Shrewsbury Chronicle 17-Nov-2022

LIFESAVEDIN DRUGDRAMA

Shrewsbury’s mayor hastold of theterrifyingmoment ayoung femalereveller’sheartstoppedoutside anightclub afterasuspected spiking.

Councillor ElisabethRoberts wasoutwiththestreetpastorswhen thewomancollapsed.

Shewasbroughtbacktolifeby pastorswhousedadefibrillatorto restart herheart.She wouldhave beendeadiftheyhadnotbeenthere tosaveher,CouncillorRobertssaid

Itcameasleadersdiscussedrisingawarenessofcasesofviolence againstwomenandgirlsinthetown Areportshowedfemales have beentargetedinShrewsburytown centre includinginThe Quarry, withtrafficking,groominganddrug taking amongthe incidents.There areanumberoflivepoliceinvestigations. Councillor Roberts told a ShrewsburyTownCouncilmeeting ofhershockwhenshewitnessedthe plightoftheyoungwomanwhowas thoughttohavebeenspiked.

“Iwentoutwiththestreetpastorstwoweeksago,”shesaid.“There wasayoungfemalewhowasspiked Shecametothe outside of oneof thenightclubsand collapsedon

By Nick Humphreys

thepavement.Ifthestreetpastors hadn’tbeenthere,shewouldn’thave madeit.Theyhadtodefibher.”

Callsweremadeforabiggerand moreconsistentpolicepresencein thetownatacouncilmeetinglast week.DavidVasmerraisedconcerns Hesaidheattendedameetingthat police representatives were at recently.“Itwascleartherearealotof changesgoingonatthemoment.The officersallkeepmovingaround.It wouldbenicetohaveaperiodwhere therearenotsomanychanges.”

Superintendent StuBill,said: “Wecontinuetoworktirelesslyto help keep womenand girlsacross Shrewsburysafe.”

Thecouncil installedsecurity guardsfortheQuarryandtaximar shalstosupportthenighttimeecon omy afterreceiving SaferStreets fundingfromWestMercia’spolice andcrimecommissionerJohnCam pion.MrCampionsaid:“Oneofmy biggestfocuses is on tackling violenceagainstwomenandgirls.This needsamulti-faceted approach whichtacklestheissueattheroot.”

BiglessononGreat Fire

Activists at bank branch

Climateactivistsset up apre tendmorgueinsideabanktoprotest aboutthecompany’sinvestments

ExtinctionRebellion(XR)memberssetupamorgueinsideBarclays BankinCastleStreet,Shrewsbury, with‘corpses’drapedwithshrouds anddeathcertificateslistingcauses suchasstarvation

They accuse banksofputting profit before wellbeing. Barclays saysithasa“three-partstrategy”to turnitsambitiontomeetingclimate changetargetsintoaction.”

ABarclaysspokespersonsaid: “Wearedeterminedtoplayourpart in addressingthe challengeofcli matechange.”

Free trees from council

Peoplearebeingurgedtotakeup theofferoffreetreestoplantinthe comingseason

ShropshireCounciliscommitted toplanting345,000treesby2050, thoughitsaysitishopingtobring thetargetforward.

This year therewill be 21,000 freetreesavailabletoresidentsand landownersfortheplantingseason.

Shropshire Councilsecured fundingworth£500,000aspartofa jointprojectledbytheDepartment forFood,Environmentand Rural AffairsandtheTreeCouncil,called TreesOutsideWoodland

To findout more,email tree. scheme@shropshire.gov.uk

JohnWilsherand HugofromYear2atPrestfelde School

Celebrating ourpaper Criticismis withdrawn

Welcometothisveryspecialedi tionoftheShrewsburyChronicle.

OnNovember23,ournewspaper willreachanhistoricmilestone–the 250thanniversaryofitsfirstpubli cation

Beginning with George III,the Chroniclehasseenthereignof10 monarchs,andoverthecourseofits incrediblelifehasbornewitnessto someofthemostsignificantevents inhumanhistory.Notonlythat,ithas servedasavoiceinbringingnewsof themtothepeopleofShrewsbury, andhasdonesowithpride,passion anddignity.Inmytenureaseditor, Ihavebeenprivilegedtosee the Chronicle continue this tradition, andthisweekweareproudtoreflect onthepaper’sownstory.

As we have always been,the teamattheChronicleremaincommitted to reporting thenewsthat matterstoyou,andarehonouredto continuetoplayourpartinthefabricoftheregion.It’smypleasureto thankyou,ourreadersandadvertisers,foryoursupport,andtoshare thiscelebrationwithyou

HappybirthdayShrewsbury Chronicle– here’s to another250 years!

n Pages 14 –17

Food hubpredictsa toughtimeformany

Acharityvolunteerispredicting a‘tough’starttonextyearassurplus Christmasfood tailorsoff leaving familiesina‘verydifficult’situation

Tony Gaskin from Shrewsbury Food Hub, whichcollectssurplus foodfromsupermarketsanddistrib utesitinthecommunity,issuedthe warninglastweek.

ItcomesastheHubisseeinga significantincreaseindemandfor itsservices,aswellasareductionin foodavailability

Supermarketstaffareapparent lyseeinglessfoodleftoverinthe reduceditemssection,whichmeans thereislesstobepickedupbyFood Hubvolunteers.

“Thevolumeswearecollecting hasconsiderablyreduced,”Tony said,“when we talk to thestores aboutit,it’s‘whatwenoticeispeople aresnappingthingsupmuchmore’.”

Tonypredictsthattherewillbe asurplusoffoodatChristmastime–assupermarketsbuymonthsinadvanceandpeoplewillbuyless–but thismaytaperoffinthenewyear. Thismeansthestartof2023could beatoughoneforvulnerablepeople andfamilies.

ShrewsburyFoodHuboperates

throughtwo separate channels, bydistributingfoodtocommunity groupssuchas scouts,schools for breakfastclubs,ShrewsburyArkand by associatingwithvolunteer-run foodshares

Anyone canaccessthe food shares–operatingona‘payasyou feelbasis’–whichmeansthatyou don’thavetoproveyourincomeor showareferralformtoaccessthis

support.ButTonyhasheardreports that queuesare gettinglongerat foodshares,withpeoplearrivingbe foreitisevenduetoopen.

Hereiteratedthatpeoplearen’t doingthisbecausetheyarebored, butbecausetheyareinseriousfood poverty.

Shrewsbury Food Hubhas re portedlyseenanincreaseindemand throughouttheyear

Aleaderwithdrewamotion criticisingamajororganisationfor “standinginthe way” of a“vital” footpathbeingbuiltasitwasabout tobevotedon.

ShrewsburyTownCouncilwants tobuildapathfromTheDanaaround thewalloftheGradeIListedShrews buryCastletoimproveaccessibility forelderlypeople,wheelchairusers andpedestrianswithprams.

ThelandisownedbyShropshire HorticulturalSociety andcouncil lorslineduptocriticisetheorganis ersofthetown’sannualflowershow for“standingintheway”ofadecisionbeingmadewhentheymetto discusstheissueonMonday

Town councilleaderAlanMos ley’smotion criticised theSHS for “resolutely standing in theway of progress.”Duringthedebatehesaid thesituation“reallyisscandalous” andclaimedsocietymemberswere “stalwartsantagonistictoprogress”.

Town clerkHelen Ball told the meetingshehadreceivedaresponse from ShropshireHorticulturalSociety’sMichaelBurtoninwhichhe expressedempathy with thetown councilandsaidhewaskeentosee aresolution.Hecalledonthetown councilto“carefullyrephrase the motionorpostponeit”untilafterthe nextmeetingofthesociety.

Councillor Mosley agreed to withdrawhis motion,addingthat thecouncilshouldmakesureitre turnstotheissue.

Tribute acts festival is offfor next year

Afestivaloftributeactstogiantsof themusicworldwillnotbereturning toaShrewsburyparknextyeardueto financialchallengesfacingorganisers.

TheFakeFestivalinShrewsbury’s Quarryhasbeencancelledfor2023as organisersneedtoslashitsnumberof shows.

Oasis, DuranDuran andDepeche Modetributeactswereamongthoseto rocktheQuarryinAprilatthisyear’s festival

Butofficials at Shrewsbury Town Councilhaveconfirmeditwon’tbeback in2023.Itishopedorganiserswillbring thefestivalbackin2024

Mike Cox, outdoorrecreation and assetmanager,toldacouncilmeeting:

“TheFakeFestivalwon’tbeattending nextyearforfinancialreasons.

“They arehavingto reducetheir numberoftourshowsby50percent.” MrCoxadded:“Unfortunatelyweare missingoutin2023.Theyarehopingto makeareturnin2024.”

