Market Drayton Advertiser - 27-Oct-2022

AmotherfromMarket Draytonhas hailed the “brilliant”newsthata pioneeringcharity committed to helpingchildren with movement difficultieshas launched a fully-fundedtreatment programme.

TheMovementCentre in Oswest ry giveschildren thechanceto gain more controloftheir move mentsand reachtheir full potential throughTargetedTrainingThera py,the only treatment of itskindin theworld.Now,thankstothe ongo ingefforts of fundraisers, sponsors

andcharity supporters,familiesno longer have to find thepartial fund ingof£2,000necessary to fund the life-changingtherapy

Andone of the firstchildrento benefitfromthe fully-funded pro gramme is two-year-old Archie Klein, from Market Drayton, who hasSpastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

Archie’s mother Leanne Hoey, said:“It is just brillianttobeable to go aheadwiththe treatment now andnot have to worry abouthow we aregoing to find themoneytopay forit.

have to find themoneysomehow anddidn’tknowuntil ourlastap pointmentthatArchie’s treatment wouldbefully-funded.”

Archie hasbeenset up in astand ingframe with a flat posterior sup port at sacral leveland supportdi rectly belowthe knees to improve hisstandingand stepping abilities

Leanne added: “Archieisatthe agenow whereheisstartingtorealise that he can’tdocertain things butreallywants to –and that pulls at theheartstrings– so to be able to gethim on hisfeetisgoing to be justbrilliant.

“Without this fundingArchie’s treatment wouldhavehad to be de layed, then we foundThe Movement

Centre andthingsare nowlooking much more positive.”

DavidVicary, chairman of trus tees at TheMovementCentre,said: “Thisisahugemilestone anda massivechangefor thecentre and forthose benefiting from theamaz ing workcarried outbyour staff.

“Previouslyfamilieshavehad to pay£2,000for Targeted Training Therapy,which wasthe biggest ob stacle to them accessingthisvital treatment

“Thankstothe commitmentof existing fundraisers andsupport ersweare delighted to be able to make thetherapy foreverychild fully-funded forthe firsttimeinthe historyofthe charity.”

Driver fleesafter carhits lamppost

Emergencycrews were called after acar crashedintoalamppostin Market Drayton.

Three fire engines, includingthe rescue tender,werescrambled from Hodnet,Market Drayton, Prees andWellingtontoreports of acol lision in Riverside Driveat12.24am on Monday.Anoperationsofficer wasalso sent

When they arrivedthe crews foundthe crashscene involvingone saloon vehicle.

No-one wastrapped andthe fire crewsmadethe vehiclesafe.

Thedriver fled thescene.The car wassubsequently recovered.

MP backs bill that calls forelection

NorthShropshire’sMPisbacking a bill calling foraGeneral Election, saying thepublicmustbegiven a sayafterweeks of Conservative ‘chaos’.

LiberalDemocratMPHelen Mor gansaidvotershad been “repeated ly letdown”.

Shehas now backed abill in Par liamentcalling foranearly General Election –byDecember 1.

Thebill wastabledinParliament on Monday

MrsMorganurged MPsfrom acrossthe politicalspectrumto back thebill andgivepeopleasay over thecountry’s future

Inflationblamedfor rise in parking fees

Highways chiefs have blamed in flationfor increasesincharges at councilcar parksacrossthe county.

ShropshireCouncil officials have confirmed that the“smallincreas es”incharges at carparks andonstreet parkingareas will come into effect on Monday

RichardMarshall, Shropshire Councilcabinet member,blamedin flationfor theincrease, saying:“We do appreciatethatpeopleare facing financialpressures at themoment.

“However,tonot increase charg es at allwould mean having to cut otheressential services.”

Archie Kleinwith hisfatherSteve Kleinand physiotherapistSarah MarkBew et Drayton mother Leanne Hoeyand two-year-old sonArchieKlein

“Wewerethinkingwewould

Ballotontaking strike action by ambulancestaff

Ambulanceworkers in Shropshireand MidWales have be gunlooking at taking industrial action

TheGMB Union is beginning theprocess of balloting15,000 workers in thecountry,includingthe West Midlands Ambu lanceService andWelsh Ambu lanceService

GMBsenior organiserStu artRichardssaid: “The last 12 yearshas seen ourambulance services crumblefromthe sheer neglectand lack of investment from successiveConservative governments.Rightacrossthe West Midlands,whenhospitals haven’t been able to admitpatients, it wasambulance workersthathad to step in.When staffing levels were at crisis lev els, it wasambulance workers that took on extra hourstokeep theservice going.”

He added: “Theydeserve betterthan12years of attacksto theirpay.Theydeserveapay rise that redresses thebalance.”

ThevoteclosesonNovember 29

ADepartment of Health and SocialCarespokesman said: “Wevalue thehardworkof NHSstaff andare working hard to supportthem.”

Librarytostage festivecraft day

Residents in Market Draytoncan starttoget into thefestive spirit as an arts andcraft dayhas been announced.

TheteamatMarketDrayton Li brarywillberunningacraft day on November26, from 10am to 3.30pm

Theday will be splitintotwo separatesessions–aChristmas paper lanternworkshopfrom10amto 12.30pm andawooden festive house workshopfrom1.30to3.30pm.

Thelibrary is expectingbothses sions, whichare cashonly, to sell out. Thecostis£5for the firstses sion and£10 forthe second Visitors canalsoenjoy live music, mincepiesand mulled wine

Councildefends hike in carparking charges

Inflation andgrowing maintenancecosts reasonsfor increase

MATTHEWPANTER matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

Highways chiefs have defendedincreases in chargesatcouncil car parksinthe county.

ShropshireCouncilhas confirmed “small increases”incharges at carparks andon-street siteswill come into effect on Monday

Underthe plans–approvedby the council’scabinet in July followinga publicconsultation–the majority of charges inShropshireCouncil-run carparks areset to rise by between 10pand 20p perhour, with other carparks remainingfree.

