Telford Journal 24-Nov-2022

Aleading cliniciansaysthe transformationofthePrincessRoyal Hospitaltospecialiseinthedelivery ofplannedcareisakeyelementof planstoupgradeacutehospitalser vices across Shropshire, Telford& WrekinandmidWales.

DrSteveMcKew,divisionalmedicaldirectorforsurgery,anaesthetics andcancerattheShrewsburyand TelfordHospitalNHSTrust,saidthat thechangeswouldbringgenuineim provementstoservicesandreduce hospitalwaitingtimes

“Theywillmoderniseourservic esandsignificantlyreducedelaysto plannedsurgery andcancertreat mentwhilealsomakingtheservices muchmoreresilienttofuturepres sures,”hesaid.

Detailsofthededicatedplanned caresitehavebeenrevealed

Dr McKewsaidoperationsand procedurescouldtakeplaceallyear round, utilisingdedicated theatres andwards

Shorterwaitingtimeswillmean people canhavetreatment sooner, improvingtheirrecoveryand the services would be able to operate moreeffectively,ensuringthatthe rightstaff,equipmentandfacilities areavailable at theright time,he said.“Theseplansbuildonourex

citingrecentannouncementthat£24 millionisbeinginvestedinanew, purpose-built,plannedcarehubat thePrincessRoyalHospitalsitein Telford,whichwillprovidegreater accesstotheatresandrecoverybeds andincreasethenumberofsamedayoperationsall year round,”he said

“Delaystoplannedsurgeryhave arealimpactonthequalityofpeo ples’livesandtheirabilitytorecov er or startfurther treatment.The wayourservicesandresourcesare currently configured meansour staffstruggletoprovidethequality ofcarethatourpatientsneed.The challengeofmanagingthe risk of Covid-19infectionduringtherecent pandemicexacerbated theseproblems.Investingindedicatedplanned carefacilitieswillreducedelaysand helppeopletogetthecaretheyneed sooner.”

Theproposedtransformationof hospitalserviceswillseeemergency careandmaternityandwomen’sservicescentredattheRoyalShrews bury Hospital whilethe Princess Royalsitewillspecialiseinthedeliv eryofplannedcare

Football pitchissaved

Mickey is set forlightsfun

Aparalympicgoldmedallist is settotaketothestageforaChrist maslightscountdown

Paralympian Mickey Bushell MBEwillbeilluminatingthestreets ofDonningtoninTelfordthisweek endinthecountdowntoChristmas. ChairmanofDonningtonand Muxton Parish Council, Councillor TomHoof,saidhewasthrilledtobe welcomingthegoldmedallistforthe bigswitch-on.Headded:“Iamreal lygladwehavebeenabletobring backtheChristmasFestivalbackfor anotheryear.”Donnington’sfestival willtakeplaceonSundayfrom1pm to6pmatTheParade.Thelightswill beswitchedonat4.30pm

Fourth park givenaward

Aparkhas won aprestigious nationalaccoladeforthefirsttime, makingitthefourthintheborough todoso

DaleEndParkintheIronbridge Gorge,TelfordandWrekin,proudly raisedaGreenFlaglastweek

Theparkjoins theborough’s existingGreenFlagsitesinTelford TownPark,DawleyParkandHart shillPark,meaningTelfordandWrekinisnowhometofournationally recognisedtopqualityparks.

Councillor CarolynHealy said: “AsaGorgeresident,I’msoproudto seeaGreenFlagflyingoverourlocal park.It’safantasticsiteforresidents toenjoy.”

Report by Sue Austin

Newhomefor Post Office

Anewpermanenthomehas been foundfor aPostOffice whichwillopenafterChristmas

DawleyPostOfficeinTelford willnowbebasedatLifestyle ExpressonHighStreet

Thepostofficehad been basedatthe Co-oponHigh Street,butitsfuturewasputin doubtwhenthefirmannounced

it wasleaving thepremises Long-standingDawleybusi nessmanGurjinderSingh will become thepostmasteratthe postoffice,whichwillbehoused inpartofhisLifestyleExpress conveniencestore.

Telford&WrekinCouncil said it hasworkedwithGreat DawleyTownCouncilandlocal

councillorstosecureaperma nenthomeforthepostoffice.

Theauthoritysaiditwill supportMrSingh with the fit outofthenewpostofficeathis store.

MrSinghsaid:“I’mthrilled thatadealhasbeenagreedand I’mlookingforwardtorunning thepostoffice.”

Alocation hasbeen found

Stalkerhounded bus drivers afterrow over Covidmask

A“horrible” stalkerfol lowedandfilmedtwoterrified busdrivers,labelledthem“pae dophiles” on social mediaand madehoaxcallstopoliceabout suicide attempts at abus sta tion

TehfoorJaveed launched avendettaagainsttransport firmArrivaafterhewasasked toleaveabusfornotwearinga maskattheheightoftheCovid pandemic,Shrewsbury Crown Courtheard

The26-year-old,whohas78 previousconvictionswhichare mostlyforharassmentoffences or breachingcriminalbehav iourorders,avoidedanimme diateprisonsentence –even thoughJudgePeterBarrietold Javeedhisvictimswouldbe“as tounded”hewasn’tbeingsentto jail.

Javeed, of Victoria Avenue, Wellington,pleaded guilty to twochargesofintimidationand sixofmaliciouscommunication

Oliver Woolhouse, mitigat ing, said Javeed had learning difficultiesandhadbeendiag nosedwithautismbyadoctor. Javeed wasgiven a21-month prisonsentence,suspendedfor twoyears.

Javeed must also complete 250hoursofunpaidworkand 30rehabilitationactivitydays

Psychichelping good causes

Report by David Banner

Acancercharityhasunveiled itslatestweaponagainstthedis ease–anew£95,000vantospread themessageofawarenessandpre ventionaroundthecounty.

Themoney forthe Lingen Daviesvan wasdonated by TelfordPlazaUK,andthevehiclewas officiallyunveiledbythecounty’s HighSheriff,SelinaGraham,and theMayor of TelfordCouncillor RajMehtaoutsidethecompany’s offices.Thecharityhasbeensup portingandenhancingservicesfor patientsattheRoyalShrewsbury Hospital’s Lingen DaviesCancer Centreformorethan40years.

Charityshop open again

Atown’sshoppershavebeen thankedfor theirsupportafter acharityopenedthedoorsofits new-lookshop.

SevernHospicehasspenteight weeksgivingamakeover to its Shifnalhighstreetshop,creating morespaceforthestockitsells

Threeofthe hospice’scom munity nurses attendedthe ribbon-cuttingceremonyand were abletothanksupportersfordonat ingtotheshopandbuyingfromit. CommunityshopmanagerClaire Henshawsaid:“Wehadafantas-

ticreopeningdayanditwasgreat towelcomebackfamiliarfacesas wellasnewcustomers.

“Shifnalresidentshavealways beensuchloyalsupportersofthe hospiceandourcommunityshop anditwas greattohearall the complimentsonournewlook.”

SevernHospicesaidtheshops arevitaltoitsfunding.Thechar ityhastoraise£2forevery£3it spends, andcustomers of its30 high street shopscontributed morethan£1milliontowardsits serviceslastyear

Itisalsonowworkingonrais ingawarenessaboutthesignsand symptomsofcancerincommuni ties throughoutShropshire, Telford,andMidWales.TheLiveLife service,whichwillbepromotedby thenewvan,hasthreemembers of staffwho attend large-scale communityevents,summerfairs, andcorporate networking,sharinginformationaboutcancerand encouragingpeople to seek help fromGPswithanyconcerns

NaomiAtkin, CEOofLingen Davies,saidtheLiveLifeServiceis acriticalpartoftheworktoassist with cancer prevention andim-

proveearlydiagnosisratesacross theregion

Shesaidthevanwillallowthe teamtoreachmorepeople,helping supportandadvisethemtoseek earlydiagnosiswhererelevant.

Shesaid:“TheLingenDavies Centreseesmorethan4,000new ly diagnosedpatientseachyear, andwithcurrentstatisticsstating oneintwopeoplewillgetcancer intheirlifetime,thenumberofpatientsweseewillonlycontinueto rise.Thisverygenerousdonation fromTelfordPlazaUKLtdhasen abledustopurchaseabrand-new, multi-purposevehicle.”

Plea issued over booster

TheNHSinShropshireisurg ingadultswithlong-termhealth conditionstotakeuptheofferof afreeflujabandCovid-19booster assoonaspossibletoprotectthem thiswinter

Thoseathigher risk of seri oussymptomsfromCovidandflu include peoplewithlungproblemsincludingasthmaorchronic obstructive pulmonarydisorder, peoplewithheartdisease,chronic kidneyorliverdisease,cancer,a

weakenedimmunesystemorpeoplewhohavehadastrokeorthose livingwithdementia

AlisonBussey,chiefnursingofficerforatNHSShropshire,Telford andWrekin,said:“Iurgepatients whoareatriskfromfluandCovid, particularlythosewithhealthconditions,tohavebothvaccinations toprotectthemselves,theirfamily andfriendsthiswinter.

“Havingthesejabsreducesthe chancesofcatchingfluandCovid

atthesametime,whichcouldbe dangerousorevenlifethreatening.

“Itissafetohavebothvaccines atthesametimeandifthisisof feredthenpleasetakeitup,but people mayneedtobookthem separately.Youdon’tneedtowait tobecontactedtogetvaccinated asyoucanbookonlineforaboost erorcontactyourGPpracticefor anNHSflujaboratapharmacy thatoffersone.”

Lingen Davies launchtheircancer awarenessvanafter amajordonation from TelfordPlazaUK

SevernHospicehasre-opened itsshop inShifnal

Anticipating Jesus’sarrival

CROSSTALK

Asachild,Ilovedtocountdown thedaystowardsChristmaswithan adventcalendar.Iamofanagewhere itwasunusualtofindtheoneswith chocolatein!

AsIgotalittleolder,Iwasgiv enanadventcandle;thisseemedto heightentheatmosphereofthesea son,butonmorethanoneofthose24 days,Ibecamedistractedandwould enduplettingthecandleburndown twoorthreedaysatatimeandIgot veryfrustratedthatitdisruptedthe adventroutine.Adventisallabout theanticipationofChristmas,when wecelebratethearrivaloftheChrist Child, Jesus. We recallthe events leadinguptohisbirthandreflect uponthedifferencehemakestohu manity2,000yearson

Butitisveryeasytobecomedis tractedandindoingsowecanmiss outonsomeofthepreparationand anticipationthatthisseasonbrings andthemessageithastooffer.

Whynottakethetimetoantic ipatethegiftofachildwhocame amongustoofferanewlifetoalland enablesustoconcentrateontheaspectsofourliveswevalue?

Anenigmaticwadingbird

ONTHEWILDSIDE

By Ben Waddams

Whenever Ipaint awoodcock, one of my commonest questions turnsouttobe:isthatasnipe?Myartisticfailingsaside,thatisnotapar ticularlyignorantquestiontoask.

Firstlythetwospecieslookfair lysimilar,secondlytheyarefound insimilarhabitatsandthirdly,that woodcockisknownas‘thesnipeof thewoods’.

This charismaticand enigmatic wading bird is foundmainlyin woodlands,whereassnipearenot Yetbothinterminglearoundwatersources.Itisathick-bodied, pigeon-sized bird with alongbill anditsbeautifulplumage,asIhave recentlydiscoveredtryingtopaint oneagain,providesalmostperfect camouflagewhenitisontheground, motionlessinleaflitterandisutterly cryptic.

Thewoodcockisacrepuscularbird, most active at dawn and dusk andfeeds by probingits bill into damp ground,eatingmainly earthwormsandbeetles.Itisinfact rarelyseenontheground;mainly duetothatextraordinaryanddiffi cult-to-paintcamouflage.Itisduring

itsbreedingdisplayflight,knownas roding,thatawoodcockismostfrequentlyseen.MalesundertakerodingflightsbetweenAprilandJune. Butinmypersonalexperience, Itendto‘flush’themunexpectedly fromboggyfieldmarginsorwood land fringes. Thesebrief glimpses arenolessspectacularandkeepsme searchingfor woodcock whenever

Ihavethechance.Thespecieshas beenhuntedandeatensinceRoman times.

Thewoodcockisared-listedspe cies.TheshootingseasonforitbeginsonOctober1

However, everywinterwesee aninfluxofcontinentalbirds.That meansthattheseasonmainlytargets ouralarmingly-decreasing,

resident,breedingred-listedwoodcocks.Thereisaneffortandapetitiononline,topushtheseasonback toDecember1,sothattheblindingly obviouslikelihoodofwipingoutour Britishpopulationdecreasesalittle It’snotrocketscience,pleasetakea look n Ben’sartworkcanbeseenin Callaghan’sandRowlesGalleries.

Showcasing winter interiors

CousinsFurnitureisinvitingyou toasneakpeekoftheirnewWinter CollectionforthelaunchoftheirWin terSalewhichstartsnextmonth.

Overthepast12months,thelocal family-run business hasbeenbusy building inspirational newdepartments,introducingmanyexcitingnew brands,whilstcontinuingtoshowcase theverylatestcollectionsinhomeinteriorsandinnovation

In living,Cousins hasenhanced itscollectionswithfamousbrand namessuchasGPlanand Parker Knoll,tocomplywithmodernliving ThenewHurstrangefromGPlanofferseye-catchingdesignandaddssophisticationtoanyspace.Withclean lines andgeometric detailing, Hurst embodiespureelegance.Withmodularoptions,Hurstofferstheopportu nitytobuildyourperfectcombination creatingabespokesofaforyourspace. Reclineroptionsareavailableacross therange

Indining,recenttrendsforopen-

plan,flexibleliving,hasledtoasignif icantincreaseinkitchendining.Cousinsisproudtodisplaynewcollections fromworld-leadingItalianbrandCalli garisacrossdiningtables,sideboards andevenaccessories.Knownfortheir moderndesign,everyCalligarisdiningtablehasthepotentialtoenhance theaestheticsofthediningspace.For those lookingfor space-saving op tions,Calligarisalsooffersdiningta bleswithinnovativeextendingmecha nismsthatallowyoutoaccommodate asmanyastenpeople.