CouncillorPhilGillamaskedwheth er theauthorityshouldbecharging eventorganisersmoremoneytohold showsinthe29-acreriversidepark

MrCoxsaidtheauthority“doesn’t chargeasmuch”assomevenuesmight becauseinreturntheynegotiate fa vourableterms such as keeping the gatesopensorevellerscancomeand go–meaningaknock-onboostfortown centreshops,pubsandcafes

Report by Megan Howe

Volunteersin the Shrewsbury FoodHubdepotsortingthefood

EDITOR’SWELCOME

WithDaniel Morris

Encouragingfemalefans

ShrewsburyTownareeagerto encouragemorewomentoattend games–withtheclub’sinclusion committeelookingforsuggestions onhowtoimprovethematch-day experienceforfemalefans

VolunteerHelen Hall,who is thefemalesupporterrepresent ativeonthe‘Salop4All’committee,saidshewantstoimprovethe experienceofbeingaTownfanfor femalesupporters.

Followingrequestsfromfans, Helenhas workedwiththe club toprovideperiodproductsinthe

femaletoilets,alsoensuringthat hooksare inplaceonall toilet doorstoallowcoatsandbagstobe hung

Nowsheisworkingonmorefe male-specificideastoimprovethe matchdayexperiencebothhome andaway.

They includeestablishing a “buddying-up”scheme.

Fans interestedinspeaking with Helen,can meet herfrom 2pmto2.30pminthe Fanzone at Montgomery Waters Meadow aheadofhomegames

Delightaschurch access is improved

A1,000-year-old church in Shropshirehasundergoneamajorrefurbishment whichhas in creasedaccessibilityfor itsvisitors.

TheRev Andy AckroydofSt Lucia’sChurchinUpton Magna hassharedhisdelightatthein stallationofanewpath,whichwill increaseaccessibilityforvisitors todayandintothefuture.

FormallyknownastheChurch of St Lucy,itisone of only two churchesinthecountrytobededi catedtoStLucia–thepatronsaint oflightandeyesight.TeamRector MrAckroydsaid:“IknowthatIam

biasedasIamwearingtwohats, butitisjustsowonderfulthatmy sonJacobcanaccessUptonMag nachurchwitheasenow.Equally important is that allwheelchair usersandpushchairuserscanaccessourbeautifulchurchanytime theylike

“Our passion is that we are hereforeveryone,thatourbuildingcanbeusedbothforworship andbythe community,and this pathbeginstomakethatwonder fullymorepossible.

“Asachurch,wehaveallsorts of innovativeideas forfamilies andthosewhoarethemostvul

nerable,andthispathmakesthat ‘dream’tangible

“Italsomeansatthose most importantmomentsinlife,when webaptise,marryandtakefunerals,nooneisleftstrugglingtobe there.Docomeandseewhatadif ferenceithasmade.”

Thecompletionofworkiswell timed,asStLucia’swillbeopeningitsdoorsfortheLucy’sLambs eventonFriday,December2–a weekly group forunder 5s and theircarers.Nextyearthechurch will reopen itsPraiseand Pray group–amonthlyserviceforun der5s.

Teensforcedintocrime

YoungstersinShropshireare atincreasingriskofcriminalex ploitationfromotherstheirown age.

Theshockingrevelation that vulnerable teenagersare being forcedtocoercenewrecruitsto dealdrugsisemergingintownsin thecounty.

Safeguarding team Together Reducingand Ending Exploita tionwithinShropshire,orTrees, says theexploitation of children

outsidethefamilyhomeincludes “debts bondage” with threatsof violencebeing used as away to controlyoungpeoplewhomaybe lievetheyarereceivingfreedrugs oralcohol

Growingconcerninnorth Shropshire hasled to aspecial meetingset up forlater in the monthforfamiliesinthecommunity.ClareJervis,whomanagesthe Treesteam,saidcannabiswasan issuefor many youngpeople in

volvedincriminalexploitation

Concernsalsocontinuetobe raisedaroundincreasedviolence, anti-social behaviourand young peoplecarryingknives

“Wehavenotedanincreaseof ‘peer-on-peer’coercionwherewe believethatvulnerableyoungpeoplearebeingforcedtocoercenew recruits,aswellasissuesofyoung peoplemovingintotheterritory ofcoercingotheryoungpeopleto dealdrugs,”shesaid

Jacob Ackroydshareshisjoyatthe StLucia’s Churchupgrade

Match-day funatTown

Waterquality of riverslammed

Acouncilofficersaidsewage collectingatthebottomofariver isthemainreasonfor“lowquality oflifeunderwater”afteradamn ingreportsaidanglersare“catch ingmoresanitaryproductsthan fish”

Acouncilreportbrandedlev elsofrawsewageintheRiverSev ernas“embarrassing”and said thesituationissobadalongone stretchoftheriver,the“demoral ised”anglingcommunityhasbeen forcedtocancelashowpiecefish ingfestival.

Loudprotestshavebeenheld overthe“unacceptable”dumping of humanexcrement andsani tary wasteinthe RiverSevern in Shropshireand elsewherein thecountry –arow whichwas sparkedbyministersrejectinga HouseofLordsproposaltoputle galdutyonwaterfirmstoreduce untreatedsewagedischarges in Octoberlastyear. AShrewsbury TownCouncilfisheriesreportsaid theQuarryareawas“terrible”

CouncillorKevinPardyasked atacouncilmeeting:“Isitreally that bad?”MikeCox,the coun

cil’soutdoorrecreationandasset manager,said“it’s notwhatyou cansee,it’swhatyou can’tsee” that’s causingthe problems for fish,meaningtheycan’tspawn.He saidsewagecollectsonthebedof

theriver.Hesaid:“Itisaffecting thequalityoflifeunderthewater Fisharen’tspawning.Thereareall sortsofissues.

“ShropshireCouncil hasa teamlookingatthesituation.”

Toxicchemicallevel aboveUKtargets

Levelsoftoxicchemicalsinthe airwillbecloselymonitoredintwo towncentresafterareportfound theyexceednationaltargets.

AShropshireCouncil report foundhighlevelsofnitrogendi oxide,which is linked to heart diseaseand cancer amongother conditions, in Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth

Thereportalsosuggeststhe proposedShrewsburyNorthWest ReliefRoad–aprojectwhichhas drawnwidespreadcriticismover carbonemissionsaswellasother

issues –would actually improve airquality in some areasofthe townifitwentahead.Thecouncil hasairqualitymanagementare as(Aqmas)inCastleForegatein ShrewsburyandPoundStreetin Bridgnorth,which aredeclared forexceedingtheannualobjective levelfornitrogendioxide

Thereport,whichisawaiting Defraappraisal,said: “Air pollu tionisassociatedwithanumber ofadversehealthimpacts.Itisrec ognised as acontributingfactor intheonsetofheartdiseaseand

cancer.Additionally,airpollution particularlyaffectsthemostvul nerableinsociety:children, the elderly, andthose with existing heartandlungconditions.There isalsooftenastrongcorrelation withequalitiesissuesbecausear easwithpoorairqualityarealso oftenlessaffluentareas.

“Themortality burden of air pollutionwithintheUKisequiv alentto28,000to36,000deaths, withatotalestimatedhealthcare costtotheNHSandsocialcareof £157millionin2017.”

26 Brightwell,Reabrook, Shrewsbury, SY37TQ email: theshrewsburyreview@gmail.com

The RiverSeverninShrewsbury isinapoorstate says areport

Beingpositive andthankful

CROSSTALK

Iambynatureapessimist.That meansIfinditeasytoviewtheworld throughthe lens of cynicism, fear andcriticismofothers.Buteveryday Ihaveachoice–doIlookthrough thatlens,orthelensofhope,trust, thankfulnessandkindness?

ABibleverseIfindencouraging onthesethemesisEphesians4.32, whichstates,‘Bekindtoeachother, tender-hearted, forgivingone an other,justasGodthroughChristhas forgivenyou.’IfGodhimselfiskind andforgiving,howcanInotbethe sametowardsothers?SoIsetmy selfachallenge–howcanIbemore positivegenerallyandkindtowards otherstoday?

First Iremembered someone whofaithfullyandquietlyservesas thesecretaryofagroupIbelongto. SoIsentanemailofthanks.Then,in steadofworryingabout slippery pavementsandbadly-parkedcars,I chosetoenjoyautumncolours.And ratherthanfrettingaboutthestate ofourpublicservices,Ichosetobe thankfulforacareronherrounds, thebinmenworkinghardtoclear ourrefuse,andthefactthatwehave accesstoexpensivemedicines.Can youthinkofwaysyoucanbepositive andthankfultoday?

ONTHEWILDSIDE

By Ben Waddams

Weoftenthinkofwinterasthe timetowatchoutformigrantbirds such as fieldfares, redwings and waxwings.

That is perhapsnosurprise seeing as it is thosesmall,garden birdsthatwearemostlikelytospot throughthewindow.Howevertake anearlymorningwalkaway from ourtownsand,indeed,gardens,and youwillberewardedsoonerorlater withsomethingaltogetherlarger

IfNovemberissynonymouswith anygroupofbirds,itshouldproba blybethegeese.Theyaresurelythe mostimpressiveandvocalofourvis itorsandtheyareeasytospotones tuariesastheyminglewithresident speciestocreateanotablespectacle Theirfoodsinthose areasinclude seeds, grass, potatoes andsmall invertebrates. ButShropshire is of courseland-lockedandwe’refairly thinonestuaries!