Thereare seven bandsofcar parksand on-street parkingareas managedbyShropshireCouncil, with bandsone to sixcurrently be ingchargeable, andbandseven be ingfree. Thenew pricinglevelswill seecharges rangingfrom40p an hour up to £2 80

Cabinet member Councillor Rich ardMarshallsaid: “Due to an in creaseinthe rate of inflationand thecostofmanagingand main tainingour carparks andon-street parkingareas,there will be small increases to some of ourparking charges

“Weappreciatepeopleare facing financialpressures at themoment, andwehavesoughttoreducethe increases as much as possible.How ever,tonot increase chargesatall wouldmeanhavingtocut other essentialservicesthatthe council provides

“Thiswillbethe firstincrease in parkingcharges sincethe existingfees were introduced more than threeyears ago.”

Theplanned fees were approved by thecabinet andfullcouncil in February as part of theproposed fees andcharges to be appliedby ShropshireCouncil in 2022/23. The required statutoryconsultationhas been completed, with eightobjec tionsreceived

Visitors enjoyhuntfor fungi

Visitors to afarmnearMarket Draytonhavebeenscouringthe earthin search of some ‘magnifi cent’mushrooms as part of an au tumn event.

Fordhall OrganicFarmhosted its ‘MushroomMosey’, wherevisitors couldexplore thelandand learn more about fungifroman expert, formerly of theShropshireWildlife Trust

As oneofBritain’s oldest organic farms, thelackofpesticideshas al lowedthe fungitothriveand every

year Fordhall’s ‘MushroomMosey’ attractsa grouptosearchthe fields andwoods.

Atotal of 18 people joined the eventthisyearand theforagers were amazedsomeofthe giant puffballstheyfound JohnHughes, trail leader,said: “Fordhallisone of my favourite places to go mushrooming. It’s so varied that everyyearwe find a basketfuland,perhaps thebestbit, is thedeliciousmushroom-based lunchafterwards.”

MP is backing banonfracking inconstituency

MP HelenMorganvoted in favour of banningfrackingasshe reiterat ed herpledgetocampaignagainst anydrilling taking placeinher NorthShropshireconstituency.

Thevoteinthe HouseofCom mons took placeonthe same day that Shropshire Council’sConserv ativeleaderrefusedtoruleout ap provingfrackingapplicationsdur ingameeting of thecouncil cabinet.

Onefrackinglicence is currently in placein north Shropshire coveringlandaroundAdderley,near Market Drayton, as well as neigh bouringCheshire.

NorthShropshirehas previous ly been thesiteofprotestsagainst fracking afterdrilling waspro posedfor coal bedmethane at Dudleston Heath, near Ellesmere. That threat stoppedwhenthe licencefor exploratorydrilling expired.

LiberalDemocratMPMrs Mor gansaid: “The soap operasur rounding this ConservativeGov ernmentshouldnot distract people from thedangerous policies they aretryingtoimplement. Oiland gasbarons–already making huge profits outofthe energy crisis –are nowqueuing up fora sliceofEng land’s countryside

“Peopleacrossnorth Shropshire have made it cleartheydonot want giantdrillsintheir villages.That’s whyIvoted againstfracking.”

Reviseddate forhistory talk

Apreviouslypostponed history eventonthe beauty practicesof the17thand 18th centurieshas been rescheduled.

TheDeadlyBeautyevent will be held on November21from 7pmatMarketDrayton Library.

Theevent provides afascinatinginsightintothe historyof make-up, andthe strangeand oftendangerous practicesfrom theGeorgianperiod. Tickets are£3.

Formoreinformation or to book aplace, contactMar ket DraytonLibrary on 01630 652105oremail marketdrayton. library@shropshire.gov.uk

John Hughes with mushrooms found at Fordhall Farm near Market Drayton

Partialeclipse of suncaughtoncameraincounty

Shropshirewit

Tuesdaymorning wasthe only onevisible from theUKsofar this year

Asolar eclipse occurs when the view of thesun becomesblocked outbythe moon

TALKINGPOINT

fi

north Shropshire

wastaken by Terry

theWhitchurch

JakeFoster, astronomer at Royal ObservatoryGreenwich,said that even though aportion of the sunwas blocked, it didnot getnoticeably darker

He addedthe best placetohave viewed theeclipse wasSiberia, where85per cent of thesun was obscured

Autumnal beauty on show as gardensare open forcharity

HELENMORGAN MP FORNORTHSHROPSHIRE

People aredying waiting forambulances, parents arestrugglingtoput food on thetable andpension ersare wondering howthey will heat theirhomes this winter.

Thereisalot forthe Government to focuson. Butasthe countryjoltsfromcalamityto calamity,there isonlyone crisis theConservatives arefocused on:thatintheir ownparty

Indeed ConservativeParty in fighting hasbeentop of the Tory agenda forthe entiretyof 2022.Itisnot good enough.

Theparty of ‘stability’isnow shakierthanaRobin Reliant dodgingpotholesonthe A53. Theonlyway thenationcan progress is throughaGeneral Election

IhaveseenToryMPafter Tory MP complainingabout the damage that hasbeencausedto theirparty. Butwhatabout the damage causedtothe country?

LizTruss andBoris Johnson have wreakedsomuchhavoc that we cannot afford to allow anotherincompetent Conservative into Number 10

It is time to give thepeople asay.Likealways, when Ireturned from Parliament last week Imet lots of constituents from across NorthShropshire, each with seriousconcernson theirmind. They want to be able to speaktoaGPwhenthey need one, to be able to boarda train on time andtorenew their passportswithout asix-month wait

Visitors to DorothyClive Garden have beentreated to asereneautumn landscapeasthe site opensits doorsinaid of charity.

DorothyClive Garden,nearMar ketDrayton,heldits open dayatthe weekendinconjunction with the National Garden Scheme

Visitors couldexplorethe

MEGANHOWE megan.howe@mnamedia.co.uk

grounds, pathsand thequarry, with profits goingtowards theben eficiaries of theNationalGarden Scheme

As part of thescheme, more than 3,500 gardensinEngland, Wales, Northern Irelandand theChannel Islands open to visitors to raise moneyfor arange of charities.

