmblaze

Firefighters from Market Drayton Fire Stationtackled ablaze atan isolated farm in north Shropshire

At 9.30amonFridayrescue pumpsweremobilised, initially from Whitchurch andPree,safter reportsofalarge fire at afarmnear Whitchurch

Whilst on routetothe incident,a largecolumn of thickblacksmoke couldbeseenbythe crewsand they laterfound afully-developed fire in progress.Itinvolvedasilageclamp –anareausedtostore grassor maizeand is covered by an airtight plasticsheet –located within afarm

yard.Firefighters setabout making surethe fire didnot spread further.

Aspokespersonfor Market Dray tonFireStation said:“Duetothe remote location of theincident and thelimited water supplies available, theincidentcommander made the decision that afourth fire appliance wouldberequiredatthe incident, to assist in providingadditionalwatersuppliesfor fire fighting.”

AcrewfromMarket Draytonwas subsequently dispatched to help at thescene andhad to ferrywater from thenearest hydrant, some two miles away

MP tellsoffury at severance payfor Minister

Ministerswho aresackedand then reappointed should notbeableto claimthousands of pounds in severance pay, NorthShropshire’sMP hassaid.

LibDem MP HelenMorgan hitout at thefactthatDominic Raab hadbeenabletoclaim near ly £17,000 –the equivalent of two year’s rent in NorthShropshire–despitebeing outofa ministerial jobfor just seven weeks.

Ms Morgansaidpeoplehad been reacting with “fury” in North Shropshire, afterlearningMinis ters were eligible forhugepayouts at thesametimetheyare strugglingtocopewithhugeincreases in thecostofliving.

Speaking in theHouse of Commons, HelenMorgansaid:“Wehave seen threatstocut theessential publicservicesthatare alreadythinon thegroundhere, threatstocut the pensions andbenefits, andthreats to raisetaxes forthose working hard just to keep theirheads above water. So imaginetheir fury at the fact that theConservativeturmoil hasled to huge numbersofformer ministersbeing able to claimpay outs with twore-shuffles carried outsinceJuly, potentiallycosting taxpayers hundreds of thousandsof pounds.Ministers whoweresacked just monthsago buthavesince been reappointed arestill able to claim thousandsofpoundseachinredun dancypay.”

WI gearing up forfestive fair

MembersofWoore WI aregearingupfor theirannualChristmascraft fair launchingthis weekend.

Morethan20stallswill be presentincluding Christmas cardsand gifts, variouscrafts includingjewellery,BodyShop items, prints andoriginalwatercolourpaintings,cakes and letterstoSanta forthe children

TheWI’shamperrafflewill featureagain,withmanyother prizes

Theeventwill take placeon Saturday (19) at WooreVictory Hall,from10amto2pm

Councillorsare backing acampaigntosee

agespeed

stalledonadangerous

Thescene of the fire at theisolatedfarminnorth Shropshire.Photo:Market DraytonFireStation

Campaigners make some noiseinclimate appeal

People living in andaroundMar ket Draytongot together to make some noise andshow theirsupport forurgentclimate action

With pots andpansinhand, peoplegatheredto‘Clangfor theCli mate’inasimilar vein to the‘Clap forour Carers’events, whichtook placeduringthe Covidpandemic Shropshirecouncillor IanNel lins, with responsibility fortrans port,environment andclimate change,addressed thegathering in theHigh StreetonSaturday.

theproceedings andreadout alet terwhich theMarketDrayton Climate Action grouphas signed and will be senttothe PM

Town CrierGeoff Russell

Town CrierGeoff Russellopened

Thegroup is urging thegovern ment to lead arapid phase-outof allfossilfuelextraction, acceleratethe insulation of homesand theroll-outofrenewable energy, transform publictransport,sup port farmerstoproducefood sustainably andagree fundingfor a worldwidetransitionawayfrom fossil fuels. Theletterstresses that solutionsare knownand thetech-

nologies existtotacklethe climate crisis andthatthe world needs more ambitioustargets followed by action.Itreads:“Thestark need forurgentactionisclear.The UN’s currentreports show that unfulfilled promises nowleave no cred ible pathwaytothe targetsgovernmentshavealready set.

“Even if currentpledgesfor ac tion by 2030 aredelivered in full, therewillstill be arise in global heatingthatcondemns theworld to catastrophic climatebreak down.”

Digitalskillscourseproves you’re nevertoo oldtolearn

MEGANHOWE Community News Reporter

A79-year old Shropshire resident hasspokenof hisconfidenceboost af terparticipating in a councilschemetohelp over-65s getonline.

KevinRead-Joneshas takenpart in the10-week course at hislocal li braryinMarket Drayton, with the aidofITtrainer ChrisTatam.The series of workshops, launched by Shropshire Council, have been running acrossthe county with theaim of helping olderpeopleget online DespitehavingaPC, laptop and phoneathome,Kevin waskeento find outmoreabout thearray of dig ital applications,aswellascomputer shortcutsand socialmedia.

“I knew therewerethingsthat canbedonethatIdidn’tknowhow to do,”Kevin said.“We spenda lot of time on videocalls as both fami lies live abroad

“It’sgreat forpeopleatthe shal lowend,somyaim wastoimprove things Iwas doing, so gettingadvice on shortcuts. Thereare so many differentwaysofcommunicating visuallynow it’s just amazing.”

Kevinhad acareerin salesman

agementand spentmostofhis life withoutthe useofdigital aids and technology, he said.Through the 10-weekcourse,hehas learnedhow to operateFacebook, how to attach photos to emails,how to use‘iCloud’ andhow to storedocuments on a computer hard drive.

He was firstintroduced to the digitalworld when he wonaZX Spectrum –an8-bit home computer –whenitwas released in1982.

Butheacknowledgedthattechnology hascome on ‘leaps and bounds’since then andthatthere is plenty to exploreifyou know how

Tori Watson,ofMarket Dray tonLibrary,said: “The demand is high as thereisalarge sectionof ourcommunity forwhom comput er skillsare just notthere anditis nowstartingtoaffecttheir access to modern life.

“Thiscourse enablesthemto gain theconfidencetostepforwards andembrace allthattechnologyis able to help them with

“Because thecourseisbespoke it works at theindividual’spaceand nottoa fixedtimetable.Our won derfulvolunteers areabletogive them thetimetheyneed.

“I can’tsee theneed abatingand suspect we,asabranch, will contin ue to offersomething similar,vol unteerspermitting,longterm.”

WITH HELENMORGAN MP FORNORTHSHROPSHIRE

It’s UK Parliament Week this week whichmeans young peopleupand down thecountry aretakingpartinactivitiesto learnmoreabout how democracy works in theUK, including understandinghow thejob of an MP works

I’ve been really pleasedto hear that schools, colleges, Guides andother groups across NorthShropshirehaveall signed up to take part

OurFirst Past ThePostvot ingtakes abit of explaining and probably isn’thow youwould design an electoralsystemin 2022.However,one greatadvantageisthatMPs have the chance to spendlotsoftimein theirconstituencies.

Thetravelbackand forthto London canbetiringand time consuming(particularly with how poorour trains areatthe moment)but everyMPshould spendasmuchtimeaspossible with constituents sotheycan representthemproperlyinPar liament. Imuchpreferbeing at home in Shropshirebut always do my best to usethe House of Commonsasaplatformtoshout up forNorth Shropshire on the national stage.

This week I’mspending longer than usualin thecapitalbecause of theChancellor’s Autumn Statementbeing on a Thursday.Bythe time most of you read this you’ll know what taxand spending changes have been announced.I’llbeanalysingthese closely, with aparticu lareye on theimpactofcutson services in NorthShropshire whichhavealready been in de clinefor more thanadecade.

Anotherpositive of ourelectoralsystemisthatitismy job to represent andhelpall my constituents, regardless of whether they voted formeornot.Soif you’reparticularly worried aboutany Governmentplans or need supportwithalocal issue then please do getintouch and Iwill always do my best to help

KevinRead-Jones79, hasbeen learning IT skills at Market Drayton Library

Firm is boosted by military outlay

Defencegiant BAESystems hasenjoyed stronger salesascountries in crease military spending amid the Russianwar in Ukraine.

TheFTSE100-listed company said many of thecountries it oper ates in hadeitherannounced in creases in defencespending, or are making planstoliftspending“to addressthe elevatedthreatenvironment”

BAE, whichbuilds ships, submarinesand fighterjets, reported £18 billion in orders securedinthe first half of theyear, andafurther £10bn sincethen. It hasa jointventure at Hadley Castle WorksinTelford, knownasRheinmetallBAE Systems Land (RBSL),which specialis es in land combat vehicles.

BAEsaiditwas on track to have a “verystrong”yearofordersand ex pects marginstogrowintothe new year.The strengtheningofthe dollaragainst thepoundcould boost itsearningstoo

It’s Madness at forest concert

Madnesswill be appearing at a majoroutdoor eventinStaffordshirenextsummer

Suggsand therestofthe NuttyBoyshavebeenlined up to headline theCannock Chase Forest Live festival for2023.

Theband, famous forhitsincludingBaggy Trousers, Our House, HouseOfFun andIt Must Be Love,will be performingatCannock Chasewithsup port from HollieCookonJune 8.Tickets go on sale at 9amto morrow (Friday)

With acareerspanningmore than four decadesthe band are renowned fortheir live shows.

They formed in Camden Town in 1976 andbecamefront runnersofthe skarevival which followed punk rock Alongwiththe Beat andthe Selecter,theysignedtoJerry Dammers’ record label2Tone.

Threeheldafter armedrobbery

Threepeoplehavebeenarrested followinganarmed robberyin Bridgnorth

Twomen andawoman were held followinganincidentabout midday on TuesdayinFlood Street,Dud ley, whereastolenvehicle rammed into an armedresponse vehicleand drove at apolicemotorbike Twopoliceofficers received mi nor injuries.Response and firearms officers attended thescene involv ingthe pursuit of thestolenvehiclefollowing an armedrobbery in Bridgnorth earlierinthe morning. Aspokesman from West MidlandsPolicesaid: “Two of ourpolice officers received minor injuries Twomen andone woman wasarrested andtaken into custody. No membersofthe publicwereinjured “Our investigationisongoing. Anyone with anyinformation should contactusvia Live Chat on ourwebsite or 101quotingincident 1842 of November15.”

Royalapprovalfor university’s netzerostrategy

HerRoyal Highness ThePrincess Royalwas amongthose who shared herviews at thelaunch of theHarperAdams University GlobalPolicyForum Princess Anne joined ahostof leadingvoicesgatheredtoconsider thechallenges in achievingnet zero in farmingand food at the launch of theforum in London.

Apanel from acrossthe agriculturaland food sectorsgatheredtogether to consider thechallenges of transforming each,bothinthe UK andglobally. They considered the challenges of making thegoalof achievingnet zero realisticand at tainable forevery dayfarmers and

food producers. BroadcasterJulia Bradbury chairedalivelydiscus sion betweenthe panellists, who included director at carbon metrics andHarperAdams alumna HelenDentand deputy vice-chancellor of Harper AdamsUniversity ProfessorMichael Lee.

HerRoyal Highness also met with thepanel andanumberofkey partners anddelegates at arecep tion followingthe debate including partners in theSchoolofSustainable Food andFarming,staff from Rabobank,staff andstudents from Harper AdamsUniversity,and a groupofyoung people with inter estsinthe food andfarming sector,

includingpupilsfromWestminster AcademyinWestLondon.

Thepupilsvisited HarperAdams earlierthisyearfor an ‘eye-opening’ insightintoall things food andfarming –which was filmedfor BBCTV’sCountryfile –and were invitedtothe eventtoposetheir questionstothe panel.

Harper Adamsvice-chancellor ProfessorKen Sloansaid: “We are finalising anew strategicplan forthe university andour vision forHarper Adams2030will put greateremphasisoncollaboration, global engagement andthought leadership alongsidethe strengths forwhich we arealready known.”

Just theticket! Sell-out charity show fashions up £5,000 sum

MEGANHOWE Community News Reporter

Asell-outclothes show fashionedup£5,000 for charity–tothe delight of theorganisers.

JuliaFarrant,acommittee memberfor BritishRed Crossfor Shropshire, said it wasan ‘amazing’day whichwas well supported by local people andbusinesses

TheBritishRed CrossFashion Show washeldatHencote,Shrewsbury,and included lunch, drinks andanarray of designer garments

Although it wasset up by the charitycommittee,representatives from SilverPinkLimited,EllaCru, Cashmere,Crown Jewellsand More Than ASundaeinEllesmere were present anddonated items.

TheBritishRed Crossset up a Help forUkraine appeal earlier this year to welcomefamilies who hadmoved to thecountry after flee ingthe conflictintheir homeland Hanna Zarytska,who is living with JuliainMarket Drayton, is arefugee andUkrainian radiopresenter whomovedtothe UK with herson Roman.

In aspeech at thefashion show, shesaid: “Onbehalfofall Ukrain ians in theUK, Iwanttothank everyone foryourenormoussup port andgenerosity towardsour nation –you have been amazing.”

Juliaadded: “Itwas amazing, we sold out. Therewere150 people andwhenHanna gave herspeech shehad astandingovation.”

DraytonNetballClub jetted offtoParis to take part in thetournament

Playersnet Paristripatoverseasfestival

Netballclubplayers hadthe expe rience of alifetimeastheytooka trip abroadtocompete in Paris.

DraytonNetball Club,which hasbeenrunningfor 25 years, took part in theInternational Junior NetballFestivalatDisneyland Paris.

Funded by parents, localbusinesses andthe fundraisingefforts of asmall committee group, the girlstookpartincompetitive net-

Inquestopens onchurchdeath

An inquesthas been formally opened andadjourned following thediscoveryofa man’sbodyin aShifnalchurchyardatthe endof last month

SimonLee Morris, 46,who livedinthe town,was founddead in thechurchyard at St Andrew’s on October31, coronerJohnEl lery heard.

Mr Morris, whowas born in

Wolverhampton, wasidentified by hisdriving licence, thehearing at Shirehall, Shrewsbury,heard on Monday of last week

Mr Ellery,senior Shropshire coroner, wastoldthere were no suspicious circumstancessur rounding thedeath

Thefull inquestwas adjourned to be held on February 9next year

MEGANHOWE

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

ball andhad theopportunityto undertakemasterclasses.

Michelle Benfordfromthe club, said thegirls ‘dug deep’and played some ‘nailbiting’ matches, coming seventhout of 20 teams

Sheadded: “Wemet lots of different clubsfromaroundthe UK

andfurther afield. OnefromAus traliademonstrated some amazingballskills.

“The girlswerecoached by some toptrainers. This really helped the girlsdevelop skillsand form team bondswhich were demonstrated on andoff thepitch.”

As part of thetrip, thegirls went to Disneyland Paris. Michelle said it wasrewarding to seethe delight on theplayers’faces

Investigation afterblaze wrecks van

An investigator wassentaftera vanwas “completely destroyed” in a fire

Theblaze happened at TheAve nue, Benthall,Broseley, shortlyafter10pmonMonday.

AShropshireFireand Rescue spokesmansaid: “At22.17pm on Monday fire controlreceiveda call reportinga fire classified as acar fire in Broseley

“Thisincidentinvolvedone van

whichwas completely destroyedby fire

“One fire appliancewas mobi lisedfromMuchWenlock.”

A fire investigationofficerwas in attendance to examinethe causeof theblaze.

Thespokesman added: “Crews usedbreathing apparatus, ahose reel jetand athermal imagingcam eratotacklethe fire.”

Princess Royalatthe launch

Newshowteammemberhas familyconnectiontoevent

Apopular Shropshire eventhas anew events co-ordinator, with a strong familyconnection to theoccasion.

Emma Haselwood, whotookup herroleat thestart of themonth, is lookingtouse herprevi ousexperiencein devel oping sponsorshipoppor

tunitiestobuildonthe success of NewportShow, whichreturnedaftertwo yearsthissummer

Emma hasafamily historythatlinks herto Newportand District Ag riculturalSociety andthe DeerPark. Shesaid: “My great-greatgrandfather JM Belcher wasone of the

original30foundingcom mittee membersin1889.”

Before taking up her role at theend of October, Emma hadbeenworking forGrainlink since2013 as agrain buyer

Sheadded: “I organ isedthe tradestandsand sponsorshipfor theArable Eventwhich Ithor

oughly enjoyed butNew port Show is on amuch biggerscale,soI’m very much lookingforward to thechallenge andbeing part of theshow team.”

ForNewport Show sponsoring opportunities call Emma on 01952 810814 or emailsponsor ship@newportshow.co.uk

Eurovision singerSam setto lead theline-up at festival

MARK ANDREWS mark.andrews@mnamedia.co.uk

Eurovision runner-up SamRyder,chart-top pers SophieEllis-Bextor andEast17, andformer SpiceGirlMelanie Cwill join rocklegends Primal Screamatafamilymusicfestivalnextyear.

Synth-popsuperstarsThe Hu manLeagueand drum–and-bass band Rudimental will also be ap pearing at Camp Bestival Shropshire, at Weston Park,nearShifnal, when it returnsinAugustnext year

About17,000 revellers flockedto thevenue forthe West Midlands’ firstCampBestivalinAugustthis year

As well as themusic,the festival will involvecomedy,children’sen tertainmentand wellbeingevents Theevent, runningfromAugust 17-20, is organisedbyformerRadio 1DJRob da Bankand hiswifeJosie.

Robsaidhewas delightedwith this year’s event, andhoped this year’s eventwould buildonthat success

“Wecouldn’thavebeenhappi er with thesite, theweather,the crowd, andthe vibes,” he said “We’re back for2023hoping to ramp up thelevelsevenmore from introducing abrand-new fan cy dressparade, raft building and loadsofcoolnew littlepop-ups to

mega popstars andindie giants on themainstage Scottish rock band Primal Scream,fronted by BobbyGillespie, will lead the2023music line-up, supported by Sheffieldsynth-pop pioneersThe HumanLeague.

Ryder’ssongSpace Manstormed to second placeinthisyear’sEu rovision Song Contest, while.sing

er-songwriterEllaHendersonwill entertaincrowdswithher huge pop hits

Therewill also be West Midland acts at theevent, with deathmetal pioneersNapalmDeath andStour bridge alternative rock band Pop Will EatItself adding to thevariety

Othereventsinclude Cosmic Kids Yoga, children’s favouritesMr

Tumble andThe CubanBrothers, Dick andDom,MisterMaker,and HorribleHistories

Cirque Bijouwillbeputting on a circus show with adifference, and therewill also be activities organ isedin partnershipwiththe World Wide Fund forNature.

Tickets, starting at £70, went on sale today(Thursday).

Audience leftspellboundbyrenownedguitarist

Internationallyrenownedguitar istLaura Snowdenheldapacked audience in Adbaston Parish Church spellbound, writes John Hargreaves

Openingwiththe playful romanticism of Sorand finishingwiththe sweeping lyricism of Barrios, her recitalenchanted from the first note to thelast.

Centraltothe programmewere the five Preludes writtenmid-20th centurybyBrazilian Villa-Lo bos.Capturing differentstyles, from thebrightpurposefulnessof HomageToCountry Dwellers to thedarkercontrastingsoundsof

HomageTo TheRascals Of Rio, Snowden’splaying wasapowerful blendofsensitivity andbravura

At theage of 16,Snowden stud iedatthe Yehudi MenuhinSchool, having wonascholarship forgui taristslaunchedbyadonation from theRolling Stones.She went on to theRoyal CollegeofMusic andsubsequentlystudied with Julian Bream. Theopening piece of hersecondset wasLennoxBerke ley’slivelySonatinafor Guitar whichwas writtenfor Bream.

Thesetting of the14thcentury church seemed particularly suita blefor thefourcompositions of her

ownwhich Snowdenincludedin theprogramme.She wroteHome as atribute to Julian Breamafter hisdeath in 2020.The deeply movingcomposition wasstunningin itsaccomplishmentand wasplayed with delicate precision andpoise

Equallymovingwas thejoyful ness andsense of wonderinSong forMaria,written forSnowden’s younger sister whose birth“was thebestday of my life”.The Strange WorldofSpiderstoldits storywithwhimsical acoustic in ventiveness, whilethisChanging Skywas ahauntinglybeautiful gem.

Ecologyteam’s projectlistedfor topaccolade

Aproject by ShropshireCouncil to monitor andreduceammo niainthe aircausedbyinten sive farmingpractices hasbeen shortlistedfor anationalaward.

TheDigital LeadersNet Zero 50 List highlights thetop indi viduals, organisations, products andinitiativeshelping in thecli mate battle

ShropshireCouncil’s ecolo gy teamhas been recognised fordeveloping county-specific guidance on how planning ap plications forintensive livestock unitswill be assessedfor their impactsuponthe naturalenvi ronmentasaresultofammonia emissions.

Theecology teamhas been listed under theNet Zero public sector category

Councillor IanNellins,cabi netmember forclimate change, environmentand transport, said:“It is atremendousresult forour team involvedinthis project. By examiningemis sionsand overallair qualityat specificsites,the team is able to assess andrecognise practices that maycumulatively result in excessiveamounts of ammonia.

“Theyare lookingat theinformationavailable as awhole andnot just in isolation, which givesamoreaccuratepicture of what is goingon.”

Greenbeltloss fearsassolar farm approved

Asolar farm bigenoughtopower more than 7,600homeshas been given thegreen light–but “setsa dangerousprecedent” over theloss of farm land,accordingtoa leader

Plansfor the23-megawatt facili ty on 54.7 hectares of land southof Holyhead Road, Albrighton,were discussedat Shropshire Council’s Southern Planning Committee

LowCarbonLtd wantstobuild thesolar farm,which an energy consultant said wouldbea“hugely importantstepfor Shropshire to take towardstomeetits owncli mate change targets”

However,not everyone wason board, with concerns raisedover losing greenbeltland.

Councillor Ed Potter said:“What bothersmeisthe agricultural land location in this.Thispart of Shrop shireiswhere the best land is.Itis particularly good forgrowing crops, carrotsand salad. It sets adanger ousprecedent.”

Butother councillorsfeltthe benefits of renewableenergyout weighed thelossoffarmland, and outvoted himseven to one.

Keyopponents included Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard, localcoun cillor NigelLumby andBoningale Parish Councilrepresentingthe village. Theparishcouncil said the proposal was“harmful” to green belt land.“Theareais very well used by walkersand cyclists and thecurrent landscapesetting will be damaged,”aspokesman said

LauraSnowden

Thousandsoffamilies are expected to theattendBestivalatWestonPark

Emma Haselwood

No change to unemployment rate in region

Therateofunemploymentin theregionwas unchangedin thethree monthstoSeptember

Therewere139,000 outof work– 4.7per cent of theworkingage population, Britain’srateofunemployment edged higher in thethree monthsasthe countryheadsfor what is feared will be thelongestrecession in acentury,offi cial figureshaveshown.

Therateofunemployment stood at 3.6per cent,upfrom 3.5per cent in thethree months to August,the Office forNation al Statistics said

Acrossthe West Midlands the numbersclaimingunemploy ment benefits, includingUni versal Credit,weredownlast month.The totalof175,005 was down 2,400onSeptember –a rate of 4.8per cent

In Shropshire theclaimant totalwas down 100to4,500 (2.4 percent) with Telford& Wrekin falling by 90 to 3,960(3.5per cent). It came as morepeople droppedout of theworkforce, with ahikeinthe proportion of people neitherlooking forwork nor working

Morethanhalfamillion working days were lost to strikesinAugustand September–the highesttwo-month to talin more thanadecade.

MP secures a debateabout frackingplans

NorthShropshireMPHelen Mor ganhas securedadebatein Parlia ment on opposingfrackingwithout communityconsent Thedebateisintendedtomake thepause on fracking plansinthe UK “U-turnproof”bypressuring ConservativeMPs to speakout publiclyand pledgetooppose anyfur ther change by theGovernment.

MrsMorgan, theLiberal Demo crat spokesperson forLevelling Up, hasalready promisedtocampaign to stop anyfrackingtakingplacein north Shropshire

Themove comesfollowing asig nificant backlash after326 Con servativeMPs voted againstamotion in Parliament whichwould have ledtoaban on fracking,despitemanyofthemhavingstated theiropposition to it previously.

“Liberal Democratshavewarned that withoutrenewed pressure a furtherU-turnonfrackingremains apersistentthreat,”she said “It’sreallyimportant that beauti fulcountryside in places likenorth Shropshire is protected from damagingdrilling

“Withmy debate,ToryMPs have theopportunitytomakeamends with theconstituentstheylet down They need to make clearthatthey will notsupport theimpositionof fracking on ourcommunities

“I’m challengingevery Conserv ativeMPtopledgeinpublicthat they will defend theircommunities if fracking is imposedonthem.”

Mayoris‘delighted’ by parade turnoutfor RemembranceDay

MEGANHOWE Community News Reporter

In thetownonSundaymorning therewas ahugeparademadeupof membersofThe RoyalIrish Regi ment,the Navy,the AirForce and cadets.ADakotaplane andbiplane also flew past

Theparademarched from Queen Street carparkonSundaytoSt Mary’s Church forthe serviceofremembrance.

Theparadethenreassembled and headed forthe WarMemorialwhere amemorialservice andlayingof wreaths took place.

Acivic receptionat thetown’s RoyalBritishLegionclubfollowed afterwards

TheMayor of Market Drayton, Councillor Mark Whittle, said it wasa‘cracking turnout’ –the biggest he hasseeninthe last 15 years.

He thankedeveryonefor at tendingonthe day. andsaiditwas touching to seesomanypeoplepay ingtheir respects

“It’saveryveryemotional time forquite alot of people,” Mark said

Commenting on thereasonwhy attendance washigh he said:“The amount of people whohaveretired fromthe military andhavemoved into Market Draytonishigh.”

As an ex-military manhim

self,Councillor Whittlepreviously served in TheFalklandIslands, Bosnia andKosovo.

Hisbrother,who is also ex-military,was in attendance andhad the opportunitytomeetsomeone he did

histrainingwithas an

that no matter how much time has passed,you never lose that connec tion with someone you have served with

Brilliancewitnessed at amazingCosyHallrecital

How fortunatemembersofthe NewportMusic Club were to be given such an amazing recitallast Saturday, writes DianaCorlett Some of us hadheard Llyr WilliamsonRadio 3, knew of thehigh praise he hasreceivedfor record ings andwatched himasa wonderful accompanistatthe televised CardiffSingercompetitions.

KnowingthatLlyrisacclaimed worldwideisone thing, buttoexperience hisbrilliance here in the Cosy Hall quiteanother!

Appropriately,as2022marks 200yearssince hisbirth,Franck wasincludedinLlyr’sprogramme: Prelude, Aria andFinal, M23,

writtentowards theend of hislife. Chordalelementsreflected thein fluenceofFranck’smaininstru ment,the organ, then therewere lovely quietpassages in thearia, much more frenzy in the finale,al though it finished in calmer mood

Thesecondhalfofthe concert beganwiththe difficult Schu mann:EtudesSymphoniques. op.13. Llyr told us how he hadde cidedtocuratethis, choosing12 of the17studies written, butbeginningwithatheme writtenby Wieck(hisfather-in-law that is, fatherofSchumann’swife, Clara) Llyr notonlyfulfilled thecompos er’s guidance foreach, butseemed

to be living it,makingithis own. in EtudeVIII,sempremarcatissimo,inIXprestopossibile,inX allegrocon energia, in XI andante espressivo …playing in such a wayas to draw us in,too.Finally XIIallegro brillante wasbrilliant! Even playingattremendousspeed thearticulationwas so good– and such intensityand expressiveness!

Thelastitemwas Hungarian Rhapsodyno.12,S.244/12byLiszt Ashowpiece, a‘Tour de Force’ Astandingovation from theaudience reflected heartfeltapprecia tion.Asanencore, he chosealove ly Peasant’ssongbyGrieg,tobring the eveningtoa quietclose

Market Drayton’smay or hassaidthere wasa “crackingturnout” for itsRemembrance Day events.

Theparade through thestreetsofMarket Drayton on RemembranceSunday

Theparade throughthe streetsofMarket Drayton Theservice held at St Mary’sChurchinthe town

Llyr Williams

engineer Councillor Whittlewentontosay

COMMENT

Thecontinual erosionof public services is startingto bite.

We have notyet regained the ground lost during thepandemic,ifanything, we have slipped furtherand furtherbehind. The NHSisinastate of constant crisis, proppedupbythe good will andkindactions of those whoworkwithinit. Even their patience,however,isnot unlimited.The prospect of industrial action is high,asthe wagesof thosewho puttheir bodies on thelineduringCovid contract

It is not just ourhospitals or ourambulance services that are tangibly falling behind.GPser vicesare also in crisis.

Patients arenot happythat they areunabletoget appointmentseasilyand feel services have deteriorated sinceCovid Thereis, however,agreat deal of sympathy forthe GPsthemselves andalsoawillingness by many to engage inphone and videocallconsultations.The issue, as always, isinvestment.

GP surgerieswanttoprovide theservicestheyneed butthey need investment to ensure they have thestaff to help andalso theinfrastructuretoensure that they canprovide effective care

GP surgeriesare nowincreas inglyhelping to take theloadoff of hospitals, with services like physiotherapy.But withoutthe rightfacilities they will always struggle

It is aquestionofpriorities, notonlyfor theGPs andthe Governmentbut also forsocie ty at large. It is clearthatthe nation cannot afford to fund publicservicestothe standard required.And so thenationhas to choose whetheritwishesto paymoreintothe public purse, throughtaxation, or whether it is prepared to accept falling standardsand failing services. Thereare trade-offs,the sort that politicians engage in every day, andastark choice faces GreatBritain

In GP services,itisclear that if we getthe environmentright, provideadequateresources, create amoderninfrastructure andensureadequatestaffing, the issues will be resolved Thereisaprice to payfor that, of course,and it is onethatmost wouldbewilling to pay.