Yetthose earlymorningwalks will be peppered,ifyou’relucky, both with gagglesand skeins.The beautifulVformationsofgeese as theyflybetweenfeedinggrounds–bethatinternationallyordaily–is oneofthemostglorioussightsinour Britishnaturalworld,occurringasit oftendoesoncrisp,still,sunlitmorn

ings.Butwhichspeciesmayyoube lookingat?Therearequiteafewto goat.TheWhite-frontedgoosevisits ourcoastsfromScotlandtosouthern England,havingsummeredinGreen landandSiberia.Thesetwoarepos sibletotellapart.Siberianbirdshave pinkbills,Greenlandbirds’billsare orange.The ‘white-fronted’refers totheforeheadandbaseofthebill. About15,000cometotheUK. Barnaclegeesearesmallerwith

acreamyface,shortbillandblack neckandwinterinScotland,Ireland andnorthernEnglandafterbreeding inGreenlandandSvalbard.There’s asmallresidentbreedinggroupof 1,000pairswhilstthewinterpopu lationexceeds90,000

Greylaggeese areour largest andmostcommonresidentspecies andhavegreyplumageandanor angebill;140,000residentbirdsare bolsteredby90,000winterarrivals

fromIceland.Beangeesecanbeseen butarefewandfarbetween

Your best chance is probably with theCanada(not‘Canadian’!) goose.IthasbecometheUK’smost familiar gooseofparklakes and thereare approximately65,000 in theUK.Whicheverspeciesisyour favourite,nowisagreattimetosee them

n Ben’sartworkcanbeseenin Callaghan’sGallery,Shrewsbury

Canadageese have become theUK’s mostfamiliar geese of parklakes

With Andrew Pattison

event

AcouncilbosssaidtheKrazyRaces eventwon’tbeheldnextyearbecause organiserswantedthe authorityto helpfundit

SarahBelcherEvents,theteambe hindthesoapboxderby,recentlysaidit hadpulledtheplugontheShrewsbury eventnextyeardueto“lackofsupport” fromstakeholders.

ButShrewsbury Town Council’s Mike Coxsaidhehad nevergiven councilmoneytoeventorganisersand doesn’tplantointhefutureasitwould “setaprecedent”forotherevents.Mr Cox,theauthority’soutdoorrecreation andassetmanager,toldacouncilmeet ing:“Ifwestartputtingfundinginto thiseventitmaysetaprecedentfor otherevents.Itisacharityeventthatis putontoraisemoneyforcharity.Idon’t thinkweshouldbepayingmoneyto theindividualtothengiveouttolocal charities.”

KrazyRaces waslaunchedin Shrewsburyin2019andreturnedthis yearinMayfollowingabreakduetothe Covidpandemicandlockdownrules

SarahBelcher Eventshavetaken

By Nick Humphreys

theeventtoothertownsandhadsuc cess,butannouncedlastmonththatit willnotbebackinShrewsbury“forthe foreseeable”

An eventspokesmansaid: “We wouldliketotakethisopportunityto thank ouramazingsponsors, teams and spectators whohavesupported ourevent.Weareguttedthatwewon’t bereturning.”

ThefirstKrazyRaceseventwasin theQuarryin2019, under thename ‘ShrewsburyWackyRaces’raisingover £20,000forlocalcharities.

Itwentontowina‘bestnewevent intheUK’award.

ThenationalsuccessoftheShrop shireeventencouragedtownandcity councilsaswellasbusinessimprove mentdistrictsfromalloverthecountry toinviteKrazyRacestotheirareafor theirownversionsoftheevent.

Organiserssaidnearly50,000peo pleattendedKrazy Races events in Shrewsbury, Northwichand Wolver hamptonthisyear.

Rate of unemployment in region remainssame

Therateofunemployment in the region wasunchanged in thethree monthstoSeptember

Therewere139,000outofwork–4.7percentoftheworkingagepopula tion, Britain’srateofunemployment edgedhigherinthethreemonthsasthe countryheadsforwhatisfearedwillbe thelongestrecessioninacentury,offi cialfigureshaveshown.

Therateofunemploymentstoodat 3.6percent,upfrom3.5percentinthe threemonthstoAugust,theOfficefor NationalStatisticssaid

AcrosstheWestMidlandsthenum bersclaimingunemploymentbenefits, includingUniversalCredit,weredown lastmonth.Thetotalof175,005was down2,400onSeptember–arateof 4.8percent.InShropshiretheclaimant

InPowysthenumberofclaimants

Mosteconomistshadexpectedthe nationalunemploymentratetoremain unchanged. It came as morepeople droppedoutoftheworkforce,witha hikeintheproportionofpeopleneither lookingforworknorworking

Over half amillion workingdays werelosttostrikesinAugustandSep tember–thehighesttwo-monthtotal inmorethanadecade.

Therewasanotherfallinthenum berofvacancies,down46,000quarter onquarterto1.2million,asincreasing numbersofemployers“hold back on recruitment”amidmountingeconomic gloom,accordingtotheONS.

Krazy Races willnot be back in Shrewsbury ‘for theforeseeable’

Concernsover whathappensnext forUkrainianrefugees asstaysend

Fearshavebeenraisedover Ukrainianrefugees finding alter nativeplacestoliveinShropshire, assomesix-monthstayscometoan end

It hasemerged that several Ukrainians have become homeless sincearrivinginthecounty.

Volunteersandsponsorsaround thecountyhavesharedtheircon cernsabout refugees having no wheretogoasthesix-monthhost ingperiodcomestoanendforsome households.

LuckilyforrefugeeHannaZaryt ska,herhostJuliaFarrant,ofMarket Drayton,hassaidHannacanstayon foranother12months

Butforsomerefugeesthismay notbepossible.

JuliaFarrantisontheBritishRed CrosscommitteeforShropshire–a societywhichhaswelcomedUkrain ianrefugeestothecountryandsent supportabroadthroughtheUkraine CrisisAppeal

By Megan Howe

Sheraisedconcernsaroundref ugeeshavingtoprovetheirearnings toapotentiallandlord,which,with low-incomejobs,canprovedifficult.

“Thereare problems because there’salackofsocialhousingand therentalmarketaswellisverydif ficultbecausealotofpeopledon’t havethedepositsandtheyaregoing togointoprivaterentedaccommo dation–andthat’sarealissue.”

Juliapointedoutthatinmoreru ralareasofShropshire,suitableac commodationmaynotbeavailable, andrefugeescouldbereluctantto movewhenchildrenhavesettledin tolocalschools.“Quitealotofthem (refugees) have been placed into nicehomesandtheniftheyarego ingtogointosocialhousing,it’sabig shock,”Juliaadded.

Hannaadded:“Me andmyson Romanlove Shropshire.Wenever

ceasetobeamazedatthekindness ofthepeoplearoundus.

“Unfortunately,Idon’tknowyet whatwillhappennextandwhether we will continue to live in Shrop shire, sincethe wartaughtmany Ukrainians,includingmyself,notto plananythinginadvance,buttolive andenjoytoday.”

New figures from theDepart mentforLevellingUp,Housingand Communitiesshow24refugeeshad beenmadehomelessorputatrisk ofhomelessnessinthecountyasof September23

Thishasincreasedfrom20four weeksprior,while nationally the numberofrefugeehouseholdswith homelessnessdutiessurged22per centoverthesameperiod

In Shropshire,abreakdown of thehosting arrangement wasthe mainreasonforhomelessnessin18 cases–andonebecausetheiraccom modationwasunsuitable.

Itposesaquestion–whatisthe

LOOKING FORA CAR?

MariyaTsymbalmovedtoMar ketDraytonfromthecityofCher nivtsiinJuneofthisyear,fleeingthe conflictwithhertwoyoungchildren. Shewastakeninbyhersponsorand hasbeenaccessingservicesatMar ketDrayton’srefugeesupporthubat TheZone,whichisrunbyIanaJacob son.

Mariyasaidthereareissuesfor Ukrainerefugeestryingtofindal ternativeplacestolive,sayingthat lackoffinancialindependenceisa barriersomearefacing.

“TheUkrainians have some difficulty finding accommodation here;Iwaslookingintotheissueof rentingandranintodifficultiesand Irealisedthat,mainly,thisisdueto thelackoffinancialindependence,” Mariyasaid

“TheUkrainians whohavearrivednowlefttheircountrybecause

“Therefore,mostofthemdonot havesavings.

“Thismakesitdifficulttopaya depositforrent,forexample.Inad dition,atfirstthereisnolongwork experienceandnocredithistoryin theUK.

“Frommyexperience, Iunder standthatwhenevaluatingacan didate forrental housing,the reli abilityofhis financialcondition is assessed

“Today,accordingtothe law, Ukrainianshavetherighttolivefor sixmonthsinahostfamily,perhaps thisperiodistooshorttoestablish oneself as areliableindependent payer. ”

MariyawentontosaythatMar ketDraytonisacosytownwhichhas everythingafamilycouldwant,but opportunitiesforworkwereinshort supply

IanaJacobson withUkrainianrefugeesandsupportersat the hub

Ukrainian refugeeHanna Zarytska has beenstaying withJuliaFarrant

long-termsolutionforUkrainerefu geeswhohavesettledinShropshire, andwherecantheygo?

ofthewarinsearchofasafeplace toliveforthemselvesandtheirchil dren

Agold hold for council Fundraising challenge

ShropshireCouncilhasheldon toitsstatusasagoldstandardemployerundertheArmedForcesCovenantscheme.