In 2021,morethan£3million wasraisedfor beneficiaries includ ingMacmillan Cancer Support, MarieCurie,HospiceUK, Parkin sons UK,CarersTrust andThe Queen’sNursing Institute.

Pictured at DorothyClive Garden wasa Taxodium distichum–a deciduousconifer in thefamilyCupressaceae, whichhad been litup by thesetting sun.

Thehistory of DorothyClive Garden datesbackto1958, when

ColonelHarry Clivemadeawar time decision in 1940 to providehis wife Dorothy–who suffered from Parkinson’sdisease–withaseries of walks

It hassincegrown to be apopulartourist spotand is runby ateam of volunteers whoaim to maintain thegrounds andfurther developthe site forthe benefitofthe public To find outmoreabout Dorothy CliveGarden visitdorothyclive garden.co.uk

None of these should be luxu ries in theUnitedKingdom but that is exactlywhattheyhave become underaConservative Government

Voters acrossNorth Shropshireshowedtheywerealready fedupwiththe Tories when they voted me in last year.One year laterand thecountry has only movedbackwards.

It’s time forchange. It’s time foraGeneral Election

solar

@terryhughes.8

Arobinspotted in thegardens by photographer

ThJamieRicketts eautumnalcolours at Dorothy CliveGardens near Market Drayton

Womaninjured at nature reserve

Police want to speaktoa dogwalker afterawoman washurtinan as saultatanaturereserveinTelford

Police saythe woman suffered minor injuries in theincident at theCockshuttNatureReserve off Mafeking TerraceinWrockwardine Wood on Friday of last week

Officers saytheywould liketo speaktoanotherwoman in connec tion with theincident, whichhap penedatabout 11am

Sheisdescribedasinher 50swith blonde/greyshoulder-length hair

“She waswearing glasses, a whitetie-dye patternshort-sleeved T-shirt, dark walkingboots and waswalking agrey-silverLabra dor,”apolicespokespersonsaid.

“Anyonewithany information that couldhelpidentify herisasked to please getintouch.”

Informationcan be given to the police online at westmercia.police. uk/contact/af/contact-us/orcall101 quotingreference 22/103113/22

Town’s heroes arecelebrated

Communityheroeswererecently honoured fortheir incredible work.

ShifnalTownCouncil staged a‘CelebratingShifnal2022’ at St Andrew’s Church Awards were given outand presentationsmadebyRever endChris Thorpe andMayor Councillor RogerCox

JohnSharrockwas honoured forhis voluntaryworkwith ShifnalShockersand TimWas dell praised for his voluntary workwithShifnalShuttle.

RichardClarkecollected an awardfor hisvoluntarywork with ShifnalShuttle, Barrie Fisher washonouredfor 38 yearsofdedicated work at Id sall School andAdrianElsdon pickedup an honour forhis support forthe communityassite managerfor theShifnalTown Centre refurbishment.

Lorrycollides withscaffolding

Motorists were urgedtoavoid a main road in Newportafteralor ry crashedintoscaffolding outside ashop.

Thecollision happened on Staf ford Road, at theentrancetothe town’s businterchange andmain town centre carpark.

Officers tapedoff an area in front of shops.

Therewas damage to thescaffoldingand lorry butnobodywas injured.

NewportSafer Neighbourhood Policing Team urged peopletoavoid theareaasthe road waslikelytobe closed forsome time.

Councillor Thomas Jankesaidon socialmedia:“Pleasebeaware,the scaffoldingoutside Societyappears to have been clippedbyawagon and hasfallenintothe road

“Don’t thinkanyonewas hurt thankfully. Police on site,please avoidthe area.”

Loving tributepaidtocricketer andfamilyman

Tributes have been paid to a Shropshire-borncricketer who captainedthe Midlands intours acrossthe globe.

DonLowe, whowas born in 1933 andwenttoschoolinNewport, represented hiscountyand also enjoyedsuccess with Wolverhamp tonCricket Club –captainingthe teamfor five yearsand also repre sentingthematLord’s.

He leaves behind loving wife Valerie, daughtersAnnaand Ra chel andhis grandchildren.

Wife Valeriesaid: “Don wasvery family-orientated.Hehad huge energy andabig personality.He wasa fabulous manand someone

whowould neverget bored. He had manyinterestsinhis life butcrick et wasacentralpassion of his.”

Having wonascholarship to Ad amsGrammar School in Newport, Don’ssportingability wassoon identified andnurturedbycricket coachJohnGuise

He wasselected to play forthe ShropshireSchools under-16s team andcontinued to play cricket at everyopportunity. An attacking middle-order batsman, Donrepre sented Shropshire Minor Counties team 53 timesand captainedthem in 1964 and1965, scoringthe first centuryfor thecounty, hitting112 againstSomerset

He joined WolverhamptonCrick et Club andcaptained theirFirst X1 from 1967 to 1972

In 1973,hewas also part of the Wolverhamptonteamwhich won theDHRobinsCup –atLord’s, beatingMaidstone-based Mote.

Donwentontocaptain theMid landsClubCricket Conference (MCCC)onatourofAustralia and theFar East in 1973 andthe West Indies in 1974.Healso captained theMidlandsKingfisher Tour of SouthAfricain 1975

Don’sfuneral will take placeon November2 at St Michaels and AllAngelsChurch, Tettenhall at 1.30pm

Work of food bank is boosted by donation from councillor

PAUL JENKINS paul.jenkins@mnamedia.co.uk

Thesupport offeredby NewportFoodBank hasbeengiven an ex traboost with agrant of £1,000 donatedbya kind-hearted councillor from thetown.

PeterScott,who is an independ entonNewport Town Council, also represents Northand West Ward on Telfordand Wrekin Council.

Eachmember at county level is given £10,000 from Telfordand Wrekin Council to distribute to worthycausesunder thecouncil lors’ pridefundscheme.