Patients want to love the NHSand back theirlocal GPs, buttheyalsoneed to seethat, post-Covid,theyare able to access theservicestheyneed TheNHS hasnot recovered to pre-pandemic levels.Waitinglists aretoo high,services arepoorand toomanypeople experience poorstandards,inadequate treatment andface pain andshortenedlives as a consequence. Toomanyareas of publiclifeare deteriorating, rather than standing still or im proving. Thenationmustmake toughdecisionsonfunding pub licservicesifitistostopthe rot.

NHS waiting lists are remainingonsick list

Theproblemsfacingthe

NHSare todaylaidbare in aseriesofnumbers most of them pointing upwards.

Waitinglist figuresfor NHS treatment is up to anew all-time high,while arecordnumberofpeo pleare enduringlongwaits in A&E untilhospitalbedsare found, new figuresshow

Data from NHSEngland shows thehealthservice struggling to keep up with demand,withpeople facing longwaits forkey tests, some cancer checks,and routineand emergencycare.

Thenumberofpeoplein England waitingtostart hospital treatment roseto7.1 million at theend of September,upfromseven million in August andthe highest figure since recordsbegan in August 2007

Meanwhile, 401,537peoplehave been waitinglongerthana year to starthospitaltreatment,upfrom 387,257atthe endofAugust and equivalent to around onein18peo pleonthe entire waitinglist.

Very longwaits of more thantwo yearshavefallenslightly, while thenumberofpeoplewaiting 18 months fortreatment hasdropped by almost 60 percentinone year, NHSEnglandsaid.

Thenumberofpatientswaiting 78 weekswas reduced by 73,430 from 123,969 comparedtoSeptember2021asstaff “clamp down”on thelongestwaits, it said

Butthere areserious problems in A&Edepartments, with thenum berofpeoplewaiting morethan12 hoursfroma decision to admitthem to actually gettingabed rising to a newrecordhigh.

Some 43,792 peoplewaitedlonger than 12 hoursinOctober,up34per cent from 32,776 in September and thehighest number in recordsgoingbacktoAugust2010.

Thenumberwaitingatleast four hoursfromthe decision to admit to admissionalso reached anew peakof150,922 in October, up from 131,861the previous month

Atotal of 69.3 percentofpatients in Englandwereseenwithin four hoursinA&Eslastmonth, the worst performanceonrecordand the firsttimeithas droppedbelow 70 percent.

Theoperational standard is that at least95per cent of patients at tendingA&E should be admitted,

transferredordischarged within four hours, butthishas notbeen metnationallysince 2015

Dr TimCooksley, presidentofthe Societyfor AcuteMedicine, said: “Thislatestset of performancedata show that standardsare at an unacceptably poorlevel forbothpatients andstaff with an expectationthat this will deterioratefurther over thewintermonths.

“Pressures areatunsustainable levels andthe resultsare scantjus tice foracute care staffwho contin ue to strive to deliver areasonable qualityofcare.

“Moralefor patients andstaff is low, with littleexpectation of shortterm improvement.

“All partsofthe NHSare unques tionably struggling.”

With regardtocancer, thepro portionofpatientswho sawaspe cialist within twoweeks of being referred urgently by theirGPhas droppedtoits lowestlevel on re cord,the figuresshow

Some 251,977urgentcancerreferralsweremadebyGPs in September,downfrom255,055 the previous month butthe highest number recorded forthe month of September

However,only72.6per cent of patients in England hada firstcon sultantappointment within two weeksthatmonth againsta 93 per cent target,the worst performance on record

Meanwhile, 67.2 percentofpatients urgently referred forsuspect ed cancer were diagnosedorhad cancer ruledout within 28 days in September,downfrom69.5per cent thepreviousmonth andthe second-worst performanceinrecords goingbacktoApril 2021.The target, setfor March2024, is for75 per cent of patients to be seen

Cancer Research UK chiefexecutiveMichelleMitchellsaid: “Behindtoday’s numbersare real peopleaffected by cancer andfac ingunacceptably long waitsfor di agnosisand treatment during what is alreadyanincrediblyanxious time -realpeoplewho continue to be promisedbetterbysuccessive health secretaries, butwho none thelesscontinuetobelet down.”

Thedatafurther showed that

nearly 6,000 cancer patients waited more than twomonthsfrombeing referred by theirGPtostarting treatment in September

Some 15,071 cancer patients startedtreatment that month after an urgent referral by theirGP, but 5,955ofthemhad to wait longer than twomonths-the second high estnumberinrecords going back to 2009.

Some 60.5 percentofpatientsbegantreatment within twomonths -also thesecondlowestpercentage on record andwellbelow the85 per cent target NHSmedical director Professor SirStephen Powissaid: “There is no doubt Octoberhas been achallengingmonth forstaff,who are nowfacinga tripledemicofCovid, fluand record pressure on emer gencyserviceswithmorepeopleattendingA&E or requiringthe most urgent ambulancecallout than any otherOctober

“Pressureonemergency servic es remainshigh as aresultofmore than 13,000 beds takenupeachday by people whonolongerneed to be in hospital

“Butstaff have kepttheir foot on theacceleratortoget thebacklog down,with18-month waitersdown by three-fifths on last year

“Wehavealwayssaidthe overall waitinglistwould rise as more pa tients come forward, and, with pres suresonstaff settoincreaseover thewinter months, theNHS hasa plan -including anew fallsservice, 24/7 warrooms, andextra beds and call handlers.”

Shadow health secretaryWes Streeting said:“Millionsofpatients arewaiting months andevenyears fortreatment,often in seriouspain anddiscomfort

“Inanemergency,patientsare left waitinghours foran ambulance or entire days in A&E. Formany this meansbeing unabletowork andputting theirlivesonhold.”

FionaMyint,vicepresidentof theRoyal CollegeofSurgeons of England,urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to commit to aworkforce plan to tackle staffvacancies

“The NHSisdesperately in need of afull squad to deal with therecord waitinglist,”she said

Thedataalsoshowedthe number of people in Englandwaiting longer than sixweeks forakey diagnostic test hasrisentothe highestlevel in twoyears

PETERRHODES

Termsfor ourtime. Reporting on Ukraine’sformidabledefensivebarrier of themighty Dnieper, BBCveteran reporter Jeremy Bowencalls it “a very seriousriver.”

Thepacifist PeacePledge Union reportsagood year forsales of itswhite poppiesasanalterna tive to the“militaristic” redpop py.Showingoff youranti-army credentialsisall very well but I’ve yettosee thepacifist solu tion to amaniac on yourdoorstep whosends hisarmoured columnsoveryourbordersand lobs cruise missiles into your cities.Apart,ofcourse,from immediate andunconditional surrender.White poppieslead ultimately to white flags

It looksas though plansfor a newRoyal Yachtwillbeshelved underthe Government’s spendingcuts. Embarrassing forme to comment on it because,hav ingconsulted thearchives,I see Iwas against anew yachtin 2017 butinfavourofitin2021. Asea change

King Charlessaysschools should teach pupils about slav eryin thesameway that they educatethemabout theHolocaust.Which poses aquestion: when didour schoolstakeslaveryoff thesyllabus?

In my teensour historylessons included theevils of the“Tri angularTrade.” Irecallthe text-bookmap showingthe in tercontinental triangle of slaves shippedfromAfricatothe West Indies to grow sugar,sugar shippedfromthe West Indies to Europe andmanufactured goods takenfromEuropeto Africa to purchasemoreslaves. We were shown18thcentury diagrams of slaveships with hundreds of Africans manacled andcrammed in theholds.Once seen,those grisly images areremembered foralifetime.

Ican understand whysome post 1960s educationalistsmight have thoughtitunhelpful,in an increasinglymultiracialsociety, to rake up theshameful past.Why teachthe kids about slaverywhenyou candosome thingsafer,likeancient Egypt or theTudors? So wasthere a conscious decision to erasethe race-memory of slavery? Andif so,how do we putitright?

Still on King Charles, hisclose encounterwitha yobinYork underlines theneed foranew palace appointment. TheRoyal Egg-CatcherPoursuivant would secretehimself in crowds,watch outfor people armedwitheggs anddealwiththemappropriate ly.What’sJohnPrescottdoing these days?

Cancer diagnoses within 28 days -DOWN to 67.2% from 69.5%

Only 72.6% had a first consultant appointment within twoweeks -BELOW a 93% target

Voters angryat beingusedby theToryParty

IlistenedtoTammy Wood on theBBC andthought that she spokecommon sense.Ialso smiled at one naiveConserv ativeMPwho said that the Boriselectionmachine would lead them to victoryatthe next election.Oncebitten, twiceshy

As anow former Conservative supporterinTelford in the last threeelections, Iwould liketooffer you my opinion. Firstly, RishiSunakisnot my PrimeMinister, Idid notvote forhim andmoreimportantly he wasroundly rejected by the partymembership.

Ihavespokentomanypeople in thetownwho aretotally disgusted at theeventsand sever al whosimplysaid‘what do you expect from ourpoliticians?’

Haseveryoneforgotten that up to threemonthsago Rishi wasour fiscal overlordrunning UK plcand nowsuddenly we aretoldthatweare in desper ate financialstraitsand that theverysameRishi will come back andsortout everything thathas gone wrong?

As adirectresultofthe ca lamitous mini budget, we have sold ourselves in panictothe markets. Sunak’s appointment is thesuccessfulculmination of hisplantooverthrow ademocratically-elected PM whoin fairness didnot help himself

He is in theposition as aresult of deceit andincompetence within theparty on agrand scale. It is only because Labour made itself allbut unelectable that we have been given four terms in office

RishiSunakhas no mandate to be PM of theUK in thesame waythatthatLiz Trussdid not

ForsomeMPs nowtobe talkingabout winningthe next election is absolutetrash.The 2019 election wasdecidedby threefactors, Boris, Brexit and Jeremy Corbynand notbyvot ersinthe RedWallseats suddenly discoveringthattheyhad beenvotingfor thewrong party alloftheir lives.

Thepeopleare angryand rightlysoabout beingusedand abused andthe outcome of the next election will be asobering experience forthe party.

Telfordhas hadapoorreturn forsupportingthe government since2015. Socialand food deprivation arerifeand we allhave butcapitulated in thebattlefor PRH. Is it anysurprise that thepartywill never make any headwayinlocal politics?

Alan Barnett, Shropshire

PICTURE FROMTHE ARCHIVE

Fighting crime againstlifeitself

that is primarilyresponsible forthe 2,600peoplewho died as aconsequenceofthe last heatwavesand this is butthe start. Delays in dealingwith climatechangewill lead to the sixthmassextinction, possibly includinghomo

PatrickMcCarthy, Wellington

tanceand be calm andcourteous. You’ll survive!!

PeterCartledge,Tetchill

Benefits of free town parking

Ibelieve that,ifpeoplegenuinely believethata crime againsthumanityand lifeitself is beingundertakenand that belief is backed by scientific evidence,thenyes they have adutytodowhatever it takes to preventthatcrime taking place.

Foryears nowwehavehad scientiststelling parliament that theconsequenceofnot creating, in effect,awar economy to reduce carbon andmethane emissionsthenmillionswill die andsuffer.

Unfortunately, ourcurrent leadershavedecidedtobepaid stoogestothe enemy, in this case thefossilfuelindustry, that fights with itsoverwhelm ingwealthand politicalinflu ence.

It is this industrial sector

Road wasn’tas badasreported

TodayIdrove from Ellesmere, viaWhitchurchtoStaffordvia Newportand back,along the A41, aroadwithreportedly a badaccidentrecord. Ihaveto saythatthe trafficwas heavy with many HGVs butatno time didIfeelunsafe. Idrove in acalmunhurriedway,sodid everyone else,withone or two exceptions wherethe standard couldhavebeenbetter.

Motorists don’tneed to re gard this routeasadeath trap, just drivea littledefensively, concentrate,keepyourdis

How lucky arewein Newport? We have no parkingcharges.It really does helpboth individu alsand families.

It encourages visitors to come into town,enjoy it and spendsome moneytohelpour commerce.Ithelps employees andemployersin thetownto make themostoftheir income andopportunities.

Elsewhere, driversare of tenmet with charges at vari ousrates.The worst situation is when theday ofissue is the limitofstay.

Thenextday is anew charge This becomesveryexpensive A24-hour ticket wouldcover this andsave anxietytoo.Some arelucky andhavenocharge overnight, buteventhathas its drawbacks.

BAFlowers, Newport

amend letters

Soup thrown at VanGogh’s Sunflower painting,Aston Martin showroom sprayedwith orange paint, King Charles’ mannequin‘pied’atMadame Tussauds. How canthisbejus tified?

In 1970,horse-shoeing certainlywasn’ta dying craftfor 23-year-old Alan Bailey, of Eccleshall.Alan is picturedworking for EJFrost, thelocal blacksmith.Inthosedaysheshod 20 horses aweek on site andoperatedamobile smithyaswell.

sapiens.

MP is celebratingas Wrekin name saved in boundary revamp

Mark Pritchard, MP forThe Wrekin, hasexpressedhis delightthat theconstituency’shis toricnameislikelyto be retained undera proposedshake-upofparliamentary boundaries.

TheBoundaryCommissionhad proposed renaming the seat Newport andWellingtontoreflectthe twolargesttowns in thearea, but this wasmet with fierce opposition

Theseatwill be enlarged to take in thewards of Hodnet and Cheswardine, whichatthe moment come underthe NorthShropshire constituency,ifthe plansare adopt ed

Therevisedconstituencymap waspublished yesterdayaspartof a finalconsultationbefore finalpro posals arepresented to Parliament next year

Constituents have untilDecem ber5tohavetheir sayonthe plans.

Thechanges will nottakeplace untilafterthe next GeneralElec tion,which must be held by January

2025 at thelatest.

Mr Pritchard said:“Iamthrilled that this campaign hasended in victoryand that thehistoricand unique name of TheWrekinwillbe kept forcurrent andfuturegenera tionswhentheycasttheir vote.”

Earlierthisyear, Mr Pritchard launched his‘Save theWrekin’ campaign,writing to alltownand parish councils in theconstituency, as well as to theleaders of Telford &Wrekinand Shropshire Councils

He also gave evidence at apub lichearing in March, arguingthat thenameofthe Wrekin hill was internationallyrecognised, iconic in proseand literature,and symbol isedthe wholeconstituency, which covered both urbanareas of Telford andrural Shropshire

He also argued that thename Newportand Wellingtonwould create confusion,given that there area dozenNewportsinthe UK includingthe Welshcityservedby

BOUNDARYCHANGES

SOUTH SHROPSHIRE

Thenew seateffectively replacesthe existing Ludlowconstituency, buthas been expanded northwardstotakein part of theShrewsbury& Atcham seat. Previousproposals, to call theseatLud low& Bridgnorth were dropped aftercom plaints it wouldexclude theother towns that formed part of theconstituency Thenew seatwilltakeinthe Burnell and Severn Valley wardswhichatthe mo mentcome underShrewsbury&Atcham. It will retain thefollowing wards: Alveley andClaverley,Bishop’s Castle, Bridgnorth East andAstleyAbbots, Bridgnorth West andTasley, Broseley, BrownClee,Chir bury andWorthen,ChurchStrettonand CravenArms, Clee,Cleobury Mortimer, Clun,Corvedale,Highley,LudlowEast, LudlowNorth,LudlowSouth,MuchWen lockand Worfield.

SHREWSBURY

ThenameAtchamisdropped from theexisting Shrewsbury&Atcham constituency,whichloses theBur nell andSevernValleyseats to thenew South Shropshireseat. It retainsthe following Shropshire Coun cilwards:Abbey,Bagley, Battlefield, Bay ston Hill, Column and Sutton,BelleVue, Bowbrook,Castlefields andDitherington, Copthorne,Harlescott,Longden,Loton, Meole, Monkmoor,Porthill, Quarry and CotonHill, Radbrook, ReaValley, Sun dorne and Tern

TELFORD

TheTelford constituencyseeslit tlechange,despite callsfromcouncilleader Councillor ShaunDavies to remove Priorslee,and replace it with Hadleyand Leegomery. The proposed constituency will be made up of thefollowing wards: Brookside, Dawley& Aqueduct, Horsehay &Light moor,IronbridgeGorge,Ketley &Overdale,Madeley&SuttonHill, Malinslee &DawleyBank, Oakengates &Ketley Bank,Priorslee,StGeorge’s, TheNedge, Woodside,and Wrockwardine Wood & Trench.

THEWREKIN

TheBoundaries Commission has been persuadedtoretainthe constituency’snamefollowing acam paignled by itsMPMarkPritchard.

Apreviousproposalwould have seen it renamedNewport&Wellington, in line with thecommission’s pol icyof usingthe name of themain population centreswherepossible Theconstituency, whichisspread across both theTelford &Wrekinand Shropshire Councilareas,willbe expanded to take in theCheswardine andHodnetwards from theexisting North Shropshireseat. Otherwise,itwillretainthe existing Shropshire Councilwards of Albrighton, ShifnalNorth,and ShifnalSouth and Cosford. It will also continue to include thefollowing Telford&WrekinCouncil wards: Admaston &Bratton,ApleyCas

four constituenciesusing thename –and at leastanother threetowns called Wellington.

Ludlow constituency will be re namedSouth Shropshireunder theproposals, partly reflecting its expansion north to includethe Bur nell andSevernValleywards,which at presentformpart of Shrewsbury &Atcham.

Thecommissionhad previously plannedtorenamethe constituen cy Ludlow andBridgnorth, butthis wasmet with opposition by constit uents.

Theproposals will increase the constituency by some 100square miles, taking in an extra 7,500vot erstoincreasethe population to just over 75,000 Mr Dunnesaidhewas saddened to seethe passingofthe Ludlow name butadded: “I thinkitnow makessense to rename thecon stituencySouth Shropshire, which better reflects the proposed geogra phy.”

“These proposalswill increase thegeographicscale of theconstitu ency to some 700squaremiles.Ital readystretchesfromsome 35 miles

alongthe

southern

“South

Residents have been ‘ignored’

tle, Arleston,ChurchAston &Lilleshall, College,Donnington, Dothill, Edgmond& Ercall Magna,Ercall, andHadley&Lee gomery.

NORTH SHROPSHIRE

TheNorth Shropshireseat, whichwas wonbyLiberal DemocratHelen Morgan following ahigh-profile by-election in Decemberlastyear, losestwo wards to bringits population down to 77,052. Hodnetand Cheswardinewards are transferredintoThe Wrekin,but it is otherwise unchanged, being madeupof thefollowing wards: EllesmereUrban, Gobowen, Selattyn andWeston Rhyn, Llanymynech, Market DraytonEast, Market DraytonWest, OswestryEast, Oswestry South,OswestryWest, Prees, Ruyton andBaschurch,Shawbury, St Martin’s,StOswald,The Meres,Wem, Whitchurch Northand Whitchurch South

STAFFORDSHIRE

Probably themostcontroversialchange is likely to be themergerofSouth Staffordshirewithpartofthe existing Dudley South seat, to form anew Kingswinford andSouth Staffordshire constituency. Theconstituencywill gain theDudley borough wardsofKingswinfordNorth andWallHeath,KingswinfordSouth and Wordsley,but lose itsnorthernwards, Brewood &Coven,Cheslyn HayNorth &Saredon,Essington, Featherstone and Shareshill,Great Wyrley Landywood, GreatWyrleyTownand Huntingdon and

Hatherton.These will allbemovedinto anew Stone andGreat Wyrley constitu ency, joining Milwich,Walton andStMichael’s&Stonefield which will be carried overfromthe previousStone constituen cy.The threePenkridge wardswill also come under GreatWyrleyand Stone, along with WheatonAston,Bishopswood andLapley.

Stafford constituencygains Log gerheads, Maer& Whitmore, Doxey& Castletown,Eccleshall,and Gnosall & Woodseaves. It losesMilford, butretains Baswich, Common,Coton,Forebridge, Holmcroft andLittleworth.Highfields & WesternDowns,Manor, Penkside,Row ley, Seighford&ChurchEaton andWeep ing Cross& Wildwood areall carried over from theexisting constituency.

Lichfield retains part of theWhitting ton&Streethay seat, effectively keeping Streethay butlosing Whittington.Thisfol lows extensivelobbyingfromsitting MP MichaelFabricant,and a500-signature petition fromStreethay villagers. It loses AllSaintsand KingsBromleywards.The CannockChase seatisunchanged

WORCESTERSHIRE

TheWyreForestseatisunchanged un derthe shake-up.

MONTGOMERYSHIRE

Aseparatereviewbythe Boundary Commissionfor Walesrecommendsextend ingthe existing Montgomeryshireseatto include extrawards

TheBoundaryCommissionhas been accusedof“ignoring localpeo ple” afterannouncingplansthat will seea Dudley parliamentary constituency scrapped

Underrevised proposalsDudley Southwill be axed,withparts of it pushed into anew Kingswinford & SouthStaffordshire seat andother wardstransferred into either the adjoiningDudleyNorth or Stour bridge constituencies.

It comesafteratwo-stage public consultation whichwas launched last year in abid to even up the number of votersineachofthe UK’s parliamentaryconstituencies.

Mike Wood, ConservativeMPfor Dudley South, said theplans forhis constituency hadignored theviews of residents.

He said:“It’s extremely disap pointing that theBoundaryCom missionhas chosen nottolisten to themanylocal people whotold them that thenew Kingswinford & SouthStaffordshire seat ignores lo calcommunity boundaries

“Areas like Kingswinford,Pens nett andBrierleyHill–which have alot in common –havebeensplit threeways, whileplaces like Word sley andCodsall have been shoved together.Itwill make it harder for thenew MP to representthe whole area effectively, andwill mean long journeys formanypeoplewho need to go to seetheir MP.”

Delighted with theparliamentary boundary revamp,Mark PritchardMP

WelshBorder to thewest andasfar east as to within sixmiles of Wolverhamptoncitycentre.The SouthShropshireconstituencywill nowreach as farnorth as theedge of Shrewsbury by includingBur nell andSevernValleywards.The

boundary with Worcester shireand Herefordshirewill remain undisturbed.

Shropshire is amoresuit able name with whicheveryonecan identify within thenew constituen cy.”

Five percent rise in number of firmsclassed as struggling

Thenumberof‘ailing’ businesses in major West Midlands townsand citieshas topped 14,000.

Therewas ariseof five percent in thethree monthstothe endof September from thepreviousquarter, thelatest figuresfromBegbies Traynor’s RedFlagAlert,which monitors the financialhealthof Britishcompanies

Thenumberofstrugglingbusi nesses in Shropshirereached 3,220 in thethirdquarter,up five percent on thequarter anda twoper cent rise on thesameperiodin2021.

Particular difficultiesare being facedbythe real estate andproperty industry in theregion, with thenumberofbusinessesindis tress up 23 percentinWalsall,28 percentinDudley, 15 percentin Wolverhamptonand 38 percentin Birmingham,comparedtothe same quarterin2021.

Construction businesses arethe most affected,with480 companies in significant financialdistressdur ingthe past threemonths.

Thebiggestquarterly gainswere seen in themanufacturing sector with a14per cent jump in thenum berofbusinessesindifficulty.

Nationally,the latest RedFlag Alertresearch forthe thirdquarter of theyearrecordedalmost610,000 businesses in significant distress with companiesfaltering in an economicallytumultuousperiod.

Representing an eightper cent year-on-year increase andafour percentquarter on quarterrise, thedatapaintsaworryingpicture forUKbusinesses

Pupils’strikingpoppy tributetowar dead

Pupils at acountyschoolput to gether astrikingtribute as part of this year’s remembrancecommemorations

Youngsters from William Brookes School in Much Wenlock ‘planted’ hundreds of hand made poppieson

DOMINIC ROBERTSON newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

WindmillHill in thetown.

Thepoppies,created by pupils, staffand others in thelocal community,werearranged in aunique

tribute, gathered in astrikingline on thehill

Theact of remembrancehad been organisedbythe school’s deputyheadteacher,RuthShaw, with theassistanceoffellowmembers of staffand pupils

Be oureyesand ears to help protectchildren, urgesexpert

County Linesgangs have preyedonvulnerable people in Shropshire for many years–but nowa worrying trendisgrowingofyoung peoplecoercing others into crime.

Acampaignisunder waytoraise communityawareness of signsof theexploitation of young people and ways that concerns canbereported

Aspecial drop-inmeetingwill be held in Ellesmere’ssecondary school,Lakelands Academy, on No vember23, when anumberofpartneragencieswill be on hand to offer supportand guidance

Leafletswillalsobehandedout within thetownwhere,experts say, thereare emerging concerns about young people

Amongthose at theeventwill be Shifnal’sBrightStars Boxing Club, whichworks to divert children away from criminal exploitation

SUEAUSTIN sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk

into positive activities.Clare Jervis, theexploitation lead forShropshire whoalso manages theTrees team, said newtrendsare not necessarily connected with thewell-known County Lines exploitation, linked to drugsgangs

“Itisimportant to recognise the exploitationofchildrenoutside the familyabsolutelydoesexist with in Shropshire,”she said.“Parents andcarershavelittleinfluenceover thesecontexts, andyoung people’s experiencesofextra-familial harm

“Wewantour messagetobevery clear; theonlyway we cantackle exploitation is to raiseawareness amongour communitiesincluding assistingotherstoknowthe signs/ indicators of criminal andsexual exploitation so that children canbe protected from harm

“Early identification education andsupport is crucialtoprevent

risksfromincreasing.”

Shesaidthatitwas vitaltoensure that as acommunity theissues around exploitationare tackledtogether andtohelpparents andcar erstounderstandthe supportthat is availablefor themselves andtheir children

“The ways in whichchildren are exploited canamounttocriminal behaviourbythose whoare exploit ingthemand or as apresenting behaviourofachildwho is being exploited,” sheadded.

On advice to people in Shropshire, shesaid: “There maybebehaviour that you witnessincommunities that cause you to be concerned that unknownchildren arebeing exploited –suchasactivityaround addresses or locations.

“Ifyou have informationabout anti-socialorcriminalactivityor behaviour– even whereyou do not know whoisatrisk or of concern–whichindicates that childexploita tion maybeoccurring andyou do

not have informationabout specific children,pleaseensure you pass this informationtoWestMercia Police as soonaspossibletoenable them to preventand detect crime.

“Where youthink thereisan immediaterisktoapersonoryou witnessacrime taking place, phone 999 –ordial55ifyou areunable to talk.Where you have child-specificinformation that suggests that achild is at risk of or experiencing harmasa result of exploitation, you must follow theChild Exploitation Pathwayand pass informationrelatedtocriminalactivityorbehav iour posing arisktoWestMercia Police

“Children,their familiesand/ or othermembersofthe community maybeworried about sharing informationabout crimewiththe police,but you canencourage them to do so anonymouslybysignpostingthemtoCrimestoppers, or the Fearless forYoung People website at fearless.org”

Public urgedto checkwellbeing

People arebeing urgedtobemore awareofwhattheycan do to im prove theirphysicaland mental health as part of ‘SelfCareWeek’

Theawareness week is an annu al national eventwhich runs until Sundayand thetheme is ‘Exercise Self Care forLife’

SouthShropshirepharmacistGareth Harris said:“Self Care Week is aperfect time to thinkabout how we live ourlives andmaybe make some smallchanges that will im prove ourhealthand wellbeingand that of ourfamilytoo

“Those changes couldmeanlookingat what we eatordrink, or how much exercise we do or how much sleepweare getting. They couldbe aboutour work-lifebalance,as it’s importanttoremember that stay ingconnected to ourfriends and familyisalso vitaltowellbeing

“Knowing what to do andwhere to go forhelpisanimportant part of practising self care forlife.”

Man, 27,denies Rebeccakilling

Aman haspleaded not guilty to themurder of ayoung woman whowas hitbya carinOswestry town centre last month.

RebeccaSteer,22, from Llanymynech,diedafterbeing struck by avehicle in Willow Street, Oswestry,at about 2.50am on October9

At Stafford CrownCourt last Friday StephenMcHugh, 27, from ArtilleryRoad, Park Hall, appeared viavideolinkfrom prison. He denied themurder of RebeccaSteer andalso denied causinggrievousbodilyharm with intent to Kyle Roberts, whowas injuredinthe same in cident.

HerHonour Judge KMontgomery KC told thecourt McHugh’s trialwould be listed forApril 19, 202.

McHugh wasremandedin custody.

Tinsel Tuesdays to addsparkle

TinselTuesday Christmas gift marketsare coming back to asouth Shropshiretownfor the10thyear.

Localmakersare settocomplete acolourful line-upatmarketsin Ludlow on thethree Tuesdays be fore ChristmasonDecember 6, 13 and20.

Theoriginalideafor TinselTuesdayscameabout to help boosttrade in shopsonaday when thereusually isn’ta market on Tish Dockerty,memberofLud lowChamber said:“Most shopkeep ersdomakea pointofsayingthat theTuesdaysare busier when there is such agreat market on.Wetry andmakeitasfestive as possible, with live music, hotfood andgar land lights around thestalls.”

Vikki Otterwell, whochairsthe Chamber, added: “We’re allbehind this initiative,it’sthe town’s chance tomakeanadditionalChristmas shopping offer. We hope to attract many extra customers.”

Pupils with thepoppiesthat were ‘planted’inremembranceonWindmillHill, MuchWenlock

Wonderofthe woodscaught in club photos

MATTHEWPANTER matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

NewportPhotographicClubis back up andrunningand the first competitionofthe newseasonwas theChair’s Challengeonthe theme of Forest View

Thecompetition sawagoodentry andthe club chairman,MikeWar render,chose Norman O’Neill’s im age Autumnal Hues as the winner in theAdvanced category andHar ry Cheadle’sDeepintothe Woods in theIntermediatecategory.