Forthe bedroom, they have in troducednewcollectionsfromErcol, showcasedinbrandnewgalleries.The Monzabedroom rangeisacontemporaryupdateofclassicmid-century design.Chestsare constructedwith mitred corner joints andarounded undercutdetail,framingthechevron veneerdrawerfronts.Taperingturned legsandangledplinthrailsarepainted blacktohighlighttheirelegantshapes andcreateasenseoflightness

Woodcocks arefoundmainly inwoodlands whereassnipeare not

With LisaKnight

TwoShropshireresidentshavewon awardsfortheircommitmenttosupporting life-changingdementiaresearch.

KatieFosterwasnamedVolunteerofthe YearandStuartLambiewasnamedSportingSupporteroftheYearinAlzheimer’sRe searchUK’sinauguralsupporterawards.

Katie,70,isoneofAlzheimer’sResearch UK’s longest-servingfundraisersand volunteershavingsupportedthecharitysince 2008.Shewasinspiredtosupportdementia researchasherfather,Tim,whohadbeen aprisonerofwarforfiveyearsafterbeing capturedinthedefenceofDunkirkin1940, diedwithAlzheimer’sdisease

Katieischair of theAlzheimer’s Re searchUKShropshireFundraisingGroup, whichshehelpedsetupin2017.Thegroup hasraisedabout£115,000.Thegroupwas alsoamongthenomineesfortheGroupof theYearAward Sheisalsoaprominentspokesperson forthecharity,sharingherpersonalexperi encetoinspireotherstogetinvolved

Shesaid: “I wasbothastonishedand delightedtowinthisaward.Thereareso many othervolunteersupand downthe countrywhodosomuchforthisgreatcause.

“Alzheimer’sResearchUKisawonderful organisationfullofdedicatedprofessionals allfocusingonendingthe heartbreakof dementiaandIfeelreallyprivilegedtobe involvedwiththem.Icouldn’tdoanything withoutsuchincredibleandgeneroussup-

portfromsomanyShropshirebusinesses, organisationsandindividualswhoregularly andgenerouslyhelpmeandourhardworkingfundraisinggroupmembers.Theyareso numerousIcan’tpossiblynamethemall,but canIjustsay:ThankyouShropshire!”

Stuart,63,isastalwartmemberofthe Alzheimer’sResearchUK’s#TeamARUK community of runnersand apassionate advocateforthecharity’spartnershipwith parkrun.Havinggotintorunningthrough parkrun,hebegansupportingAlzheimer’s

ResearchUKbytakingpartinthecharity’s RunningDownDementiachallenge.Hehas sinceraisedthousandsofpoundsinhonour ofhisdad,Ian,whodiedwithAlzheimer’s diseasein2020.Heranthe2021London Marathonandthe2022EdinburghMarathonandisaimingtoruntheLondonMar athonagaininApril.

Hesaid:“I’mveryhonouredandhumbledtoreceivethisawardandIjustwant tosayamassivethankyoutoeveryonewho hassupportedmeinanyway.”

Report by MatthewPanter

Inspired –KatieFoster

Stalwart–StuartLambie

Therewill always be lessonswecan learn

Therewillbemanyfamiliesin TelfordwhoarerelievedbytheGovernment’s decision in theAutumn Statementtoincreasebenefitsand pensionsinlinewithinflationand to increase theminimum wage to £10.42

Therewasalsoextrafundingfor educationandfortheNHSandthe energypriceguaranteeschemewas extended.

Itis,however,nosurprisethat workingpeopleonaverageincomes arefeelinghithardbytheeconomic crisis.Livingstandards arefalling andtaxation is at thehighest it’s beenfor70years.Weareinexcep tionalcircumstances

TheLabourPartyseektoblame thecrisisonthe Government,but theyarewrongtodosoandthey knowit.Yes,theConservativeshave beeninGovernmentforthelast12 years,butwehavejustexperienced aseriesofunprecedentedglobaleconomicshocks,forwhichnoeconomy couldbeprepared

Thefinancialcrisisin2008led toprolongedrecessionthattookus adecadetorecover.AConservative Governmentachievedthatrecovery, restoringgrowthandconfidenceto theeconomy.Thenin2020camethe pandemicandtheenormousfinan cialresponseneededtosupportfam

WORKINGFORYOU

WithLucy Allan MP

ilies andbusinesses;national debt soared.ThewarinUkrainefollowed on,immediatelyforcingupglobalen ergyprices,aswellasdrivingupthe costofotherstaplessuchasgrain. Asamajorimporterofenergy,there wasnowaywecouldavoidinflation, nowatitshighestfor40years,nor therecession whichhas followed Onceagainfamiliesandbusinesses areneedingunprecedentedGovernment support. Many Governments tacklingtheseglobalproblemsare beingforcedtoincreasetaxes to fundsupportschemes

ThemeasurestakenintheAutumnStatementaretoughmeasures foraConservativeGovernment to take.PeoplewilljudgethisGovernmentonitsresponsetothesemultiplecrises.Isitfair,isitnecessaryand doesitdothejobofrestoringgrowth andconfidencetooureconomylong term?Therewillalwaysbelessons to be learnedwiththe benefit of hindsight,butIbelievethathistory willshowthisGovernmentdidwhat wasright

Deckingthe halls

TALKINGTELFORD

WithRob Smith

It’sthattimeofyearagain:the periodofnotbeingabletomovefor aChristmaslightsswitch-onsome whereinTelford

Theendofspookyseasonisthe unofficialstartinggunforChristmas preparation,andwithinafewweeks townsalloverShropshirearedeclaringthefestiveperiodopenwiththeir owncelebratoryevents.Telfordbeingwhatitis,thatmeansindividual townsandcommunitiesallgettheir ownchancetoholdabigswitch-on.

Wellingtonwasoneofthefirstto gettheballrollingthisyear,withthe maineventheldlastSaturday.Iam onlyslightlyembarrassedtoadmitI missedthememobeforeIjusthap penedtobeinthetowncentre–as someonewithoutayoungfamilyor anabundanceofChristmasspirit,I hadn’tmarkeditoutinmycalendar

ThefirstIheardofanythingout oftheordinarywasturningoutof thetunnelfromthebusstationand noticingthefirststrainednotesof musicoverthe PA system.Then I turnedanothercornerandspotted theChristmastreeinthesquare–andgiantversionsofMickeyMouse andtheElfonaShelftoy.Notone

forwhomChristmas cheercomes readily,myfirstinstinctwhenIspot tedthe6ftelfwastotryandavoid makingeyecontactwhileleavinga wideberthinthehopesofnotbeing offeredaseasonaldealonmybroad bandorsimilar.Butasmallgaggleof nearbychildrenhadnosuchreservationswhentheycameacrossthese giantmascots

Thepint-sizedrevellersshrieked withdelightwhentheyspottedgi antversionsofthetoys they have no doubt been familiar with from ayoungage.They strode rightup tothemascotsandtriedtoengage theminconversation,thesubtleties ofwhichImissed.Thetoysweren’t

greattalkers,but seemed to keep thechildrenentertainedenoughby stealingtheir hats andposingfor photos

Itwasallgreatfunanditwill makefondmemoriesforthosechil dren–andfornothingmorethanthe priceofaday’scostumehire.Ididn’t tryandgetintoSanta’sGrotto(I’m notsureIwouldhavesatisfiedthe entrypolicy)butthelongqueuefull ofexcitedfamiliesseemedtosuggest theChristmasspiritisaliveandwell inWellington

Andifyou missedout?Not to worry,you’reinTelford-Ironbridge, MadeleyandDonningtonareallhav ingtheirswitch-onsthisweekend

Christmascame toWellington lastweekend

It’s approaching10 years since JasonFoxparkedupinacliff-topcar park,onthebrinkofendinghisown life

“Iwashavinganightmareofa day–couldn’tsee thepurpose of anything,workwasn’tgood,I’dhad amassive argument,and just felt ‘What’sthepoint?’,”herecalls

“I’dbeeninthemilitaryfor20 years.Iusedtobeawesomeatsome thing,andwithoutthatIfeltmaybe my usefulness on theplanetwas over. ”

Duringthat20-yearcareerinthe MarinesandSpecialForces,Foxexperienced“high intensitywarfare” andsaw colleagues killed andinjuredonaregularbasis.

Buthe’dlosthis‘militarymojo’, andaftercountlesstherapysessions, hecametoacceptthatadiagnosisof PTSDandmedicaldischargewasthe ‘leastworst’option

Thrustbackintocivilianlifeat theageof36,forthefirsttimesince leavingschool, themundanity of everyday living –booking dentist appointments, filingtax returns,

By Andy Richardson

livingfulltimewithapartner–was abiggerchallengethanthelifehe’d known.

Withoutthe brotherhood and supportnetwork providedbythe militarywayoflife,Jasonstruggled tofindanewidentityandthatstrug gleledhimtothatclifftop

“Lookingback,Idon’tknowwhat stopped me,” the46-year-old said “ButIguessIjustwasn’tquiteready togiveup

“Ihadawordwithmyself,real isedthingshadtochangeandthat momentofhonestywasarealdefin ingmoment.”

Fromthere,Jason‘gotridofneg ativity’ in his life,and ‘went on a journeytofindtherightpeople’to helphimmoveforwards

Fighting back from thebrink, Foxfoundanewpurposeanddrive –partlythroughfoundinghismental health charityand partly through hisTVcareerafterbeingapproached asoneoftheexpertsforSAS:Who

DaresWins,ashowhe’sbeenwith sinceitlaunchedin2015.

Ithasalsobroughthimfameand thechancetotellhisstoryandhelp others,withaspeakingtour–Life atTheLimit–comingtovenuesin ourregionearlynextyear.Foxand theteamweren’tsoldontheorigi nalideaofcondensingtheprocessof SpecialForcesselectionintoaweek’s filming.Instead,theyofferedtouse elementsofthatselectionprocessto createauniquecoursethatwould drawoutthekeyattributesneeded forSpecialForcessuccess–witha largefocusonphysicalandmental strength

“Initially,SAS:WhoDaresWins wasabitofanexperiment–noone knewiforhowitwouldwork,orhow peopletakingpartwouldrespondto it,”hesaid

“It’sbeenphenomenaltoseehow both civilians andcelebrities have thrown themselves into theshow overtheyears.Iamsurprisedathow bigit’sbecome,andveryproudofit too.What’salsobeensurprisingis whatI’velearnedfromtheexperi

ence–nottojudgepeople,togive peopleanotherchance.Anditdoes helptofillthe‘gap’leftfrommilitary life.Whenwe’reoutfilming,there’sa teamofpeopleallworkingtogether togetajobdoneundersometough conditions.

“It’snothing like as toughasI wasusedtointheSpecialForces,but wearestillworking24-hourdaysin extremeenvironments, pullingtogether,challengingourselves.”

That’s somethingofanunder statementwhenyouconsidersome ofFox’sanecdotes…Havingapistol heldtohisheadbyPabloEscobar’s personal hitman,helicoptercrash es in unnamedwarzones, or gun battleswherethe30-strongsquad is surrounded by 200-plus enemy fightersand ‘one of theladsdies straightaway’.

Likemanyyoung men, Fox reachedthe end of his school life andfoundhiswayintothemilitary Hisdadwasanex-Marine,soithad alwaysbeenapartofhislifeandhe knewtheoptionwasthere.

Raisedona1980scouncilestate

in Luton, teenageFox wasleaning towardsthewrongsideofthetracks andrecognisedheneededtomake somechanges.

EnlistingafterhisGCSEsseemed afairlyobviouschoice.

“I hatedschooland wanted to leavehome,andthequickestwayto dothatwastoenlist.Ijustwantedto seemoreoftheworld,”heexplained, drawntothechancetogetoutthere and‘docoolstuff’,ashedescribes muchofwhatfollowed.

“I’vehadsomeincredibleexperi ences–somegood,somebad–andI genuinelyfeelhonouredthatpeople wanttohearaboutthem,”hesaid “Frombehind-the-scenesanecdotes of filming,some hilarious, others brutal;andwhatit’sreallylikewhen youcomefacetofacewithnotorious killers, drug cartels, Mexicanwar lordsandhitmen,thisisanoholds barredaccountofmylifetodate.

“LifeAtTheLimitisaveryhonest accountofwhathasbeenalongand difficultjourney.”LifeAtTheLimitis playingatTelford’sOakengatesTheatreonFebruary2.

Jason Foxenjoyeda 20-yearcareerinthe Marines and SpecialForcesHeisone of theexpertsforSAS: WhoDares Wins

Celebsputthrough their paces

BlackFridayscam warningisissued

ABlackFridaywarningtobeawareofscamart istshasgoneoutfromafinancialexpert Whilsttheremaybesomegreatbargains,Shrews bury-basedJustCreditUnioniswarningagainstgettingcaughtbyonlinescammers.