Challenges

Councillor Scotthas given part of themoneytothe food bank

It is –hesays–inrecognition of thechallenges it is facingwiththe cost of living crisis, utilitybill rises andthe implications forincreased use around thoseissues.

He said:“It’s notjustindividuals whoare facing increases in billsand costs, thefood bank is having to pay forthe premises, heatingand lightingbeforetheyeventhinkabout welcomingpeopleinand handing outsupplies.

“Theyalso providehelpand ad vice andthere arecosts associated with that –everyoneissuffering in oneway or anotherat themoment andifIcan do somethingtohelpa little bitwiththatI will

“I have seen formyself firsthand theworktheydointhe community anditisnot just forthe homeless or vulnerable,increasinglyweare seeing working people whomay be paid month-to-month seekingtheir help.”

Christmasfairphoto opportunity

Therewillbeplentyoffestive funtobehad at aChristmas fair plannedfor December

St Andrew’s Church,Shifnal will be holdingits eventonSatur day, December 3.

It will take placefromnoon.

Amongthe funwillbetoy and bottle tombolas,alucky dipand a ‘namethe teddy’competition

Thechurchwill also welcome

professional photographer, Emily MorganPhotography Shewill come alongwithher Christmas backdrop andwill be able to providepicturesfor families

Photos will cost £12eachor four for£40 with apercentage goingtowards thechurch’s‘warm winter spacescheme’

Thefood bank is well established in thetown, having been setupby NewportChristian Fellowship in 2013

It is entirely runbyvolunteers andsupport from thelocal community

It is currentlyappealing for tinned meat,veg andsoup, toilet ries,pasta,biscuits andother sweet treats.

Thereare variouscollection points roundthe town or donations of cash canbemadeinstead.

Fundingforum aimedatsports clubs

Asportsforum is offering grants to clubswithinthe area buthas also vowed to help provideadviceon findingmoresupport Oswestry Sports Forumoffers £500 grants to clubswithin10miles of thetowntohelpsupport thecost of maintaining andimproving ex isting facilities.

Butthe groupisalsoholding a FundingForum Eveningtoadvise

clubsofnationaland local sources of grants.NickHerbert, Energize STW, hasoffered to promote Sport England’s “Peopleand Places” and “ActiveTogether” fundsata free to attend eventnextThursday, from 7pmatOswestryRugby Club

Refreshments will be served and therewillbea raffle. Contactsu sie@oswestrygames.co.uktobook aplace

CouncillorPeter Scottatthe food bank with KimBromley,LaurieNorton, Sue Longley andMargaret Chapman

Don Lowe whohas died

Eighties band arestill Kingsin aCatholic style

CHINACRISIS Festival DraytonCentre: By John Hargreaves

Eighties band ChinaCrisisopened at theFestivalCentrewiththe B-side of an early hit–‘It’s Never TooLate’ –which setuptheirshow perfectly.

“It’s taken us 40 years to get here,” said vocalist Gary Daly.“Ihopeit’sworth it.”

Billed as their40thanniversary ‘RETROspective Tour’, therewerethankfullynobackdropprojec tionsproving they once hadalot more hair,orboast fulaccounts of howhigh each hithad climbedinthe charts

Insteadwegot amix of greatmusic andlaugh-out loud humour from abandthatwereclearly enjoying what they were doing– improvisingattimes without aset list,playfullydodging in andout of thevivid beamsfrom floorlights, andgenerally charming the socksoff Market Drayton. It wasworth everypenny. AlongsideGaryDaly, hisfriendfromschooldays in Kirbyand co-founder of thebandEddie Lundon sang andplayedguitar. Proudlydeclaring them selves ‘senior citizens’there wasnothing past-the sell-by-date abouttheir performance. With talented youngstersJack Hymers on synthand Eric Animan on saxeithersideofthem, theirharmoniessounded strong andtheir soundfresh

Pleasers

Temptation’s BigBlueEyesmadea good start, Lundon’s explanation“We just sang aboutgirl friendsand Kirby” beingspoton. ‘AmItoo serious? /Maybe tooyoung at heart/toostupidtounderstand /mypoliticsaone nightstand.’

Astringofcrowd pleasersfollowed, including StrengthOfCharacter,African andWhite’(“And life is just afever”)and Fool.ThenLundonsuccessfully goaded theentireaudienceontoits feet “You should make themostofit, because it lookslikehalfofyou won’tbeherefor our50thanniversary tour”tosing along, clap,and swinghipstoKingInACatholic Style, Tragedyand Mysteryand Christian.

With four granddaughters born in thelastfew years, Lundon declared that menhavehad agood crackofthe whip andLiz Trussnotwithstanding,he hoped thefuturewould be abit more female He askedthe Centre’s lighting whizzWill Shelley to dimthe spotsand illuminate theaudience. He made visual contactwithfemales as he movingly serenadedthemwitha song he wrotefor andabout hiswife, andwhich he hadsungtoher on theirwed ding night: My SweetDelight.

living in Market

don

andjoinin

aspooky partyata pubinthe town this weekend.

Familieslivinginthe town have been encouraged to dressupand join theteam at TheJoiners Arms on Saturday forsome Halloweenfun Festivitiesget underway at 8pmatthe pubinShrewsburyRoad

Prizes areupfor grabs forthe best make up effects, as well as thebestcostume.

Adiscoand karaokewill keepthe pubgo ersentertained,whileHalloween-themed cocktailswill be availablefromthe barfor £3.50.

Ashowmixingmusic with dryhumour will be thenextArtsAlive concertatChel marshParishHallthisweekend Much AdoAbout Jazz is atwo-man show featuringmusicians Al Gurr andChris Gumbley. It starts on Saturday at 7.30pm

Aspokesman said:“It is an irresistible combination of classicjazz– thinkGersh winand Brubeck– anddry humour,incor poratingplentyofaudienceinteraction

“Highlyentertaining, whilemaintaining ahighlevel of musicalintegrity,the show offers an insightintohow jazz musicians work.”

Ticketsare £14. Thebox office number is 01746862850.