Thefull setofresults was, Ad vanced:1 Norman O’Neill– Au tumn Hues,2Richard Greswell –LastLight,3Trish Sangster The Wood Nymph, 4FranHartshorne Into theWoods, 5NormanO’Neill –A Ride in theForest, 6Martin James–Treetops

Intermediate:1Harry Cheadle –DeepIntothe Woods, 2Brian Kerrison–The Bent andTwisted Tree,3 BrianKerrison– TheLight Betweenthe Trees, 4Chris Farmer –Springinthe Forest,5JohnRidgway– FamilyWalk, 6Colin Macklin –BluebellWood

Theclubisnow gettingtogether at theWestonHallatHarperAdamsUniversity everyTuesday at 7.30pm

Theseasonstarted with an AGM, includinganintroductionofwhat will be happeningthrough 2022 23, followed by aportfolio of images

from the Midland Counties competition.The meetingwas apractical workshopevening lookingatcam erafunctions andhow to getthe best outofyourcamera

Theclubalsohad an informal eveninglooking at images taken

by club membersoverthe summer breakand learnt more on Photoshop techniques.

Theclubprogramme runs until July 2023 andthe full programme is on thewebsite www.newportpho toclub.com

AutumnalHuesbyNorman O’Neill captured theseason perfectly

Wood Nymph by Trish Sangster

TheLightBetween theTrees by BrianKerrison

This imagewas entitled BluebellWood andwas takenbyColin Macklin

Into theWoods by Fran Hartshorne

HarryCheadle took thisaward-winningimage

TheBent &Twisted Tree by BrianKerrison

Tree tops by MartinJames

Stunning photographs by membersofone club have captured thewon ders of aforestinthe county.

Noisyformation flyers easy to spot at this time of theyear

ON THEWILDSIDE

With BenWaddams

That is perhapsnosurprise seeingasitisthose small, garden birdsthatweare most likelytospot throughthe window. However take an earlymorning walk away from ourtowns and, indeed,gardens, andyou will be rewarded sooner or laterwithsomethingaltogether larger

If Novemberissynonymouswith anygroup of birds, it should prob ably be thegeese. They aresurely themostimpressiveand vocalof ourvisitorsand they areeasyto spot on estuariesastheymingle with residentspecies to create anotablespectacle.Their foodsinthose areasinclude seeds,grass,potatoes andsmall invertebrates.But Shropshireisofcourse land-lockedand we’refairlythinonestuaries!

Yetthose earlymorning walks will be peppered,ifyou’relucky, both with gagglesand skeins.The beautifulVformationsofgeeseas they flybetween feedinggrounds be that internationallyordaily –is oneofthe mostglorious sights in our

Britishnatural world,occurring as it oftendoesoncrisp,still,sunlit mornings.But whichspecies may you be lookingat? Thereare quite afew to go at.The White-fronted goosevisitsour coasts from Scot land to southern England, having

summered in Greenlandand Sibe ria. These twoare possible to tell apart. Siberian birdshavepink bills, Greenlandbirds’billsare or ange.The ‘white-fronted’refersto theforeheadand base of thebill About15,000 come to theUK.

Barnacle geeseare smallerwith acreamyface, shortbill andblack neck andwinter in Scotland,Ireland andnorthernEngland afterbreed ing in Greenlandand Svalbard There’sa smallresidentbreeding groupof1,000 pairswhilst thewin terpopulationexceeds90,000 Greylaggeeseare ourlargest andmostcommonresidentspecies andhavegreyplumage andanorange bill;140,000 resident birdsare bolsteredby90,000winter arrivals from Iceland. Bean geesecan be seen butare fewand farbetween Your best chanceisprobablywith theCanada(not‘Canadian’!)goose It hasbecome theUK’smostfamil iargoose of park lakesand thereare approximately65,000 in theUK. Whicheverspecies is yourfavourite, nowisagreat time to seethem.

n Ben’sartworkcan be seen in Callaghan’sGallery,Shrewsbury

ASHLEY METHODIST CHURCH, WITH RONLUCAS

TheAct of Remembrancewas solemnly observed during our morning’sworship last Sun day. Mr Mark Savill wasour preacher anditwas pleasing to seeyoung people in ourcongregation with theirsmall children as we came together to rememberthose whohad fallen forour freedomintwo WorldWars.

As hiscalltoworship,Mark used wordsfromthe Lamentationsinthe Old Testament“The steadfastloveofthe Lord never ceases andHis love endures”

At 11 am Mark ledour prayers andtwo minutessilence as we remembered thosewho had madethe ultimate sacrifice and ‘Theyshall grow notold,aswe that areleftgrowold;age shall notweary them ,nor theyears condemn. At thegoing down of thesun andinthe morning,we will remember them,Wewill re member them”.

In well-chosenwords,Mark ledour thoughts on remembrance.Hebegan withthe as sertionthatweare here because we believeinthe eternaltruths of God. Thebattleofgood over evil andoflightoverdarkness hasbeenwon becauseofthe sacrifice of Christ on thecross.

Next Sunday at 10.30amour servicewillbeled by Mr Robert Williams. Detialsatwww.ash leymethodist.co.uk

Canada geesehave become theUK’smostfamiliar geeseofpark lakes

County trusts preparetoface industrial action

Theballotbythe RoyalCollege of Nursingmeans twoofthe county’s NHStrustswill now be preparing forindustrialaction.

Nursingstaff at both theRobert Jones andAgnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital near Oswestry,and ShropshireCommunity Health Trustvot ed to take strike action

Bosses at Shropshire’stwo emer gencyhospitals,Royal Shrewsbury andPrincess RoyalatTelford,have escaped theheadache of having to preparecontingency plans, after theRCN revealed Shrewsbury& TelfordHospitalNHS Trustwas not on thelistofconfirmed striking trusts. No datehas been setfor the strike action,althoughthe Royal CollegeofNursing (RCN)saiditis expected before the endofthe year –withthe vote giving theunion a mandatetoorganise strikesruns untilearly May2023.

Patricia Davies,chief executive, Shropshire CommunityHealth Trustsaid: “Whilepay is amatter forGovernmentand thetrade un ions, we valueour staffand want to seearesolution as soonaspossible.”

TheRCN said theballot came afterNHS Agenda forChangepay announcementsearlier this year, “leftexperienced nurses20per cent worse offin real termscomparedto 10 yearsearlier”

Daniel Kawczynski,MPfor Shrewsbury andAtcham, said he wassaddened that industrial action hadbeenapprovedand feared for theeffectonpatients.

Strike action to causepostcode lotteryfor NHS

Consultant throws weight behind Future Fit

Asenior A&Emedic hasbackedmajorplanstore-organisethe county’s emergencyhospitals

Dr Ed Rysdale, consultant in emergencymedicineatShrewsbury &Telford Hospital NHSTrust (SaTH),saidthatFutureFit plans forbothPrincessRoyal Hospital (PRH)and RoyalShrewsburyHos pital(RSH) arevital forpatients andstaff

Future Fithas been hitbydelays, butcrossedamajor hurdle earlier this year when thegovernmentand theNHS approvedthe strategic outlinecasefor theproposal.

Dr Rysdalehas nowspokenout to describe thepotential benefits, saying theplanned changes would bringtogetherspecialistteams so that patients areseenfaster, leadingtoaquicker diagnosisand shorterhospitalstays

He said:“These improvements will benefitall of ourpatientsand enable us to providethe high-quali ty care that ourpatientsneed “Wecan’t continue as we are. Our

patients regularlyexperiencedelays in accessingthe rightspecialist teamsand it is vitalthatour facilitiessupport modern healthcare practices.”

Dr Rysdalesaidthatthe plans will result in “better qualitycare andfewer delays fortreatment”. He added: “Thisrepresentsafantastic opportunitytooptimise thedelivery of ourservicesacrosstwo thriving hospital sites. Thesechanges will help us to make sure that everyone hasaccess to therightcare, at the righttime, from therightclinicians when they need it most.”

Councillors call on Minister to rethink Future Fit A&Eproposals

Health secretarySteve Barclay will be askedtoreviewthe Future Fit proposalsfor RoyalShrewsbury Hospital andPrincessRoyal HospitalTelford

Telford&Wrekincouncillors want an urgent review andrever salofthe approval of thestrategic outlinecasefor reconfiguration of thecounty’shospitals,sayingthe government’splanwill downgrade theborough’s health andsocialcare services

They saythe governmentneeds to providethe necessaryresources to ensure Telford&Wrekinand Shropshirehas thehealthand so cialcareservicesthatits residents deserve. Councillor Andy Burford’s motion waspassedatlastweek’s full council meeting.

TheFutureFit proposalswould seeRSH become thebasefor the county’s only 24-hourA&E depart ment –currently both RSHand PRHoffer theservice

ThePRH will have what hasbeen describedasan‘A&ELocal,’ while consultant-ledwomen andchildren’s services move from Telford to Shrewsbury,withthe Telfordsite becoming thecentre forplanned care.MrBurford said the“sham bolic” planstodowngradeTelford’s 24/7 A&Etoan“A&ELocal”had been discreditedbya number of clinical bodies

“Telford wouldbethe largestand growingtowninEnglandwithout a fullyfunctionalA&E,” he said

“The governmentalso stillplans to move ourconsultantled Women andChildrenUnitfromTelford, which fliesinthe face of recognised clinical need.”

Whilestaff will walk outat some hospitalsand surgeriesin Shropshire,othersare expected to be operatingas normal.

It comesasthe numbersvot ingfor strike action failed to reachthe legalthreshold at a number of NHStrusts.

Alistproducedbythe Royal CollegeofNursing of trusts votingfor strike action leaves offmanymajor hospitals in the Midlands

Whilenursesat Robert Jones andAgnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital,ShropshireCommu nity Health Trust, andPowys Teaching Health Boardvoted forstrikeaction, it appearsnot enough voted to make astrike legallybinding at RoyalShrewsbury Hospital andTelford’s Princess RoyalHospital.

It meansbossesat thehospi tals escapethe headache of havingtoplanfor theaction, which is expected to take placebefore theend of theyear.

Stacey Keegan,chief executive of theRobertJones andAgnesHuntOrthopaedic Hospital, said:“We valueour staffand want to seearesolutionas soon as possible.”

Woman’s15-hour A&Ewait afterinjuringher face in fall

A72-year-old woman spentapproximately 15 hoursinA&E aftercol lapsinginacar park, sufferinga broken nose as well as cuts andbruises to herface.

June Jones,fromTelford,said shearrived at thePrincessRoyal Hospital at about 8.50pm on Tues day, November1after collapsing in Wellington, butdid notleave until about midday on November2

Shewas initiallyseenafter about four hours, butwas notdischarged untilthe followingday

Accompanied by herhusband John, whodrove hertothe accident andemergency department,June said shespent thenightthrowing up clotsofblood

Thecouplehad been helpinga friend move into hernew home, when June said shestarted to feel ‘violently hot’ andtoldher husband

MEGANHOWE Community News Reporter

shewas goingtopassout.“Iremember pulling thewindowdown (ofthe car) andJohncamebackand Iwas face down in thecar park andIfellontarmac,” June said June suffered cuts andbruising to herfaceaftercollapsing, as well as abrokennoseand said shewas ‘completely outofit’ when thepair reachedthe hospital

“I knew Ijustdidn’tfeelright and therewas blood everywhere –there wasblood allover me

“Atthispoint I’mfreezingcold, I’mshiveringand Icouldn’tkeep my limbsstill,” June added.

June said shewas firstseenbya triage nurse at about1am when she wascalledinfor aheadscan.

Butsaidshe didnot leaveuntil thefollowing day, afterbeing told shemightpossiblyhaveaurine in fectionand wasasked to do asam ple.

June hasanappointment booked with an ENTdoctor(ear, nose and throat)about herbrokennose.

Shewentontosay that it wasthe longestexperienceshe hadeverhad in A&E.

“I am still having headachesand allofmyskinthat’scome offhas be come infected,” shesaid.

“I felt that self-conscious it was unreal andIjustfeltlikeIwas a non-entity,likeIdidn’texist.”

Busy

June said shefeels sorryfor her grandchildren.She addedthat Shrewsbury andTelford A&Edepartmentscould cope anymore.

Shrewsbury andTelford Hospital NHSTrust (SaTH) said that A&E departmentsare exceptionally busy at themoment andthatpatientsare seen accordingtoclinical priority.

Sara Biffen,actingchief operat ingofficerat SaTH,said: “Due to patientconfidentiality, we areun able to commentonindividualcir

cumstances.Our A&Edepartments areexceptionally busy.However,we seeall patients accordingtotheir clinical priority

“Wewould encourageanyone with concerns relating to theircare to contactour PatientAdviceand LiaisonService (PALS).”

Patients face apostcode lottery when nurses go on strike later this year

A&Emedic Dr Ed Rysdalesaysthe county health servicecan’t go on as it is

DOMINIC ROBERTSON newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

June Joneswith cutsand bruises

Threequartersofpatients believeGPserviceshave deteriorated post-Covid

ThreequartersofpatientsinShrop shirebelieve GP services have dete riorated sincethe Covidpandemic.

Andaroundseven in 10 saythey find it difficult to make an appoint ment with theirdoctor.

Morethan1,500 people took part in ashropshirestar.comsurveyon thestate of GP services acrossthe county.And whilethere is clearly sympathy forthe difficultiesfacing theGPs themselves,the message

given is oneoffrustration at not al ways beingabletoaccess help from theirsurgery

Almost nine in 10 people said they wouldliketosee eveningand weekendappointmentsintroduced. Andathird of thosequestionedsaid they hadopted to call 111 afterfailingtoget hold of theirown GP However,nearlyhalfofthose surveyed(45 percent) said they would be willing to have aconsultation

remotely by phone or Zoom,and 46 percentsaidtheywould be willing to paymoreintaxes to improve GP services.The survey comesasthe NHSConfederation says thecri sisingeneral practice must be ac knowledgedand addressed.

However,89per cent of people say they don’tbelieve they have agood personal relationship with their doctor,and almost eightin10say they don’tbelieve theirGPisthere

forthemina time of need

Thesurveycomesasareport raises concerns at thegap between thenumberofGPs perpatient in richer andpoorerparts of England. AnalysisbyCambridge University saw“starkinequalities” in GPs’ distribution,withparts of theWest Midlands hit. Earlierthisyear, pub licsatisfactionwithGPcarefellto itslowestlevel sincethe survey be ganin1983.

We areworking ourselvesto bone andneed investment

DOMINIC ROBERTSON newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

AGPhas warned invest ment is theonlyway to improve access to primary care, with doctors “atfullcapacity” and “working themselvesto thebone” to meet demand.

Dr Jess Harvey is aGPatMuch Wenlockand Cressage Medical Practice,aswellasthe clinical di rector forthe SouthEastShrop shirePrimary Care Network.

As pandemic lockdown restrictionshavebeenwound down,doc tors’surgeries acrossthe country have foundthemselvesinundated with increaseddemand.

Thereality hasseenpractices providingmoreappointmentsthan at anystage inhistory,but as a survey carriedout by theJournal’s sister paper, theShropshireStar, shows, thepublicstill feel they face difficulties in securing appoint ments.

Dr Harvey hasspokenofthe chal lenges facing thesectorasittries to cope with thenumberofpeople requiringhelp–and theneed for understandingand respectbetween GPsand patients

Investment

Shesaidthata combination of in vestmentingeneral practice,both buildingsand staffing,aswellas moreuse of othersources forpatients –suchasAllied Health Professionals (AHP), areneeded to help providethe servicethe public wantsand expects.

Shehas also warned of theimpact of criticismand aggression to wardsstaff

Shesaid: “I thinkthere hasbeen achronic underinvestmentinthe NHSover thepastdecadeand if we want theNHS to function at a levelpatientsdeemtobeacceptable then we need to be willing to invest in that,because thepeopleinthere areworking at full capacity –they cannot workany harder.The NHS is saturated, andonceyou reach thatpoint you just need to invest.”

Dr Harvey said therewas no doubt that practiceswereseeing moredemand, andfrompeoplewho arelivinglongerand with more complexissues– butthatwas re flected in practicesdeliveringmore

appointments.She said:“Essential ly what we know is thedemandfor appointments hasgoneup, so if we look at appointments we areoffer ingnow compared to pre-pandemic, now we areofferingmillionsmore than pre-pandemic

“However,demandhas definitely gone up,I don’tthink anyGPwould deny that.”

Shesaidmoreallied health professionals, includingphysiothera pistsand occupational therapists, have been recruitedbysurgeries to help patients

“Ingeneral practice we areaware of that andare trying ourbestto accommodatethat. That is whywe arerecruitingmoreallied health professionalstohelpus. It wouldbe nice to have more doctors, butitis having thefunds to paythemand fund them,sowhatwehavefound is recruiting others canbejustas ef

fective. They canoffer specialistto patients andsometimesitisasgood as adoctors.”

Dr Harvey also outlined how for some practicesitisnot even as simpleasgetting more doctors–with limitedspace forthemtoactually seepatientsand little option to ex pand

Shesaid: “The otherconstraintis GP practicesthemselves –the buildings.Mypracticeonlyhas so many roomsand sometimesthere is some one in everyroomand if we hadanotherGPthere wouldbenowhere forthemtoactuallysee patients That is whyweneedthe NHSto providemorefacilities.It limits the services we canprovide.”

ShesaidGPs needed to be understanding of patients, butthe public needed to consider thepressures on staff. “Wecould not work any harder.YourGPonaverage works

between10and 13 hour daystoget througheverything –tosee allthe patients, to do allthe admin. They areworking themselves to thebone. Iamsurroundedbycolleagueswho areconstantlysacrificing theirown wellbeingfor that of ourpatients.”

Sheadded: “I feel as aprofession, andprimary care as awhole we have been on theend of some incredibly negative andunfaircriticism –I thinkpre-pandemic, butithas certainly become heightenedduring thepandemicand since.

“Moralehas done itsbesttokeep up butwhenpeopletellyou you’re badatyourjob enough it does have an effect Thelevel of aggression re ceptionget particularly is incredibly unfair.Ifyou arefaced with that you have to decide if youwanttocontinue.It is unfair because we arepeo plewho aregoing aboveand beyond to keep generalpracticegoing.”

37,000 patients hadtwo-week waitsinmonth

Thescale of thedemandonGP services hasbeenshown by new figuresthatshow more than 37,000 patients in thecounty waited more thantwo weeksto seeadoctorinSeptember

Thepatientsmadeup15.7 percentofall GP appointments in theShropshireand Telford andWrekinCCG area,upfrom the9.2 percentofpatientswho waited more thantwo weeksto seetheir doctor in January.

NorthShropshire’sLib Dem MP,Helen Morgansaidthe “worrying figures” show that patients arebeing letdownby thegovernment.

It comesasthe LiberalDemocrats setout plansfor patients to have aright to seetheir GP within aweek, or within 24 hoursifinurgentneed.

Thepolicywould enshrine theright in theNHS Constitution,putting adutyonthe governmentand health serviceto make sure it happens. TheLib Dems said it wouldbeachieved by increasing the number of GPs, fixing pension rulestopre ventdoctors retiring early, and increasing thenumberofnurses andpharmacists fullyqualified to prescribe medicines.

MrsMorgansaid: “Doctors areworking hard butare being swampedbydemand.”

Health bosses in pledge to work on appointments

County health bosses have said they areworking to addressconcerns over access to GP appointments

Responding to the findings of a primarycaresurvey, Emma Pyrah, associate director of primarycare at NHSShropshire, Telfordand Wrekin,saidtheywerere-assured by positive feedback from those taking part –and outlined effortsto deal with areasofconcern –suchas longer waitstosee adoctor.

Shehas spoken of anumberof initiativesintendedtoimprove people’sexperience–and highlighted currentmeasuressuchasevening andweekend appointments

Shesaid: “General Practice continues to worktirelesslyinresponse to increasing demand.Moreappointments than ever before arebeingdelivered,face-to-faceappoint mentshavebeenincreasingsince thepandemic(sevenin10patients arenow seen in-person),and access to GP services continuestobeavail able at evenings andweekends.

“Weacknowledge that some pa tients areexperiencinglongwaits duetothese huge increasesindemand andabacklog of elective ap pointments.Weare working with practicesto find sustainablesolu tionsand providinganumberofinitiativestosupport recruitmentand retention.”

“Aspartofthis, GeneralPractice teamshavegrown over recent years with specificroles availabletosup port theneedsofpatients.”

Dr Jess Harveysaysstaff areworking incredibly hard andthe work of aGP practicehas expandedtooffer more

Modernised andextended

This is adetachedand extended five-bedroom Duke of Sutherland cottagewithlovely gardensand is situated in aprivate position in the popularMuxtonLane.

Modernisedand extended to a high standard,the smartentrance hall hasa quarry tiled floor, and leadstothe studyand thespacious lounge with featurecast-iron fire place. Theloungeopensthrough to thediningroomwhich hasdouble doorsout to thelarge conservatory. Thereisalsoabreakfast kitchen, utility room andground floorW.C Stairs from thestudy lead up to the first-floorlanding,the master en-suitebedroom,fourfurther bedroomsand thefamilybathroom.

Outsidethere is aprivate drivewayand parkingfor several cars Call 01952820239

Asubstantial familyhome

This is an exciting opportunityto purchaseabeautifullyproportioned substantial familyhome situated in averyattractiveresidential road within thevillage of Hinstock

Thepropertyhas an entrance hall,ground floorW.C,office,spa ciouslounge, adjoiningdiningroom, largeL-shapedkitchen breakfast room andutility room. Stairs from thehallleadtothe featurelanding with access to achoiceoftwo main bedrooms/guest suiteand twofur ther doublebedroomsand afamily bathroom

Thepropertysitsona slightly elevatedplotwithaccess to adetached doublegarage, plenty of parking andlandscapedfront andreargar dens.

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Bungalow forover-55s

This is averynicelypresented de tached two-bedroombungalowon aselectdevelopment forover 55s of just eightsimilar bungalows, set in well maintained communal gardensand with allocatedparking.

ThepropertyinPineCourt is in ‘move-in’ conditionasithas been decorated andre-carpeted throughout.

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LOGGERHEADS

OIRO £157,500

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To arrangea viewing, call Barbers on 01630 653641

Traditionalpropertyisfullof charm, characterand potential

MARKET DRAYTON

Thecharm andcharacter atElm dale in AlexandraRoadwinsyou over from themomentyou walk throughthe frontdoor.

It does need some modernising to become theperfect familyhome, butit’sagorgeous, traditionalproperty,witha good-sizegarden andin agreat location forschools andthe town centre.Plus, it’s offeredtothe market with no upward chain

Thereception hall givesataste of what’s to come in therestofthe house– originalfeatures, doors with theiroriginalhandles,beams, an open fireplaceand astaircase leadinguptothe first floor. Thereis alightand spaciouslounge, dining room, kitchen, utilityroom.

On the first flooristhe principal bedroom, threefurther bedrooms andalarge bathroom with both a shower andaspa bath

Theoutside space at Elmdaleis in keepingwitha houseofthisstature. To thefront,gates open to the frontgarden andthe driveleads alongthe side of thepropertytothe garage.Tothe rear is alovely ma ture garden with patioarea.

To view this property,pleasecall Barberson01630 653641

Modern cottagewithfar-reaching garden views

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This modern cottageinPinfold Lane is in theheart of thehamletof Halesand hasthe most wonderful, far-reaching viewsfromthe garden

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Theprincipal bedroomoverlooks thereargarden andhas agood-size en-suite with walk-inshower. There arealso threefurther bedrooms andafamilybathroom.

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Old lampposts beingreplaced

Old lamppostshavebeenreplaced andothersare beingmonitored af terachild washit by onethatfell down,aShropshireCouncilmeetinghas heard.

Theaccidentwas oneof645 re corded in aHealthand Safety re port to thecouncil in thelastyear as incidents went up 50 percent from 431the year before,areport to thecouncil’s cabinetwas told

Theauthorityreferredeight inci dents to theHealthand Safety Ex ecutivewhich showsthe main caus es of accidents were slips, tripsand falls, as well as violence in schools.

Oneofthe incidents referred to theHSE wasaschoolboy breaking hisleg when he washit by afalling lamppost in Shrewsbury.

Theincidenthappenedin King ston DriveinNovemberlastyear. Severalother lamppostsweretaken down as aprecautionwhileShrop shireCouncil investigated

Houseprices

fall butrents up

Theaverageprice tagona home fell by more than £4,000 in No vembercomparedwiththe previousmonth

AcrossBritain,the average priceofanewly marketed home in Novemberis£366,999,Rightmove said

The£4,159dropinthe aver ageaskingprice compared with Octoberequates to a1.1 per cent month-on-monthfall.

This is in line with thetypical 1.1per cent drop recorded in the month of Novemberduringthe pre-pandemic yearsof2015to 2019, with sellersoften pricing properties more competitivelyat this time of year

Thewebsite said that the first-time buyersectorcontin uestobethe most affected by falling demand.There arealso signsthatmoresellers arewill ingtoreduceaskingprices.

Church hosting winter festival

St Laurence’s Church is hostinga number of events as part of theinauguralLudlowWinter Festival Events in theparishchurch run from 5-9pmonNovember25and 10am until2pm on theSaturday.

Kate Garrett-Nieldfromthe church said:“Afterlastyear’ster riblelossofthe Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre, thetownhas pulled together,withthe Town Councilatthe helm,tocreatea Winter Festival.

“A rangeofevents will take place betweenNovember 25-27atLudlow Castle,Market Square,the Women’s Centre,Ludlow Brewery, and of course,hereatStLaurence’s.

“The ‘Festive Friday’evening in St Laurence’s will be on November 25 from 5-9pm, andwill featurea barrun by membersofour clergy team,aswellaspizza from thePiz za Girls, anda poetryand music open micinthe Lady Chapel be tween7-9pm.”

Climatechangealarm raised by protesters

Campaignersmarched through Ironbridge as part of anationwide sounding of thealarm againstcli mate change

People young andold joined the decentralisedGlobalDay ofAction to coincide with Cop27in Egypt. They respondedtoacallfrom Global JusticeCoalition to join in aday ofactionwithgroupsaround theworld,inanevent organisedby Extinction Rebellion Groups across Shropshire

Beatingeverything from drums to pots andpanstheywalkedfrom

SUEAUSTIN

sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk

Dale Endtothe Iron Bridge,led by aSamba group.

At noon thegroup “sounded the alarm” before hearingfromspeak ers.

“Together we are demanding an endtoclimate andother injustices, andanurgentresponse from governments andleaders to climate andother multiple linked crises,” Juliet Soriaaspokespersonfor the

organisers said.

“Our UK presidency of Cop26has endedinfailure.Carbonemissions continue to rise.”

Shesaidfrackingwas back on theagendaand hundreds of newoil fieldlicenceswereplanned.Water companiescontinuetouse riversas open sewers andthe destructionof wildlife habitat wasincreasing.

“Wewanted to create awallof soundand send amessage to the delegatesofCop27 in afamily-orientatedevent.”

Councilputsplan in placefor new authority-funded transportservice

Officials have confirmed anumber of newcouncil-fundedbus services areone step closer to becoming fi nalised, with apredicted launch as earlyas Christmas.

Telford&WrekinCouncil has announcedbus services will return to ruralareas,withnew transport linkstoplacesofworkand a£2 pricecap foradult single journeys

Decisionshavebeeninformed through aresidentsurveywhich wascarried outinsummer 2021 andhavebeenput in placetomake services more affordable during the cost of living crisis

Councillor RichardOverton, deputy leader andcabinet memberfor housing,enforcement and transport, said:“We aregripped by anationalcostoflivingcrisisand whilethere areproblemswecan’t fix, thereare things likehelping busservicesworkina waytohelp people make themostout of every pennyintheir pocket

“We’re excited to getthese servicesgoing.Residents have been calling forchange–moreaffordable andfrequentservices– andweare deliveringitbytakingcontrolofthe routes,investing to getthemgoing andifall goeswell, it’s just thestart of an affordable andreliableservice in Telford.”

Thenew routes will provide cheapertransport to schools, workplaces,the PrincesRoyal Hospital andother ruralareas,the council hassaid.

Moredetails around theexact routes aresoontobeannounced with the firstofthe services launchedbeforeChristmas andthe others earlyinthe NewYear.

Inspectors setcrunchplanning meetingdatefor thenew year

Adatehas been setear ly in thenew year fora crunch meetingofplanninginspectors that couldbekey in whether major green-belt hous ingplans go ahead.

Shropshire Council hasbeentold that inspectors will hold thelatest stageofthe examinationofthe au thority’slocal plan on January17 –withareserveday setaside for January18.

Themeetingwill discusswhether theauthority hasfulfilled its‘duty toco-operate’withother councils –and will be keytothe future of acontroversial rejected proposal from theBradfordEstates to build 3,000 homesand business land north of JunctionThree of theM54, andwestofthe villageofTong, near Shifnal.

Shropshire Council’slocal plan is considered one of themostim-

DOMINIC ROBERTSON newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

portantdocuments prepared by the authority, setting outwhere homes andbusinesses canbebuilt in every town andvillage in thecountyin future years.

Theplansetsout aframeworkfor wheremorethan30,000 homeswill be builtupuntil 2038

When drawingupthe planShrop shireCouncil chosenot to include theBradfordEstates site in itspro posal.

The‘duty toco-operate’isalegal requirementfor councilstohelp neighbouringauthoritieswhenthey do nothaveenoughspace to meet theirown housingneeds.

As part of itslocal plan ShropshireCouncil hadincluded1,500 homes, whichitsaidwould count towardstowards ashortfallofspace in theBlack Country.

TheAssociation of BlackCountryAuthorities(ABCA)– made up

of Dudley,Walsall,Wolverhampton, andSandwell councils–had chal lenged theoffer

In alettertoplanninginspectors, WalsallCouncil specifically called forthe Tong plansfromthe Bradford Estates, to be allowedto go ahead.

Representativesfromthe Brad ford Estatesalso challenged the council’sposition

Theissue hasbeencomplicated by adisagreementbetween thefour BlackCountry councils,which fell outovertheir ownBlackCountry LocalPlanlastmonth

Complicated

Theproposalhas been shelved afterDudleyCouncil, whichwished to remove twocontroversialsites from theplan, withdrew Theauthority said it wouldcreate itsown plan,withits leader Patrick Harley,sayinghe couldnot allow publicfeedback to be ignored

Themove ledtothe threere-

mainingcouncilsall confirming they wouldcreatetheir ownlocal plans.