Thefirmalsopointtothetemptationtooverspend andthatmanydealsmaynotbeasgreatastheyfirst appear.“BlackFridayseesafrenzyofdealsanddis counts,butalsoahugeriseinfraud,”saidSteveBar ras,JustCreditUnionbusinessdevelopmentofficer

JustCreditUnionhasputtogethersomehintsand tipstohelppeopleavoidgettingcaughtout.Keyac tionsthatcanbetakentostaysafe.

Research thesellertocheck they aregenuine; sticktotrustedwebsites;keepyourpin,passcode andpasswordsasecret;avoidenteringcarddetails onsharedandpubliccomputers.

College offering T-levels

TelfordCollegeoffersalivelyandsupportivecam pusthathasbeenpurpose-builttoofferawiderange ofcoursechoices–includingacademic,vocational,ap prenticeshipsandmore.

T-levelcourseswillbeofferedinSeptember2023 Thenewvocationalqualificationsaretheequivalent tothreeA-levelsinUCASpointsandrecognisedbyall universities

Initially, thecollege will be offering T-levels in health,scienceanddigital,whichwillexpandinSep tember2024

TelfordCollege’sapprenticeshipteamiscontin uouslynetworkingwithlocalemployerstogivestu dentsachancetogainvaluablequalificationsalong sidereal-worldworkexperience

Part-timeadultlearningcoursesareofferedfor thosewhofancyacareerchangeormaynothavehad theopportunitytodosowhentheyfinishedschool.

Coursesrangefromlevel2-5,andincludeaccount ing,education,hairdressing,healthandsocialcare andhumanresources.

Ifyoucan’tordon’twanttophysicallygotocol lege,thereareseveralshortcoursesthatcanbedone onlinewhereyouwillgainalevel2or3qualification

Thecollege’snextopeneventisonWednesday,No vember30,from5pmuntil7.30pm.

TheadultopeneventisonSaturday,December10, from10amuntil12.30pm.Tobookaplace,seewww telfordcollege.ac.uk/join-us/open-events/our-open events/

Ifyou’dpreferamoreindepthlookatthefacilities TelfordCollegehastooffer,orifyou’refeelinganxious aboutstartingcollege,youcanalsobooka1:1tourby emailingmarketing@telfordcollege.ac.ukorbycall ing01952642200

Amarathon effort

Ashopmanagerhasraised£2,000for charityaftercompletingsevenmarathonsin sevendays

IanFord,manageroftheUp&Running shopinShrewsburytookonthechallengeto raisemoneyforthecompany’schosenchari ty–HeartResearchUK

HestartedonNovember5,andcovereda totaldistanceof183.4milesoversevencon secutivedays.Clockingupthefinalmiles, IanarrivedbackattheUp&Runningshop in Shrewsbury welcomedbackbyfamily, friends,colleaguesandlocalresidents.

Todate,witharisingtotal,Ianhasraised

£2,000forHeartResearchUK,whichwillgo towardsfundingvitalmedicalresearchinto theprevention,treatmentandcureofheart disease.

Oncompletinghismammothtask,Ian said:“Thisisprobablythehardestchallenge I’veeverundertaken–yet!Daysixwaspar ticularlydifficult,withtheachesandpains reallysettingin,butthethoughtofthegen erouscharitydonationskeptmegoingwhen Ineededitthemost.

“I’mdelightedtohaveraisedsomuchfor HeartResearchUKandwouldliketothank everyonewhohaskindlydonatedsofar.”

Morethan10,000ticketshavealreadybeen soldfornextyear’sCampBestivalatWestonPark, saystheorganiser

FormerRadio1starRobdaBank,whoorgan isesthefour-dayfamilyfestivalwithhiswifeJosie, saiddemandhadbeenhugefollowingthesuccess oftheWestMidlands’firstCampBestivalwhich wasstagedinAugust.Theline-upfornextyear’s eventwillincludeEurovisionstarSamRyder.

Paynothing fora year. No deposit. Interest free.

Black

DUDLEY

IanFordcompletes hischallenge

Town settostepintoChristmas

Families areexpected to flocktoNew port town centre this Friday forawhole host of festivefun.

TheChristmas lights will be switched on at 6pminwhatis considered oneofthe town’s biggest annual events anda traditionalline-up of festive en tertainmentisplanned

Theeventstartsatapproxi mately 4pmand will rununtil around 8pm.

Winner

Thelights will be turned on by thewinnerofthe Newport Town Council’sannualChristmascardcompetition,Town Mayor Councillor IanPerry andFatherChristmas himself

Theofficialswitch-on of thelightswill take placein thetownsquareand will be preceded by theChristmas Parade whichleavesthe town councilofficesatthe Guildhall at around 5.50pm

Theparadewill be ledbythe SalvationArmyBand, followed by Santaand hissleigh,the Mayor,the competitionwinner andcastmembers from Nova Panto’s‘Beauty &the Beast’

“The switch-onevent is aboutbringingthe community together to celebratethe count-

down to Christmas with their friendsand family,” said Mr Perry.

“Weare hoping that lots of peoplewillcome along, take part andjoininthe fun.”

St.NicholasChurch will host theirtraditionalChristmas carol serviceat6.30pm after theofficialturn-on andresi dents andvisitorsare invitedto attend

NOVAFMwill be providing musicinthe town square Followingthe lights switch on at 6pm, Santawill be outside St Mary’s Church in hissleigh, courtesy of Rotary Lite,and will hand outsweetstochildren at theevent.The reindeer will be stationed nearby at Butter Cross, andchildren will be able to have theirphotographs taken with them

NewportEventsCompany is holdinga ChristmasMarket alongStMary’sStreet,where a range of stalls selling fine food, Christmas gifts, candles, confectionery andvarious festive refreshments will be on sale to temptvisitors.

Thereis also expected to be a smallfun fair in LowerBar as part of theChristmas Market entertainment.

Celebrate Christmas

businessestoo. CallintoourofficeontheHighStreetorspeaktoone ofourTeamon01952281060. Furtherdetailsareavailableat www.ClarkesLaw.co.uk

Crowds gather at apreviousswitch-on eventinNewport town centre

Curseofitchy feet is always keepingmeonthe move

Herselfisconstantlymoaning atme“can’tyousitstillforfivemin utes?!”whichIfindsomewhatdis concertingasIsuddenlyrememberedaveryimportantjobneeded doinginmyworkshop-shed.

Asforitchyfeet,it’strue,and nothelpedbytheintrusiveTVadvertsbreakingupyourconcentra tion,Ihavetogetup,whichmeans avisittotheArmitageShanks,or getabrewgoing.Unfortunately

it’sthecurseofthenowretired, ex-workingman. Shethrowsa real stropas I ambleinwhile sheisimmersed inherTVsoaps,“ForGod’ssake sitdown”.Ican’t,it’simpossible, itreallyis.EvenwhenIameyeball-deepintoagoodbook,eventuallyafterabout20minutesor so,Ihavetostop,standup,walk aboutforabit,raidthefridgeand thenresumereading.It’sacurseit

Mistakes should notberepeated

ThePrime Minister’s talk of “difficultdecisions” will remind manyinlocalauthoritiesofsimilarcommentsmadebackin2010 whenausteritywasunleashed.

Governmentcannotrepeatthe mistakesofausterity.Duringthe decadeofcutsafter2010,itwas thepoorestandmostvulnerable inourcommunitieswhosuffered most

Someofthepoorestareashad lesstospendthantheirhugelevel ofneed.Fundingsystemstolocal authoritiesarenotfitforpurpose andtheirorthodoxmoneysystem doesn’tworkforall.

Vitalworkmusttakeplaceon significanthealthinequalities.The Covidpandemichasmassiveim-

plicationsforpoorerareas.Waitinglistsaregrowingandstagnat ingforlocalservices

Cuttingimportant preventa tive services passes problems down thelinetoacute services, whereworse outcomes forlocal peoplearemoredeadlyandcostly

Localauthoritiesareverydifferent places to 2010,thanksto austerityanddisastrouspolitical incompetence from both main parties.

Wemusthavegreaterinvest mentinpoorerareasandstopunevenfundingallocationsonceand forall.Grantfundingtothepoorestlocalauthoritiesmustincrease.

Nameandaddress supplied

reallyis,thereisnoknowncure, becauseitdoesn’tmatterwhatyou sayaboutretirement,thetruthis, youwillbeworkingharderatbe ingamanofleisure,thanyouwere goofingoffwhenyouwerework ingforaliving.It’snothelpedby theconstantshoutsof“Thisneeds fixing-replacing-painting”.Isthere noendtothispurgatory?

Nameandaddresssupplied

Requests at Christmas

DearFatherChristmas,Uncle NorbertandIrealiseyouarevery busyatthistimeoftheyear,but aswehavebothbeenverygood “boys”,wewonderedifyoucould arrangefor thefollowing “presents”tohappenin2023

Canyoumakesureinthefuturethatallthewritingonfood packagingisbigenoughsothatit canactuallyberead!

And,whileyouareatit,that anyinstructionsonhowNOTto blowupyournewtellyareclearer!

Canyou stop anyonebeing interviewedonthetellyfromansweringaquestionwith“Abso lutely!”And,whileyouareatit, stop people whodeliver food to yourtablefromsaying,“Enjoy!”

PeterSteggles,Shropshire

French system is waytogo

Economicdisaster.Nopointin statingtheobvious!

No pointinblaming Brexit, LizTruss,orindeedtheverylarge numbersofpeoplewithdafteco nomictheories

Theonlythinglefttospeculate onishowwecanrestructurefor thefuture.Howcanwebuildavi ablefoundationonwhichtoplace thefutureoffinancialservicesand looktopreservingaviableherit

agefor future generations? One thingthatdidstrikemewasthe antiquatedstructureof‘Oxbridge style’qualificationsofourpoliti cians

Forexample, Liz Trussgraduatedinpolitics,philosophyand economics.Obviouslyacatastrophewaitingtohappen

Iwouldspeculatethatcurrent disciplinesneedrestructuringto theFrenchsystemwhichismore

intensebothinconceptandapplication

TheFrenchevencreatedaTV series called“ecoledepouvoir” whichroughlytranslatedmeans “schoolofpower” so they have actually translated conventional economicdisciplineintoasubject initsownrightandregarditas such

RobinLloyd,Shropshire

BluWith Dogs Trust

Name:Blu Breed:Pugcross Age:8

Bluisachirpyeight-year-oldPug crosswhoisonthelookoutforaloving foreverhomewherehecanrelaxand enjoylife.

Bluisfairlyactive andenjoysa gentle potter in thegreat outdoors soaccesstoagardenandquietwalks

wouldhelpthiswonderfulchapsettle intohisforeverhome.Bluenjoysfuss butonlyonhistermssowouldbene fitfromahands-offapproachinitially untilhehasbuiltabond.Hehaslived withanotherdogpreviouslyandcould livewithanotherdogagain.

IfyoucanofferBluacalm,loving, adult-onlyhomewherehecanrelax, please go to https://www.dogstrust org.uk/rehoming/tofindoutmore.

Reggieisafour-year-oldLakeland Terrier who enjoys theoutdoors, swimming,climbing rocks and treesandloves hisfamily,saidownerThomasPrice.Petofthe Weeksubmissionscanbesentto daniel.morris@mnamedia.co.uk

Gota health

I

fyou’refeelingunwellorhaveno ticedahealthissue,don’twaitforit togetworsebeforeyouseekhelp. TheNHSwantstoseeyouandhelp yougetthecareyouneed Formoreminorproblems,goingto nhs.ukwill help you find your best nextstep.Ifit’smoreurgent,goto111 nhs.ukorcall111(seebelow).

Youcanalsovisitapharmacy.The highlytrainedteamswhoworkinphar maciescanprovidereassurance,treat commonillnessesandgivehealthcare advice.Itsservicesarefree,andmany areopenlateandatweekends.

Pharmacyteamscangiveadviceon minorillnessessuchascoughs,colds andstomachaches Theyalsoknowif youneedtobereferred to your GP practice–andcanevenhelpyouget anappointment

It’sgoodtoknowwhichserviceyou needandhowtoaccessit

NHS 111 ONLINE

If youhaveanurgentbut notlifethreateningmedical problem, NHS 111onlinecanhelp.Accessitonlineat 111.nhs.ukorvia alinkonthe NHS app.Dependingonthesituation,the servicewillreferyoutoalocalservice thatcanassistyou:connectyoutoa nurse,pharmacistordoctor;tellyou howtoget anymedicineyou need; provide self-careadviceor, if severe, askyoutoheadtoin-personurgent caresuchasA&E.

PHARMACY

Apharmacist can give advice on aches,pains,coughsandcoldsaswell ascheckingsymptomsandproviding servicessuchasbloodpressuretests. There’snoappointmentneeded,soif you’refeelingundertheweather,don’t waitforittogetworse–walkin.

GP PRACTICE

When youcontactyour surgery, the receptionistteamwillassessyouand ensure youget help from theright medicalprofessional.Mostsurgeries have ateam of otherhealth professionals,includingnursesandphysios, toensureyougettherightcarequickly

Reena Barai, 44,has been runningher family business, SG BaraiPharmacyinSutton, for18 years, andshe is always happy to helpanyone who comesinfor adviceabout ahealthissue

“Wesee awide rangeof illnesses: coughs,colds,eye infections… but alsoother things that people areworried about, likemoles andunusual bowel symptoms,” Reena explains

“Pharmacists areexperts in minorillnesses andrecognising what we call ‘red flags’ormore serious symptoms.Our family have be in pharmacyfor andwe’ve built linkswithour GP practices an thehospital. So someone come in and Ithink th really need to A&Ethatday, Ican advise them about that.”