ThecouncilsaysitistheonlyorganisationintheWestMidlandsto havetheawardrenewedthisyear, andisone of only 36 Gold Award re-validationsmadenationally TheArmedForcesCovenantsees organisationspledgetosupporting themilitaryand veterancommu nitiesandtheirfamilies.Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards areawarded to those that employ andsupportthosewhoserve,veter ansandtheirfamilies.

Councillor IanNellins, ShropshireCouncil’s deputy leader and ArmedForcesCovenantchampion, said:“AsoneofShropshire’slargest employers,wehaveadutytosup port regularand reserveunits as wellastheveteranswhoaretrying tofindtheirwayincivilianlife.

“ShropshirehasalargeArmed Forces community, includingservingmembers-regularsandreserves –veteransandtheirfamilies.TherevalidationoftheGoldAwardisthor oughlydeservedandtestamenttoall ofthefantasticworkbeingdone.We willcontinuetoworkhardtoensure thatweleadthewayandinspireotherstosupportthosewhohaveselflesslyservedourcountry.”

Ex-Shrewsplayerina move tonewschool

AformerShrewsburyTownfootballerwhobecameateacherhasannouncedhistransfertoanewclub sorry,school.

Sam Aiston,currently head teacherofBroseleyCofEPrimary School,willbecometheheadatthe newBowbrookPrimary School in Shrewsbury

Midfielder Aiston scored seven goalsinhis167appearancesforSalopbetween2000and2005before hiscareeronthepitchendedin2011 Hisgaffers at The3-18Education Trustproudlyannouncedthenews lastFriday

AsheadteacherofBroseleyCof EPrimarySchoolhereceivedpraise forcreatingaschoolthatlovesread ingandispassionateaboutgrowing globalcitizens.

Bowbrook PrimarySchoolwill open in September 2023.Building workforthenewschoolhasalready commencedonsiteatSquinterPip Way,Shrewsbury

Duringarigorousselectionprocessinvolvingtrustees,truststaff, governorsand pupils Mr Aiston

Onacceptingtherole,hesaid:“I

Shropshire’schildren’shospiceis pullingoutallthestopsthisweekend totrytoraise£500,000in36hours–topayforawholeyearofend-of-life careforseriouslyilllocalchildren.

Everydonation made to Hope House’s ‘Final MomentsMatter’ campaign between10amonSun dayand 10pm on Monday will be match-fundedfromahuge£250,000 potofcashalreadypledgedbythe charity’skeysupporters.

Thecharity’sheadoffundraising, AlisonMarsh,said:“Soifyougoonlineduringthecampaignanddonate £10,thiswillbematchedandworth £20.Butwedoneedyourdonations tounlockthepotofmatch-funding sowecanhelpeverychildandfamily whoneedusduring2023.”

Thecharity setitselfthe same hugechallengelastNovember,and raisedaphenomenal£590,000

Themoneymeantthateverylocalfamilywhosechilddiedorneed edend-of-lifecarethisyearhasbeen abletobecaredforbythehospices andtheir teamsofexpertnurses, carers,specialistsandcounsellors.

Anyonewho wantstosupport theFinalMomentsMattercampaign –eitherbymakingadonation,set tingupafundraisingteamorjoin ingtheonline‘BigNightIn’YouTube eventonSundayevening–cangoto hopehouse.org.uk/fmm

Report by David Tooley

SamAiston willbecome thehead atBowbrookPrimary School

Town TikToks rightboxes Students fall behindpeers

ATikTokcreatorfromJapantook adaytriptoShrewsburytoenjoyall thatthetownhastooffer,andfound himselftuckinginto“thebestpizza intheUK”

Daichi Ishizawa hadpreviously visitedtheUKtomeethisgirlfriend’s parents,butinJulyofthisyearthe businessmancameback

Oneday,Daichicaughtatrainto Shrewsburytohavealookaround, explore,andtrysomepizza,sharing hisjourneyunderhisTikTokuser name@imdedede

“IloveTheQuarryPark,it’sso beautifuland it seemed quietand calm,”hesaid. “I also thoughtthe townlookedoldandhistoricalandI likedthatalot.Itwasreallynice.

“Isawarestaurantinthetown calledDough&Oil,andIwascurious becauseitlookedgoodfromtheout side.ItwasthebestpizzaI’vehadin theUK–andI’vetriedalotofpizzas!”

1800schapelcould be turned into anursery

Partofachapeldatingbackto the1800scouldbedemolishedafter plansweresubmittedtoturnitinto achildren’snursery

Zion’sHillPresbyterianChurch inBaschurchRoad,BomereHeath, near Shrewsbury,could be turned intoanurserycateringfor16chil drenbetweentheagesoftwoand four

Thebuildingdatesbackto1827, butisnolongerusedas aplace of worship. Theapplicant,Louise Batham,wants to demolisha flatroofed extension that wasadded inthe1970s,andreplaceitwitha “sympathetic”two-storeyextension toprovideadditionalfacilities.The nave,vestryandvestibuleswouldall remain

Bomere HeathParishCouncil hasobjectedtotheplansoverroad safetyconcerns

Aspokesmansaid:“Theparish councilregretfully objectstothis application,althoughwedosupport thebuildingbeingusedforabusiness

“However,asa parish council wefeelthebusinessusespecifiedin theapplicationisinappropriate,becauseofthehighwaysimplications

itwillhavetotheShrewsburyRoad junction.Thedesignandaccessdocumentstatesfivecarparkingspac es,thiswouldallowparkingforthe staff,howeverwefeelthereareno additionalspacesforparentsofthe infantsmeaningtheywouldneedto parkontheroad.

“Ourconcernisthatconsequent lyparentscouldparkontheroadup totwiceaday.Thiscouldcausecon-

siderablehighwaysissues,asitislo catedonaschoolbusroute.”

Thedesignandaccessstatement preparedonbehalfoftheapplicant says:“Itisourclient’sintentionto convertthechapelintoasmallchil dren’sdaynursery,whichwillallow thebuildingtocontinueinitsprovisionofasocialandcommunityfacili ty.”Toviewtheplanningapplication visitbit.ly/3WSBORM

Disadvantagedsecondaryschool pupilsfellfurtherbehindtheirclassmatesduringthecoronaviruspan demic,newfiguresshow

Figuresfromthe Department forEducationshow22.4percentof disadvantaged children in Shropshireand20.7percentofdisadvan tagedchildreninTelfordandWrekin achievedgradefiveoraboveinGCSE Englishandmathsin2021-22.This comparedtocomparedto49.9per centforallotherchildreninShrop shireand51.5percentinTelford& Wrekin.Itfollowsthetrendnation ally,inwhich29.5percentofdis advantagedchildrenreachedgrade fiveoraboveinEnglishandmaths, whereas56.8percentofallother childrenachievedthegrades

Now, education charitySHINE hassaiditis“saddenedbutnotsurprised”tosee disadvantagedchil drenfallbehind,notingthepandem ic“amplifiedexistinginequities”for disadvantagedchildren.

Dr Helen Rafferty,seniorpro gramme manageratthe charity, said:“Weknowthatchildrenfrom poorerbackgrounds lost outon morelearningthantheirwealthier peers,aremorelikelytoexperience challengeswithattendance,andare most in need of stabilityand supportfromschoolsandteachers.Now, withoutintervention,the cost-oflivingcrisisandmootedcutstoalready-stretchedschoolbudgetsrisk wideningthegapevenfurther.”

Community‘kept in dark’overlampposts

Aresidentsayshiscommunityhas beenleftinthedarkafteracouncilre placed lamppostsinApril andhasn’t saidwhentheywillbeswitchedon ResidentDaveLinneysaid10lamppostshavebeencutoffandtakenaway whilenewpoleshavebeenputupinMe oleVillage,Shrewsbury,withnosignof thembeingconnectedandswitchedon.

“ShropshireCounciliskeepingusin thedarkinmorewaysthanone,”said MrLinney,whocontactedthecouncilin Aprilbuthasn’theardfromthemsince “Theoldoneswerecutoffleavingposts aboutfourfoottall,andnewpoleshave beenputinthestreetsbuttheywon’t tellmewhentheywillbeswitchedon. Itwasn’ttoobadduringthesummer

andthelighternights,butwithdarker eveningsitisaproblem.Itispitchblack insomepartsaroundhere.Wearein darkness.Someofthepavementshave holeseverywhere.Itlookslikegeneral incompetence.”

Anemailfromthecouncil’sStreet LightingTeamthatMrLinneyreceived onApril13saidtheywere“removed underemergencyworkstopreventany risktothepublicduetoastructural failure.”Thesameemailsaid:“Replacementcolumnswillbeinstalledwithin 28daysoftheorderbeingreceivedby ourcontractor.