Theplanninginspectorspresidingoverthe ShropshireCouncil localplanhaveconfirmed that the collapse of theneighbouringplan will be discussed,along with it potentialimplicationsfor Shropshire’sdutytoco-operate with the otherlocal authorities.

Otherissuestobeexplored duringthe hearingwill be whether Shropshirehas metits ‘dutyto co-operate’for both housing, and jobgrowthand employment land acrossthe county

Inspectors arealsogearing up to inquireabout plansfor landfill,de scribing furthercapacityin Shropshireas“very limited”

They will ask: “Has therebeen anydiscussion with neighbouring authoritiesabout potentiallyaccommodatingwaste needingdis posalafter existing landfill capacity hasbeenexhausted?”

TheGlobal DayofActionprotestersinIronbridge

Familieswillsee £324 goinginto bank accounts to covercosts

Around 800,000families in the West Midlands will starttoreceive payments of £324 into bank ac counts as part of theGovernment’s cost of living support.

TheDepartmentfor Work and Pensions (DWP)will startmaking thepaymentsdirectlyintoeligible people’s bank accounts

Thereisnoneedfor people to ap plyordoanythingtoreceive it –so people should watch outfor texts or emails from scammers inviting them to makeapplications.

Figuresreleasedthisweekreveal that 792,000families across the West Midlands will receive apay ment

Payments will go to 426,000 families in Wales.

Thepaymentsformthe second part of a£650sum beingpaidout to people receivingbenefits such as universalcredit, income-based jobseeker’sallowance (JSA), in come-related employment andsup port allowance(ESA), income support,pension credit,child taxcredit andworking taxcredit.

Payments of £326 have previous ly been made by theDWP andHM Revenue andCustoms (HMRC)

DWPclaimants will generally receivetheir second cost of living payments by Wednesday next week

Eligible householdsreceiving tax credits, andno othermeans-tested benefits, will gettheir second cost of-livingpayment from Wednesday next week andshouldreceiveitby November30.

TheDWP said that in asmall minorityofcomplex circumstances, it maypay some households after Wednesday next week

Wrapsoff newkit fordelighted under-7s

Youngfootballers have received an earlyChristmas gift from alocal companyafter they signed up to be ashirtsponsor.

TheTenbury Tigers football team,which wasformedthisseason forunder-7s, hasbeengiven anew kitfor matchesand training, after gainingsponsorshipfromCJN In surance.

MEGANHOWE Community News Reporter

Theteam, whichispartofTen bury United’s 350-strong youth sectionbased at PalmersMeadows, hasdrawn keen youngplayers aged sixand seven from localprimary schoolsincluding Tenbury, Burford

andOrleton.Clubsecretary and coachMarkBenbowsaid: “Thisis wonderfulsupport from CJN Insur ance at atimewhengetting spon sorshipistough forlocal organisa tionsdue to theeconomic climate.

“The Tigers nowhavestriking yellow strips andbluetrainingkits whichare greatquality.”

Councilannounces £2.1mof help forlow-incomehomes

Anew £2.1 millionpackageofmeasureshas beencreated to support vulnerable andlow-income householdsin Shropshire.

Shropshire Councilreceivedthe HouseholdSupport Grantfunding from thegovernment to coverthe winter period to theend of March.

It is beingusedtoprovide targetedhelptoarange of households likelytobemostimpacted by the rising cost of living with one-off payments, meal vouchers forchildren in theholidaysand help with energy costsamong theinitiatives

Thecouncil says therewill be a one-off,£180payment to around 5,250householdsonlow incomesin receiptofhousing benefit, whohave not previously received support throughthe council’sHousehold SupportFund.

Afurther setofcriteriahas been drawnuptoidentifywhere thehelp

SUEAUSTIN sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk

will be targeted.Onlythose notin receiptofcouncil taxsupport,those on legacy benefits in receiptofcoun ciltax supportorhousing benefit andworking familiesinreceiptof counciltax supportwill receivethe payment.

Councillor Gwilym Butler,Shrop shireCouncil’s cabinetmember for financeand corporateresources, andwho is overseeing thecouncil’sresponse to thecostofliving crisis, said:“This paymentwill be issued directly to thosewho meet thecriteriabythe councilwhere we hold bank details. Otheridentified householdswill be invitedtoapply “Weaim to have paid or contacted alleligibleresidents before Christmas.” This will accountfor just over £1 million of thefund.

Children in receiptofbenefits-related free school mealsin Shropshirewill continue to receive

support, usuallythrough meal vouchers, during theschoolhol idaysuntil theend of thespring term.Thiswould benefitaround 7,500children,who will getan equivalent to £15aweekofsupport during thefourweeks of school holidays, includingChristmas

This will accountfor around £450,000 of thefund.

Councillor Butler said:“If you’re on alow income andyou thinkyou couldbeeligiblefor free school meals, go online to shropshire.gov. uk/free-school-meals.”

TheWelfare SupportFundwill receive£300,000 to providesupport to low income households whoare most in need of help with food, en ergy andwater bills, andwithother wideressential costs.

To find outhow to applyfor the council’sLocal WelfareSupport Fund visitshropshire.gov.uk/ shropshire-council/welfare-sup port-team-local-welfare-provision.

Therewillalsobe£220,000 for

aKeeping Warm at Home fund –a rangeofinitiatives to help low-income households in debt with ener gy costsand grants to help reduce energy costsand afurther £75,000 will help to supportarange of hard ship grants

Councillor Butler said:“We’re making sure thislatestHousehold SupportFunding istargetedto households on lowincomes most in need,and in particular thosewho have yettoreceive othersupport as part of ourcostoflivinghelp.

“The counciland arange of partners aredoing ahugeamount to help Shropshireresidents with practicalmeasuresand support, whichcan be seen at ourcostofliv ingsupport pages. Forexample, the counciland partners have come to gether to create Shropshire’sWarm Welcome at more than 50 locations, wherepeopleworried aboutstaying in acoldhomecan find awarmand friendly placetobeduringthe day over thewinter.”

3m tall street hubsthrown out as ‘too large’

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

ShropshireCouncil’s northern planning committee rejected atotal of 12 separate applications from the communications giantfor prominent locationsaroundShrewsbury.

Thehubswould have had75-inch LCDscreens to displayadverts, and wouldalso have included ultra-fast Wi-Fi, USBports forrapid charging, free phonecalls, adirect999 call button,aswellas an interactive tablet to access localcouncil services, supportcharities,the phone book,weather,and maps BT said they wouldalso boost4G and5Ginthe area

Theproposalhad been to have the hubs,which wouldhavebeen2.96 metreshigh, 1.23 metreswide, 0.35 metresdeep, basedatClaremont Bank,the junction betweenSmith fieldRoadand ChesterStreet, St Mary’s Street,CastleStreet,The Square, andnearthe market en trancein Shoplatch.

Underthe planphone boxeswould also be removedfromCastleStreet, Market Street andShoplatch.

ShropshireCouncil planning of ficerJaneRaymond, whopresented theapplication to thecommittee, said that thehubswould be taller than thephone boxestheyreplaced Theplans were recommendedfor refusalbyplanningofficers

Supportservice in placetoaid thevulnerable

ShropshireCouncil hascommis sioned aWinter SupportService to help residents whoare vulnerable, or at risk of becoming vulnerable during thecomingmonths.

Theservice hasbeenreconfig ured forathird year in orderto supportpeopletoavoid ahealthand care crisis situation.

It will be run by Shropshire Councilinpartnership with the BritishRed Cross, Shropshire Men talHealthSupport,Age UK ShropshireTelford andWrekin, Oswestry Qube,The MayfairCentre,and The RoyalVoluntary Service.

Therewillbesignposting to a rangeofsupport that will help resi dentstoremainwelland independ entwithintheir ownhome,and will also ensuresafeand effective discharges home from hospital

This includes transport returning home from hospital;settlingpeople in at home followingdischargefrom hospital;simpleaidsand equipment followinghospitaldischarge; collectingand deliveringmedications, andshopping anddelivery.

It also includes wellbeinghome visits;companionship forisolatedor lonely people;costoflivingadvice andsupport;connectivityintothe wideroffer of supportfromacross thevoluntary andcommunity sector.

It is part of thecouncil’s commit ment to supportpeopletoremain both physically andmentallywell in particularly during thewinter months.

TheTenburyTigers team show offtheir brand newyellowshirtsthankstonew sponsor CJNInsurance

Access to land ‘key to tenants’

Area payments have “hobbled” farming’stenantedsectorfor morethan15years,the Central Association of AgriculturalVal uers (CAAV) hassaidinits latestAnnualAgriculturalLand Occupation Survey,for 2021

This is thelatestinthe CAAV series of surveysgoing back to thelate1970s showingdecisions aboutthe lettingofland.

Thesurveyalsoreviews the varied lengths of FBTs being grantedand thereasons for them,showing how good use canbemadeoftheir freedom of contract to suit business cir cumstances

TheCAAVsaysas area subsidy payments, singleand basic payment,havepaidpeopletooccupy land,sotheyhavereduced activity in thelet sector

Amid currentpolicydiscussionsconcerningagriculture andasBasic Paymentislost, making full useofthe tenanted sector is an importantpartof thechanges required to tackle Britishfarming’s productivity challenge, said CAAV secretary andadviser Jeremy Moody.

He said:“Access forproficient farmers, existing andnew,to land is akey constraint on rais ingproductivity.

“The CAAV is actively look ingatwaystotacklethe stasis in land occupation reported in oursurveys.”

Afresh erafor machinery group

Farm machinery business ReaVal leyTractorshas begananew erain its 38-year trading history as it embarksonnew franchise agreements andanextendedterritory Becoming oneofthe biggest ag riculturalmachinery dealersinthe country, RVTisopening threenew branches in Cheshire, Lancashire andNorth Wales. This is in addition to existing branches in Welshpool, Sudbury, Newportand Shrewsbury

This meansRVT will nowmore than doubleits trading area forits newfranchise NewHolland,and enhancethe coveragefor JCBand Kuhn Farm Machineryand many otherpremium agricultural brands it alreadysupplies.

ItsSudbury depotmovesforward as aJCB Centre of Excellence and hasalso been able to secure an enhancementtoits currentKuhn portfolioasadedicated Kuhn Baler Centre.The changeshavecreat ed more than60job opportunities throughout thecompany,whilst retaining95per cent of itscurrent highly experiencedworkforce,who bring many yearsofknowledge in theagriculturalsector.

RVTwillcontinuetoservice and providepartsfor itscustomers ex isting machinesfor yearstocome

StevePetford,RVT’s managing director,said: “New relationships will take time to build, butinarel ativelyshorttime, RVT’saim is to provideall customers both established andnew,witha much more enhanced servicethanever would have been possible before.”

Firm appointedtolegal panel forfourthtimeinsuccession

DAVIDBANNER newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Lanyon Bowdlerhas been amem berofthe NFUpanel since2008 andwillnow continue to provide specialistadvicetomembersin Shropshire,Staffordshireand Herefordshirefor thenextthree years.

TheNFU panelfocuses on the qualityoflegal services,fee structuresand commitmenttothe NFU aswellasits members. It also takes into accountfeedback from NFU membersand staff.

BrianEvans, managing partner at Lanyon Bowdler, said theagricultural teamwas lookingforward to continuing to help NFUmembers with theirlegal issues

He said:“Ouragriculturalclients arehugely importanttous, so we aredelighted to have retained our position on theNFU legalpanel fol-

lowing acomprehensive review

“Agriculture haslongformedthe backbone of Shropshire,Herefordshireand Staffordshireand we are proudtoassisthard-workingfarmersand ruralbusinesseswiththe best advice andsupport available.

“LanyonBowdler is passionately committed to theagriculturalsec

MARKET REPORT

FRIDAYNOVEMBER4,135 DAIRYCATTLEThe dispersalsaleofthe entire milking portion of the Tyla herd for Andrew WildeofCardiff, South Wales, whichhad beenmoved to Market DraytonMarket for sale conveniencepeakedat1,900gns(£1,995) for athirdcalver that had calved in August and dueagain nextJulytothe BritishBlue.She was one of nine cattle purchasedbyaPembrokeshire buyer.ASeptember calved fourth calver from the same herdsold for 1,850gns to aWarwickshire buyer andthe same Cheshirebuyer purchased an August calved heifer for 1,820gns andaJuly calved heifer for 1,800gns. Thedispersal sale of KeithBonsall’s herdwhichhad also been moved for sale conveniencefromtheirSuttonHeath farm sold to 1,800gns twice. Firstly, foranOctober calved fourthcalverand secondly fora thirdcalver that had calved in May, both being purchasedby Cheshire buyers.Bothmilking herdsreturned very similar averages levelling at £1,284 including faults

MONDAY NOVEMBER 7,156 BARRENCOWS, CULL BULLS &OVERAGE CLEANCATTLE(Green Market)Reasonablenumber for thetime of year selling on averysolid tradeconsidering thetalk around thering wassome deadweightcentreshad dropped their prices.Onthe nighta tremendous number of buyerspresent representing endusers andfurther finishersresulting in abuoyant trade.

Leading lightsshone extremelybrightlyto234p or £1,829.88for clean, 228p or £2,038.22for sucklers, 182p or £1,415.70for dairyand 170p or £1,876.80for bulls.The overall market average returned at 146p.93Dairies -Extremely brisktrade throughoutfor allweightsand grades seeing young Fleckvieh topping thesection at 182p (£1,135.68 from TheMartinFamily, Longfordand further cattle to 173p (£1,159.10), 172p (£1,272.80),170p (£952.00)and 166p (£1,281.52). Mr N. Stubbs, Hilderstonesaw 178p (£1,253.12)for their black andwhite,Mr W.J. Holdcroft,Sandbachcowsto 167p (£1,179.02)and 163p (£1,261.62), Mr John Shropshire, Bridge Farmcowsto166p(£1,241.68) and164p(£980.72),JH.&MR. Rushton&Sons, Kingstone cowto165p(£1,112.10) andDW. Eardley &Partners, Almingtoncow to 165p (£1,415.70). Thesection average returned at 130p (£832.91). 36 Sucklers-Humble number forexportnightbut what we lacked in quantity we made up forinquality.Trade racedawayto228p (£2,029.20)for acorking LimousinfromPaul &Christine Tippets,Shifnal.Close behind The Whitley Family, Spon Green sawtheir Limousinto 223p (£2,038.22) and180p(£1,479.60).JG.&P

Wright, Humble-Bee-Banksold Simmentalto 190p (31,607.40)and Mr S.W. Deaville,Nabb Lane Blue Crossto186p(£1,290.84) who also had aHerefordto184p(£1,265.92). Thesection average returned at 166p (£1,106.15). 3Bulls Simmentaltopped at 170p (£1,876.80) from The Ball Family, Fulford. Herefordto154p(£1,700.16) from HungersheathFarmLtd,Ashleyand Angusto 152p (£969.76) from J. &L.Lightfoot, Bettisfield Thesection averagereturned at 159p (£1,515.52). 24 Clean-MrPhilTushingham &Family,Clotton dominated thepodiumwiththeir Blue steerto234p (£1,829.88)and Blueheifersto230p (31,536.40) Blackand white steers to 220p(£1,513.60) again from PhilTushingham &Family. Heiferssaw Mr C.E. Blake, Argoedselling Limousinto229p (£1,415.22). Nativessaw Angusheifers sellingto 228p (£1,646.16)again for MrPhilTushingham & Family, Clotton.227 PIGS 33 Cull Sows -Prices from 2p to 78ptoday with better sowsat40p to 60pwiththe plainer sortsat20p to 30p/kg. Trade for thebestsowswas very brisk indeedwith sows coming to £150 to£200inthe lumpfor the topend.Boars still remain hard work andhardto move please ring if youare planningonbringing aboar! 167Fat Pigs-A thin line between thebest fatpigsand therest. Bestpigsat120pto130p topping at 160p butsecond qualitytypes at 90pto 110p and others60p to 80p.27Store&Weaner Pigs-A reducedentrybut aimprovedtrade.Best weanersat£25 to £35 topping at £40. 92 DAIRY YOUNGSTOCKA good entryand amixed entryof crossbredsand HolsteinFriesians.Lackofforage andthe costofforagehas oweredthe tradeslightly on thegrazing types, buttrade hasremained very firm on yearling heiferswithpotential forhigh milk yields.HolsteinFriesiancalvestopped at £200 from Mr E. Newton,Birtsmorton. Crossbred heifersdue to calveatthe end of February andinto Marchreached £710 with most making in excess of £650 thesewereall part of aconsignmentof twenty-sevenfromMrJ.Evans,Anglesey.Aswith previoussalesthe yearlingswereinhot demand, thetop pricetodaywas £860fromMrE.Newton, Birtsmorton.Theyconsigned twenty-two yearlings bornfromOctober 2021toFebruary 2022and ranged from £710 to £860.Entriesalready being takenfor theDecembersale andinclude 50 Frisian incalfheifers and15Pedigree bulling heifers. 284WEANLINGSAnexcellentsaletoday as a packed ring of buyersweremet by agood show of qualityweanlings. Tradewould certainlybe much improvedonrecentsales, forboththe top

torand hasalarge teamoftalented expertswho have awealthofexperience in providingspecialistadvice whichenables ourfarmers to runa successfulbusiness.”

Thelegal paneloffersa discount to NFUmembers on hourly rates as well as providing fixedfee and otherpackagesfor itsservices. It

also provides thebestlegal mindsin non-farmingareas such as probate, tax, diversification,familylaw and conveyancing

Robert Newbery, NFUWestMid landsregionaldirector, said Lanyon Bowdlerhad been reappointedasthe firm offers asound andprofessional servicetofarmerand grower members.Hesaid: “LanyonBowdler has strength anddepth of expertise in both farmingand non- agricultural issues andit’sexcellent that they are on hand to offersucha service. NFU membersalso getanattractive discountiftheyuse apanel firm.”

Hiswords were echoed by South ShropshirelivestockfarmerNick Hamer, from Ludlow,who hasa pivotalofficeholderrolewithinthe NFUaschairmanofthe union’s le galboard.

Thethird-generationtenantfarmer said:“Iampleased to seeLanyon Bowdlercontinueintheir role as NFUlegal panel firm forHereford shire, Staffordshireand Shropshire andwould urge memberstomake use of theexcellent servicetheyoffer.

“Weare allfacingspirallingonfarmcosts andother challenges so it’s essentialwehavethe right firms in placeonour legalpanel.”

endand bottom end whichwas pleasingtosee for us all. Starting with thebulls whichwerea little better to sell today buttheystill remain the harder to sell than steersand heifers.Onlyafew Friesianswhichtopped at £290 forMr M.P.Mason, Wolverhampton, mostlyat£150to£250. The Continentals sawsucklersat£615for R. Foxley & Sons, Eccleshall,and Herefords to £585 forMr M. Beeston,Winsford. Most bullsat4 to 6monthsold andselling at £350 to £450.Ontothe steerswhich hadmuchmorespring in thetrade particularlyfor thewell fleshed types. TopcallwenttoBlues from Mr C.R. Dawson,Wrenburyat£630, most older types£470to£540and younger 3to5 month old modelsat£350to£450. Abettershowofnative steersfor buyers to getstuck into including Angus from JamesBoulton Services,Haslington at £560. Strongesttypes £380to£450. Allsteers have averaged£488.The Continentalheifersavery similarstorytothe steerswithagood tradefor the best types. TopcallwenttoBlues from Mr C.R. Dawson,Wrenbury at £530, strongesttypes would be £450 to£500, andyoungestmodels £350to £420.The native heifers have seen thebiggest improvementtoday,after some difficult sales wheredemandwas in shortsupplywehave turned thecorner today with Angusselling to £500 forHK. &SB. Bennett,Woodseaves. Better types£400 to £450,youngertypes £300 plus.139 heifershave averagedanexcellent£395per head

WEDNESDAYNOVEMBER9, 238CLEAN CATTLE &YOUNG BULLS Goodnumberforward offering arealcross section of cattle to tantalise thetaste buds of ourbuyers. Tradeseemstobe warming with Christmas spirit with severaltraditional butchers alreadystartingtoput cattle together andpleaseremember adatefor thedairy being Wednesday30November being theChristmas Market.Top of theshop returning at 333pfor heifersor£1,808.19, steers to 310p or £1,811.16 andbulls to 273por£1,282.54. 87 Bulls- As good arun of fed bullsinthe main firstfor along time andselling on abrisk tradethroughout. Distant travellersMr RichardReynolds,Woodhouse Eavessaw hisrun peak at 273p (£1,567.02), 269p trio (£1,673.18, £1,614.00and £1,447.22), 264p (£1,589.28), 263p (£1,683.20), 259p (£1,564.36)etc.Mr RichardSavage &Family, Hanwood Limousinto265p(£1,717.20) andin thelumpMrMalcomDodd &Family,Penkridge sold Limousin to gross£1,828.54. Native breeds sold to 260p (£1,539.20)for aAngusfromMr IanMorris& Family, Stottesdon andMrJulian

Corfield of Corfield &Aston Herefordtoreturn £1,782.96. Dairybreedsto227p(£1,434.64) for aMontbeliarde from Mr RichardReynolds whoalso topped theDrayton specials with his blackand whiteto219p(£1,357.80).The section average returned at 227p (£1,375.00).65Steers -Certainly something for allpockets andtastes with distanttravellersdominating thepodium. Our Celtic cousins TheRoberts Bros,Aberystwyth sold Limousinsto310p(£1,701.90) andBlue to 294p (£1,655.22). Newface to DraytonThe JonesFamily, Welshpool soldCharolais to 306p (£1,679.94),Mr RichardReynolds, Woodhouse EavesLimousinto284p(£1,527.92) andMrChris Barnsley,Blakemere Limousinto268p(£1,441.84) and264p(£1,716.00).Inthe lump Mr NevEvans &Family, WinningtonBlue to £1,811.16. Natives sawAngusto260p(£1,606.80) from Mr Simon Beamon,Caersws.The section averagereturned at 231p (£1,504.73). 86 Heifers -Littlebit like “dolly mixtures”but selling on abuoyant trade throughout even lighter types. Super starsreached 333p (£1,808.19) from TheRoberts Bros,Aberystwyth andfurther Limousinto323p(£1,731.28).Closer to home MrTom Busby &Family, Haughton runof Limousins to 310p (£1,587.20), 300p (£1,590.00), 294p (£1,552.32), 281p (£1,461.20)etc.Mr Emyr Roberts &Family, LlanfihangelLimousins to 298p (£1,400.60),287p(£1,607.20)for aCharolais and 279p(£1,417.32) etc. TheDaviesFamily, New House Limousinto284p(£1,641.52).Natives sold to 238p (£1,313.76)for aShorthornfromThe Maddox Family,Woodseaves. Thesection average returned at 236p (£1,280.50). 288STORE CATTLE Still good numbersforward boostedbyacouple of small HerdDispersal Sales.Twenty-one in calf cows traded from£800to£1,200ingeneraland toppedat£1,300for aLimousincow from The Boffey Family, Longdon-On-Tern.Aniceshowof Herefordcowsand calves topped at £1,050 from Mr E. Sisson,Haughton.Plenty of interest today in breeding stockand moreare needed in forth coming weeks. BigFriesian steerseasytosell at £800to£900topping at £975 fora Friesianand £1,065 forNorwegian Red. However, farming sorts andyoungeronesmuchharder to place at £400 to £600 or 120p to 140p/kg,beststeersstill trading at 160p to 180p/kg. Yardingcattlestill finding plenty of demand todaybut notjustthe qualityforward as previousweeks. Bestat£1,100to£1,350topping at £1,500 forLimousinheifer from Mr Gary Smith, Myddle. Still plenty of trade at 220p/kgfor these yarding cattle

AShropshirelaw firm hasconfirmed itsstatus as aleading agricultural specialist by being ap pointedtothe National Farmers’ Union(NFU) legalpanel forthe fourth time in succession.

Brian Evans, managing partneratLanyonBowdler

Companytells of growinginterest in ‘tempering’ graintechnique

Farmersstrugglingtomillover-dry grainfor livestockfeedthiswin ternow have access to atreatment whichismoretypically used by the feed processing industry

Thetechnique of ‘tempering’ grainissaidtobeparticularlyrel evant this year,after much of this summer’s harvestrecordedlow moisturecontents.

Feed preservationspecialists, Kelvin Cave Ltd, said it is increasinglyhearing reportsfromfarmers that drygrain is shattering and turningtodustinthe mill

This hasnumerousdisadvantag es,ranging from difficult working conditions foroperators to poor rumenhealthinthe livestockfed over-processed grain.

As aresult, thecompany hasreported asurge ininterestinmethodsofaddingmoisturetograin before rolling,which also allowthe processedproducttobepreserved andstoredoverwinter.

Thecompany said increasing numbersare turningto‘temper ing’,aprocess whichiswidely used in hotter climates,mostnotably Australiaand NewZealand.

The firm said theprocess involves applying ProflakeNC, aproduct comprising amixture of surfactants andpreservatives,tothe grain, and soakingwithaknown volume of water

This causesthe graintoswell,increases itsfeedvalue andmakes it easy anddust-free to roll

“The fact that theproduct containsnon-corrosive organicacids also increases theenergycontent of thefeed,” MichaelCarpenter,Kel vinCave’stechnical director,said.

Team expanded to meet growingdemand

Theplanningand development department at aleading Shrews bury-basedcompany is expanding duetodemandfor itsprofessional services forresidential,commercial, agricultural andleisure developments.

Hallsmanages thecompletepro cess,startingwithidentifyingand promoting potentialdevelopment land,advisingofoptions andthen preparingplans andsubmitting planning applications

Hallshas respondedtothe in creaseddemandfor professional servicebypromoting Paul Watson

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

to senior planning consultant based at headquarters in Shrewsbury

Themulti-disciplined companyis also recruiting an assistantplanner andexpects to grow theplanning department furtheroverthe comingmonthsand years.

Director ShaunJones said:“As ourgeographicalfootprint has grown, we have securedalot more planning anddevelopmentwork, not just from within ourcorearea

butalso from clientsacrossEng land andWales whoare seekingour professional services.”

Mr Jones added: “Planningapplications have become much more complexinrecent years, andweare abletocalluponvastprofessional knowledgeand experience from within ourcompany

“The staycationingboomhas createdgreater demand forleisure type developmentsinrural areas andweexpectresidential and commercialdevelopment workto continue increasing in thecoming years.”

Safety statistics areput into spotlightatmachinery show

Farming’salarming safety recordwas tackledduringthisweek’s Midlands Machinery Showwithpractical emergency firstaid demonstrations on each dayofthe event.

“Someone dies on aUKfarm every10days, whichisbothabsolutely tragic andshameful,”said show organiserElizabeth Halsall.

“It’shightimethatwedomore as an industry to tackle ourserious health andsafetyissues.

“That’swhy we have been host ingpractical firstaid demonstra tionsalongsideadrop-in nurse clinic offering blood pressureand health checks,and mental health andother supportfromthe Farm ingCommunity Network.”

Thepractical demoswerestaged by safety and firstaid specialist Singleton Training Services and

DAVIDBANNER newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

theNationalAssociation of Agricul turalContractors(NAAC).

NAAC chairman JamesBannister hasapersonalreasonfor supportingthe initiative,havinglost hisleftarm in afarmincident.

He said:“It was10.30am on Thursday,August6,1998. Iremember standing alongsidethe po tato harvester Iwas abouttoclean down between fields,chattingwith atrailer driver workmate. My next memory is beingdraggedintothe machine by theleftarm, fighting formylife.

“Asthe elevatorwas just bit ingintomyneck, theother driver stopped my tractor

“Despite massiveblood loss,I re mained conscious throughout

“Ittookmorethantwo hours for fire andrescue,and ambulance crewstoget me out, with asurgeon alongsideready to amputate

“I’d been operatingthatharvest er for five yearsand knew full well what Ishoulddo before cleaning down.But I’dbecome blasé, complacent, taking my ownsafetyfor granted.”

When workplace injuries do oc cur, they don’tcome with an ad vancewarning,emphasised Singleton Training Services principal NigelSingleton

He said:“Thebettertrained and prepared you are, thelesslikelyyou aretobeinjured yourself, andthe morecapable you’llbeifneededto help an injuredcolleague.”

Thelive reconstructionswere basedonemergency serviceproce durestoillustratethe optimumorderofpriorityfor someone whodis coversaseriouslyinjured colleague.

Mr Singletonsaid: “First,call 999. Before approachingthe casualty, checkthe area carefully foryourown safety

“Ifa tractor is involved,apply the hand brakeand stop theengine.

Only then,check the casualtyfor a response, firstverballythenagen tleshouldernudge

“Ifstill no response,check for breathingwiththe back of your hand closetotheir nose andmouth, then palm of hand gently just below ribcage. Call 999 again, update the call taker, andfollowtheir advice

With prevention in mind,NAAC hashad the Assured Land-Based Contractor scheme since2010, but this hasnojurisdiction over farmer clients.

NigelSingleton said he wondered whyfarming doesn’thaveanequiv alentofthe Construction Skills Certification Scheme.“Thescheme’s purposeistoimprove standards andsafetyonconstructionsites,” he explained. “Surelyasimilar training andexam-basedFarming Safety Certification Scheme for farmers, employees andcontrac tors, is worth seriousconsideration to tackle theindustry’salarming safety problem?”

Spring barley is beinglaunched

Aspringbarleyvariety that combinesconsistentyieldsacrossall UK regionsonthe 2022 AHDB Recommended List with high grain quality, in termsofspecificweight, is beinglaunchedtogrowers of feed barley

SY Splendor,fromSyngenta, was originallybredfor themaltingmar ket whereitwas evaluated forbrewinguse

Butdespite having beenwithdrawnfrommaltingtests, it continues to offerusefulfeaturesthat couldappealtofeedbarleygrowers, Syngenta seedsportfolio marketing manager, KathrynHamlen, points out.