“Our team are trainedto respond to symptoms,” Reena adds

“Theyknowhow to askthe right questions and refertoGPs if necessary.

“Wealsospend alot of time talking to our patients about self care, becauseoften you don’t need to seeadoctor and youcan just look after yourself by doing simplemeasures at home –whether that’s drinking lots of fluids,resting or taking paracetamol.”

Communitypharmacies alsooffer services such as bloodpressurechecks, andthe morning-after pill, which is free in s.

in and see sfreeand on’t need appointment,” Reena. st pharmacies aprivate nsultation room, you’re worried out discussing something embarrassing, youcan always asktospeak to one of the pharmacy team in private.”

“Alotofhealthissuesareseasonal, sowemightseecoughsandcolds throughthewinter,andhayfever relatedissuesin thespringorsummer. Otherwise, thethingswedeal withcouldbeany thingfromsportsrelatedinjuriesto diarrhoea, dental problems,earache andissueswith eyesight. It’s so varied,and could relatetoanything fromheadtotoe.

“Patients are oftenunaware of theservices you can getfroma pharmacy That’s whyweare keen toeducatepeople about thewhole

healthcaresystem. Pharmacists haveregularcontactwithpatients and,inaway,weareajackofall trades.Wedeal with so many issues that we know when we need to direct someoneto,say,a doctororanoptician,orwhenwe can deal with it ourselves.

“Patientsoften gototheirGPinitially,butinmany casestheir issue couldbedealt withbyapharmacist There’sno need to make an appointment.

“It’squick,easy and accessible andwewillbe

‘Our team are trained to respond to symptoms’

We deal with so many issues that we know whentodirect someoneto, say,a doctor or dentist, or when we can deal with it ourselves

‘Patients are often unaware of the services we provide’

Sanjeev Panesar, 36, from Pan Pharmacy in Sheldon, Birmingham, is keen to spread the word

able to advise very quicklywhetherwecan helpyou.Ifwecan’t,we willpointyou in the direction of theright person

This

article is part of apaid-forpartnershipwith

BenTuffour owns England’s oldest pharmacy,Reavley ChemistinBurford, Oxfordshire, which openedin1734.

“I would always encourage people to seek adviceattheir pharmacy,”saysBen.“So many of thepeople whocome here formedical advicealready come to us forother things, so they arefamiliar withusand feel comfortableasking

“Patients mayalsoget referred to their pharmacyvia their GP.Theyget aprivate one-to-one meetingwiththe pharmacist, andtheydon’t have to wait foranappointment.

“We’ll always go the extra mile to ensure we’regiving therightcare– and in some ruralareas pharmacieseven provide adelivery serviceto housebound patients

“Ifpeople getintothe habit of coming to the pharmacywith minor illnesses, notonlycan it can save themtime,but it could also mean thattheyget

treatmentbeforethe problem becomesmoreserious.

Seeking advice at apharmacy for minor illnesses couldsave youtime

3,000 namesrememberedasTreeof LightAppealhitsimpressive£22,000

By Daniel Morris

This is ourthird list of names thatarebeingrememberedaspart ofthisyear’sTelfordTreeofLight Appeal

RunbythefourRotaryClubsof Telford&District,theTreeofLight enablesthecommunitytoremember theirlovedonesandsupportlocal charitiesoverthefestiveperiod.

Inreturnforaminimum£5donation,namesaredisplayedaround thetreeinTelfordShoppingCentre TheyarealsoprintedintheTelford Journalinbatcheseachweek.

So farinthisyear’scampaign, 1,300applicationshavebeenpro cessed, with 3,000 loved ones remembered anddonations amount ingto£22,000.

SevernHospiceandHopeHouse Children’s Hospices will receive themajorportion of fundsraised. Theremainder will be shared by ShropshireProstateCancerSupport Group,2nd WellingtonScouts,Tel fordAfterCareTeam,Telford&Wre kinYoungCarersServiceandJayne SargentFoundation

Amongthenamesremembered are:

SidneyJohnAdams;GeorgeAdaway;Barry Alcock;Tom Alcock; MaryAlder;KennethAlford;Derek Allder; BernardAllen; CharlesAllen;GeoffreyAllen;Herbert&Olive Allen; LilianAllen; Robert Allen; Anderson;Bernard Archer;Dennis Archer;WilliamArcher;Jack&Nora Aston;Albert&MaryWinifredAt kins;MarthaAtkins;KathleenAus tin.

Brenda& Howard Bailey;Hor aceBailey;KenBailey;Mum&Dad Bailey;PhilipBailey;Barry Baker; Eric&MurielBall;ElsieBarker;Jane &RegBarnes;Percy&IvyBarnes; DeniseBarnsley; Noreen Barnsley; DellaBartlett-Smith;KathBaumber; ChristineBaxter;JohnBayley;Lilian Bayley;FredBaynham;DoreenBed borough.

HildaIrene &PhilipBeddoes; AnnBeech;Mona&Don Beeston; ScottBeeston;AnthonyBengree; FlorrieBengree;CharlesLBennett; Dolly&JackBennett;EricBennett; MaryJBennett;JohnBetts;Iris&Len Bevan;DavidBeynon;GeorgeBey non;LucyBeynon;LilianBick;James Biddulph;Kath&EricBiddulph; WinifredBiddulph;PaulineBiggs.

GeorgeBingham;KennethBingham;WendyBingham;JohnBirbeck; SueBirbeck;AlanBlair;;GaryBlair; ;JackBlakemore;JoanBlinkhorne; DerekBolt;FrederickBould;Pheobe Bould;JoeyBradley;LolBrayne;Pat Brayne;Grace &Mac Bridgwater; George &NoraBright; Margret& JackBrittain.

FrankBrookes;HaroldBrookes; HildaBrookes;RobertBrookes;Ada Brothwood;Gordon Brothwood; HoraceBrothwood;GeorgeBrown; Mabel Brown; TomBrown;David Browning;GrahamBufton; Peter Bunning;Jim &MaisieBurn; Ar chie&DylisBurnett;KeeliBurnett; HeatherButler; Audrey Bystrnski; Karl Bystrnski;Derek Bytheway; Frank&MarionBytheway.

Fred Cadman;Janet Cadman;

TerryCapell; AgnesCarlile;David Carlile; Sandra Carrington; Albert Carter;AndrewCarter; Arthur S. Carter;Colin Carter;Ruby Cart er;Simon P. Carter;JohnCaswell; MaryCaswell;HarryCharles;Vera Charles;LucyChinn;WalterChinn; GavinThomasJohnChurm

Albert Clarke;IrisClarke; Tom &Phyllis Clarke;Peter Clifford; Maurice&IrisClowes;GaryColes; Albert Colley;Alf Collingham;Vio letCollingham;MarieLouiseCollis; LilianCooper;TerryCoppage;Fami lyCowens;DaveCox;;WilliamCox; Winifred Cox; Jean Crookes; Emily &John(Jack)Cruise;EmmaCulling; AlfieCureton.

GertieDarrall;EileenDavey;Alice&BillDavies;AliceDavies;Geof feryAllanDavies;GillDavies;Glyn Davies; Gwen &Ray Davies; Jack Davies;Ken&JoanDavies;Leonard &Gwendolin Davies; PeterDavies; WinnifredDavies;Jack&JoanDaw son; Edwin(Ed)Deakin; Eileen & Charlie(Sonny)Deakin;GertDeakin;Caleb &CarterDixon;Brian Doveston;Mary&Ern Doveston; Annie&Ted Downing; SirFrancis Drake; FrankDuce; Daphne Duck ett;EthelDuckett;EvelynDuddell; HowardDuddell;JohnDuddell;Ruth Dyer

Alek Eaton; ElizabethEaton; Edward Eccleston; Gordon Edger ton; LeeAnthony Edmonds;Grace &JoeEdwards;JeanEdwards;Tom Edwards;AlanElcocks;MarieEllis;

ElaineEllison;CliveEvans;Doris& ArthurEvans;George&MarianEvans;RobertEverton;James&Doris Eveson

DaveFall; ;Betty &Peter Falshaw; May&JohnFarmer; Barry Fenn;GeorgeFernley;DerekFerri day;John(Jack)Fidler;Josephine(Jo sie)Fidler;GrahamFinch;Christine Firmstone;Ed&BettyFitzsimmons; DarranFletcher;JohnFord;JoanForest;VicForest;DaveForsyth;Mar jorieFoulkes;June&BillFrancis; AlanFrench;AlbertFrench;Ethel& GeorgeFrench;MeganFrench;Violet Fylan.

JimGalloway; Edward Garbett; ChristopherGaston;JanGaut;;AnthonyGernon;ErwinGetkahn;Margaret Getkahn; RichardGetkahn; MarjorieGillespie;MaggieGodding; SueGodding;ByronGeorgeGollings; RubySophiaGollings;JohnRichard Goode;VioletElizabethGoode;Lau rence&GeoffGough;PeterRobert Gray;Allen Green; Horace Green; WilliamGriffiths;WinifredGriffiths; JohnFGroucott;PaulGrubert;Alice MableGuest;HerbertGuest;Bertha &CyrilGuy.

ChristopherHackman;Mabel Hackman; AmyHadfield;Harold Hadfield;AliceHail;;Charlie&Al iceHail;CharlieHail;CarolynHale; DavidThomasHall;HarryHanson; LilianHanson; Jean Harbour; Eric Harding; DorisHardwick; Luther Hardwick;Irene Hardy; Graham Harper;WalterHarper;Enid&John

Harris;SamuelHarris;LindseyHarrison;DanielleHarvey.

Betty&GeraldHatch;EricHatch er;AnnieHaughey;Malcolm Hay; MaryHay;;CliveHayles;EsmieHayles;RomaHaynes;EileenHayward; Gladys Hayward; Noah Hayward; Mary Heighway;AndrewHickin; PatrickHiggins;GordonHigginson; MarthaHigginson;GrandadRHig ley;NanHHigley;Peggy&Charlie Hill.

PeterHill;;SybilHitchin;Barry Hodgkinson;WilliamHodgkinson; Robert Hoggins; Donald Holden; AustinHolford;JoanHolford;Harry Holleyhead; Marjorie Holleyhead; JaneHollis;Betty&DerrickHolmes; AgnesHowdle;DennisHowdle;John Howells;Emrys&JoyceHughes;JanetteHughes;PercyWiliamHughes; KathleenHyland Enid&RexIngham;HarryIsaacs; JennyIsaacs.

Betty&Tom Jackson; Florence Jackson;HarryJackson;StuartJackson;AnnieJames;HaroldJames;Allan&TrudyJesson;ErnestJohnson; JeanJohnson;NicolaJohnston;Craig AnthonyJones;Gwen&EddieJones; JanetJones;JoanneJones;MaryHele naJones;NeilJones;Norman&Jes sieJones;OliveJeanJones;Patricia Jones; TrishJones; Arthur &Kath Jordan;FamilyMembersJoyce;Julia Joyce Noah &AnnieKelsey;Norman &RubyKelsey;JosephKeys;Martin Keys;VeronicaKeys.

TonyLadd;DonLaing;IvyLaing; John Laing; PeterLamble; Sydney Latham;GladysLawrence; Samuel Lawrence;Jeannette Leach; MalcolmLee;EdithLees;JosephLees; KevLees;;AntoinetteLegg;William Legg;TomLewis;GrahamLloyd;Jul ieMarieLloyd;MaryLochrie;John Long;Mum &Dad Long;Dorothy Love;EliLove;;Milly&WesLovett; BerylLowe;Joyce&JohnLowe;Bill Luter;;DebbyLynam;EileenLynam.

KathrynMacDonell;Dennis Machin;Marlene Machin;Lynda MacKenzie;AlexanderMacPherson; Neil&AnnieMacPherson;Gwen& JohnMadeley;EdgarMagness;Elsie Magness; DaveMaiden; TomMal pass;Leslie(lesum)Mansell;Peter Mansell;BelaMarkus;EdnaMarsh; SandraAnneMarsh.

TimMarsh;JemmaMarshall;AliceMartin;BertMartin;FlossMartin; WalterMartin;StellaMason;Freder ickMayer;EdwardMcCallin;Joan McCallin;FrancisMcGlynn;Marga retMcGlynn;DoreenMcNamara; JamesMcNamara;Mary&Bernard McPartland;SharonMcPartland; JohnMeadows;Vi&GeorgeMiddle; PeterMiles;Lucy&SuzieMills.

RhodaMinton;RichardMinton; JamesMobberley;JoyceMobberley; DesmondMolloy;NickyMolloy;Mi chael Monaghan; Florence Moore; DonaldMoreton;Betty&MickMor gan;Irene Morgan;Dennis Morris; Freda Morris; George Ernest Morris;HarrietMorris;GeorgePatrick Moscrop; BarbaraMulligan;Jane Mulligan;Michael Mulligan;Peter Mulligan;Ada Mumford; AlfMum ford;JohnNottage&KathleenMary Murray;KathleenAliceMurray

Alan Nash; Jennie& George Nash; Trevor Neville; Christopher Noon;Irene Noon;FredNorthall; RoseNorthall; RoyNorthall; Tom Northall;TonyNorthall; Graham Norton;BeulahNotley;RegNotley GreggerO’Shea; Arthur Oakes; BettyOakes;ElizabethOakes;David Oare;MavisOare;JimOsborne;Lil Osborne;RoyOvery.

Georgena Packman; Herbert Packman;ElsieMayPadmore;Harry Padmore; Alva Palmer;Doreen Palmer;LeonardPalmer;StefanPa nasiuk;ElsieParry;DavidParsons; MickyParsons;WilliamParton;Su sanPayne;RogerPerry.