Wehopetohavethemreplacedas soonaspossible.”Thecouncilhasbeen askedtocomment

Report by Nick Humphreys

Planshave been submitted to transformthe chapel’s use

Daichi Ishizawaonhistrip

DaveLinneysays newpoleshavegoneinbut have not been connected

Late nights at market

Tradersgetting into theChristmasspirit

Shrewsbury town centre busi nessesarebeingurgedtostepinto Christmasearlybytakingpartina festivewindowcompetition

Theannualevent,which launchedlastweek,provespopular withtraders,residentsandvisitors tothetownoverthefestiveperiod.

Thefestiveseasonisdescending ononeofthecounty’sbiggestindoor marketswithlatenightWednesdays takingplaceintherun-uptoChrist mas.

Shrewsbury MarketHallis throwingaseriesof‘WinterWarmer’eventseveryWednesdayevening, from November 23,toDecember 14,tosprinklesomefestivesparkle with late-night shoppingand food anddrink

Winter Warmerswill seegift stalls,cafes andbars open up to 8pm.Therewillalsobeappearances fromDisneycharacterstoentertain children on November 30 andDecember7.Themarket’slastpopular SaturdayLatenightoftheyear,when cafes,bars,streetfoodvenuesanda selectionofretailstallsopenuntil lateevening,willtakeplaceonDecember3.

ShrewsburyBIDhasonceagain teamed up with Shrewsbury Busi nessChambertorunthecompetition,withtheaimoftransforming thetownintoaseaofcolour.

Thisyear’scompetitionwillbe runalongsimilarlinestolastyear’s successful eventand applications areopenfortraderstosubmittheir entry.JennyOsborne,ofShrewsbury BusinessChamber,said:“Wehada terrificresponselastyearandare hopingtoencourageeveryoneinthe towncentretoparticipatethistime around

“It’samagicalseasonandwejust can’twaittoseethecreativityofour tradersbroughttolifethroughtheir festivewindowdisplays.

“Prizes forthe winnershave been generously donated by HenshallsInsuranceBrokersandcertifi cateswillbeawardedforthewinner

andrunner-upineachcategory,with theoverallwinnersbeingpresented withatrophy.

“Itisarealchanceforourtraders toputthemselvesintheshopwin dowatthisveryspecialtimeofyear, soit’stimetogetbusydecorating thosewindows–wecan’twaittosee whatyoucomeupwith.”

EmmaMolyneux,ofShrewsbury

BID,said:“Ourshopwindowcompetitionsare always eagerlyantic ipated.Theyarewarmlyembraced bytradersandlookedforwardtoby shoppers,bringinganincreasedvibrancytothetown.”

ThedeadlineforentriesisNo vember30.Toenterthecompetition, visitshrewsburybid.co.uk/christ mas-window/

Town setfor itsswitch-on

Shrewsbury’s Christmaslights switch-ondatehasbeenannounced asSalopianspreparetogetintothe festivespirit.

TheShrewsbury Christmas Cracker event will take placeon Wednesday, November 23,inthe Square,andwillfeaturemusicand TheatreSevernpantomimestars.

OrganisedbyShrewsburyTown Council, thebig lights switch-on startsfrom5.30pm.Theatregroup KGTheatreiskickingoffproceed ingswitharangeofsongs,followed bycastmembersofTheatreSevern’s pantomime, Beauty andthe Beast, talkingonstage.PorthywaenBand andShrewsbury Male VoiceChoir willalsoprovidemusicalentertain mentbeforetheall-importantoffi cial countdownfrom6.25pm. The eventalsomarksthestartoflatenightshopping

Switchingonthelightsthisyear will be theMayor of Shrewsbury, CouncillorElisabethRoberts.Santa andhissleighwillbeonPrideHillall evening,courtesyoftheRotaryClub of Shrewsbury.Councillor Roberts, said:“I’mlooking forwardtothe launchofthetown’sannualChristmaslightsdisplay,withfreefamily entertainment,and theall-impor tantstartoflate-nightshoppingin therun-uptoChristmas.Iwouldlove toseeasmanypeopleaspossiblein thetownforwhatpromisestobea fun-filledeveninginShrewsbury.”

Report by Megan Howe

EmmaMolyneux, Jenny Osborne and KevinLockwood

Giftstallswillbeopen

We should remember how we gotinto financial state

Followingherinterviewwith theShropshireStar, Ilistened toTammyWoodontheBBCand thoughtthatshe spokecommon sense,unlikeatleastoneofherfellowinterviewees.

IalsosmiledatonenaiveCon servativeMP whosaidthatthe Boriselectionmachinewouldlead themtovictoryatthenextelec tion.Oncebitten,twiceshycomes tomind

AsanowformerConservative supporterinTelford in thelast threeelections,Iwouldliketoof feryoumyopiniononthecurrent situation.Firstly,Rishi Sunakis notmyPrimeMinister,Ididnot voteforhimandmoreimportant lyhewasroundlyrejectedbythe partymembership Ihavespokentomanypeople inthetownwhoaretotallydisgustedattheeventsandseveral

We must deal with climateproblem

Soup thrown at VanGogh’s Sunflowerpainting,AstonMartin showroom sprayedwithorange paint,KingCharles’ mannequin ‘pied’ at Madame Tussauds.How canthisbejustified?

Ibelievethat,ifpeoplegenu inelybelievethatacrimeagainst humanityandlifeitselfisbeingun dertakenandthatbeliefisbacked by scientific evidence, then yes theyhaveadutytodowhateverit takestopreventthatcrimetaking place.Foryearsnowwehavehad scientists tellingparliament that theconsequence of notcreating, ineffect,awareconomytoreduce carbonand methaneemissions thenmillionswilldieandsuffer

InWorldWarIIpeopleleftitto

politicianstoexplainandorganise sucharestructuringofeveryday lifeandourelderswereprepared toendurethosechangestodefend ourchildrenandcountryfromFas cism

Unfortunately, ourcurrent leadersseemtohavedecidedto bepaidstoogestothefossilfuel industry,thatfightswithitsover whelmingwealthandpoliticalin fluence.Itisthisindustrialsector that is primarilyresponsible for the2,600 people whodiedas a consequenceofthelastheatwaves andthisisbutthestart.Delaysin dealingwithclimatechangewill leadtothesixthmassextinction

PatrickMcCarthy, Shropshire

whosimplysaid‘whatdoyouex pectfromourpoliticians?’

Haseveryoneforgottenthat uptothreemonthsagoRishiwas our fiscal overlordrunningUK plcandnowsuddenlywearetold thatweareindesperatefinancial straightsandthattheverysame Rishiwillcomebackandsortout everythingthathasgonewrong?

AlanBarnett,Shropshire

So whowill they blame?

ItseemsthatMPsofallpoliticalpersuasions,whocampaigned tosackBorisJohnson,areresponsibleforcreatingankle-deepegg ontheflooroftheHouseofCom mons!

BorissteeredusoutofEurope, negotiatedthroughCovidandled theworldinresponsetotheinva sionofUkraineand,iflefttodothe job,wouldnodoubthavehelpedto easeusthroughthepresentinternationalcrisismuchfasterthanit willnowtake.

The‘holier than thou’ back benchbrigadeevenmissedouton thegoldenopportunitytoputhim back.Whowilltheyblamewhen they lose theirjobsatthe next election?

DEmery,Shropshire

Littercosts oursociety dear

Ireadrecentlythesetwostatements: 1. “48% of peopleadmitto dropping litter.The amount droppedeachyearintheUKhas increasedby500% sincethe 1960s

“Cleaninglitterfromstreets coststaxpayersaround£500million,not includingwhatitcosts tocleanupparksandotherpublicspaces.Sevenoutofeveryten

itemsofdiscardedlitterarefood packagingorwrappers.”

2. “Since 2016 theneedfor foodbankshasincreasedby81% In2020/21TrussellTrust’s1,400 centresdistributedover2.5mil lion emergencyfood parcelsto peoplehavingproblemswiththe benefit system,withchallenging lifeexperiencesandlackofsup port.”

Itoccurstomethatifweallal-

teredourslackapproachtolitter, ourlocalauthoritieswould have moremoneytogiveawayandour communitieswouldbeenhanced.

Iamsurethattherearemany otherwaysinwhich we waste moneythatcouldbeusedtohelp peopleastheybattletoovercome risingprices.Itwouldbeinterest ingtoknowwhatreadersthink

RoyWhittall,Shropshire

Monty

With Dogs Trust

Name:Monty

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Age:1yearold

Montyisalivelyladwhoislooking forownerswhocankeepupwithhim mentallyandphysically!

Heisfriendlywhenhemeetspeo ple,buthiscleverColliemindissoon lookingforthingstokeephimoccu piedsohewillneedplentyoftraining tokeephisfocus.Toysaretheway tohisheartandheparticularlylikes

gameswithtennisballs–hewillplay fetchforhours!

Heisalsoplayfulwithotherdogs butcansometimesforgethismanners andbecomeover-excitable.Hecould livewithanexistingdoginhisnew homebuttheywillneedtomatchhis playstyleandbetolerantofMonty’s over-exuberant nature.Monty could livewithrespectfulolderchildren.