Police have been visiting shopstoask them not to sell eggs and flourtounder-18s over Halloween.

TheTelford SouthSafer Neighbourhood Team said officers were goingtosupermar ketsand shopsaskingfor theirsupport over theperiod.

They said that some of theshops would be displaying thepoliceposters advising thattheywillrefusetoselleggsor flour to anyone under18not accompaniedbyan adult.

Theinitiativeispartofefforts to crack down on anti-socialbehaviour acrossthe borough.

Gary Daly,leadsinger of China Crisis

List of 50 ‘warm banks’for winter

Acouncil hasconfirmed that more than 50 communityspacesand councilbuildings will be opening theirdoors to welcome residents feelingthe cold this winter

Lastmonth, ShropshireCouncil vowedtooffer thepublicplacesto go to keep warm in thefaceofrising energy billsasfears over thecostof living crisis sawmanypledge to not turn theirheatingonthiswinter.

Now, thecouncil haslaunchedthe Warm Welcome project,which high lights communityvenueswhere peoplecan go,for free,tosocialise andkeepwarm.

Locationsinclude libraries, leisurecentres, churches andcommu nity centres.

Alistofeverylocationsignedup to theschemeisavailable online from thecouncil’s website,orby phoning0345678 9012

Thecouncil saythateachlocation will soonbearthe Shropshire Warm Welcome logo

Advice to help on energy cost

Energy saving advice will be availableat an eventtonight (Thursday).

SustainableNewport Shropshireisrunningatalkonenergy with hintsand tips on ways forpeopletoreduceusageofgas andelectricity

It will take placeatNewport Navy Club,BellmansYard, Newportand thebar will be open from 7.15pm fora7.30pm start.

Register foryourfree ticket at eventbrite.co.uk/ e/438565871327

SustainableNewport Shropshireisagroup of residents from Newportand thesurrounding villages concernedabout plas tics,pollution,climate change, fossil fuel dependency andhow to live more sustainablyinline with theUnitedNations Sustainable development goals.

Cheapest foods ‘soaring’ in cost

TheUK’smostsqueezedhouseholds areseeingthe pricetheyhavetopay forsomeofthe cheapestfood in the supermarket soaringbynearlytwo thirds,new data hasrevealed.

Theprice of theleast expensive pastathatunder-pressureshoppers canget hasrisenby60per cent in thelastyear, accordingtothe Office forNationalStatistics.

Thecheapestvegetable oilonsupermarket shelves hasjumped by 65 percent.

Statisticians have collected more than amillion prices from supermarket websitesoverthe past year to comparethe cost of thecheapest availableproduce

It allows them to better understandthe impact of thecost-of-liv ingcrisisonpoorerhouseholds.

They said that thecheapesttea had risenin priceby46per cent, chipsrose39per cent,bread wasup 38 percentand biscuits up 34 per cent

Recognitionfor fundraising firefighters

Firefighters have been honoured fortheir effortsingoing above and beyond Newport fire stationcollected theTelentCharity Shield at Theatre Severnaspartofaceremony forShropshireFireand Rescue Service. Theceremonymarkedone of thelastbeforethe retirement of ChiefFireOfficerRod Hammerton andfollowedincredibleefforts to raise money forthe familyoftheir late crew managerShane Evans.

Theteamraisedmorethan £5,000 andare continuing their activities includingpreparing for

MATTHEWPANTER

matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

a24-hour 100kmcharity walk in thePeakDistrict. Bridgnorth fire fighters were also honoured with theDaveBishton ChallengeShield. Theaward goes to the fire station or department whichhas raised the most moneyfor TheFirefighters Charity. Bridgnorth Fire Station raised£3,642fromtextile recycling collections, carwashes, thecarnival parade andChristmas collections TheHighSheriff’s Good Citizen

Award, whichisgiven to an indi vidual or groupwhich hasmadea substantial contribution to society, went to Jeremy Chambers andthe crew at PreesFireStation

Presenting awards,Lord-Lieu tenant MrsAnnaTurnersaid: “It’s always an honour andaprivilege to meet membersofthe serviceand convey theappreciationofthe peopleofShropshirefor allthatyou do” Miniaturemedalsfor family membersofserving firefighters were presented by Councillor Eric Carter,chairmanofShropshireand Wrekin Fire Authority.

Red flag raised as thenumberof ailingbusinesses in county on rise

Thenumberofailing businesses in Shropshire hasrisensharply,new figuresshow

Expertshavecreated a‘RedFlag Alert’ to highlight firmsthatare in danger of goingtothe wall

Thenumberofstruggling firms in Shropshire reached3,220 in the thirdquarter of this year –a five percentrise on thepreviousquarterand twoper cent up on 2021 BegbiesTraynor’s RedFlagAlert, whichmonitorsthe financialhealth of Britishcompanies,saysthe fig ures reflect“turbulent times”

It says particular difficultiesare beingfaced by therealestateand property industry in thecounty, with thenumberofthose business es in distress increasing by up to a quartercomparedtolastyear.

Mark Malone,apartner at Begbies Traynor representing Shropshire, said:“We areineconomically turbulent times, wherebusinesses arebeing battered on multiple fronts by increasing costsinenergy, rawmaterials andlabour

“Coupled with the increasedcost of borrowingand theprospect of rising corporationtax now around thecorner, this is averychallengingtimetobein business.”

He urgedbossesexperiencingdif ficultiestoseekurgenthelpfroma financialexperttohelpguide them through difficult timesahead

He added: “We’durgecompany directorsand business owners who areworried abouttheir ability to tradethrough this difficult period to seek professional advice in or dertounderstandwhatsteps they mightbeabletotaketoput them on astrongerfooting.”

Firstlookatnew retirement complexwith70apartments

Developers behinda newretirementliving scheme forover-55s have released acomputer-generatedimage of howthe development will look.

TheNewport scheme is being builtoff StationRoadbythe WrekinHousing Groupand developers Keon Homes,and is settoopenin 2024

Thesite, underWrekin’sShireLiving brand, will offer70modern apartments designed to make re tirement lifeeasierand moresecure

Allofthe apartmentswill be availablefor affordable rent andthe developmentwill also includeanonsite café andlandscapedgardens.