John Phaisey;Bernard Phillips; DoraPhillips;GeorgePhillips;Keith Pickavance;John&MurielPicken; MauricePicken; EmilyPickering; EricPickering;VioletPickering;Wil fred Pickering; Alan PercyPierce; DerekBrianPierce;ElizabethPierce; GertrudePierce;PercyPierce;Sally Pierce;ReginaldPlant;RuthPlant; StephaniePlant;DavidPorter;Den nis Potter;JohnPotts;RosePotts; Martin Pritchard; Mary Pritchard; WilliamPugh;BryanPumford

George Quantock; Sheila Quan tock;ThomasQuinn

BryanRatcliffe;James Henry Ratcliffe;MaryAnnRatcliffe;Karen Reid;MargaretReilly; Paul Reilly; Nicholas Adam Rhodes;Barbara &JohnRice;EdnaRice;;Hamilton Richards;Harry Richards;Alice Rickus;JohnRickus;ShaneRixom; SharonRixom;AliceRoberts.

TheTreeofLightcanbefound inTelfordShopping Centre

Affordable andexoticwinter sunatoffbeatdestination

Switchingoff themotor of our roughandweatheredwoodenboat, SenegaleseguideSoguiWadeinvites ustolistencarefully.Glidingsilently throughamazeofmangrovesinthe SaloumDelta,ourattentionisdrawn toanunusualsnappingsound,akin toemberscracklinginafire.

Thestrangesyncopation,Sogui insists, is thesound of oysters breathing.Clingingtoexposedroots of mangroves, stringsofshellfish performasymphonythat’ssurprisinglysoothing.It’soneofthemany newdiscoveriesImakeonaweek’s holidaytoSenegal

Wedged betweenthe emerald rainforestsofthe Gambia andorange desert dunesofMauritania, thiscoastalcountrybulgesintothe AtlanticOceanatthemostwesterly pointoftheAfricancontinent

It’sanoffbeatholidayoption,al thoughit’ssettobecomeoneofthe most affordable,easilyaccessible andexcitingwintersun destina-

By Sarah Marshall

tions, thankstonew direct flights launchedbyTUIearlierthismonth ConnectingLondonGatwickwith Senegal’scapitalDakar,injustover sixhours,weekly flights will run betweenNovemberandMay,startingataround£800forsevennights all-inclusive.Hoveringbetween29 35C,temperaturesaremuchhigher thantheCanaries,there’s11.5hours of daylight during winter andno timedifference.

Promisingsun,sea,sandanda touchofsafari,here’sthelow-down onwhattoexpect A75-minutedrivefromDakar’s BlaiseDiagneInternationalAirport, thenew 522-room RIUBaobab on Pointe Sarene is TUI’smainhotel partner, andwas one of thekey driversforpersuadingthepackage tour operator to invest in this region.Large,luxurious roomswith

ocean-facing balconies(andafew suites with privatepools)linethe length of agolden beach, strewn withpalmsandthatchedcabanas.

Aspaandmoderngymareset alongsidepoolsandaswim-upbar, whereDutch,French, Britishand Senegalese families bathewith flutesofProseccoorglassesofcrisp rosewine

Acolossalbuffetisaccompanied byspecialitysushiandItalianres taurants,bothpre-bookablebutin cludedintheprice.

Awaterpark with slides and children’s entertainment attracts families, butthe hotelmanages to maintain asmart,upscale atmosphere.

Goingonsafaricanbeeye-wa teringly expensive. ButinSenegal, there’sanopportunitytoseesome ofAfrica’smostcharismaticspecies inoneofthecountry’ssixnational parks.Admittedly,thebest,Niokolo-Koba,isa500kmdrivesouth

Explorer’s Antarcticlegacy

Regardedasone of Britain’s greatestexplorers,ErnestShackle tonhasinspiredmillionsofpeople tovisitAntarcticaandtheislandof SouthGeorgia

Famously,oneofhisownexpeditionsendedinneardisasterwhen hisship,theEndurance,wasstuckin theice,writesSarahMarshall

Foralmosttwoyears,thechar ismaticleaderand his menwere stranded,remarkablysurvivingand eventuallyreturningtosafety

Earlierthisyear, Shackleton’s shipwasfinallydiscoveredaspartof anexpeditionlaunchedforthecentenaryyearofhisdeath.

Aheadofherownguestlectur ingtripinthe icysouth,his clos estsurviving relative,Alexandra Shackleton,sharesherthoughtson

thediscoveryandthelegacyofher grandfather.

Howdidyoufeelwhenthe En durancewasdiscovered?

“I wasthrilled. It wasthe secondattempttofindher.She’s3,000 metresdeepintheWeddellSea.Be causeicehaspreservedher,she’sin excellentcondition.”

Whoownstheshipnow?

“Shebelongstome.Shewasoriginallyinsuredfor£15,000,sowhen shesank,itwenttotheinsurance companies.Theyhadnointerest.So shenowbelongstomyselfandmy firstcousin.She’salsoprotectedun derTheAntarcticTreaty.”

Howelsehaveyou been commemoratingthecentenaryofyour grandfather’sdeath?

“I’vebeenmakingafilminIre

landaboutthecabinwherehedied Areplicaofthatcabinwillbepartof thefirstdedicatedpolarShackleton museumintheworldatAthyHeritageCentre.Areplicaboatwillalsobe there.Itwillopenin2023.”

What are your lasting memo riesofAntarctica?

“It’sa wonderful placeworth preserving.WhenIwent the first time,Iwentintohishutonmyown andtherewasthesmellofwoodand leather.Itwasasifhehadstepped out.”

n Alexandrawillbejoininga22dayvoyagewithPolarLatitudesto Antarctica,theFalklandsandSouth Georgia, departing UshuaiainArgentinaonDecember22.Pricesfrom £15,415ppinatripleshare,excludingflights.Seepolar-latitudes.com

Privately-ownedBandiaReserve is areasonablecompromise–althoughnotallanimalsarenativeto Senegal.Seegiraffes,elands,zebras andevenrhinosonsimplegame drives throughacaciaand baobab forests, finishing at avisitor cen treoverlookingalakeheavingwith crocodiles

Moreinterestingfromaconservation perspective is theTortoise VillageinNoflaye.RunbytheAfrican ChelonianInstituteNGO,theproject focusesonbreedingendangeredsul catatortoises,tobereleasedintothe wild.Manyofthehard-shelledresi dentshavebeenrescuedfromapet tradefuelled by traditional beliefs theseanimalscancureasthmaand bringgoodluck.

DailylifeinSenegalisasbright, boldandcolourfulasthepatterned kitengefabrics hangingfromcraft stalls.Walkingaroundavillagemar ketgivesasharpinsightintolocal living.Men wearing floatytunics

andconicalhatsselllivestock,while womeninpeplumdressesandoversizeddesignersunglassessitbehind mountains of meltingsheabutter andsacksoverflowingwithpeanuts

More affronting aremedicinal stalls coveredinlizardskins,pig tusksanddriedmonkeyheads.

Visiting aformerslave house mightseemmorbid,butatriptothe HouseofSlavesmuseumonUnesco WorldHeritageSiteGoreeislandis bothapoignantexperienceandim portantlessoninunderstandingAf rica’spast

A20-minuteferryridefromDa kar,theprettyislandisfilledwith artist studios, seaside restaurants andcafes.Butbetweenthemid-15th andmid-18thcenturies,20million slaveswereloadedontoshipsfrom hereandsentacrosstheAtlantic.

Anyupset,however,isbalanced bythesightofsomanySenegalese peoplevisitingthesitetobetterunderstandtheirownhistory

The swim-uppoolbar at the RIUBaobab

Goree Island inSenegal,whichhouses the House ofSlavesmuseumCartusedtocarry tourists

SarahMarshall atabaobab tree

Tourists ontheAntarctic Peninsula

(6)

It provides the guidelines for movement (7)

Catch for Finn’s gate? (9)

Dexterous, having the correct workmen (5-6)

It’sfar from common knowledge that 100 lose the knack (5,6)

Killing result of joke on Spanish capital (9)

What the star at water-sport might skim? (7)

Box not returned to vehicle (6)

Rome’ssignalling code (5)

There’san animal in papa’s stable

SATURDAY

End of Watch (2012) (BBC1, 11.50pm)

An openingcar chase, shot throughapolicewindscreen, ends inbloodshedandofficersBrianTay lor(JakeGyllenhaal)andMikeZav ala(MichaelPena)are re-assigned toanotherpartofthecityandtold mock-seriously“nottokillanybody bytheendoftheweek”.Butwhen BrianandMikeuncoveratrafficking operationrunbyalocalcartel,they aremarkedfordeath.

SUNDAY

Mogul Mowgli (2020) (BBC2, 10.15pm)

BritishPakistanirapperMCZed (RizAhmed)isonthecuspofhisfirst worldtour,butisinvolvedinascuf flewithafanandistakentohospi talanddiagnosed with an autoim mune disease. An experimentalprocedureoffershim alifelinebut the procedurefliesin thefaceofhisfa ther’sbeliefs.

SirSimonlookingback onhistoryofalifetime

Simon Schama’s History of Now(BBC Two, 9.15pm, Sunday)

Aswellaswritingabouthistory, SirSimonSchamahaslivedafairbit ofittoo.Bornin1945,onthenight ofthebombingofDresden,hewon ascholarshiptotheprivateHaber dashers’Aske’sBoys’SchoolinCrick lewoodat11beforestudyinghistory atChrist’sCollege,Cambridge.

Schama then workedfor short periodsas alecturerinhistory at Cambridge,andwrotehisfirstbook, PatriotsandLiberators,whichwon theWolfsonHistoryPrize.

In1980,Schamatookupachair atHarvardUniversity,butreturned totheUK20yearslater,havingbeen commissionedbytheBBCtoproduce a15-partseriesofTVprogrammes TheresultwasAHistoryofBritain.

Sincethen,hehasmadeseveral otheracclaimeddocumentarypro grammes,buthislatestprojectisapparentlyhismostpersonalprojectto date,ashelooksbackatthehistory thathasplayedoutinhislifetime.In

thefirstofthreeprogrammes,here vealsthestoriesofartistsandwrit erswhohavebeenattheforefront ofthefightfortruthanddemocracy, oftenatgreatpersonalcost.

InDecember1936,ayoungEng lishman,EricBlair,betterknown asGeorgeOrwell,headedtoSpain

tojointhoseriskingtheirlivesfor freedom.WejoinhissonRichardin Barcelona,totellthestoryofhowa campaignofmisinformationbySta lincostthelivesofmanyofOrwell’s friendsand comrades. Theexperi encefedintothecreationofhisliterarymasterpiece,1984.

EastEnders (BBC1)

JaninegivesMicksomeupsetting news.KatfindsthatAlfiemovedin duringherabsence–andmanagedto lose£30,000ofPhil’smoney.Rocky, Mitch,BobbyandFreddiestagean intervention when they discover Harvey hasbeensending Sophia money.

Coronation Street (ITV)

Harvey offers Nick themoney tobuyDebbie’sshareofthebistro. He initiallyturns it down,until it becomesclearthecouplehavebeen conned.Stephen(ToddBoyce)lands ajob as adeliverydriverbefore launchingadevious scheme that couldendangerAudrey’slife.Sum merhasamiscarriage.

Emmerdale (ITV)

AftertellingVictoriathe truth about thespeedingticket, David agreestorepeathisconfessiontothe police–butit’stoo late andshe an nounces it’s over.

Bernicestruggles to controlher emotions, leading hertofearshehas dementia

Editor’s weekend pick

Films for the weekend

Your guide to the soaps

SirSimonSchama infrontofPicasso’s GuernicaforHistoryofNow

EndofWatch Todd Boyce

Howtomakeyourgarden glow this festiveseason

GloweventsatRHSgardens,Kewand otheroutsidespaceswhichprovidespectacularlightfestivalsinwintermakeforagreat eveningout–buthowaboutbringingalittle bitofthatsparklehome?

Therearelotsofwaystomakeyourown gardenglow,usingoutdoorfairylights,lanternsand uplighting in warm,welcoming tones,tocheerthecoldnightsandgetyou intothefestivespirit

Herearesomeexpertstips

“Ratherthanthinkdecoration,thinkat mospherefirst,andthemoodandthefeeling youwantwhenyouareinthegarden,”suggestsdesigner Andrew Duff (andrewduff gardendesign.com),co-chairofthecouncilof theSocietyofGardenDesignersanddirector oftheInchbaldSchoolofDesign.

“Ifyouareafterarelaxed,festive,soft look,howareyougoingtoachievethat?It mightnot necessarilybecovering atree withfairylights.Youmightwanttodoitina moresubtleway.”

KevinMartin,headoftreecollectionsat Kew,says:“Oneofthebestwaystoaddfes tivelightstoyourgardenistowrappealight

By Hannah Stephenson

LEDsaroundthetrunkandbranchstructure ofanytreesinyourgarden.Thiswillbring interestintoyourgardenthroughthelong darknightsofwinter.Itwillalsoaccentuate thelovelystructureofthetree.

“Anotherwayistouseuplightersonthe ground,pointingdirectlyupthrough the canopyandhighlightingthetrunk.Again,be suretouseLEDs

“Good treestolight up in thewinter monthsare birches, with theirstriking whitebark.Anothergreattreetohighlight withlightsisTibetancherry,withitsstrikingred bark.Acers,especially snakebark maples,canalsoworkwell.”

