Bridgnorth Journal - 20-Oct-2022

COSTSROW

‘Misunderstanding’overwho wastopay fortown’sdecorations

Astand-off overwho should payfor the buntingfor Bridgnorth Carnival hasbeeneased with apledgebythe town counciltolookat howitcan help ensure that theevent continues into thefuture.

Thecarnivalwas held on June 3 to coincide with theQueen’s Jubilee andbrought praise from thethousandsofpeoplewho attended Butarow brokeout over funding made to thecarnivaltowards the cost of putting on theevent

Councillorswho metonTuesday hadbeenexpected to askthe CarnivalCommittee to return £3,552 to thetowncouncil

Themoneywas made up of

SUEAUSTIN sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk

£1,972,the difference betweenthe grantgiven andgrant required, £205 –halfthe wasteremoval costs incurred by thetowncouncil and £1,393 compensation forthe ex penditureincurredbythe last-min uteerectionofbuntingalong the High Street

However an alternative motion wasput at themeetingbyCouncil lor Nicky Cooper

Shesaid: “Weneed to take astep back and find outwhatlevel of re serves areneeded forthe carnival committeetoput on acarnivalin 2023.”

Hermotionproposed that there wasa discussion betweenacouncil officerand carnival representatives andthe level of reserves needed to

allowthe carnival to go aheadin 2023 before thetowncouncil clawed back money.

Themotionwas voted for, by eight votes to onewith five abstentions

Councillor Luke Neal said he wanted to thankthe carnival committee membersfor alltheir hard workin bringing back thecarnival in 2022.“We want to worktowards putting on thecarnivalnextyear,” he said

Themeetingheard from carnivalcommittee membersDavid Goughand JamesGittins thatthere seemed to have been amisunder standing over putting up bunting forthe carnival

“There wasno undertakingto providebunting,”MrGough said “Weare allvolunteers anditis veryupsetting that it hascome to this.”

Positive startfor funeraldirector’scampaign

ABridgnorth funeraldirectorcam paigning forbereavementaware ness to be taught in schoolshas launched apetitionwithnearly 1,000 people having signed it with in days

JohnAdams,adirectorofPerry &Phillips FuneralDirectors, hopes to get10,000 signatures as he looks to pressthe governmenttoconsider adding thesubject of bereavement to thenationalcurriculum.

Mr Adams started thepetition with thesupport of theNationalAssociation of FuneralDirectors

He hasworkedwithPhilipDunne MP,who hasalso spoken at national leveltopushtoget Mr Adams’ idea introduced

“Whilesteps arebeing taken, lots of people have askedhow they can getinvolvedand support,”saidMr Adams. “Thispetitionprovidesa platform forusall to show backing

andhighlighthow necessary this is “Weneed thepublic’ssupport to getbehindthismovementtopushit throughParliament.

“I trulybelieve by having be reavementawareness discussions at school,wecan help in providing future generationswiththe right toolswhensuffering aloss, whether it be as achildorintheir adultlife.”

To sign thepetitionvisit petition parliament.uk/petitions/624185

It’s standingroomonlyas village pubisrelaunched

Customers poured into arural pub near Bridgnorth forthe firsttime in more thantwo monthswhenit relaunched underits newowners.

TheBoycott Arms in Upper Ludstone,nearClaverley,has been given anew look sincebeing taken over by Charlotte JonesonOctober

4. Changes have included install ingSky Sports andBTSport to the revamped bararea, whilethe chil dren’s play area hasbeenmoved from theopposite side of theroad outsidetothe rear of thepub Forthe openingnight,Wolver hampton-basedbandFruitma chines performeda live show

Writingonsocial mediaafter theevent, Charlottesaid: “Tosay

ouropening nightwas asuccess is an understatement.Thank you to everysingleone of you that walked throughthe doorstosupport us andfor everyone whohas been working behindthe scenes

“Thank you to my amazing staff. Here’s to many more funfilled nights.”

Charlotte added: “Itwas really, really good.Wehad around 180to 200peoplethrough thedoor. It’s been busyall throughthe week end. Saturday therewas asteady flow of people.”

Thepub is open from midday to 10pm SundaytoWednesday and midday to 11pmonThursday, Fridays andSaturdays

BoycottArms bar managerAmandaWrightand proprietor CharlotteJones

Thousandsback call foranearly general election

Thousandsofpeoplein thecounty have now signed apetitioncalling fora generalelection, including nearly 900 from theLudlow constituency.

Thecallcomesasthe fallout from primeministerLiz Truss’s catastrophic ‘mini-budget’ contin ues, with thegovernment having scrapped themajorityofthe meas ures containedinthe plan –although aproposaltoremove the caponbankers’bonuses survived thenew chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s rescue measures

Therehavebeenpubliccalls from asmall number of Conservative MPsfor theirown primeminister to step down –justweeks aftershe took thejob.But MrsTruss has re jected thosecalls,and hasinsisted shewillleadthe Tory Partyintothe next generalelection. Apetitionon theparliamentwebsite calling fora generalelectionhas reachedmore than 630,000 signatures –with some 5,000acrossShropshire.

Thepetitionasksfor “animmediategeneral election to endthe chaos of thecurrent government”.It liststhe warinUkraine,problems with theNorthernIreland protocol, loomingrecession andrenewed calls forScottish independence as among “the greatest setofchallenges we have seen in ourlifetimes”. It asks to letthe people decide wholeads thecountry throughthe turmoil.

Animal artists to show work

TheGranary ArtGalleyat Weston Park is welcomingback theAssociation of Animal Artists foranothercollectionof theirartwork.

Membersdisplay arange of species, mediumsand styles from realisticinsectsincoloured pencilstogesturalelephants in oils

Allexhibited workisfor sale, with apercentageofproceeds going to WaderQuest –a char itysupportingthe conservation of wading birdsacrossthe world.The exhibition is free and runs at Weston Park from Octo ber28toNovember30.

Coin expert Darren is backintownfor talk

Expert giveslecture after12,000 mile journeyfromAustralia

PAUL JENKINS paul.jenkins@mnamedia.co.uk

Darren Burgessisalways in themoney,but won’tbecome amillionaire from it.

TheexiledBridgnorth ladisone of themostin-demandnumisma tists– or coin andcurrencyexperts –and is renownedworldwidefor his workinthe field. Numismaticsis definedasthe studyorcollectionof currency includingcoins, tokens, papermoneyorrelated objects.

Darren is currentlypresident of theNumismaticAssociation of Victoria,ashelives in Melbourne, having emigratedtoAustralia in 2005 andhas come acrosscurrency from Bridgnorth when pursuinghis hobbydownunder.Hehas anum berofsuchitems in hiscollection andproduced examples when he gave atalktothe latest meetingof theBridgnorth Historical Society on Monday entitled “Pints Pies and Provisions –abrief numismatist historyofBridgnorth”.

He wasvisitingthe UK to see family andtravelthe countryto give talksand attend conferences on numismatics.

ButitisBridgnorth that is in hisheart andathis talk he took hisaudiencebacktothe time af terthe 17th centurycivil warwhen gold andsilvercoins were issued by theRoyal Mint butthere wasa shortage of penniesand farthings that thepublicneededtopurchase everyday itemslikebread andmilk.

He referenced significant Bridgnorth historical figuressuch as JamesMilner, JohnHiggins of theGrocersArmsand showed apic ture of afarthingissuedbySimon Beauchampwho wasabailiffwhen thecurrent town hall wasbuilt

Therewas also onereferencing theSingfamilyofBridgnorth with Joshua Sing beingthe firstmayorof thetownin1836.

He then took theaudience on a

‘Pub tour’ofthe town as anumber of thecoins he referenced were used as currency within thehostelries, some of whichare stilltrading

Amongstother itemshe produced wasone of hisfavourites–a 16th centurytoken foundinthe back gardenofa property in ListleyStreet –and abeat-up cheque used at the Shakespeare Inn in Bridgnorth, whichisstill open in West Castle Street

Asoftwareengineerbyprofession,Darren,who went to Oldbury WellsSchool, hastravelled allover theworld includingthe USA, Ma laysiaand NewZealand andattends manyconventionsand meetings basedaroundhis hobby. He is often on TV in Australiawhenhehas a rare find

Before thetalkhetoldthe Jour nal: “I have always been interested in coinsand currency becauseIhave always founditaninteresting entry

pointtohistory anditprovidesa tangible connection to it.For ex ample, we canlearn alot about the Romans from studying theircoins –althoughthistalkwas specifically aboutBridgnorthwhich is whereI wasbornand broughtupsothere will always be that connection.

“Itwas greattobeabletocome here andtalktopeoplewho areobviouslyinterested in thetown’shis tory.Itried to referencethatwhen showingthemexamplesofthe coins andcurrencyin my collection.I wouldsay Iampartcoincollector, part historian.”

Darren’s fatherJohnisavolun teer at thetown’sNorthgateMuseum whichhas examples of rare currencywithinit.

TheBridgnorthHistoricalSoci etyholds talksat LowTownCom munity Centre everymonth.Visit www.bridgnorthhistoricalsociety comfor details.

Questionsover grantmoney fortwintowns

Bridgnorth Councilistolookat what financialhelpitgivesto thetown’stwinningcommittee in future

Bridgnorth twinned with SchrobenhauseninGermany andThiersinFrance44years agowithregular twinningvisits betweenthe threeplaces over thefourdecades

Atwinningcharter was signed by Bridgnorth Town Counciland forthisyear’svis it to theShropshiretown, the councilgavea £1,500 grant.

However at ameeting on Tuesday councillorssaidthey wanted to know moreabout how anygrant wouldbespent and how thecommittee sawtwinning in theyears ahead.

Councillor JuliaBuckley said shewas concernedthatsome of themoneywas seeminglyspent on anight outfor Bridgnorth people as well as theoverseas guests

“I am in favouroftwinning butnot in usingtax payers mon ey withoutitbeing very clear how that moneyisspent,” she said

Councillor Luke Neal said he wouldbehappy forthe council to cover such costsasacivic dinnerfor theoverseas guests

Womanescapes serious injury

Awoman escaped seriousinjuryin atwo-car collision whichtookplace near Bridgnorth this week

Thecrash on theB4176 on the sectionfromCrowgreavestoFolly happened just before 1pmonTuesday.

Emergencyserviceswenttothe scene.

Firefighters from Shropshire Fire andRescueService helped a womanout from oneofthe vehicles involved

Shereceivedtreatment from am bulancestaff forminor injuries but didnot need to hospital forfurther treatment

Topcoin andcurrencyexpertDarren Burgess, whogrewup in Bridgnorth

Church packed to paytribute to long-servingLes

Nearly 200people packed achurch in Bridgnorth to paytribute to along-standing councillor who served forfourdecades

Thefuneral of LesWinwood took placeatStJohn’sRoman Catholic Church on Tuesday, with agatheringafterwardsatLow Town Community Hall

Councillor Winwood wasthe countycouncillor forBridgnorth West andTasleyatthe time of his deathinJuly. Councilcolleagues, friendsand familypackedthe church andthe servicewas broad-

cast to theparishhallnextdoor.

Along-standing member of Bridgnorth Tennis Club,current officials attended theservice as well as former colleagues at Beta Aluminium, laterknown as Ruskin AirManagementLimited wherehe workedfor 42 years.

Ludlow MP PhilipDunnecould notattendashewas in Parliament butsentatribute in whichhepaid tributetosome of hisachievements in thetown.

He said:“ Notleast he helped secure thefootbridge from Cas-

tleWalktoSevernValleyRailway by helpingtoleadthe campaign He marched with me through the streetsofBridgnorth at theheadof 4,000 people whotooktothe streets to save theCommunity Hospital

“Recentlyheworkedtoensure thelivestockmarket wouldendure, even if relocated.Hewentonto represent thetownonBridgnorth District Councilin1983and later Bridgnorth West andTasleyDivision on ShropshireCouncil– 39 yearsofcontinuousservice to the people of thetown.”

Newbench honoursstalwarts of golf club –Ericand Peter

TOBY NEAL toby.neal@mnamedia.co.uk

Anew benchhas been dedicatedatBridgnorth Golf Club in memory of twostalwartmembers.

PeterWinters andEricRollinson were long time membersofboththe golf club andBridgnorth Probus Club andintheir twilightyears decidedtobuy abench so that they andother seniorscould take arest on the10thtee before tackling the remainingnineholes

It wasput in placein2010 but sadlythe softwood benchdeterioratedoverthe yearsand in the spring of 2020 it hadtoberemoved as it wasinadangerous condition.

Both menhad by then passed on butanold friend,MikePur nell,who hadusedthe benchmany timeshimself,tookituponhimself to remove thememorialplaqueand contacttheir families to seeifthey wouldliketocontributetoareplacement.

Mike says he received averypos itiveresponse from both families andwiththeir contributionswas able to buyanew oakbench.Aftermanydelays, mainly caused by theCovid pandemic,itisnow in place, completewiththe original

memorial plaque.And nowPeter’s sonMichael Wintershas visited Bridgnorth Golf Club to dedicate thenew PeterWinters &EricRollinsonMemorialOak benchonwhat, fittingly,would have been hisfa ther’s 99th birthday

Thededicationwas also duetobe

attended by Eric’s family,but un foreseen circumstancesmeant they couldnot go,and they areplanning to visitthe club in thenearfuture.

Theoriginal2010plaqueisback in position andreads:“Presented to Bridgnorth Golf Club by Seniors Eric Rollinsonand PeterWinters.

Rest awhile andtakea look,Behold this beautifulCourse andits surroundings. August 2010.”

Peterkeptremarkably fitand walked 18 holesofgolfatthe age of 93,whenhelastcompetedina Bridgnorth ProbusGolfDay

Towardsthe endofthe warhe wasanRAF pilotwho wassentover to Americatobeinstructed on how to flyCatalina flying boats so that he couldtrain ourRAF pilots on his return

As forEric, despitehavinga de formityofthe spineand having lost hislefteye,hedecidedatthe ageof 15 to trytoenlist in theArmy.

He describedthe dayhewas ac cepted as follows: “I wasstanding in line,starkers, graduallygetting closertothe medic, when aSer geant Majorentered theroomand shouted ‘Weare desperatelyshort of menthatcan drive. Handsinthe airanyonewho candrive.’”

Eric shot hishandinthe airand waswhisked away,sonever hada medical, andthrough hislifenever lethis physicalproblemsholdhim back

Mike said:“It took abit of effort to track down thefamilies, butit wasall worthwhilenow that anew benchisinplace, whichhopefully canbeenjoyed by many overthe yearstocome.”

TALKINGPOINT

BY CLLR KIRSTIEHURST KNIGHT,BRIDGNORTH EAST &ASTLEYABBOTTS

This week we attend thefuneral of ourdearfriendand colleague LesWinwood, whilewelcomingCllrRachelConnollyonto ShropshireCouncil

We areall addressing the suggestedschemes within our wardsafterthe firstphase of publicconsultationfor Bridgnorth’s CarParkStrategy review.Weare lookingat the suitable date forthe public face to-facesession

Ialso lead on discussions around suitable localschools forSafer SchoolsStreets in our town andacrossthe county.I will be bringing areporttoCab inet this week and, hopefully, an exciting pilot scheme.Itisgreat to be abletosay wehavecom pletedthe highways workout side St Mary’s Bluecoat School includingroadrepairs, yellow linesand potholerepairs.

Thereis lots goingonwithin Bridgnorth East:CllrLea andI arecontinuingtoworkwiththe localpolicingteamheadedup by PC Lightfoot. We have speed awarenessstickers bringdis tributed to poponyourwheelie bins to remind driverstocheck theirspeeds. We also have a highways representativetolook at signageand aquestionnaire is beingdelivered to residents Police haveagain been out checking speeds to againa big thankyou forlistening to resi dentsand working with Christian andIonthispartnership project.

Finally, aplea. If you have the opportunity, please sign thepetition Perryand Phillips funeral directorsare circulatingtoget some griefand bereavement learning onto theNationalCur riculum.Itis at:https://petition. parliament.uk/petitions/624185

This is visionaryand forward-thinking– andfrom Bridgnorth.Outstanding work from JohnAdams andthe team at Perryand Phillips

Ou rFamily HelpingYours

Tel: 01746 765255 www.perryandphillipsfunerals.com

Email: enquiries@perryandphillipsfunerals.com

4Underhill Street, Bridgnorth, Shrophire. WV16 4BB

Tel: (01746) 765255

CowleyHouse, High Street, Highley,Shropshire. WV16 6LF Tel: (01746) 862225

Mike Purnelland Mike Wintersenjoy aquiet moment on thenew bench

ThelateCouncillor LesWinwood

18,000 nowsign petition against revampplans

Morethan18,000 people have now signed apetition fightingplans to downgradeservicesatTelford’s Princess RoyalHospital.

If approved, Telford& Wrekin CouncilleaderShaun Davies says Telfordwould become thelargest town in Englandwithout afull A&Eservice

TheFutureFit proposals, now approvedbythe jointDepartment of Healthand SocialCareand the NHSEngland InvestmentCom mittee wouldalso, he said,mean thehospitalwould lose consultant ledemergency care forwomen and children,which it is feared wouldbe movedtoShrewsbury.

Theproposals forthe hospital were costed at over£500m with the governmentonlymaking£312m available, leadingtofearsofa ‘scalingback’ of services

Councillor ShaunDaviessaysthe multi-million poundFutureFit proposals,now approvedbythe Joint Department of Health andSocial Care andthe NHSEnglandInvestmentCommittee,would make Telfordbecome thelargesttownin England withoutafullA&E service

Theletterfromcouncillor Davies hasnow been signed by 18,115peo ple whoare asking the newSecretary of Statefor Health andSocial Care Therese Coffey to take afresh look at theplansasamatterofurgency.

He haspreviouslysaida borough thesizeofTelford,withagrowing andageingpopulation, needsworld classfacilities,not adowngraded A&ELocal that wouldbeconfusing andpotentially dangerousfor resi dents

County businessesinspindue to economic turmoil

Business leadershaveissuedfresh callsfor stability afterthe government scrapped almost allofthe tax measures it announcedinits mi ni-budgetthree weeksago

RichardSheehan,chief exec utiveofShropshireChamber of Commerce,saidthe ‘chopand change’economicplans wasmak ingitdifficult forbusinesses in the region to plan forthe future

It comesasnew Chancellor Jere my Hunt dramatically scaled back supportfor household energy bills andditched taxcutspromisedby hispredecessor,Kwasi Kwarteng, as he seekstorestore stability followingweeks of turmoilonthe

financialmarkets.MrSheehan said:“Businesses cravestability, andneedtobeabletoconfidently plan forthe future

“All of this chopping andchang ingismakingitimpossiblefor Shropshireemployers to do this with anydegreeofcertainty.

“The most worryingaspectof this latestannouncementinthe decision to stripbackenergysup port from atwo-yearpledge,toa guaranteewhich expiresinApril Energy costsare oneofthe factors whichare keepingmanyShrop shirebusinesses awakeatnight.”

He added: “Weappreciatethat thenew Chancellor facesadifficult

balancingact –calming thevolatility of themarketsand restoring business confidence withoutpiling financialmisery onto familiesand businesses

“Butasthe BritishChambersof Commerce quiterightlypointsout, thegovernmentisfailing to fully understand that thecostofliving andcostofdoing business crises aretwo sidesofthe same coin

“Westill need aclear vision on how it will support firmsand the communitiesthatrelyonthemto thrive,and time is of theessence

“Wenow awaitthe moredetailed economicstatement at theend of this month with interest.”

Lack of consultation claim overhighwaysdepot closure

PAUL JENKINS paul.jenkins@mnamedia.co.uk

ABridgnorthcouncil lorisagain questioning ShropshireCouncil’s proposal to close the town’s maintenancedepotpermanently,claimingthere hasbeenno consultation.

JuliaBuckley,ShropshireCouncillor forBridgnorth West &Tasley, wasdue to raise thequestionofthe proposed closureatacabinet meet ingthisweek.

France visitfor twinning group

He is urging people to sign the letter by goingonlinetonhs4all co.uk Membersofthe ShifnalTwinning Association are finallyvis itingMachecoul,nearNantes, in westernFrance– avisit over twoyears in themaking.

Thevisit to theLoire Valley wasoriginallyplanned forApril 2020 butwas postponedanum beroftimes duetoCovid concerns.

But37people from Shifnal will finallytravelonSaturday by coachand ferrytostaywith theirFrenchfriends –atrip that hasbeenmadebothways many timesasthe twotowns have nowbeentwinned for34 years.

During thevisit,the groups will go to Noirmoutier, atidal island offthe Atlantic coastof France in theVendéedepartment wheretheywill spendtime at thebeachand have lunchat SaintJeanDeMonts Golf Club

They will also visitthe submarine pens at St Nazaireand enjoyan officialdinner and entertainmentlaidonbytheir hostsbeforereturning thenext Thursday,October 27

Shewas also questioningwhy Bridgnorth residents were assured ayearago thedepot wasonlyclosingonatemporary basisdue to health andsafetyissuesatanother site

Ina letter to thecouncil shesaid: “One year agothe cabinetmem berfor highways categoricallyassuredmeand theother residents of Bridgnorth that ourhighways depot wasclosing only temporarily.

“One year latercabinet is propos ingapermanent closure, to sell off theasset andplugaholein theCon servative’sbudgetdeficit.”

Concerns have previously been raisedoverthe closure regarding emergencyresponsesto flooding, repairstoroads, andgritting.

Highways cabinetmemberRichardMarshallsaidtheyhad monitoring andevaluated dataoverthe last 12 months andthere hadbeen no drop offin performance.

Full metaljacketideal fancydress costume

If you arelooking foranunusual costumefor aHalloween party this year aBridgnorth antiques centre mayjusthavethe perfect solution

Areplica suit of medievalarmour is on sale at theOld Mill Antiques Centre in LowTownand centre ownerJohnRidgway says it wouldbeideal partywear–ifyou don’tmindclankingalittle.

Fly-tippingcosts taxpayers£8k

Clearing up 98 illegalgarden waste fly-tips in Telford&Wrekin hascostmorethan£8,000 in the past 12 months, councillorssay

Telford&WrekinCouncil an nounced that operations to clear thegarden wastehas cost almost £10,000 of taxpayers’ moneyover thelastyear.

A£400 fixedpenalty noticewas issued to aresidentwho tossed

treewaste on acar park in Waverley, Woodside

They were reported by a‘street champion’ –amember of thepub licwho volunteers to keep thebor ough clean. Thecouncil revealed the fine couldeasilyhavebeen avoidedhad the householderput thewaste in theirgreen bin.

Acrossthe borough thereare now1,300 ‘street champions’.

PAUL JENKINS paul.jenkins@mnamedia.co.uk

He said:“This replicasuitof armour is lightenoughtowear easily,unlikethe originalones whichwereenormouslyheavy,” says John.

“Itwould make agreat Hallow eencostume,ifyou don’tmind

moving alittleslowerthanusual andclankingasyou walk!

“Itisbeautifully madebyamedievalarmsexpertand it would also be an amazingtalking point displayedin ahallway or sitting room.”

Thereplica armour is on sale for £450 at Old Mill Antiques Centre, in Mill Street, LowTown.

Manslaughter denialbywaste firm

Awaste disposal firm hasdenied themanslaughterofanemployee whose disappearancesparked a two-monthsearch of alandfill tip.

Labourer DavidWillis, aged 29, failed to return home afterworkon September 15,2018. Hisemployers, TimminsWaste,ofWolverhampton, deniedcorporate manslaughter.

Companymanager BrianTim mins,ofFairLawn, Albrighton, deniedmanslaughter, grossneg

ligenceand perverting thecourse of justice. Theallegations heardat WolverhamptonCrown Courton Tuesday(18) were broughtunder theHealthand Safety at Work Act. Atrial hasbeenset fornextyear. Timminswas grantedbailuntil then

AfterMrWillisvanishedpolice launched atwo-month search of the Poplarslandfill tipinCannock but foundnothing

Richard Sheehan

StaffmemberStu Bowen, with,right, ownerJohn Ridgway, at OldMill Antiques,Bridgnorth

Levelling-upaid plea from MP

AShropshireMPhas sought assur ancesthatnew levelling-upsecre tary SimonClarkewillnot overlook ruralparts of theregionwhenit comestosecuringfunding

Mark Pritchard, MP forThe Wre kin, said he hopedfunds wouldbe foundfor theregenerationofWel lington, as well as aschemefor elec tric busesacrossShropshire.

He said:“Although Isupport the Government’s levelling-upagenda andfunding,there is concernin ruralparts of Shropshirethatsome areasofthe West Midlands areper haps beingoverlooked.

“Can theSecretaryofState reas sure my constituents that thebids from Telford&WrekinCouncil andShropshireCouncil forelectric buses andthe regeneration of Wel lingtonwill notbeoverlooked in the second round?”

Mr Clarke assured Mr Pritchard that theplanswould be given due consideration.

Fall in pound adds 7p to fuel

Sterling’s fall in valueadded 7p perlitre to drivers’ fuel bills in ayear, accordingtogovern ment-commissionedanalysis.

Areviewbyregulator the Competitionand MarketsAu thority(CMA) foundthatthe “principal drivers” of high fuel costsare rising oilpricesand increasedprofitmargins at oil refineries

Thereport, publishedinJuly, stated that thegrowing cost of oil–which is generallypriced in US dollars– accountedfor around a20p perlitre hike in UK fuel prices in the12months to June 27

Thedropinthe valueofthe poundcomparedwiththe dollar over thesameperiodaddeda further7pper litretofuelbills. That wasmorethanthe 5p perlitre cutindutyimplement ed by theTreasuryinMarch

Public askedto give feedback

Acouncil is seekingfeedback from organisationsand thepubliconhow it respondedduringthe pandemic

Twosurveys from Shropshire Councilhavebeenissuedwhich asks forfeedback on registration andcelebratory services between March 24, 2020 to March31, 2022

Onesurveyaskshow residents felt staffdealt with ceremonies, customers, andany decisionsittook whichmay have impacted on them

Theother asks organisations andpartners whetherthe service respondedadequately, whether thebestchannelswereused,and whetherthingsshouldhavebeen done differently.

Throughoutthe pandemic the council says itsregistration andcel ebratory services adaptedquickly to theongoingnationalguidance andchanges in response to corona virus.

To take part,visit surveymonkey. co.uk/r/Registrars-Covid-Survey

Allrevvedupfor motorsport as rallycarsreturntocounty

NICK HUMPHREYS nick.humphreys@mnamedia.co.uk

TheHistoricRally Festival came to Shropshire foratwo-day festival, with iconic racers taking to courses at theold Ironbridge PowerStation site andWestonPark.

Firstofall,car loversweregiven thechancetosee thearray ofrally cars lookingpolishedtoperfection at alive scrutineeringatthe QEII ArenaatTelford Town Park on Sat urday.

Telford&Wrekinmayor RajMe htawas amongthe largecrowdsen joyingaglimpse of motorsinclud ingFordAnglias, Audi Quattros andFordEscortCosworths.

Then,itwas onto Ironbridge forthe firstseriesofracingstag es,beforea nightstage at Weston Park.Moreracingtookplace in the groundsofthe statelyhome on Sun dayasspectators were thrilled by cars whizzing through splash zones anddriftingaroundcorners

Warner Lewis, oneofthe organis ers, hadpromisedthisyear’sevent wouldbe“bigger andbetterthan ever”, anditdeliveredona sunny butcoolweekend.

He said:“We builtsome new viewingareas to getclosertothe action andfor the firsttime, ameet andgreet with driversonthe Sun day.

“There wasplentyofactionin Telford, with theQEIIArena and Town Park allopenand free to spectators

“Ironbridge is an exciting newop portunityfor us.”

Plea forgovernmenttotackle

Consumerscannot afford to wait forvital protectionsagainst online fraud, campaignersand financial services industry bodies arewarn ing.

Tenorganisations, including Which?,MoneySavingExpert,the Association of BritishInsurers (ABI)and UK Financehavejoined forces to writealettertoPrime Minister LizTruss,pressingfor quickand effectiveaction.

They areurgingthe Govern ment to ensure that fraudistack ledthrough theOnline Safety Bill so that peopleare better protected againstdevastating financialand emotionalharm.

AnalysisofActionFraud figures indicatesthatapproaching £5 mil lion is typically beingreported lost to scamseveryday

And, as many scamsgounreport ed,the true amount lost by victims is likelytobemuchhigher, those

behind thelettersaid. They added that thereisthe potentialtostop millionsofpounds’ worth of scams everyyear, by tackling the flood of online advertswhich arepaidfor by fraudsters to scam people

Thelettersays: “Asacoalition of consumergroups, charitiesand financialservicesindustrybodies, we have been delightedtosee scam advert protectionswithinthe On line Safety Bill progress through Parliament over recent monthsand strengthened at each stageofthe legislativeprocess to ensure they canbestaddress themostwide spread form of online harm:fraud “Wewerepleased to hear your recent commentsindicatingthat theOnlineSafetyBill will return to Parliament this session.

“The unrelentingscale of harm caused by online fraud–through both user generatedcontent and scam advertising– andthe rate at

online fraudsters

whichthe problemisincreasing, meansthatconsumers cannot af ford to wait forthese vitalprotec tions. Furtherdelaystothe Bill will result in thecontinued perpetua tion of online fraud, costingpeople –manyofwho arealready strug glingwiththe cost of living crisis –dearly, devastatingtheir livesand finances beyond repair.

“The Government, under your leadership,mustcommitto find ingthe quickest andmosteffective solution to shield UK citizens from becoming victimsoffraud –ideally by championing this element in the Online Safety Bill throughParlia ment as soon as possible.”

“ThisGovernmenthas aunique opportunitytomakethe internet asafer placefor Britishconsumers andtonot simply kick this problem down theroad.”

Theletterisalsosupported by Carnegie UK,the City of London

Corporation, theCityofLondon Police Authority, theMoney and Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI), thePersonalInvestment Management &FinancialAdvice Association (PIMFA)and TheCi tyUK.

Theletteralso highlights thecost of scamstopeople’swellbeing,say ingthatinsome cases people have shownsigns of severeemotional distress

It says:“Which? estimatesthe cost to wellbeingat£7.2billion per year,while in 2021 Action Fraudre ceived between300 to 350reports perweekwhere victimsshowed signsofsevereemotional distress duetobeing scammed.”

Theletteradds: “The pandemic only increasedthe need forurgent action,leading to ahugerise in re ported instancesoffraud as scam mers took advantageofemerging consumer vulnerabilities.”

Rallyenthusiasts showed offtheirpristine pride-and-joymotors –beforegetting messy andmuddyinadazzling motorsport spectacle.

TelfordmayorCouncillor

RajMehta

PeterStimson with his1964Anglia

Motorsport fans check outthe rallycars

TheHistoric RallyFestivaltook place on Saturdayand Sunday

Gary Geeinhis TalbotSunbeam

Mel Lewis,ofMiddletown, with his1970sLancia Stratos

‘Nothing matters more than safety of trust’spatients’

DOMINICROBERTSON dominic.robertson@mnamedia.co.uk

Parentswho receivedan “unreservedapology” from ahospital trustsay theironlyconcernsare improvementstopatient safety.

Rhiannon Davies andRichard Stan tonwerespeaking afterthe boardof Shrewsbury &Telford Hospital NHS TrustonThursday confirmed are view of itsgovernance wasunder way, followingcritical findings of an inde pendentreportbyFiona Scolding KC

Thereporthad been sparked by a2020complaint from thecouple, whosedaughterKatediedavoidably in thetrust’s care in 2009

Theconclusionsofthe report,which were accepted by theboard,included criticismofthe wayithad dealtwith Ms Davies andMrStanton in the wake of theirdaughter’sdeath, con cluding: “The trusthas not dealtwith Mr Stantonand Ms Davies in an open andhonest way. That is undoubtedly true.” It also foundthatthe boarddid not do enough to look at thereasons an independentreportintomaternity care at thetrust wasnot publishedim mediatelyafteritwas produced

Thereport, from theRoyal College of Obstetricians andGynaecologists (RCOG) hadbeenrequested by the trustinthe wake of majorconcerns over itsmaternity services –those concerns were examined by theOck enden report whichpublished aseries of harrowingconclusions earlierthis year

TheRCOGreportidentified what it concludedwerepatient safety issues andshouldhavebeenpublished in 2017

Butitwas held untilthe following year whilethe trustsoughtan‘adden dum’ to thereport, having disagreed with itsconclusions –Ms Scolding de scribedthe trustastryingto‘spin’the findings Oneofthe complaintsinvestigated

wasthe behaviourofthe chairofthe boardatameeting in 2018,where Mr Stantonsoughttoraise questions over thenon-publication of theRCOG report.His microphone wasswitched offand he wasspokenover,withMs Scolding concluding: “Withthe bene fitofhindsight theboard meetingwas not well handled.”