Topmost amongthese impressive features areits consistent treated yields of 102per cent of controlvarietiesacrossall regionsonthe 2022 AHDB spring barley Recommended List,saidMrs Hamlen

It hasahigh specificweightof over 68 kg/hl, sheadded.

Organic sector to be celebrated

Excellence will be celebrated at this year’s Best Of Organic Market (BOOM) Awards,organisers have said

Theawardsare beingrun by Soil Association Certification

TheBOOMs honour the farms, brands,businessesand people behind theUK’sorganic industry andentry is open to all certified organicbusinesses

Aspokespersonsaid: “Now in their10thyearthe bi-annual BOOM Awards areacelebra tion of excellence acrossorganic farming, beauty andwellbeing, fashionand textiles andfood anddrink,reflecting thefan tastic rangeoforganic-certified businesses working to restore nature,healthand asafecli mate.”

Formoreinformation about theawards, visitsoilassociation. org/boomawards

Packswill help performance

Cargill haslaunchedanew range of specialisedperformance packs formilking anddry cows that can be boltedontoany standard farm mineraland providespecificbene fits

TheRuprominPluspacks include additional vitamins, trace elements andperformance products in a specificcombination dependingon theirtarget‘action’.

Thepack will primethe energy pathways in thetransitionperiod andpromote milk production in high-yieldingcowsproducingmore than 29 litresofmilkaday

Asecondpack, thefeed efficien cy pack,can supportimproved fibre digestionbypromoting guthealth andbeneficialrumen microbes in milkingcows.

Thehealthand fertilityRupromin Plus pack includes apotentantioxidantpack thatisdesignedtopro mote astrong immunesystemfor a smooth starttothe lactation

Halls director Shaun Jones, centre, with Paul Watson,left, and architecturaltechnician Dave Haughton

DAVIDBANNER

Topauthorities forstart-ups

StartUp Loans, part of theBritish Business Bank,has namedthe top localauthoritiesfor startups across theUK.

It is basedonthe number of start up loanssuccessfullydrawn down since2012byborrowers in their areas.

Wolverhamptonwas foundto be thetop localauthorityfor start upsinthe West Midlands with 464 loanssuccessfullydrawn down since2012, representing2.9 in everythousandlocal adults

Telford& Wrekin wasalsointhe top five localauthoritiesin theWest Midlands forstart-ups Wolverhampton’stotal is £3.3 million.For Telford&Wrekinitis £2.4m(273loans -2.5). Shropshire had429 loans(£4.2m-2.3)

Therelease of the figurescoincid ed with thebeginningofBusiness FinanceWeek2022, hosted by the BritishBusinessBankand business supportpartners.

Funerals firm in profits dip

FuneralproviderDignity has seen profits fall this year as therehas been areduction in thenumberofdeaths nationally as Covidwanes

TheWestMidlands-based business is oneofthe UK’s larg estnationalproviders of funeral plansand endoflifeservices. It operates crematoria at Telford,Shrewsbury, Lichfieldand Stourport.

Forthe 39 weekstothe endof September underlying revenue wasdown14per cent to £204.7 million andunderlyingoperatingprofitfell68per cent to £14.1m from £43.4m

Forthe period deaths were down from 483,000to469,000

Dignitysaidthatduringthe thirdquarter of theyearits new strategy continuedtodeliver earlypromising signsofincreas es in market sharegrowth.

JLRsales up andlosses down

Jaguar Land Rover sawan11.8per cent rise in carsales in thesecond quarterofits financialyear.

Theluxurycar maker’spre-tax loss also reduced to £173 million from £302mayearearlier

JLR, whichhas itsenginemanufacturingcentre at thei54 near the Shropshireborder, sawrevenue rise 36 percentto£5.3billion.Itwas up 20 percentonthe firstquarter

Retail salesfor thequarter were 88,121 vehicles with China up 38 percentand NorthAmerica 27 per cent.UKsales fell sevenper cent

Theimprovedresults reflect strong modelmix andpricing with wholesales of 75,000 up 17.6 per cent on theyear, butlower than plannedascomputerchipsupply constraintscontinued

Theproductionramp-upofNew RangeRover andNew RangeRover Sportimprovedwith13,537units wholesaled in thequarter,upfrom 5,790inthe firstquarter

Midlands team’s dealssuccess

Themergers andacquisitions lead advisory teamatDeloitte Midlands hasreported asuc cessfulsix months in whichit completedeightsignificant deals acrossarange of sectorsincludingindustrials, manufacturing, andtechnology.

Morethanhalfofthe transac tionsinvolving overseas investors andbuyers. Theteamalso com-

pleted anumberofdeals in the technologysector.

It is confident that mid-market deal activity will be robust and hasinvested in newtalenttosup port andsustain future growth with theappointment of three newteammembers.

An experiencedmanager and twograduates will join theteam of transaction specialists

Worrying timesfor themotor trade

Asurveyhas foundthat67per cent of motortradebusinesses in the region have alreadymadeorface making redundancies before the endofthisyear.

ChoiceQuote,the motortrade insuranceprovider, surveyed 303 tradeprofessionals across theUK.

Factorsinclude rising supply costsand peopleincreasinglyput ting offcar changes duetotheir squeezed finances.Inthe West Mid

lands86per cent of theprofession alssurveyed said that theirbusiness is facing serious or veryserious issueslinkedtoinflation.

Over athird –38per cent –expect theircompany to struggle and almost aquarter (24per cent)expect tradingtoremainstagnant. Onein sixmay even close.

DerekHenry,managingdirector of ChoiceQuote,said: “It’sdefinitely aworryingoutlook.”

Pioneering firm scalesupfor batteryexporting success

JOHN CORSER john.corser@mnamedia.co.uk

Thebossofrenewable energy andbattery specialistAceOn says the companyisready to grow so that it canexpand itscustomerbase around theworld.

Mark Thompson,managingdirector of Telford-basedAceOn Group, is taking part in aspecial InnovateUKScale Up programme to position thecompany forgrowth as it continuestodevelop newprod ucts andpatented solutionstorespondtothe climatecrisisand the growingneedfor energy storage andnon-dieselportablegenerators.

Mark says AceOn is fiercely proud of itsroledeveloping andmanufac turing environmentally-respon sibleand sustainable products in theUK, establishing asolid supply chainfromwhich goods arethen exported acrossthe globe.

With aparticularinterestin growingits portfolioofinnovative intellectual property,the company is currentlyworking with battery cell manufacturer AMTE Power to developground-breakingsodium ion batteries, whichare more cost effective,safer andsustainable than lithiumcells.AceOn is also leadingresearchintodeveloping second lifesolutions forusedelectric carbatteries andaccelerating developmentworkonaportablesolarenergystorage system

Rangeexpands duetocoffeeshopboost

AShrewsburycoffeeshopand speciality roasterhas responded to itscustomer’sloveofgreat coffeewithanextendedrange of ‘at home’coffeemachinesand other peripherals.

Locatedalongside Shrews bury’s iconic train station, Iron & Fire’s TheHatch hasbuiltaloyal customerbasesince opening18 months agoand many regulars also subscribetoits coffee at home

JOHN CORSER

john.corser@mnamedia.co.uk

service. It wasdemandfromthese customers that ledtothe decision to stocka rangeofcoffeemachines andother accessories.

Iron &Fire’sfounder,Kev Burrows,said“Ourdirect-to-consumer subscription coffee business has more than tripled insizesincethe

startofthe pandemic.However, Many of ourregularsatThe Hatch hadasked about thebestmachines andaccessoriestouse at home,so it made sense to bringthemexact ly what they want,” he added.

“They’ve been availabletocon sumers to buyvia ourwebsite,but nowtheycan chat to oneofthe team face to face andcomplete theirpurchasethere andthen.”

Training provider highlights truckdrivershortage

Oneofthe UK’s leadingtrain ingproviders hashighlightedthe shortage of forklift truckdrivers –sayingitisasbig aproblem for thelogistics industry as themore publicisedissue of ascarcityoflor ry drivers.

SteveDulson, of DulsonTrain ing, said theshortage meantmany warehousesacrossthe country were unabletooperate efficiently, putting even morepressureonthe nation’s supply chain.

DulsonTrainingdeliversarange of trainingofferings at itscentres in Shrewsbury,Telford,Ludlow andWrexham and at itsrecently opened site betweenTelford and

Gailey that caters forTelford and Wolverhampton.

Thecompany also provides trainingatcustomerlocations an ywhere in theUK.

“There is abig shortage of fork lift truckdrivers, much likethe case with HGVs –sothe entire logisticsindustryissuffering from just abouteveryangle,”saidMr Dulson. “The forklifttruck driver shortage is just as biga problem. It is hittingthe productivity andefficiency of warehouses andstorage facilities allover thecountry which meansdelaysingetting goods out, producinganevengreater strain on thesupplychain nationally

“Weare runningfullyaccredited RTITBprogrammesevery week to deliver training andqualificationsonall themajor forklift types.Thistrainingisdelivered at ourcentre at RodennearTelford wherewehaveclassrooms andall thefacilities necessary.

OneofAndreiand DulsonTrain ing’srecentsuccess storieshas been JamesPagan whoisonthe autistic spectrum.James passed hisnovicecounterbalance course with flying colours. Hismum Jean ette said:“Jameshas hadsucha boostofconfidence with the course andAndreineedsspecialrecogni tion forthe wayhe taught him.”

Joanna De Ryckeand KevBurrows,directors at Iron &Fire Coffee in Shrewsbury

Whomade up the other half of the pop duo Wham!alongside George Michael? AAndrew Ridgeley BSimon Ridgeway CKeith Righton DAlRicino

2000 animated film featured Julia Sawalha as the voice of ahen named Ginger? AGinger Snaps BChicken Run CThe Crate Escape DThe Bantam Menace

In Greek mythology what was the winged horse that sprang from the blood of Medusa called? AUnicorn BPhoenix CPegasus DManticore 8. Of which region of Italy is Perugia the capital? ATuscany BCalabria CUmbria DLiguria 9. What wasthe usual nom de plume of Irish novelist and journalist Brian O’Nolan, who also wrote as Myles na Gopaleen? AEdgar O’Brien BFlann O’Brien CMichael O’Brien DConnor O’Brien

ACROSS

3. Biscuit made from a rich dough (9) 8. Songbirdofthe genus Corvus (4) 9. 1959 Keith Waterhouse novel (5,4) 10. Justus, German chemist who discovered chloroform (6) 11. TV detective played by Telly Savalas (5) 14. Birdofmarshes and river banks with along straight bill (5) 15. Province of Pakistan (4) 16. ‘--- of Athens’, play by Shakespeare (5) 18. Island offthe coast of Scotland (4) 20. Classical order of architecture (5) 21. White carbohydrate used as a sweetener (5) 24. Cambodian politician, leader of 11 Down (3,3) 25. Town in Buckinghamshire, England (9) 26. Town in Nevada famous for easy divorce procedure (4) 27. Industrial town in Pennsylvania on the River Conemaugh (9)

DOWN

1. Former duchy annexed by Prussia in 1864 (9)

2. ‘The ---’, Graham Greene novel set in Haiti (9)

4. Alexander,Ronald Reagan’ssecretary of state 1981-2 (4) 5. Viking founder of the duchy of Normandy (5)

6. Maria, operatic soprano who died in 1977 (6)

7. Ronald and Reginald, English criminals (4) 9. Georges, French composer of the opera Carmen (5)

11. Rouge, Cambodian communist party (5) 12. 1886 novel by RL Stevenson (9)

13. ‘Sentimental ---’, novel by Gustave Flaubert (9)

17. Leonard, actor/director who played Spock in Star Trek (5) 19. Stables cleaned by Hercules (6) 22. ‘The ---’, 1820 novel by Walter Scott (5) 23. Fixer used in photographic developing (4) 24. The bow of a vessel (4)

WORD WISE

SCOPA

A Bee’spollen brush B Kitchen utensil C Out of tune

by Pat Edderythat won the 1975 EpsomDerby (6)

Guillermo. 2004 French Open singles tennis championship runner-up (5)

ofgolf course on, or nearto, the coast (5)

formerChelsea captain midfielder andLeeds manager (4)

1Down.Huddersfield-born Arsenal defenderintheir 1971 FA Cup Final win (3,5)

QUICK QUIZ

Given to Fly andSpin the Black Circle wereamong the hits of the 1990s for which US rock band?

Which drink often contains spirits,fruit juice,sugar,spice and hot water?

To which class of vertebrates do frogs, toads and salamanders belong?

Which disease was formerly knownasconsumption?

Which mountain system runs from the Arctic to theCaspian Sea?

By what name is the Hebrew Bible more commonlyknown?

Which countrydoesthe fictional character,Heidi, come from?

In which decade did Prohibition start?

Which buildingmaterial is composedofcement, stone, sand and water?

On which instrument arethe first and last posts played?

Duo’ssoapmanufacturing ventureisscrubbing up well

HEATHER LARGE

heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

When KarenBlanchfieldand Xime Carrillo attendedasoapmaking workshop,littledid they know it wouldbethe startofafragrantnew venture.

They enjoyed theirnew-found hobbysomuchthattheybegan giftingsurplus bars to family and friendsaswellastoresidents in care homes.

Thepositive response prompt ed them to take thenextstepof getting theirrecipesassessedbya charteredcosmeticchemist,ena blingthemtoselltheir products to thecommunity andfurther afield.

Nowtheyhavebeencommissioned to make bespokeitems for theSevernValleyRailway

From theirhomes, they make smallbatches of soapsusing essential oils andother naturalingredients andtraditional methods.

“Westarted in 2019 when Xime bought me agiftvoucher forasoap making workshopand we learned how to make soapsfromproducts you can find in yourkitchen,” says Karen.

“I suffer from eczema andhave incredibly dryskinsoitwas nice to use somethingmadefromnatural ingredientsand nothaveareaction.”

Theirbusiness, named7Soaps aftertheir hometown of Stourport-on-Severn,quickly grew and they arenow stockedin12shops acrossWorcestershireaswellas online

Passion

Karenand Xime both sharea passionfor theenvironment and were keen to make theirproducts as eco-friendly as possible.“Xime is abiologist andhas workedinthe rainforest.She wasworried about allofthe chemicalsfound in regular soap andshampoo andthe effect it hasonthe environment,”explains Karen.

Theirnatural collection rangeof soapscontainsablendofcoconut, oliveand sunflower oils whichthey saynurturesand moisturises the skin.

Fragrances come from essential oils such as lemongrass, coconut, methapiperitaand tea treeaswell as othernatural products such as cinnamon leaf.Karen andXimetry to use localingredients as much as possible andhavea rangeofsoaps containing Droitwich Salt,which is sourcedfromnaturally occurring brinesprings

Thesaltisharvested by hand at Churchfields Saltworks in Droit wich Spawhere thegentleprocess of crystallising thenatural brineto pure salt is done usingrenewable energy

The7Soapspackagingismade from recycled cardboardand is

100% compostable. Theirclamshell soap boxcan doubleupasa soap dish,meaning it caneasilybetaken anywhere

To make theirsmall batchesof soap,the friendsuse twodifferent methods; cold processand hot process.The former sees theoilscom binedwithlye at room temperature to cause achemicalreactioncalled saponification.Inhot process, hot oils andlye arecombined to begin saponification,and then introduced to heat viaaslow cooker to speedup thecuretime.

“Wemakeall of oursoapathome usingbuckets andahandmixer.Hot processsoaps canbeready to use after24hours.Coldprocess soaps need around sixweeks to cure

“Makingsoapisverytherapeutic,”saysKaren.“My favourite is ourorangeand cinnamonbar.I take some cinnamonsticksand crush them in thepestleand mortar.I put this throughthe soap forgentleexfoliation. It hasalovelyaroma when you useitin theshower,”she adds As well as catering forhumans, they also have products forour ca nine friendstoo.Their dogshampoo

bars,which containcoconut oilthat repel fleas, neem oiltohelpwith itchy scalps andcastoroil to reduce anyinflammation,are provingvery popularwithcustomers

“Ifthe doghas rolled in something nasty, you canwashthemwiththat andknowit’shelping themand the environment. When Iusedtowash my dogbefore, Iwould getreally itchyhands.It’snicetopampermy poochnow,” says Karen.

They create alloftheir ownreci pes,which areassessedbya chemistbeforetheyare made availableto customers to buy.

Bespoke

“I will saytoXime‘canwemake this?’ andasthe biologist shewill say‘yesbut to getthatyou need to putA,Band Cin’,” says Karen.

Earlierthisyear, they were commissionedtoproduce bespokeitems forthe Severn Valley Railway to sell in itsshops.Launchedat the Engine House at Highley, they are availableintwo scents –rosemary andcharcoaland lavender andcharcoal.The soapsare also madeusing Droitwich Salt andthe packaging

wasdesignedbySally Chambers at Kidderminster-basedVenalicium Creative Marketing.

Thecharcoalisa nodtothe coal used in the fireboxesofthe locomo tivesonthe line andred clay representsthe redrockaroundHighley.

Karenand Xime also have plans to work with Churchfields to create acosmeticrange andwill be joining forces with twolocal beekeepers to createproductsusing bees waxin thenearfuture.

They have also come afull circleas they nowoffer theirown soap-makingworkshops andcours es giving people thechancetotry theirhandatthe craft.

Thepairhavebeenblownaway bythe response to theircreations andsay they aredelighted by the opportunitiesthathavearisensince starting thebusiness. “Weenjoy making oursoaps because it’s ther aputic andwe’re both crafters,so we enjoy creating things.Westill can’tbelieve people keepcoming back to buyour soaps. We getlovely feedback from ourcustomers,” says Karen.

n Detailsat:,www.7soaps.co.uk

This week Ithought we could continue ourtheme of collecta bles andhavealookatvintage radios.Theyare always popu lar, with theavidradio enthusi asts andalso with regularbuy erswho want them purely for displaypurposes.

Prices depend on make, age, conditionand size andthere are certainfamousnames to look outfor such as Bush,Roberts, Philips, Grundigand Marconi.

Bush started lifeas Bush Radioin1932, aspartofthe GaumontBritishPicture Corporation,joining Rank afterthe Second WorldWar andlaunchingthe legendaryBushTR82 transistorradio in 1959

Rank then joined Toshiba andthe Bush name vanished from themarket untilthe 1980s when it wasboughtbythe Alba Group. Bush radios canstill be foundtoday,togetherwithreproductionsofearlier sets and radios designed andmadeby othercompanies,including the Philco CathedralRadio’.

RobertsRadioswereanother companyfounded in the1930s,

Leslie apparently sold hismotorcycletohelpfund their firstfactory

They began by making small portable radiosattheir Londonbaseand quicklyexpanded, gainingroyal warrants from both thelateQueen andKing Charlesalong theway

If you want yourradiostobe in working order checkthemout thoroughly before you buy, al though it is possibletoget them restored by an expert

Youshouldexpectrestoration ‘tweaks’suchasreplacement transistors andbattery convertersinvintage radiosthatwork.

Checkthe cases fordamage andmakesuretheyare clean, if they do need sprucing up do this carefully, if thecondition is poor this workisbestlefttoprofessional restorers.

Youalso need to be sure that your radios really arevintage, thereare some amazingrepro ductionversionsout therethat couldfoolmanypeople!

Andifyou have avintage ra diotosellthendolet us know, thereisquite ademandjust now!

KarenBlanchfieldof7Soaps,based at Stourport-on-Severn, whoisnow making soap forSevernValleyRailway

by HarryRoberts andLeslie Bidmead–

WITH JOHN RIDGWAYOF OLDMILLANTIQUESCENTRE

ARobertsradio

Karenwith asoap mould Karenwith arange of hersoap products

Vibrantand fruity dessert recipe is just irresistible

TV royaltyPrueonageismand making theQueen acup of tea

LAUREN TAYLOR PressAssociation

Dame Prue Leithmay be TV royaltynow,but onethingshe says she’ll “taketoher grave” is theshame of making the late QueenElizabeth II a badcup of tea.

“I couldn’t getout of thePalace how sheliked hertea,soI endedup with atraywithall these optionson it:silver teapots, ajug,bowls of lemon anddifferent sugars, milk and cream–the Palace told me to just bringeverything,” says theGreat BritishBakeOff star

“Thisisthe mostdivine, indulgent andirresistiblepud,” says Prue Leith.

“Don’t skimponthe creamor jam. Better forgoitaltogether than trytomakeithealthy!It’s best madewithripefresh apri cots.Ifusing canned fruit, roast them anyway –itwilldeepen their flavour.”

APRICOTS,ALMONDS AND CLOTTEDCREAM ON ENGLISH MUFFIN

Ingredients:

2large apricots,or3small ones

40gbutter, half of it melted

2tsp castersugar

1English muffin, split and toasted

2tbspapricot jam

1tbsp flaked almonds, toasted

1small potofclotted cream

Method: Getthe grill as hotas possible

Halvethe apricots, remove thestonesand putthe halves, stoned side up,onagrill tray. Brushthemwiththe melted butter andsprinklewiththe sugar.

Grill theapricots, nottoo close to theelementsorgas flame, foreightto10minutes untilbrown roundthe edges

Meanwhile, butter thetoast ed muffinhalvesand putthem on warm plates.Spreadthem with apricotjam andshare the apricothalvesbetween them

Sprinkle with thealmonds andserve with clotted cream.

Tip: Youcan toastthe flaked almondsin theoven underthe grill trayatthe same time as roasting theapricots, butthey burn in a flash, sobecareful Safer,probably, to standover them whileyou gently turn them in afryingpan,ortoast for threeminutes in themicrowave, giving them astirhalfway

It was1975atthe openingofthe QueenElizabeth Conference Centre in London.The Queen finally reachedLeith, whowas carrying a rather heavytray, aftergreetinga long line of dignitaries.

“I said,‘Blackorwhite Ma’am?’ Shesaidblack,soIput apiece of lemonin. She said,‘No lemon’,soI hadto fish thelemon outasI hadn’t gotanother cup– Ididn’tknow what to do with thebloodylemon!” the82-year-old recalls. “Then Itoppedupher tea with water be causemostpeoplewho have black tealikeitquite weak,and shesaid, ‘I likeitstrong’.

“Sothe poor woman gotweak lemony tea when shelikes strong blacktea. I’ll go to my grave ashamedofit!”

Thesedaysofcourse,South Af rican-born Leithisinher sixthseries of ChannelFour’sGreat Brit ishBakeOff –“thebestjob in the world”–alongside Paul Hollywood, Matt Lucas andNoelFielding, and hasjustpublished herlatestcookbook,Bliss On Toast.

Butthe controversy garnered by some of theBakeOff episodes centringoncuisinesofother countries, likethe recent ‘Mexicoweek’,has takenher by surprise

“Whatwe’re trying to do is celebrate otherpeople’scuisines, but we’veonlygot threechallenges,so obviously we’renot goingtocov er allthe things that anycountry wouldwantyou to cover,” shesays.

Describingthe popularbaking show as “tolerant, inclusive,encouragingand kind”, Leithadds: “I’m just sorryanyonewas offend ed,because that’s notinthe spirit of Bake Off.

“Itdoesmakeyou think, if [we cook]any foreignfood andit’snot regarded as as asignofappreciation andcelebration,and imitation being flattery,thenwe’re in trouble, becauseBritishcooking hasalways been abouttakingother countries’ ideas.”

On alighter note,the funniest part of beingonthe show,she says, is that shenever understandsthe innuendos. “I’m justtoo oldand my companions arelike15-year oldschoolchildren.Theygointo hystericsoflaughter–you saythe wordsausage andtheythink it’s rude andIstart like lookinglikea complete nana becauseIdidn’tget thejoke.”

It wasa surprise to Leith–who marriedher second husband, re tiredfashion designer JohnPlayfair,in2006 –toevenbeconsidered forthe jobreplacing Mary Berry back in 2017.“Ithought,going to ChannelFour, they’d want to change everything,but guesswhat? They foundanotherold lady.”

She’djust finished 11 yearsasa judge on BBCTwo’s GreatBritish Menu andat75thought perhapsit wastimetoretire, butshe couldn’t resist.Representationofolder wom en on TV is improving, sheagrees: “The ageism message must have gotthrough.”

When it comestoBritishfood though,nothing quiteencapsulates it like agood oldplate of toast(and maybeacorrectly made cupoftea).

ForLeith, Sundaynight is the best time to enjoy it.“We’vealways hadsomethingonaSundaynight because Sundaynight is like going

back to school,isn’t it?You need comfortbecause you’refacingthe week.Sowe’ve always hadscram bled eggs andcrisp bacon on Sun daynights, or mushroomsontoast, always somethingontoast –it’s comforting

“Ifyou’refeeling ill andyou can’t eatanything, you canalwayseat a pieceofdry toast,”she adds.“And then you getabit better andyou want some butter on it.The next morning it’s gotmarmaladeonit.”

Crucially, many arecheap to make.“We’reall verybusyand we’reall worried aboutmoneyand worried abouttime. Assembling somethingontoast is easy,stressfree anddoesn’t have to be expensive,” Leithsays.

Andinher earlyEighties, Leith isn’tslowingdown. She’scurrently on one-woman tour around theUS (comingtothe UK next year), shar ingher experiences. “Peoplethink of me as thewoman on tellywho eats cake foraliving, whichistrue, butI’vehad averyadventurous life,” shesays.

“Peopleoften saytome, ‘You’re amazingfor 82’,and thetruth is, I’mquite healthy, Ieat well,Isleep well,Ihavequite alot of energy.I thinkI’m just lucky,”saysLeith

n BlissOnToast by Prue Leith is publishedbyBloomsbury,priced £14.99,available now.

Turn thechicken thighs in

on an

Roastfor about 35 minutes un tilbrown andcookedthrough (a skewer should glidethrough the flesheasily).Slice each

Warm thenaansorchapatis brieflyinthe microwaveortoaster andspreadwithbutter.

Pile thechicken on to thebreads, seasoning with alittlesaltand pepper.Top with adollop of thereserved yogurt,the chilli andherbs.

DamePrueLeith hasjustreleasedanew cook book

BlissOnToast by Prue Leith

Practice makesperfect with indulgentChristmas recipes

ANDY RICHARDSON andy.richardson@mnamedia.co.uk

Christmasisjustaround thecorner, andsoit’s time to look aheadto what thefestive season will have in store.

Agoodcookalwaystrialsrecipes before thebig day–sothese recipes from CottageDelight areonesthat home cookscan starttotest, in or derthatthey’reperfect come the bigday

PEAR &MINCEMEAT CRUMBLECAKE

Ingredients: Serves 12

Forthe pears:

4 firm pears, peeled,cored and cutintosmall pieces

3tbspgoldencastersugar

1tsp mixedspice

Forthe cake recipe: 250g pack salted butter, softened

250g golden castersugar 1tsp vanillaextract

5large eggs

200g self-raising flour 100g ground almonds

7tbsp plain flour

6tbspCottage DelightLuxury TipsyMincemeat

Method: Putpears into anon-stick frying panwith2tbsp sugarand 2tbsp water.Cover,thencookover amediumheatfor 10 minutes un tiltender, stirring everysooften Thereshouldn’t be juiceoncethe pearsare cooked.Add thespice; leavetocool.

Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas

3. Butter then line thebaseand sidesofa 20cmround,deepcake tin.

Putbutter, sugar, vanillaand ¼ tspsaltintoalarge bowl.Beatwith an electric hand whiskuntil pale and fluffy.Add eggs and flour, beat untilsmooth, then fold in almonds. Remove 85gbatterand putintoa smallbowl. Addthe plain flourand chop into themix with acutlery knifetomakeasoft, crumbly-look ingmix

Spoonhalfthe cake mixintothe tin, topwithhalfthe pears, dot over half theLuxury TipsyMincemeat, then dollop therestofthe cake mix on top. Scatterwithremaining pears, Luxury TipsyMincemeat, then thecrumble mix. Sprinkle with final1tbsp sugar.

Bake for1½hours, coveringwith foil afteranhour, untilgolden,ris en andaskewer inserted into the middle comesout clean. Cool in the tinfor 10 minutes,thencoolona rack

MINCE PIEBUNDTCAKE

In

pale and fluffy Addthe eggs oneata time andmix together Mixthe plainyoghurt andLux

IN SEASON

Brassica with earthytaste is winter staple

Mincemeattogetherand addtothe mixer

uryTipsy

In aseparatebowl, measureand sieveout the flour, bicarbonateof soda, salt andall thegroundspices Sieveinthe flourgradually andstop when the flourisevenlymixed in Pour themix into agreased and flouredtin andbakefor an hour or untilaskewercomesout clean. The cake will pull away from theedge of thetin when it is ready.

Leavethe cake to cool fullybefore removing from thetin.Whilewaitingtocool, make youricing sugar drip.Place icingsugar,egg white andlemon juiceintoyourmixer Beat on med-high foraround5-7 minutes untilitforms softpeaks andisloose enough to drizzle. Pour over andallow to cool/set.Finish with sliced orangesorfrozenfestive berries(yourpreference!).

MULLEDORANGE &CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Ingredients: Serves 12

Biscuit Base: 300g bourbonBiscuits 150g unsalted Butter

Cheesecake Filling: 600g creamCheese (fullfat) 300mldoubleCream 75gicing Sugar 300g Terry’sChocolate Orange 1x305gjar CottageDelight Mulled Orange AllButterCurd 1orangezest

Decoration: Orange zest Orange slices, thinly sliced 2tbspcrème fraiche

Method: Forthe BiscuitBase: Melt thebutterinthe microwaveon shortburstsuntil fullymelted. Blitz thebiscuits in afood processortoa smallcrumb or in abag with the endofarolling pin, addthe butter, andmix untilitiscombinedwell.

Tipintoa20cmdeepspringform tinand pressdown firmly –chill in therefrigeratorfor at leastan hour

Forthe Cheesecake Filling:Melt the300gchocolate orange in abowl over apan of gently simmeringwater, stirring gently or microwavein shortburstsuntil fullymelted.