Duffsuggests:“Rollingupaballoffairy lightsandstickinganumberofthoseina treesotheylooklikehugesnowflakescan bereallyeffective.Youcanalsogetlarge snowflake-shapedlights,whichareoftenso lar-panelled,chargingthroughthedayand thencomingonatnight,whichcanbeagood alternatives.” Duff adds:“Lanterns arean

excellentidea.Youmightbeusingcandlesin lanterns.Youcouldevenuseascentedcandle withaChristmasfragrance.”

Thinkwarmcolours,suggestsMatthew Pottage,curatorofRHSGardenWisley(rhs org.uk).“Selectawarmwhitelightwitha slighthueofyellowinitforawarmandtraditionallook,”hesays.“Purewhitelightshavea colderandmorestarkappearance,whichcan say‘winter’asopposedto‘Christmas’.”

Duffadds:“I’magreatfanofstickingto onecolour,whetherit’swhitesoroffwhites, butnothingsaysChristmaslikeredoutside Maybeyoumakeallthelightsinyourtrees red,whichcanproduceabeautifulredglow. Butwhenyoustartmixingalotofcoloursit fallsapartabit.”

Aswellaslightinguptrees,baublescan behungonthestemsofdeciduoustrees

“Nothing says Christmaslikeabauble, andweneedtohavefun,butmaybejuststick tooneortwocoloursonatree,”Duffsuggests. “WearenottryingtocreateaChristmastree –that’shappeninginside–sothesimplerit is,thebetter.”Seerhs.org.ukorkew.orgfor detailsofRHSGloworKewevents.

Keepingbeddingniceand fresh

Accordingtotheexperts,youmightwant torefreshyourbeddingmoreoftenthanyou think,writesSamWylie-Harris

“Generally,youwillbeabletotellwhen it’stimetoreplaceyourpillow,howeverIalwaysrecommendreplacingthemeveryone to twoyears,” says ChrisTattersall, sleep expertandmanagingdirectoratWoolroom (thewoolroom.com).

“Theygetwornoutsurprisinglyquickly,asonaverage,thepillowdoesitsjobfor 2,500hoursayear(around100days).”

He says certaintypes of pillowslast longerthanothers,duetothematerialsused in production.For instance,antimicrobi altextileslikelinen,wool,andhempoffer naturaldefence againstbacteria, mildew, mould,andothermicrobes

Fabio Perrotta,directorofbuyingat Dreams(dreams.co.uk),agrees:“Togetthe mostoutofyourpillows,it’sadvisedtore-

placethematleastonceeverytwoyears. Thisisbecauseovertimetherewillbea buildupofdustmitesandthepillowismost likelytohavelostalotofitselasticity,mean ingitwon’tprovideadequatesupport.”

Perrottasaysduvetsshouldbereplaced everytwotofiveyears.Therearewaystotry andextendthelengthofaduvet’slife–such asusingaprotector,whichcanbewashedto protectfromstainsanddustmites.

Tattersall says:“Duvets should be re placedroughlyeveryfiveyears.Likepillows, iftheyarefilledwithmorenaturalfibres, theyneedn’trequirereplacingsooften,eg. woolisself-cleaning.”

Howdoyouknowwhenit’stimefora change?Thereareseveralwaystotellit’s timeforanewpillow,suggestsTattersall. “Theobvioustraitsincludeitstartingto smell,turningyellowandstainsonthepil low–thiswillbefromsweat.”

Illuminatedpassagewayscanlookgreatinjust one colour Lanternsand starlights canadd atmosphere

BEARD

Maureen June

Of Hadley,Telford.

Passed away peacefully at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on November 12, 2022, aged 84 years.

Beloved Wife to the late Eric,Devoted Mum to the lateStephen anda Much LovedNan, Great-Nan and Mother-in-law,who will be sadly missed by all her Family and Friends and the wider Hadley community

Funeral Service 3.30pm Tuesday,November 29, at Hadley Methodist Church followed by aprivate Committal Service.

Family flowersbyrequest but if desireddonations for Age U.K. would be much appreciate dvia www.memorygiving.comora collection after the Service in Church.

Inquiries to

NICHOLLS Brian William Of Stirchley

Sadly passed awayatThe Princess Royal Hospital on November9,2022,aged 81 years.

Devoted Husband of Doreen, much loved Dad of Suzanne and Warren, Grandadof Hailey and Avery.

Funeral Service 2.30pm Thursday, December 1, at Telford Crematorium.

Family flowers only by request but if desired donations for Diabetes UK which can be given online at www.memorygiving.com would be appreciated.

All inquiries please to

STEINERT

Tony (Peter Anthony)

Of Muxton, Telford Gill, Gemma, Katie, Adam and Milo are devastated to announce thatTony losthis courageous battle against Cancer on November 15, 2022.

He was surrounded by his loving Family as he slipped peacefully awayto join his Lord and Saviour He will be missed by all who knew him.

God bless, sleep tight, until we meet again my darling.

X

ACelebration of Life to be held at St.John’s Church, Mu xto no nT hu rs da y, December 8at11am

Fo llowed by as hort Committ al at Te lfor d Crematorium, at 12.30pm.

Family flowers only please.

OAKLEY

Hilda Rosemary

Donations if desired to be shared between the Severn Hospice and The Lingen Davies Unit at The Royal ShrewsburyHospital for which pur pose a collection boxwill be provided in Church.

All inquiries to

HUGHES

Diane Patricia

Formerly Crowther nee Cowley

Passed away surrounded by Family at the Princess Royal Hospital on November 1, 2022, aged 70 years, of Aqueduct, Telford. Formerly of Chasetown.

Dearly loved Partner to Ian, Mum to Charlotte, expectant Nan, Mother-in-law to Eddie, and Step-Mum to Louise. Beloved Sister,Aunty,GreatAunty,Nieceand Friend. Former employee of the Express &Star and the Shropshire Star

Celebration of lifeat Telford Crematorium on Monday,November 28, 2022 at 11.30am, followed by afternoon teaand Diane’s favourite music at the Mill, Leighton. All welcome. Memorial at South Shrop shireRemembrancePark at alater date.

Diane will be greatly missed by all who knew andloved her.Familyflowers only please. Donations, if desired, willbegratefully received towards Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK and UK Sepsis Trust.

All inquiries please to

(known as Rose) Of Wellington. Passed away peacefully on November 9, 2022 at Severn Hospice, Telford. Aged 81 years.

Beloved Daughter of the late Robert George Hatton and Sarah Ellen Hatton and Wife of the late John Barry. Loving Mum of Sharon, Lorraine, Chris and Kim and amuch lovedNan and Great-Nan who will be sadly missed by all her Family and Friends.

Funeral Service at Telford Crematorium on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 10.30am.

Family flowers only by request but if desired donations to the Severn Hosp ice would be appreciated.

All inquiries please to

Of Wrockwardine Wood, Telford.

Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her Family on November 10, 2022. Aged 90 years.

Abeloved Wife of the late Arthur

Amuch loved Mum to Valand Andy

Dear Nan to Amy and a Great-Grandmother to May Dearly loved and sadly missed by all her Family and Friends.

Funeral Service to be held at Holy Trinity Church, Wrockwardine Wood on Tuesday,December 6, 2022, at 12.30pm. Followed by a Committal Service at Telford Crematorium.

Family flowers only please.

Donations if desired for the Severn Hospice for which purpose acollection boxwill be provided in Church.

Inquiries to

WARD Marjorie (Marj)

On Oc tober 29, 202 2, peacefully in her sleep, at her home, MarjorieWard, of Ash Street, Highley, Nr Bridgnorth, aged 96 years.

The beloved Wife of Dan, the loving Mother of Rogerand Adrian, Mother-in-law of Paula and Tracy and avery dear Nan, Great-Nan, Sister and Aunt.

Muchloved, Marjoriewill be sadly missed by all her Family and Friends.

Fu ner al Ser vic ea nd Interment at The Parish Church of St. Mary, Highley, on Friday,November25, at 1pm.

Fa mily flowers only by request please but donations for Esme’s Umbrella (a Charity to raise awa ren ess of Ch arl es Bonnet Syndrome) are being gratefully received, for which purpose acollection boxwill be provided at the Church, or onlineatwww.perryand phillipsfunerals.com

All inquiries to

TITLEY

Brenda

Brian Blizard

Don Bulmer

Peter Gardiner

Sally Gwilliam

Phillip Jones

Sidney Murphy

Glyn Price

Barbara Robert

Susan Rollins

Rober Tonks

Ross Vickers

Ann York

NOTICE TO READERS

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BREEDING CAGE

NOTICE TO READERS

Please be awarethat when purchasing apuppy there are some simple guidelines you can follow to ensure that you are not purchasing from a Puppy Farmer: 1. Try to ensure you visit the puppy whilstitisstill with its Mother.

2. Do not arrange to collect a puppy from any other location than that of the breeder.

3. Ensure that you are given any KC documentation, if pedigree.

Whilst Midland News Association publications take great care to avoid publication of advertisements from Puppy Farmerswecannot acceptany liability should readers purchase from this kind of establishment.

Changesare keytoCorolla’s success

BILLMcCARTHY

Estate cars or tourers have evolvedfromlarge barges to thesleek and stylish.

They marrycoupe-likestyling, with little compromise on interior space,witheye-catchingprofiles.

Recently upgraded,itseems hard to believeCorolla hasbeen around since1966and hasbeenthe best-selling carinthe world

So incrementalchangehas been thekey to itssuccess

It nowfeaturesthe newToyota SmartConnect+multimediasys tem, newtrims,colours andaspe cialnew version of theCorolla Trek TouringSports, apumped-upmore muscular version of theestate.

It looksgood with aswooping, coupe-likeprofile andlarge low set grillecomplemented by slim head lightclusters. Therearfeaturesa more steeplyraked rear screenand onthismodel,twinexhaust pipes

Theinterior features theupgraded ToyotaSmart Connect+ which provides much faster response and provides newfunctions andoperates 2.4times faster than thepre vioussystem.

It is operated viathe eight-inch centraltouchscreen to give instant access to aseriesofsmart connect ed services, includingcloud-based navigation with continuous, “always on”trafficinformation

The“HeyToyota” voicecontrol requests canoperate themultime diaand navigation

Software updatesare madeseamlessly over theair,and easy smartphoneintegrationisprovidedvia AppleCarPlay,withwirelesscon nection, andAndroid Auto by con nector

Allspecs come with automatic rear camera,LED headlights,heated frontseats with this range-topperall kindsofbells andwhistles like18-inch alloywheelsBi-LED headlights andpart-leatherseat

upholstery.The soft-touch finish, satinchrome trim andpiano black finish give thecar apremium feel andisacomfortable placetobe. Boot capacity is 581litreswith theseats in place, whichexpands dramatically in true estate fashion with therearseats folded

Theone-touch remote lever folds therearseats to create afully flat floor, whilesidewallstorage pock etsbehindthe rear wheelhousings addextra capacity

Expertsinhybridtechnology with theintroductionofthe Prius,

thetwo-litre petrolengine/electric motorhybridset-updeliversgood pace andeconomy delivered viaa CVTtransmission.

Engine andmotor combinetodeliver180bhp,which propelsthe car to 60mphinaroundeight seconds with claimedeconomyofbetween 50 and60mpg

Ride andhandlingare goodfor abig car, with theride firm feeling composedand capableofdealing comfortablywithall butthe worst surfaces

Toyotahas stuckwithself-charg-

inghybrids,which meansthere is no need to worry over finding charging points

They complement otherplug-in andfull electric models with alloffering thebenefitoflower taxation andbenefit-in-kindtaxation.

AllToyotas provideextensive safety kitand theCorolla offers driver andfront passengerfront andsideairbags,driver’s knee airbags andfull-lengthcurtain shield airbags

Otherfeatures includePre-Col lision System,adaptive cruise control, lane departurewarning and Road Sign Assist,which recognis es road signsand commands and showsthemonthe centraldisplay

FACTFILE

TOYOTA COROLLA SPORTS TOURER EXCEL2.0 HYBRID

Price: £36,260

Mechanical: 180bhp,1,987cc, 4-cylinder petrol engine andelectric motor driving front wheels viaaCVT automaticgearbox

Maxspeed: 112mph 0-62mph: 8.1seconds

Combined mpg: 50-53

CO2emissions:118g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles

Porscheaddsnew baby to 718range

Porsche hasintroduced astrikingnew StyleEdition to its718 Cayman and Boxstermodels.

Setapart from therestofthe range through itsRubystar Neoexterior colour–which harksbacktothe 964-gen eration911 CarreraRS– theStyle Edition incorporates 20-inchgloss black alloywheelsand blacksport tailpipes ThePorsche name is emblazonedat thebackinhigh-gloss silver, too.

On theconvertible 718Boxster Style Edition, theBoxster letteringisembossedabove thesidewindows

Buyers opting forthe 718Style Edition canchoosefromone of twono-cost packages –one whiteand oneblack Both featuredecorative stripesonthe luggagecompartment lidatthe front, as well as decorative letteringrunning alongthe side of thecar

Thereare also blackand whitehigh

glosspaint finishes forthe wheels.

TheStyle Editioncarsalso geta blackleather interior packagewith contrast stitching, as well as illuminateddoorsillsand thePorsche crest appliedtothe headrests. Allcarscome with an upgraded levelofstandard equipment,too,including Bi-Xenon headlights with LEDdaytime running lights, AppleCarPlay andcruisecon trol. Dual-zoneclimate controlis in cluded as standard too, as is aheated multifunctionsteering wheel.