Sheadded: “MrStanton should not have been spoken over andhis micro phoneshouldnot have been switched off.”

Speaking afterthe publicationof Ms Scolding’s report Ms Davies said: “The very pointofthe complaint we raisedback in 2020 wasthe fact that thepublication of critical concerns that RCOG hadweresuppressed

“Theyhad patientsafetyconcerns andRichard went to theboard meet ingtotry andask whythese were not beingpublished.Itcomesbackto thoseaffected,those wholivethrough thelossand thepaineveryday,trying to create change everyday so thatit does notaffectother people,and fight ingagainst asystemthatissoweighted againstthem.”

She added: “Nothing mattersmore than patientsafety– not money, not reputation –there is nothing moreimportantthanmakingsurepatientsare safe.”

Mr Stantonsaidthe report hadval idated hisconcernsabout theboard’s examination of thesituation with the RCOG report

FollowingThursday’smeeting Dr Catriona McMahon,chair of the Shrewsbury andTelford Hospital NHSTrust,said: “I wouldliketoapol ogise againtoMsDaviesand Mr Stan tonfor theirlossand theway in which thetrust dealtwiththeir concerns We also wish to extend ourapologies to otherfamilieswho have been more widelyimpacted by the findings of this report.Our aimincommissioning this independentreportwas to investigate, transparently,the complaints made againstthe former chairand we have committed to follow-through with actionstoaddress theissuesithigh lights.”

Aldi announces110 newjobsincounty

Asupermarket gianthas an nounceditwillcreatearound110 newjobsinShropshireahead of theChristmas period to prepare forbusyfestivities

Aldi,which hasastore in Bridgnorth,islooking to fill tem porary andpermanent positions in itsShropshirestorestohelp replenishstock andprovide ad ditional assistance to customers during thebusyperiod.

It comesasa national recruitment drivetorecruitfor more than 850different roles, includ ingwarehouse selectors, logistics assistants andlorry drivers.

MeanwhileinStaffordshire

Burst waterpipe issueisresolved

Awater companysaysithas fixed aburst water pipe that wasresponsiblefor supply interruptions in theTenbury Wellsarea.

Problems began to emerge about9am on Thursday last week at properties in theWR15postcode area

TeamsfromSevernTrent Wa terweresentout to find thecause of adip in water pressure

Sixhours laterthe water com pany said theburst water pipe wasrepairedand allsupplieswere back on as normal.

A water company spokesman added: “Thank you for your co operationwhilst we repaired this burst.”

thesupermarket is settocreate 230new jobsasitgears up forits ‘biggestChristmas ever.’

KellyStokes, recruitmentdi rector at Aldi UK,said: “This year we’rerecruitingmorepeo plethanever overthe Christmas period to supportthe growing number of customersthatare switchingtoAldi.

“Thatincludesamix of tem porary andpermanent positions, as well as lookingto fill both in storeroles andpositionsatour regional distribution centres.

“Our amazingcolleaguesplay avital role in keepingour shelves stockedyear-round whichiswhy,

once again, we’llalsobekeeping ourstoresclosedonBoxingDay as athank you forall of their hard work.”

Currentlythere areanumber of fixed-term andpermanent jobs availableinthe county, in cludingstore cleaners, storeas sistants, stockassistantsastore management apprentice and deputy manager.

Work started on thenew Aldi supermarket basedonthe out skirts of Shrewsbury in Maythis year.

StoreassistantsatAldiearn aminimum hourly rate of up to £10.50 nationally

Car ends up on its roof aftercrash Twotreated as fire breaks outinporch

Fire crewswerecalledout over nighttodealwitha blazeinthe porch of apropertyin thesouth west of thecounty.

Neighboursmanaged to help twooccupants of ahouse,atWhitcott Keysett, in Clun to get outof theproperty, when the fire broke out.

Theincidenthappenedat around 11.30pm on Monday night CrewsfromBishops Castle and Clun attended thescene to tackle theblaze

Theambulance servicewere also in attendance at thescene andtreated twopeoplefor smoke inhalation.

Emergencyserviceswerecalled outtoacar whichrolledover and landed on itsroofin thewestof thecounty,

Fire crewsand police were both in attendance at theincident whichtookplace near Shrews bury

Theaccidentwas reported to have happened at 11pmonMon daynight betweenHaughton Farm andWillow Tree Cottageat UptonMagna

Thedriver wasnot trapped and managedtoget outthe carprior to thearrival of theemergency services

Thecause of theaccidentisnot known.

Lets

Rhiannon Davies andRichard Stantonlosttheir daughterin2009

COMMENT

Losing moneyfroma bank ingscamisone of thehaz ards of moneysociety.It’s potluckwhether or not peo ple gettheirmoney back

Some bankshavea policy of refundingmostlosses, others will resist,leading to victims facing adifficult scrapthrough theFinancialOmbudsman or simply writingitoff

And, with that processtaking months, banks know fewwill make theeffort.

Now10organisations,includingWhich?, MoneySavingEx pert,the Association of British Insurers andUKFinance, have joined forces to writea letter to PrimeMinisterLiz Truss, pressing forquick andeffective action

They pointout thereare very simple stepsthatcan be taken nowtoprotectpeople

By clamping down on fraudulentadverts andputting more pressure on bankstorepay moneylost, thesituation canbe improved.

Currently£5million is being lost to scamseveryday

It is ascandal that is often hidden andthose affected are oftenthe most vulnerable with themosttolose.

Toomanyelderlypeople find theirlifesavings wipedout as scammers target peoplewho arenot computer literate or particularly savvy aboutcon artists.

It’s notsimplythe loss of revenue that affectsvictims.They also find themselves suffering emotionallyastheyfeelthe hardship andhumiliationthat comeswithbeing scammed.

Bigbusinessand theGov ernmentcan undoubtedly do more to tackle these unpleasantcrimesbyproviding better protection,betterrecourse to justiceinthe eventofa scam andharsher penaltiesfor perpetrators whomustfacepunitive action andbediscouraged from theirnefarious activities

Many people acrossthe region have been affected by dementia Most familieswill either have been directly hitorwill know afriend, relative or neighbour whohas suffered

As people’s lifeexpectancyincreases, sothe prospect of them falling prey to adegenerative illness that particularly affects theelderly increases

It puts an enormous strain on familiesand coststhe NHS andthe socialcaresystemmany millions

Progress is beingmadeinresearch –onlythisweeka drug hasbeenidentified that is said to slow down theprocess of de mentia

Butmomentum is everything andnow Dame BarbaraWindsor’swidower hascalledonLiz Trussnot to scrapthe demen tiataskforce announced by her predecessor, BorisJohnson,in memory of thestar.

He says £95million of fund ingisatrisk.

Fewwould argueitismoney verywellspent

Radzi talks dogsand life’s guilty pleasures

LISA SALMON PressAssociation

TV presenter, author andpodcaster,Radzi Chinyanganya liveslife at afastpace–but he hasthree key ways of keepingeverythingundercontrol.

No matter how busy he is, the energetic35-year-old –who wasa Blue Peterpresenter between2013 and2019, andnow predominantly coverssport –always findstimefor thegym,longwalks with thedog he shares with hismum,and arelax ingspa session

Radzi, whoattendedAdams GrammarSchoolinShropshire, continuestolive in hishome city of Wolverhampton, wherehis mother BarbaraMcGarrity is acitycouncillor

They both sharearescue Jack RussellcrosscalledOlive andsay shekeeps them both busy Radzisaid: “For me,dogsjust complete yourlife, andinthiscrazy world we live in,which is oftenvery busy andfreneticand we don’thave alot of time,knowing that when I wake up I’mgoing to be walking my dogand bondingwithmydog is great–all they want is to be loved,” he says

Busy

“Wesaw herand fell in love with her, andmymum said to me ‘Your life’stoo busy to have afull time dog, so insteadhow aboutI have a dogand you seeher as much as you can?’Itworks outphenomenally well

“Assoonasmylifesettles down, getting anotherdog is the first thingI’lldo. Forget aboutgetting asecondcar or something, adog is my number one, twoand three. I’d love to be in aposition to have adog that liveswithmeall thetime.

“I’veworkedonCruftsfor the last fewyears, andyou realise dogs aren’t just cute.They’re greatfor mental health,they’rethe most af fectionate things on earth, they’re loyaland they’realwaysthere when youwalkthrough thedoor they give you thebestlove, whether you’vehad abrilliantday or arub bish day.”

Radzihas always been proudof hishome city as well as hisschool andmadeapoint of goingbackto AdamsGrammar during histimeat Blue Peter.

He hasalwaysbeenknown forhis energy,and canoften be seenwalkingthe dogorkeeping fitinone of thecity’sgyms.

“I’veloved sportand fitnessba sicallysince Ileftthe womb,”he declares.“I’ve always done sport, andwithmyjob nowinTVI’d be surprisedifI’d hadmorethan20 days off,and as aresultthe gymis my sanctuary. I’mone of these weir doswho goes to thegym sixdaysa week.Iloveit, andifIcould go sev-

en days aweekIwould,but Ineed arestday.It’snot achore to me at all.”

He recallscompeting in theNinja Warrior UK TV show in 2018 and injuring hishand. As aresult, “I couldn’t go to thegym for10weeks andthatdrove me insane”, he says “So forme, thegym keepsmesane –it’swhere Iexpress myself,challengemyselfand push myself.”

Radzisaysgrowing up and watchingTVshowslikeTeenage MutantNinja Turtles, Thunder

describesthe experience as “hum bling”,adding: “Working in sportis my dreamjob,100 percent. Ilove getting to be on theother side of the camera.”

He hasalot on hisplate –with hisTVwork, writinghis second children’s book (his firstwas Move Like ALion, about how kids can move like theirfavourite animals), andapunishing fitnessroutine.But what else does Radzi–who’s “single andready to mingle” –dotorelax?

“Confessiontime: I flipping love aspa,” he chuckles.“I’moftenthe only blokeinaspa,but getting a dressing gown on,havinga treat ment andusing thesauna,steam room,jacuzzi,hot stones,facial– oh my goodness, that’s oneofmy guilty pleasures.

PHILIP DUNNE MP

Regularreaders of this column will be awarethatI have long been asupporter of Jeremy Hunt.Ibackedhim forthe lead ership in 2019 andagain earli er this summer.Itwill come as littlesurprisetherefore,thatI welcomedhis appointmentas Chancellor of theExchequer last week.Jeremyisone of the longestserving andmostexperiencedcabinet ministersin theparliamentary Conservative Party. When Iservedasa Health Minister when he led theDepartment as Secretary of State, Iwas impressedby hisability to master hisbrief andprovide calm andrational leadership when faced with challengingcircumstances and toughdecisions

Acoreresponsibility of Governmentistoensure economic stability to allowbusinesses to make long term investment decisions, forhouseholdstobe confident that they will be able to meet theiroutgoings each month andtoencourage investment acrossthe country. While thenew Governmentoutlined itsplanfor growth underthe previous Chancellor,ithas be come clearthatmarket conditionshaveworsenedacrossthe globe. This is most visibleto households throughthe global rise in interest ratesaffecting bills, mortgage ratesand in creasingthe cost of living.The Treasury underJeremyHunt have thereforehad to adaptthe Government’s strategy

Cats, PowerRangers andGladiators (his “all-timefavourite show”) hadahugeinfluence, continuing: “I lovedwatchingathletics too, seeing people Ithought were inspirational, findingout what they did andrepeating it.Now it’s come full circle, andIworkpartlyinsome of thosesportsand Iget to interact with some of thosepeople, Iget to speaktothemand find outtheir stories. That’s come from seeing people when Iwas aboutthree or four yearsold.”

He recently conductedRoger Federer’slasttelevisioninterview as aprofessionaltennisplayer, and

He also loveslistening to hip-hop musicand watching Netflix.“My only issueisonceIstart Ican’t stop, so Imight startat8pm and finish at 5aminthe morning, andnot have anysleep.I’m actually quite sadand Ilovewatchingthe news too– Ilikeunderstanding theworld around me.”

AnotherofRadzi’s passions is food, butdespite hisadmirable fit ness regime,headmits he’s nota particularly healthyeater.“This is whereit’sconfessiontimeagain,” he says.“I’dlovetosay my diet is as cleanasawhistle,but that wouldbe alie.Itwould be as cleanasa whis tleifyou took McDonald’s,choco late,sweetsand Starbucksout,but unfortunately that’d take alot out. Idon’t have averyclean diet.Ilike food alot,Nando’s is number one, twoand three. On thewhole I’m nottoo bad, butI do not necessarily watch what Ieat.Ieat everything!”

Growth will remain thecentral ambitionofthisGovernment, butthe Chancellor hasdemon stratedthisweekthatmarket stability must be secured to fund publicspendingand de liver sustainable growth.The Chancellor addressedParliament on Monday afternoon, outliningthe measures he hastak en to restoreconfidenceahead of theMedium-Term Fiscal Plan to be published at theend of themonth.No Conservative Member of Parliament wishes to seethe taxburden increased, butitisessential that markets have confidence in theGovern ment’s fiscal policy to fund pub licspending.

Vitalreforms andpoliciesto drivegrowthare firmly on this Government’s agenda:acceleratinginfrastructureprojects; delivering investment zones; legislatingtoprevent tradeunions from shutting down our national infrastructure;remov ingburdensome EU bureaucracy from statute; andmakingit cheapertobuy anew home.The newChancellor is theright man forthese challengingtimes.He hasalready shownfromhis first decisive days at theTreasury that hisdecisionsare starting to have thedesired effect

‘I’ve lovedsport andalso fitness basicallysinceI left thewomb’

RadziChinyanganya andhis mother Barbara McGarrity

Don’tstifleour townsbyraising parking prices

Councillor IanWellings (Bridgnorth)isrightinhis as sertionthatincreased parking chargescould detervisitorsto market towns.

Yes, we do need to encourage thegreater use of public trans port,indeeditiscurrently used by many as evidenced by bus useonmarket days,but re quires expansion

Thesuggestion that charges may be imposedonSundays is absurdasShropshirehas al most no busesthen.

Theanswer, of course,is making bususe more attractive by greaterfrequency,extended hours, effectivemarketingand faresthatare competitive with thecar,incorporating adaily capasusedinmetropolitan areas(easier said than done,I know).

Furthermore, thecounty’s long-termplanfor rail reconnections will stay that way withoutsome feasibility stud iesundertaken.

Ourrepresentatives in governmentneedtoensurethe shirecountiesget theirshare of levelling-upmoneytoallow some game-changingprojects here

PICTURE FROMTHE ARCHIVE

MikeCrump,Bridgnorth

Chance to enter design contest

We areagroup of volunteers whocollect usedand new postagestampsfromthe UK andoverseas,horizon labels, collections, postcards, first daycoversand obsolete and unwanted currency from anywherearoundthe world as well as runningfundraising events in aidofBoneCancerResearch Trust(BCRT), charitynumber 1159590.

To raise awarenessofour fundraiser, we arerunning acolouring competitionand wouldlikeyoungstersany whereinthe UK to design their ownpostagestamp,but it has to be A4 size,templates canbe downloaded from theinternet. Thetheme is ‘Whatmakes you happy?’Itcan be absolutely anything,anyoneoranywhere. We can’twaittosee theresults.

The finaldatefor thecom petition is December 2sothe sooneryou startdrawing, painting andcolouring the quickeryou cansendyourmas terpiecesintousatthe address given

Youcan send stamps and otherrequired itemswithyour stamps, butpleasecheck the postagecosts before posting.

Pleasesendin yourentry to us with yourname, age, abrief descriptionofyourartworkand acontact emailortelephone number to:Colouring Competition,20BowersRoad, Benfleet, Essex,SS7 5PZ.

Stampcollectingasa hobby is educational, calmingand fulfilling anditwould be great if more youngstersstarted collectingasa newventure

Primarybonecancercan occuratany age, butaffects mostly children,teenagers, young adults andthe elderly. Every10minutes somewhere in theworld someone is diag nosedwithprimary bone cancer.

Ewingsarcoma accounts for52per cent of allprimary bone cancersdiagnosed in chil dren aged 0-14 acrossthe UK, with osteosarcomafollowing closely behind at 39 percent.

Despite this,an historic lack of fundingmeans that treat mentsfor bone cancer patients have notadvancedinover 30 years. Ourgroup is trying to

change these facts. Pleasenote this competitionisnot organisedorcontrolled by thecharityitself.

TerriBush, Friendsof BCRT –Postage Stamp Appeal&More!

We need banks to remain open

Ireadan interestingarticle regardingold customers using thebanks Ihavesenttwo letterstomy bank regardingclosures

Theirreasonisthatno-one usesthe bank.Every time Igo acrosstothisfriendlybranch thereare queues.Thisisspoil ingthe towns.

As apensioner,likemanyold peopleand newofcourse,Ido no likeusing online bankingas thereare many scams.

Untilall of these peopleare punished,getting olderpeople to usethe computer forbankingwillbeimpossible.

With allthistechnology around,how come we can’tsort thesehorriblepeopleout?

We want face-to-face bank inginour townsthatweare trying to rebuild. Please.

Name &address supplied

PRAYER OF THEWEEK

BY REVJOHN SMITH,RETIRED MINISTER, BRIDGNORTH BAPTISTCHURCH

Is Bridgnorth acompassionatecommunity,orare we tooeasilyanaesthetisedto theneedsofothers?

In thefaceofincreasing poverty levels, Ithank God forFood Bank,Christians AgainstPoverty, charity shops, Warm Hubs,Lions, andother charitable groups

Yetitwould be alltoo easy to contract outour compas sionateresponse to others, feelingthattheyhavethis covered.

TodayIchallenge myself as Ichallenge others

How compassionateamI really?

What am Idoing to alle viatepoverty in my community?

Prayer:

“God of thepoor, friend of theweak, give us compas sion we pray

“Meltmycoldheart,let tearsfalllikerain.

“Come change ourlove from aspark to a flame.

“Amen.”

Editorial: 01952242424 pete.carroll@mnamedia.co.uk Sport: 01952241473 nick.elwell@mnamedia.co.uk Advertising: 01952242424 alison.jukes@mnamedia.co.uk

JOIN THEDEBATE

Email: editorial.support@mnamedia.co.uk

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

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

Untilthen, don’tstiflethe life-blood of market townswith more cost of living increases

TheCleeHills were alivetotothe sound of quarrying when this picture wastaken in 1930.For many years, quarrying for dolerite, or dhustoneasitwas known, washemainincomesourcefor thearea, andthe Abdon CleeStone QuarryWorkswas anajor extractor of therockwhich wasusedinthe road-building industry.The quarry closed in 1936

Unsafe driversdetectedevery sixminutes

Unsafe driversare beingdetected everysix minutes on average in aUK-firsttrial of newtech nology beingheldinthe West Midlands National Highways said 152 driversholding amobilephone and512 vehicleoccupants with outaseatbelthavebeenidenti fied on theM40 andA46 in War wickshireover aperiodofjust64 hours.

Passingvehiclesare being filmed by avan withmultiple camerasparkedatthe side of theroad. Analysisofthe foot agebyartificialintelligenceand humans determines if motorists

were usinga handheld phoneor whetheranyonewas notwearing aseatbelt. Onedriver wascaught with onehandholding hisphone andthe othertouchinghis face, meaninghehad no controlofthe steering wheel.

Twootherswereholding phonesand not belted up.The vanisbeing trialled fornear ly threemonthsinpartnership with Warwickshire Police,which hasissuedmorethan216 Notices of Intended Prosecutionasa result of thescheme. Theuse of thedetection vanispartofNational Highways’commitmentto eliminatingdeathsand serious

injuries on itsroads by 2040 Government figuresshow18 people died in crashesonBritain’sroads in 2021 in whicha driver using aphonewas acon tributoryfactor.

Some 30 percentofcar oc cupantskilledincollisionslast year were not wearingaseatbelt, whichisthe highestproportion in recordsdatingbackto2013.

National Highways’roadsafety leader JamieHassall said: “Sadly,the results of this trial have shownthatsome drivers do notfeelthe need to wear a seatbelt,orbecome distracted by theirphones.”

Tireless servantof communitytosit in Houseof Lords

DOMINICROBERTSON newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Aformercouncil leader hasbeenappointed to the HouseofLords.

Valuable sculpture stolen in burglary Jack setto perform forest gigin2023

Police area appealingfor information afteran‘expensive sculpture’ wasstolenwas stolen from aproperty

PC Stephen Grantsaidthatthe item hadbeentaken from ahome at ThreeAshes,Craven Arms, be tween11.30amand 1pmonSatur day.

“The offender or offenders forced entrytothe home andthey have stolen an expensivesculp ture from theaddress,” he said

“Anyonewithany information about theincidentisasked to contact us online,quoting incident number 00336_I_15102022.”

Alternativelyuse theCrimestoppershotline 0800 555111

Archery talk linedup forannual meeting

Shrewsbury author andbroad caster AdvollyRichmond is speaker at theannualmeetingofVic toriaCountyHistory Shropshire on October29, with atalktitled “Archery: An EliteShropshire pastime.”

It will be alighthearted look at thesocialaspectofarcheryon theestates of theprivileged few in Shropshire andthe Marches

Themeeting starts with theannual report at 2pm, followed by refreshments, andthenAdvolly’s lectureat3pm.Venue is Central Shrewsbury BaptistChurch, ClaremontStreet,Shrewsbury

TheVictoriaCountyHistory or VCHisa national project to write

Singer-songwriterJackSavoretti will be performing at Cannock ChasenextyearonJune11.

He is the firstartisttoannounce datesaspartofForestLive2023, thesummerconcert series presented by Forestry England.

Sincehis initialbreakthrough with BBCRadio 2airplay in 2006, asuccessionofcraftedalbums hasbuiltthe Anglo-Italiansinger-songwriteranimpressivecareer.Jacksaid: “I love performingatthese wonderful woodland locations, they arelikeno other live arenas.”

Ticketsgoonsalefrom9am tomorrow (Friday) at forestryengland.uk/music

Kuldip Sahota,Labourcouncillor forMalinslee andDawley Bank,has been confirmed as receivingapeerage in thelatestGovernmentlist.

TheformerTelford &WrekinCouncilleaderisnamed alongsidethe grandson of SirWinston Churchill Sir Nicholas Soames,and former Labour MP TomWatson.

He hadbeenput forwardbythe Labour Party. Councillor Sahota has been awardmemberfor 20 years, and ledTelford &WrekinCouncil from 2011 to 2015

He is aprominent member of thelocalSikhcommunity andhas spenttwo decadesworking forlocal charities, includingfundraising forSevernHos piceand servingteasand coffees at thefriends’caféat thePrincessRoyal Hospital.Healso served on theBoard of Governorsofthe University of Wolverhamptonfor nine years, andisstill on theadvisoryboard of theCentre for Sikh andPunjabi Studies.

He said:“Iwould liketothank the Labour Partyand,in particular,its leader SirKeirStarmer forappointing me.Itisagreat honour andaprivilege to sitinthe HouseofLords represent ingthe Labour Partyand itsvaluesof equality,fairnessand socialjustice.”

He added: “I want to take theoppor tunitytothank my wife andfamilyfor theirunstintingsupport over many,

Councillor Kuldip Sahotaisnow alord

many years. Iamforever grateful for thetrust andsupport placed in me by thepeopleofTelford andThe Wrekin, withoutwhich this wouldnot be possible. As theson of afoundry worker, it hasbeenmypleasuretorepresent my localcommunity on thecouncil andI pledgetocontinueto fightfor thevery best forthe borough.”

Telford& Wrekin Council’sleader, Councillor ShaunDavies, offeredhis congratulations. He said:“This is a verywell-deserved elevation.Kuldip hasbeenafantastiservant of our community. He hasworkedtirelessly in hiswardoverthe past 20 years.”

Fundraisers formentalhealthday

Acollege broughtawareness to World Mental Health Dayin afun andpositive fashion, by taking part in arange of charityfundraising activities

TelfordCollege’s foundation and health departmentsswapped their regulartimetablesfor mental health workshops

Donna Jefferies, whoarranged theevents, said:“Students in the foundation department took part in arange of wellbeingsessionsatthe startofthe week,promoting and raisingawareness forpositivemental health in supportofthe #HelloYel-

lowmovement. Tutors andsupport staffran activities forthe wholeday includingbaking, lightphotography, mark making andartsand crafts Theeventwas agreat success,and allproceedswillbedonated to Young Minds.”

YoungMinds is amentalhealth charityfor children,young people andtheir parents, making sureall young people canget themental health supporttheyneed, when they need it

Thefoundationdepartmentran five differentworkshops

Clocks help forpeoplewithdementia

TheAlzheimer’sSocietyhas issued advice to people acrossShropshireto supportthose with dementia when the clocks change

As thenights become longer, people acrossShropshireare preparingtoset reminderstowindtheir clocks back on October30toreflectthe change in season.Despite this routineoccur ring twiceeveryyear, many peopleare caught outbythe extra hour lost or gained

Butfor people with dementia in Shropshire, wherethere arean esti mated5,700 people living with condition,the time change maycause more

than just asurprise Alzheimer’sSocietyhas advised that people with dementia can find themselves disorientatedbythe clocks moving back

Andsothe society hasissuedadvice to help supportpeoplelivingwiththe disease.

KumbiMandinyenya,Alzheimer’s SocietyShropshireAreaManager said having aroutine during the dayand at bedtimecan help regulate aperson’s disruptedbodyclock as well as doing regularactivitiesat thesametime each day. Formorevisit alzheimers. org.uk.

Landmark hotelin town on market for firsttimein30years

MEGANHOWE newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

AlandmarkShrop shirehotel whichhas beenfamily-runfor thelastthree decades hasbeenplacedonthe market forjustshy of onemillion pounds.

TheRaven Hotel, in Much Wenlock, is on sale with Birmingham-basedsurveyor Fleurets for £950,000,after beingowned by thesamefamilyfor thelast30 years.

OriginallyfromCanada, the previous owners visitedthe South Shropshire town in the1980s and fell in love with it,deciding to make it asecondhome

Theownersworkedhardtoensure that thehotel wasacentre of thelocal community–bothasa meetingplace andaplacefor celebration

Decision

However,after theirrecent passing, thefamilyhas made the difficultdecision to offerthe busi ness andpropertytoanew owner.

JamesHartshorn, oneofthe family members, said:“TheRaven Hotelwas theowners’ pride andjoy forover threedecades, andwas farmorethanjustaninvestmenttothem.

“Theywantedtoprovide a placeofemployment,aplace of gatheringand aplace of community

“They were very deliberate aboutthe decisionstheymade, andveryaware of theimpact thosedecisionscould have on theirstaff,and thetown.

“First priority wasalwaysto ensure that thebusinesshad a positive impact,and in no way

Policegiveadvice aftervehicle theft

Toolsand cash were stolen from a vehicle, sparking police advice to preventopportunistthefts.

TelfordPolice’sBrookside Safer Neighbourhood Team saythey received areportofthe theftfrom an insecure vehicleinBembridge, Brookside, on Thursday

BrooksidePCSOKatyBalaam’s advice to owners is:“Never leaveanythingonshowinyour vehicle; never leavethe carwith thekeysonthe ignition;always lock yourcar andfullyclose windows andsun roof anddon’t store valuable itemsinthe boot.”

TheRavenHotel,inMuchWenlock,isonthe market

took away from alreadyestab lished non-competingbusinesses.”

Thehotel building itself is a landmark GradeIIlisted coach inghouse with 15 en-suite bedrooms.

It boastsabar,aRosette-ranked restaurant,withanenclosed courtyardand alarge carpark. In addition to thehotel building,the freehold includes afarmshop– a retail unit next door whichsells localproduceand fresh fish so as nottocompete with thelocal butcher.

Athird building included in thefreehold, referred to as the ‘Forge’, is aformerhouse,now of fice,withcommercialspace con sistingofsix rental units.

These‘incubator’ unitswere setuptoprovide localstart-up businesses an affordable andaccessible spacetorent.

Both TheForge andfarmshop areavailable to purchase sepa rately if required

To make enquiriesabout the property contactmidlands@ fleurets.com or call 0121 236 5252

Villagehallhosts Halloweenevent Ambulancepatient experiencesurvey

Patients acrossShropshirehave been encouraged to take part in asurveytohelpimprove theofferingsofWestMidlandsAmbulanceService

Theservice is lookingfor an yone whohas dialled999,called 111,orusedthe PatientTrans port Service, to take part in the patientsurvey.

Availableonline,the surveys allow WMAS to enhance, improve andmodifytheir services

To take part in anyofthe surveys visitwmas.nhs.uk/contact/ feedback-surveys/

Afrightfully goodfamilyfriendly Halloweeneventwillbetaking placelater this month

Apartywill be held at Church andChetwyndAston VillageHall with volunteers from LGBTQ SocietyNewport supporting the event.

It takesplace from 6.15pm on Saturday,October 29 andin cludes apumpkin carvingcompe tition,games andmusic

Therewillalso be afancy dress competitionwithprizesand,a ‘faceyourfears room’full of creep crawlies andcreatures

Millions will see mortgages rise

Morethan five million households arepredicted to seetheir annual mortgagepaymentsrise by an aver ageof£5,100between nowand the endof2024, accordingtoa thinktank

Some £1,200 of theaverage in crease predicted reflects higher expectations of interest rate rises sincethe ‘mini-budget’,the Resolu tion Foundation said Thenumberofmortgages on the market nosedivedfollowing themi ni-budget.

Lendershavegradually been bringing back newdeals buthave priced theirrates upwards.

Moneyfacts.co.uk this week counted 3,112mortgageproducts available, compared with 3,961on theday ofthe mini-budget.

Theaveragetwo and five-year fixedmortgagerates on themar ket areattheir highestlevelssince 2008,standingat6.47per cent and 6.29 percent.

Mancharged with murder

Aman hasappearedincrown courtaccused of themurder ofstudentRebecca Steerin Oswestry Miss Steer, 22,fromLlany mynech,diedafterbeing struck by avehicle in Willow Streetat about2.50amonSunday.

StephenMcHugh, aged 27, appeared viavideolinkfrom HMPHewell, near Redditch,at ahearing held at Birmingham CrownCourt yesterdaymorn ing. He is chargedwithmurder andofcausing grievousbodily harm with intent to Kyle Rob erts, failing to stop afteranac cident anddriving withoutthird partyinsurance

Birmingham Recorder Judge MelbourneInman KC said: “The case is to be triedatStaf ford CrownCourt on April11 next year,which is theearliest date it canbeheard.”

Fire spreadsto gorseonMynd

A fire that startedunder atractor spread to gorseand undergrowth on theLongMyndinSouth Shrop shire.

Firefighters spentthree hours bringing theblaze atLittleStretton undercontrolonFriday. Four fire crews–fromChurchStretton,Cra ven Arms, Minsterley andShrews bury –werescrambled afterthe blazebroke outjustafter 3pm.

Shropshire Fire andRescue Servicesaidthe incidentinvolved a fire underatractor whichhas then spread to thegorse andunder growth on theLongMynd.

About300 squaremetresofun dergrowthwas alightand crews createdabarrier to preventthe fire spreadingfurther

The fire wasbrought undercon troljustbefore6pm.A fire service spokesperson said acrewreturned to thescene thefollowing daytoen surethatthere wasnosignofthe blazere-igniting

Historians open awindowtothe past with lovingly createdcalendar

Projectbringsbackmemoriesofbygone timeswithcollection of old photographs

MembersofShifnal History Societyhavepulled outall thestops to produce acalendarfor 2023 that showcasesthe histo ry of thetown, thebuild ings andthe people.

Thenew calendar –which is avail able now–bringsbackmemoriesof bygone timesincluding oldbuildings whichnow have differentusesand some that don’texist now.

They includethe Old Post Office at theheadofVictoriaRoad(now Nan’sCafeBar)and JohnBromley’s Ironmongers,abuilding whichhas nowgone. Oneofthe highlights of thecalendarisapaintingbyformer mayorBob Harrop of TheWonder Coachcomingthrough thecentre of Shifnalin1835, consisting of coach andhorses

Thecoach wassaidtohavecovered the158 miles betweenLondonand Shrewsbury in athenrecordtimeof 12 hoursand 40 minutesdue to the carriage beingpulledbysix horses insteadoffour. Theend of theservice wasmarkedbythe railwaycomingto Shifnalin1849whenitformedpart of theLondontoHolyheadline.

Theheadquartersofthe 16-mem ber-strong historysociety at theOld Fire Stationisatreasuretrove of itemsall relatedtoShifnal, from a Bronze Ageaxe foundwitha metal detector,amangleusedinatown house andagrandfatherclock made in thearea. Thereisalso an England

PAUL JENKINS newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

shirtofformerWolvesgoalkeeper Bert Williams, wholived near Shifnal when he retired.