Thegroup said that theon-site

team woulddeliver care andsup port services andfacilitate avibrant socialcommunity

CharlottePrince, development manageratthe Wrekin Housing Groupsaid: “Our newextra care scheme will bringhugebenefits

to Newportand itssurrounding communities. This is an exciting newproject that will help meet the growingdemandfor olderpeople’s housingand create much-neededjob opportunitiesfor localpeople.

“Our ShireLivingbrand hasa

strong trackrecordwhenitcomes to providingmodern, secure and vibrantfacilities that allowour ten ants to enjoy ahassle-free retire ment

“Our Newportextra care scheme formspartofour ambitious £170m development programme, which will seeusdevelop 1,400new homes acrossTelford &Wrekin.”

Warren Bolton,directorofKeon Homesadded: “Thisschemeisina veryconvenient location,has great transportlinks andrange of local amenities.

“By2030there will be over 100,000 people in Shropshireover theage of 65 andwewill also see arise of 86 percentinpeopleaged over 85

“Thisschemeisanexampleof Keon andour partners commit ment to invest andbuild high quality energy efficienthomeswhich will make ourlives easier to manage as we getolder.Weare lookingforward to seeing thisschemeprogress.”

Newportofficers collectthe Telent Charity Shieldduring theawardsceremonyatTheatre Severn,Shrewsbury

Alook at theplanneddevelopmentoff StationRoad

If LizTruss had an unen viable in-traywhenshe en teredNumber10, RishiSunak’slooks even more of a challenge.

That,innosmall part,is down to theveryshort-lived butchaotic period of LizTruss’s premiership, whichhas cost the UK tens of billionsofpounds.

Allofthe challenges shefaced remain,but with addedinsta bility in themarkets that has alreadyled to high mortgage ratesfor millions

So whilethere arefactors in play,not leastthe warin Ukraine, whichare conspiringtomakelifedifficult forall countriesinthe West,many of theConservatives’woesare self-inflicted. Mr Sunakwas outspokeninhis opposition to LizTruss’s tax-cutting agen da and the criticism he voiced provedtoberight.

He accurately forecast the dangersofhis predecessor’spol iciesand must nowbegin to un ravelsome of themess created.

Mr Sunak hastodeliver the sense of stability andcertainty this countryneeds. Spiralling energy costs, inflation, thecostof-livingcrisisgenerally,strike action on ascale notseenfor many years– plus of course the conflictinUkraine –are among thechallenges facinghim.He must deliver,and deliverquick ly.Itwill notbeeasy. He must govern aToryParty that has been describedasbeing ungovernable. He is viewed by asmall butvocal cohortofBoris Johnsonloyalists as beingthe man whobrought down theirprime minister.Hewill be associated by Labour with theeconomic challenges that have left Britain in aparlous state. Andhewill face afurther roundofausterity as he seekstoreassurethe marketsand getBritain on track

Level

Mr Sunak must levelwiththe Britishpublicabout theterrible trade-offsweface. If we wish to maintain thecurrent level of publicspending, taxeswill have to rise.Ifwewishtoavoid taxrises, spending will have to be cut, whichwillmeanpoorer publicservices–and some of thesealready appeartohave been paredtothe bone.The ideaofwagerises forpublic sector workers that keep pace with inflationappears to be anon-starter.There areonly hard decisions ahead.

Even so,MrSunak’s appointment brings theprospect of much-needed stability at thetop of government

TheConservatives have amaximum of twoyears to straightenthe UK’s financ es.The manifesto that un derpinned the2019election triumphislargely irrelevant –itwas writtenpre-Covid and pre-Russia’s warinUkraine, both of whichhavehad apro foundimpact.

Thepledges made to redwall seatsare goingtobehardto keep,whileuniting the ConservativeParty mayeven prove thehardest task of all.

New PM isfacingan in-traylike no other

Newprime minister RishiSunak will face a daunting setofchallenges,exacerbated by the chaoticlegacyleftby Liz Truss.

Here aresome of themostpress ingissuesinthe No 10 in-traybefore RishiSunak

THEECONOMY

Inflationisrunning at a40-year high of 10.1 percentaccording to thelatestconsumerpricesindex figures, causing a significant squeezeonhousehold finances

Theenergypackageput in place by Ms Trusswill help to ease the pressure on bills and should pre ventinflationreachingthe peaks that hadbeenpredicted,but Mr Sunakwillneed to decide what help will beonoffer beyondApril

Thebiggest task facing theincoming primeministerwill be reas suring the financialmarkets, after sterling and the price of government bondssaw wild fluctuations during theshort-livedTruss ad ministration andthe mini-budget fiasco.

Ms Trusshad gambledeverything on boosting economic growth, but insteadher successor will inherit acountry headingfor apotentially prolonged recession.

STRIKES

Therisingcostofliving, andthe failureofwages to keep pace,has ledtoawaveofindustrialunrest.

Strikeshavealready hitthe transportnetworks andfurther ac tion couldbetaken by public sector workers,including nurses, teachers andcivil servants

UKRAINE

Theshift in Russiantac targetingcivilian in andcitycentreshas un enduring threat posedb Putin.

Theriskofa nuclea is beingtaken seriouslyi andthe risk of an acci triggering awider confro underlined when amis leased in errorbyaRus aUKspy planeover theB

CHINA

Thesweepingreviewo eign anddefence policy ried outunder BorisJoh labelled Chinaa “sys competitor”, whileN newstrategicconcept brandedBeijing a“ch lenge” to “our intere security andvalues”

ButChina’s econom ic cloutmeans it will necessarytobalance tradebenefits with cau tion over Beijing’spoliticalmotivations

Therisk of tensions betweenChina and Taiwan boiling over will also feature

DAVIDHUGHES PressAssociation

highly in thenew primeminister’s foreignpolicyconcerns.