Mixtogetherthe creamcheese andIcing sugaruntil thickand whip up thedoublecream in aseparate bowl –foldthe mixtures together, andthenfoldthrough themelted chocolateand 2heapedtbspMulled Orange AllButterCurd. Zest in the orange

Evenly spread sixheapedtbsp Mulled Orange AllButterCurd over thechilled biscuitbase. Pour thecream cheese mixontothe curd layer,smoothover,cover,and chill in thefridge forsix hours, or prefer ably overnight.

Autumn is extendingmoredeeply than ever before.WithRemem brance Sunday beingthe hottest on record, we’re findingmildtem peraturesatatimewhenweonce experienced frosts and colder days

andnights

That meansthere arestill plen ty of seasonal fruitand vegetables availableinlocal greengrocers, farmers’ marketsand more

Cauliflower is astaplefor the coming monthsand hasbecome in creasinglypopular in recent times as people have turned towards plant-baseddiets andembracedthe earthy vegetable.

Theversatile brassica adds smoothness in sauces andtexture in dishes such as cauliflower cheese, roastcauliflower andcauliflower rice

It canalso makeagreat centrepiece when used as cauliflow er steaks or as aroasted,stuffed dish.Roasted,stuffed cauliflower cantakecentre stageonChrist-

masDay,withakaleand chestnut filling,plentyoflemon andagood gratingofnutmeg.

Cauliflower cheese is an around the-world classicthatmakes asupersidedishorworks well accompanyingaroast chicken. Make sure you topwithplentyofseasoned breadcrumbs, or smallpiecesof pancetta,for extra flavourand tex ture.

Acauliflower andhazelnut car bonara is afabulousvegetarian main, with double cream, eggand thymecreatingasauce with pasta.

Buffalocauliflower wingsshow how versatile theingredientcan be, giving vegetariansthe opportunity to enjoy ameat-free spicyAmerican classic. Served with aranch dip, it makesanexcellent Friday night sharingtreat

Healthycauliflower popcornis anothergreat snack. Simply toss floretsinchilli andspices androast untilcrisp forasavoury snack that’sperfect forsharing,justadd yourfavourite dipfor dunking. Customise thecauliflower with your favourite flavours –try smoked paprikaand lemonzestorcrushed garlic andgratedParmesan. They aredeliciouswithatangy tomato salsaorcoolherby yogurtdip on theside.

Cauliflower also lendsitselfwell to avariety of Asian-inspired dish es andcurries,including aspiced cauliflower rice pie

Mulled Orange Cheesecake

MincemeatMince PieBundt

Luxury TipsyMincemeat Pear andMincemeat Crumble Cake

Versatilecauliflower

by Andy Richardson

HodnetPrimary School –Reception

Buntingsdale Primary School andNursery –Rose Class

ChurchAston Infant School–Reception

BuntingsdalePrimary School andNursery Daffodil Class

Moreton SayCEPrimary

Newport Infant School –Rabbits Woodpeckers andFoxes

HodnetPrimary School –Class 1

St Mary’sCofE Primary School Reception 2022 Class1

your umbrella in Europe’s wettestcities!

Winter is here and, in many places,itbringsthe well-known, beautiful“Indian summer” when thesun makesthe trees shineinthe most beautifulcol ours.However,there arealso downsides: lotsofrainand cool temperatures

Holidu,the bookingportalfor holidayrentals,decidedtoseek outthe cities whereitrains the most!The cities were ranked basedontheir averagenumber of rainydaysper monthaswell as theaveragedaily rainfall

Youcan be sure of onething –the generous amount of rain that these places receivedoes wondersfor how these cities look.Lush, greenlandscapes awaityou!

Bergen,Norway

Securing the number one spot as therainiestcityinEurope is Bergen.Topping the ta blefor beingboththe city with thehighest averageraindays permonth (12.7) as well as the highestaverage dailyrainfall (8.8mm), Bergen is theoutright rainiest city in Europe.But don’tlet this putyou off. Located on thesouth-western coastof thecountry,Bergenisnestled amonglushgreen mountains andimpressivefjords,makingit an ideallocationfor lovers of the outdoors

Sunderland, UK

Thesecondrainiestcityin Europe is Sunderland which sits directly on theNorth Sea. Sunderlandhas relatively high rainfall allyearround,but es pecially in thewintermonths of December andJanuary when theaverage is 15 rainydays permonth.AccordingtoWorld WeatherOnline, thefewest rainydaysoccur in April(seven permonth), so you mighteven be able to enjoy aday at the beach. If it does rain,you can pass thetimeinone of themuseums, forexample.

Glasgow,UK

Duetoits northernlocation andproximity tothe Atlantic Ocean, Glasgowhas amaritime climatecharacterisedbyhumid ityand falling rainfallthrough outthe year.The mostrainfalls here in Januaryand December, andthe leastinApril.But Glas gowhas plenty to offerevenin badweather.Why notvisit an artmuseum or pass away the (rainy)timewitha whisky tast ingin aquaintdistillery?

Topmarketpicks to visitfor a festive city breakthiswinter

CHRISTMASMARKETS

By Sarah Marshall

Weavingthrough wooden cabins, whilesipping aglass of mulled wine, theexperienceismuchmorethan buying gifts. This year,we’ll allbe pulling ourbelts alittletighter, but that doesn’tmeanmissing outona Christmas market getaway. These festivetrips promise afun shopping experience,without breaking the bank

Toulouse,France

When:Nov 25 to Dec 25

Thepinkcitydazzles in amul titude of multi-coloured lights at Christmas,whenthe city’s annual market is held in Capitole Square Thetownhallprovidesa backdrop fora Christmas village, with stallholdersselling localcrafts, regional foods, pottery, jewellery,candles, clothing andleather goods.Inbetweenshopping, skateona200sq metre icerink(£4 for45minutes, skatehireincluded),and warm up with aligot aveyronnais, acheese andpotatopuree with garlic

n Thefour-star Le GrandBalcon Hotel(grandbalconhotel.com) is close to thePlaceduCapitole, and offers agreat breakfastbuffetwith modern rooms.Doubles from £95 pernight with breakfast. Eurostar (eurostar.com) from London St Pancras to Toulouse Matabiau viaParis with one-waytickets availablefrom £72.

Salzburg,Austria

When:Various datesin Novem berand December

Multiple marketsare held in villages on theshores of Wolfgangsee, in Austria’sLakeDistrict. Eachis distinctive: in St Gilgen,the theme is Baroque-style art;inStWolfgang there’safocus on lanterns; whileStrobltakes greatpride in itsold-fashioned stalls with wooden

roof tiles. To make thetripareal Christmas cracker, head to Salz burg’s famous market,which is less than an hour’s busrideaway.

n Thefour-star HotelSeerose hascharmingviews acrossLake Fuschl.Inntravel(inntravel.co.uk) offers threenights’ half board from £585pp (two sharing) including flights andtransfers Stratford, UK

When:December 8to11

Harkingbacktoanhistorical eraofgrand banquets andelegant attire,Stratford’s award-winning Victorian-themedmarket provides visitors with an opportunitytofeel likeacharacter in aCharles Dick ensnovel. Deckedout in fine cos tumes, traderssellgiftsand season al produce, whileastage in Henley Streethosts aprogramme of festive performances.Anovel waytoexperience theevent is on acanal boat, travelling on asix-hour cruise from Drifters’ boathirebased

n The48ftTeddingtonnarrowboat (sleepsfour) is availablefor a four-day weekendbreak for£572. Fuel charge is basedonuse,approximately£15-£20 perday.Visit drifters.co.uk

Krakow,Poland

When:Nov 25 to Dec 26

Spreadacrossthe RynekGlowny centralsquare, Krakow’s Christ masmarket is the oldest in Poland

If you’venever tasted pierogi (a type of frieddumpling) before, this is theplace to do it –along with sweettreatssuchaspiernik gingerbreads. Claspamug of warming grzane (mulled wine)whilebrows ingfor handmade decorationsand toys, then take ahorse-drawn carriage ride around thecitytosee the Krakow Szopki,acollectionofmin iature nativity scenes

n TheMetropolitanBoutique Ho tel(hotelmetropolitan.pl)occupies arenovated 19th centurybuilding, perfectlyplaced betweenthe Old

Town Square andthe trendyKazimierz district.Doubles from £53 pernight with breakfast. WizzAir (wizzair.com) fliesfromLondonLu tontoKrakowfrom£26

Lisbon,Portugal

When:Nov 18 to Jan6

Portugal’s lively capitalisideal fora festiveshoppingbreak in milder temperatures.Wooden chalets aredottedaroundRossioSquare sellinggiftsand Portuguese seasonaltreats, includingsaltcod, ra banadas(similar to French toast), porcopreto (black pig) sandwiches,dried fruitand mulled wine.A Christmas train provides entertainment, although even bigger ridescan be foundat Wonderland Lisboa in ParqueEduardo VII.

n Find AvaniAvenida Liberdade (avanihotels.com/en/lisbon) on themainshoppingstreet. Doubles from £82per nightwithbreakfast Flights with easyjetfromGatwick startfromaround£66 oneway

Don’tforget

Whilelengthy queues in department stores can make Christmasshopping abore, traditional marketshavealways been averydifferent story.

Christmas market in Toulouse,south west France

ChristmasMarket at WolfgangseeinAustria

Horse-drawncarriageatthe Krakow market

Bergen is therainiestcity

Topcost-saving gadgets you canuse allround thehome

SAMWYLIE-HARRIS PressAssociation

To saywe’re alllooking forwaystosavemoney this winter is an understatement.

Thanks to soaringenergybills andrisingfood prices,we’re chang ingthe waywecookand heat our homes–and we’reeyeingupelectrical appliances likenever before “We’re allfeeling thepinch right now, butwe’ve gotlotsofideas to help customerssaveenergy, reduce food wasteand use thethingsthey buyfor longer,” says WendyMiran da,consumerexpertatLakeland.

Shesayscustomers areusing the informationfromtheir ‘Spend smart, live well’campaigntomake informed decisions–and buyingproductssuchasair fryers, Dry:Soon airers,and itemstoaid cookingwiththe microwave.

Elsewhere, Cira Jones, assistant brandmanager atRussell Hobbs, says:“We’vewitnessed ahugespike in demandacrossthe boardfor moreenergy-efficientappliances.”

Here’s what’s hotand selling fast:

1. Homcom Multifunctional Airfryer,£71.99 (9L),Groupon Airfryersare enjoyingamoment in thesun –big time.Thisbeauty boasts sevenprogrammablemenus, with presetsfor favourites, such as chips, chicken, shrimp andsteak (for days when you’re treatingyourself), baking anddehydrator. With apreheat function,it’ssaidtocook food 50%fasterthana conventional oven with asavingof36% on ener gy

2. Good To Go Multi-Cooker, currently£69.99from£79.99, RussellHobbs

It’s awin-win with this superver satile kitchenkit.There areeight functionstoinspire afusionof global recipes, with optionstosear, roast, sous vide,slow cook,steam, rice,boiland keep warm. Better still,wheneverything’s cooked to perfection,the cast aluminium

housingpot canbebrought straight to thetable

3. Lakeland Microwave Cook ware:SoupMug,£4.99 (690ml); LiddedSaucepan, £7.99 (900ml); Multi-Steamer, £12.99 (2.1L);restofitems from aselection, Lakeland

Whetheryou’reheating up amug of soup or steaming veggies, rice, chickenor fish,thismicrowave cookware rangeinracingred is brightand beautiful.

4. Enfinigy Glass Kettle

Black, £149,Zwilling

Thehumblekettlemay be one of thesmallestkitchen appliances, butit’sanenergyeater.Typically, an electric kettleconsumesbetween twotothree kilowatts (kw) –and thehigherthe kw,the biggerthe bill

Zwilling’s stylisheco glassdesign outputs1.5kw,features 10 programmesettings, alongwith sixtemperature levels.Including

handymarkers,soyou only boil the exactamountofwater you need andthe keep warm function means water staysat thesametempera ture for30minutes withoutneedingtore-boil

5. RussellHobbsCeramic BlackPortable UprightFan Heater,£29.99, RussellHobbs Cute andcompact,thisenergy-ef ficientceramic fanheater canbe carriedfromroomtoroom, so no need to heat thewhole house.Light weight, with built-inadjustable thermostat andtwo heat settings, it’s suitable forastandardsized room,upto15m².

6. Duux Threesixty2Smart FanHeaterWhite,£99.99, Duux

Availableinstylish winter white or pianoblack,thisThreesixtyis thesupercarofpersonalisedheating–showcasing powerand effi ciency.WithWiFi connectivity, smartapp compatibility,adjustable temperatureand ventilationset

tings, it’s said to have thecapacity to heat aroom30m²twice as fast as conventional heaters.

7. Dry:Soon Drying Pod, £99.99;Dry:SoonMini-3Tier Heated Airer, £129.99;rest of itemsfromaselection, Lakeland

Designed to hold up to 12 items on hangers, this prized pod flows hotair around your clothesand is citedascosting34p perhour. While the3-tierairer holdsupto15kgof washing, costs7panhourand can be neatly folded away,soitdoesn’t take up lots of space

8.Bedsure Electric Heated Throw Blanket(130x160cm), £54.99, Amazon

When it’s time to snuggledown onthe sofa,you can’tbeataheat ed throwblanket to stay warm and cosy.Withsix heat settings anda savvy auto offtimer,you won’tuse toomuchpower andcan keep the heatingoff

Whynot addan eye-catching rose hiptoyour winter displays

Trytoavoid deadheadingthe last of yourroses,because theirhipswillprovide youwith redand burntorangeshades through winter

Theeye-catchinglittlefruits areactuallythe seedpods of the flower andcan be used to add lustre to Christmas decorations, or even featureinsimplefestive wreathsfor yourfront door

Alot of roses grownfor their hips as well as their flowersare used as hedging, because many tend to be tall andwildintheir growth, whileramblersand climbers producegreat trusses of flowers, whichwill allbecome hips if left alon.Ifyou have re peat floweringroses,you can deadhead theearlier blooms, butleave thelater onestodevel op hips

Whichroses arebestfor hips?

“Rosesfromthe Rosa moyesii familyboast some of themost attractive hips,”suggests Philip Harkness,managingdirector of rosebreeder Harkness Roses.“They areorangetored in colour andshaped likeunupturned flagon.”

SarahSquire, chairof Squire’s Garden Centres, adds: “Inmygarden thebesthips arefound onsweet briarroses (Rosarubiginosa),which arein amixed native hedgeweplant ed with wildlife in mind.Our climbers ‘The Simple Life’ and the‘TheGenerousGardener’ also have agood display.”

IanLimmer,nursery manager at PeterBealesRoses, recommends‘Scharlachglut’(‘Scarlet Fire’),ahandsome,hardy shrub bearinganabundance of rich, scarlet-crimsonsingle flowers with pronouncedgolden stamens followed by largehipscar ried throughout most of winter

He also ratesRosahelenae, avigoroustree-climbing late floweringrambler,withcreamy white flowersfollowedbymass es of orange hips

DavidAustinRoses recommends‘FrancisELester’,afra grantrambler smotheredwith bunchesofsmall,blush white blooms,delicatelytinted with pale pink at theedges

Meanwhile, theegg shaped hips of thewilddog roseare a magnet forbirds andcan also be cooked,producing atart fla vour.

Lakeland Microwave Cookware

Dry:Soon Drying Pod, selectionofDry:Soon Heated Airers,Lakeland5kW CeramicBlack Portable UprightFan Heater,Russell Hobbs Rosa canina

CHILDREN IN NEED

BBC One, 7.00pm

Be SPOTACULAR. That’s the message from this year’s Children in Need.

What that actually means is open for interpretation. While some jolly wag may suggest it’s something to do with teenagers and their skin, more sensible folk might suggest it involves wearing something spotty,taking part in an on-the-spot challenge or even just feeling spotacular

Hopefully,nomatter what mood they’re in at the start of the event, by the end of the annual epic fundraising show,viewers will fall into the last category on thatlist because lots of money will be heading off to worthy causes and we’ll have enjoyedawonderful evening of entertainment.

Although the majority of us probably don’t think about the charity until it comes around every November,its dedicated staff work tirelessly 12 months of the year Last month, it announced an immediate £3million funding response to help tackle the impact of the cost of living crisis on children, young people and the groups supporting them.

“Wehave spent months listening to the sector, the children and young people we support and our grassroots charities and projects across the UK,and were alarmed by what we were hearing, so Iamproud to make this £3million commitment, but am very aware that so much more is needed, and we wish we could do more,” says Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of Children in Need.

“Having asafe, warm and secure home, enough food and opportunities to have fun and learn are all fundamental to ahappy childhood and healthy mental wellbeing and we need to be there for the children and young people across the UK that so urgentlyneed our support.”

Antrobus also claims that there’s ashortfall in funding, which means that this year’s show is perhaps more important than ever. Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc, Chris

Ramsey and Alex Scott are back on thepresenting team, and they’ll be joined by Jason Manford.

“I’m absolutely delighted to co-host this year’s Children in Need,” comments the comedian and singer.“Having watched the show for many years, I’m honoured to be following in such illustrious footsteps.

“This year’s Positive Relationships campaign is so important –weneed to ensure that children have the basic essentials, like ahot meal and awarm home, and the support they need to be the best theycan be. The projects that Children in Need support are vital in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

“Weknow it’s tough out there for everyone at the minute, but if you can, please help us to make sure that no child goes without.”

Among the highlights from this year’s programme, which includes the usual skits, sketches and clips revealing how the money is spent, are special editions of The Repair Shop and Blankety Blank.

In 2021, the total on the night was astaggering £39million, which eventually grew to £51million. Whether that can be matched or even bettered this time around remains to be seen, but theBeeb are hoping for something similar –and that really would be spotacular!

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live (S). 10.00 Expert Witness (S). 10.30 Dirty Rotten Scammers (S). 11.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.15 Bargain Hunt: CiN Special (S). 1.00 BBC News At One; Weather (S). 1.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 1.45 Doctors (S). 2.15 Money ForNothing (S). 3.00 Escape To The Country (R) (S). 3.45 The Repair Shop (S). 4.30 The Travelling Auctioneers (S). 5.15 Pointless (R) (S).

6.30 The Repair Shop (R) (S).

7.15 The Travelling Auctioneers (R) (S). 8.00 Sign Zone: Trawlermen: HuntingThe Catch (R) (S). 9.00 BBC News (S).

10.00 BBC News (S). 12.15

Politics UK (S). 1.00 Live

Snooker: UK Championship The opening quarter finals (S). 5.15 Flog It! (R) (S).

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S). 9.00 Lorraine (S). 10.00 This Morning (S). 12.30

Loose Women (S). 1.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.55 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 2.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal (S). 3.00 Riddiculous (S). 3.59 ITV Regional Weather (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (S). 5.00 The Chase (R) (S).

MY FERAL HEART (BBC2,

12.25am)

Steven Brandon (picured) delivers apowerful performance in this drama. He plays Luke, ayoung man with Down’s syndrome, who has been acting as acarer for his mother.Following her death, he is forced to move into aresidential home, where he struggles with the loss of both his mum and his independence. He does strike up afriendship with care worker Eve, but it’s when he discovers a mysterious girl in the countryside around the home that Luke really regains asense of purpose.

BLINDED BY THE LIGHT (BBC3,

9.00pm)

Adapted from Sarfraz Mansoor’s memoir,Blinded by the Light is an uplifting coming-of-age comedy Sixteen-year-old Javed’s (Viveik Kalra) dreams

of writing full-time must be extinguished to be a dutiful son to his mother Noor and father Malik. When Malik is unexpectedly made redundant, pressure intensifies on Javed to marry and settle down when what he really wants to do is “kiss a girl and get out of this dump”

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). 8.25 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.55 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 APlace In The Sun (R) (S). 4.00 Sun, Sea And Selling Houses (R) (S). 5.00

Four In ABed (R) (S). 5.30 Come Dine With Me (S).

6.00 The Simpsons Comic Book Guy takes Homer to court(S). 6.30 Hollyoaks (R) (S). 7.00 Channel 4News (S). 8.00 The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice With guests Stacey Solomon and Stephen Mangan. Last in the series (S). 9.00 Gogglebox Theamateur critics share their thoughts on the week’s telly (S). 10.00 The Last Leg New series. With guests Peter Crouch, AJ Odudu and Rose Ayling-Ellis (S). 11.05 The Big Narstie Show With Stephen Graham, Aisling Bea, Paul Mescal and Nella Rose (S). 11.55 Man Down (R) (S). 12.25 Man DownChristmas Special (R) (S). 12.55 Man Down (R) (S). 1.20 ManDown (R) (S). 1.50 MMA:ProfessionalFighters League Highlights (S). 2.45 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA (R) (S). 3.35Come Dine With Me (R) (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine (S). 12.45 Shoplifters & Scammers: At WarWith The Law (R) (S). 1.40 5News At Lunchtime (S). 1.45 Home And Away (R) (S). 2.15 FILM: A New England Christmas (John Stimpson 2021) Premiere. Comedy drama, starring Katie Leclerc (S). 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) (S). 5.00 5 News At 5 (S).

Sport

VDERBY

7.00 Live Snooker: UK Championship The concluding quarter finals (S).

6.00 The Early Rundown (R).

6.30 The Early Rundown (R). 7.00 Sky News Breakfast (R). 7.30 Sky News Breakfast (R). 8.00 Beth Rigby Interviews 8.30 Road Wars (R) (S). 9.00

Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 9.30 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 10.00 Supergirl (R) (S). 11.00 NCIS: LosAngeles (R) (S). 12.00 NCIS: LosAngeles (R) (S). 1.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 2.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 3.00 Extreme Animals: One Wild Day (R) (S). 4.00 Extreme Animals: One Wild Day (R) (S). 5.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 5.30 Futurama (R) (S).

6.00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 7.00 The Cabins (S). 8.00 Secret Crush (S). 9.00 Secret Crush (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S). 1.15 Catchphrase (S). 2.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 3.05 One Tree Hill (S). 4.00 HartOf Dixie (S). 5.00 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S).

6.00 Classic Coronation Street (S). 6.35 Classic Coronation Street (S). 7.00 Classic Emmerdale (S). 7.35 Classic Emmerdale (S). 8.05 Bless This House (S). 8.40 Bless This House (S). 9.10 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 10.20 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 11.30 Heartbeat (S). 12.35 Heartbeat (S). 1.40 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.50 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.25 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.55 Agatha Christie’s Marple (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).

9.00Kenny Rogers: All In ForThe Gambler A star-studded concert honouring thecountry music legend (S).

10.40 CountryMusic Awards 2022 Coverage of the 56th Annual Country Music Association Awards. 11.40 Kenny Rogers: Cards On The Table Documentary chronicling the country music singer’s career (S). 12.40 CountryMusic By Ken Burns (S). 1.30 CountryMusic By KenBurns (S). 2.20 Country Music By KenBurns (S). 3.15 Close

7.00 Young Rock Dwayne makes alife-changing decision. 7.30 Gods Of The Game Opera set in the world of football(R).

6.00 Futurama The team travels to aparallel universe (R) (S). 6.30 The Simpsons Homer is humiliated by awild bear (R). 8.00 Bob’s Burgers Tammy and Tina go head-tohead at school (S). 8.30 Bob’s Burgers (S). 9.00 FILM: Ted2 (2015) Comedy sequel, starring Mark Wahlberg (S).

9.00 Brazil 2002 Documentaryfollowing the Brazilian national team through the 2002 World Cup (R).

11.00 Rob&Romesh vs The Three Lions Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan meet the England men’s football team (R).

12.00 Fantasy Football League (R). 12.35 Jamie AndHarry’s World Cup Challenge: Got, Got, Need (R). 1.35 Resident Alien 2.35 The Russell Howard Hour (R). 3.25 Road Wars (R) (S). 4.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S) 5.00 Motorway Patrol (R) (S). 5.30 Motorway Patrol (R).

Radio

gets a shock while walking her aunt’s dog (S).

6.55 Escape To The Chateau Dick and Angel prepare for winter (S).

7.55 Grand Designs Creating ahome on the Isle of Wight (S).

Heartbeat Aface from the dead returns (S). 9.00 Astrid: Murder In Paris The ceiling collapses in an underground quarry during aparty.In French (S). 10.15 24 Hours In A&E Cameras focus on people who have faced challenges and transformed their lives (S). 11.15 24 Hours In A&E Cameras follow a 56-year-old who fell from aladder at work (S). 12.208 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 1.20 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 2.25 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.25 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.55 Close

STRICTLYCOME DANCING: BLACKPOOL

SPECIAL

BBC1, 7.45pm

It may usually be filmed at Elstree Studios, but there’s no doubt that Strictly Come Dancing’s spiritual home is in the Tower Ballroom at Blackpool.

The Blackpool episode has become aStrictly tradition –and an important milestone for thecontestants. The celebrities often say they want to make it to Halloween, then Blackpool, and then afterthat, they can truly start thinking about the glitterball trophy But in 2020 the annual jaunthad to be abandoned. Although that was sad, most viewers were just glad that the Strictly was on at all amid what seemed at the time like ever-changing guidelines around lockdowns. It was asimilar story in 2021,but now the good news is that this year Strictly will once again be beside the seaside.

The last time theymade the trip was in 2019, when Karim Zeroual and Kelvin Fletcher tied at the topofthe leader board with aCharleston and ajive respectively, while Michelle Visage left the competition after her Couples Choice to Vogue failed to win over the viewers. But who will be strutting their stuff on the famous sprung dancefloor this week? Well, that might be difficult to predict as we’ve seen some surprising bottom twos so far this series.

The first shock came in week three, when the hotly tipped Fleur East found herself in the dance-off against Richie Anderson, who just aweek before had scored an impressive 32 for his quickstep, seemingly marking him out as acontender

The following week, it was KymMarsh’s time to make an unexpected appearance in the bottom two, despite a very respectable samba, which is often acknowledged to be one of the most difficult dances.

Fleur and Kymwere both saved, as was Molly Rainford, whose Couples Choice to Grange Hill failed to impress the TV voters during an episode dedicated to

celebrating the BBC. That routine also got alukewarm reception from the judges, but her foxtrot earned her rave reviews and 35 points –and she still ended up in the bottom two again.

So, why has the leader board been turned around so many times this year? Some seasoned Strictly fans have questioned whetherthe show’s enthusiasm for agimmick has been working against the couples sambaing while dressed as Timon from the Lion King probably didn’t do Richie any favours.

However,there have still been plenty of incredible moments this series, whetherit’s Hamza Yassin, who was arguably one of the lower-profile signing this year,pulling off ajaw-dropping salsa, or Tony Adams performing a Full Monty-inspired samba that was memorable for very different reasons.

The remaining couples will hope to come up with more show-stopping routines tonight that will impress judges

Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke and, more importantly,the voting public.

Then tomorrow,Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman reveal who’s made it through and who has to perform again, while there’s also amusical interlude courtesy of Eurovision hero Sam Ryder

6.00 Breakfast (S). 10.00

Saturday Kitchen Live (S). 11.30 Strawbridge Over The Drawbridge (R) (S). 12.00 Bargain Hunt (R) (S). 12.30 BBC News; Weather (S). 12.45

Live Women’s Rugby League World Cup The final. Kick-off is at 1.15pm (S). 3.30 Live Men’s Rugby League World Cup The final. Kick-off is at 4pm (S).

6.40 Go Jetters (R) (S). 6.55 Go Jetters (R) (S). 7.05 Hey Duggee (R) (S). 7.15 Hey Duggee (R) (S). 7.25 Shaun The Sheep (R) (S). 7.30 Dennis &Gnasher

Unleashed! (R) (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 Nova Jones (R) (S). 9.30 Blue Peter (R) (S).

10.00 Deadly Pole To Pole (R) (S). 10.30 Britain’s Secret Seas (R) (S). 11.30 Mountain Vets (R) (S). 12.00 TopOfThe Shop

With TomKerridge (R) (S). 1.00

Live Snooker: UK Championship (S). 5.00 Flog It! (R) (S). 5.40 Nature’s Misfits: Natural World (R) (S).

6.00 CITV 9.25 ITV News (S). 9.30 James Martin’s Saturday Morning (S). 11.40 Ainsley’s World Cup Flavours (S). 12.45 James Martin’s Great British Adventure (R) (S). 1.15 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.30 ITV

Racing: Live From Haydock Park Coverage from Haydock Park and Ascot (S). 4.05 The Chase Celebrity Special (R) (S). 5.05 Celebrity Lingo (S).

Adele: The BBC Sessions BBC archive clips of the hugely successful singer (R) (S).

Apocalypse Now: Final Cut (1979) Vietnam Wardrama, starring Martin Sheen (S).

The People’s Piazza: A HistoryOfCovent Garden (R) (S). 3.20 This Is BBC Two (S).

ITV News; Weather (S).

ITV Regional News (S).

FILM: Shazam! (2019) Premiere. Comedy adventure, starring ZacharyLevi (S). 9.10 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Ant and Dec present the celebrity survival challenge (S). 10.10 The Jonathan Ross Show With Craig David, Katherine Ryan and Wet Leg (S). 11.15 ITV News; Weather (S). 11.30 English Football League Highlights Action from the latest fixtures (S). 12.30 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 4.15 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh (R) (S).

6.15 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 6.40 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 7.05 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.20 The Simpsons (R) (S). 8.50 The Simpsons (R) (S).

9.20 The Simpsons (R) (S). 9.50

The Simpsons (R) (S). 10.15

The Simpsons (R) (S). 10.45

Couples Come Dine With Me (R) (S). 11.50 Four In ABed (R) (S). 12.20 Four In ABed (R) (S).