Chairofthe society Gerald Nick less,who celebrates his78thbirthday today, said it is alabour of love forthe memberstolookfor itemswhich will give a flavourofwhatthe town looked likeand itshistory

He said:“Each year when we pro duce thecalendarweaim toprovide asnapshotofwhatShifnalhas looked likedownthe ages, contrastingwith what it looksliketoday.It’samazing the amount of oldphotographs we get donatedaswellasthe exhibits which we keep, allofwhich areverified, logged andondisplay forthe public to come andviewthem.

“Wekeepasmall fund forusto source itemsthatmightcome up on eBay or elsewherethatwehavetobid on andthe proceeds from thecalen darhelpwiththis.

“Since we starteddoing the cal endarwehavesoldabout 250copies each year and–aswellas helping with thefunding forustokeepgo ingand getmoreitems –theymake alovelyChristmas present or item to hang on thewall.”

Thecalendar,spricedat£7, are availableduringopening timesat the Old Fire Stationwhich arebetween 2pmand 4pmonFridays or 10am to noon on Saturdays, or from Presence Card andGift Shop in thetown.

Archerytalktofeature at meeting

Author andbroadcasterAdvolly Richmond will be thespeaker at theannualmeetingofVictoria County HistoryShropshireon October29, with atalktitled“Ar chery: An EliteShropshirePas time”.

It will be alight-heartedlook at thesocialaspectofarchery on theestates of theprivileged fewin Shropshireand theMarches

Themeetingstartswiththe annual report at 2pmfollowedby thetalkand refreshments

It takesplace at Central Shrewsbury BaptistChurch, ClaremontStreet,Shrewsbury.

TheVictoriaCountyHistory or VCHisa national projecttowrite theauthoritativelocal historyof everyEnglish place.

Half-termfun at restored millvenue

Thehistory of therecently-restored 225-year-old Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings is settobeboughttolife with adaily programmeofevents offering free half-termfamilyfun

People of allages arebeing urged to find outmoreabout thestruc ture,the predecessortomodern skyscrapers, throughactivitiesset to take placefromOctober 22 to October30. Thesewill includean

opportunitytomeetFlaxand Bar ley, thetime-travelling,storytelling cats, afamilytrail,a competitionto buildthe tallestskyscraper, badge making anddaily arts andcraft ac tivities.

Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings in Spring Gardens, opened to thepub licfor the firsttimein35years in September followinga£28 million, eight-year restorationscheme.

ShifnalRailway Stationand thebridge nowand as it wasdecades ago

Gerald Nickless, chairofthe ShifnalHistory Society, with thenew calendar

Themodern streetscape minusthe old John BromleyIronmongers

Theformer Post Office at theheadofVictoria Road,now NansCafe Bar

TheWonder Coachcoming throughthe centreofShifnal in 1835

BradfordStreet nowand on Armistice Day, with thebuildings removed

Insurance firm backsthe Orbit

Abusinesshas backed apopular communityasset with adonationof £300

HenshallsInsurance Grouphas made thecontributiontoWelling tonOrbit –acommunity cinema andartscentre that aims to deliver arts andculturalfacilities to local people.

HenshallsdirectorMartinPitch ford said:“We have always support ed localorganisations andcauses, andwe’re very pleasedtohavebeen able to make adonationtohelpsuch awell-usedasset that’s helpingthe peopleofWellingtonand beyond to enjoyartsand cultureontheir very doorstep.It’sanincredibleaddition to thetown, andwe’re delightedto seeitattractingsuchagreat deal of attentioninthe community.”

TheHenshalls donation comesat thesametimeasThe Orbitisrun ning acommunity shareschemeto raise fundstoallow them to acquire thefreeholdofthe building

County libraries support teens

Librarieshavegot on board with areading programmefor teens to supportwellbeing and mental heath.

Shropshirelibraries have stockeduponalistofbooks speciallyselected to help teenagers handle difficult experiences, understand theirfeelingsand boosttheir confidence.

Thenew ReadingWellfor teens book list waslaunchedin supportofWorld MentalHealth Day.

Bridgnorth, Libraryatthe Lantern, Ludlow,Market Dray ton, Oswestry,Shrewsburyand Whitchurch librarieswill each hold afullset of thebooks, whichinclude booksontopics such as anxiety, coming out, so cialmedia andeatingdisorders.

Thetitlesare free to request from allother ShropshireLibraries.

E-bikes‘may’ help lessactive

E-bikesare unlikelytohelppeople hitrecommended exercise levels buttheycould encourageolder, overweightorsickerriderstohave ago, newresearch suggests Expertsfound that people riding motorisedelectricbikes tended to take fewerand less physicallydemandingtrips than conventional cyclists.However,theysaidthe bikes couldencourage people who mightotherwise notbothertocycle to give them atry,reaping health benefits alongthe way.

Electric bikesare like regular bikesbut have amotor that kicksin when people pedal. This makesthe bike easier to ride,meaning trav elling up hillsand completing long ridesiseasier. People cangenerally setthe levelatwhich they want the bike to help them andcan turn off themotorisedfunctionaltogether.

Around 3.4million e-bikeswere sold in theEuropeanUnion in 2019, compared with just98,000 in 2006

Royal repairs–KingtostaralongsideJay

TheKingistoguest starinaspe cialepisodeofThe Repair Shop alongsidepresenter JayBladesas part of theBBC’scentenary cele brations.

In theprogramme,His Majesty will meet theshow’shostJay and hisexpertteamofcraftspeopleto exploretheir shared passionfor preserving heritage craftskills.

Theteamwill also mend twopre ciousitems chosen by thenew monarch –apiece of potterymadefor QueenVictoria’sDiamondJubilee andan18thcentury clock.

Thespecial announcement was

IAN HARVEY ian.harvey@mnamedia.co.uk

made during TheOne Show last week,withthe episodeairingon October26at8pm on BBCOne

Popularpresenter Jay, hasa workshopinWolverhampton and livesand works in Ironbridge

In August 2021,the team of Jay, ceramics expert KirstenRamsay, horologistSteve Fletcher andfurni ture restorer Will Kirk were invited to Dumfries HouseinScotlandto meet theKing, then thePrinceof

Wales, andlearn aboutThe Prince’s Foundation’s workintrainingthe next generation of craftspeople.

TheKingmet students on the Building CraftProgramme setup by ThePrince’sFoundationwhich teachestraditional skillssuchas blacksmithingand wood carving.

Jay,who grew up in Hackney, said:“You’ve gotsomeone from a council estate andsomeone from a royalestatethatshare interestsin apprenticeshipsand heritage crafts It is unbelievabletosee that two people from differentendsofthe spectrum havethe same interests.”

Charitymarking sevenyears of helpingyoung people in county

Acharity is celebratingseven years of helpingShropshire’syoung peoplebreak down barriers, buildbusinesses and find confidence

InOctober 2015,Richard Nuttall satinanempty office in Telford with nothingbut adeskand achair to launch ShropshireYouth Support Trust, acharity helpingyoung, disadvantaged peoplebreak down barriers to employment

Over thecourse of thenextsev en years, thecharity hashelped launch over 200businesses, creatingalmost300 jobs foryoung people in thecounty.

SYST provides one-to-one support forpeoplefacingbarriersto employment such as mental health issues,disabilities or challenges in theirhome life.

It helpswithworkplace training, creating resumes, gettingworkexperience,building business plans, andmentalhealthand well-being support.

Most importantly, Richardexplained, thecharity helpsits users to find theirpassion andfollow theirdreams. Richardexplained: “There’s anotherpandemichappeningat themoment,young people arestrugglingwiththeir mental health.Theyoften feel likenoone’s listening, like no onecares

“I wasone of thosekids, Iwas on free school meals, grew up on a council estate,was told Iwouldn’t aspire to anything andwas strugglingwithmymentalhealth. Iwas fortunate enough to havesomeone to believeinme. That’s allthese young people need,likewhatthey’re passionate aboutisimportant and that someone believes in them.”

Authoritiespressing formore homesincountyhavesplit

BlackCountry coun cils that want to build thousandsofhomes on Shropshiregreen belt land have hadacom plete breakdownover theirown housingplans.

TheBlackCountry plan –acom binedproposalfor 76,000 homes from Dudley,Walsall,Sandwell and Wolverhampton–has been shelved.

Theproposalwas thrown into chaos last week when Dudley pulled outofthe talksoverconcernsabout theinclusion of itsown greenbelt areas.

Nowthe remainingthree au thoritieshaveconfirmed they will be drawinguptheir ownhousing plans. It comesasthe four councils, through theAssociation of Black CountryAuthorities(ABCA), have been calling forShropshiretotake on thousandsmorehomesaspartof itsown localplan.

DOMINIC ROBERTSON newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Shropshire’slocal plan sets out sitesacrossShropshirewhere a combined 30,800 homeswould be builtupuntil 2038

Theplaniscurrently beingassessed by planning inspectors to decide whetheritisconsidered ‘sound’, andcan proceedwithout changes.

Within theplanShropshirehas offeredtoprovide 1,500homesfor theABCAcouncilstohelpthem meet theirown housingtargets butthe offerhas been challenged by ABCA,which wantsspace for more housinginShropshireaswell as spacefor business development Theissue is duetobediscussedat aspecial hearingofplanninginspectors in thenew year,toevalu atewhether Shropshirehas metits ‘dutytoco-operate’requirements

In alettertoplanninginspectors as part of thehearingsWal

sall Councilspecificallycalledfor plansfromthe Bradford Estates, for3,000 homesand business development on land to thewestofTong andnorth of Junction 3ofthe M54, to be allowedtogoahead.Shrop shireCouncilhad decidednot to in cludethe controversial proposalin itslocal plan

It is yettobeseenwhether a breakdowninthe ABCA councils’ ownability to co-operate will im pact thedemands on Shropshireat January’shearing

Problems

Representativesfromthe Brad ford Estateshavealso been part of planning hearings,questioningwhether Shropshirehas done enough to help theBlack Country Council’swiththeir housing prob lems.The Januaryhearing could be crucialindeciding whetherthe Bradford Estatesproposalcan go ahead.

In recent days,problemshave

emerged with theBlackCountry Local Plan –being createdbythe four ABCA councils– with Dudley shocking othermemberslastweek by announcingits planstopull out.

Theplanwas to setout where 76,000 newhomeswould be built acrossthe four boroughs by 2039

Dudley Council,which wished to remove twocontroversial sitesfrom theplan, hassaiditwill nowcreate itsown plan,withits leader Patrick Harley saying he couldnot allow publicfeedback to be ignored

He said:“At everystage of this plan we have made it clearthatit must be ledbythe peoplewho live here.Isimplycannotstand by and allowdecisionstobemadewhich arecontrary to theoverwhelming feedback we have alreadyreceived

“Thisis clearlyaveryemotive subjectand people feel very strong ly aboutit. We will thereforelookto go it aloneand look at what is need ed to supportaDudley-specificplan andsetting outthe timescales.”

JayBladesand King CharlesIII will appear in aspecial edition of theshowonOctober26at8pm on BBCOne

Scheme forunwanted trees takesrootincounty

Aschemehas been launched to help encouragegardenerstorecycle unwanted trees growingontheir plots.

Shropshire Council, working in partnership with Shrewsbury Town Council, is asking forunwanted seedlingsthatwould otherwise be destroyedtobedonated to Shrewsbury’s WeepingCrossnursery

Once there, they will be repurposed and plantedinappropriate sitesaroundthe county

The donatedtrees will be tagged and monitored forpestsand diseases by nurs erystaff,and logged to adatabase, to enablepeopletodiscover wheretheyhavebeen planted.

FewerpatientsatA&E than this time last year

Morepatientsvisited A&EatShrewsbury andTelford hospitalslastmonth, butattendanceswerelowerthanthe same time last year, figuresreveal.

FiguresfromNHS Englandhaveshown 12,105 patients visitedthe Accidentand EmergencydepartmentatShrewsbury and TelfordHospitalNHS TrustinSeptember

This wasa rise of oneper cent on the 11,972 visits recorded during August,but was five percentlowerthanthe 12,765 pa tients seen in September of last year

Themajorityofattendances last month were viamajor A&Edepartments while16 percentwerevia thecounty’sminor injury units.

No evidence fish caught in UK waters are‘unsafe’

Thereisnoevidence fish caught in UK wa ters areunsafe to eat,ahealthministerhas said,amidconcernsover thedumping of sewage.The assurancebyLordMarkham came in response to aparliamentary writ tenquestionbyLabourabout thepublic health risk posedbythe dischargeofefflu entintoBritain’s riversand coastalwaters.

Therehas been mounting public angerat thecontroversial practice

Water firmshavebeencriticisedfor not investingenoughinthe country’sageing infrastructure,withministers underpressure to intervene. Lord Markhamsaid: “There is currentlynoevidence that fish caught in UK waters areunsafe to eat.”

Ilived to seemy son’smarriage aftertreatment

MEGANHOWE megan.howe@mnamedia.co.uk

AcancersurvivorfromShropshirehas encouraged peopletogive monthlytothe world’s largestcan cercharity,after sheattendedher son’sdream wedding.

Donna Jones, from Telford, issued thepleaafter hersuccessfulcancertreatment enabledher to see herson,Jordan, getmarried in Mexico this year

Afterbeing diagnosedwithbreastcancerin July 2015,Donna went from organising ahecticwork schedule to arrangingher lifearoundsurgery,radiotherapy andchemotherapysessions.

Now fitand well,the 52-year-oldhas just returned from heronlyson’s weddinginMexico–anoccasion shefearedshe wouldnot live to see.

In 2015,Donna went to seeher doctor abouta lump shehad foundonher rightbreast, suspecting it wasanother cyst whichshe hadsufferedfromnumeroustimes before

Twoweeks laterDonna went back forher results andwas told shehad breast cancer.Ithad also spread to herlymphatic andvascularsystem.

Afteralumpectomytoremove thetumour, Donna wastreated with threeroundsofFEC-T chemotherapywhich started on her45thbirthday.

Donna said sheowesher lifetoimprovedtreat ments– thanks in part,tothe workofCancerResearch UK –and hasencouragedeveryonetogive monthlytothe charity.

Donnasaid: “I told my husbandall theway through that Ionlywantedtwo things:I wanted to seemy50thbirthdayand Iwanted to live long enough to seemyson,Jordan, getmarried

“Hewas only 20 when Iwas diagnosedand he is my world,soIwas determined to be therefor him.”

District pubs receive awards from Camra

Membersofthe Telfordand East Shropshire Campaign forRealAle grouphavecelebratedthe achievements of twoShropshirepubs.

Thegroup metatThe AnvilinShifnaltopresent it with itstownpub of theyearawards. It wasvot ed forbythe hundreds of membersofthe branch whoparticularlysaidtheyenjoyed theburning fire andspaciousbeergarden availableall year round.

SamJervisfromthe Lion O’MorfeinUpper Farmcote wasalsopresent to accept hispub’s awardfor ruralpub of theyear2022.

Themulti-award-winningLionisdescribedasa ‘classic countrypub’, with asmall barfor drinkers andanexcellent restaurant fordiners.

Donna with sonJordan, left,and husbandAllan

Book launch set forformerjail

Thrill-seekers canexperience an overnightstayatShrewsbury’s de commissionedVictorian prison– to mark thelaunchofthriller writer JamesPatterson’slatestbook, in cludingareading from theauthor himself

Billed as ‘theworld’s most thrill ingbookpremiere’,Penguin Books UK is settolaunchthe latest instal ment of Patterson’scrime thriller series this month –AlexCross: Tri pleCross.

To celebrate, thepublisher is hostingabooklaunchand preview in Shrewsbury Prison–now atouristattraction –onTuesday (25)

Finalsalvoes firedoverplan

Finalshots arebeing firedina contentiousplantouse afarmer’s fields insouth Shropshire forwar gamesusing guns that fire biodegradableprojectiles

As an officialconsultationpe riod came to an endonMonday, thenumberofopponents and supporters of theplantochange theuse of land near Rock Hill Farm,nearGreete, wassplit with 72 objections to 66 in sup port.The plancan be viewed on theShropshireCouncilplanning portal (22/03770/FUL)

Theatre groupbuildsuphead of steamfor RailwayChildren

DAVIDTOOLEY david.tooley@mnamedia.co.uk

TheRegal CommunityTheatre groupisputting on afull-scale productionofthe classictaleofThe Railway Children

Forthisrenownedlocal group, whosemembershailfromTenbury, Ludlow andthe surroundingareas, this is the firstopportunitytoshow theirtalentinthe main auditorium of Tenbury’sbeautiful ArtDecoRegalTheatre

They areplanningonbringingto life thedelightful storyofThe RailwayChildrenset in thegolden age of steam.

Theplay, writtenbyMikeKenny andbased on thebookbyENesbit andthe memorable moviestarring JennyAgutter andBernard Crib bins, was firstperformed at The National RailwayMuseuminYork in 2008 before transferring to London’sWaterlooStation

Accordingtothe play’s director PeterHayter: “The firstproduction of theplayuseda60-tonneSterling singlesteamengine. Ourbudget doesn’tstretch quitethatfar butwe do have an equallypowerfulprop in theimagination of thecastand

theaudience. This stageversion of TheRailway Children is atruly up lifting piece full of emotion, laughs andtears, with action,heroism and aspotofhighfarce thrown in for goodmeasure.And thenextsteam train is never faraway!”

Mr Hayter,aLudlowresident added: “The storyistoldbythe children themselves,Roberta,Peterand Phyllis, nowgrown up,who recall thedevastatingincidentthat splituptheir happyfamilyand how they foundafriendinthe railway whichhelpedthemkeepalive their hope of better times.

“Those whoremember theoriginalmovie will never forget the poignancyofthe finalscene and it’s ourintention to leaveaudiences similarly moved.”

Forthisproductionanew musi calscore hasbeenspecially commissioned, composed by Richard Errington, brotherofcastmember Jane Bull

Andthe 30-strong cast andcrew hasbeenaidedbythe management of TheRegal Theatre whohaveofferedRCT theirfull support, not leastbyhelping to buildand paint theset

TheRailway Children at TheRegalTheatre,Tenbury Wellsfrom Thursday October27toSaturday October29.

Ticketsare availablefromthe Re galBox office 01584811442.

boardAmbition Liverpool -St. Mary’s(Isles of Scilly) -St. PeterPort (Guernsey) -Rouen (France, overnight)-Cruise River Seine -Portsmouth (UK) -Invergordon (Scotland) -Scrabster for John O’Groats(UK) -Portree (IsleofSkye) -Tobermory (IsleofMull) -Belfast (Northern Ireland) -Liverpool

Land by launch or tender

Launch fares from £1,339pp Ambassador fares from £1,734pp

Rouen,France

NorthCape, Norway

Acommunity theatre groupistakingonwhat it callsits “mostexciting challengeyet”.

Membersofthe cast in rehearsal for TheRailway Children

Bridgnorth’s MP went on a fact findingmission aheadofan inquiryintothe sustainability of theUKtimberindustry.

MP PhilipDunne visited Hazlin, agrowing localtimber products manufacturer,which makes fire resistant doorsfor theNHS, employing85members of staffacrosstwo sitesin Burfordand Bromfield, near Ludlow.The visitcomesas the EnvironmentalAudit Committee,chaired by Mr Dunne, launched an inquiryinJulyinto thesustainability of theUK Timber industry

Theinquirywill“explore how best to scaleupa sustainable andresilient domestic timber sector to reduce reliance on im ports, whilst also achievingits widernaturerecovery andbio diversitygoals through wood land creation”.

Mr Dunnesaid: “Itisvital that we look holistically at the wholeproduction cycleofthe timber industry in theUKifwe aretosecureasustainable fu ture forthe sector.”

Mr Dunnealso marked the 50th anniversary of theWood land Trust. Since1972, thetrust hasplanted 55 milliontrees and restored damaged woodland

Ronald finallyreturns to his former RAFbaseaged93

NATHAN ROWE nathan.rowe@mnamedia.co.uk

Apensioner hasreturned to RAFCosford nearly 80 yearsafter beingstationed thereduringhis time in theArmy.

Ronald Kindred, resident at Broadway Hallscarehome in Dud ley, hadalwayswanted to go back to RAFCosford, wherehewas stationed fortwo to threeyears as a teenager,backin the1940s

The93-year-old is originally from London andmoved back aftercom ingout of theArmy, so it hadbeen nearly 80 yearssince he hadbeento RAFCosford

Service

Thetripwas made possible thanks to ateamofkind-hearted carers at Broadway Halls.

Ronald used to serviceaircrafts during theSecond WorldWar,so when he sawall theplanesatRAF CosfordMuseum

He hadmanystories andmemories to tell,sharing afew with staff andmuseum guides at theRAF CosfordMuseum

In response to thesurprise,Ron aldsaid: “I wasonthe verge of tears.

“Itissuchanamazing feelingto know that such alovinggroup of people care so much aboutmethat they helped me to live outadream andIdidn’teven ask.”

Ronald hadanamazing daytellingeveryone of hisexperiences and wasaccompaniedbyhis wife of 70 years, IreneKindred,who also lives

at Broadway Halls. Staff firstfound outabout Ronald’s dreamback in August 2022 when talkingtothe activities teamabout hispastjobs.

JulieWillmouth, generalman ager at thehome,said: “Wewant everyone we care fortoknowhow importanttheyare to us here at Broadway Halls.

“Itwas so nice to seehow happy Ronald was–and thestaff lovedbeingapartofthisaswell.”

Community volunteersare celebrated by High Sheriff

People in thecommunity were recognisedatthe High Sheriffof Shropshire’sCelebration of Volunteersevent

Morethan350 individualsfrom acrossShropshireattendedthe CowPalacein Willey forafternoon tea, an artexhibitionand live music from theJackfieldBrass Band.

Thoseinattendancewerefrom an arrayofsectors

They were each invitedto‘bring avolunteer’ from thebreadth of the countytocelebrate theirincredible efforts, providethanksand to in spirethemtocontinue.

Selina Graham,High Sheriffof Shropshire, said:“It wasatruly wonderfuloccasiontogivethanks to themanywonderful volunteers that Shropshire displays.Iamso grateful to allthatattended, and must give aspecialshout outto some organisationswho supported me tremendouslythroughoutthe day. Derwen College, theOrbit Café Wellington, SevernHospice, Bro seleyLifeSkills, TheArk Shrews bury,Telford CVSWellbeing Café Madeley, andWorking Together Ludlow –all of whichassisted by providingcakes andhospitality to supplement theafternoontea suppliedbySoFood,”she added.

Fireworksspectacular

Visitors to theIronbridge GorgethisNovembercan experience a fireworks nightinthe ageofindus trywitha fireworksspec tacularatBlists Hill Victo rian Town.

On Saturday,November5,from 6pm-9pm, as well as having theoppor tunitytomeetsome of thetown’sres identVictorians, visitors canexplore thehistorictownbynight before head ingtothe greenfor aspectacular fire works display. Thedazzlingdisplay, settoamusical soundtrack,issureto be ahit with visitors young andold Guestscan trulyenjoy thesights, smells andsoundsofthe ageofindus try with avisit to thetown’sFoundry

wheretheycan seetraditional iron castinginactionusing the age-old method of sand casting.Visitorscan also catcha glimpseofBlistsHill’s steamengine.

There’splentyupfor grabs forkeen foodiestoo with arange of vendorsoffering avariety of comfortfood favourites.For thosefancying atipple, the town’s famous pubThe NewInn will also be open,offeringafull barservice andsnacks.

Bookingisessential with tick etspriced at £15for adults and£10 forchildrenwitha 10%discountfor PASS PLUS holders. Formoreinfor mation or to book yourtickets, visit www.ironbridge.org.uk

Ronaldusedtoservice WorldWar II aircrafts

Explore Blists Hill Victorian Town by nightand enjoythe fireworksdisplay

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Maternityunit site is sold for housingspace

Aformermaternity unityon acommunity hospital site in southShropshirehas been sold, subjecttocontract,for possible housingdevelopment

Accordingtothe website of property expertsFisherGer manasalehas been agreed for thesitewhich sits on half an acre offNew Road andGravel Hill, Ludlow.

Health campaigner Gill George of Defend ourNHS in Shropshire says thesaleofthe maternityunitisnot asurprise as it wasclosedin2016 andisin astate of ‘disrepair.”

“Ithad been left to rot,”said Ms George.“We know asale hasbeenagreed butwhatwe didn’t know is that we believe an 18-space carparkoff Gravel Hillthatisusedbystaff,dialy sispatientsand ambulances has been bundled in.Thishas been done withoutconsultationon thefutureofthe carpark.”

Themarketinginformation says theexact boundary of the site is stilltobeagreed Ms George,who livesinLud low,isalsoconcerned about what mayhappenonthe rest of thesite. Shesaysstaff have contactedher with worries over what mayhappennext.

“Wewillbepushing formore information,”she said

Sign up to learn lifesaving skills withair medics

Midlands AirAmbulance is urging peopleinShropshiretotakeadvan tage of itsfreetraining

Themission supporttrainingses sionsoffer lifesavingCPR andcat astrophic or trauma relatedbleed controltraining,

Lastyear, cardiacarrests made up 30-per-centofthe Midlands Air Ambulance’smissionswhiletrauma-related incidents –including roadtrafficcollisions, haemorrhag es or penetrating injuries –accounted for43per cent of call-outs, two percentuponthe previous year

Accordingtosources,approxi mately 30,000 out-of hospital cardiac arrestshappeneveryyearin theUK. Less than one in tenpeople survivethese cardiacarrests which is whyperformingCPR canmore than double thechances of survival in some cases

IanJones, theclinical operationsdirectorfor Midlands Air AmbulanceCharity,said: “Cardiac arrestsand trauma incidents consistentlyrankasthe toptypes of missionweattend, andbothmay requireimmediate bystandersup port

“The help of anyone close-by canmakeall thedifferenceduring thosevital firstfew minutes before advanced critical care teams ar rive.”

To book afreesession of lifesavingCPR andbleed controltraining, visitmidlandsairambulance.com/ training.

Dobbies offers an earlytaste of Christmasfor teenagecancerfundraiser

Agarden centre in Shropshire will be hostingacharity shopping night to raise moneyfor theTeenage Cancer Trust.

Theevent takesplace at Dobbies’ Shrewsbury storefrom5pm to 9pm on Thursday,November24.

TheChristmas Shopping Night will includeawelcome drinkonarrivalaswellasthe chance toenjoy theexclusive shopping offers avail-

able on thenight.Dobbies’Santa’s Grotto will launch in itsShrewsbury storefor aspecial preview as well as bookable tables in the restaurant offering ataste of the Christmas menu SarahMurray, Partnershipand Events ManageratDobbiessaid: “We’ve raisedover£1.2m forTeenageCancerTrust andour Christ masShoppingNightisagreat op

portunity, notonlyfor customers in Shrewsburytoenjoy afestive night, butcontributetoraising fundsfor an incredibly worthwhile cause.”

Ticketsare priced at £1,avail able at dobbies.comand in-store, andall proceedsfromticketsales andfundraising on thenightwill be donatedtoTeenageCancer Trust

Donna Bednarek,ofTeenage Cancer Trust, said:“We aredelightedtosee thereturnofDobbies Christmas Shopping Nightthis year –anevent ourvolunteers love to be part of.Itiscompanies like Dobbies, andtheir incredible team membersand customers taking part in events likethis, that allow us to ensure no young person faces cancer alone.”

Princely penthouseinhistoric 800-year-old fort is on market

MEGANHOWE Community News Reporter

Apenthouse near Bridgnorth with aped igree to make onefeel like royaltyhas been putupfor sale with a £400,000 pricetag.

Surrounded by impressive views of theRiverSevernand steepedin nearly 800yearsofhistory,Number 8FortPendlestone in southShrop shireisonsalewithestateagents Mr andMrs Clarke

Thepenthouse apartment boasts twolivingspaces, threebedrooms andtwo bathrooms, with access to theRiverSevernfor fishingor boating. Thecompany’s listingfor thepropertysaidone of itsbestfea tures“hastobethe turret andits spectacularspiralstaircase,reminiscentofanancient,grand castle”.

Fort PendlestoneisaGradeII listed building locatednexttothe TelfordRoad, Bridgnorth andwas given anew leaseoflifein2014 when it wasconverted into flats.

Builtbyaneccentricmillowner in the19thcentury,the gothic style millcontainsacastironframe and remarkable brickjackarches. The huge building hasbeenusedfor a varietyofpurposes in itslifetime, includinga corn mill,forge andtex tile mill.The earliest record of the millisin1227. It wasgiventothe town by HenryIII andwas runby theWhitmorefamilywho owned theApley estate at thetime. The

sandstone used forthe construction of themillwas cutfromthe rock on thehillside adjacent on Bridgnorth Road.Inthe early1930s thebuild ingwas boughtby theCo-operative WholesaleSocietyand it wasused as amilkexchangeright up until theearly 1960s

Thelisting says:“Standing in an elevatedposition within an idyllic

riverside location,views stretchfar andwidefromthe fort over theriv er itself,lushfarmlandand across to Bridgnorth Golf Course

“The statelyexteriorisbreathtaking,withhandsome features And, with ample, gated allocated carparkingfor threevehicles, this exclusive complexisdesigned forcompletesecurityand peaceof

mind.Afterall,where else would you enteryourhome through acas tle-inspired turret?Atruly stun ning,spiralstaircaseinthe turret leadsfromthe ground floorupstairs to thepenthouse-style apartment androof. This home hassouland characterinspades, juxtaposed againsta beautifullypresented, modern interior.”

RAFtraineesdig in to give nature ahelping hand

Ateamoftraineesand trainers from RAFShawburyhavespent aday clearing undergrowthand planting wildflowers to aida man or moat project

Thegroup,fromthe Defence CollegeofAir andSpace OperationsatRAF Shawbury,helped with thePraiseBee Hunkington Manor Moat ProjectinUpton Magna, Shrewsbury Trainees spentaday helpingto clearundergrowth andplant wild flowers within theouter Tudor Garden andshadedareas at the medievalmanor site

VivMarsh,the projectco-ordinatorand lead forthe Praise Bee

charity, is working with Historic England to preserve theimportant area whichissteepedinhistory

Commenting on theefforts of the trainees,MrMarsh said:“They trulyrepresent awonderful young sectionofsociety comingthrough theirmilitarytraining.”

Whilethe medievalmanor originallylocated on theisland created by themoat–nolonger exists, themoatand surrounding area remains.

Legend hasitthatthe manor wasdismantledblock by block when theson of theoriginalowner, Mr JohnOnley,wentoff to Parliamentasthe MP forShropshire

andleftthe manor abandoned. It is believed that theblocksoflocally quarried Grinshill sandstone, taken from themanor,wereusedto buildpartsofwhatisnow St Lu cia’s church in UptonMagna

During theday,the RAFShawbury teamcut back overgrown brackenand thorny plants, trimmedtrees andplanted 1,040 indigenous plants and540 bulbsto create ameadow.

Hedgehogshelterswerealso builttoprovide afootholdfor these creatures andincreasetheir de cliningnumbers.These shelters mayalso beusedasbreedingcover forgrass andaddersnakes.

Fort Pendlestone,Bridgnorth, hasbeen putonthe market.Image:Mrand Mrs Clarke/Tish Baden-Sidhu

Taskforcebrings together groups that canhelpout on cost of living

Public andvoluntary sectorsacross thecountywill be joiningforcesto help supportresidents throughthe cost-of-living crisis.

ShropshireCouncilhas today announced adeveloping plan to en sure residents know how to getsup port with energy,food, moneyand debt during thecost-of-livingcrisis.

Over thelastfourmonths, The SocialTaskforce hasbrought to gether arange of organisations includingShropshireCouncil, Cit izen’s Advice Shropshire,Age UK, Marches Energy Agency,Commu nity Resource,ShropshireFood Poverty Alliance andother key partners

Jackie Jeffrey,Citizen’s Advice Shropshire’schief executive, said: “Weknow that many peoplein Shropshireare worryingabout the winter months, thespiralling cost of food andenergyand it canfeel overwhelming.

“Asorganisations that support people in Shropshire, we have been worried toosowehavecome to gether,inpartnership through the SocialTaskforce to ensure we have things in placetosupport you.

“The taskforcerepresentsall sec tors, publicand voluntary, andwe nowhavea number of initiativesset up to help Shropshire residents.You arenot alone, together we aremuch stronger,and we areheretohelp.”

Together thepartnershaveset up adedicated cost of living advice website whichsignposts residents to allthe help on offerinShrop shire.

Rachel Robinson, chairofthe taskforce, added: “Ifyou or some one you know is worried aboutthe cost of living,you arenot alone.”

To find outmorevisit shropshire gov.uk/cost-of-living-help/

Cher musical that youcan really believe in

Over 100million recordssold, an Oscar on thetable from asuccessful film career,atempestuousrelation ship with herhusband that hasoc cupied acres of news space and air time andalegendary penchant for extravagant costumes that some timesattract more attentionthan themusic –that’sCher.