If you canoffer Monty aloving home,pleasegotohttps://www.dog strust.org.uk/rehoming/ to find out more

isverynosy andnevermissesa

lovesacuddle andatickle,butlittle treatsareherfavourite.”Sendyourpet pictures todaniel.morris@mnamdia.co.uk

Taking prideinour past and lookingforward to thefuture

By Toby Neal

Monday,November23, 1772 thestartofthestoryoftheShrews buryChronicle.

Aswecelebrateour250thanni versary,westandproudasoneofthe oldestnewspapersinBritain, and cherishour illustrious past,while lookingforwardtotheopportunities andchallengesofthefuture

Thepassing of thecenturies sincethatveryfirst paper, which wastitled“TheShrewsburyChron icle,Or,Wood’sBritishCommercial Pamphlet,” hasseenrevolutionary changesintechnologyandinBritain itself,whilethesmallrivertownof Shrewsburyofthelate18thcentury hasexpandedandsprawledbeyond itshistoricheart

Yetouressentialfunctionhasre mainedthesamedowntheyears–to informandentertainourreaders.

TheChroniclewasnotthecounty town’sfirstnewspaper,northelast, butvarious rivals have come and goneandforourloyalreadersweare theirsourceoftrustedShrewsbury areanews

Greatnewspapersowemuchto

greatpersonalities.Someolderread ersmight recallFyfeRobertson,a rovingTVreporterwithtrademark tweedjacket,tuftybeard,andrich Scottishaccent,perhapsbestknown fromhisyearsonBBC’sTonightmag azineprogramme.HewasaChroni clejournalistintheearlypartofhis

career.Another highly influential figure in ourhistory wasMorley Tonkin,whoboughtthepaperand itsalliedpublicationsin1945.

TheChronwas produced in thosedaysbytraditional hot-met alprocessesbutatriptoCanadain 1957toseehowthingsweredone

The 1772 firstedition

thereopenedhiseyes.Theupshot wasthattheShrewsburyChronicle tookitsplaceinthevanguardofa Britishnewspaperpublishingrevo lution.InFebruary1962itproduced a16-pagepaperonthefirstbroad sheetweb-offsetpresslaiddownin Britain.

Thesethingsdonotstandstill, andtheShrewsburyChroniclewas toembraceafurtherpublishingrev olutionwiththeadventofcomputer isedmethods.

With 250years behind us,we haveaglorioustraditiontobeproud of.Butoldfashioned?Notus.

Makingupthe paper at ChronicleHouse around the late1940s

MorleyTonkin

Broadcaster Fyfe Robertson

Brainchild of ‘The ReligiousPrinter’

Thisisgoingtosoundlikeone of thoseHollywood speeches, but wereallydooweitalltooneman, ThomasWood,withoutwhomnone ofthiswouldhavebeenpossible.

HiswifeMarytoo,whocarried thingsonwhenThomaswenttothat greatprintingdepartmentinthesky Thomaspublishedthefirstedi tionoftheShrewsburyChroniclein 1772.Andtherestisnewspaperhis tory

Butwhowashe?NotaSalopian,as he wasborninPainswick, Gloucestershire,in1746, andwas thesonofaclothmaker.

Hewasapprenticedtohisfather, butthattradewasnotforhim,and hebecamearticledtoMylesSwinney,aprinter,whoin1771launched theBirmingham Chronicle, taking youngThomasintopartnership.

However, Thomas spottedan opportunity to launch apaperin Shrewsbury,movingtherein1772, buyingthePrideHillpremisesand printingequipmentofatownprint er,WilliamLaplain.

The first Shrewsbury Chroni clecost2dandwasphysicallyquite small,the eightpages measuring 12.5inchesbyeightinches,awheeze totrytododgethenotoriousstamp dutyimposedonnewspapersatthe time.Itdidn’twork–the taxmen ruledagainsthimandwithhiseighth

issuehehadtobeginpayingup.The paperbecamephysicallylarger,but downtofourpages,andtheprice went up to tuppence ha’penny to coverthestampduty,whichwasa pennyacopy Wood didn’t bother much with local news coverage,which may seemsurprising,butlesssointhe

contextofthetimes.Forastart,only asmallproportionofthelocalpopulationcouldreadinthefirstplace.

Withthemassesbeingmostlyil literate,theywouldonlygetto“read” theChroniclebyitbeingreadoutto them.Accordingtoaformereditor, John Butterworth,who researched thepaper’s history,thiscould in

cludeitbeingreadoutbythevicarin thelocalinn Andcommunicationswereof courserubbishbackthen,sothere wasnowayofShrewsburyfolkgettingnationalandinternationalnews Theycouldhardlyturnonthetelly.

Sothosewerefactorswhichex plainwhyinitsearlylifetheChron-

icle carried so much national and foreignnews.Infacttokeepontop ofthingsWoodhadtoengageahorse expressfromBirminghamtogetthe latestLondonandprovincialnewspapers.

Localnewswassparse,butnot entirelyabsent.Hereareacoupleof snippetsfromthatfirstedition:“On Tuesdaymorninglast,adreadful firebrokeoutatTwemloeHall,near Whitchurch,which in aboutthree hoursconsumedthe whole building.”Acarelessservantwithalit candlegottheblame

And:“Wehearthatveryconsid erabledamagehave(sic)beendone bythelatefloods,inmanypartsof thiscounty;theSevernbeingsohigh inmanyplaces,thatpeoplewhoresideneartoit,wereobligedtolive upstairsandboattoandfromtheir habitations.”

WooddiedonApril7,1801,when atworkinhishousenexttotheprint ingworksinStJohn’sHill.According tooneaccounthisdeathwas“acceleratedbytoocloseanattentionto business”

Whatsortofmanwashe?Areligiousman,whowasnicknamed“The ReligiousPrinter”.

HiswidowMarycarriedonthe paperuntilherdeathin1808,one oftheearliest,ifnottheearliest,of womennewspaperproprietors.

Shrewsbury Chronicle founderThomasWood

Widowed Mary ranthe paper for severalyears

Tragediesand triumphs

news reported to the masses

Readallabaahtit!Todayweare proud of ourcomprehensive local andcommunitycoverage,butover 250yearsyougettoreportalotof stuff,includingsomeofthebiggest andmostsignificanteventsinhisto ry,aswellastragediesandtriumphs closertohome.

Forobviousreasons in Thom as Wood’s daynewscould take days,weeks,orevenmonths,toget through.

SothereportingoftheAmerican DeclarationofIndependenceofJuly 4,1776,didn’tmaketheChronicle’s frontpageuntilSaturday,August24 ofthatyear

Nelson’s victoryatthe Battle ofTrafalgar,foughtonOctober21, 1805,madetheNovembereditions.

“Shrewsbury,Friday, Nov. 8. Whilewehavethisdaytoannounce theMOSTSPLENDIDAND DECI SIVENAVALVICTORYthathasever beenobtainedinanyAge,orbyany Country, we have themelancholy tafkofcommunicating theDeath oftheHerotowhoseunparalleled Intrepidity,invinciblefpirit,andad mirableprefenceofMind,wearein debtedforanEventwhichhasalmoft annihilatedtheNaviesofFranceand Spain,”oneofseveraltriumphantac countsbegan.You’llnoticethattext

backthenappearedoftentousean‘f’ inplaceofan‘s’,butveteranprinters willtellyouthatitisinfacta‘longs’ –inotherwords,astylisedformof‘s’ –usedinprintingintheoldendays

Asthe19thcenturyunfoldedthe Shrewsbury Chronicle’slocal cov eragegreatly increased, notall of itsavoury,asinthisfromaspecial editionofThursday,April9,1868: “Thismorning,ateighto’clock,John

Mappwashanged;and,probablythe gallowshasbeenpubliclyexhibited inShrewsburyforthelasttime,as itisalmostcertainthattheBillnow beforetheHouseofCommonspro viding forprivate executionswill becomelaw.”

It wasindeed thelast public hangingatShrewsburyjail,although crowds were notedtobesmaller thaninthepast,putdowntoitbeing

heldat8amratherthannoon.Mapp’s crimewasthemurderof10-year-old CatherineLewisatLongden

Shrewsbury wastohavetwo greattragediesinthe20thcentury, theraildisasterof1907whenatrain derailedcomingintothetown’srail waystation,andadreadfulfireat Sheltonpsychiatrichospitalin1968.

Again,therailwaydisastermer ited aspecial edition,which came

outonthe same day, Tuesday, Oc tober15–normallythepaperpub lishedonFridays.Alongwithsuch sadevents, theChroniclehas cov eredmanyupliftingstoriestoo,like ShrewsburyTown’sgreatcupruns inthe1960s,andthetownwinning goldinthenationalBritaininBloom awardsin2018.Thenewsjustkeeps oncoming.Whoknowswhattomor rowmightbring?