12.50 Four In ABed (R) (S). 1.20

Four In ABed (R) (S). 1.50 Four In ABed (R) (S). 2.20 APlace In The Sun (S). 3.05 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces (R) (S). 4.10 Huge Homes With Hugh Dennis (R) (S). 5.10 Channel 4 News (S). 5.40 Grand Designs (R) (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 10.00 The Smurfs (R) (S). 10.10 SpongeBob SquarePants (S). 10.20 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 10.30 Friends (R) (S). 11.00 Friends (R) (S). 11.30 Friends (R) (S). 12.00 FILM: Christmas In Vienna (Maclain Nelson 2020)

Romantic drama, starring Sarah Drew (S). 1.50 FILM: 12 Pups Of Christmas (Michael Feifer 2019) Festive romance, starring Charlotte Sullivan and Donny Boaz (S). 3.40 FILM: Puppy Love For Christmas (Tori Garrett 2020) Romantic drama, starring Georgia Flood (S). 5.30 FILM: The Christmas ToyMaker (Jonathan Wright 2021) Festive drama. starring Marisol Nichols (S).

CITY V IPSWICH TOWN

6.00 Hope ForWildlife (R) (S).

7.00 Hope ForWildlife (R) (S).

8.00 Hope ForWildlife (R) (S). 9.00 The F1 Show (R). 10.00 Soccer AM With John Fendley and Jimmy Bullard. 11.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 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 Live WSL Everton vs Manchester City.Kickoff is at 3pm (R). 5.15 Live WSL Arsenal vs Manchester United. Kick-off is at 5.30pm (R).

6.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 6.20 Coronation Street Omnibus (S). 9.10 Secret Crush (S). 10.10 Dress To Impress (S). 11.10 Dress To Impress (S). 12.10 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 1.45 FILM: Johnny English (Peter Howitt 2003) Spy comedy, starring Rowan Atkinson (S). 3.30 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S). 5.00 FILM: Despicable Me 3 (Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin 2017) Animated sequel, with the voice of Steve Carell (S).

6.50 FILM: The Huntsman: Winter’s War (2016) Fantasy adventure, starring Chris Hemsworth (S).

6.00 Bless This House (S). 6.35

Agatha Christie’s Marple (S).

8.35 FILM: Dad’s Army (Oliver Parker 2016) Second World War comedy,starring Toby Jones (S). 10.35 Foyle’s War (S). 12.45 Foyle’s War (S). 2.55 Midsomer Murders (S). 4.55 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 APlace In The Sun (S). 9.55

APlace In The Sun (S). 10.55

APlace In The Sun (S). 11.55

Location, Location, Location (S). 1.00 Come Dine With Me (S). 1.30 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 3.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 3.40 Four In ABed (S). 4.10 Four In ABed (S). 4.40 Four In ABed (S). 5.15 Four In ABed (S). 5.50 Four In ABed (S).

9.10

7.15 Greatest Christmas Toys Of All Time The must-have toys dominated Britain’s giftlists for the last 50 years (R) (S).

7.00 Raiders Of The Lost Past With Janina Ramirez (S).

11.45 FILM: Man On Fire (2004) Action thriller, starring Denzel Washington (S).

9.10 Naughty

The storyofthe

thetwo

(S).

9.00 Señorita 89 New series. Drama exploring dark secrets at the Miss Mexico pageant (S). 9.45 Señorita 89 (S).

9.00 FILM: The Matrix (1999) Sci-fi action thriller,starring Keanu Reeves (R) (S).

9.00 FILM: The Heat (2013) Action comedy,starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy (S).

7.00 Midsomer Murders Murder strikes at a disused abbey that is believed to be cursed (S).

With Me The first of aweek of dinner parties in Co Durham (S). 6.55 Come Dine With Me (S).

7.25 Come Dine With Me Part-time farmer Stephen hosts the third night in Co Durham (S). 7.55 Come Dine With Me (S).

11.00 Ever Decreasing Circles Martin takes over the local Neighbourhood Watch (S). 11.35 The Young Ones (S).

11.30 Formula 1 The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying session (R).

11.20 Family Guy Bonnie and Lois visit Paris (S). 11.50 Family Guy Brian becomes abest-selling writer (S).

9.00 Midsomer Murders Barnaby and Winter investigate a mysterious club for geniuses (S).

9.00 24 Hours In A&E How individuals adapt and survive in the face of adversity (S).

12.30 From Fact To Fiction. 12.48 Shipping Forecast. 1.00 As BBC World Service. 5.20 Shipping Forecast. 5.30 News Briefing. 5.43 Bells On Sunday 5.45 Profile.

BBC RADIO 4EXTRA

6am AViewOfThe CityFromWestminsterBridge. 7.30 Great Lives. 8.00 Booked 8.30 Tickets Please

11.05 Jane Austen’s Sanditon Charlotte starts her new job as governess for the enigmatic Alexander Colbourne (S).

11.10 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown Sean Lock and Harriet Kemsley take on Jon Richardson and Chris McCausland (S).

FILM: The Equalizer (2014) Action thriller, starring Denzel Washington (S).

Tories: John Major &Edwina Currie

affair between

politicians

MOTD LIVE: FIFA WORLD CUP 2022

BBC One, 3.00pm

While there is usually an element of controversy before amajor football tournament, thenegativity surrounding this year’s World Cup has been off the scale.

Ever since December 2010, when it was announced that the 22nd staging of the quadrennial tournament was going to be held in Qatar,the Gulf state’s human-rights record, its limited football history,and the high financial costs have all been called into question.

But now the focus finally shifts to the football pitch, as the under fire hosts get the first-ever winter World Cup under way against Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor

The Qataris will be hoping to justify the controversial awarding of the staging by excelling both on and off the pitch.

As hosts, ‘The Maroon’ qualified automatically for the tournament, and fortunately for them, theyhave been drawn in what, on paper,looks like one of the most favourable pools, with the Netherlands and Senegal (who meet tomorrow) completing Group A.

The Qataris’ boss is 46-year-old Catalan Felix Sanchez, who has cemented himself as Qatar’s most successful ever coach with victory in the 2019 Asian Cup.

Unsurprisingly,there are no real household names in the Qatar squad with each member plying their trade in the domestic Qatar Stars League.

The players, however,have been in asix-month training camp together and will, in theory,bemore familiar with each other than other nations.

If Qatar are to have any success on home soil, much of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Almoez Ali.

The 26-year-old striker,a product of Aspire Academy, has already broken multiple records for the national side and is his country’s record goalscorer

While Qatar are playing in their first World Cup finals, Ecuador’s record is hardly one to fear

The South Americans haveonly progressed past the group stage on one occasion, when England knocked them out of the2006 tournament in Germany

While the 32 nations involved in the tournament will all be hoping to get off to agood start (England and Wales

play Iran and the USA respectively,tomorrow), there is also going to be some intense rivalry in the TV studios.

Gary Lineker and his BBCcolleagues are first up to the plateasthey introduce coverage of this opening match.

As usual, the Beeb and ITV havesplit the first roundin half,with the Corporation covering two of England’s group games.

ITV will cover the Three Lions’ last-16 game, should they progress, while the Beeb then have the pick of the quarter finals, and ITV the first-choice of the semis.

Then, when the final comesaround on December 18, it will be astraight battle –both on thepitch and in the studio.

Over 30 million people watched Gareth Southgate’s England get edged out by Italy in the Euro 2020 final, and around 80 percent of those were tuned into BBCOne rather than ITV So which of the broadcasters will triumph this time around?

With its host Mark Pougatch and big-name pundits Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Graeme Souness, ITV are sure to put on abold show

But Alan Shearer,Rio Ferdinand, Vincent Kompany,Didier Drogba and Jürgen Klinsmann are joining Lineker in the BBCstudio, so they will take some beating again in the traditional ‘battle of thebox’.

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.00 Sunday

With Laura Kuenssberg (S). 10.00 Politics England (S). 10.30 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 11.00 Children In Need 2022 Best Bits (S). 12.00 BBC News; Weather (S). 12.15 Songs Of Praise (S). 12.50 MOTD Live: Women’s Super League Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur.Kick-off is at 1pm (S). 3.00 MOTD Live: Fifa World Cup 2022 Qatar vs Ecuador.Kick-off is at 4pm (S).

6.05 Countryfile (R) (S). 7.00 Landward (S). 7.30 Beechgrove Gardens In Winter (S). 8.00 Weatherman Walking For Children In Need (S). 9.00 This Farming Life (R) (S). 10.00

Saturday Kitchen Best Bites (S). 11.30 MaryBerry’s Country House Secrets (R) (S). 12.30

Recipes That Made Me: Kashmir (R) (S). 1.00 Live Snooker: UK Championship The opening session of the final (S). 5.15 This Farming Life (S).

6.00 CITV 9.25 ITV News (S). 9.30 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh (S). 11.30 English Football League Highlights (R) (S). 12.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 12.45 FILM: Babe (Chris Noonan 1995) Family comedy,starring James Cromwell (S). 2.30 FILM: Despicable Me 2 (Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud 2013) Animated comedy sequel, with the voice of Steve Carell (S). 4.20 Love Your Garden (R) (S). 5.25 Westlife Live At Wembley Stadium (S).

6.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 6.45 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 7.00 Family Fortunes The Lloyds go up against the Cheek family (S). 8.00 The Larkins The Larkins do all they can to get Popout of prison (S). 9.00 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Ant and Dec present highlights from the past 24 hour (S). 10.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 10.50 Fifa World Cup 2022 Highlights Qatar vs Ecuador (S). 11.50 Against The Odds: Wales –The 64 Year Wait (R) (S).

SURGE

(BBC2, 10.00pm) Asocially awkward loner loosens the hinges on his fragile mental state and spirals out of control in the thriller Surge. Shot predominantly on whirling handheld cameras that are almost as erratic as the lead character,the feature debut of acclaimed short-film director Aneil Karia is an unnervingly claustrophobic character study that takes afew liberties with realism to tighten the screws on aman at breaking point. Ben Whishaw (pictured) delivers afearless performance that lurches between upsetting, pitiful and terrifying.

WAR OF THE WORLDS

(Channel 4, 10.55pm)

Adivorced father’s rare weekend with his two estranged children descends into horror when alien war machines rise from beneath Earth and begin to

In

(R) (S). 1.45 Sign Zone: Question Time (R) (S). 2.45 Sign Zone: Ambulance (R) (S). 3.45 This Is BBC Two (S).

12.45 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 MotorsportUK (R) (S). 3.50 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 Ainsley’s World Cup Flavours (R) (S).

systematically destroy everyhuman being in their path –leaving the man with thedangerous task of getting his kids to safety.Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi thriller,based on HG Wells’ novel, with TomCruise, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin, Miranda Otto and Tim Robbins.

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). 9.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 9.30 Sunday Brunch (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). 2.25 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.55 The Great British Bake Off (R) (S). 4.15 Channel 4News (S). 4.45

Formula 1Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Highlights (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 10.00

The Smurfs (R) (S). 10.15 SpongeBob SquarePants (S). 10.25 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 10.30 NFL End Zone (S). 11.00 Friends (R) (S). 11.30 Friends (R) (S). 12.00 Friends (R) (S). 12.30 FILM: ’Tis The Season To Be Merry (Gary Yates 2021) Premiere. Romantic comedy,starring Rachael Leigh Cook (S). 2.20 FILM: AKiss

Before Christmas (Jeff Beesley 2021) Premiere. Festive fantasy, starring Teri Hatcher and James Denton (S). 4.05 FILM: Christmas In Harmony (Rusty Cundieff 2021) Premiere. Romantic drama, starring Ashleigh Murray and Luke James (S).

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7.25 Come Dine With Me Property developer Christine plans a Spanish holiday-themed dinner (S).

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DAVID BADDIEL: JEWS DON’T COUNT

Channel 4, 9.00pm

Over the past fewyears, more people than ever have been fighting the good fight against homophobia, disablism,transphobia and,particularly,racism.

However,atatime when important andurgent discussions are finally taking place about representation and inclusion, David Baddiel feels that Jews appear to have been neglected from the conversation –and in particularbythose who consider themselves progressive.

In this one-off documentary,based on his influential 2021 book,the 58-year-old writer and comedian explores why,inhis opinion, antisemitism isn’t considered as unacceptable as other forms of discrimination.

Indeed, when we talk about antisemitism, many tend to think about Nazis or white supremacists claiming Jews as responsible for all the world’s evil.

But Baddiel, who describes himself as aJewish atheist, has identified alessobvious form of antisemitism, arguing that Jews are often ignored by exactly those people on the progressive left who loudly and proudly support other minority groups.

Using examplesfrom popularculture and theatre to football and politics,he asks why,atatime of extreme sensitivity about racism and discrimination, doesthere appear to be alack of inclusion towards Jews?

He talks candidly about the volume and frequency of anti-Semitic abuse he has personally experienced on social media and expresses the alienation he’s felt–as many Jews have –atthe lack of support from what he considers to be hisdefault political home.

He also has shocking, surprising, humorousand sometimes awkward conversations with awide range of voices –including prominent Jewish figures like David Schwimmer,Stephen Fry, Sarah Silverman, Jonathan Safran Foer,Neil Gaiman, Miriam Margolyes, Howard Jacobson and Rachel Riley

And in the end, he will ultimately ask whyidentity politics seems to have failed one particular identity and why Jews really should count.

He says: “I’m very excited to be given the chance to present my polemicabout Jews not counting –not counting in the identity politics conversation, not counting

as arealminority who experience real racism –onTV.

“My critique is aimed mainly at progressives,atthose people who care about minorities and racism –those people who consider themselves on the right side of history –and Ithink of alot of thosepeople as Channel 4 viewers.

“So let me thank Channel 4inadvance for giving me this opportunity to address, and maybe take apart abit, their ownaudience’s self-image.”

One man who knows how to make ahard-hitting documentary is Louis Theroux.

He is also oneofthe executive producersof this programme through hiscompany Mindhouse Productions, andadds:“Iamdelighted to be involved in bringing David Baddiel’s Jews Don’t Count to the screen.

“With so much more awareness around the world about the importance of diversity and the reality of all kindsof racial bias, it seems the perfect time to take athoughtful, challenging,and funny look at why Jewishness has sometimes been left out of the racial reckoning.

“This documentary is exactly what we need right now,a provocative and sparkling polemic that will start arguments and getpeople thinking about identity politics in adifferent way.”

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New and classicblues tracks 10.00 Trevor Nelson’s Magnificent 7. 10.30 Trevor Nelson’s Rhythm Nation. 12mdn’t OJ Borg. 3.00 Pick Of The Pops 4.00 Early Breakfast Show BBC RADIO 3 6.30am Breakfast. 9.00 Essential Classics 12noon Composer Of The Week: Doreen Carwithen. 1.00 Radio 3Lunchtime Concert. 2.00 Afternoon Concert. 4.30 NewGeneration Artists. 5.00 In Tune 7.00 In Tune Mixtape. 7.30 Radio3InConcert.The ViennaSymphonyOrchestra playsTchaikovsky and Shostakovich. 9.00 Ultimate Calm 10.00 Music Matters 10.45 The Essay: Odes To Essex. 11.00 Night Tracks. 12.30am Through TheNight BBC RADIO 4 6am Today. 9.00 Start The Week. 9.45 (LW) Daily Service 9.45 (FM) BookOfThe Week: Colditz: PrisonersOfThe Castle. 10.00 Woman’s Hour 11.00 The Untold 11.30 TheBottom Line. 12noon News. 12.01 (LW) ShippingForecast. 12.04 You And Yours. 12.57 Weather 1.00 The World At One. 1.45 Generation Gap. 2.00 The Archers. 2.15 Drama: TheLights. 3.00 BrainOfBritain. 3.30 TheFood Programme. 4.00 House, Bridge, Fountain, Gate Pitcher,Fruit-tree, Window 4.30 BadBlood:The Story Of Eugenics. 5.00 PM. 5.54 (LW) Shipping Forecast 5.57 Weather 6.00 Six O’Clock News 6.30 I’m Sorry IHaven’t AClue. 7.00 The Archers. 7.15 Front Row. 8.00 The NewAge Of Autarky? 8.30 Analysis. 9.00 A Fishy Phobia 9.30 Start The Week. 10.00 The World Tonight. 10.45 BookAtBedtime: Beautiful World, Where Are You. 11.00 The WitchFarm. 11.30 Today In Parliament. 12mdn’t News AndWeather 12.30 Book Of The Week: Colditz: Prisoners Of The Castle. 12.48 ShippingForecast. 1.00 As BBC World Service. 5.20 Shipping Forecast. 5.30 News Briefing 5.43 Prayer ForThe Day. 5.45 Farming Today 5.58 Tweet Of The Day BBC RADIO 4EXTRA 6am HighTable, Lower Orders. 6.30 Bulldog Drummond. 7.00 In And Out Of TheKitchen. 7.30 I’m SorryIHaven’t AClue. 8.00 Round The Horne. 8.30 Anything Legal. 9.00 Dilemma. 9.30 Double Income, No KidsYet 10.00 Phoebe Junior 11.00 TEDRadio Hour 11.50 InheritanceTracks. 12noon Round The Horne. 12.30 Anything Legal. 1.00 High Table, Lower Orders 1.30 Bulldog Drummond. 2.00 Feel Free. 2.15 Maya Angelou:Singin’ And Swingin’ AndGettin’ Merry LikeChristmas 2.30 Gareth Gwynn’s Little Book Of Welsh Rock. 3.00 Phoebe Junior 4.00 Dilemma 4.30 Double Income, No KidsYet 5.00 In And Out Of TheKitchen. 5.30 I’m Sorry IHaven’tA Clue. 6.00 Dan Dare: Prisoners Of Space –PartTwo. 6.30 A Good Read 7.00 RoundThe Horne. 7.30 Anything Legal. 8.00 High Table, Lower Orders. 8.30 Bulldog Drummond. 9.00 TED Radio Hour 9.50 Inheritance Tracks. 10.00 ComedyClub. 10.00 Comedy Club: I’m SorryIHaven’t AClue 10.30 Comedy Club: Twenty Players. 10.45 Comedy Club:Self Storage 10.55 Comedy Club: TheComedy Club Interview 11.00 ComedyClub:The Now Show 11.30 ComedyClub: Sorry AboutLastNight. 12mdn’t Dan Dare: Prisoners Of Space –PartTwo. 12.30 AGoodRead. 1.00 High Table, Lower Orders. 1.30 BulldogDrummond 2.00 Feel Free. 2.15 MayaAngelou: Singin’ And Swingin’ AndGettin’Merry Like Christmas. 2.30 Gareth Gwynn’sLittle Book Of Welsh Rock. 3.00 Phoebe Junior 4.00 Dilemma. 4.30 Double Income, No Kids Yet. 5.00 In And Out Of The Kitchen. 5.30 I’m SorryI Haven’tA Clue. BBC 5LIVE 6am 5LiveBreakfast. 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 11.00 WorldCup 2022 1pm World Cup 2022. 3.00 World Cup 2022. 4.00 World Cup 2022. 6.00 World Cup 2022. 7.00 WorldCup 2022. USA vs Wales. Kick-off is at 7pm 9.00 World Cup 2022. 10.00 6-0-6. 11.00 Colin Murray 1am Dotun Adebayo. 5.00 Wake Up To Money BBC 6MUSIC 7.30am LaurenLaverne. 10.30 MaryAnneHobbs. 1pm Craig Charles. 4.00 Steve Lamacq. 7.00 Marc Riley. 9.00 Gideon Coe. 12mdn’t In Their OwnWords: Marvin Gaye –What’sGoing On. 1.00 Trouble Man. 2.00 Insight–Marvin Gaye 3.00 Insight– Marvin Gaye. 4.00 The Marvin Gaye Playlist. 5.00 Chris Hawkins CLASSIC FM 6am More Music Breakfast. 9.00 Alexander Armstrong. 12noon Anne-MarieMinhall. 4.00 SamPittis.Sam presents old favourites andnew discoveries. 7.00 Smooth Classics 10.00 Smooth Classics 1am BillOverton. 4.00 Early Breakfast ABSOLUTE RADIO 6am Dave Berry 10.00 Leona Graham. 1pm Ben Burrell. 4.00 BushAnd Richie 7.00 DaniellePerry 10.00 Jay Lawrence. 1am DanNoble November21 USA VWALES ITV,6.05pm Mark Pougatch hosts coverage of the FIFAWorld Cup 2022 Group Bmatch at Ahmad bin AliStadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar MONDAY 47

MaryJosephine

Passed away peacefully, after ashort illness with her Family at her side, on November 6, 2022, aged 89 years, of Oakley Folly

DearWifeof thelate Danny, beloved Mum of Esther,Patsy and Fiona, Amuch loved Nana and Great-Nana.

Funeral Service 10.30am on Wednesday,November 23, 2022 at St Thomas & St Stephen’s R.C Church, Market Drayton followed by Interment in the Cemetery.

Family flowers only,but donations if so desired to be divided between St. Thomas &St. Stephen R.C Church and Lingen Davies for which purpose acollection plate will be provided in Church.

Asplash of pink to be worn in memoryofMary.

All inquiries please to

HEFFERNAN

ALUMINIUM BREEDING CAGE

SENIOR JOURNALISTS

The MidlandNewsAssociation, publisher of the Express &Starand Shropshire Star,islooking forsenior journaliststo join its team.

This is the ideal role forambitious, dedicatedand enthusiasticjournalists with aproventrack record of digging out the bestoff-diarynewsstories, features and analysis.

As amulti-media journalist, youmustbecomfortable producing contentfor all of our printand digital platforms –fromin-depth news features forour newspapers, to breaking news articles forour websites, as well as covering stories as theyhappen on liveblogs.

The ideal candidateswillbeable to come up with ideas and deliver compellingstories on aconsistent basis.

We arelooking forNCTJ-trained journalists, able to deliver accurate, entertaining copy to meetstrict deadlines. Afull, clean driving licence is required.

We will also consider NCTJ Diploma trained journalists who areworking towardstheirNQJ

This is abrilliantopportunity to joinour newsroom, covering adiverse, vibrantand busypatch Benefits include acompetitive salary, 25 days’annual holidayand the chance to develop your career at Britain’s largest independentregional news company.

If youare interestedinthis role, please send a copy of your CV and covering letter forthe attention of the editor-in-chief, MartinWright, to: hr@claverleygroup.co.uk

Closingdate Friday, November 25

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TheelectricSUV segment is continuing to hottenup, andnow there’sa newentry from Milan-based Aehra.

Thebrand wasonlylaunched earlierinthe year,but hasalready revealed theexterior design of its newSUV,which will be launched unnamed.Set to rivalthe newLotusEletre,the newmodel is based around aspecificEVplatform.

Thelarge SUVboastsagenerous three-metre wheelbase, andstands outwithits striking styling. There

areLamborghini-style scissordoors at both thefront andrearthatopen outwards andupwards,alow and aggressive frontend andalow roof line

There’sfancy LEDlighting at thefront andreartoemphasise the model’skey details.

Thehugewindscreenalso ex tendsway beyond thefront wheel arches,while invisibledoorhandles complement thesleek focus. Conventional door mirrors arealsoreplaced by smallcameras

Aehrasaysitwants to ‘defymod ernism mass-market automotive convention’, with itscabin said to ‘effortlesslyaccommodatefour NBA-size playersincompletecom fort’.

TheItalian firm hasbold figures in mind forperformance andrange, with ahuge120kWhbattery setto be offered, allowing foranelectric rangeofclose to 500miles.Three electric motors –two on therear axle andone on thefront –also produce up to 794bhp

FilippoPerini, Aehrachief design officer, said:“With theAehra SUV, we have shunned theconservative constraintsthathaveencumbered allother carmanufacturers in their approach to designingEVvehicles

Giulia andStelvio updatedfor 2023

Alfa Romeohas unveiled updatedversionsofits Giuliasaloonand Stelvio SUV, helpingbring the products in line with the newTonale.

TheGiuliaand Stelvio have been on sale since 2016 and2017respec tively andlastreceived significant changes in early2020. To ensurethe models canremaincom petitive next to newerpre mium rivals,they’ve re ceived an update –likely to be theirlastbeforethe twocarsare discontinued in thenext fewyears

Thefrontsget anew look,taking stylingcuesfromthe recently intro duced Tonale.These includeanew grillepattern alongwiththe same ‘3+3’headlights as theTonale, which themselves take theirinspiration from classicAlfaRomeomodels. Thelights have also been upgraded to more effi cientmatrixLEDs, moving away from thebi-xenonbulbs used previously Inside,the Giuliaand Stelvioget a fullydigital instrument panelfor the firsttime–a 12.3-inchTFT display that canbeconfiguredinthree dif ferent layouts, includinga ‘Heritage’ displayinspiredbythe brand’s classic models

Alfa Romeohasn’tmessed with

thecars’ dynamics,withthe only en gine change beingthe removalofthe entry-levelpetrolengineonthe Gi ulia. Both models areavailable with a276bhp2.0-litre petrolengine, al though theStelvio is also offeredwith a207bhp2.0-litre diesel unit

Thecurrent Sprint andVelocetrim levels will remain,withAlfaRomeo introducing aspecial Competizione launch editionas well.Based on theVeloce grade, thesecarscome in an exclusive mattMoonlightGreycolourwith redbrake callipers,while also adding privacyglass, adaptive suspensionand aHarmanKardonsound system

Theupdated Alfa RomeoGuliaand Stelviowill go on sale at thestart of next year,withpricesyet to be an nounced.

to date.Instead, we have takena highly courageous approach.And at Aehra, this mindsetdrivesnot just thedesignofour vehicles, butevery aspect,including engineering, the layoutofthe interior,the state-of the-artsustainable materialswe useand how we areredefining the entire customerjourney.”

TheAehra SUVwill be followed by asaloonmodel,which will be re vealed in February 2023

The firm hopes forbothvehicles to be on sale in 2025.

TEDWELFORD PressAssociation

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Show-stopper styling forLexus

BILLMcCARTHY

When it comestodramaticstyling,Lexus has fewpeers andthe ES300 embraces elegancewith state-of-the-arttechnol ogy.

Basedonthe firm’s Global Archi tecture-Kplatform, it haswhatthe Japanese firm describesas‘Provoc ativeElegance’

Thefourthgenerationself-charg inghybridsystemcouples a2.5-li tre four-cylinderpetrolenginewith acompact electric motortodeliver 215hp/160kWand combined cycle fuel economyofa claimed50.4to 53.2mpg. Thelatestrevisions for 2022 deliveranupgrade to themul timediasystem, interior changes andnew colours.

Cloud-based navigationisnow in cluded with themultimediasystem, together with improvedrecognition of voicecommandsand wireless smartphone integrationusing Ap pleCarPlay.Annoyinglyfor An droidusers you still need to plug into aUSB port

Theuprated navigationgives ac cess to real-timeroadand trafficin

formationand displays detailssuch as localfuelpricesand parking.

If cloudconnectionshouldbelost, an embeddednavigationprovided on higher grademodelscan be used.

Theupgradeddatacommunica tionsmodule(DCM)allowsthe ve hicletocommunicate with mobile networks andthe internet andto access theircar remotely usingthe LexusLinksmartphoneapp

This canlockorunlockthe doors, operatethe hazard lights andset theair conditioning beforemaking ajourney

Inside,the centre console has been revised, providingtwo cup holdersand USB-A andUSB-C portsfor playback anddevicecharg ingrespectively.

Theexterior is still abit of ashow stopper, with asculpted profile and signaturespindlegrille, whilethe F-Sportaddsthose sporty touches, withoutdetractingfromthe overall elegance of thecar.F-Sport styl ingincludessportsfront seatsem bossedwiththe F-Sportemblem andstrikingaluminium trim

Theinterior hasarealpremium feel,withhigh-quality, soft touch trim andalogical layout. Thepow ered heated seatsare multi-adjust able andall occupantsare shielded

from outsidenoise with state-ofthe-artnoise suppression materi als.

Theconsole itself features a somewhat fiddly track/padmouse whichcontrols themajor functions through thecentraleight-inch dis play screen

Despite thepremium pricetag, thelistofkit representsgood value andincludesDAB radio,front and rear parkingsensors andreversing camera,power-adjustable, heated frontseats, power-adjustable steer ingcolumn,sunroof, rear privacy glassand dual-zoneclimate control.

Thelistcontinues with thecom prehensive safety kittogaina Euro NCAP five-starratingwhich includes 10 airbags,tractionand

LEGO OF YOUR UNWANTED TOYS

stability controland,onthismodel, blindspot monitor,rearcrosstraffic alertand newdaytime cyclistand night-time pedestrian detection.

Spaceinthe long,but shallow boot is only slightly compromised by thebattery,but is adequate for thestyle of carat454 litres.

It is abrilliantmotorwaycruiser, quietbut with plenty of powerfor rapidacceleration where needed Thehybridcombo is just awhisper in thebackground.

Handling is also excellent, espe cially in Sportmodewhere it dis misses twisting roadsand bends with ease.Itfeels refined, with the advanced suspensionsoaking up bumpsand potholes,and occupants arecossetedincomfort.

FACTFILE

LEXUSES300HF-SPORT

Price: £47,095

Mechanical: 215bhp,2,487cc petrol engine/battery hybrid,driving front wheelswheels viaCVT gearbox

Maxspeed: 112mph

0-62mph: 8.9seconds

Combined mpg: 52.9

CO2emissions: 127g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

NewGrandland adds to GSerange

Vauxhall haswidened itsnew electr fied performanceGSe line-upwiththe introductionofthe newGrandland GSe.

Followingthe Astra GSe, theGrand land GSebringsa similartheme to th latest entryintoVauxhall’selectrified performancesub-brand

It uses a1.6-litre turbocharged pe rolengine, whichisthencombined with twoelectricmotorstobring 296bhpi total, alongsidefueleconomy of up to 217.3mpg andCO2 emissionsofb tween29and 31g/km,depending on specification

Vauxhall claims theGrandland GS will manage the0-60mph sprint in ju undersix secondsbeforehitting atop speed of 146mph.Vauxhallhas also given theGrandland GSeamoreper formance-orientatedsuspensionsetup, alongsideauniquesteering calibra tion

It gets firmer springsand dampers over thestandardcar,aswellasKoni FSD(FrequencySelective Damping) whichallowsthe driver to soften off or stiffenupthe ride dependingonthe drivingconditions.