Theiconicsingerisbeing brought to lifethisweekatWolverhampton GrandTheatre in TheCherShow

Billed as ajukebox musical, with abookbyRickElice,ittells the storyofthe lifeand career of Cher, usingfamoussongs performed throughouther career

ThreeperformersplayCherat

REVIEW:THE CHER SHOW GrandTheatre:ByPaul Jenkins

differentpointsinthe show –Mil lieO’Connell,DanielleSteersand Debbie Kurup.

Allthree faithfully re-createthe imageofthe star performerwith stunningcostumechanges and pitch-perfectrenditionsofsongs likeGypsysTrampsand Thieves, IFound Someone,Heart of Stone, TheShoop-Shoop Song and, of course,Believe

Much of theshow focusses on her –mainlybroken– relationships, in cludingthe one with thetruelove of herlifeSonny Bono andthe tel

evisionshowand subsequent songs that featured on it whichpropelled both of them to stardom.

Thereare poignant momentsin therebut overallthe storyshows how Cher overcame attempts by variousmales,including Sonny, to controlher career andlife, ul timately becoming themasterof herown destinySonny is brilliant ly playedbyLucas Rush andthe chemistrybetween himand Kurup in particular is wonderful.

Directed by Arlene Phillips, the show lastsover twohours so is more than valuefor money.

It runs at WolverhamptonGrand till Saturday

Bird flucaseis confirmed at site

Afresh bird fluoutbreakhas been confirmed in acountybordering Shropshire, accordingthe govern ment

TheDepartment forEnviron ment,Food andRural Affairs(DE FRA),saidthata flockofcaptive birdsinWorcestershirehas been foundtohavethe highly pathogen ic avianinfluenzastrain (HPAI) H5N1

Thediscoverycameatapremises near Leigh Sinton at theMalvern Hills at theweekend

DEFRAsaidthata threekilo metre ‘captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone’had nowbeenput in placearoundthe premises

They addedthatall birdsatthe site will nowhavetobe‘humanely culled’.

Morethan170 avian flucases have been foundacrossEngland in thepastyear, resultinginthe cull ingof3.2 million poultryand cap tive birds.

MP asks about nuclearplans

An MP hasasked fordetails of how theUKgovernmentwould maintain democratic account ability in theevent of nuclear war.

Mark Pritchard, MP forThe Wrekin,tabledthe question to Edward Argar, minister of state forthe Cabinet Office

Mr Pritchardasked themin ister“if he will publish how democratic oversightofgovern ment decisionswill operatein theeventofa nuclearattackon theUK?”.

Mr Argarsaidcontingency planswereinplace, butdeclined to elaborate

“Consideration hasbeengiv en to thepreparation forvarious emergencyscenarios,” he said

Almost

patients now waitingfor routinetreatment

Tens of thousandsof patients were waiting forroutine treatmentat Shrewsbury andTelford Hospital in August, fig ures show.

NHSEngland figuresshow al most 40,000 patients –37,901–were waitingfor non-urgentelec tive operations or treatment at Shrewsbury andTelford Hospital NHSTrust at theend of August

This wasup from 30,779 in Au gust 2021 andofthose patients, 3,015had been waitingfor longer than ayear.

Separate figuresshow 13,635 pa tients at Shrewsbury andTelford Hospital,werewaitingfor oneof 12 standard tests, such as an MRI scan or gastroscopy at this time

Andother figuresshow cancer

MEGANHOWE megan.howe@mnamedia.co.uk

patients at Shrewsbury andTelford Hospital arenot beingseenquickly enough

TheNHS states 85 percentof cancer patients urgently referred by aGPshouldstart treatment within 62 days

ButNHS Englanddatashows just 51 percentofpatientsurgently referred by theNHS whoreceived cancer treatment at Shrewsbury andTelford Hospital in August be gantreatment within twomonths of theirreferral.

That wasdownfromboth55 per cent in July,and 66 percentinAu gust 2021 last year

The figurescome as aleading health charitysaysthe NHSis grapplingwith“really seriouschal

lenges”, as typical winter pressures aretobemadeworse by thecost-of living crisis andCovid-19.

Siva Anandaciva,chief analystat theKing’sFund, ahealthcharity, said theNHS is strugglingwith “crumbling buildingsand outdat ed equipment,longwaitinglists for care,highlevelsofCovid-19and growingstaff shortages.”

Seasonal

“Successivegovernments’refusal to confront theworsening health andcareworkforce crisis andtheir chronicunderinvestment in NHS buildingsand infrastructure has created this mixofproblems,”she added.

“Thiswinter,typical seasonal pressuresonNHS services will be amplified by Covid-19 andacostof-livingcrisisthatcould impact

on people’s physicaland mental health.”

Meanwhile, 4,655patientswere waitingfor non-urgent elective op erations or treatment at Shropshire CommunityHealthNHS Trustat theend of August –up from 3,470 in August 2021

And14,007patientswerewaiting fornon-urgentelective operations or treatment at TheRobertJones andAgnes Hunt OrthopaedicHos pitalNHS Foundation Trustat theend of August –anincreaseon 12,886 in August 2021

At Robert Jones andAgnes Hunt OrthopaedicHospital, 1,952pa tients were waitingfor oneoffour standard tests, such as an MRI scan or non-obstetricultrasound at this time.Ofthem, 931or48per cent hadbeenwaitingfor at least sixweeks

“Due to national security considerationsitwould not be appropriate to disclose further information.”

Concernraised on parkingfees

An MP hascalledonthe govern ment to make it easier forpeo plewithout bank cardsormobile phones to payfor parkingcharges.

Daniel Kawczynski,MPfor Shrewsbury andAtcham, askedthe Chancellor of theExchequer what stepswerebeing takentosupport people unabletouse the growing number of cashless parkingmeters.

Andrew Griffith, financialsecre tary to theTreasury, said theway consumersand businesses used bankingserviceswas changing rap idly

He said this made access to a bank accountparticularlyimpor tant,which waswhy thegovern ment hadintroducedlawsrequiring theUK’sninemainbanks to pro vide basicbankaccountsaccessible to everybody.

TheGovernmentalso supported improvements to digitalconnectiv ityacrossthe countryand improv ingaccess to digitalskillstraining.

Threedifferent performershelpbring Cher to life on stageatWolverhampton GrandTheatre

‘Secret’gay love storythat couldbeturned into a film

Howatowntoiledtooffer

TOBY NEAL toby.neal@mnamedia.co.uk

Thestory of twosoldiers, united in love during theSecond World War, that wasuncoveredbya Shropshiremuseum curator, is still on course to be turned into aHollywood film

Gordon andGilbert’s love,has been turned into an eight-minute“short” that hasbeenshown at film festivalsinthe UK and USA.

TheLetterMen givesataste of therelationshipbetween the twomen,one of whom wassta tioned at theParkHallArmy Barracks near Oswestry Mark Hignettboughtthe let ters from eBay for£1,000 after huntingfor warmemorabilia from Oswestry forthe town’s museum

He hadnot realisedthe amaz inglovestory that wasentwined within theletters untilhe stud iedthemmoreclosely.The let ters arefromGordonBowsh er,writing to hislover Gilbert Bradleywho was fighting as a soldierin theSecond WorldWar

Thereare more than 300 lettersfromGordon, written between1939and 1944.Homo sexualitywas illegal in Britain until1967, andthe couple talk aboutkeeping their relation ship secret as well as travelling to California together afterthe war.

Afterthe letterswerethe subjectofanexhibitionatthe museum,MrHignett wasapproached by director,Andrew Valentine.

“Atthe same time Iwas also contactedbyactors, Matthew Postlewaiteand also by Garett Clayton,”hesaid.

Thetwo actors went on to play Gordon andGilbert in the Letter Men. He said:“It hadits world wide premieratthe Tribeca Festival in NewYorkand was also screenedatOutFest Film Festival in LosAngeles andthe ParisFilmFestival. It’s scheduled to be at Cannes next year

Mr Hignettsaiditwas wonderfultosee theeffectthe letters were having.

“I wasapproachedbytwo menfromVirginiawho,rather than exchange vows,theyasked if they couldexchanged sentimentswritten by Gordon,inthe letters,”hesaid. “There is interestina full film,however Ihave to finish thebookIamwriting firstbased on theletters.”

It wasaspectacular rich crimson woollencarpetwhich wasoriginally underfootinthe Throne Room at Buckingham Palace,and remains in theroyal collection to this day.

Butbeforebeing presented to Her Majesty, thepeopleofBridgnorth were given achancetosee it

With thesad passingofQueen Elizabeth II,Britain’s longest reigning monarch,Bridgnorth local historianClive Gwilthas highlighted thetown’spartinhonouring the reignofthe previous longestreign ingmonarch,whose 60 yearsonthe throne wasmarkedbynationalcel ebrationsin1897.

Victoria hadbeensovereign for 63 yearsand 216daysatthe time of herdeath in 1901

“OnJune5,1897, thediamond jubileecarpetmadefor theQueen wasput on exhibitioninthe Drill Hall in St Mary’s Street forall the townsfolktosee,” he says

“Admissionfees of £2216s 10d were given to theBridgnorth and SouthShropshireInfirmary. The carpet wasmadeatH&MSouth well Ltd’sfactory andmeasured 18ft 2ins by 16ft 5ins.Itcontained 4,294,600stitches.”

Spectacular

Alas,incontrast to thespectac ular design of theBridgnorth carpet, whichhad many elements,adip into theroyal website revealsthat todaythe Throne Room at BuckinghamPalacehas ared carpet which is essentiallyplain

So wherehas theBridgnorth royal carpet gone?It turnsout it has been movedtoa differentlocation within thepalace.

LilySpicer of theRoyal Collec tion Trusttells us:“I’mafraidwe areunabletoconfirm forcertain when thecarpetwas movedfrom theThroneRoom, butitmay have been during thereign of George V andQueen Mary when QueenMary undertookconsiderable works at the palace

“The carpet currentlydecorates a room in Buckingham Palace that is used foroperational purposes.”

If you want to seeitinsitu, the RCT’swebsite hasapicture of it –we can’tbring it to you ourselves as it is not availablefor mediause

As forthe detailsofthe carpet,the RCTdescribesitthus: “Itwas acrimsoncarpetwithcrowned animalsat corners, representingthe Empire,includinga tiger,kangaroo, beaver and elephant,representingIndia,Canada,South Africa andAustralia with aVR(Victoria Regina)monogram in thecentre.”

It adds with a flourish:“It had bordersofoak leaves andpinkand

mauve flowersentwinedwithblue ribbonsand foliage.

“DesignedbyHerbertGeorgeon behalf of membersofthe royalfam ily, it took 14 womenfourmonthsto make.Oncecompleted it wasexhib ited at SouthKensington. Thecar petwas subscribed forbythe ladies of Englandand presented to Queen Victoria on theoccasionofher diamond jubilee.”

It wasbynomeans thelastcar petBridgnorthmadefor royalty, as Clivesaysthatatthe endofthe First WorldWar the firm also presented a victorycarpettothe palace.

Theturnofthe 19th and20th centurieswerea golden agefor carpetmakinginBridgnorth.One 1907 guidebookfor thetownsaysits chief industry is carpet weaving“andthe fame of Messrs.H.and M. Southwell’s carpets, includingBrussels, Wiltonsand Axminsters, hasspread farand wide Many carpetshave been speciallymadeherefor thelate

QueenVictoria.

“Mostofthe carpetsinthe Houses of Parliament were supplied by this noted firm.”

Finely woven Axminsterand Wiltoncarpets were shippedtoevery far-reaching corner of theworld from theFar East,toAmericaand Australia,and thebestLondonhotels boughtcarpets from Bridgnorth

Factory

As forSouthwell’s,bythe 1930s thefactory occupied ahugefrontage on theriver,and thecompany was oneofthe largestemployers in the town Butin1944itwas sold offtothe Carpet ManufacturingCompany Ltd.

In the1970s thecarpetindustry begantoexperience fierce compe tition from abroad andin1971a programmeofrationalisation be ganwithinthe company. Depart mentswereclosed, andironicallya

“Bridgnorth”shedwas opened in the company’sKidderminster works

Thewriting wasonthe wall,and in 1977 thefactory closed

Thebuildings were demolished andhouses were builtonthe site

Bridgnorth’s long carpet-making traditioncametoacomplete endin 1983 when theDebroncarpettile works in FriarStreetwas closed by parent companyCarpets International

Butits link to thediamond jubilee of QueenVictoriaremains

It wasaneventthatbrought great excitement to Bridgnorth just as it didtoother townsacrossthe West Midlands

Old fadedpicturesremainof Bridgnorth’s town centre bedecked in buntingand of dignitariesplant ingatreealongsideits landmark leaningcastle.

And, in acornerofBuckingham Palace,a littlepiece of theShrop shiretownremains to this day.

Forthe diamondjubileeofQueen Victoria, amarkettownsenta beautifulgift, thefruit of overfourmonthsof toil by 14 womenhand loom weavers, andthe subjectofmanyaroyal walkover ever since.

Southwell’s carpetfactory,oncesucha bigpartoflifeinBridgnorth

The1897DiamondJubilee carpet,which is still to be found in thepalace

Mark Hignett with theletters

er up gift to theirQueen

Topwar dog Rob’sgallantry medals sellfor record price

Themedals belongingtoadog whowas parachuted behind enemylines forSAS missions have sold at auction forarecord-breaking£140,000

ThePDSADickinMedal for Gallantry– theVictoriaCross foranimals –aswellasthe RSPCARed Collar forValour wereawarded to ‘War DogRob’ forhis serviceduringthe SecondWorld War.

Now, themedalshavebeen sold by NoonansMayfair to a collectorofBritishgallantry awards for£120,000 more than they were originally estimated.

Rob, ablack andwhite Collie Retriever, wasboughtfor five shillingsfromColemereFarm, near Ellesmere, in 1939 and livedwiththe Baynefamilyin Tetchill

He wasvolunteeredasa‘War Dog’ in 1942 andwas signed up on May19ofthatyear.

Robwas the firstwar dog to servein theSAS andtook part in 20 parachutedescents throughout thewar

BasilBayne,the sonofRob’s originalowner,soldthe medals alongwithanextensive archive includingRob’s collar,aportrait painting,photographs,certificate, manuscripts, books and letters.

Followingthe sale,Basil said: “Wow,I have just pickedmyself offthe floor. Ican’t believethe pricebut Iamsodelightedthat Rob’sstory andlegacyisheldin such high respect.

“And that theimportant roll that himand many otherani mals have playedinconflictis beingrecognised.

“The moneywill allbedonatedtothe charityand will be used to sponsorstudents studyingagriculture andfarming in cludingcoursesinanimalwel fare andbehaviour

“Rob’s exploits have featured in thedegreecourse on animal behaviourtaughtat Harper Ad amsUniversity in Shropshire in recent years.”

Thepreviousworld record fora Dickin Medalwas paid in 2020,also at Noonans, forthe medalawarded to thepigeon ‘DukeofNormandy’ forhis gallantry during D-Day.

Allproceeds from therecord-breakingsalelastWednesday will go to theTaylorMcNal ly Foundation

Womencarpetweavers at Southwell’s with thediamond jubileecarpet they created Queen Victoria’sofficial portraittomark herdiamondjubilee in 1897

BridgnorthHighStreet and Bridgnorthtownhalldecked Troutingarlands ee planting in thecastle grounds,carriedout by aMrWOFosterofApley

Major Sydney shakes Rob’s paw

MARKET REPORT

BRIDGNORTH

LIVESTOCK MARKETREPORT–TUESDAY

OCTOBER18 Wherehave allthe cattle gone? Therewere73cattlethisweek andtrade dearer, perhaps10p/kg up on theweek. 14 cattle on or above thatmagic 300p/kg figure,withanything with meatand finish findingstrong competition Asprinkling of steers sold to 311p/kgwitha high of £1831.20 in thelumpwithveryfew heavybullocks penned today.The heifer trade wasphenomenal selling to 318p/kgontwo occasionswith11othersinthe 300p/kgand above bracket. Fewheavy femalessoldtoa top of £1834.56 in thelump. Lowbull numbers with plenty of underfedtypes forward. Agood levelofdemandtoahighof255p/kg.Not the best example of blackand whitessoldtoatop of 203p/kg. Lambs(1145). Oneofthe worst showsoflambs formanyweekswithevery other penmadeupofleanorunder finished lambs, whichare proving hardwork, with customerswilling to bidupfor finished sheep, butavoiding theplainerlambsregardlessof theirprice.BetterlambsfromGeorgeEvans topped thesaleat270p/kg at 44.5kg and heavier lambsfromWayne Brown, of 64kg sold to £134.40. Lambsunder 40kgattracting considerable interest with plenty of customers lookingtobuy lighter lambs. Welshlambsof 32kg allsold over£2per kilo up to 220p/kg. Plain lambstradedaround 200p/kg, with lean 40+kglambsthe hardesttosell.Ewes(980): Onceagain,alarge entryofewespennedwith most breeds, shapesand sizesrepresented. Bestewesremain well sold with Texel-cross ewes selling to £146 andSuffolk ewes £129 Meaty ewes were easily sold,but as perthe lamb trade, plainer ewes were notsoeasily sold,withevery market full of lean sheep. North CountryMulessold to £106 with thegeneral qualitypoor.Meatedsmall Mules sold to £88 with plain Mulesselling at £60. Alarge number of smallerhillbreedssuchasWelsh, Cheviots and Blackies sold to £50, Scotch were £61, small Cheviots andsmaller Welsh sold for£60 Smalland plainewessold to £25for Welsh, £40for Cheviotand £45for Blackies.Rams sold to £125 andverysmall goats£80

Advice is given on work checks

Agriculturalemployerswill now need to adoptnew digitalright to workchecksfor Britishand Irish nationalsorreverttocumbersome manual in-personchecks, advisers have said

Globalmobility andimmigration advisers Vialto Partners said it is no longer possiblefor thesectortorely on thevirtual checks introduced by theHomeOffice underits ‘Covid-19 adjusted righttoworkchecks’ concession

Digitalright to workcheckswill, said Cleo Als, asenior managerat Vialto Partners,speedupthose checks,makingthemlesscumbersome foremployersand less disrup tive foremployees,particularly for businesses with largeand multi-sited workforces.

Righttoworkchecksare arequirementfor allUKemployers whomustensureindividuals they wish to employ have alegal rightto work.

Employersfacea fine of up to £20,000 foreachemployeeifthey arefound to be working in theUK illegally.Righttoworkchecksare required forall Britishand Irish nationalsaswellasEEA andNon EEAnationals.

Cleo said:“Righttoworkchecks existtoreducethe risk of employ ersemploying staffthatdonot have theright to workinthe UK.Tra ditionally,theywould be conducted in personwithanemployerorHR advisercheckinga passport or iden tity card.”

Tastetests lead to freshboost in demand forlamb

Consumer tastepanelsconducted by Meat Promotion Wales, includ inginLudlow, have resulted in attendeesincreasingthe amount of lamb they cook andeat andan increasedawareness of thePGI WelshLambbrand

TheWelsh Lamb Meat Quality Projecthas been holdingconsumer tastepanelsover thelastthree yearsacrossthe UK. Consumer feedback hasbeencollected on factorswhich impact meat quality andtaste in order to ensure that WelshLambretains itsreputation forworld-leading quality.

Data from tastepanelsheldin Ludlow,Chester andReading,

showsthat60per cent of participantsare purchasingmorelamb aftertakingpartinthe taste panel. Furthermore, 81 percent of participants hadanincreased understandingofWelsh Lamb’s nutritionalbenefits and60per cent noted they were nowlooking outfor theWelsh Lamb logosafter takingpartinthe consumer taste panel.

Fifty percentofparticipants hadboughtWelsh Lamb following thetaste panel.

During thepanel,participants aregiven seven servings of lamb andare askedtoscore it on the four keyfactors whichmakeup

meat quality: aroma, flavour, ten dernessand juiciness, as well as overallliking. Participants are also given apresentationhighlighting thenutritional profile of WelshLamband thesustainable wayinwhich it is produced

HCCiscollectingfeedbackfrom 2,000consumers over thelifespan of theproject to createablueprint forthe industry on consumerpreference

Dr EleriThomas from HCCsaid: “These results show that ourtaste panelresearch is not only benefi cialtothe industry butisalso a really positive experience forcon sumers.”

Native breeds areabletotick allthe rightboxes,sayschief

DAVIDBANNER newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Thevalue of native beef genetics is rapidly grow ing, with breedssuchas Aberdeen-Angusshowingthattheycan tick the boxesatall tierswithin thebeefsupplychain, cattle industry leaders have said.

Better suited to grass-based, low er inputsystems thancontinental breeds, native genetics offerthe po tentialtoboost producer margins andsupport environmentalgoals, whiledeliveringaconsistently high-quality endproduct,support erssay

Robert Gilchrist, CEO at theAb erdeen-Angus Cattle Society, said as aresult, theindustryisseeing significant growth in theiruse

He said:“As subsidies drop off andinput costscontinuetorise, beef farmershavehad to start lookingatwaystoenhance their resilience,which hasresultedina significant increase in native breed

BCMSregistrationsover thelast10 years. Aberdeen-Angus calf registrations have increasedsignificant ly andthey’renow topofthe list with 471,528registrationsin2021.

“Fourper cent growth hasbeen seen in thelastyear, accounting for 24.41per cent of beef calves

Robert Gilchrist, CEOofthe Aberdeen-AngusCattleSociety

“Morefarmers arerecognising thatthe lowerinput systems, where cattlecan be predominantly fin ishedoff forage andgrass-baseddiets, is amuchmoresustainable and financiallyviableway of producing beef,asthe agricultural sector faces so much uncertainty.

“The nature of thereduced inputs required foran extensivebeefsys temmeans they tend to have alower

cost of production andbemoreenvironmentallysustainable.”

Mr Gilchristsaidthe benefits ex tend much furtherthanjustfarmerswithinthe supply chain.

He said:“From aconsumerper spective,the intramuscular fat that native breedsoffer provides the marbling whichconsumers desire, making it easier to cook.”

He said spiralling feed costshave

recently highlightedmajor vulnerability within themeatsupplychain, with pork andchicken heavilyaffected.Hesaid: “Beefisrenowned forbeing apremium productand thereforetypically amoreexpensive optionthanwhite meat.However,if we candevelop amoresustainable beef supply chainat alllevels, then we will be better placed to compete with otherproteinsinthe future.”

Farmers help collaboratewithSevernTrent to improvewater quality

During 2021 no metaldehydeex ceedances were reported at Severn Trentwater treatment plants, recognising thesuccess of thewater company’s‘Farm to Tap’ scheme in improvingwater quality, bosses have said

To date,the scheme hasworked collaborativelywith649 farmersin thecatchment,since itsinception in 2016,atwhich pointthere were 18 exceedancesreported

LauraFlower,SevernTrent sen ior catchmentmanagementscien tist,saidalthoughthe metaldehyde

bancameinearlier this year,these results show that water companies andfarmers cancollaborate to driveindustrychangefor mutual benefit.

Shesaid: “FarmtoTap was launched to raise awarenessofthe risk of pesticide pollutiontowater courses, butthe benefits were twofold

“The scheme offereda financial incentive,which supported farmers to switch from metaldehydeslug pelletstothe ferric phosphate alternative.Thishelpedthemtoprepare

forthe ban, andwatercourseswere at amuchlower risk of contamina tion as aresult.

“Farmers in successfulsub-catch mentswererewarded with up to £5/ ha of eligible land,£8/ha pre-2018.”

Whilethese payments might seem likeacostlyinvestment, every £1 we spendoncatchment manage ment savesus£20 in treatment, meaningcustomerbillsare keptas lowaspossible,”she said

Cath Edwards, SevernTrent ag riculturaladviser in theShropshire Middle Severn, said theFarmto

Tapschemehad achieved excellent resultsinher catchment

“Farmers recognise that schemes likeFarmtoTap areveryimpor tant.Everyone’scautiousofthe fact we maylose furtheractive ingredients if they pose awater quality risk

“We’ve foundfarmers really val ue ourofferingand arewilling to do alltheycan to preventlosing vital pesticides,”she says

Farmersinthe Severn Trent catchmentare encouraged to speak to theiragriculturaladviser

TastepanelsinChester last year

Producersare urgedtomakemostof‘mixedbag’ofsilage

Dairyand beef farmersare being urged to plan to make themostof this year’s ‘mixed bag’ silage

Lientjie ColahanofLallemand Animal Nutritionisurgingfarmerstoget theirsilagetested and plan winter dietsaccordinglyfol lowing oneofthe hottest anddriest summersonrecord.

Thepleacomesasthe MetOffice

confirmed 2022 is thedriestyear since1976and theUK’swarmest year on record

“It’sreallyamixed bagthis year in termsofforagequality andavailability so it’s important forfarmers to gettheir silageanalysed so they candrawup plans to maximise thevalue of thefor ageavailable to them,” said Mrs

Colahan. “Some farmershavegot verydry silage,which couldinflu ence intakes; some will be shortof silage forthe winter having pro duced lower volumes; andothers have been forced to startfeeding theirwinterfeedstocks earlydue to alackofgrass growth.”

In many cases, farmerswill be faced with high drymatter(DM)

silage,which MrsColahan likens to eating adry breakfastcereal withoutany milk

“Stepswill need to be takento improve forage palatability to en sure adequate feed intake,”she said.“Sortingcan also be an issue in high DM totalmixed rations, increasing theriskofdigestive up sets andacidosis.”

Return of sheepand beef eventafter five-yearhiatus

DAVIDBANNER newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Planshavebeenunveiled forthe Wynnstay Sheep andBeefEvent on November 2returning aftera five-yearhiatus at thenew location of ColegCambria,Ruthin.

To mark thereturnofthe event, Wynnstay is runninganearly Fast Trackregistrationprocess andthe first500 farmerswho sign up to at tend will be given afreeWynnstay bodywarmer to be collected at the event.

Firstestablished in2015, this year’s dedicatedevent forsheep and beef farmerswill focusonchampi oningthe redmeatindustry, show casing theopportunitiesfor farm ersinbothsectors

“The last couple of yearshave been challenging, with uncertain ty around supportpaymentsand nowthe cost of living crisis raising questionsaroundthe affordability of food to consumers,”saysGareth Davies,Wynnstaychief executive.

“However,there aredefinitely opportunities outthere forfarmers lookingtoproduce food sustaina bly, andoftenit’sthe smalltweaks whichenhance efficiency andresult in amoreprofitableand resilient farm business.”

Throughoutthe day, visitors will have theopportunitytolistento keyindustryspeakers, whowill be coveringaselection of pertinent

topicsfor farmers. “We’re delighted to haveJayne Rees Buxton,writ er of ‘The GreatPlant BasedCon’, speaking at theevent Jaynewas born in theUK, raised in Canada andthenreturnedto theUKwhere shestarted writing abookabout food, health andthe environment.”

Therewill be an updateonthe

currentlamband beef market from HCCand Alltechvicepresident MatthewSmith will speakonsus tainability andbeefproduction.

Demonstrations will be running throughout theday of theevent, to includeliver dissectionsand FECPAK testing.

In addition to that,the Wynnstay team will also be on hand to talk

around howfarmers canmaximise thevalue of forage within theirra tions.

Theevent is free to attend and lunchisprovided, with allattend eesgiven acomplementarymer chandise bag.

To sign up andkeepuptodate with thelatestnewsonthe event, visit: https://www.wynnstay.co.uk/

Newutility vehiclefromCorvusistotally electric

The100 percentelectricCorvus TerrainEX4 hasarrived

Thecompany says theelectric 4x4utility vehicle“is trulybuilt from thegroundupfor serious work”

Aspokespersonsaid: “The Terrain EX4livesuptoexpectations. This is an electric 4x4capable of successfullytacklingthe toughest working days thanks to itsoff-road capabilities.The engine is a13kW AC induction48V motorcapable of hauling apayload capacity of 620kgand theEX4 hasatowing capacity of 755kginlow and479 kg in high “The cargobox is steelwitha

300kgloadcapacityand thereis more spacefor you andyourgear with afront storagebootand con venient underseatstorage to keep theessentials handy.”

“The TerrainEX4 achieves 40km/h/25mph

“Itcan be driven on roads, mak ingitideal foraquiet,non-pollutingeverydayworkvehicle

“Itoffershigh load capacity, lowermaintenance andhighve hicledurability with theprecision powerneededfor smooth or rough terrain.”

Thereisadualpower selector for‘Range’ and‘Power’ which allows you to select electronical

ly theright drivingmodefor the most demandingjobs. With less maintenanceand no fuel costs, UTVelectricvehiclesare signifi cantly more affordable andcost-ef fectivethantraditional petrolor diesel-poweredvehicles. The15kW lithium-ionbattery on theEX4 is designed forquick andconvenient charging

Thereare threeversionsofthe TerrainEX4 with acab andother accessoriesavailable.Pricesstart at £25,499.00 forthe EX4Base EPS, £26,499.00 forthe EX4Pro EPSand £28,499.00 forthe EX4 CABEPS. Colour choice is white, orange or green.

FARMINGSCENE

BY RICHARDYATES

It hasbeenarealpleasuretoop erateinour stunningSalopian location this week.The long dry spells have allowedustocrack on with cereal drilling into ex cellentseedbeds.The last field, a 24-acresix-year-oldturf, caused me adilemma.Likemostdairy farmers, Ihad been fighting alosing battleagainst docks. Icontemplated direct drilling this steep field, buthavingcon sulted many expertsthe consensus wasthatthe probability of significant leatherjacketdam agetothe emerging wheatcrop wasarisknot worthtaking. Of course therockhardground meantwehad to shakeaerate before theplough. Anotherex pensivepass, time will tell if we have gotitright Fortunately our herd passed ourroutine six-monthTBtest. My role is to persuade theoften reluctantbeastsintothe re strainingcrush to allowthe vet to assess anylumps.Tomycon sternation,anair ambulance helicopter passed overhead. Some poordevil hasaproblem, Iconcurred.Blowme, shortly afterthe aircraft returned to circleover ourfarmfor afew minutes.Thissharpensthe mind somewhat andIdid won derifthe next 800kgbeast had my number on it.Tomuchre lief,the apparently lost chopper movedon.

Pregnancyscanningour 440 earlylambing flockisbookedin forthisweek. Ourregular oper ative, Graham,warns me that thesummer droughthas dra maticallyreduced conception rates. Arisingplane of nutri tion is desirablefor abig lamb crop.ElScorchio challenged us, with grassgrowthcrunching to ahalt. Idid intend forour ex pert scannerto fill hisday by checking our70suckler cows. However this balmyweather hascausedmetodelay hous ingfor acoupleofweeks.Upon housing theApril-borncalves areweaned, whichisastress formotherand calf.Ithas to be done to allowthe newlypreg nant mother time to buildup reserves forthe next arrival.

Thepregnancy scanning op erationisanexcellent management tool.For my business to be sustainableIdon’t need too many barren mothers. If they fail to conceive,Ihavea conundrum,another chance ,orare we in beefburger/curry territo ry.I wish we couldbesoclini calwithour politicalleaders.At theQueen’s pristine funeral, we rightfullypuffedour chests out as ourpageantry wasthe envy of theworld.Several weekson, we arecurrently alaughing stockonthe global stage. To get it so wrongand so quicklywith catastrophic consequences is unforgiveable. Surely it is time forthe electorate tomakethe judgement call on ourcountry’s future direction.

TheWynnstaySheep andBeef Event takesplace on November2

Firmsurged to join supply chain

Businesses of allsizes arebeing encouraged to register theirinter estinbecominganHS2 supplier andaccessthe multi-million pound pipeline of contract opportunities with itsconstructionpartners.

Construction of the firstphase of Britain’snew high speedrailway, betweenBirmingham andLondon, is expected to generate around 400,000 contracts, with an estimated £25billion worth of opportunities expected to flow outintothe widersupplychain overthe coming years.

RuthTodd, chiefcommercialofficeratHS2,said: “HS2 provided a lifeline to thousandsofUK-based smalland medium-sized enterprises during the pandemic,and in thesechallenging times,it’svital that Britishbusinessesofall sizes gearuptocapitalise on thecertain ty that HS2contractsprovide.”

Formoreinformation,visit hs2. org.uk/supply-chain

Networkwhile watching tennis

TopShropshirebusinesseswill be treated to an eveningofnet working next month–while watchingsomeofthe world’s best tennis playersin action They will getthe chance to networkwithadifferencedur ingthe ITF WorldTennisTour W100,thankstoAaron &Partners andWRPartners. Taking placeatThe Shrewsbury Club from October30toNovember 6, thetournament, whichisthe biggestindoorwomen’s tennis eventinthe UK this year

ButonNovember3it’sthe turn of thelocal businesses as law firm Aaron&Partners andaccountants WR Partners host the‘AdvantageShropshire Night’ –invitinglocal business es to celebrateall that is great aboutbusinessinShropshire whilewatchingsome world classactiononcourt

CQSgoesona fact-findingvisit

Aquantitysurveying companycel ebrated15years in business with afact-findingvisit to thenew £17.5 million National BrownfieldInsti tute

CQSSolutions,based in Telford, provides professional quantity surveying,costmanagementand project managementservices, workingwithbuildingcontractorsand sub-contractorsacrossthe Midlands.