TheStyle Editionis basedupon entry-levelversionsofthe Boxster andCayman, whichusesafour-cylinderturbocharged petrolenginewith 295bhp and380Nm of torque, driven to therearwheelsthrough astand ard-fitsix-speed manual gearbox Porsche’s PDKautomatic canbe fit tedas an optional extra,too

Leonie is making amark in themiddleofthe park

JOEEDWARDS

Having takenuprefer eeingonawhim, Leonie Pryorisnow thriving in theworld of rugbyand hopes many others will follow suit.

Pryor,fromBurwarton,admits shewas ‘quite late’torugby and afteran injury forced hertostep away from playing, sheturnedto officiating

What wasonlyoriginallyintended to be ahobby to keepher involved in thesport hasnow turned into a full-timerolewiththe RFUand the chance to be involved in elite-level fixtures –havingservedasan as sistantreferee forthe rugbysevens at theCommonwealthGames in the summer

“I wasquite late to rugby. Istart ed playinginmyearly 30s, got smashedabout afew times, and then decidedtoget into refereeing afterakneeoperation –thanksto an injury on therugby pitch,”ex plainedPryor

“WhenIdid thecoursein2015, Ionlythought I’dgo anddoafew kids gamesatthe localclub.

“I didn’t have anyambitions to do anything else.The chairman of the NorthMidlandssociety,though, just said ‘why wouldn’t you do senior rugby?’

“I kind of shrugged my shoulders andwentwiththe flow, andit’sgone onfromthere

“I’vehad four Women’sPremier ship Cupgames whichI’vebeen refereefor,and I’ve been thefourth officialfor theEngland/Ireland women’s fixturein theSix Nations.

“Lastyear, Iwas assistantref eree at theRed Bull Sevens at St George’s Park,which wasunder Covidrestrictionsand awarm-up eventfor theOlympics.

“I’vebeenassistant refereeing at men’sNationalLeague2.Ilove

beingpartofthe team of matchofficials forthese fixtures,it’sa fan tastic opportunitytoworkwithand learnfromrefereesoperatingat higher levelsofthe sport.”

Pryor’srise from grassroots rugby to refereeing professional fix tureshas seen herentrusted with thedevelopment of young match officials

TheRFU areaimingtoboost participationin women’s rugbyand developmorereferees, with various courses availableacrossthe coun try.

“I runthe YoungMatch Official

programmeat theNorth Midlands society,” said Pryor. “It’sopento anyone.There’s ayoung girl I’ve coachedthrough that programme whonever playedrugby

“She’d been told by aboy at school that ‘girls can’treferee’, andnow sherefereessenior men’sgames.So, that’s pretty cool. She’sdefinitely provedhim wrong.

“Wecoach andmentorthose youngsterscomingthrough,and I also work forthe RFUas aMatch OfficialDeveloper

“I started that in Januaryofthis year.Sodoing aref’s course on a

whim to stay in thegamehas led to aprofession, beinginvolvedin coaching andmentoring refereesat alllevelsofthe community game.”

Pryor callsherself the‘weeref eree’and is awell-respected figure amongfellowofficials andplayers alike.

The five foot (not your stereotyp ical referee) 40-year-oldevenspent herlastbirthdayrefereeinga Wolverhampton first-team matchand lovesthe camaraderiethatcomes with it

“That’swhy Igiveupalot of my free time to go anddoit,”saidPry or

“There wasa game last season at Ludlow wheretheywereplayingHereford, so it couldhavebeen quiteaclash.

“Ludlow won24-0 andIhad both teamspraisingme. Iwentintothe clubhouseafterwards andhad three oldboysfromHerefordtelling me what agreat game I’dhad and how much they enjoyedit.

“That’sjustthe icingonthe cake if you canget praise from thelosing team

“I’vehad agood laughand made some amazingfriends alongthe wayhad greatexperiences both and offthe pitch, despitegetting into it quitelate.

“I have to thankNeilReid-Warrilow, whoisalso from Shropshire, forhis help.Hehas takenmeunder hiswingand coachedmefor thelast fewyears, Iwouldn’tbewhere Iam withouthis guidance andencouragement.”

On otherspotentially followingin herfootsteps, sheadded: “There’ll be massiveopportunitiescoming down thelineand thegrowthofthe women’sgameis farexceeding any otherpart of thegame. Especially nowthe RFUhavewon thebid to host WorldCup 2025

“It’sgrown exponentially, really, andit’samazing to seewhatgetting into refereeing does foryoung wom en’s personal growth anddevelop ment,asithas done forme.”

Champions are playingcatch up in thetitle race

ChelmarshBare in danger of finishingoutside thetop two of theBridgnorth &District SnookerLeaguefor the first time in 34 years.

Acrushing4-1 defeat at the handsofleaders Broseley B, leaves thereigningchampions five points offthe pace andneed ingtoplaycatch up in orderto keep theiruniquerecordintact.

Andonthisoccasionthe 4-1 windid not flatterBroseley.It wouldhavebeen5-0 if it hadnot been fora blackballwin from Gary Smithagainst Andy Car son.

Pete Thompson, Mick Bre zwyn,Eddie Mullardand Paul Lloyd allcruisedtovictory as Broseley Bextendedtheir lead at thetop ofthe tabletothree points whileChelmarsh B slippedtofourth.

Chelmarsh’sdefeatallowed ChelmarshSc andMaddocksto move up in to second andthird positions –bothteams also win ning 4-1against Broseley Aand Woodfieldrespectively.

ForChelmarsh, Carl Walker wasincruise controlagain as he beat Andy Garbett. Meanwhile, ChrisPetford, IanPostans and TerryAskew didnot find it quite so easy when playingagainst BrianEdwards,NeilCaswell andGaryWatson.

Matt Smout, whohas been in fine form of late,earnedBrose leytheir consolation by beating Matt Judd.

Maddocks’sDan Morris, Tom Maxfieldand JamesBrennan were never troubledintheir threeframesagainst Woodfield’s RichardCastle, JasonMor risand Luis Ferraro. Maxfield knockedinthe highestbreak of thenight, 48

Paul Harper knew that he wasinagameplaying against Callum Drewettbut managedto pull through, whileNeilPearson wasMaddocks’sonlycasualty, losing to Pete Hyland

St.John’sAcontinued their recent return to topformwitha 5-0 cruise againstAlveley C. Dave Summers,MartinLip pitt andTim Steele were never troubled; thebestperformance coming from Summerswho re corded a33break when beating SteveColdecott

ShifnalTownFCLadieshavebeen

Football fever is currently sweeping thenationwiththe World Cupunder wayand Veezu– which operates acrossthe SouthWest of Englandand as Go Carz in the Midlands as well as AmberCarsin Leedsand Dragon TaxisinWales hasalwayschampionedfootballat alllevels.

Although theWomen’sWorld Cupdoesn’t take placeuntil 2023, ShifnalTownFCLadies, whoplay in West Midlands Regional Women’s Football League,are looking forwardtotheir ownfuture fix turesin theirnew Go Carz-spon soredawaykit

Fans visiting ShifnalTown’s AcoustafoamStadium home ground mayalsospotGoCarz’s brandedbanner.

MariaBell, captainofShifnal FC Ladies said:“Thenew kitspon soredbyGoCarzhas helped boost morale afteratough fewyears for sport.

“We’re really grateful to have a biglocal brandonboard andhope thekit brings us luck at this season’sawaygames.”

Graham Hoof, Go Carz Regional Director,said: “We’re delightedto have been able to supportShifnal Town FC Ladies with newkit.It’s importanttousthatwegive back to thelocal community, andhope ourefforts help theteamhave everysuccess.”

AndalthoughRob Powell’s game wasalittlescrappy at the start, a31break from himend ed anythreatfromReg Burton KevinHawkins completedthe St.John’sroutbybeating Chris Jepson.

St.John’sBclimbed twoplac es afterbeatingAlveley B4-1

On song forthe away team were JasonBrown andKevin Smith, whoonlyallowed their opponentsacombined totalof just seven points

Wins forMikeCrawley and Pete Williamswerealittlemore challenging. Mark Jones put up agood fight andmighthave made it 5-0 hadthe finalblack gone hisway.Thatwas potted by Martin Coffey JnrtoearnAlveleytheir consolation

RefereeLeonie Pryorismaking impressivestrides in therugbyworld

Owen eases to impressive win on homesoil

Telford’sMacauleyOwenex tended hisrecordto5-0 with a decision victoryagainst fellow lightweightEduardo Valverde in FrankWarren’sBTSport show at TelfordonSaturday.

BCBPromotions-managed Owen madethe perfectstart in hishome town,sending his Spanishadversarytothe can vasmidway throughthe open inground thanks to abeautiful straightlefthand.

TheSpaniardremainedde fiantthroughoutthoughand showed some serioustoughness to make it throughtothe final bell as he continuedtobemet by abarrage of shotsfromthe BCB fighter.

Owen started targetingthe body of hisopponentinthe later rounds andhehad successdoing so,withthe Nicaraguan-born Valverde’s grimaces worsening with each shot that landed It wasnot to be though as the experienced Valverdemanaged to getthrough theroundsand denyOwenwhatwould have been hissecondstoppagewin in theprofessionalranks.

The25-year-old dominatedall sixroundsand cruisedtoadom inant points triumph– referee ChrisDeanscoredthe contest 60-53infavourofthe southpaw

No change at the topasrivalswin

Park Rangersand TelfordScaffold ingServicesare stillneckand neck at thetop of theTelford Sunday Football League PremierDivision –bothwithperfect starts andsepa ratedbyaone goal difference

They both won4-0 this week Park away to MadeleyCCand the Scaffs at home to Polonia Telford.

TF3travelled to ShifnalImpe rialsand won3-1 andSandbrook Vaults entertainedApleyUnited andwon by thesamescore

Rose &Crown also maintained theirperfect startatthe topofDi vision Onewitha6-1 winatBell& Bails. Second andthird-placed AFC Phez andFCQueenslostgroundaf tersharing thespoilsinathrilling 4-4draw.

AFCWrekinclosedthe gapon thosetwo with adecisive 6-0win at WenlockOSA andTurf’svisit to CottageSpringended earlythrough playerinjurywiththe scorestand ing5-0 in theirfavour.

TheUnicorn took thespoilsby theodd goal in nine at Wrockwar dine Wood Juniors.

Shifnalseeingdoubleafter successful year on course

Shifnal golferssnatched thedouble in theLadies County ScratchLeague andMinileagueinwhat wasa fittingend to a successfulyear.

Overcoming Llanymynechin the County ScratchLeague final, Shif naltravelled to Ludlow Golf Club forthe clashand returned home victorious with a2-1 success.

TheMinileagueteamalsore turned home with atitle,having beaten Market Draytoninthe final of thecompetition

Both sidescompleted theday with twowins, leaving thematch to be decidedbythe aggregatenumber of holes –which went Shifnal’sway by one.

nnn n

Stafffroma Shropshire insur ance companyare celebratingafter winningacharity golf challenge namedinmemoryofa much-loved former colleague.

TheteamfromHenshalls Insur ance Grouptookonateamfrom ThrogmortonAssociatesWealth Management to competefor The BryanCutterCup at Shrewsbury Golf Club

Andthisyear, it wasthe Hen shalls teamthatwas victorious, bringing home thecup that’s named forBryan Cutter –adirectorofthe firm whodiedafteralongand cou rageous battle with cancer

ThrogmortonAssociatescovered thecosts of theevent andHenshalls have madeadonationof£250to SevernHospiceinBryan’s memory on behalf of everyone taking part Martin Pitchford, forHenshalls, said:“TheBryan Cutter Cupisa wonderfulway to honourBryan’s life andhis memory andithas now become an annual eventthatweall look forwardtoand whichcreates

GOLF sports@mnamedia.co.uk

some really positive friendly rivalry.

“We’dliketothank everyone whotookpart this year,and we’re delightedtohavepippedthe Throg mortonAssociatestothe postby just asinglepoint in theend

“The daywas playedingreat spirit with lots of laughs andban ter, andwe’dliketothink that Bry an waslooking down on us as we broughthis cuphome forthe first time ever.”

Nick Jones,fromThrogmor tonAssociates, said:“It’s always apleasuretojoinour friendsfrom Henshallsfor such an enjoyableand positive day.

“Weweredisappointed to have missed outona hat-trickofwinsas we hadwon both thepreviouschal lenges,but we’llbebackstronger andwell-prepared fornextyearand determined to getour handsback on thecup.”

Golf returns

Arscott Club Captain’sDrive-In: 1 RichardSaunders(17)40pts;2 JohnBunting (10) 39pts; 3Patrick Cudmore(5) 39pts; 4Peter Oakley (21) 39pts.

Ladies’fourclubs anda putter: 1JaneO’Brien (10) 18pts; 2AnneHill (12) 15pts; 3Liz Grif fiths(15)14pts.

Llanymynech

Ladies’12-Hole Stableford: 1Tanya Cook 26pts; 2Ruthie Lockyer 25pts(on countback)

Wrekin

Seniors’ Winter Stableford 2 (9 Hole). Division One: 1Allan Rogers 21/7;2 Phil Fulloway 19/7; 3DaveRobinson19/7. Division Two: 1Keith Gray 22/11; 2Neil McLeod 19/11; 3David Rogerson 18/11.

Scottreaches topofParks association

Shropshirebowls supremoPhil Scotthas nowreached thetop of thetreeinthe BritishParks asso ciation

He waselected presidentofthe body foraminimum term of one year at itsAGM on Saturday AndMalpas-basedScott is al readyBritish Parks’ generalsecre tary,chief executiveand junior or ganiser, whilehis wife Marieisits registrarand ladies secretary.