Shrewsbury’s lastpublic hanging, by artist Steve Abbott Shrewsbury Town FC in 1966

Photographer DotIvison

Therailway disaster of 1907

Aprivilege to have served ourtown

TheChronicle’sjourneythrough anincredible250years:

1772:FirsteditionoftheShrews buryChroniclepublishedonNovem ber23,withafrontpagemessage from proprietorThomas Wood whichreadinpart:“TotheNOBILI TY,GENTRY,andOTHERINHABIT ANTSoftheCountyofSALOP.Ithas beenjustmatterofadmiration,that therehasneverbeenaPaperofthis kind printedinthe polite andop ulent Town of SHREWSBURY. the ProprietorofthisPaperisembold ened,andhasresolved,tosendforth hisinfantProduction,which,under thefriendlyprotectionofthePeople forwhoseuseandamusementitis designed,hehasnodoubtofseeing kindly fostered, andsuccessfully rearedtomaturity ”

1801:Thomas Wood dies on April7,andwidowMaryrunsthepa peruntilherdeathin1808

1813:Woodfamily links with thepaperendwithsaletoJohnWat ton,whoexpandsthepagesizeand localnewscontent,andintroduces illustrationsusing woodcuts.After hisdeathin1850hisson,alsocalled John,greatlyimprovesthepaperfur ther

1926:The GeneralStrikesees nonationalnewspapersbeingpro duced, so theShrewsburyChron iclecomesoutforthebestpartofa fortnightasadaily,withitscontents largelyderivedfromBBCbulletins

Weekly publication resumeswhen thestrikeends.

1927:Openingofnewworksand officesatCastleForegate–Chronicle House–theofficespreviouslybeing inSwanHill.Thenewpremisesare builtinGeorgianstyle,designedby architectsMessrsShaylerandDrake of Shrewsbury,and executed by Treasure&SonsofShrewsbury

1944:Chairmanand managing directorJohnRowlands,servingin

FranceasaLieutenantintheArmy, killedinanaccidentinvolvingtwo militaryvehicles

1945:ShrewsburyChronicleand itsalliedpublicationssoldtoMor leyTonkinandcarriedonunderthe styleofPowyslandNewspapersLtd. Also1945,theChroniclestartsthe “TownofFlowers”competition

1953:Newsispublishedonthe frontpageforthefirsttimeonFeb ruary13aftertheEastCoastflood

in 1953

ingdisasterasaone-off,andthen permanentlyfromMay15.

1962: A16-pageShrewsbury Chronicleisprinted on the first broadsheet web-offset presslaid downinBritain,leadingthewayin aBritishnewspaperprintingrevo lution

1972:The Express &StarLtd buys Powysland Newspapers that is,the Shrewsbury Chronicle, BridgnorthJournal,Newport&Mar

ketDraytonAdvertiser,andTelford Observer,plustheStaffordshireAd vertiserandStoneandNorthStaf fordshireAdvertiser.

1981:EndofaneraastheChron iclechangesfrombroadsheettotab loidformatinMay.

2006:Sincethisyeareverypage hasbeenprintedincolour

2009:The Chronicleappeared inrevampedformfromApril30and becamepart-free(insomeareas)and part paid-for.Also2009,Chronicle Houseisvacatedasthepapermoves toanewhomeatAbbeyForegate.A treasure troveofarchive material isuncovered,includinghundredsof oldphotographsandmassesofcor respondence,memos,accountsledg ers,handwrittenminutes,andsoon, whicharetakenawaybystafffrom ShropshireArchivestobekeptfor posterity.

2020:The advent of theCovid pandemicdoeswhatthe General Strikeof1926couldnot–forcesthe Chronicletostoppublishing from March.ItreappearsonJuly16.How ever,anewlockdowninNovember promptsanewsuspensionofpubli cation.

2021:Covid couldn’t keep us downforlong,andwestartpublish ingagainonApril22

2022:November23, our250th anniversary–andlookingforward tocelebratingfurtheranniversaries inthefuture!

Chronicle House,the paper’s former home News onthe front page forthe firsttime

Song ideal for ashower Carsales on theup at JLR

Apopular1980s hitsongbya Midlandsbandisbeingusedtoraise awarenessofkeepingshowersshort tosavemoneyonutilitybills.

DatafromSevernTrentandthe ConsumerCouncilforWater(CCW) showsthatcuttingashowerfrom10 tofiveminutescouldsaveafamilyof fourusingawatermeterupto£700 ayearontheirutilitybills.

SevernTrenthassaidthatMusicalYouth’s1982hit,PasstheDutchie,whichreachednumberoneinsev encountries,clocksinatjustunder fiveminutes,makingittheidealtune forcustomerstotimetheirshower.

PasstheDutchietakesprimepo sitiononaspecialSpotifyplaylistof five-minute songs, whichhas been compiled by Severn Trent forcus tomers.

Eurovision starsetto play atfamily festival

Eurovision runner-up SamRyder,chart-toppersSophieEllis-Bex torandEast17,andformerSpiceGirl MelanieCwilljoinrocklegendsPri malScreamatafamilymusicfestival nextyear

Synth-popsuperstars TheHumanLeagueand drum–and-bass band Rudimental will also be ap pearingatCampBestivalShrop shire,atWestonPark,nearShifnal, whenitreturnsinAugustnextyear.

About17,000 revellers flocked tothevenuefortheWestMidlands’ first Camp Bestival in August this year

Aswellasthemusic,thefestival will involvecomedy, children’s en tertainmentandwellbeingevents.

Theevent,runningfromAugust 17-20,isorganisedbyformerRadio 1DJRobdaBankandhiswifeJosie.

Robsaidhewasdelightedwith this year’s event,and hoped next year’seventwouldbuildonthatsuc cess.“Wecouldn’thavebeenhappier withthesite,theweather,thecrowd, andthevibes,”hesaid.

“We’rebackfor2023hopingto rampupthelevelsevenmorefrom introducingabrand-newfancydress parade,raftbuildingand loadsof

coolnewlittlepop-upstomegapop starsandindiegiantsonthemain stage.”

Scottish rock band Primal Scream,frontedbyBobbyGillespie, willleadthe2023musicline-up,sup ported by Sheffield synth-poppio neersTheHumanLeague.

Ryder’ssongSpaceManstormed tosecondplaceinthisyear’sEurovisionSongContest.He’llalsotake

tothestage,whileandsinger-song writerEllaHendersonwillentertain crowdswithherhugepophits

TherewillalsobeWestMidland actsattheevent,withdeathmetal pioneersNapalmDeathandStour bridge alternativerockbandPop WillEatItselfaddingtothevariety.

Fortickets andmoreinforma tion,visit shropshire.campbestival net

JaguarLandRoversawan11.8 percentriseincarsalesinthesec ondquarterofitsfinancialyear

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

JLR,whichhasitsenginemanufacturingcentreatthei54nearthe Shropshireborder,sawrevenuerise 36percentto£5.3billion.Itwasup 20percentonthefirstquarter.

Retailsalesforthequarterwere 88,121vehicleswithChinaup38per centandNorthAmerica27percent UKsalesfellsevenpercent

Theimprovedresults reflect strongmodelmixandpricingwith wholesalesof75,000up17.6percent ontheyear,butlowerthanplanned ascomputerchipsupplyconstraints continued.

Theproductionramp-upofNew RangeRoverandNewRangeRover Sportimprovedwith13,537units wholesaledinthequarter,upfrom 5,790inthefirstquarter.

Strongdemandcontinuingwith theclientorderbooknowat205,000 units. Thethree most profitable models–theNewRangeRover,New RangeRoverSportandDefender–accountforover70percentofthe orderbook.

Increasing partnership agreementswithsemiconductorsuppliers areexpectedtodeliver improving production volumes in thesecond halfofthe2022-2023financialyear andbeyond

Fashionshowraises afantastic£5,000

ABritish RedCross committee memberhasspokenofthesuccessof asell-outfashion show whichraised £5,000forcharity

JuliaFarrant,whoisontheBritish RedCross committee forShropshire, saiditwasan‘amazing’daywhichwas wellsupportedbylocalpeopleandbusinesses

TheBritishRedCrossFashionShow washeldatHencote,Shrewsbury,on Mondayafternoonandincludedlunch, drinks andanarray of designer gar ments.

Althoughitwassetupbythecharity committee,representativesfromSilver PinkLimited,EllaCru,Cashmere,and CrownJewellswerepresentanddonat

editems.“Itwasamazing,wesoldout. Therewere150 people –there were people whowereonthe waitinglist whichisabsolutelyincredibleandwhen Hannagaveherspeechshehadastand ingovation,”Juliasaid.

TheBritishRedCrosssetupaHelp forUkraineappealearlierthisyearto welcomefamilies who hadmoved to thecountryafterfleeingtheconflictin Ukraine.HannaZarytska,whoisliving withJuliainMarketDrayton,isarefu geeandUkrainianradiopresenterwho movedtotheUKwithhersonRoman.

Hannagaveaspeechatthefashion showtothankthecommunityfortheir supportonbehalfofallUkrainiansin theUK.

ThebandalsoturnedupinaSev ernTrentTVadvertthroughoutthe autumn

Report by Mark Andrews

CampBestival Shropshire was heldatWeston ParkinAugust

Reggae band MusicalYouth

The Red CrossCommittee forShropshirehosted the showatHencote

Tosaywe’realllookingforwaystosave moneythiswinterisanunderstatement

Thankstosoaringenergybillsandrising foodprices,we’rechangingthewaywecook andheatourhomes–andwe’reeyeingup electricalapplianceslikeneverbefore.