Xi Jinpinghas nowtightened his grip on powerwithanunprecedent ed thirdtermin office,something whichcould embolden himintak inga more assertiveroleagainst theWest.

Theclashes betweenChinese offi cials andprotestersoutside thecon sulate in Manchester showsthere is adomestic impact to Beijing’s approach

HEALTH ANDSOCIAL CARE

Covidbacklogs, recordwaitingperiodsinA&E,and unprecedented pressuresonambulance services arejustsome of thechallenges in theNHS in Englandfacingthe new primeminister.

Mr Sunakwill also have to overseethe introductionofthe newsocialcaresystemfromOctober 2023, intended to seethatnobodypays more than £86,000 forthe person al care they need,whilealso coping with an ageing population andrising demand.

BREXIT

Mr Johnsonmay have campaigned on theslogan“GetBrexit done”to winthe 2019 election butthe reality is alongway from that Pushingahead with theNorthern IrelandProtocolBill,allowingthe UK Governmenttooverride elements of theUK-EU deal is likelytoprovoke a fierce parliamentarybattleinthe Lords–Torygrandee Lord Heseltine warned it wouldbe“massacred” –as well as outrage inBrussels.

Thereisalsothe prospect of fresh

electionsinNorthernIreland if the DUPmaintains itsoppositionto joiningapowersharingexecutive at Stormont by Friday

TheDUP is refusingtonominate ministerstoformanew executive untilthe Westminstergovernment takesdecisive action on theprotocol.

CLIMATECHANGE ANDENERGY

Thespike in gaspricesfollowing the Ukrainewar hasfocused at tentiononthe waythe UK’s ener gy is generated, whilemeeting the commitmentonnet-zero emissions by 2050 will also demand major changes.

Supportfor renewables andnuclearpower areseenas ways to both improve energy security and meet commitments to reduce carbonemissions

Butitremains to be seen whether Mr Sunakwill risk apolitical row overfrackingtoboost domestic en ergy security in theway Ms Truss did.

MIGRATION

Thenumberofpeopleriskingthe dangerouscrossingofthe English Channelhas alreadyhit more than 38,000,around10,000 morethanin theentiretyof2021.

Butaswellascoping with the smallboats issue, thenew prime minister will also have to deal with industry demandsfor more migrant workers to be given visastocome to theUK, with labour shortagesone of themainconcernsvoicedbyemployersacrossarange of sectors.

Thedispute within government overmigration contributed to the exitofSuellaBraverman as home secretary, oneofthe factorswhich destabilisedthe Trussadministra tion

ARTY

twomonthsillus unruly theTory

thebitterleadereenLiz Trussand rthe summer are ethe turmoilofher ce hasaddedtothe within Conserva-

As part of its100th anniversary celebrations, theBBC is inviting viewerstoappearasextrasin theirfavourite shows. Youcould be an alienonDoctorWho or acustomerinthe QueenVic Volunteerifyou wish.I mere ly offerthe cautionary tale of a friend whoappearedas an extra in apub sceneinEmmerdale andwas told offbythe director for“over-actingwithapacket of crisps.”

Dundee University hasdiscovered that itsfounder,MaryAnn Baxter,profitedfromselling clotheswornbyslaves. It has thereforeagreed to “decolonise” itscurriculum. Butwhatsort of justiceisitwhenthe guilty partyisallowed to setits own punishment?

If universities took slaveryseriously, anyprofiteering from the vile trade should be acknowledged by closing theuniversi ty,sacking the vice-chancellor andlecturers, sendingall the students home andselling the premises, with allproceeds goingtothe Caribbean. If the penaltiesreallyhurt, Idaresay unis, andother institutions, wouldbefar less keen to root through theirmurky past

ThelatestRolls Royceisaclean, green, pure electric limo called theSpectre.According to one gushingreview, itseco-friendly features “may encourage purchases by younger,more environmentally-conscious customers.” Oh,yeah? Ibet that at £500,000 atimeitisfar more likelytobeboughtbybillionaire sheiks whomaketheir money pumpingoil

As soonasIheard BorisJohnsonwas breaking offa holiday andmightcontest theToryleadership battle,anelectionslogan sprang to mind:“I’mNew Boris. I’ve stoppedtelling lies.”

dhehad thesup ired to runand he couldhave ck in No 10 by the he week tdespite hisconfi einhis ownabili dpopularitywith ers, he didnot whis hatintothe

Managing Mr Johnn– whoclearly still rbours adesireto turn to Downing Street –will be a furtherchallenge

Still on slogans, thefrack ing-fracas in theCommons was apparently agenderless affair, with both male andfemaleTories shovingtheir honourable friends. It occurred to me that this couldmakethe Conservative Partyausefulelectionban ner: “Conservatives –the party that delivered equal-opportunities manhandling.”

Apologies. That should,of course,readpersonhandling.

RishiSunak’s arrivalas prime minister meansone of my relatives will have livedduring thereign of twomonarchsand threeprime ministers, plus a Europeanwar andaglobalpan demic. He is my grandson.He is two-and-a-half.Interesting times, eh?

Health services arejusttoo far away from us

Afew yearsago,Ihad

averygood

PICTURE FROMTHE ARCHIVE

acourse

at RoyalShrewsburyHospital. Theround trip was58miles andshortest time it took to getthere was50minutes and thelongesttimetwo hours,20 minutes duetoproblemson theShrewsburybypass–the biggest problembeing having to crossShrewsburytothe far side

More recently afamilymem berhas hadtogotoShrewsbury threetimes aweekfor dialysis resultinginthe same journey. Iwonder whythe deep-think ingonesinthe NHSdecidedto locate these twoclinicswhich areobviouslyfor veryregular attendance on theveryedgeof thepopulationthattheyserve.

Whilst theRSH is located on theverywestern edge of Shrewsbury thePrincessRoy al Hospital is on thewestern edge of Telford, averycentral location in theareaservedby Shrewsbury andTelford Hospi tals (SaTH).Thiswas obvious ly ignored by thedeep-thinking ones forsome unfathomable reason whichhas never been satisfactorily explained.