TimLloyd,alumniofthe Univer sity of Wolverhampton, originally setupthe business from hishome andfor thepast10years hasbeen basedatUniversity of Wolverhamp ton’sTelford InnovationCampus. To mark the15-year milestone of thecompany,the teamtouredthe newfacilities at theUniversity of Wolverhampton’sSpringfieldCam pusincluding avisit to theIgloo –a4Dimmersive suitewhich will be used to assess land forregener ation.

Increase in inbounddealmaking

BetweenApril andJunethe numberofinbound cross-border deals forWestMidlands-based companies wasatits highestlevel since early2020, accordingtothe latest analysisfromDeloitte Midlands CrossBorderDeals Radar.

Theresearch, whichtracks inboundand outbound mergers andacquisitionsactivitybetween investorsand corporates in the

Midlands andoverseas,reveals that inbounddealmakinginthe West Midlands is exceeding first quarter2020levelsfor the first time

In thesecondquarter,overseas bidders completed11deals for West Midlands-based companies, compared with seven dealsin the firstquarter andjust five dealsin thesamequarter of 2021

Firmsface steep business ratesrise

Organisationswhich areliablefor business ratesare settofaceamajorpotential financialcrisisinApril 2023, with an averageexpected rise of around 36 percent.

This is accordingtoJonathan Youngofpropertyconsultants Matthews&Goodman.

Therise,due to be introducedon April12023, followsthe Valuation Office’s (VO) recent completionofa nationwide revaluationof(non-do

mestic)propertiesliablefor busi ness rates.

Mr Youngsaid: “Given everyone’s currentfocus on cost management, it’s importantthatbusinessleadersdon’t ignorethe implications of this revaluation–because it’s only sixmonthsaway. Theanticipated risesare basedonthe rental values whichvaryaccordingtolocation andpropertytype. Istrongly advise anyratepayer to seek advice.”

Masonrymanufacturerplans to generatepower from waste

SUEAUSTIN sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk

Masonrymanufacturer

Besblock is aiming to reduce itscarbonfootprintfurther by using wood waste to generate energy.

The firm,located at Halesfield, Telfordhas createda£3.2million ‘energyfromwaste wood plant’ and is planning to invest in anew turbine to generate electricityonsite.

Besblock says it alreadyhas alow carbon footprintand is committed to lowering emissionsfurther by adopting this approach in conjunction with otheralready installed renewableenergysources

Establishedin1972, Besblock works with some of theUK’sleadinghouse builders andconstruction companies.

The firm,which celebrates its 50th birthday this year,has ex panded considerably recently with extensiveinvestmentinits facilities andprocesses

As the firm continuestogrow, it is targetingmorerecruitstojoin theworkforce as production operatives, driversand apprentices.

Martin Fulwell, salesdirector said:“We have grownatafastpace andwhile we arepleased with the path we’reon, we haven’t lost sight of keepingour carbon footprintas lowaspossiblealong theway.The addition of theturbine will allowus to generate ourown electricity.”

Tanners raises atoast to long-serving staff

Directorsatthe award-winning Shrewsbury wine merchant, Tanners Wines, have celebrated the long-service milestones of threeof thecompany’s staff.

Dawn Williams, Duncan Smith andRichard Stevenshaveall joined thecompany’s ‘30Year Club’.

Dawn started in thecellars shop before making themovetotrade supportin1997. Duncan starteda

JAMESPUGH james.pugh@mnamedia.co.uk

week later, andnow works alongside Dawn headingupthe trade supportteam. Richardoversees TannersLlandudno Junction, having joined when Tannerstook over TerryPlatt WineMerchants in 2005

Together they have combined

over 90 yearsofexperience. ChairmanJames Tanner presented a gold watch to each of thelong-serv ingmembersofstaff

They join the10other members of the30YearClubwhich includes five membersofstaff whohave completedover40years.Tan ners hasbranchesin Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Chester, Hereford, Welshpooland LlandudnoJunction

Tigermakes investment in broadbandprovider

TigerInfrastructurePartnershas announced acontrolinvestment of £75million in RuralBroad band SolutionsHoldingsLimited (RBBS),afast-growingproviderof broadband services to residential andbusinesscustomers in rural areasofthe UK.

Delivered viaits Shropshire-basedinternetservice providerbrand SWSBroadband, RBBS initiallyprovidedbroad band through fixedwirelessaccess technologyinthe county.Since the launch of theGovernment’sPro ject Gigabit scheme,which subsi disesbroadband roll-out in rural areas, it newdeploys full fibre.

ChristopherNew,CEO of RBBS, said:“We believeTiger Infrastruc ture is alike-minded investor whose expertiseand capitalwill assist us in making RBBS aleader in ourniche

“WithTiger Infrastructure’s in vestment, RBBS is well-positioned to help communitiesinShropshire andWales solvethe immediate and growingrequirementfor reliable, gigabit-capable connectivity,”he added.

Emil WHenry Jr,chief executive of TigerInfrastructure, said: “RBBS, with itstrack record of op eratingahigh-quality fixedwire less access networkand deploying

full fibreinchallenging areas, rep resentsanideal partnerfor Tiger Infrastructure

“Wehavethe opportunitytoin vest alongsidethe UK Government to meet theneeds of ruralhouse holdsand smallbusinessesthat, despitestronggrowthindatacon sumption,remainservedbysignif icantlyslowerand less reliable copperlines or fibre-to-the-cabinet.”

RBBS’visionistocreatea high-quality,contiguous network initiallycoveringapproximately 100,000 remote premises in small townsinShropshireand Wales wherefull fibreconnectivityiscur rently unavailable

ChristopherNew

Tanners chairman James Tanner, second left,with RichardStevens,DawnWilliamsand Duncan Smith

FILLERS

PEDICURE

MASSAGE

ACROSS

1. Mr.Tunney,1926 world heavyweight boxing champion (4)

3. “An War”, 1982 novelbyWilliam Boyd (3-5)

8. Spiny-finned food fish of the familyZeidae, such as the John (4)

9. Anton, 19c Austrian composer and organist (8)

11. Slightly sour black bread made of coarse rye flour (12)

13. Capital ofWest Pakistan 1955-70 (6)

14. Opaque impureform of quartz used as a gemstone (6)

17. 1985 LarryMcMurtry westernnovel (8,4)

20. Either of thetwo canine teeth in the upper jaw (8)

21. Spanishriver which risesinthe Cantabrian Mountains and flows south-east to the Mediterranean(4)

22. Site ofthe castle famous as the scene of Hamlet (8)

23. The front part of the lowerleg (4)

DOWN 1. 1971 musical by Stephen Schwartz and John MichaelTebelak mainly based on St. Matthew’s Gospel (8)

2. Kwame, President of Ghana 1960-66 (7)

4. “--- de Bergerac”, 1897 play by Edmond Rostand (6)

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

6. Forename of Sgt. Bilko in the comedy The Phil Silvers Show (5)

7. Aldo, former Italian Prime Minister murdered in 1978 (4)

10. Capital of Guyana (10)

12. Capital of SierraLeone (8)

15. Lord-High-EverythingElse in Gilbert and Sullivan’sThe Mikado (4-3)

16. “Israel ---”, 1855 novel by HermanMelville(6)

18. Clifford, American dramatist who authored Golden Boy (5)

19. In Greek mythology the goddess of youth and spring (4)

WORD WISE

WINSOME

NATANT

A Disgustingly foul B Keen-scented C Floating

ACROSS

A E O A

G Q A N K

G

Y

Y

Kakuro

Quick

Cryptic

ALPHAMUDDLE

SPLIT DECISION

TD W A

E

ME L T

N S

L

T

A E

S

ABN JD

BF WAE EI LIE NY EEH

R I

E C

X O

George Michael singles

Sudoku Challenge Easy

MIRROR IMAGE

Medium

QUICK QUIZ

WHEN

Gogen

General2 Knowledge Crossword

Shin.

1Godspell; 2Nkrumah; 4Cyrano; 5Cockchafer; 6Ernie; 7Moro; 10 Georgetown; 12 Freetown; 15 Pooh-bah; 16 Potter; 18 Odets; 19 Hebe.

Elsinore;

Word Wise: A. Pleasant.

YT

GANDER

2. Airdrie;

Ade;

Kodes;

Beem;

Ladder

NDC OB P RE CO IL TO OT H RD EL IO A BO GO TA CA BE R UA NY DO ER IG NO RE AD OR E OF OR AG EI LK C ERE CT PA RC EL JO T GO PE TA TU NA LE GU ME HURR YM P OU RR WA ND AA PSE BU RS TE IC LO SE R SUE SE TT EA RE PH EA DS TA RT GIG IV AL A NS PRE EA IL TAT TO OG US TO CL LA MA KE N SH IE LD SLA MS

Remember

When1Headie One; 2Official Secrets Act;

A. 1958; B.

Alphadoku

Across: 1Epistles, 5However,9 Ephemeral, 14 Sacks, 16 Aspersions, 23 Bogota, 24 Paramount, 25 Unwinds, 26 Kim, 27 Odd number,28Figs, 29 Never again, 30 Central, 31 Busy,32Tweeze, 33 Undo, 34 Thirsty, 37 Stuff, 38 Heidi, 39 Image, 40 Malingerer,42Awash, 43 Cockatoo, 48 Brag, 49 Onwards, 50 Dumpling, 51 Job, 52 Noel Coward, 53 Driver, 58 Subtract, 61 Medusa, 62 Sweater,63Flutters, 65 Easy manner 70 Protesting, 72 Happiest, 73 Bedroom, 74 Clowns, 75 Mastiffs, 82 Bikini, 83 Lachrymose, 85 Fee, 86 Libation, 87 Quarter,88Town, 94Geodesic, 95 Irons, 96 Stock-still, 97 Alibi, 98 Levee, 99 Druid, 103 Nigella, 105 Edam, 106 Elects, 108 Pits, 109 Penance, 110 Eyepopping, 113 Dior,114 Eider duck, 115 Tum, 116 Electra, 118 Soap opera, 119 Adroit, 120 Latecomers, 121 Mayor,122 Sometimes, 123 Science, 124 Outweigh.

Down: 2Projector,3 Showed fight, 4Llamas, 6Oval, 7Esoteric, 8Returngame, 9Equals, 10 Huw,11Monastic, 12 Rash, 13 Lukewarm, 14 Somme, 15 Close call, 17 Samson, 18 Electron, 19 Information, 20 Night, 21 Satirical, 22 On one’sown, 31 Biannual, 35 Kindred, 36 Aglow,41Roosts, 44 Oneself, 45 Toga, 46 Slowest, 47 Friar,54Tuba, 55Refer,56Also-ran, 57 Myna, 59 Ukraine, 60 Cute, 64 Riot, 66 Inlay 67 Missus, 68 Articles, 69 Uncurls, 71 Thirddegree, 76 Sort, 77 Intersperse, 78 Khorsandi, 79 Leeks, 80 Violinists, 81 Graveyard, 84 Master key,89Whinnying, 90 Titanium, 91 Costumes, 92 Strident, 93 Disciple, 100 Veneer,101 Speaks, 102 Bogart, 104 Ibiza, 107 Enter, 111 Deem, 112 Epic, 117 Tim.

Giant Sudoku

Quick Quiz

‘Virtual wards’ to allowpeople to stay in ownhome

Shropshire’sSevernHospicesays anew ‘virtual ward’will allowit to care foranumberofpatientsin theirown homes.

Thehospicesaidthatthe initia tive wouldallow for10peopletoreceive‘ward-equivalent’ care –and remain in theirown homes.

The‘virtualward’ will seehos piceconsultants oversee andco-ordinate thepatient’s care daily.

Underthe arrangementthe pa tientwould have access to ward services such as complementa ry therapy,creative therapyand chaplaincy just as if they were stayingat thehospice.

Thecharity said that anyspe cialist medicalequipmentneeded wouldalso be provided,withthe supportofother healthcare agen cies andpartners usingexisting systemsand processes

BeckyRichardson, thehospice’s director of care,said: “Thisis abouthow we cangivemorepeo pleaccess to thelevel andquality of care they need,enablingthemto be at home

“Wewould triage patients for hospiceadmissionjustas we do nowand whilethe wardsmightbe virtual, thecarewe’ll be giving is veryreal.”

Thehospicesaidthe initiative is itscontributiontoa national strategyaimed at improvingpalliative care services.MsRichardsonadd ed:“Ourconsultantled ‘Virtual Ward’iswhere specificpatients areadmitted to an enhanced level of care andsupport with proactive dailycasemanagement.

“Virtual Wardsoffer ‘wraparound’support to people in their homesensuring they canreceive

care that meetstheir needs in a timely fashionwiththe aimofreducing theneed foravoidable hospitaladmission.

“The VirtualWardwill enable us to review aperson’s‘Plan of Care’toensure this continuesto meet theperson’sindividualneeds andadapt this whereappropriate; ensure appropriate referralsare made andspecialistinput availa ble; andreviewofaperson’semergencyhealthcareplansand/or longer term wishes.”

Locally, theShropshireand Telford andWrekinIntegratedCare System –the newhealthcarecom missioning organisation forthe area –isseeking to keep as many hospital beds availableaspossible.

Adding capacity at thehospice, alongsidecarehomes, will help hospitalsintheir efforts.

Shelterkitsoffer youngsters tasteofoutdoorsadventure

HEATHER LARGE heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

Encouragingchildren away from their screens andoutside to play in thefresh aircan be challenging.

ButKay Miller andJo Jones believeit’sall aboutappealing to theirnatural sense of adventure Theformerprimary school teach ersand Forest School practitioners setupThe DenKit Companyafter witnessing thebenefits of children spending time outdoors.Based in Leebotwood, Church Stretton,they offerarange of shelter-building and activity kits, whichare designed to be used in anykindofspace from a smallbackyard, garden or balcony to a fieldorwoodland

Nowtheyhaveteamedupwith survivalistand explorer,EdStafford,tocreateacollaborative fun sheltermakingkit.The former BritishArmycaptain holds the Guinness WorldRecord forbeing the firstpersontowalkthe length of theAmazonRiverin South Americafromthe source to thesea, walkingfor 860 days.

Adventures

Amonghis adventureshas been a three-part survival experiment for DiscoveryChannel wherehewas droppedonanuninhabited tropicalislandinthe Pacificfor 60 days with no food or equipment to help himsurvive.

“The DenKit Companyhas a greatpedigree of making high qual itykitsthatencourage wholesome play outdoors,” says Ed “Manyoftheir kits were for younger kids andIsaw an opportunitytopartner with them to help slightlyolder children find activi ties that arefun andnot just sitting on theirphones.”

Kaysays: “Asmums, Jo andI

wanted ourchildren to spendtime in thefresh air, having lots of fun andlearninglifeskillsalong the way. We know that an active outdoor lifestyle notonlypromotes goodphysicalhealthbut is vitalfor ahealthy mind too. Ed openly talks abouthis ownbattles with mental health andsocollaboratingwithEd on developing theShelter Kitfor this agegroup wasanatural fit.”

Thekit contains itemsthatcan be used to make asimpleshelter andwas inspired by Ed’s ownadventures.

“Edisabushcraft expert andhas survived in some of themosthostile terrains in theworld so working with himwas acompletejoy andinspiration,”saysKay.“He basically

told us what kithe wouldtakewith himtoprovide ashelter on hisadventures. It hadtobereal, it hadto be robust,ithad to work. Likeus, he wasinsistent on quality. TheresultingShelter Kitisgenuinely kit an explorer wouldtakewiththem as they embarkedonanadventure.”

Itemsinthe kitinclude acotton dufflebag,a bashasheet,arot and waterproofgroundsheet,awood en mallet,elastic ball bungeesand tent pegs.There is also an illustrat ed collection of toptips, advice and insights writtenbyEdhimself

“The itemsinthe kitcan be used in multiplewaysdepending on whereyou areand what you are wantingtouse your ‘den’for,” he says.“Butthe kitismoreabout in

troducing avehicle throughwhich kids canengageinunstructured andunsupervisedplaythanitis about theshelter itself.”

Kaysaysthe kitoffersanoppor tunityfor young people to create theirown safe andpersonalspace

“Oncetheir unique shelterhas been erected it becomesaplaceto shelterfromthe wind andrain, a placetoeat,muse,relax andeven sleep. Thepossibilities areendless with this kit. Thereisgenuinely somethinginnate in allofus, in cludinginchildren,thatembraces andthrives on thechallenges asso ciatedwithsurvival.Knowing that you cantakecareofyourself in certain situations is an incredibly powerfulfeeling,” sheexplains

ANTIQUES

WITH JOHN RIDGWAYOF OLDMILLANTIQUESCENTRE

Thenightsare drawingin, the days aregenerally abit gloomy andnow duetothe currentsit uation many of us areathome a gooddeal.

So let’slookatwaysofmak ingour domestic surroundings warm andcheerful with afew vintageitems andset about an autumn transformation! Colourfulvintage lampsare great forbrightening anycornerin anyroom, even during theday, Tiffany ones featuring floral de signscan bringalittlesummer lightbackintoyourlife.

Carefullypositioned mirrors do abrilliantjob in reflecting light, hang them oppositea window or alampfor maximum effect or even above alighted candle or two.

Bringsome winter flowers andplantsin anddisplay them in vintagejugsand vases, they will remind you that spring will come again! Anything bright andcolourful will addwarmth so look outfor itemsinrichcol ours likecrimson andgold.

Brighten up atable with a patternedvintagecloth andadd

Brass itemsadd warmth

acolourful rugortwo to make aroomfeelcosy-these areespecially useful on tiled floors whichcan be really chillyinthe winter months

Make themostofa fireplace even if youdon’t have areal fire, addsomedried flowers in avin tage pot or burn candlesinthe hearth.Brass andcopperitems, although not quiteaspopular as they used to be,again add warmth displayedarounda fire placeorinakitchen

Smallpiecesofdecoratedfur niture cantransform anyroom, go forchairsupholsteredin brightfabric.

Youcan,ofcourse,transform itemsoffurniture you already have with apaintbrushand a potofpaint -itdoesn’t take too much time andiswellworth the effort.Colouredglass bottles groupedtogetheronawindow ledge look great.

So have agoodscout around andsee what vintageitems you can find to help make thewinter monthsalittlemorecheery.

TheDen KitCompany–former school teachers andfounders Jo Jonesand KayMillerout in thewilds

Severn Hospice hasconfirmed plans for avirtual ward to care for patientsathome

Delicioushot chocolatepud recipe is a firm familyfavourite

Chef promises comfortfood doesn’thavetobebad foryou

PRUDENCEWADE PressAssociation

“Thisquick (and utterlydelicious) chocolatepud,which I’ve been making foryearstodelightmyfamily, occupiesaspace somewherebetween abrownie, asouffléand acake,”saysHugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

HOTCHOCOLATEPUDDING

Ingredients: Serves four 100g dark chocolate

100g butter

3mediumeggs

50gsoftlight brownsugar

1tsp vanilla extract

75ggroundalmonds

Apinch of salt

To serve

Raspberriesorother berries, or plum compote

Yoghurtorcream (optional)

Method: Putthe chocolateand butter into asaucepanand melt gently over averylow heat, watchingall thetimeand stir ring oftensothatthe chocolate doesn’tget toohot.Set asideto cool alittle. Preheatthe ovento 190°C/170°C Fan/Gas5 andbut terasmall oven dish

In alarge bowl,orthe bowl of astand mixer,whisk theeggs, brownsugar andvanillaextract together untilpale, thickand mousse-like. Themix should be significantly paler, thickerand increasedinvolume.

Turn themixer down to a lowspeed and, with themotor running, slowly pour in thetep id melted chocolateand butter mixture(or whiskitgentlyby hand). Usearubberspatula to scrape thelastdrops of choc olateintothe mix, andthento fold themixture fullytogether.

Combinethe ground almonds andsalt. Addtothe chocolate mixtureand fold in carefully, using thespatula.

Turn themixture into the prepared oven dish andshake thedishalittletospreaditout Bake in theovenfor 12 –15 minutes untilthe puddingis setontop and firm at theedg es,but still wobbly andgooey in themiddle.Serve straightaway, with freshraspberries or plum compote, andaspoonful of yo ghurtoratrickle of cream.

“We’ve been conned into eatingmoresugar than we even have agenuine appetite for,”hesays, good-natured outrage bubbling from hiswords.

“Ofcourse,alot of us have a sweettooth –Iwould sayIhavea really sweettooth.But what Ifound is even my sweettooth is complete ly satisfied by much less sugarthan conventional recipes, andcertain ly industrially produced biscuits, cakes, sweets andpuddingstendto include. We definitely need asugar rethink.”

Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottagehas been re-evaluatingits relationship with sugar forafew yearsnow.“We startedtakingsome of thesugar outofour bakesand treatsand desserts several years ago, andnobodyeven noticed.If anything,weweregetting more feedback saying,‘God, that’s so de licious’,” he says

Recipesinhis newbook, River CottageGood Comfort, mighthave aless tooth-rottingamountofsugar in them,but you won’tnecessarily miss anything.“Dialling down the sugar andthe refinedingredients is part of it,but dialling up thewhole ingredientsiswhatthe book’s more about,” Fearnley-Whittingstall adds

Anddon’t worry –the desserts arestill sweet. Afterall,thisis thepersonwho admits to whip ping up boxesofchocolatesasa child: “I used to make coffee and peppermint creams anddip them in chocolate–and truffles,things likethat,”Fearnley-Whittingstall remembers. Butthe sweetnessis

adjusted,and otheringredientsare added–suchasparsnipsorcarrots into cakes, or adatesyrup instead of a“knee-trembling amount of fudgytoffee”

This is allpart of the57-year-old chef andfood writer’smission to get us eating abit more healthily–and that doesn’tmeanyou have to miss outonyourfavourite,stodgycom fort foods.

“Weshouldn’tbeguilt-tripping people into eatinghealthy food, we should be tempting people to healthyfood,”hesays.

Aftera“strangefew years”,it made sense forFearnley-Whitting stalltodedicatehis latest book to comforting,nostalgic recipes. “Dur inglockdown, alot of people began reaching back to thosefavourite familyrecipes, those reliable cock le-warmers –the things that make us feel good,and make us feel that family is closeby,”hereflects

Forhim,the challengewas being able to ‘healthify’classic comfort dishes –likespagbol,shepherd’s pie or crumble –without compro mising on thetaste.Some dishes

took abit more testingthanothers. “People think, ‘today I’ll be virtuous, andtomorrowmaybe I’ll kick up my heelsand putmyfeetup and indulge’,” he says

“Actually, we canhavebothon thesameplate andbothinthe same dish.Wecan enjoytreats, foodsthat arereallywellbalanced–they’ve gotlotsofgood things in them.Oftenthatmeans afew littletweaks, andsometimesthere aresome big gertweaks, butit’sall very doable.”

Ultimately,Fearnley-Whitting stallwantedtokeepall thekey tenetsofcomfort food intact.“We can still capturethe cockle-warming, saucy, gooey, whatever theparticu larcharacteristicis– crispy-topped, or agooeybrownie,oracrumble with custardand lovely fruitunder neath.

“Wecan have allthose things and they canbetruly delicious–and yet better forusthanperhaps some of theold-schoolorconventionalver sionsofthose recipes.”

n River CottageGoodComfort by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstallis published by Bloomsbury,priced £27. Photography: SimonWheeler

TastyricedishispackedwithSpanish flavours

“There arevarious incarnations of one-pan chickenand rice dishes, originating from allover theworld, andthisversion,which includes some lovely Spanish flavours, is one of my favourites,”saysHugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

CHICKEN ANDCHORIZORICE

Ingredients: Serves six 1large or 2onions, sliced

3red,orangeoryellowpeppers, deseeded andsliced

2fat garliccloves, sliced 100g chorizo, diced

1–2tbspolive or rapeseed oil

1bay leaf

250g brownrice, well rinsed

Chickenand chorizorice

1small chicken, jointed, or six bone-inchicken thighs 200mlwhite wine

About 500mlchicken stock 200g cherry tomatoes

Seasaltand blackpepper

Method: Preheatthe oven to 190°C/170°C Fan/Gas5.Put the onion(s),peppers,garlicand chorizo into alarge roasting dish with just atrickle of oil. Addthe bayleaf andsome salt andpepperand toss together well.Place in theovenfor 25 minutes

Tipthe rice into asaucepan, cover with plenty of boiling water andbring to asimmer.Cookfor 20 minutes,until almost al dente, then drain.

Heat atrickle more oilina large frying panover amedium-high heat.Seasonthe chickenskin. Put half thechicken piecesintothe pan, skin side down,and season theirother sides. Frythe chicken foraroundeight minutes, turning occasionally,until each piece is nicely browned. Transfer to adish.

Repeat with the remainingchick en pieces

When you’vetaken allofthe chickenout of thefryingpan,add thewine. Letitbubblewhileyou scrape up anycaramelised bits from thebaseofthe pan, andsim merfor threeminutes or so,until reduced by abouthalf. Addthe stockand bring to abrisk simmer Take thetrayofroast vegfrom theoven. Stirin thericethenadd thecherrytomatoes. Placethe brownedchicken pieces on top, skin side up.Pourthe hot stock around thechicken.Cover with foil andreturntothe ovenfor 30 minutes.Takeoff thefoil, give therice agentlestirand finish in theoven for15minutes,oruntil thechicken is cooked through.

Dish up thechicken,riceand vegwithany juices from thetray spoonedover

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstallwants everyonetoknowwe’ve been swindled.And thecul prit?Sugar.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstallisaiming to make comfortfood healthier

River CottageGood Comfort

Hotchocolate pudding

Tastyand healthyrecipes are packed full of nuttynutrition

IN SEASON by Andy Richardson

Hard to find butdelicious andindulgent

California Walnutshas createdfournew recipes,eachcosting less than £2 perserving to inspireyou in thekitch en.

Forbreakfast;raspberry,honey andCaliforniaWalnut bakedoats, forlunch or asimplesupper; atasty leek,potatoand California walnut soup andfor dinner;aversatile plant-basedchilli concarne with five differentwaystouse it and fi nallyanindulgent pudding; aCalifornia Walnut andcoffeemug cake

Aspokesman said:“California Walnutsoffer bags of potential. Not only aretheyversatile,but anutritionpowerhouse, too. With their heart-healthysealofapprovalfrom hearthealthcharity HeartUK, walnutsare also theonlytreenut to containsignificant amountsofthe plant-basedessential omega-3 al pha-linolenicacid(ALA)(2.7g/30g), as well as 4.4g of proteinand 1.4g of fibreper 30ghandful.

“And it doesn’tstopthere Walnutsare agoodsourceof(an tioxidants)copperand vitaminE andmicronutrients magnesium, vitaminB6, folate andthiamine (vitamin B1)and asourceof(anti oxidant) zinc,pantothenic acid (vitaminB5) andmineralsironand potassium.”

RASPBERRY, HONEY&CALIFORNIA WALNUT BAKEDOATS

Prep:10minutes, cook: 20-30 minutes

Ingredients: Serves five

200g porridgeoats

2tsp honey

5mediumeggs, beaten

500g naturalyogurt

100g California Walnuts, chopped

500g raspberries

Method: Preheatthe oven to 200oCgas mark 6.

Mixall theingredients in alarge bowl untilcombined,reserving¼ of thewalnuts. Spooninto five 150ml dishes.Sprinklewithreserved walnuts, placeona baking trayand bake for25-30 minutes

LEEK,POTATO&CALIFORNIAWALNUT SOUP

Prep:10minutes, Cook:20 minutes

Ingredients: Serves five

1tbspoil,plus1tsp

3leeks,sliced

500g potatoes, diced

1litre vegetable stock

Soon,the cropswillstart to change In coming weeks, theglutofautumn’s harvestwill fade from the shelvesashardier winter cropsbecome moreprevalent

There’sstill aweekortwo re mainingofautumn,however,and it’s time to make themostofsuch delights as aubergine andapples, beetroot andblackberries, broccoli andBrusselssprouts

There’smoreonthe shelvesof localgreengrocersand in supermarkets, too, includingbutternut squash, carrots, cauliflower,celeri ac,celeryand oneofthe star ingredients of autumn,chestnuts.

Then there’schicory,chillies, courgette, cucumber,elderberries, kale,leeks,lettuce,marrow, onions, parsnips, pears, peas,potatoes, pumpkin, quince, radishes, andred cabbage.

Quince is adelight, though can be hard to find.Itsimilar in appear ance to pearsand ripe quince fruits arehard, tart,and astringent. They

1tsp driedmixed herbs

125g California Walnuts

15gParmigianoReggiano, finely grated

Method: Preheatthe oven to 200oC, gasmark6.Lineasmall baking traywithbaking parch ment.Heatone tbsp oilinalarge frying panand frythe leeksand po tatoes for five minutes,stirringoc casionally.Add thestock andherbs andbring to theboil, cover andsim merfor 10 minutes untilpotatoes aretender

Meanwhile, placehalfthe walnuts on thepreparedtrayand toss in onetsp oil, sprinkle over thePar mesanand bake for five minutes, allowtocoolonthe tray.

Pureethe soup with astickblender so that thetexture is stillquite chunky.Chopthe remainingwal nutsand addtothe soup,seasonto taste. Servethe soup with broken up piecesofthe Parmesanwalnuts on top.

CALIFORNIA WALNUT MINCECHILLI

Prep:10minutes, Cook:15 minutes

Ingredients: Serves five 100g California Walnuts

300g mushrooms

1tbspoil

2clovesgarlic,crushed

1tsp ground cumin

1tsp chilli powder

400g canchopped tomatoes

2tbsptomato puree

400g canred kidney beans, drained andrinsed 400g canblackbeans,drained andrinsed

2tbspchopped coriander

Method: Placethe walnutsinafood processorand mixtogiveacoarse crumb. Repeat with themushrooms andmix into thewalnuts

Heat theoil in alarge saucepan andfry thewalnut mixtureand garlic for five minutes. Addthe spic es andcookfor oneminute.

Stirinthe tomatoes, tomato pu reeand both beansand cook gently for10minutes,stirringoccasionally.Seasonand stir in thecoriander

CHILLI 5WAYS: Servewith cooked longgrain rice;spoonovera halved bakedpotato; mixwithpas ta andtop with grated Cheddarand bake;serve on topoftortillachips

with guacamole, soured creamand melted cheese; and finally, servein atortillawrapwithcookedriceand sliced avocadofor aquick burrito.

COFFEE&CALIFORNIAWALNUTMUG CAKE

Prep: five minutes, Cook:two threeminutes

Ingredients: Makesone

1mediumegg

2tbspmilk

3tbspvegetableoil

1tsp instant coffee

4tbspself-raising flour

4tbspcastersugar

25gCaliforniaWalnuts, chopped

Method: Beat theegg in a350ml heatproofmug with themilkand oil. Blendthe coffee with onetsp boiling water andadd to themug with the flour, sugarand allbut two tspwalnuts, mixwelltocombine

Microwaveonfull powerfor two to threeminutes or untilaskewer comesout clean. Allowtocool.

Sprinkle with the reserved walnuts.

areseldomeaten raw, butare processed into marmalade, jam, paste (known as quince cheese)orboozy drinks

Quince jelly is ago-to recipe that works brilliantlywithacheeseboardoralongside pork or game dishes.It’sa greatway to usea glut of thefruit

Putquinceand lemon peel and juiceinalarge,deepsaucepan. Cover with water andbring to theboil, then simmer untilverysoft. Strain thejuice through muslin then add sugarand cook through.Ladle into hotsterilisedjarsand seal.

Quince makesa deliciousautumnal crumble, encasedinarich almond pastry.Serve it with adol lopofchestnut icecream forareal tasteofthe season andspicethings up with alittlecinnamon.

It’s notjustsweetsand desserts that workwellwiththe fruit. Sweet spiced lamb shanks with quince is arealdelight, redolent of dishes from Persia or Morocco.The spices in this slow cooked one-potare mellowand it’s best served with rice, couscous or flatbreads.

Amembrillo– or,quincepaste toastiewithchorizo andcheddar is also aworkofart.Itmakes acosy nightinevenmoreindulgent andis theperfect autumn pick-me-up.

Quincealsogoes well with halloumi, on skewers, whileit’sagreat addition to venison, served in arich spiceseasonedwithrosemary.