“We’reallfeelingthepinchrightnow,but we’vegotlotsofideastohelpcustomerssave energy,reducefoodwasteandusethethings theybuyforlonger,”saysWendyMiranda, consumerexpertatLakeland.

Shesayscustomersareusingtheinfor mationfromtheir‘Spendsmart,livewell’ campaigntomakeinformeddecisions–and buyingproductssuchasairfryers,Dry:Soon airers,anditemstoaidcookingwiththemi crowave.

Elsewhere,CiraJones, assistantbrand manageratRussellHobbs,says:“We’vewit nessedahugespikeindemandacrossthe boardformoreenergy-efficientappliances.”

Here’swhat’shotandsellingfast:

1. Homcom Multifunctional Airfryer, £71.99(9L),Groupon

Airfryersareenjoyingamomentinthe sun–bigtime.Thisbeautyboastssevenpro

By Sam Wylie-Harris

grammablemenus,withpresetsforfavour ites,suchaschips,chicken,shrimpandsteak (for days when you’re treating yourself), bakinganddehydrator.Withapreheatfunc tion,it’ssaidtocookfood50%fasterthana conventionalovenwithasavingof36%on energy

2.GoodToGoMulti-Cooker,currently £69.99from£79.99,RussellHobbs

It’sawin-winwiththissuperversatile kitchenkit.Thereareeightfunctionstoin spireafusionofglobalrecipes,withoptions tosear,roast,sousvide,slowcook,steam, rice,boilandkeepwarm.Betterstill,when everything’scookedtoperfection,thecast aluminiumhousing potcan be brought straighttothetable

3. Lakeland Microwave Cookware: Soup Mug, £4.99(690ml);Lidded Sauce pan, £7.99(900ml);Multi-Steamer, £12.99(2.1L);restofitems from aselec tion,Lakeland

Whetheryou’reheatingupamugofsoup

orsteamingveggies,rice,chickenorfish,this microwavecookwarerangeinracingredis brightandbeautiful

4. RussellHobbsCeramicBlack Port able Upright FanHeater, £29.99,Russell Hobbs

Cuteandcompact,thisenergy-efficient ceramicfanheatercanbecarriedfromroom toroom,sononeedtoheatthewholehouse Lightweight,withbuilt-inadjustablethermo statandtwoheatsettings,it’ssuitablefora standardsizedroom,upto15m²

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

Designedtoholdupto12itemsonhang ers,thisprizedpodflowshotairaroundyour clothesandiscitedascosting34pperhour. Whilethe3-tierairerholdsupto15kgof washingandcanbeneatlyfoldedaway

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

Whenit’stimetosnuggledownonthe sofa,youcan’tbeataheatedthrowblanketto staywarmandcosy.

Rose hips forwinterdecorations

Trytoavoiddeadheadingthelastofyour roses,becausetheirhipswillprovideyou withredandburntorangeshadesthrough winter

Theeye-catchinglittlefruitsareactually theseedpodsoftheflowerandcanbeused toaddlustretoChristmasdecorations,or evenfeatureinsimplefestivewreathsfor yourfrontdoor

Alotofrosesgrownfortheirhipsas wellastheirflowersareusedashedging, becausemanytendtobetallandwildin theirgrowth,whileramblersandclimbers producegreattrussesofflowers,whichwill allbecomehipsifleftalone.Ifyouhavere peatfloweringroses,youcandeadheadthe earlierblooms,butleavethelateronesto develophips

Whichrosesarebestforhips?

“Roses from theRosamoyesiifamily boastsomeofthemostattractivehips,”sug

gestsPhilipHarkness,managingdirector ofrosebreederHarknessRoses.“Theyare orangetoredincolourandshapedlikean upturnedflagon.”

SarahSquire,chair of Squire’s Garden Centres,adds:“Inmygardenthebesthips arefoundonsweetbriarroses(Rosarubigi nosa),whichareinamixednativehedgewe plantedwithwildlifeinmind.Ourclimbers ‘TheSimpleLife’andthe‘TheGenerousGar dener’alsohaveagooddisplay.”

IanLimmer,nurserymanageratPeter Beales Roses, recommends ‘Scharlachglut’ (‘ScarletFire’),ahandsome,hardy shrub bearinganabundanceofrich,scarlet-crim sonsingle flowers with pronounced gold enstamensfollowedbylargehipscarried throughoutmostofwinter.

HealsoratesRosahelenae,avigorous tree-climbinglatefloweringrambler,with creamywhiteflowers.

of

10:00-15:00

Tel: 01743 242242 22 VanguardWay,Shrewsbury, SY1 3TG www.monkmoorbathrooms.com

Dry:Soon Drying Podand heated airers, Lakeland

Black PortableUprightFan Heater, Russell Hobbs

Alot

rosesare used as hedging

Ijointwo hundred in agame that’s played (7)

Did go round therebut couldn’t make up one’s mind (8)

Istole away to an isolated spot (4)

Twomusic makers dance (8)

It gets wetter as it dries (5)

Compel to do a favour? (6)

Import to make icingincafes (12)

Atinier form of sloth(7)

Bird from another nest (4)

Isn’titparticular what it sells? (7,5)

Ocean liner popular with holiday-makers (8)

Intend to appear in tornclothing (7)

Type of car to hold fifty two (6)

Is about to study pictures (5)

Altogether it’s sour,but onedrop is sweet (4)

Den.

17 Drain;

Washington on amission

Strictly’s by seasidein Towerballroomreturn

SATURDAY

Man on Fire(2004) (Channel 4, 11.45pm)

FormerCIAcounter-terroristoperativeJohnCreasy(DenzelWash ington)movestoMexicoCityand reluctantlytakesajobasaprivate bodyguardforprecociousnine-year old Pita (DakotaFanning), whose family’swealthmakesheratarget forkidnappers.Whenthenightmare happensandthelittlegirlisabductedandthenkilled,hemakesithis life’sworktotrackdownthosere sponsible.

SUNDAY

Surge (2020) (BBC2, 10pm)

This unnervinglyclaustropho bic characterstudy is thefeature debutofacclaimedshort-filmdirec torAneilKaria.A sociallyawkward loner,playedby BenWhishaw, loosensthehinges onhisfragilemen talstate andspi rals sickeningly outofcontrol

Strictly Come Dancing: Blackpool Special (BBC1, 7.45pm, Saturday)

It mayusually be filmedat Elstree Studios, butthere’sno doubtthatStrictlyComeDancing’s spiritualhomeisintheTowerBallroomatBlackpool.

TheBlackpool episodehas be come aStrictlytradition –and an importantmilestoneforthecontest ants.Thecelebritiesoftensaythey wanttomakeittoHalloween,then Blackpool,andthenafterthat,they cantruly startthinkingabout the glitterballtrophy.Butinthelasttwo years,theannualjaunthashadtobe abandoned.Nowthegoodnewsis thatthisyearStrictlywillonceagain bebesidetheseaside

Thelasttimetheymadethetrip wasin2019, when KarimZeroual andKelvinFletchertiedatthetopof theleaderboardwithaCharleston anda jive respectively,while Mi chelle Visage left thecompetition afterher CouplesChoicetoVogue failedtowinovertheviewers.

Butwhowillbestruttingtheir stuffonthefamoussprungdance floorthisweek?

Theremainingcoupleswillhope tocomeupwithmoreshow-stopping routines tonightthatwill impress judges Shirley Ballas,Craig Revel Horwood,MotsiMabuseandAnton

DuBekeand,moreimportantly,the votingpublic ThenonSundaynight,TessDaly andClaudiaWinklemanrevealwho’s madeitthroughandwhohastoperformagain,whilethere’salsoamusi calinterludecourtesyofEurovision heroSamRyder

Janineinfall down stairs

EastEnders (BBC1)

AfterattendingascanwithMick, Janine (Charlie Brooks)returns to theVictowindLindaupaboutthe pregnancy.However,theexpectant mumhaslesstogloataboutwhen shelaterfallsdownthestairsatthe tube station.Ben warnsLolashe needstotellLexiaboutthediagnosis andAlfiereceivesbadnews.

Coronation Street (ITV)

Hopepockets£75fromthesale ofthebooksaboutJohnStapeshe foundintheshedandannouncesto herclassmatesthatshe’splanninga specialtributetoherbiologicalfa ther–involvingareadingandaham mer. Nick accompaniesSam to his meetingwithHarvey,StephanieBeachamreturnsasMarthaandLeanne triestoscupperthebistrosale.

Emmerdale (ITV)

ChloeaccusesPriyaofbeingAl’s mysterywoman. Mackenzieismore worried about Chloespillinghis secretsand Liam andLeyla decide they aren’t good foreachother

Editor’s weekend pick

Films for the weekend

Your guide to the soaps

The Strictly class of 2022.Onlyeighthave madeittoBlackpool.

ManonFire Charlie Brooks