Having aserving BritishPresi dent meansNorth Shropshire will host theBarlows-backed Senior Merit finals on August 27,inad dition to theJunior andUnder-25 Merits on July 23, thejunior five-a side teamevent in September and an open pairsonOctober 1. Scott, whoisalso chairman of theShropshireassociation and Whitchurch League amongstmany

things,said: “There’s nota lottore port from theBritishParks’annual meeting.

“The only rule change that passed wasthe veterans inter-coun ty will be moving to atwo-day event rather than averylongone dayer. Honararia wasincreased by 10 per cent in line with CPIand allofficers were re-elected,althoughchairman CraigMcGuiganwishestostand down duetoworkcommitments but will carryonuntil areplacementis found.”

n Shropshire bowlskingCallum Wright hasnot enjoyed themost successfultrips up theM6since the main season finished

Butthe 36-year-oldreigning BritishSenior Meritchampionhas signed up foranother journeynorth next month to play in aspecial pro motion

TheShrewsburystarwill play in theChristmas Handicap Invitation 16 at theRed Lion,Westhoughton, Bolton –the home of theBritish Professional Panelwhere he played so many timeslastwinter.Wraight will be joined by step-fatherRich GoddardonSaturday, December 17, in aline-up that includes fellow big guns SimonCoupe,Wayne Ditch field, Noel Burrows, Mike Leach andJoshMordue.

“It’san11amstart with afan tastic fieldof16and thedrawto be made on theday,” said aPanel spokesman.

Wraight’slatestventure to the Winter Sweeps at Cleckheatonlast week endedwithanagonising 21-20 firstround loss to Ross Ingham,the eventual winner of the£160 first prizebeing Yorkshirecountyman Stuart King

Shifnal’stitle-winningScratch League team of RosMoore, Alex Peters,Ann Peters andFernClark gettheir hands on theleague champions’shield

Macauley Owen lands apunch (Pic:QueensberryPromotions)

Henshallscelebrate, from left:Mitch Gough,Adrian Burton,Simon Burdon, Neil Atkinson,MartinPitchford,Mark Freeman andPeter Richardson

Presidentrole for Phil Scott

Morris is themainman forfree-scoringStretton

Church StrettonTownled the wayasthe goals flowed inthe lat estround of SalopLeisure League games.

PremierDivisiontitle hopefuls Strettonfound theirshootingboots to record aresounding 11-0 win againstErcallColtsJuniorsEvo lution

HarryMorristookthe individual plaudits with afour-goal salvo JamesHillwas also in fine form ashebagged ahat-trick whileDean Richards struck twice. Benjamin Hartshorne andMatthew Cole roundedoff thescoring

Butdespite hittingthe goal trail, second-placed Strettonare still playingcatch-upinthe titlerace.

That’s because leadersDawley Town made it aperfect 10 wins from 10 league games.

PreesUnitedwerethe latest side to be sweptaside as they were beat en 5-0

Daniel Beddows andCharlie Knowlessharedtop billing for Dawley with twogoals each.Jeff Watkinswas also on target Ludlow movedupintothe top threeonthe back of a4-0 triumph at home to Broseley

MorganMillardand RyanClarke both foundthe netin firsthalfwith HarryJones andJames Byattadd ingfurther goalsafter thebreak

GobowenCelticcontinued their recent free-scoring form with a comfortablesuccess away to MadeleySports.

They took theirgoaltally to 22 in theirlastthree outingsthanks to a7-2 win.

LewisJones bagged a first-half trickand then addedafourthafterthe break.EdRogers(two) and LouisMorrisjoinedhim on the scoresheet,whileCraig Picken and

Madeley.

TomGalewas ahat-trick hero forMorda United in theirvictory againstShrewsburyUp&Comers

Jordan Gerrard also foundthe nettocompletea4-0 win.

MatthewStuartand JatonVer nonwereontargettoearnWrock wardineWood Juniorsa2-0 suc cess at home to St Martins.

Therewas just onematch in Division

Shrewsbury Club Tour eventproved to be asmash hit

TheITF WorldTennisTourevent held at TheShrewsburyClub–thebiggest indoor women’s tennis tournament staged inthe UK since 1995 –has been hailed an outstand ingsuccess

TheBudgenMotorsW100tour nament featured five players cur rently ranked in theworld’s top 100and waswellsupported by local tennis fans,withacapacitycrowd of more than 500peopleenjoying finals day.

Theeventalsoattracted excellent backingfromthe Shropshirebusiness community.

Dave Courteen, TheShrewsbury Club’s managing director,saidit’s only possible to bringsuchhigh-profile events to thetownbecause of thesupport theclubreceives from around thecounty.

Thetournament, part of the Lawn Tennis Association’s Performance Competitions Calendar, whichaimstoprovide enhanced playingopportunities forBritish players,featured five playerscur rently ranked in theBritish wom en’s top10.

Courteensaid: “The LTA’sdelighted with how thetournament wasstaged. Ithink it exceeded theirexpectationsinterms of all theinteraction andthe events we held around thetennisinthe hospitality marquee opposite themain entrancetothe club

Sportshall League action is finallybackontrack

afterafalltocompletethe twolap race then laterreturning to the tracktowin the five-lap event.

“That’skey in why they wanted to bringthe eventtoShrewsbury becausetheyknowthe local community really respond, including thebusinesscommunity with their excellentsupport

“Itwas agreat eventfromour perspectiveand we aregratefulfor allthe supportfromthe sponsors Withoutthem, theevent wouldnot have happened

“Wehavehad greatfeedback from theLTA andtheyare really keen to come back to Shrewsbury with anotherevent.”

MarketaVondrousova wonboth thetournament’ssingles anddou bles titles

TheShropshireYoung Athletes Sportshall League returned aftera two-year breakwithalmost 80 athletes compet ingagainst each otherat WilliamBrookesSchool, Much Wenlock.

Theleaguehas traditionallyinvolved four competingclubs hosting one meetingwhere under11, 13 and 15 youngsterscompletein indoor runningand fieldcompetitions.

Covidprevented theleaguefrom functioningfor thelasttwo years, whileachangeofleagueorganiser also presented several challenges to theevents returning.

However,great co-operation betweenthe clubsensured asuc cessfulreturntoaction. Oswestry Olympiansheadcoach ChrisTid ridge took on themantleofco-ordi nating theleaguewhileBrankaSukara-FieldingofTelford AC agreed to organise the firstmeeting.Wen lock Olympiansprovidedthe appro priate equipment

Shropshireisfortunateinhav

ingseveral experienced athletics officials whoare regularlyselected to officiate at national events and they made themselves availableensuring thechildren benefitted from having ahigh qualitystarter,timekeepersand track judges to explain theprocedurestothem.

Themeeting startedwithrun ning events both on the flat and over hurdlesbeforethe hall was transformedfor fieldevents. These preparechildrenfor thetradition al outdoortrack and fieldseason andthismeetingincludedvertical jump,standinglongjump, standing

triplejump, chestpushand speed bounce.Other events such as shot put, soft javelin throw&balance testwill featureinfuturemeetings

Therewas no doubtingthe enthusiasminthe hall with tremendous vocalsupport from parents, coaches andother athletes.Thisroseto acrescendoduringthe finalevents whichwerethe fiercely contested relays

Theoutstanding performeron theday wasTelford’s KadishaNwa chukwa,who wonall of her events, whileDulcieRoach of Oswestry showed greatbraverygetting up

Speaking afterthe meeting, co-ordinatorTidridge expressed hisdelight at seeing theevent re turn aftertwo years. He said “The atmosphere in theSportshallalone made allthe effort organising the meetingworthwhile. It wasgreat to seealmost80athletesparticipating in arange of events and, above all, enjoying themselves

“Manyhavestakedclaimsfor se lectionfor theShropshireCounty team forthe West Midlands Cham pionshipstobeheldonMarch 19, though we hopetoarrange further meetingsbeforeteams are final ised.”

Tidridge waskeentothank everyone involvedin theorganis ingand onthe dayand thespirit of co-operation betweenthe clubs whichenabled it to take place.

Though theleaguedid not run last year,itwas possible to fielda county team at theWestMidlands Championshipswhere Oswestry Olympians’ Elliot O’Connor was thetop under-15 athleteacrossthe West Midlands

“Itwould be greattosee aShrop shireathlete follow in hisfootsteps thisyear”,concluded Tidridge

Vondrousova,who reachedthe 2019 French Open final, beat Eva Lysinthe singles final, before part nering Miriam Kolodziejova to vic tory in thedoubles final.

Vondrousova then went straight from ShrewsburytoGlasgow to represent theCzech Republicinthe BillieJeanKingCup Finals

Courteenadded: “The tourna ment wasabig step up from anythingwe’re organisedbefore, both in termsofthe organisation and also thequality of theplay.

“Weshouldn’t underestimatethe qualityofthe tennis we saw. Anum berofplayers competingherewill be in thetop 40 in theworld within thenextyear.

“Wehad aWimbledon semi final istfromearlier this year,Tatjana Maria, playinginShrewsbury, so thetenniswas incredible andthe levelofsupport wasamazing

“We’ve never hadsuchbig attend ancesthroughoutthe week and fi nals daysoldout when we also put in extra seating.

“I am grateful to theteamhereat TheShrewsburyClubfor how hard they worked. We also really appreci atethe supportfrommembers.”

TheTelfordACteam lineup alongsidetheir coachesatWilliamBrookes School and,right, Telford’sKadishaNwachukwa whowon allofher events

Luke Hester repliedfor

Oneand that sawBrown Clee bagtheir firstthree-point haul of theseasoncourtesy of ahard fought 2-1win on theroadatLla nymynech

TheOswestryOlympiansSportshall squadlineup for aphotograph

DAVIES AIMING TO RULE THEWORLD

Liam Davies has set his sightonworld domination afterbeing crowned EBUEuropeanSuper Bantamweightchampion in hishometownof Telford.

TheBCB Promotions-managed boxer,who trains with hisfather Tristan, also addedthe WBCInter national titletohis collection with a unanimous decision victoryagainst Romanian Ionut Baluta

Davies headlinedFrank Warren’s BT Sportshow at theTelford International Centre in frontofa raucous home crowdand followingan otherimpressivevictory he is ready foranother step up

“Itisamazing andanother step up in my career,” said thenew dou blechampion.“Iam13 fights in andI’vewon theEnglish,the WBC, Britishand European titles.

“I’vegot to give myself credit,but Iwillbeback in thegym soonand I’ve conqueredBritain,I’vecon quered Europe andnow let’sgofor theworld.WithBTbehindme, why not?”

The26-year-old dominatedthe earlyroundsas he used hisheight andreach to maintain control.

Thelefthook-uppercut combina tion continuedtohavesuccess for Davies as he walked theshorter Baluta on to short, sharpshots Davies didhavetodealwithalate onslaughtfromhis opponent,but executed hisgameplantoperfection to claima 116-112, 117-111,118-110 decision

“I felt comfortableall theway.I hurt my handsonhis head, andI hadablister that bloody hurt mov ingabout,” said Davies.“ButIgot thejob done, Idoneitinmyhome town as main eventand I’ve got FrankWarrenand allthe teamget ting behind me

“Lookatall thepeoplesupport ingme. Moneycan’t buythat, mem oriesfor life.

“I cruisedthrough the fight again. Idon’t thinkI’vereallybeen tested yetand Iamready foranoth er step up.Iamready to go up and up andup.

“I am levels aboveeveryone else, I’ve dusted everyone in theBritish rankings andEuropeanrankings andIwantthese big fights.The sky’sthe limitand Iwanttotouch thestars.Iamready forwhatever.”

Tigers tastevictory andthendefeat

selves up andwin theshootout.”

ButLeeds gained revengethe following nightinShropshire.

Wilkin:Win was forBucks fans

KevinWilkin reserved special praise forAFC TelfordUnited supporters whosaw theirside record a firstcompetitive win sinceAugust, winning2-1 at KingsLangley in theFATrophy.

“I’m delighted,and most pleasedfor thesupporters, who travelled in strong numbers again,”saidthe Bucksboss.

“We’ve notgiventhemalot to cheerabout this season andit’s forthose people that you most want to achieve.”

Wilkin sawhis teamsecurea firstvictory underhis steward ship in dogged fashion, over turninga1-0 deficittowin with captainMatty Brown’sdramatic injury-timeheadedwinner

“Itwas never goingtobean easy tie,”addedWilkin. “Credit to KingsLangley –they’ve asked questionsofusand couldprob ably countthemselves as alittle unfortunate

“We’ve allbeenonthe endof thosesituationsinthe course of ourcareers, andIcan understandhow disappointingthat canbe, butwhenyou’reonthe rightsideofit, it’s agreat feel ing, andit’snicetobeintothe hat(forthe next round).”

TheBucks fell behind on 17 minutes when JamesKaloczi headed home from afree-kick Kobe JaeChong levelledfor thevisitorswitha stunning strike from 25 yards.

Andwiththe clockticking into sixminutes of addedtimeand thethreatofa penaltyshootout, Browngrabbedthe winner

been even better forthe Tigers

“Tobehonest, we should have wonitinregulationtimewiththe powerplayopportunitywehad in the finalminutes,” he said.“We then should have wonitinovertime with anotherpower play chance but wehad thecharacter to pickour

With DeakanFielder,Jonathan Weaver,NickOliver, ScottMcKen zieand Jack Watkinsstill out, Ti gers addedshort term loanees Jar od Dickensonand Ross Kennedyto theirlineup.

Tigers bagged theopening goal through JasonSilverthornbut the visitors then took charge

JasonSilverthorn Pic: SteveBrodie

BOXING sports@mnamedia.co.uk

Liam Davies celebratesfollowing hisvictory Pic: QueensberryPromotions