JamesTaylor, managing director of Vauxhall,said: “Following thereveal of thenew AstraGSe andAstra Sports Tourer GSe, theGrandland GSePlugin Hybridisafantastic addition to ournew electrified performancesub brand, as we work towardsofferinga fullyelectricvehicle line-upby2028.

“Withsharper styling, improved handling andanelectrified power train deliveringresponsible perfor mance, thenew GrandlandGSe will offergreater drivingpleasurewhile maintainingthe versatilitythe Grand land is knownfor.”

TheGSe also benefits from arange of exterior tweaks.All models get19inch alloys whichtakeinspiration from Vauxhall’s MantaGSe concept, as well as areardiffuserand GSeem blem on theboot. There’sthe option to addacontrast blackbonnet, too, while inside you’ll find sportseats trimmed in Alcantara.

Vauxhall says that theGrandland GSewillgoonsale‘towardsthe start of 2023’with firstcustomerdeliveries settocommencein thespring.

Thenew VauxhallGrandland

Tunksand Thomas seetheir effortsrecognised

“Inshort, he is Mr Hodnet,and Ican thinkofnobetterway of recognisingthatthanby this award.”

MalpasSports take early lead in winter league

Thewinnersfor July andAugust were Dave TunksfromHodnetand Peplow CC,and

from Willey CC

Theawardswerelaunchedthis season to recognise thosewho go above andbeyond, week in week out, to make sure cricket canbe playedatclubs allaroundthe County

Lead officerSteve Reesesaid: “Weworkclosely with allthe clubs in Shropshire to continue to develop thegameatall levels.

“Because of that,wesee thehuge amount of work that individuals putinall year roundtomakesure theirclubs cansurvive andthrive in the21stcentury

“These people trulyare thelifeblood of cricket in Shropshire, and it is time we recognise thecontributionstheyplaytoensureplayers of allages andabilities canenjoy our wonderfulgame.”

“Davehas been part of Hodnet and Peplow Cricket Club forover35 years, andhis dadbeforehim

“Hehas been captainand treas urer formoreyears than we can count, andnever tiresinhis efforts forthe club

“Inthe past fewyears he has completedhis online umpires’ certificate,aswellastakingonthe Safeguarding Officerrolefor the

club, involvingattending numerous meetings andcourses,bothonline andinperson.

“Heoften takestimeout of his schedule to do variousjobsatthe ground to,whether itstidying changing rooms, or rolling pitches.Thissummer, he went to great personal effort,along with hiswife anddaughter, to organise catering forthe club’s Queen’sJubilee cele brations

Thenominationfor Thomas said:“Lindseyhas been an integral part of Willey CC forover 50 years. He hasservedasa captainand vice-captain,but hisbiggest contri bution hasbeenasour groundsman formuchofhis time at theclub.

“Hehas spentcountless hours preparingquality wicketsfor our Saturday andSundayteams and keepingthe square in topcondi tion

“Overthe last fewyears we have also been askedtohostanumber of Shropshire Youthgames which adds to theworkloadbut is never aproblem.

“The workLindsey puts in now andhas done over themanyyears is the reason that people enjoy playingatBarrowPark. Theclub is very grateful to Lindsey and the workheputsinasavolunteer.”

Both were presentedwithcertificates by

Shropshire chair Adrian

Davies shines bright as show proves asmash hit

MIKELOCKLEY sports@mnamedia.co.uk

Bright Star’s Freddie Davies provided the fireworksand left hisopponent seeing starsonthe Shifnal club’s sell-out boxing bonanza.

At Telford’sMercure Hotel, the 16-year-oldmiddledrilled Gabriel Nash with aone-two in thesecond that sent shockwaves throughthe Redditch boxer’s body

He valiantlyattempted to struggletohis feet,but slumpedbackto thecanvasasthe full counttolled.

Theclub’sbig menexperienced mixedfortunes

Tall 19-year-oldJacob Lloyd’s bout with IbrahimMuhammedwas warmingintoafreeswingingaffair before theFearless Boxing Academy heavyweightwheeled away,indicating an injury to hisleftankle

Muhammed protested over the firstround stoppage,but theanger wasunfounded.He’dbeengivenadequate time to recover by theref George Freeman, spurredonby anoisy army of supporters, was pickedoff by thefastcombinations of Wednesbury’s PaceyTimminson theway to clearpointsdefeat.

Freemanbravely pushed forward only to be caught by Timmins’ classy combinations.

Rangyfeather Ryan Lawrenceboxed neatly andemployed eye-catchinguppercuts to seeoff thechallenge of awkwardsouthpaw Harley Hornby (Pound 4Pound).

Hornby,hands low,had some

success with swinging shots, but 17-year-oldLawrence’slong, accu rate punchessaw himtoaunani mous decision

JaySondhi andBurslem’s Tom Tunnicliffeproducedone of the boutsofthe night. Both blazed back afterbeing caught andswapped leathernon-stopinathrilling last round.

Welter Sondhi,19, took thepoints decision

LightweightTom Elliottapplied educated pressure to outpoint Aman Nadim(Wednesbury). The 17-year-oldsealedvictory with a dominant finalround that sawhis opponent frequently pinned against theropes

ToughwelterOwenThornton unravelled in the finalsession of his

bout with Martin Ward (Burslem)–andthose twominutes cost himthe decision

It hadbeennip-and-tuckuntil Ward opened thethrottle, landing clumping,unansweredheadshots

Fifteen-year-oldlightweightIris Loveland andWednesbury’sThea Diggittwererewarded with ‘fightof thenight’trophiesafter theirspirited scrap.

Both letthe punchesgofrom firstbelltolast. In acontest that could’ve gone either way, Loveland took thesplit decision

IsaacNagra,14, fell to theheavy handsoftallRob Swalwell (Ander son).Nagra showed grit to rise from aknockdown in the first, but, with blood spilling from hisnose, wasalways up againstit.

Twomorestandingcountsinthe

thirdand the fightwas halted SchoolboyArchieHopton, 12, failed to find an answer to tall Wal sall Wood boxer Joseph Quirk’s slide-rulejab andlostonpoints.

IeaunShaughnessy,also12, shoneagainst FreddieDavis (Pleck). Shaughnessysteadily cranked-upthe pressure untilthe fighthad been drainedfromDavis andthe bout stoppedinthe third.

In acrackingencounter,Ashton Sankey,11, showed oldfashioned grit to blazebackfromasecond roundstandingcount andnarrowly outpoint George Steele (Warley)

JamesGoultyand Hatton Marshall (Mikey’s)started the evening’sactionwithanabsorbing skillsbout.

Reigning champions Malpas Sports have been quickest outofthe blocks in theDistrictInvitationWinter League

Just twoweeks into thefour singles/two doubles bowlscom petition at theWhitchurchclub, they arealready topofthe pile by apoint afterbeating WemUSC 8-2(118-92 on aggregate) with Gary Beff andWayne Rogers 21-7 winners.

Bridgewater also made it two wins from twowitha7-3 (102-96) winoverAdderley, butWoore are second followinga10-0(126-84) romp againstElephant& Castle that featured a21-4doubles success by ChrisWorthington &Jen Rogers.

ShropshireMix enjoyedan8-2 (113-100)victory over District B, Wayd Pawlowskiwinning 21-7, whileDistrictA were toostrong forArchibald Worthingtonina 7-3 (112-103)scoreline

Theyouthfulthe Mixsidewill be tested tonightbyMalpasSports with Adderley taking on AWCtomorrow,Bridgewater andDistrict AclashingonThursday andE&C andDistrictBmeetingonFriday.

Meanwhile, former leadersIfton Miners head into Wrexhamtonight to take on BradleyBinthe Bradley Winter League

WemUSC have climbedtosecond in theleaguewitha5-1 winover Bershamlastweek.

Bad behaviour andlackofrefs sparkdebate

Thelackofactive officials andbad behaviour by bowlerswerekey talk ingpointsatthe annual general meeting of the Shropshire Referees Society.

Nine of the10refereesthe county currentlyhas attended the meeting at Whitchurch club Bridge water –and just five yearsago the Societyboasted23paidupmem bers

“The main discussion was on the lack of referees in thecountyand how this canberectified,” said Phil Scott, Shropshire’s delegate to the BritishRefereesSociety.,

“Different ideastotry to boost numberswerebrought forwardby themembersand will be actioned in thecomingyear.

“Behaviour issues were also discussedand thenewsthatthe BritishCrown GreenBowling As sociation arehopefullygetting a disciplinary processinplacewas welcomed.”

Arise in theannualfee to £15 permember wasaccepted –£10 of whichgoestothe national body andChristine Sayersand Eddie Broadasked to go onto thejunior county list of referees from next year

Allofficers were re-elected en bloc –chairman, IsobelJones;vicechair, Mike Potter;secretary & treasurer,Louise Cotton;delegate to Shropshire association,Linda Potter;delegatetoBritishsociety, Phil Scott.

FreddieDaviesalongside

proboxer Ben FieldsFight of thenight winnersIrisLovelandand Thea Diggitt

Cricket Shropshirehas handed out twomoreVolunteer of theMonth awards afterour campaign to find theunsungheroesofclubcricket in thecountythissummer

LindseyThomas

Thenominationfor Tunkssaid:

Cricket

Collins

LindseyThomaswith Cricket Shropshire chairAdrianCollins

Hodnet&Peplow’s Dave Tunks receives hisaward from Collins

Bteamclaim bragging rights andstaytop

Broseley Bare stillsetting the pace in theracefor gloryinthe Bridgnorth SnookerLeague.

They hung on to topspot followinga hard fought 3-2inhousewin over theirAteam.

Theleagueleaders were be hind afterthree frames played butmanaged to save theday by taking the finaltwo

Nick Carsonhad given theB team theleadbyconvincingly beatingCameron Barden.Then Neil Caswelllevelledbybeating Owen Hughes.MattSmout put theA side 2-1upbyout-potting EddieMullard.MickBrezwyn andAndyCarsonhad the final words,putting Gary Watsonand Andy Garbetttothe swordto keep Broseley Bontop

ChelmarshBmaintainedthe status-quo by beatingAlveley B 3-2.

Gary Smith, as always,opened thecuing with hiscustomary win, knocking in a32-breakin theprocess

Smith’ssuccess wasfollowed by comfortablewinsfor Chris Lewisand Paul Manningto make it 3-0.

ButAlveley then took the final twoframesthrough Dave Jones andMartin Coffey Jnr, aidedby a29-break.

ChelmarshSc andMaddocks closedthe gaptothe leadersto threepointsfollowing 4-1suc cesses.

TheChelmarsh boys beat AlveleyC,withCarlWalkerand IanPostans virtuallyrendering theiropponents, ChrisJepson andBrian Arnold,asmerespec tators

ChrisPetford wasalsounchal lenged by RegBurton. However, the finalframe that took an hour to complete with TerryAskew getting thebetterofNorman Jones,who gave away 23 points in foul strokes.

Whilethe four Alveleyplayers alreadymentioned languished, SteveColdecott played excep tionally well to beat Beamer Jones to earn histeamtheir thirdpoint of theseason.

Maddocksbounced back to winningwaysbybeatingSt. John’sB4-1

Paul Harper,Dan Morris, TomMaxfieldand JamesBren nanwereonthe mark forMad dockswithMaxfieldknockingin breaks of 38 and22duringhis win.

Theresultcould have been a whitewashhad Pete Williams not have beaten Neil Pearsonon theblack in the finalframe

St.John’sAhaveatlastgot theirmo-jo back as they moved up into thetop half of thetable

Andtheir 4-1win over Wood fieldresultedintheir opponents slipping into thebottomhalf.

Twoexcellent wins from Mar tinLippitt andRob Powell,who respectively easedpastJason Morrisand PeterHyland, plus victoriesfromTim Steele and Josh Summerssaw them home Luis FerraroprovidedWoodfield with theirconsolation by beating KevinHawkins.

Confident Davies firedup andready forhis Euro test

LIAM KEEN liam.keen@mnamedia.co.uk

Liam Davies is fighting forhis family’s future andboxingglory as he takesanother step up in hispromising career.

Earlierthisyearthe 26-year-old securedthe Britishsuper-bantam weighttitle with awin over Marc Leachand at the firstopportunity he is stepping up to fightfor theEu ropean titleand theWBC International belt againstIonut Baluta

Telford fighterDavies, whotrains at Donnington Boxing Club,insists he is fighting forhis future in this latest headline bout on Saturday evening.

He said:“I’mnow having my hardest fightsback-to-back. There’s plenty of people that don’tthink Ican do it,and they thoughtthe same forthe last one,but that only motivatesmeand makesmewant to do it even more to prove people wrong.

“I’m mentally strong.Ihaveitall to gain andnothing to lose as Istep up again. I’mchallenging myself, whichyou have to do in life, you have to gofor it

“I’m confidentitwill payoff and peoplewill respectmeafterthis.

“The Britishtitle wasalways what we aimedfor.Isaidfromthe startthatanythingelse is abonus

“Thisiswhere you starttoget fi nanciallystablefromthe sportand that’s what I’mlooking to do.This fightisfor my future

“I getmarried next year,soI want to setupagoodlifefor me and my soon-to-be wife.IfIhavekidsin thefuture, that is what is motivat ingme, to secure somethinggood from boxing afterall my hard work anddedication.

“I’vebeeninvolvedinboxingfor

over 15 yearsand it wouldbenice to getsomething outofit. This is whereIcan setmyself up forlife.”

Thetitle fightistopping thebill of FrankWarren’sQueensberry Pro motion’s eventatthe TelfordInter national Centre,marking Davies’ second consecutive titleboutinhis home town

Davies,who hasanundefeated 12-0 record, isfacinga seasoned Romanian fighterinBaluta(15-3) whohas pedigree at this level

“I putmyself underpressurebe causethat’swhere Ibring thebest outofmyself. Idon’t fold,Irise to theoccasion,” Davies added:

“I’m thetypeof fighterthatneeds thebit betweenhis teeth andthis is themotivationI’m usingtomake sure I’m100 percent.

“Painistemporary butglory is forever.I’m putting in theextra time in thegym andI’m confident.

“Balutaisverygood. He’s ranked in thetop 10 in theworld andbeat aformerworld championinTJ Do heny.He’sbeeninthere with good fighters andhe’sbeenona goodroll. He’llbefull of confidencehimself, butthese arethe fights Ineed to push me on

“I couldhavepickedan easy de fencefor my Britishtitle butI’m here to step up andkeeptakingall thechallenges Ican

“Balutaismybestopponentyet forsure, butwhenIbeathim Ihope people remember andrespect how gooda fighterhe is

“Hethrowsalot of punchesand is verygame. He’s never been stopped,

so it lookslikeit’llbeatough 12-round fight, butI’m prepared for that.”

Returningto fightinhis home town,Daviesisdelightedtohave thebacking of hislocal fans,but also haslofty ambitionsofmaking anamefor himself across thepond.

Davies said: “I have to give abig thankyou to thelocal businesses gettingbehindmeand thegeneral publicinTelford,who areshowing me so much support. Ireallyappre ciate it

“It’smassive to be back in Tel ford again. In yearstocome I’ll look back on theseshowsand appreciate them

“Butright now, it’s not enough.I want to fightinAmerica andIwant these big fights.”

Collegegolfers earnaplace in theUK’stop five

EllesmereCollege Golf Academy hasbeenranked fifthinthe nation al standingsafteranother success fulyear.

Theacademy hasalsohad a string of team andindividualsuc cesses this year aftertheyreached the finalofthe IndependentSchools Golf Association (ISGA)National MatchPlay– andtheywerealso unbeaten in everyfriendly.

Theteamconsisted of Charlie Ashbrook,MarcusWildblood and Jonjo Ashbrookthe latter of whom pickedup several individual tour nament wins includingthe ISGT Schoolstournamentat Blackwell Golf Club andgaining amateur world rankingpointsfor wins at Carden Park andDundonald Links.

Thegolfacademy offers girlsand boys of allstandards from eightto 18 theopportunitytochoosefrom

arange of programmes designed to enhanceeachstage of theirgolfing journey.

RobAshbrook, PGAadvanced professional andheadcoach of the golf academy, said:“It hasbeenan otheramazing year forthe Acade my andour golfers.

“The academycontinues to go from strength to strength –offer ingmanyyoungstersthe opportunity to play anddevelop theirgolf ingskills.

“Toberanked fifthinthe ISGA rankings forGreat Britainisa tre mendousachievementand aclimb of 20 places on wherewewerejust twoyears ago.

“It’sbeenagreat season andcon gratulations go to allthose members of EllesmereCollege Golfing Academyfor theirachievements –weare noweagerly anticipating more success next year.”

Liam Davies will be gunning for European gloryonSaturdaywhenhetakes on Ionut BalutainTelford

EllesmereCollege golfers Charlie Ashbrook,MarcusWildblood andJonjo Ashbrook have enjoyedanother successfulyearonthe fairways

Masoud turnson thestyle to land aclassyvictory

Shabaz Masoud recorded thebest winofhis career with a12-round stoppage of Jack BatesoninSheffield.

Thesuper-bantamweight, who started outatWellingtonBox ingAcademy in Telford, putona stunningperformance toclaim the WBAintercontinentalbelt, writes Liam Keen.

Theboutalsoacted as an elim inatorfor theBritishtitle,which couldmeanMasoudwill soonface Telford’sLiamDavies, whoholds thetitle Masoud wastoo slickfor the17-0 unbeaten Batesonasheoutclassed the fighterfromLeedsina domi nant display, to take hisrecordto 11-0

Aftera tightopening tworounds, Masoud took controlinthe third. He workedbehindhis jabtoperfection andwalkedBateson on to several dangerouslefthooks

Masoud also landed numerous painfulbodyshots andsurvived ashortBateson revivalinround nine,beforeturning on thestyle in thelatterrounds.

He droppedBatesoninthe last roundwithaswift left uppercut, before dropping himagain shortly after, whichthe refereeruled as a slip.Masoudopenedup andBatesonwas unabletodefendhimself, whichforcedreferee HowardFoster into stopping theboutwitha minuteofthe fightremaining Masoud said:“Ihavebeenworkingyears forthis, therehavebeen struggle butthisisjustthe start.

“I believeI am world level,Jack isworld leveltoo,but this fightwas called at therighttime.

“There is moretocome from me andwhatever my teamsay is next, we will go for. ButI will beat thelot of them.”

Tabletennisfor free at sports village

RodLewis wasdelightedwith theresponse to thepracticetable tennis sessionhearrangedatthe Shrewsbury Sports Village, Sun dorneRoad, Shrewsbury Players of allages andabilities were invitedtoattendthisfree event, with sixtablesavailable and more on theway LeadingShropshireCountytabletennisofficials were in attend

ance to help ensure theeventran smoothly Lewiswas responsiblefor the settingupofthe biggest ‘bat and chat’clubinthe countryatthe Tu dorGrangeCentre,Solihull,which currentlyhas up to 40 regular players

He madehis TelfordLeaguedebutrecently forAlbrightonBrummies andenjoyed an unbeaten

performanceintheir 7-3win over Lilleshall A, with Purdip Shoker also flawless

Therewas amajor shockin Divi sion One, with reigning champions AlbrightonBandits hammered 10-0 by theAlbrightonAbbey trio of Ralph Humphries, Samuel Coxand WayneRichardsinone of thebig gestever upsets in thecompetition’s long history.

Dawley continue to seta relentless pace at thetop

It wasbusinessasusu al in theSalop Leisure League as Dawley Town chalkedupyet another victory.

ThePremier Division pacesetters extend theirperfect league record to nine gamesthanks to a7-1 triumph at lowly St Martins.

Kieran Buckleytooktop billing forDawley with ahat-trick while Thomas Messham, TomBradley, Jordan Jonesand Jeff Watkinsall netted once

Jake Crossgrabbedaconsolation effort forthe home side Fellow titlehopefulsChurch Stretton Town,Hodnetand Ludlow arestill in hotpursuit of theleaders aftertheyall tasted victory.

Town easedtoacomfortable 5-1 winathome to MadeleySportsto

remain twopointsbehindthe ta ble-toppers.

They also hadahat-trick hero in MatthewCole. JamesHilland DeanRichardsaddedtheir other goalswhileShaun Davies replied forSports.

Free-scoring Hodnet took their league goal tallyto56inninegames thanks to a7-1 success on theroad at Shrewsbury Up &Comers

CameronDourish bagged adou blefor Hodnet whileAdamHeath, Levi Hunter,Harry MacDonald, Jack Swinnertonand Liam Swin nerton allstruckonce. Thehosts repliedthrough Jordan Bailey

Thewin left third-placed Hodnet five points adrift of Dawley Josh Bull,RyanClarke, Sean Ev

ansand Sean Evansfound thenet to secure fourth-placedLudlow a 4-2win at home to Wrockwardine Wood

GobowenCelticwerethe day’s biggest winners.

They foundtheir shooting boots to putninewithout replypastbot tom-of-the-table SAHA FC LewisJones ledthe waywitha four-goalblitz during an impressive first-half display.

Ed Rogers helped himself to a couple of goalswithLukeDwyer, TristanLloyd andBen Carter completinga resounding winfor the home side

A first-half doublefromLuke Gain andastrikefromDaniel Jamessecured Broseley a3-1 success againstvisitingWem Town Ercall ColtsJuniorsEvolution edgedout Morda United by theodd goal in five

WellingtonAmateursDevelop

Ferringtonlands record-breaking fifthtitle triumph

NigelFerringtonisthe chess championofShrewsbury fora record-breaking fifthtimeaf tercomingout on topin atense four-way play-off,writes Peter Kitchen

Ferrington,who plays forthe countytown’sTelepostclub, defeated tournament surprise packageStephen Priestleyof Shrewsbury in hisplay-offtie, whilefellowcontendersMat thew Clark(Telepost) andDan Lockett(Shrewsbury)foughtout adrawin theother game

It makesFerringtoncomfort ably themostsuccessfulplayer in theevent’s relatively young history.

Thetournamentwas firstheld in 2010 andFerringtonpreviously wonitin2012, 2013,2015and 2016.FormerShrewsbury play er JamieHopkins is hisnearest challenger with threetitles.

It marked quiteaturnaround forFerrington, whoasthe secondhighest rated player in the county hadgone into thetournament as theclear favourite ButhelosttoclubmateClark in roundtwo,and hadtowin allhis remaininggames to make up the lost ground andreach theplayoff.

Clarkand Priestleywill both wonder what couldhavebeen aftertheydrewtheir finalround match, enabling both Ferringtonand Locketttocatch them on 4/5and forcethe play-off

Butitwas a fitting endtoa fiercely competitivetournament that hadaline-up of 20 players andwas excellentlymarshalled by tournament controller Paul Billington.

Priestleydid have theconso lation of beingnamed thecom petition’s under1700ECF cham pion, whileTelepostnewcomer Alex Brimswas namedunder 1400 championafterscoring an impressive 3.5/5for an overall shareof fifthplace

Meanwhile, NewportAare theearly pacesetters in ShropshireChess League division one with twowinsand adrawfrom theiropening threematches, although defending champions MaddocksAare just apoint adrift with a100 percentrecord. Thetwo will meet in Oakengates forajuicy-looking tie on Novem ber24.

Unbeaten Wellingtonwon 1-0at Shrewsbury JuniorsDevelopment to make it seven wins from eight games.

That victorysaw them move threepointsclear of second-placed AFCBridgnorth Development,who drew 1-1awaytoEllesmere Rang ersReserves.

GoalsfromSheikhRahman, ShaunTaylorand WestleyWeston sawErcallColts JuniorsRevolution Coltstoahardfought3-2 winat BrownClee.

Llanymynechalso triumphedon theroad, 3-1atErcallColts Juniors Rangers.

Mike Edwards, Liam Holyhead andMatthew Hudson hitthe netfor theWelsh outfit.

The firstcountytownder by of theseasonbetween rivals Shrewsbury Aand Telepost A finished allsquare. Shrews bury were given a1-0 headstart thanks to abottomboard de fault, butJohnBashall equalised forthe visitors andShrewsbury were gratefultohangonfor a pointastheywereoutgraded on everyremaining board.

Telepost Bhavesignedpromisingteenager Daniel HilditchLove from rivals NewportA Hilditch-Lovemadehis bow againsthis former side andimpressively drew with thecounty’s topplayerNickRutter. But it wasn’t enough to stop hisnew side falling to athird straight 4-1defeat.

ment opened up athree-point gap on theirnearest rivals in Division One.

Shropshire County table tennisofficials arepicturedwith session organiser RodLewis,right

NICK ELWELL nick.elwell@mnamedia.co.uk

BROWNOPTSTO BOOSTHIS PACK

LEWISCOX lewis.cox@mnamedia.co.uk

Ravens claimthe Shropshirespoils

TheMidland Premierbasement boys have addedDutch-Angolan winger OrlandoJoaototheir ranks andhopetoget anotherdealover thelineprior to Saturday’s trip to seventh-placed LichfieldCity.

Joao,28, has previously been at WolverhamptonSportingand counts WolverhamptonCasuals, LyeTownand Alvechurch among hisformerclubs.

He originally movedfromDutch outfitFortuna SittardtoNorth ampton as ajunior in 2012 andhas sinceplayedinSpain andGibraltar Brown, whosesidewerebeaten2-0 at Racing Club WarwicklastSatur day fora15thleaguedefeatonthe spin,hopes thearrivalscan provide amuch-needed boost.

“It’sjustsome freshnew faces because Ithink certainindividual have just looked at is as ‘I’m alright, there’snorealcompetition forplaces andwithinjuriesI’llbeplaying’,” said Brown, whosesidehostleague rivals Whitchurch Alport in theTJ VickerscountyCup semi finalon Tuesday.

“I need to change that mentality on some of them becausewecan’t have them goingintogames thinkinglikethat.”

Brownhopes to call on keyduo KeefeWilliamsand JamieHands, whomissedthe defeat atWarwick through illness andaprior engage ment

Thebosshad previously seen his side competewell, albeit come out on thewrong side,ofrecentscore lines–but he wasless than im pressedthistime.

“Itwas probably theworst perfor manceI’veseenfromussince I’ve been here,” he said.“ButI’m not go ingtouse thoseas an excuse,atthe endofthe daywepickedasidewe thoughtcould getsomething andit just wasn’t good enough. I’mhoping to (get areaction).”

Drayton, with one league winall season,are eightpointsfromsafety.Withtwo teams relegated this term,Brown sees amini-league de veloping with UttoxeterTown, WolverhamptonCasuals andWorcester City

Market DraytonRavens secured theirbestwin of theseasonand the Shropshirebragging rightsasthey sawoff high flying rivals Clee Hill.

TheRavenswerekeentoput a disappointingperformance and defeat againstBurntwood thepre viousweekbehindthemand they didjustthatontheir waytoa38-24 victoryagainst theirthird-placed opponents.

It wasthe homesidewho struck firstonSaturdaywithjust five min utes on theclock when asuccession of drives by theforwardsresulted in RyanWalters burrowingoverfor atry,which wasconverted by Alex Gammon

TheRavenscontinued to apply theearly pressure butCleeHill stood firm andthenreduced the deficitwithatry on 17 minutes courtesy of adriving maul

Thehosts were reduced to 14 men when flankerDewiGriffithswas sin binned forhands in theruckand Clee Hillcashedinjustbeforehalf-

time with asecondunconvertedtry to lead 10-7

Thehalf-time talk from Ravens coachGeorgeArmstrong wasabout stopping thedriving maul andreducing thepenalty count andto look to up thepaceofthe game

Anditwas theRavens who grabbedthe firstscore afterthe break.

Aseriesofrucks sawthe visitors’ defencesuckedand spaceopenup forAlexGammontothrow along pass to Luke Waltersonthe wing, whocrashedoverinthe corner

Clee Hillhit back andtheir pick andgo tacticsaroundthe ruck re sulted in them finallybreaching the homedefence foraconvertedtry whichput them 17-12up.

Butwith15players back on the field, Ravensstarted to take con trol.

Gammon brokethrough theClee Hill back line andfound Luke Walters, wholevelledthe scores with hissecondtry of theday

Thehosts continuedtopileonthe pressure andsurged in frontwhen Ulaisi Bogi scythedthrough thedefensivelinetoscore.Gammonadd ed theconversion.

Anotherscore soonfollowedwith Dovi Soqosoqo drivingoverfor a try, whichwas converted by Gammontomakeit31-17

Morepressuresaw Gammon kick apenalty to thecornerand from the ensuinglineout anotherpenalty is awardedwhich sawRavensdrive forthe line

That charge wasstopped illegallyand George Minshall reacted smartlywitha quicktap andgoto crashover. Gammon’s successful kick extended hisside’sleadto3817 with oneminuteonthe clock

The finalscore of theday went the wayofthe visitors as they grabbed aconverted trywhich securedalos ingbonus point.

Draytonhavea free weekendbefore returningtoactionatCleobury MortimeronNovember 26

Draytonput

Thetable-toppersmaintained theirperfect record thanks to a 4-1victory butDrayton cantake encouragementfromtheir performance,which sawthemdominate forperiods of thegameonly to be undone by some lapsesin concentration

Drayton’sconsolation goal came courtesy of captainJordan Cheavens, whoconverted across from SteveLloyd

ThedefeatleftDaryton sitting oneplaceoff thebottommof the standingswithjustone winto theirnamesofar

Saturday’s action sees Dray tontraveltofourth-placed Cannock

Drayton’ssecondteamalso tasted defeat as they went down 3-0athome to home to Bloxwich thirds

Andthere wasno joy forthe ladies side either.Theywere beaten 7-0atStaffordthirds

RichardBrown hopes acoupleoffresh faces will sparkachange in mentalityinhis ailing Market DraytonTown squad.

Action from Market Drayton Ravens’victory overShropshire rivals CleeHillPicture:Lou Davies Armstrong

DraytongoalscorerSteve Lloyd with captainJordanChevins