California WalnutMinceChilli

Coffee &WalnutMug RaCake spberry, Honey &California WalnutBaked Oats

MATTHEWPANTER matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

Quince is in season now

EnjoyBritish beauty spots this autumn

Thereare lots of public gardensdot ted around theUK offering stun ning viewsand fascinatingwood lands.

Throughout thefrostier months, thesebeautiful spotsare perfectto explorewiththe familyortotake yourfour-legged friendsonanew adventure

Theoutdoor expertsatGarden BuildingsDirect.co.ukhaveresearched thetop tenpopular parks acrossBritain to visitduringthe colder months

Sought-afterautumn locations includeHolyrood Park in Edin burghand Regent’s Park,Central London

Here aresome of thetop UK parkstovisit: n Holyrood Park,Edinburgh –Located around theroyal Holy rood House, this impressive land scapeisaprime placetoget aclear

What canyou do if change in season left youfeeling SAD?

HEATHER LARGE heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

It’s that time of year. Thebrilliant sunshine of summer is sadlyfading, andgloomycloudsare formingabove threaten ingrainatany time.

look over thecityofEdinburgh

With theleavesfalling offtrees,it makesthe walk up to Arthur’s seat even more exciting andcan make foragreat photo moment n Wollaton Hall andPark, Nottinghamshire –Thisfamous site in Nottinghamshirewas once usedinthe Batman film –The Dark KnightRises.There’s plenty to do here in autumn:havea picniconthe hills, explorethe historyinsidethe famous Hall or take photosofthe deer n Regent’s Park,Central London –A capitalhotspot formany Londonersand tourists with large amountsofscenery across410 acres of land.Regent’sParkisapopular placetostroll in autumn,withvisitors highly ratingthe varietyofactivities, from theopenair theatre to stunningsunsetviews on thenear by PrimroseHill

n Broads National Park,Nor folk Broads –Fromcycling,to boating, to exploringoutdoor beau ty spots, there’salarge checklistof activities andsights to visitacross thenationalpark.

n Fletcher Moss Park andBotanicalGardens,Manchester

–ThisManchesterhidden gemis recommendedfor people wantingto step away from thebusystreets of thecity. Thepeacefulparkisfull of wildlife includingwater birdsand violet ground beetles.

n YorkshireSculpture Park, West Yorkshire –Often referred to as an artist’sdream,the park is stretchedacross500 acresofland in West Yorkshire.

It is normaltofeeldownwhenthe weatherand seasonschange. Butif you feel sadfor most of theday,you mightnot just be feelingsad;you mighthaveSAD

Dr QianXu, Co-Founder and MedicalDirectoratREDjuvenate Medical, says SADisaseasonal affectivedisorder,atypeofdepression that affectspeoplemainlydur ingthe winter

WHAT CAUSES SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER?

Theexact reasonspeoplesuffer areunknown andthe same factors mightaffecteveryonedifferently Research hasshownthatchanges to yourcircadian rhythm,serotonin levels andmelatonin play an important role in regulating yourhappi nessthrough theseasons

CircadianRhythm: Your circadian rhythm is a24-hour body cycle that some people call yourinternal clock. Duringthese cycles,your body carries outessential functions andprocesses.The most important andwell-knowncircadian rhythm is thesleep-wakecycle.Whenyour circadianrhythmisoptimal,itpro motesconsistentand restorative sleep. Adecreaseinsunlightcan disruptthisinternalclock andlead to feelings of depression

SerotoninLevels: Serotoninis achemicalmessengerthatworks with yournerve cells. It is some timesknown as thehappy chemical anddoessomuchmorethanplaya role in yourmood.Serotonin levels affect otherthingsthatimpacthow we feel,suchasyoursleep health, digestion,bonehealthand wound healing. Reduced sunlightcan causeadropinyourserotonin

Melatoninlevels: Melatoninis

ahormone yourbrain produces in response to darkness.Ithelps with yourbody’stimings foryourcirca dianrhythm. As thelightbeginsto wane andweenter thedarkwin termonths, thebody’sbalance of melatonincan be altered. This, in turn,can affect yoursleep andyour mood

HOWTOKNOWIFYOU HAVE SAD?

The firstthing to know about seasonal affective disorder is that it isn’tjustawinter problem. It is caused by achangeinthe seasons. Youwill starttofeelsymptomsarisingasthe seasonschange, it won’t be likeclockwork butasthe light

beginstofadethiswinter you might startnoticingsome of these:

Appetite changes –Weall love carbs, butanincreaseincravings canbeasignyou have SAD.

Loss of interest in activities –Ifyou starttoshy away from the things youusuallylovetodo, think about if you no longer enjoy it or you just can’t find themotivation.

Lowenergy –It’snormaltofeel alittletired inwinter,but if you aresleepingenoughand still feel inglikeyou aretired you mayhave SAD

Concentrationproblems –we allhaveoff days, butifyou start to lose focusregularly yourbody

mightbereactingtothe change in theseasons

Oversleeping –There is nothing better than awarmand cosy bed in winter,but if you find yourself sleeping fortoo longand still feel ingtired it is likelyyou aresufferingfromSAD

Many people sufferingfromSAD canbegin to feel hopeless,some timeseven worthless.The NHSadvise you to seek outmedical advice if you are findingitdifficult to cope Here areafew things you candoto help youmanageand even stop feelingSAD before it affectsyou

WHAT CANIDOTOSTOPMYSELF FROMFEELINGSAD?

Stickto aschedule: People suffering from seasonal affective disorderoften have trouble sleeping Creating agood sleepschedulecan help yourbodytomaintainand balance yourcircadian rhythm

Sticking to an eating schedule canalsohelpstopthe weightgain you mightexperience from thecar bohydratecravingsyou mayencounter whilefeeling SAD.

Socialactivities: Studieshave shownthere maybeacausallink betweensocialisolation anddepression.Inwinter, we oftenspend more time alone, indoors, hiding away from thecoldand wetweather Making an effort to seeour friends andfamilycan give us aboost

Getmoving: Exercise is proven to help alleviatefeelingsofdepression.Outdoor activity is ideal, but if youcan’t getoutside becauseof theweather,exercising at home or thegym is also valuable to reducing feelings of SAD.

Spendtimeinthe sunshine: When you can, trytospend time outside. Even if it is only forabrisk walk at lunchtime, this will help yourbodyproduce serotoninand regulate yourcircadian day/night rhythm

VitaminD: In winter,yourdai ly dose of vitaminDcan drastically reduce.Vitamin Dsupplements can be taken. Youcan also find reason able amountstohelpyourbodyin fish,eggsand liver

SeasonalAffectiveDisorder(SAD) canleave youwith appetitechanges andlosing interest in activities that younormallyenjoy

Getting outdoorscan boost your VitaminDand serotonin levels

Discover Britain’s beauty spots

Helpingyou getbettersleep during menopause

Womenstrugglingtosleep during themenopause arebeing offered tips to help getabetterquality of sleep.

Octoberismenopause awareness month andthe furnitureexpertsatOnline-Bedrooms.co.uk have researched tips to help wom en experiencingthe menopause get abetternights sleep.

Tips to help you sleepduringthe menopause:

n Trytofollow aregular sleeping schedule –Going to bed andwakingupatthe same time each daywill give yourbodyabit more of aroutine whichcan regu late yoursleepingpattern.

n Wear looser andlighter clothingtobed –Alot ofwomen experiencing themenopause have hot flashes. Wearinglooserand lighterclothingcan help make hot flashesexperienced at nightfeela little less overwhelming n Trytoavoidspicyfoods –If you do find yourself experiencing hot flashesthenyou maywantto layoff spicyfoods. These canbea triggerfor sweating andcould be a contributing factor to extreme hot flashes.

n Exercise Past studieshave even shownthatregular exer cise hashelpedinsomniapatients achieveabetterquality of sleepso

it’s worth fitting into yoursched uleifyou can.

n Avoidany kind of caffeine wellbeforebed –Try to avoid having cups of tea, coffee andhot chocolateinthe evenings.It’sbelieved that caffeine cantakeup to eighthours to leaveyourbody. These arealsoknown to trigger hot flashes.

n Keep your bedroomcool Open thewindows before bedtime andget some air flowingthrough yourroom.

n Talk to adoctor –Ifalack of sleepisaffecting yourday to day lifethenconsidertalking to adoc tor.

Presentersharesmessaging tips to avoiddatingdisasters

PRUDENCE WADE PressAssociation

It mighthavebeenone of thedullerparts of school,but now–accordingtoAnnaRichardson –spellingcorrectlyis sexy.

Richardson knowsher stuffwhen it comestolove andrelationships, having presented showslikeNaked Attractionand TheSex Education Show.“Forme, theway we communicate andtext– proper grammar andspelling is really important,” shesays. “I do alot of showsaround dating andrelationships, I’ma trained hypnotherapist as well –so communicationinrelationships is everything forme.”

Andthe Wellington-born 52-yearoldsuggests proper communication is adying art. “I seethe younger people around me –and in fact, even my agegroup dating at the minute–and theway they’recom municating,it’slike: Oh my God,” shegroans.“It’s amiracle anybody gets together.”

Accordingtonew research by datingapp Badoo(badoo.com),69per cent of single Britsare turned off by badly-writtenmessages (a stat Richardson initiallydidn’tbelieve: “I waslike, 69 percent–really? Is this ajoke?”) –but it’s common in online dating,with49per cent of daters having received amessage with badspellingorgrammar

“It’sa huge turn-off,” says Rich ardson.“Youwanttofeelyou are important, that you areworth the time andthe effort to communicate properly with –you want to feel that you’revalued. Iwould want that Ithink most people would want that.”

If you’researchingfor love online, Richardson recommendsavoiding thesecommondatingmistakes…

n Lazy messaging –While Richardson admits she’sapedant, shestill stresses theimportance of taking care with yourmessages “Without thecorrect syntax and

punctuation, sentencesjustdon’t make sense,” shesays.

“Ifyou’renot puttinginthe correct grammar, that canbemiscon strued –and actually,the worst thingis, it couldevenbeoffensive.

So it’s really importanttotake care.”

n Misspellingnames –Getting apotential partner’snameright is asignofrespect,accordingtoRichardson.“Iget it quiteoften –peo pleeitherput one‘N’ in Anna,or they’llcallmeAnne, or they’llcall me Hannah –I’m like, oh.”

Shecalls misspelling names“a massiveno-no –especially if you’re wantingtobeimportant to some body andyou want [them] to feel valued,thenofcourse –get their name right”

n Rushingmessages –“Rush ingtexts –weall do it in awork situationeveryday,especially

with WhatsApp,texts,phonecalls, emails, everything –we’re being pulled in amillion differentdirec tions. It’s understandable at work to rush things…Not if you’reabout to date,and notifyou want to find yourlifepartner.”

n Usingemojisinstead of words –Richardsonacknowledges she’sguilty of using emojis instead of wordstospeed up hermessaging, butadds: “Actually, there’snoexcuse.Yes,itcan be funnyinacom edysense –but really,it’salittlebit lazy.”

n Notgivingpeopleachance –Richardsonacceptsher initial reaction to someone sendingher a message littered with spelling and grammarmistakesisto“binthem offimmediately”,she says.Howev er,she adds:“We couldall do with more kindness in theworld.”

Whilemistakescan be aturn-

off, it doesn’tmeanthatperson isn’tright foryou.“Maybesay to people –iftheydoreverttousing emojis,orthey’ve misspelled stuff, or they’rejustnot usinggrammar –say to them kindly andtactfully, actually,thisisavalue of mine.I find it arealturnon, andI’m quite into thecorrect spelling.It’simpor tant to me,because it meansyou’ve spenttimeonme.”

Richardson recommends this positive approach,sayingyou’llget “betterfeedback with sugar rather than vinegar”.After you’vespoken to yourpotential match, shesays: “Iftheydomakethe effort,then maybethey’re thepersonfor you.”

Anna Richardson hasteamedup with dating appBadoo to guidesin gletonsonthe most common messaging mishaps, encouragingthem to putinmoretimeand effort to land moredates

Capture perfect photographs by copyingroyal family’sposes

When it comestoposing fora family photowecould alllearn athing or twofromthe Royals

Photographyexperts at Parrot Print.comhavetrawled through decadesofofficialroyal familyim ages to collateaguide of thebest poses to employ when creating the perfectgroup shot

Methodsthe BritishRoyal Familyuse,suchas slanting their legs, taking awidestance, or clasping their handsare just some of the techniquesanyonecan adopttoimprove thequality of theirphotos.

AspokespersonfromParrotPrint.comsaid: “There’s alot to consider when it comestocreating theperfect family photo andit’sa skill theroyalshavegot down to a fine art.

“Knowing how to pose forapho to cancause more stress than you firstthought.Fromcontrolling the kids to getting heightorder correct, thereare plenty of things to consid er.The perfectpose canbeachieved by avariety of methods, andwho better to look at as examples of this than ourown royalfamily?”

Posing like royalty:

Handsbehindback:Often adoptedbyPrinceCharles,this pose is asimpleone whichalso nice ly adjustsposture by forcingyou to standwithastraighterback, as yourhands areclasped andnaturallyfallbehindyou

Clasped hands: ThelateQueen Elizabeth II’s signaturepose, claspingyourhands together near your waistis sufficientfor keeping a handbagaccessory in place.

The‘DuchessSlant’: This pose wasnamed afterKateMiddleton once sheattendedpublicroyal engagementsafterjoining the royal family.Itwas furtheremphasised as intentionalwhenMeghanMar kle also beganattending these en gagements, andadoptedthe same pose.Itinvolvessitting up straight with legs placed parallel andslant ed to oneside.

Wide stance: Theopposite to his wife Kate Middleton’spose,Prince William mostly poseswithhis legs placed wide apart

Crossed legs: Foryounger chil dren,adopting acrosslegged stance canhelptokeep fidgetingunder control. Prince George hastaken this on as hissignature pose,despitehis young age.

¾angle: This is ago-to pose to ensure that subjects arecaptured in theirmost flattering angles.By facing thecameraand then turning your face andbodyslightlytothe side,itmakes fora less monotonous pose

Hand tucked in suit jacket: Tuckingone hand in asuitjacket or waistcoat,itcan make fora more naturalstance.

Sittingatdifferent levels: To avoidarigid photo, or to organise biggergroups, picturescan be made more naturalbyusing chairs and ledges to placepeopleatdifferent heights.

n Formoreinformation on how to posefor theperfect familyphoto graph, visitParrotPrint.com

NakedAttractionpresenter

Anna Richardson says communicationiskey when youare looking for love

Sleep canbeanissue forsome

Gardenerscan still do theirbit to help bees

If you’vespotted bees in your garden during sunnydaysinautumn,safetosay they arestill foraging fornectartosee them throughwinter

“Myhiveisstill active,” says farmer andTVpresenter Jimmy Doherty, conservationexpert forRowse Honey. “While thereissun and flowers, there arebeesaround.”

As part of Rowse’sHives For Livesinitiatives (rowsehoney. co.uk/hives-for-lives) to protect bees,Doherty is supporting the brand’spartnership with Blen heim Estate a five-year con servationproject whichwillsee more than 50 acresofwildflow er seeds sown throughoutthe estate and124 milesofhedgerows to replenishnectarsourc es andcreatenew habitatsfor pollinators

So,how cangardenersdo theirbit to help bees this season? Dohertyoffersthe follow ingtipstohelpbees as autumn progresses Plantivy

“Ivy is agreat giver at this time of year andthe honeypro ducedfromthatnectarofivy is dark andrich.”

Long floweringspecies

“Think aboutthingslike verbena, asters,dahlias and sedums, as well as honeysuckle.You find it naturallyinthe UK growinginwoodlandsand hedgerows butthere aremany varietiesyou canbuy in thegar dencentre.”

Open flowered varieties

“Whenyou arechoosing va rietieswhich arebeneficialto insects, open flowered typesare amustsothatthe nectar canbe easily accessed.Often, flower breederswillbreed forbeauty, notfor nectar,soyou getthese amazing, beautiful flowerswith lots of petals folded on to themselves,but thebee can’tget to thenectarbecause thereare so many petals to getthrough.”

Create hibernatingareas

“Havinghibernating areas is important. Honeybeesdon’t need that much attentionbecausetheyare oftenlookedafterbyabeekeeper,orwillhave theirfood sourcesiftheyare wild.But hibernatinginsects likerough areas, such as tall grassesand log piles.”

Avoidpesticides

“Try nottouse pesticides–they canhavea lethal effect it maykill them instantly– or asub lethal effect,where you mayspray aplant whichthe bee feeds from,which canmakeit become disorientated.”

Checkout thesepatternsfor giving interior aclassiclook

SAMWYLIE-HARRIS PressAssociation

Trends come andgo, but if you’re afterlasting appeal,it’salwaysadvisable to stickwiththe classics.

Combiningtraditionaltartanand gingham into aschemecan strike a harmonious balance–especially at this time of year,asweyearn for thosecalmand snug vibes. These strong repeat patterns provide visualinterestand canhelpwarm aroomwithcolourand texture. Here’s how to soften theedges and introduce some checkedcontrast as thenights draw in

1. Carnoustie checkgreyblackout linedeyeletcurtains, from £40, Ju lian Charles

Winter warmth within easy reach, these dapper checkcurtains arefullylined,featuring easy to hang eyelets. Best of all, they’llreduce draughts from windows and preventthe heat from escaping

2. Mustardhouse pink weave set of 4placemats –multi, £32, andset of 4coasters, £16, MADE.com

Foralovelytwist on tableset tings, whosayscheckscan’t be contemporary?

3. KatieAlice vintageindigo gingham side plates,£8.99each, vintageindigoteapot, £39.99,other itemsfroma selection, KatieAlice

Inspired by DutchDelftware, these ceramicnavygingham plates reinventthe past with thoughts of afternoontea andshortbread biscuits.

4. Madras gold checkthrow,£60, checkcushions, £55, Weaver Green

Ioveting throws andcushions? Comforting andcheerful,welove theyellows,blues andsoftpinks in this timeless design.Ideal forstylingonrusticfurniture, flea market finds, as well as asofa.

5. Gingham checkstoneware vase –lilac, £14, Five AndDime Romantic andquaint, we’redefi

nitely sensinga nodtocottagecore when you fill this charming vase with dried flowers

6. Heritage tartan wallpaperin Egyptian blue andmineral,£46 per roll,Lucie Annabel

Classicplaid prints canplayup thedullestofcorners,and spur theimagination with thoughts of aglowing fireplace, glassofclaret andchicdrinkstrolley.Thistar tanwallpaper in Egyptian blue will give anyrooma freshfaceand adda touchofdrama

7. Balmoral checkcushion covers, £6 each,Studio Foraquickie fabric fix, take an ex isting cushionpad andswapout the cover forone of these game-chang ingdesigns, availableinall yourfavourite shades.

8. Gleneagles patterncarpet

in Kinrossgreyplaid,£44.99per square metre,Carpetright

This woven Wilton carpet in an elegantdovegreycheck will bring anyspace to life.Versatile enough to worklikeadream with exposed wooden beams, neutrals andScandi inspired mid-centuryfurniture, not to mentioncountry living schemes andmonochrome room sets

9. Tartan faux furstorage basket, £9,Matalan

Sperfect prop to clearthe clutter, thinkmagazines, home crafts, or even your favourite warming, wintrytipple.

10.Merinolambswoolnavytar tanplaid throw, £89.95,Annabel James

If you want astylish merino lambswoolthrow to snuggleup with,you can’tgowrong with this

one’sco-ordinating tartan tones.

11.Elliecheck accent chairwith plainbolster cushioninplumcom bination,£479, DFS

With itssoftcurvesand sumptu ouspadding,thisvintage-inspired accent chaircertainly looksthe part,especiallyifyou’vegot your heartset on creating acomfortable seatingareatosinkintoatthe end of alongday.Available with achoice of oakand antiquefeetand 12 colourways.

12.Berry gingham linenbedtime bundle,from£297(duvetcover, sheets pillowcases;items also available separately), Piglet In Bed

Apalateofberry-red gingham checks always feelsright this time of year–thisset’smadefromstone washed European flax,prewashed forsoftbedtime bliss.

Heritage tartan wallpaper in Egyptian blue andmineral

Balmoralcheck cushioncoversKatie

Alicevintage indigoginghamsideplatesand teapot

JimmyDoherty

Bagabargain familygetaway forOctober

Taking theslowPacificroute to discover ‘hiddengems’

CALIFORNIA

By HannahStephenson

Tastinga seaurchin atop aPacificGold oystermay conjureupimages of acertain jungle realityshow.

ButJapanese sushidelicacy‘uni’ is alocally caught common go-toin SantaBarbara,accordingtoJanet Ollson, ownerofIndustrialEats. Herhipster restaurant in thetown of Buellton serves everything from artisancharcuterie to cheese-oozingpizzascookedinwood firedov ens. It’s oneofmanyhidden gems on thetourist trail of the451-mile stretchofthe PacificCoast High waybetween SanFranciscoand Los Angeles. Having done this route before on thefasterHighway 101–whichrunsparallel–I’m taking the slower,winding scenic coastalroad of CA-1 (also knownas Highway1).

Thepurescenery of thedrive, snakingpastrocky headland on one side andmountains on theother, andthe little townswehappenupon when we turn offthe coastroad temporarilyforms abig draw.The glorious 17-milescenicdrive along theMontereyPeninsula toll road, passingthrough Pebble Beachto pretty Carmel,may cost $11.25/£10 percar,but it’s money well spent.

ObservationpointsonCA-1are around everycorner, wherevisitors admirephenomenal marine life, from seaottersin the fishinghar bour of MorroBay,tocoloniesof elephant sealsonthe beachat the PiedrasBlancas Rookery.

Ouraccommodation choicesare off-piste– avintage trailer with all modconsinVentura;afunky surf ing-themed hotelinSanta Cruz; a stroll throughredwoodsfor ouraccommodationbreakfast in BigSur Theseare just some of thealterna tivesyou can find if you strayfrom thecrowds.

SanFrancisco

Firsttimerswill head forFisherman’sWharf,Golden Gate Bridge,

Alcatraz,and thetrams.Weopt for Japantownwhere Japanese immigrants builtupacommunity after the1906earthquakewhich devas tated thecity. Easily identifiableby itsmanyrestaurants, aselection of bright,bold, Japanese kitchis also on offerinthe district’s indoor malls.

Thelandmarkpagoda, agift from Osaka to SanFranciscoin 1968,standsout in thePeace Plaza.

SantaCruz

ThebirthplaceofUSsurfing, SantaCruz, nicknamedthe Coney Islandofthe West Coastthanks to itsbeach boardwalk funfair complete with theoldestwooden rollercoaster(1924)inthe state, is full of surfer dudesand beachlov ers. Away from thefunfair frolics, we take asurflesson with Club Ed (club-ed.com)afew minutes’drive downthe beach.

National parks California houses 280 stateparks andninenationalparks,including Yosemite andSequoia,but these arebotharoundfourhours’drive from thewestcoast,sotoo farfor aday trip.Fifty milesinlandfrom Monterey is Pinnacles National Park,which lies on theSan Andre as FaultZone, wherevolcanicactiv ity23millionyears agoaccounts for itsmassive monoliths, rockspires, sheercanyons andboulder-covered caves.Hikingtobat caves, we walk alongsidemajesticpillarsof volcanic rock,duckunder boulders wedgedbetween naturalwalls and catchour breath at thewatersof theBearGulch Reservoir.

Paso Robles

With nearly 300wineriesinthe region,split betweentwo distinct growingregions –PasoRoblesand

SanLuisObispo– we choose one whichissmall andpersonal. Alta Colina (altacolina.com) not only of fers summit tours, butyou canalso ‘glamp’invintage trailersat the foot of thevines (thetrailerpond. com)

Ventura Venturaisworth apitstop.It’sa cheaperthanLA, butinmanyways amoreattractiveand compactoption with itsfunky street murals, pedestrianiseddowntownareas andsurfing beaches.

LosAngeles

TheCityofAngelsischokedwith traffic, butwe’re tryingtorecreate theHollywood dreamwithtours andmuseums. Ourultimateview –and finalblowout –comeshighin theempty Burbankhillsat Cast away (castawayburbank.com), a stunningcliff-toprestaurant.

There’sno denying it’s becomingmoreexpensive to go on holiday– especially during peak periods. Butthere arestill plen ty of late dealsonthe market if you look around

If you cangrab adecent flight, roomonlyoptions also offergreat flexibility.Hereare afew goodvalue familybreaks yettobesnapped up

Boatingto Bath

Setting offfromDrifters’ Devizesbaseonthe Kennet & Avon CanalinWiltshire, float alongcanalstoBathand back Thejourney takesaround10 hours, travelling acrosstwo aq ueductsand passingthrough 10 locks, with achoiceofcanal-side pubstostopoff at alongthe way.

n Driftersoffersthe 58ft Ti betanFox narrowboat (sleeps six) fora four-night breakfrom £1,122,saving£324. Pricein cludes diesel,gas,damagewaiv er,linen,towels, canalmap,life jackets, parkingand tuition. Pets c30each. AvailableOcto ber24. Call 0344 9840322or visitdrifters.co.uk

StillsummerinCorfu

Days arestill warm in the Greekislands at theend of Oc tober, although theweather is still cool enough to enjoy the many hiking andcycling routes on offer. Sleepbythe seaatthe five-starAngsana resort,which also hasexcellent kids’clubfacilities

n Roomsfrom£226.90per night(twoadultsand twochildren sharing) with breakfast. From October23. Visitangsa na.com

Bagabargain in Cornwall

Stayingina Cornishcaravan couldbeanaffordablefamily holidayoption. Setonthe edge of awood, surrounded by coun tryside,the Sun Haven holiday park is within walkingdistance of thesands of Mawgan Porth Beachand is closetoNewquay

n Athree-nightstayina six-person caravancosts from £138 pernight.Call0333 200 2780 or visitlovatparks.com

Dine on greatviews in Greece

Choose betweenstrolls through fabulous gardensor alongasandy beachatPar ga BeachResortonmainland Greece.The hoteloffersfamily-friendlyfacilities,asmall spa, aselection of pools andarestaurant with localcuisine.P

n BritishAirways Holidays offers sevennightsB&B atrom £679pp,including flights, from October22. Visitbritishair ways.com/greece

Surfing in Santa Cruz

ThePacificCoast Highwayrunsfor 451miles

Therollercoaster at Santa Cruz

Beachclose to SunHaven HolidayPark,Cornwall

FRIDAYNIGHT LIVE

Channel 4, 9pm

If you’re old enough to remember Saturday Live, you’ll know it was one of the most influential and important comedy shows in British history

During the 1980s, such was the explosion of the socalled ‘alternative comedy’ movement thatover 50 comedy clubs were operating in London and agalaxy of performers were working the venues.

The game-changing Saturday Live (laterbecoming Friday Night Live) brought this burgeoning scene to anational TV audience, and propelled several of the performers to stardom.

Anyone who was anyone on the comedy scene appeared on it, including Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson, Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, Nick Hancock and Neil Mullarkey, Jeremy Hardy,Lenny Henry,Helen Lederer and Andy de la Tour

Arguably the biggest leap to fame was by Harry Enfield, whose brilliantly drawn characters Stavros and Loadsamoney made appearances on the shows.

Meanwhile, although Ben Elton was initially invited just to write for the show,he was asked to perform as well and quickly became the show’s most seen face, hosting all of the second series.

With his trademark sparkly suit, he used the platform to rail against authority and what he saw as the misuse of Tory power during the 1980s.

Friday Night Live was resurrected as asegment for 1993’s Red Nose Day,again hosted by Elton, with appearances by Laurie, Reeves and Mortimer,Eddie Izzard, and David Baddiel and Rob Newman.

The show made another return in 1996 on ITV

Hosted by Lee Hurst, it featured comedians including Harry Hill and Simon Munnery

It was revived by ITV once again in 2007, with Marcus Brigstocke hosting and comics including Jimmy Carr,Lee Mack, Mitchell and Webb, and Jocelyn Jee Esien.

Elton also performed, and there were musical performances by Bon Jovi and Hard-Fi.

Now,kicking off Truth and Dare season to mark Channel 4’s 40th anniversary,

Friday Night Live is returning with a90-minutecomedy variety special.

Back to host is the masterful Elton, who is joined by friends from the original series such as Enfield, Clary and Brand, and new performers from today’s circuit including Rosie Jones, Mawaan Rizwan, Jordan Gray,Ronni Ancona and Sam Campbell.

As well as all that comedy talent in one room, there’s live music courtesy of Mercury Prize nominee Self Esteem.

The Return Of Friday Night Live is one of anumber of commissions announced by Channel 4for its anniversary celebrations, with other commissions including Frankie Boyle focusing on the monarchy,Prince Andrew: The Musical, and aprogramme about free expression hosted by Jimmy Carr Channel 4’s Ian Katz says: “This season shows that Channel 4isstill as mischievous, disruptive and distinctive as when it was born 40 years ago.”

During the original Saturday Live series, lawyers were on hand to ensure none of the comedians landed themselves in hot water

And with the state of British politics at themoment, there should be plenty for the likes of Elton and co to get their teeth into, on what promises to be a‘loud, outrageous, noisy and very funny’ homage to aBritish comedy institution.

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Rip

Off Britain Live: Cost Of Living Special Week (S). 10.00 Crimewatch Live (S). 10.45

Paramedics On Scene (S). 11.15

Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.15 Bargain Hunt (S).

1.00 BBC News At One; Weather (S). 1.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 1.45 Doctors (S).

2.15 London Kills (S). 3.00

Escape To The Country (R) (S).

3.45 Antiques Road Trip (R) (S).

4.30 The Tournament (S). 5.15 Pointless (S).

6.30 Escape To The Country (R) (S). 7.15 The Tournament (R) (S). 8.00 Sign Zone: The Repair Shop (R) (S). 9.00 BBC News (S). 10.00 BBC News (S). 12.15

Politics UK (S). 1.00 Best House In Town (R) (S). 1.45 Eggheads (R) (S). 2.15 Lightning (R) (S). 2.45 Best Bakes Ever (R) (S). 3.30 Super Cute Animals (R) (S). 4.30 Street Auction (R) (S). 5.00 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 Tenable (S). 3.59 ITV Regional Weather (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (S). 5.00 The Chase (S).

(S).

Richard Osman’s House Of Games (S).

Strictly: It Takes Two Rylan is on hand with more Strictly exclusives (S).

Live Rugby League World Cup Australia vs Scotland. Kick-off is at 7.30pm (S).

6.00 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 6.30 ITV News; Weather (S).

7.30 Emmerdale Avillager is missing and asearch is organised (S).

8.00 Coronation Street Expectant Summer receives an unexpected offer (S).

Clive Sullivan: Rugby League Legend Nathan Blake uncovers the hidden storyofClive Sullivan (S).

Mock The Week Comedy panel show, with Dara OBriain. Last in the series (S).

Newsnight (S).

11.05 MOTDx Football discussion presented by Jermaine Jenas (R) (S).

11.35 The Elon Musk Show (R) (S).

12.35 Sign Zone: The Champions League Final: What Went Wrong? –Panorama (R) (S). 1.05 Sign Zone: Simon Reeve’s South America (R) (S). 2.05 Sign Zone: Martin Compston’s Scottish Fling (R) (S). 2.35 This Is BBC Two (S).

9.00 Professor T The criminologist lectures his students about the murder trial of a caretaker (S).

10.00 ITV News At Ten; Weather (S). 10.30 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 10.45 The NFL Show (S).

11.40 The Motorbike Show HenryCole takes aroad trip through the Malvern Hills (S).

12.30 Shop: Ideal World 2.00 Live Women’s World Cup Rugby Union (S). 4.30 Live Women’s World Cup Rugby Union (S).

SAINT MAUD (Film4, 10.45pm)

The brightly-lit arcades of anameless British seaside resortbear witness to abrutal tug of war between faith and fanaticism in writer-director Rose Glass’s striking debut feature. Infused with the creeping dread of amodern-day horror story, Saint Maud is amesmerising portrait of religious fervour and sexual awakening anchored by a bravura central performance from Welsh actress Morfydd Clark (pictured) as the eponymous tortured soul.

SCARFACE (ITV4, 10.50pm)

Small-time crook Tony Montana emigrates from Cuba to the US, determined to become rich and powerful. Admitted into the inner circle of aMiami

drug lord, he ultimately takes over his boss’s empire and even his wife. However,his paranoia and cocaine addiction begin to spiral out of control, while his enemies circle, waitingfor the chance to bring him down.Gangster thriller remake, with Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer and RobertLoggia.

Sport

DERBYCOUNTY

(R)

(R)

MacGyver (R) (S). 3.00

Of Lemur Island (R) (S).

(R) (S). 4.30

Simpsons (R) (S). 5.00 The

(R) (S). 5.30 Futurama (R) (S).

6.00 The Simpsons Classic movie monsters gatecrash aHalloween party (R) (S).

6.30 Hollyoaks (R) (S).

7.00 Channel 4News (S).

7.30 Unreported World Sahar Zand examines the darker side of sumo wrestling (S).

8.00 The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice Jo Brand is joined by celebrity fans to tuck into the events of Halloween Week (S).

9.00 Friday Night Live A one-off revival of the 1980s stand-up and entertainment show (S).

Friday Night Dinner: 10 Years And ALovely BitOfSquirrel A celebration of sitcom Friday Night Dinner (R) (S).

6.00 Walking Victorian Britain (S).

6.30 Eggheads The Pearfect Quizzers take on the regulars (S).

6.55 5News Update (S).

7.00 Tony Robinson’s HistoryOfBritain (S).

7.55 5News Update (S).

8.00 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out New series. The comedian heads to the south Cornish Coast in her campervan (S).

9.00 Paris To Rome With Bettany Hughes The final leg starts on the Amalfi Coast. Last in the series (S).

10.00 ABBA:Here We Go Again The personal and musical development of the Swedish group (R) (S).

11.35 Greatest ABBA Cover Versions Ever The stories behind wellloved versions of the Swedish group’s songs (R) (S).

1.00 The LeoVegas Live Casino Show (S) 3.00 Entertainment News On 5 (S)

8.00Top Of The Pops (S).

8.30 TopOfThe Pops Performances by Belinda Carlisle, Gabrielle and Frankie Goes to Hollywood (S).

9.00 Kings Of Soul Celebrating the male artists instrumental to the soul genre (S).

9.55 BBC Four Sessions: James Brown (S).

10.55 Soul America The emergence of soul music from the world of gospel (S).

6.00 Futurama Robot gangsters recruit Bender (R) (S). 6.30 The Simpsons Bart develops acrush on his babysitter (R) (S).

7.00 The Simpsons Homer starts asnowplough business (R) (S).

7.30 The Simpsons (R) (S).

6.00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 7.00 In ForAPenny (S). 7.30 In ForAPenny (S). 8.00 Dress To Impress (S). 9.00 Dress To Impress (S). 10.00 Secret Crush (S). 11.00 Secret Crush (S). 12.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 1.00 Family Fortunes (S). 2.00 Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow (S). 3.05 Veronica Mars (S). 4.00 One Tree Hill (S). 5.00 HartOf Dixie (S).

6.00 Classic Coronation Street (S). 6.35 Classic Coronation Street (S). 7.00 Classic Emmerdale (S). 7.30 Classic Emmerdale (S). 8.05 On The Buses (S). 8.40 On The Buses (S). 9.10 Upstairs, Downstairs (S). 10.25 Upstairs, Downstairs (S). 11.30 Heartbeat (S). 12.35 Heartbeat (S). 1.40 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.15 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.50 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.25 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.55 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 Kirstie’s Vintage Gems (S). 9.15 APlace In The Sun (S). 10.05 APlace In The Sun (S). 11.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 12.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 1.10 Heir Hunters (S). 2.10 Four In ABed (S). 2.40 Four In ABed (S). 3.15 Four In ABed (S). 3.50 Four In ABed (S). 4.20 Four In A Bed (S). 4.50 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 5.55 Car S.O.S (S).

(R)

BBC RADIO 3

11.55 Soul America How soul music reflected troubled times in the late ’60s and early ’70s (S).

8.00 The Simpsons Homer has aheartattack (R) (S).

8.30 Black Adam: Saviour Or Destroyer (R).

9.00 Rob&Romesh vs Fashion Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan meet model David Gandy (R) (S).

10.00 Fantasy Football League With Tom Grennan and Sam Quek (R).

10.35 Never Mind The Buzzcocks (R) (S).

11.20 ALeague Of Their Own Pranks, jokes and outtakes that were never meant for the air (R).

Catchphrase

Vick Hope, Ranvir Singh

Iain Stirling (S).

Heartbeat An infamous London gangster arrives in the area (S).

Heartbeat Alf goes undercover (S).

friend Paris (S).

8.00 Bob’s Burgers Louise wins acontest to be the principal for aday (S).

Bob’s Burgers (S).

FILM: Fast &Furious 7 (2015) Action thriller sequel, starring Vin Diesel (S).

Doc Martin Louisa and Martin’s picnic is interrupted by avet who appears to be hallucinating (S).

Martin Martin uncovers ahealth scare at James’s first birthday party (S).

6.55 Escape To The Chateau: DIY A chateau owner who believes ahoard of ancient armour was hidden in her lake (S).

7.55 Grand Designs A scientist tries to build acarbon-neutral home (S).

Family Guy Peter decides to go on adiet (S).

(S).

Emmerdale 50th Anniversary Hour long episode.

9.00 Astrid: Murder In Paris New series. Crime drama, starring Sara Mortensen. In French (S).

BBC RADIO 4

12.55 Soul America (S). 1.55 Top Of The Pops (S). 2.25 TopOfThe Pops (S). 2.55 TOTP2: Halloween Special (S). 3.55 Close

12.20 The Russell Howard Hour (R). 1.05 Wellington Paranormal (R) (S). 1.35 Wellington Paranormal (R) (S). 2.05 Caught On Dashcam (R) (S). 3.05 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 4.00 MacGyver (R) (S). 5.00 Motorway Patrol (R) (S). 5.30 Motorway Patrol (R) (S).

Radio

Bob’s Burgers (S).

Bob’sBurgers

BBC 5LIVE

Debbie and Pete’s wedding

(S).

11.00 24 Hours In A&E A 71-year-old is rushed in after being knocked over by her husband’s car (S).

12.05 24 Hours In A&E (S). 1.10 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 2.10 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.20 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.45 Close

6MUSIC

CLASSIC FM

ABSOLUTE RADIO

HOW

BEGAN

7.00pm

Happy birthday BBC!

Unless you’ve been living on Mars lately,you can’t fail to have noticed that the corporation has been gearing up for abig centenary celebration for months –well, it’s here at last.

Avariety of programmes tied to the event begin today (Saturday) with athemed Strictly Come Dancing, and last until next weekend. Expect to see special editions of Top Gear,Antiques Roadshow,The One Show (renamed The One Hundred Show), Doctor Who and The Repair Shop (featuring an appearance by King Charles), as well as oneoff shows including Kids TV:The Surprising Story,Una Marson: Our Lost Caribbean Voice and the mockumentary The Love Box In Your Living Room. We’re promised lots to enjoy on radio too.

“For 100 years theBBC has been informing, educating and entertaining the nation and our centenary year has been no different,” claims James Stirling, executive editor of the BBC100 season. “From an incredible summer of sport, to the epic return of Glastonbury,we’ve seen audiences come to the BBCinrecord numbers.

“Our centenary celebrations are at the forefront of our October schedule. During our special week of BBC 100 content, audiences can look forward to amix of exciting new commissions alongside some our best-loved shows, as they mark acentury of broadcasting in their own unique way.There really is something for everyone and we’re looking forward to sharing this moment with audience across the UK and beyond.”

But the Beeb hasn’t simply concentrated on broadcasting –inJanuary it launched anew BBCHistory website, among other schemes, as Stirling explains: “Alongside brilliant programming, we’ve been visiting hundreds of schools up and down the UK with our ambitious education initiative, BBC100 Share Your Story, and audiences are continuing to uncover the story of the nation through our most extensive digital archive collection ever,BBC Rewind.”

But of perhaps most interest to history-lovers out there is How the BBCBegan, atwo-part documentary focusing on the corporation’s first 50 years. It takes viewers right back to October 18, 1922, when the British Broadcasting Company was officially created by the country’s major radio manufacturing companies in an effort to promote the sale of sets to ablossoming audio market. It eventually went live less than amonth later,onNovember 14; anews bulletin was the first broadcast.

Other key moments set to feature include theQueen’s coronation, as well as coverage of JFK’s assassination and the Apollo moon landing, while among those offering anecdotes are David Attenborough, Joan Bakewell, Richard Baker and Dorothy Singer,who was the secretary of the BBC’s first director-general, Lord Reith.

Look out too for David Dimbleby,whose father,Richard, played akey role in the Beeb’s success during the 1950s.

“Milestones are obviously acause for celebration but actually,when you hit 100 years, what you should be looking at is the next 100 years,” says the veteran broadcaster.“The past is very interesting but it is gone. It’s what it teaches us for the future that matters.”

With that in mind, perhaps we should all raise aglass to the next centenary which, hopefully,will be celebrated by viewers and listeners in 2122.

6.00 Breakfast (S). 10.00

Saturday Kitchen Live (S).

11.30 Strawbridge Over The Drawbridge (S). 12.00 Football Focus (S). 1.00 BBC News; Weather (S). 1.15 Bargain Hunt (R) (S). 2.00 Escape To The Country (S). 3.00 Garden Rescue (R) (S). 3.45 The Tournament (S). 4.30 Final Score (S). 5.20 BBC News (S). 5.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S).

5.40 Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel (S).

7.20 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 Blue Peter (R) (S). 9.30 Deadly Pole To Pole (R) (S). 10.00 FILM: Queen Of Katwe (Mira Nair 2016) Drama, starring David Oyelowo (S). 12.00 TopOfThe Shop With Tom Kerridge (R) (S). 1.00 The Great Northern Garden Build (R) (S).

2.00 FILM: Lilies Of The Field (Ralph Nelson 1963) (S). 3.30

Trawlermen: Hunting The Catch (R) (S). 4.30 Live Rugby League World Cup England vs France. Kick-off is at 5pm (S).

6.00 Live Women’s World Cup Rugby Union New Zealand vs Scotland. Kick-off is at 4.45am (S). 7.15 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). 1.10 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.20 Midsomer Murders (R) (S).

3.20 FILM: Mr Bean’s Holiday (Steve Bendelack 2007) Comedy, starring Rowan Atkinson (S). 5.00 ITV News; Weather (S). 5.15 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 5.30 Ninja Warrior UK: Race For Glory (S).

The Masked Dancer

The three remaining celebrities perform before one is crowned the winner.Last in the series (S).

Billy Nomates, Debbie, Suede and Hot Chip (S).

Coldplay: Radio 2In Concert Highlights of the band’s 2021 performance at the BBC Radio Theatre (S).

Coldplay At Radio

Big Weekend The band’s performance at the 2016 edition of the event (R) (S).

The Week (R)

Dead (Sam Raimi 1982) Horror,starring Bruce Campbell (S).

BBC Two (S).

8.00 The Voice UK Twelve acts take partinthe semi-final of the competition (S).

10.00 The Jonathan Ross Show With Hans Zimmer,Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kelly Holmes and Arctic Monkeys (S).

11.00 ITV News; Weather (S). 11.25 English Football League Highlights Action from the latest fixtures (S).

1.10 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 Behind The Rage: America’s Domestic Violence (R)

With

(S).

Women’s World Cup Rugby Union (S).

HOST (BBC3, 9.30pm)

Premiere. Haley (Haley Bishop, pictured) organises a Zoom video call with five friends, Caroline (Caroline Ward), Emma (Emma Louise Webb), Jemma (Jemma Moore), Radina (Radina Drandova) and Teddy (Edward Linard). Once pleasantries have been exhausted, Haley invites her pal Seylan (Seylan Baxter) into the chat room to conduct an online seance. Caroline is nervous but Seylan attempts to allay the group’s fears even though, in her own words, they will be “slightly less protected” by summoning spirits remotely

THE INBETWEENERS MOVIE (Channel 4, 11.30pm)

Posh boy Will McKenzie (Simon Bird) and his friends Simon (Joe Thomas), Jay (James Buckley) and Neil (Blake Harrison) are now 18 and can

escape the clutches of their school headmaster Mr Gilbertforever.Determined to enjoy one last hurrah before university,they head off on aholiday to Crete, where the hormonally charged young men meet Alison, Jane, Lisa and Lucy,sparking romance under the Mediterranean sun.

Editor’s Pick

DOCTOR WHO BBC One, 7.30pm

“It’s the end. But the moment has been prepared for…”

With those words, the fourth Doctor,played by TomBaker,bowed out before regenerating into Peter Davison. It was an incredible event for many young fans who had grown up watching Baker –due to asevenyear tenure in the Tardis, he was the only incumbent millions of them had ever known.

Now Jodie Whittaker is about to leave too. And although there won’t be quite so many youngsters (or even veteran viewers) sobbing at the idea of such a massive change, in away it’s almost as momentousas Baker’s decision to quit –after all, Whittaker is the first woman to play the Time Lord, and Doctor No14 will be Ncuti Gatwa, the first black actor to tackle the role.

But there’s afair bit to happen before the Rwandanborn Sex Education star makes his official debut.

Gatwa won’t appear in his first adventure for over ayear –David Tennant’s much-vaunted return as the 10th Doctor comes first to tie in with the show’s 60th anniversary next November in episodes devised by Russell TDavies, who masterminded the sci-fi epic’s return to our screens in 2005. Tennant will be joined on screen by Catherine Tate as popular companion Donna Noble.

And, of course, there’s Whittaker’s swan song to enjoy too. It’s afeature-length tale being broadcast to tie in with the BBC’s centenary celebrations, areflection of its importance to the corporation –the show is now one of its biggest and most enduring international successes.

As befits such aspecial episode, all the stops have been pulled out in abid to make it as exciting as possible, so we can expect to see the Doctor and her friends Dan and Yazbattle not only the Daleks and the Cybermen, but the Master too. What’s more, there’s a speeding bullet train, mysterious graffiti and missing seismologists to contend with, as well as an insight into revolutionary Russia as Rasputin takes control of Tsar

Nicholas…

Fans of the classic series are also in for atreat –Janet Fielding (who appeared in the aforementioned final Tom Baker episode) and Sophie Aldred are reprising their roles as former companions Tegan and Ace. We’ve been told to expect afew other surprises along the way too.

“Jodie and Imade a‘three series and out’ pact with each other at the start of this once-in-a-lifetime blast,” says showrunner Chris Chibnall, who is also leaving. “So now our shift is done, and we’re handing back the Tardis keys.

“Jodie’s magnificent, iconic Doctor has exceeded all our high expectations. She’s been the gold standard leading actor,shouldering the responsibility of being the first female Doctor with style, strength, warmth, generosity and humour.Ican’t imagine working with a more inspiring Doctor –soI’m not going to!”

“Weknew that we wanted to ride this wave side by side, and pass on the baton together,” adds Whittaker “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express what this role has given me. Iwill carry the Doctor and the lessons I’ve learnt forever.”

The moment has, it seems, been prepared for –here’s hoping it lives up to expectations.

Daytime

6.00 Breakfast (S). 8.00 Match Of The Day (R) (S). 9.00 Sunday

With Laura Kuenssberg (S). 10.00 Politics England (S). 10.30 Pilgrimage: The Road To Istanbul (R) (S). 11.30 Homes

Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.00 Bargain Hunt (R) (S). 1.00 BBC News; Weather (S). 1.15 Songs Of Praise (S). 1.50

Points Of View (S). 2.05 FILM: Wallace &Gromit In The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit (Nick Park, Steve Box 2005) (S). 3.20 Frozen Planet II (R) (S). 4.20 BBC News (S). 4.35 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 4.45 Countryfile (S).

5.45 Antiques Roadshow: 100 Years Of The BBC (S).

6.20 Gardeners’ World (R) (S). 7.20 Countryfile (R) (S). 8.15 Landward (R) (S). 8.45 This Farming Life (R) (S). 9.45

Saturday Kitchen Best Bites (S).

11.15 The HairyBikers’ Comfort Food (R) (S). 11.45 MOTD Live:

Women’s Super League Liverpool vs Arsenal. Kick-off is at 12pm (S). 2.00 Live Rugby League World Cup Lebanon vs Ireland. Kick-off is at 2.30pm (S). 4.50

Saving Lives At Sea (R) (S). 5.50 This Farming Life (R) (S).

6.00 Live Women’s World Cup Rugby Union England vs South Africa. Kick-off is at 5.45am (S). 8.15 CITV 9.25 ITV News (S). 9.30 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh (S). 11.30 English Football League Highlights (R) (S). 1.25 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.30 Ninja Warrior UK: Race ForGlory (R) (S). 2.30 Live Gallagher Premiership Rugby Union Sale Sharks vs Harlequins. Kick-off is at 3pm (S). 5.30 Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals (R) (S).

Searching ForItaly

6.00 ITV News; Weather (S). 6.15 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 6.30 Family Fortunes (S).

7.30 Gino’s Italy: Like Mamma Used To Make Gino D’Acampo returns to his home town of Torredel Greco. Last in the series (S).

8.00 The Larkins The family hosts abarbecue (S).

BBC’s first black producer and broadcaster (S).

10.00 The Ranganation (S). 10.45 Introduction To After Love (S). 10.50 FILM: After Love (2020) (S).

9.00 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Celebrity Special With Joel Dommett and Chris Kamara (S). 10.00 ITV News; Weather (S). 10.20 Sorry, IDidn’t Know (S).

10.45 The Ink Life Exploring tattoos in black British culture (S).

11.30 Gallagher Premiership Rugby Union Highlights (S).

12.15 FILM: ForLove (2022) (S). 12.30 FILM: What We Do In The Shadows (Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi 2014) (S). 1.50 Sign Zone: Question Time (R) (S). 2.50 Sign Zone: Days That Shook The BBC With David Dimbleby (R) (S). 3.50 This Is BBC Two (S).

Film Choices

WHATWEDOINTHE SHADOWS (BBC2, 12.30am)

Jemaine Clement (pictured) and Taiki Waititi co-write, co-direct and star in this mockumentaryabout agroup of vampires. Viago (Waititi) is a379-year-old vampire, who lives in the suburbs of Wellington with fellow members of the undead Vladislav (Clement), Deacon (Jonathan Brugh) and Petyr (Ben Fransham) –the latter an 8,000-year-old creature of the night, who lives in a stone coffininthe basement. But when newly created bloodsucker Nick (Cori Gonzalez-Macuer) joins their ranks, the flatmates runinto trouble.

AFTER LOVE (BBC2, 10.50pm)

MaryHussein (Joanna Scanlan) converted to Islam many years ago to marry Ahmed and she fully embraces everyaspect of life as aBritish Muslim.

12.30 Police, Camera, Murder (R) (S). 1.20 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 MotorsportUK (R) (S). 3.50 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 Ainsley’s Mediterranean Cookbook (R) (S).

Ahmed is often away from home on business and, when he dies suddenly,Marystruggles to make sense of her loss. Following the funeral, she goes through her husband’s belongings and discovers messages on his mobile phone, which indicate he had asecond family across the Channel.

Formula 1United States Grand Prix Qualifying Highlights (S).

Sunday Brunch (S). 12.30

The Great British Bake Off (R) (S). 1.50 The Simpsons (R) (S).

2.20 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.50

The Simpsons (R) (S). 3.25 The Simpsons (R) (S). 3.55 FILM: Shrek The Third (Chris Miller, Raman Hui 2007) Animated sequel, with the voice of Mike Myers (S). 5.45 Channel 4News (S).

The Andrew Neil Show (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). 12.35 FILM: The Christmas Express (Ron Oliver 2017) Romantic drama, starring Dermot Mulroney and Kimberly Graham (S). 2.45 FILM: Christmas With The Kranks (Joe Roth 2004) Festive comedy, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen (S). 4.50 FILM: The Goonies (Richard Donner 1985) Family adventure, starring Sean Astin (S).

Weekend (S).

Sport

SOUTHAMPTON V ARSENAL

6.00 Where’s Wally (R) (S). 6.25 Where’s Wally (R) (S). 6.50 Where’s Wally (R) (S). 7.15 Where’s Wally (R) (S). 7.40 Where’s Wally (R). 8.05 The Slow Mo Guys’ Big Adventures 8.35 David Attenborough’s Wild City (R) (S). 9.30 Formula 1 (R). 11.15 Modern Family (R) (S). 11.45 Modern Family (R) (S). 12.15 Modern Family (R) (S). 12.45 Modern Family (R) (S). 1.15 Modern Family (R) (S). 1.45 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.15 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.45 The Simpsons (R) (S). 3.15 The Simpsons (R) (S). 3.45 FILM: Monster Family (Holger Tappe 2017) (S). 5.30 Patrick Aryee’s Wild World

Brighton &Hove Albion

Chelsea.

World’s Greatest Train Journeys From Above Ajourney across Manitoba from South to North (S).

The Secret World Of Cereal (S).

UK’s Strongest Man Action from the competition in Milton Keynes (S).

8.00 Happy Campers: The Caravan Park New series. Documentary following life at caravan parks across southwest England (S).

7.00 Hancock’s Half Hour Tony is selected for jury duty (S).

7.30 Just Good Friends (S).

8.00 Inside Classical: ABirmingham Celebration With The BBC Symphony Orchestra (S).

(R).

6.00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Dress To Impress (S). 7.30 Secret Crush (S). 8.30 Secret Crush (S). 9.30 Secret Crush (S). 10.30 Take Me Out (S). 11.45

The Masked Dancer (S). 1.15 Celebrity Catchphrase (S). 2.20 In ForA Penny (S). 2.50 FILM: Goosebumps (Rob Letterman 2015) Fantasy adventure, starring Jack Black (S). 4.55 FILM: Hotel Transylvania (Genndy Tartakovsky 2012) Animated comedy,with the voice of Adam Sandler (S).

6.00 On The Buses (S). 6.40 Emmerdale Omnibus (S). 10.25 On The Buses (S). 10.55 The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (S). 12.00 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 2.00 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 4.00 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S).

8.55 George Clarke’s Amazing Garden Rooms (S). 9.55 Ugly House To Lovely House With George Clarke (S). 11.00 George Clarke’s Old House, New Home (S). 12.00 Come Dine With Me (S). 12.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 1.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 1.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.40 Four In ABed (S). 3.10 Four In ABed (S). 3.40 Four In ABed (S). 4.15 Four In ABed (S). 4.45 Four In ABed (S). 5.15 Come Dine With Me (S). 5.50 Come Dine With Me (S).

New

her daughter (S).

Star

Khadija Patman,

Yasmeena Ali (S).

Dan Snow: Into The Valley Of The Kings The historyofexploring Egypt’s Valley of the Kings (S).

1988 Alook back

songs from the year (R) (S).

9.20 ’Allo ’Allo! Christmas Special 1985 Rene is dragged into multiple plots to do away with General Von Klinkerhoffen (S).

The Young Ones The boys appear on University Challenge. Originally broadcast in 1984 (S).

RedDwarf (S).

Insidious (2010)

Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne (R) (S).

9.00 Gordon, Gino &Fred Go Greek Culinary adventure with Gordon Ramsay,Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix (S).

Family Guy Lois takes Quagmire to her highschool reunion instead of Peter (S).

Vera The key to a murder lies deep in the memoryofthe victim’s son (S).

6.25 Come Dine With Me (S).

6.55 Come Dine With Me (S).

7.25 Come Dine With Me

The final dinner party in Gloucestershire (S).

8.00 24 Hours In A&E A 79-year-old woman is rushed in with signs of astroke (S).

The Savoy Cameras returntofollow life inside the glamorous London hotel (S).

Lewis Auniversity don is implicated in a murder (S).

9.00 999: On The Front Line Apatient with diabetes collapses with dangerously high blood sugar levels (S).

10.00 24 Hours In A&E A woman is airlifted to hospital after being run over by acar (S).

RADIO

Alan Partridge Alan prepares for aJames Bond fi

Steptoe And Son Harold divides the house

(S).

(S).

11.05 Emergency Helicopter Medics Atennis player is put into an induced coma (S).

Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S).

AgathaChristie’s Poirot (S).

Emmerdale Omnibus (S).

Unwind With ITV (S).

12.10 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 1.15 999: On The Front Line (S). 2.20 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.25 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.55 Close

CLASSIC FM

ABSOLUTE RADIO

THE PACT BBC1, 9.00pm

What does this hit thriller series have in common with legendary sci-fi show Doctor Who? If your first thought was Cardiff,bravo -but the connections run deeper than that.

The Pact had just about the entire country on the edge of their seats back in 2021 when the first season hitour screens. Starring Laura Fraser and Julie Hesmondhalgh, it followed four friends who resolved to keep mum about their connections to the death of aman who ran a 100-year-old family brewery in mid-Wales.

It was created and writtenbyPeteMcTighe, with Joy Wilkinson also contributing scripts for the second outing. Both have previously written for Doctor Who, so baked-in quality is agiven and, if you’re apub quizquestionsetter, you’re welcome.

The enthusiasm for afollow-up series after the success of the first couldn’t be more evident. Nick Andrews, head of commissioning for BBCWales, says: “The Pact gripped the nation, its impact spread like wildfire dominating BBCiPlayer’s most popular lists. When asked if we would go again, it was avery easy decision to make.

“Pete McTighe’s writing has more twists and turns than abowl of spaghetti –wewere absorbed by the characters and the story.It’s brilliant to be going again and fans can be reassured that you’ll be guessing the ending right up until the final credits.”

The second tale is again set in Wales –Cardiff-based Little Door Productions is behind the show,after all and is described as a“gothic tale that puts loveable, complex, characters under extreme pressure, forcing them to confront their past”.

It follows social worker Christine, played by awardwinning actress Rakie Ayola. Her oldest son Will (Lloyd Everitt), youngest son Jamie (Aaron Anthony) and daughter Megan (Mali Ann Rees) are busy trying to get on with their lives following the recent,tragic death of their brother Liam.

Pick

They’re all determinedly focused on looking forward to Megan’s wedding, but when stranger Connor (Jordan Wilks) arrives in town, claiming aconnection that nobody could have imagined, it’s not long before all their lives are thrown into turmoil once again.

Over six nerve-shredding episodes, buried secrets will come to light and Rosie’s family must consider who they are, while each of them grapples with issues of morality and divided loyalty

As their lives spiral out of control, aterrible pact could be all that will save them.

Rakie Ayola, who is also an executive producer,says about being part of The Pact: “I’m thrilled to be working again with Little Door and BBCWales leading this talented cast to bring Pete’s wonderfully mysterious story to life.

“Asanexecutive producer on this series, it’s hugely important to me to see the wealth of opportunity this production is offering both to established talent and those new to theindustry both behind and in front of the camera.”

If it’s anything like the first series, Rakie, Pete and the rest of the cast andcrew will be onto yet another winner

Daytime

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live (S). 10.00 Critical Incident (S). 10.45 Paramedics On Scene (S). 11.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.15 Bargain Hunt: BBC 100th Birthday Special (S). 1.00 BBC News At One; Weather (S). 1.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 1.45 Doctors (S). 2.15 Money For Nothing (S). 3.00 IEscaped To The Country (S). 3.45 The Repair Shop (S). 4.30 The Tournament (S). 5.15 Pointless (S).

6.30 Take AHike (R) (S). 7.00 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 8.00 Sign Zone: Antiques Roadshow (R) (S). 9.00 BBC News (S). 10.00 BBC News (S). 12.15 Politics Live (S). 1.00 Best House In Town (R) (S). 1.45

The Home That TwoBuilt (R) (S). 2.45 Eggheads (R) (S). 3.15 Lightning (R) (S). 3.45 Murder, MysteryAnd My Family (R) (S). 4.30 Street Auction (R) (S). 5.00 Flog It! (S).

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S). 9.00 Lorraine (S). 10.00 This Morning (S). 12.30 Loose Women (S). 1.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.55 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 2.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal (S). 3.00 Riddiculous (S). 3.59 ITV Regional Weather (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (S). 5.00 The Chase (S).

ITV Regional News; Weather (S).

ITV News; Weather (S).

7.30 Emmerdale Chas worries Aaron will spill her secret affair (S).

(S).

8.00 Coronation Street An unfortunate accident befalls Eileen (S).

Rise Of The Nazis: The Downfall Most of Germany is occupied by invading Allied forces by April 1945. Last in the series (S).

Newsnight (S).

9.00 The Walk-In Matthew Collins’ past as aBNP member comes back to haunt him (S).

10.00 ITV News At Ten; Weather (S). 10.30 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 10.45 America: The War Within (S).

FILM: The Omen (1976) Horror,starring GregoryPeck(S).

Sign Zone: Countryfile (R) (S).

Sign Zone: Unbreakable (R) (S). 2.55 This Is BBC Two (S).

11.45 All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite Hard-hitting action from the world of All Elite Wrestling (S).

1.25 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 In The Shadow Of MarySeacole (R) (S). 3.50 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 Ainsley’s World Cup Flavours (R) (S).

Film Choices

WILDE (BBC4, 11.00pm)

This biopic focuses on the life of Oscar Wilde (Stephen Fry, pictured), who carried out clandestine affairs with men at atime when homosexuality was illegal. Disaster strikes when he falls for Lord Alfred Douglas, who doesn’t seem to know the meaning of the word discreet. However, Wilde contributes to his own downfall when Douglas’s father begins making public accusations –and the writer decides to take him to court. Fora film about acelebrated wit and dandy,the drama is rather lacking in flair,but it does agood job of telling Wilde’s fascinating story.

CORALINE (BBC3, 7.00pm)

When 11-year-old Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) moves to anew town, she feels bored and neglected by her parents. While exploring her new

home she finds adoor that leads to an alternative world where her parents are more fun and caring. However,when the ‘Other Mother’asks Coraline to stay in her world for ever,the youngster begins to realise that her alternative life may be much darker than she thought.

LEE Trevor

Of Little Wenlock, formerly of Lodge Farm, Quatt.

Passed away at home aged 78 in the presence of his loving Family on October 10, 2022.

Much loved Husband of Ann, proud Father of Sarah and Carol ine, dea re st Grandfather of Alice, Joshua and Jonty

Funeral Service to be held on Tuesday,November 1at2.30pm at Telford Crematorium.

Family flowers only by request but donations if desired to be divided between Severn Hospice andthe British Heart Foundation, for which purpose acollection box willbeprovided at the Crematorium.

TENCH Nancy

Of Much Wenlock,passed away peacefully on Tuesday October 4, 2022, following a long illness, aged 73 years.

Beloved Wife of the late Trev,amuch loved Mom of Kevin, dearly loved by Kevin’s Partner Caroline and averyspecial Sister of Sylvia, David, Chris and the late Kath.

She will be sadly missed by all her Family and Friends.

Funeral Service to take place at Holy Trinity Church, Much Wenlock on Thursday, October 27, at 11am, followed by aPrivate Interment.

Family flowers only by request but donationsifso desiredtoThe Redwood Centre, Shrewsbury.

All donations willbevery much appreciated, for which purpose adonations boxwill be provided at the Church.

All inquiries to

Motoring

Memoriam

TAYLOR Kathleen (Kath)

On Oc tober 11, 202 2, pea cefully,a tT he Cedars Residential Care Home, Albrighton, Nr Wolverhampton, following a short illness, Kath Taylor,of Monkhopton, Nr.Bridgnorth, aged 92 years.

The Wife of the late Harold Taylor and the loving Mother of Geoff and Chris.

Much loved, Kath willbe sadly missed by all her Family and Friends.

Fu ner al Ser vic ea

Interment at The Parish Church of St. Peter The Apostle, Monkhopton,on Wednesday,October 26, at 11am.

Mr.C.C.

COOPER Graham Mayer October 19, 2003.

Though our hearts were truly brokenand your life was far to short, we thank you Gra for all the love and happiness you bought.

Love Mom and Dad.

XX

MAYER Alfred October 18, 2000.

In loving memoryofadear Brother,just how much we miss you, no words could ever say

Love Hazel and Leon.

Dorothy ‘Dee’ Allen Roger Balkwill Betty Bennett Madeline Breeze Maggie Brookhuis Julie Brownfield Auryel Butmaro Ronald Childs Marie Craig Sheila D’Aniello Hollingsworth BarryDavies Anne Evans KerryFoster Gerald Garbett Anthony Garrett Ray Goodwin Richard Greenwood Margaret ‘Anne’ Griffiths Jude Jones Jayne Parnham Richard Nicol Robert Oakley Gillian Prince Gladys Pumford Derek Smout Julie Ann Spruce Susan Stone Dorothy ‘Dotty’ Vernon Paul Wright

WILD Derek John In memoryofaloving Father

From Denise, Cath

Revisedlookfor thelatestA-Class

TherevisedMercedesA-Class hasar rived, bringing asubtleexterior rede sign alongsidemorestandardequip ment than before

It remainsavailable in both hatch back andsaloonlayouts, with thede sign of each cargaining aredesigned radiator grilleand four newalloy wheel designs, available in sizes of up to 19-inches. At therear, there’sanew diffuser andstandard-fitLED lights

Inside,all cars geta dual-screen setupcombiningaseven-and 10.25inch display. There’salso theoption to upgradethistoapairof10.25-inch screensfor atruly wraparound experi ence.It’srunningthe latest Mercedes MBUX system,too,providing satel lite navigation,media functionsand smartphone connectivity

Theturbine-style airvents remain in place, whilea revisedsteering wheel hasbeen fitted andwrapped in nappa leatherasstandard.

As before,anumberofspecifications areavailable with theA-Class,with AMGLinebringingaparticularlydy namicappearancethrough the fitment of brushedaluminium trim andred contrast stitchingfor thesport seats.

Progressivetrim, meanwhile, offers threeinterior colour options–black, beigeand grey –whileacarbon-fibre look trim is appliedtoboththe instru ment paneland door cards. Thecom fort seatsalsofeature centresmade from 100per cent recycled materials,

whilethe upgraded Artico-Microcut seatsget 65 percentrecycledmateri alsfor thesurface of theseatand 85 percentinthe material underneath

Allcarsget plenty of standard equipment too, with areversing cam eraand afull setofUSB connectors included on allmodels, alongsideoth er features.Progressive-specification cars addtothiswithLED headlights, lumbar supportfor theseats andan upgraded parkingcamerasetup Mercedes hasbrought electrification throughthe rangeofengines available with theA-Class,too,withmild-hy brid technologyincludedfromthe off. Allcarsget either aseven-oreight speed automaticgearbox as standard, whileplug-inhybridmodelsbring even greaterefficiency andanimproved electric rangeofupto50miles

Car finales that went outwithabang

JACK EVANS PressAssociation

Bonfire Nightisabig oc casion in theUK. It’s a dayembeddedwithhis tory andone in which people up anddownthe countryeitherwatch or setoff fireworks, light ingupthe skiesand kickingoff November with abang.

Butanumberofcarswerealso celebrated with a firecrackerofa finaledition

Here,we’re goingtotakea look at some of themostfamousmodelsto go outwitha bang

BugattiVeyronLaFinale

TheVeyronwas one of theall-time greats of themotoringworld.Estab lishingawhole newlevel of perfor mance, Bugatti’s famous hypercar broughtrecord-smashingcapabili ty,aswellasthe kind of technology that thefour-wheeledworld hadn’t seen before

Fittingly,itneeded averyspecial send-off,which came in theform of theVeyronLaFinale.Ending thetotal production runof450 models, La Finale was finished in an eye-catchingred colour with matching alloys.

LamborghiniAventador Ultimae

Lamborghini’sAventador show casedabrand newage forthe Ital iansupercarmaker.Itarrived with ahugelypowerful V12enginewhen firstdisplayed at the2011Geneva Motor Show andwould go on to be come even more powerful as itslife time went on

The finalchapter in theAventa dorstory wasthe Ultimae. As you mighthaveguessed,it’sthe ulti mate evolutionofthe Aventador,

NewDS7goeson sale in theUK

bringing 769bhp andarange of ex terior tweaks

Audi R8 RWDGT

TheR8has been acorepartofthe supercar segmentfor some time Combiningsurprisingeveryday usability with huge V10-powered performance, theR8provedtobea real hitfor Audi.Needless to say, it needed asignificant farewell when it wasannounced that production wouldbeendingrecently Limitedto333 cars worldwide,

theAudiR8RWD GT getsmore powerthanthe standard R8,aswell as aseriesofnew drivingmodes It’s slightly lighterthanthe regular car, too.

Ferrari 458Speciale Aperta

Ferrari’s458 will go down in his tory as one of the firm’s greats.It encompassedeverything people ex pected from theItalian company, with razor-sharphandlingcom bined with oneofthe best engines

ever made.Infact, the458 would usethe last naturally-aspiratedV8 engine to come from Ferrari.

A finaledition –calledSpeciale Aperta –would celebratethe 458’s life, bringing awidevariety of tweaks andchanges to take the458 experience up anotch

LotusElise Sport240

Final Edition

TheLotus Elise is oneofthose cars that is synonymous with enthusi astdriving.It’sa carthathas been around fora longtime, too, whichis whyitwas quiteasad pointwhen Lotusannounced that it wouldbe ending itsproductionrun

TheSport 240 FinalEdition cel ebratedthe Elise,bringingslightly more powerand an even more light weightdesignthanthe standard car.

Mercedes SLSAMG GT Final Edition

TheSLS hadbeenatrueposterstar forMercedes. Utilising an iconic ‘Gullwing’design,thisV8-powered muscle carwas theperfect celebra tion of thepartnership between Mercedes andfamed performance armAMG

To celebrate, theFinalEdition wascreated.Limited to just 350 units, it gotaneye-catchingdesign with aparticularlynoticeablecar bon fibrebonnet.

ThelatestDS7isavailable to orderin theUK, aheadof firstdeliveries in No vember.

Priced from £36,760, theDS7bene fits from arefreshed design both inside andout,aswellasa number of efficient hybrid powertrains. Highlights in cludethe DS 7E-Tense 225, whichcan return up to 250mpg and43miles of electric-onlyrange.All hybrid E-Tense models canbecharged viaa conven tional 7.4kWhome chargerinanhour and45minutes

An efficientdieselengineisalso availableonPerformance Line,Perfor manceLine+ andRivoli specifications. Five trim levelsare offeredwiththe DS 7–Performance Line,Performance Line+, Rivoli,Opera andOpera Pre miere. EntryPerformance Line cars getahighlevel of standard equipment including19-inch alloywheels, Alcan tara seatsand a12-inch high-definition

touchscreen.The DS 7Performance Line also receivesafull Advanced Safety Pack,incorporating emergency braking, blindspotdetection andlane keepingassist, amongother functions.

Mid-levelRivoli models –priced from £40,660 –incorporate 19-inch alloywheels, ablack frontgrillewith chrome accents, chrome DS badging anddiamond-shapednappa leather seatswithmassaging function.These versionsalso getaB.R.M.clock mount ed in thecentre console

Range-toppingOpera Premiere models –pricedfrom£62,940 –feature 21-inchdiamond-cutalloy wheels as standard,aswellasa 360-degree park ingcamera, nightvisionand an elec tric tailgate with hands-free access.An upgraded Focalaudio system is also in cluded,bringinga515-wattamplifier, 14 speakers andaneight-inchsubwoof er in theprocess

Mercedes SLS

Lamborghini Aventador

Audi R8

BugattiVeyron

LotusElise

Ferrari 458

VW Taigoscoreshighintough market

BILLMcCARTHY

siblingAudi, is wide,not leastwithits rangeof SUVs.

It’s atough market as it is not only up againstsimilar VW modelsbut others likeNissan, Peugeot, Mini,Skoda andSEAT.

VW describesthe Taigo newcom er as an SUVCoupe,because of its sleeksilhouette

It scores with itseye-catching styling, choice of twoengines, three trim styles andgenerousstowage areas. It certainlyhas individual styling, acrossover with adesign aimedatyounger buyers.Itisbuilt

on VW’s MQB platform andmaintainsastreamlinedprofile despite sitting higher offthe ground.Itfea turesadramaticsloping roofdesign andwillwidelightbar to therear, whichisall nicely setoff withroofbars andsmart alloywheels,

Despite beingthe entrylevel,still notcheap at £21,960, specification includes thenow familiarcusto misabledigital cockpitand central screen,which controls thethird generation of ModularInfotainment Toolkit(MIB3).

This enablesthe useofa variety of online-based functions and ac cess to streamingservices. Move up thegradestoStyle andR-Lineand thegoodypackgetsbigger.

Despite beingthe base model, the

Lifeincludesfront foglights, LED headlights, inductive smartphone charging,amultifunction steering wheeland electric foldingand heat ed door mirrors

Theinterior itself is typical VW solidlybuiltand reassuringly dura blewithamixture of soft touchand some admittedly harsherplastics. Controls andswitchesare logically placed anddespite modest proportions,fouradultsare seated in comfort. It also features aone-litre, 95PSthree cylinder petrolengine. A110ps versionisalsoavailable,as is amoresportyfour-cylinder 1.5-li tre 150PSengine.

Thegutsy threepot onelitre engine is not exactlydesignedfor pace,moreeconomy anddelivers that in spadeswitharealistic 50 mpgachievable.

Despite itsrelativelymodestpow er,itstill deliversthe throatygrowl associated with threecylinder en ginesand,mated with a five speed manual box, pullswellthrough the gears.The sprint to 60mphismore of arapid jog at around 11 seconds, butstill adequate enough formost circumstances.

It performs particularly well around town andthe otherhalfwas particularly impressedwithhow easy it wastodrive,she lovedthe slickgearchanges andthe manoeu vrability

That’s nottosay it is not acapablemotorwaycruiser.Which it is

Despitesitting relatively high off theroad, it handleswelland feels well planted enough on corners, whilethe suspensionrides well over even theworst of ourroads

SUVs arepractical beasts and despiteits modest dimensions,the Taigooffersplentyofstowage space with an impressive 440litre available,which opensup substantially with thesplit rear seatsfolded.

Having achieved theEuroNCAP five star safety rating,featuresin cludea full rangeofairbags,front andrearparking sensors, emergency brakefunction, andthe lane de parturewarning system as standard.

FACTFILE

VOLKSWAGEN TAIGO LIFE

Price: £22,275

Mechanical: 95PS,999cc three cylinder enginedriving front wheels via five speedmanualgearbox

MaxSpeed: 114mph

0-62mph: 11.1sec

Combined MPG: 50.5

Insurance Group: 13 C02 emissions: 124g/km

Warranty: 3years/60,000 miles

Legendsare honoured by MidShropshireLeague

MALCOLM FLETCHER sports@mnamedia.co.uk

Three more legendsof bowlshavebeenhon ouredwithlifemembership of theMolsonCoors MidShropshireLeague.

Angela Gaut,Keith Pessall andColin Rudrum received their awards at aspecial ceremony following theleague’sOctober exec utivemeeting at Wellington’sSir JohnBayleyClub.

Gaut hastwice been crowned BritishLadiesMerit champion, Pessallmadehistory on hisreturn to thesport as thecounty’s first ever winner of theBritish Veterans Meritand Rudrum is the manwho ledNewport’s remarkable rise to thetop tableofShropshirebowls

Allhavewon othertitlesgalore andaleaguespokesman said:“We want to keephonouringpeoplewho have done so much forour game andthese three really deserve life membership forall theirachieve ments.”

Lookingahead to the2023sea son, thespokesman added: “Officers woulddearlyliketosee at leastdivision one return to 12-a-side fix turesonFridays (from10-a-side sinceCovid struck).

“But, in lightofa survey of memberclubs andthe many strong views expressedbycurrent firstdivision clubs, we arereluctant to risk any proposalsthatcould lead to more teamswithdrawing

“The league simply cannot afford that, so the officers will notbeput ting forwardany proposalsonthe matter to theAGM in January.

“Butthatdoes not stop clubs making proposalsbeforethe Octo ber31deadline,thatwould require secondingatthe December meet ing.”

nn nn

Shropshire’stop bowlerstookto thenew £2,100 Autumn Doublesat St Georges like duckstowater.

They dominated thequalifying sessions in the31-up twoman team eventthatwill endwith£900 going

ScottHarries teamed up with countyteam-mate SpencerClarke (Sir JohnBayley) to getthe ball rolling

Andtheir examplein booking aplaceinthe last eightwas soon matchedbyCastlefields duoMichael Beer &AdamJones, WayneRogers &NickLewis (Burway) andGary Neal (Hanwood)&AdrianRowe (Castlefields). In addition,Brit ishNo.1CallumWraight teamed up with Welshace JohnBaileyto qualifyand hisstepdad Rich Goddard also made it with TomPalmer (Warwick &Worcester).

nnnn

St Georges have finallyended Sir JohnBayley’sreign in Shropshire’s longestestablished veterans bowls league

TheBayleyBoyshad been First Division champions of theMid ShropshireSeniorCitizensLeague nine timesinarow,but this year theDragons pipped them to the crown.

So St GeorgesAwereinthe spotlightatthe league’s finals and presentation dayatBylet,when Wrockwardine Wood andNewport Bwrapped up fine doubles

TheWrockites,winners of the Second Division,beatSir JohnBay leyBby 39 shotstolandthe Charity Shield whileFourthDivisiontop dogs NewportBliftedthe Charity Consolation Shield with a47-chalk winoverAllscottHeath B. Phil Furniss(21-9)and John Clarke (21-9)led theway forWood, whostarted with a12-shot handicapadvantage,whileDavid Ches ters (21-5)was tops as theFishes soonaddedtotheir own12-shot handicap over Allscott.

St Georges Calsowon Division Threeand thedivisionalaverages winnerswere–One:Barry Gilder (StGeorges A);Two:TonyGarmson(WrockWd);Three:JohnBax ter(AllscottHeath B);Four: Alan Gould(NewportB). nnnn

Plentyofencouraging signsfor Shropshire’sbowls chiefs have been

offset by theneedto find twonew keyofficers for2023.

Thelatestmeetingofthe asso ciation’s county executiveatMeole Braceheard that 4,921bowlers had playedfor clubsinaffiliated leagues in theseasonjustcompleted

Andthere were 265 newplayer registrationsthisyear– another figure up significantly from aCov id-affected 2021 –meaning interim treasurer MarieScott couldreport ahealthy bank balance.

Butthe need to fill thetreasurer’s role permanentlyremains acon cern forthe executive anda finance committee ledbycountyvice-chair manSeanRound

They also need areplacement for competitionsecretary MikePotter who, when he finishes hissecond spellascountypresidentatthe AGMinFebruary, will be stepping down from that posttoo.

Alreadycoping with Parkinson’s Disease, Potter nowhas otherper sonaland family issues to deal with andhas announcedthatheintends to withdraw from theposition.

A finalsalute to champions Wrockwardine

SirJohnBayleyand hosts Burway werethe winnerson finals night in Shropshire’s topbowls league –but it wasWrockwardineWood whotookall theplaudits.

TheWrockites’ domination of theShropshirePremier wasoffi ciallysaluted at theleague’spool finals andpresentationevening at theLudlowclub.

TheBayleyBoysbeatCounty Cupwinners Ifton in thePoolA finalwhilethe othereight-a-side clashfor thePoolBtitle ended with Burway beatingHanmer.

County MeritchampionDavidLloyd won21-2asthe Bayley stormedout of theblocks, with Alex Jonesaddinga21-5cardina comfortablevictory

“JoeyWilliamswon 15 forIft on butSpencer Clarke getting20 from 14-4 down meantthatthe Bayley ledby28afterthe front four,” said Premierchief RobBur roughs. “And threefurther winners at theback, ledbycaptain ChrisWorthington’s 21-11win, meantan overallwin of 42

“Burway used home advantage as they wontheir fourth Pool Btitleagainst Hanmer

“Wayne Rogers won21-7togive them agreat start, with Kiah Robertsaddinga21-11 winand JesseJames another21-11.”

Butitwas Wrockwardine Wood whohad bossedthe main Premier season,producingthe best campaignthe league haseverseen.

They brokethe followingrecords-mostpointsin aseason 271; most wins in aseason23; most away wins in aseason10; leastdefeats in aseasonthree,to equalChester Road in 2005;most away points in aseason127;most improvedteambetween twosea sons 85 points;biggest margin be tweentop two54points.

Castlefields star Mike Beer was theother bigwinner on thenight as he finallygot hishands on the league averages afterlosing just onegameall season,addingthe Most Consecutive Wins award with 10

Proudnew Mid Shropshire life members– Colin Rudrumand (right) Keith Pessall with Angela Gaut

Wrockwardine Wood’s John Clarke with league presidentKen NeTonkiss wportB line up for ateamshotfollowing

theirDivision Four titleand Charity Consolation Shield success

Newchampions –Bob BarberofFirst Division winners St Georges with league presidentKen Tonkiss to thewinnerson finals daySatur day, October22(2.30pm).

Mike Beer–double titlewinner

Bayley captainChrisWorthington with league president Andy Smith

Wilkin wants everyone pulling in rightdirection

Newly-appointed AFCTelford United managerKevin Wilk in hopes to seethe NewBucks Head ‘packedout’and ‘enjoying itsfootball’ again.

The55-year-old wasbrought in swiftly afterthe club sacked previous managerPaulCarden

Theteamhavehad adismal starttothe season,which has left them 23rd in theNational League North. As aplayer, Wilk in featured 78 timesfor Northampton Town,but as amanager, he is vastly experienced,having spentseven yearsin charge at Brackley Town

Andthe newbossisdelighted to have joined such abig club –and he hopes he canhelpthe club to take ‘steps forward’.He said:“Ihavebeenhereasa play er at theold ground andobviously have managedseveral times here

“Telford areamassive club, it hasnot quiteachievedits po tentialinrecentseasons andis an opportunitytoworkatsucha fantasticstadium,withafantasticsurface

Gemmaleftdisappointed by Games’ judodecision

LewisCox lewis.cox@mnamedia.co.uk

European championand Commonwealth silver medalwinnerGemma Howellisdisappointed more judo playerswill be denied theopportu nity to experience and promotethe sportonthe bigstage.

It wasrevealedthisweekthatthe published list of sports forthe 2026 Commonwealth GamesinVictoria, Australiawillnot includejudo

That comesasablowespecially to scores of Englishand Britishjudokas,manyofwhom have excelled in recent years–particularlyatthe successfulhome Commonwealth GamesinBirmingham this year

England topped themedaltableintheir home games, with 13 gongs–including five golds. Scot land pocketed four andthere were twoeachfor Walesand Northern Ireland.

Howell, whowas born in Stafford butlives in Priorslee in Telford, earned abrilliantsilver andbecame one of thefaces of thesport with televisionworkinthe BBCstudios

NewBucks bossKevin Wilkin

“There areclearly bitsthat will need adjustingand moving around,hence thereasonthey have not finished as farforward as they wouldhaveliked in re cent seasons.

“There is clearlyadisconnect betweenthe team andcertain partsofthe support, andone thingI need to do is geteveryone pulling in theright direction, whichwill help us take those stepsforward.”

He added: “There areclear ly things that need to improve within thegroup –results don’t lie.

“I thinkthere aregoodbits theretogoand workonand try to bringtogetherthatwill take alittlebit of time.Iwanttoget this placepackedout againand enjoyingits football

“I am undernoillusionofhow difficult ataskthatmay be,but I am here to workand workhard.”

Andthe newbosssayshe is prepared to ‘adapt’whenit comestothe system histeam will play,and he just demands hisplayers meet hisstandards

He said:“As amanager,a coachand aleaderIthinkIhave evolved, Idon’t thinkIhaveever stood still.

“I demand ahighstandard, andI am notafraidofhavinga difficult conversation with who ever it needstobe.”

Shehoped Australia’simpressive medalhaulof10may have meant thenexthostnationincluding judo, butthe Commonwealth GamesFed eration, AndrewsLabor Govern ment andCommonwealth Games Australiaconfirmed otherwise.

Howell, 32,who this year be came European championfor the firsttimewithgoldinSofia, said:

“We wanted Australia to do well although notaswellasus! If they hadasuccessfulGames they would want to host

“I hadto fightanAustralian in thesemiand shegot abronzemed

al.Inthe category above theAus tralian gold medalwinner wasreally unexpected

“Theydid well andhad some good blingtoshow foritsoIthought it mightbelikely,but it’s not.”

Howell, whoisstudyinga maths postgraduate certificate in educa tion forlifeafterjudo, knowsall too well about fighting to success hav ingovercome 10 differentsurgeries in hercareer.

Sheadded: “Itwas always going to be disappointingfor judo notto be in Australia. One because it’s an incredible countryand it will be an amazing atmosphere “It’sthe opportunityofbeing at aGames.For people whohaven’t competed at an Olympicsyet.A

Gamesissuchadifferent experi ence,itcan be so overwhelming with allthe sports.JusttoexperienceaCommonwealthscan help you forthe future,beitOlympics orwhatever.Being apartofother sports andcountries,soaking up theatmosphere, it’s just ashame

“Moreimportantly it puts judo in thelimelight.I’m sure therewas an uptake in judo afterpeoplewatched this year,the morepeoplewecan getinjudo, thebetterathleteshave come from it.”

Howellsaid: “It’seasiertoqual ifyfor aCommonwealths than an Olympics, it givesmorepeoplean opportunitytoperform

“I feel luckythe homeone fell in my cycle, an athlete’scareerisn’t

500years, you don’tget endlessop portunities.

“2026isawhileaway, Iwouldn’t be goingbecause Iknowmybody can’thandlethatfor toomuch longer,but it’s ashame it mightfall forthe peakofsome athletes’career andtheywon’t have that opportu nity.”

Howellhas returned to training followinga shoulder injury andis preparingfor theWorld Mastersin Israel in December

Birmingham wasthe fifthGames judo hadbeeninvolvedwithsince itsintroduction as ademonstration sportin1986. It hasbeenheldin Scotland 1986,New Zealand1990, England 2002,Scotland2014and England 2022

Bridgnorthstudents shineastheypasstheir latest test with flying colours

Gemma Howell afterwinning silver in thewomen’s -63kg finalonday five of the2022Commonwealth Games

BridgnorthTae Kwon-Doare celebrating after14studentsearned newbeltsand gradesatSevern Centre, Highley. Thegroup includedstudentsaged from sixup to adult. DelightedinstructorAnna Bradford,who is picturedwith fellow instructor Gary Plant,said: “Someofthe students were particularly nervousfor this grading, battling theirnervestoshowtheir best ability.Othershad notgradedsince before thepandemic and hadshowedagreat deal of perseverance. This groupwas also notable duetothe majority of candidates being femalefor the firsttime inour 10-yearreign at theclub.”

Salopian hitthe bullseye withanother fine display

Salopian’s unbeatenstart to the UKDA InterCountyseasoncontin uedwithahard-fought 20-16vic tory at home to Northumberland, writes CheKerin.

At avocal Bagley club it would be thevisitorswho made theear ly breakthrough in theladies’ B matchesasLisaBarnesdefeated Hayley McGuines

Claire Boyle(12.68one dart aver age) respondedfor thehosts butthe Northumbrianshit back to storm 4-1ahead

JulieGriffiths(17.06) then bagged akey winfor Salopian to reduce the deficittotwo points goingintothe men’sBmatches

Paul Ashworth (21.35)and Adri an Logsdale (21.17) ensured the momentum wasmaintainedbySa lopianalthoughthatwas checked by Northumberland’s Paul Sinclair

in thefollowing contest. Salopian hitbackthrough Mark Crutchley (21.17)and Darren Lane (20.93)al though both successes were repelled with wins forNorthumberland.

Thehosts then appeared to take controlofthe game with successive wins from JamieKynaston(20.59), BenMorgan(23.86) andShaun Pryce(25.05)

However,Northumberlandhit back to take thelasttwo gamesto ensure theoverall matchwas locked at 9-9atthe endofthe firstday AlisonGallagher gave Salopian ladies’Athe perfectstart on day two, butagain Northumberland re sponded in thenextmatch Back came Salopian with Steph Clark (23.12), Sarah Roberts (18.11) andEvonneTaylor hittingformto give theirsideanoverall 13-11lead. JohnRoberts (24.50) gave the

men’sAthe perfectstart,but Northumberland hitbackagain to take the nexttwo games

KaceyJones (26.89)restoredpar ityinthe men’sAbattleonlyfor the visitors to respondagain

Salopian rallied to take thenext twomatches throughMattElsey (26.02)and JoeHiggins (25.14)to putthe homesideone game away from victory.

Northumberland weren’t fin ished, however,takingthe next two matches, although it wasjustpro longingthe inevitable as Paul Row ley(27.75) securedvictory aman-ofthe-matchperformance

The finaltwo gameswentthe way of thehosts through ScottDockerty (26.30)and Jon Mansell (24.99).

Coldecott stars to helpAlveley make progress

TheBridgnorthLeagueturnedits attentiontothe three-a-side com petition this week with theprelim inary andquarter finalmatches taking place.

Andinthis‘aggregatescore’com petition it wasanight that favoured thehigherhandicappedthree somes.

In thepreliminary round, played at Alveley, it looked as though Bro seleyhad the edge, particularly afterMattSmout’s firstframe win againstReg Burton

ButAlveley hitbackand player of-the nightand match-winner was undoubtedly SteveColdecott.He putBrian Edwardstothe sword, winningby56points.

Gary WatsonbeatChris Jepson 66-52inthe finalframe,but it was Alveleywho progressed 286-251on aggregate.

St John’sBplayers,MarkWors dell,MarkJonesand Mike Crawley with a77-pointhandicapadvan tage,wereconsideredtobethe un derdogsagainst atriofromWood field.

Butafter Worsdell’svictory againstRichard Castlehad pushed thehome team’sadvantage to 98 points it needed somethingspecial from father andson Neil andCam eron DrewettifWoodfieldwereto turn things around

They both won, respectively beat ingMarkJones andMikeCrawley, butthe St John’sboysdid more than enough to secure a64-point victoryand aquarter finalplace Ended

Meanwhile, thesecondStJohn’s team in action made it throughto thelastfouratthe expense of Bro seley.

PerfectDawleymarch on as rivals hitthe goal trail

Dawley Town made it a magnificent sevenwins on thespininthe Salop LeisureLeague.

ThePremier Division pacesetters were made to workhardtomain tain theirperfect starttothe sea sonin theirtop-of-the-tableclash with Ludlow ButastrikefromKieranBuckley provedtobeenoughtosecurean otherthree-point haul

Second-placedHodnetare two points behind theleaders but maintained thepressureatthe top thanks to anothergoal-laden dis play Hodnet hitthe back of thenet 12 timesfor thesecondtimeinthree matches.

St Martinswereonthe receiving endonthisoccasionwithhot-shot NickyParkerleading thegoalrush.

NICK ELWELL nick.elwell@mnamedia.co.uk

He scored five times– with four of hisstrikes coming before half-time –totakehis tallyfor theseasonto

19 Connor Dunneaddedabrace, with CameronDourish, Lewis Brown, Adam Heath, Macauley Cliftonand Daniel Parker also on themark.

Anotherofthe titlehopefuls, Church StrettonTown, also hitthe goal trail

JamesHillwas theirhat-trick hero as they beat Shrewsbury Up &Comers 7-4inanentertaining clash.

Strikes from Josh Hunting, Dean Richards andMatthew Cole plusan owngoalcompleted Stretton’stally Juan Finlow baggedatreblefor

Shrewsbury with Owen Rothwell grabbing theirother goal

Thevictory leaves Strettonsit tingthirdonthe same number of points as Hodnet

Thegoals continuedto flow in the othertop flightgames

Samuel Florystrucktwice as PreesUnitedbeatvisitingGobow en Celtic 4-3.

ShaunDavieswas anotherman whofound hisshootingboots in theclash betweenWem Town and MadeleySports.

Davies gave visiting Madeleya slender half-timeleadbeforehitting topgearafterthe break

He struck threemoretimes to help Wemtoa 6-0success.Jon Mat thewsand Mark Pritchardadded theother goals.

Broseley easedtoa5-1 winat home to Ercall ColtsJuniorsEvolu tion.Two goalsfromDanielJames

andone from AsaDeanput them threeup at half-time.

Joseph Morrisand MichaelSmith addedtothe hosts’tally in the final 10 minutes

Morda United also won5-1 –on theroadatWrockwardineWood Juniors.

Therewas no change at thetop ofDivisionOne as theleading con tendersbothwon

Table-toppersWellingtonAma teursDevelopmenthit thenet six timeswithout replyawaytoErcall ColtsJuniorsRangers

Second-placed Bridgnorth Devel opment were 2-0winnersathome to EllesmereRangers Reserves.

Theother second tier clashsaw LlanymynechbeatErcallColts JuniorsRevolutionColts3-1

SamLewis scoredtwice with skipperMikeWhitehouse also on target

St John’sstarted with aslender seven-point handicap,but that was increasedbyanother seven by Tim Steelashe beat SimonMcloudwith theaid of a30break

Martin Lippett’s40-pointvictory overNickCarsonthenjustabout ended thecontest

Broseley’s Mick Brezwyn, well knownfor high breaks andexcep tional comebacks, didhis best as he beat Josh Summers,but amodest 31 breakwas notenoughtostopSt John’sprogressing

Thesecondquarter finalofthe eveningwas an all-Chelmarshaf fair

Thefavourites, undoubtedly, were thethree players representing Chelmarsh B, thechampions in six of thepastseven seasons.

They were giving away a14-point starttoChelmarsh SC

Frameone sawGarySmith beat Carl Walker by exactlythatdiffer ence to levelthe match.

Unfortunately forthe favourites, IanPostans hadnot read thescript.

Postans, whoonmanyaprevious occasion hadcome unstuckwhen playingagainst ChrisLewis, gave outpossiblythe biggest hammering that Lewishas received from any playerfor many aseason.

Postanswon 81-20togivethe SC team an almost unassailablelead with oneframe to go Simon Thomas wasuplastfor Chelmarshbut came outsecond best to Matt Judd as theChelmarsh Sc trio triumphed 179-91

Action from table-topping Dawley Town’s clashwith fellow SalopLeisure League titlehopefuls Ludlow.Dawleybattled to a1-0 winPics: DavidHamilton

Salopian ladies Awereawarded trophiesbeforetheir match for winning theirsection last season

Winnersonparade Trophytime on the bowls circuit –P53

ALLBLACKSLOOK TO BOUNCE BACK

NICK ELWELL nick.elwell@mnamedia.co.uk

Bridgnorth head coach BryanSmallman is lookingfor an instant response afterseeinghis side’s winningrun come to an end.

TheAll Blacks host Kenilworth in Regional OneMidlandsonSat urdayand will be keen to bounce back from last weekend’sdisap pointing 44-10defeatatDudley Kingswinford

That setbackended arun of four straightwinswhilethe manner of thereverse gave Smallman cause forconcern

“Itwas adisappointingday and you aregoing to getone at some stagein aseason,”saidSmallman.

“Saturdayagainst Kenilworth will be arealindicator to what we areabout andwhether we have been papering over thecracks. Aresponse is definitely needed.”

Bridgnorth trailed12-3athalftime at DK buthad no answer to theirdominant hostsafterthe break.

“There wasalot of energy in the

Golfersdefythe winteryconditions

Therewas ahealthy turnoutat Bridgnorth Golf Club forthe SeniorsMixed Open Greensomes.

Atotal of 64 membersand visi tors battled againstrainshowers andacoldwindall daylong.

However,the winteryweather did not seem to affect thescores, with both the firstand second teamwin ners scoring41 points

Results: KeithHorton&Jill Williams(Bridgnorth 41 points with a back 9of25);Will Weaver &Sal ly Weaver (Bridgnorth 41 points with aback9of22);MikeHogan &Suzanne Huxley (Bridgnorth39 points); JohnHall&VivienneCat terall (Bridgnorth 38 points with a back 9of20points);Kevin Thomas &Pam Pond (Bridgnorth 38 points with aback6of12);JohnEvans &Pauline Hackett(Hagley GC 38 points with aback6of10).Nearest thepin on ninthholewas SueJar man(Bridgnorth).

Bridgnorth sunk by earlydouble

AFCBridgnorth paid theprice foraslow startastheysaw their TV VickersCup hopes ended on Tuesday night.

Action from Bridgnorth’sdefeatawaytoRegionalOne Midlands rivals Dudley KingswinfordPic:RobertNicholls dressing room at half-timefromthe players,” said Smallman.“Andwe came outand scored atry anditwas 15-10. Butthenakickthrough from them took abobble, evadedour full back andtheyscored.

“And that just seemed to take the mental strength outofthe team andwewerenot able to recover

“The most concerning things formewas that we didn’t have the grit that we have been showingin

recent weeks. That hashelpedus come from behind andwin acouple of games. Youcan workonthe technicalthingsbut if you don’tshow that grit then it’s difficult to geta foothold in games.”

Glendinning runs away with award

Run-machine Connor Glendinning is celebratinganother endofseason award.

TheChelmarsh acehas wonthe ShropshireCountyCricket League’ batter of theyearaccolade following anotherrun-laden summer

Glendinning topped thecharts with 1,101runsatanaverage of 68.81inDivisionOne

It’s thefourthtimein

that Glendinninghas wonthe

award. He wasalso namedDivision Oneplayeroftheyear andincluded in thedivisionalselectXIalong side histeam-mate Alex Starrand Bridgnorth secondteamduo Will Rodenhurstand PeterThompson.

Thebowlerofthe year award went to AlbrightonstalwartAdam Shimmons

TheformerShropshirepaceman took 54 wicketsatanaverageof 10.56tohelphis side finish second

in Division Three.

Thefemalecricketer awardwas claimedbyBomere Heathsecond teamer EmilyDay

TheJames Corfieldyoung player of theyearaward went to Shelton’s wicketkeeper DanWalkerfollowing an impressive PremierDivisionsea sonthatsaw himclaim 32 victims andscore 630 runs

Sentinel’s Connor Cheshire was namedwicketkeeperofthe year

TheCrown Meadow men hosted Shropshire rivals Market DraytonTown, whoply theirtrade adivisionabove Bridgnorth in theMidland League Premier, andwere2-0 down inside eightminutes

Bridgnorth improvedasthe contestworeonbut thevisitors sawout thegameout

AwardwinnerConnorGlendinning