Twenty yearsago,Ihad a majorheart attack andmy wife wasasked if shecould take me to thePRH as it wouldbe alot quickerthanwaitingfor an ambulancetocome to New port.Iwould hate to think what wouldhavehappenedto me if we hadhad to go allthe waytoShrewsbury.

Iwould love to know why thesedeep-thinking ones feel that it is better to locate so many of ourcriticalhealthser vicesasfar away as possible from thepeoplethattheyserve in therapidly growingpopula tion on theeastsideofShrop shire.

GrahamBurns, Newport

We need to be puttingpeople

LizTruss claimedpeoplelike me arepartofthe ‘anti-growth coalition’ andshe’s right–and what’s more I’mproud of it

Thedrive forgrowthfor theseright-wingideologuesis always achieved by destroying thequality of lifefor themajor

ity–reducingpublicexpend iture, rippingupregulations that protectpeoplefrompollu tion,sewageinour rivers, wage slavery, etc.as doingsomakes more profits forthe few.

Public investment is seen by Trussand hersupportersasan impediment to growth.For in stance,ifabusinesscan legally make workers workfor longer andfor lowerwages,thenGDP is raised.Ifyou couldget away with dumpingslurryintothe waterways, because therehave been massivecutsinfarming inspectors,thenprofits arein creasedand GDPincreases.

If amillion houses areinsu lated, then GDPreduces be cause people aren’t spending or borrowingtopay offgas and electric bills.

Surely society hastobebuilt around theneedsofthe major ityratherthanthe demandsof therichand theirmouthpieces in Parliament? In adeeplyune qual society, growth only works forthe few. Societal happiness andwell-being, basedupon health, access to cheaporfree public services, access to pub licgreen spaces, poverty levels etcshouldbeframing political policy nothow to make the

rich more wealth.Putting peo plebeforeprofits andgrowth, when we areconsuming plane tary resourcesatanunsustain able rate,has to be thesolution andwemustdemandthisnow PatrickMcCarthy, Green Party

Heyday is over forcountry pubs

Isee sadly, that yetanother Shropshirepub is closed dueto lack of trade

Most people in therural ar easjustcannot afford to geta taxi forthe sake of afew drinks, anditisnot safe to walk to a pub nowadays

So they either drinkathome or they don’tdrink at alland save theirmoney fortheir en ergy bills!

Soon therewill be no pubsat all. Theheydayofthe country pub filled with happy, smoking andbeer-swigging farm work ersisover,Iamafraid.

It is apity.

WFKerswell, Shropshire

Whymyunsung mother is still shiningfor me

In tributetoall thosemothers whose wonderfulefforts go un heralded inthe media; they are farmorenumerousthanthe fa mous, forthe most part,offar more worth Iwould liketotellreaders of oneresplendentladywho... Livedall herlifeinold hous es,workedveryhard, Had a kind face, a welcoming smileand aready laugh.

Connectedeasilywithpeo ple, andtheywithher, Wasself-denying,and always giving to others Wascourageousinwidow hood, andinill-health, Wasmuchrespected,and verymuchloved Hernamewas Elizabeth–DaisyElizabeth Shewas my mother,myun sung mother,still shiningfor me in my 86th year JimCrate,Kinlet

ATigerMothbiplane above Weston Park on July 14,1986.The daredevilwing walker wasIain Shorthouse andthispicture wastaken by Jeff Millwardinadvance of thePark’s 14th annualair display. This wasapractice flightfor theshow, which attractedsome10,000 people

Asportingvenue which is celebrat ingits golden anniversary is getting a£750,000investmentintothe re furbishmentofthe centre

TelfordSnowboard andSki Centre is markingits 50th birthday this year andTelford &WrekinCouncil hasannounced it will refurbishthe centre,withworktakingplace from spring 2023

Theinvestmentcomesasapart of thecouncil’s widercommitment forleisure services whichwas an nouncedlastyeartohelpmakethe boroughcleaner,greener,safer and moreenjoyable

Councillor KellyMiddleton (Lab) Cabinet Member forLeisure,public health andwell-being, equalities andpartnerships, said:“We are extremely proudofall of ourcouncil-ownedleisure facilities across theborough andwewill continue to invest to ensure they arethe best they canbefor residents

“Telford Snowboard andSki Centre is abrilliantfacility,ahidden jewel tucked away in Madeleyand we areveryproud people travel from afar to usethe skislope.”

During ahalf-term celebration eventonThursday, October27, all activities will be basedon1970s pricing.

Doorswillopenfrom12noon un til9pm to encourageasmanypeople as possible to popalong throughout theday

To book sessions, visittelfordski. co.uk/50thbirthday

Skicentreset to get£750k refurbishment Property prices seeslightdrop during summer

House prices edged down in the region during the summer,accordingtoGovernmentdata.

Thesituationin Shropshire is notseparated from theother partsofthe West Midlands in theUKHouse PriceIndex for August 2022 butthe region as awhole sawwhatisdescribed as the“lowest monthly price growth, with amovementof (minus)-0.2per cent

In theyearfromAugust2021, however,homeowners across the region have seen anear14 percentincreaseinthe average valueoftheir homes, to aprice of £255,202. As faras reposses sionsgo, thereweresix in the region in August 2022

In Walesaveragehouse pric es roseby0.2 percentinthe monthfromJuly2022. An an nual pricerise of 14.6 percent takesthe averagepropertyval ue in Walesto£220,059. There were five repossession salesfor WalesinAugust2022.

Acrossthe countryas awhole thereare signsofaslowdown.

Aspokesman forthe Land Registry said:“On anon-sea sonallyadjusted basis, aver agehouse prices in theUKincreasedby0.9 per cent between July andAugust2022, down from an increase of threeper cent ayearearlier.”

Warningissuedatinquiry into Post Office scandal

Thechairmanofthe inquiryinto thePostOffice IT scandalhas warned he will nothesitatetoattributeblame to anyparty which failstodisclose importantand necessary documents.

SirWyn Williamsinsisted he will “use allthe extensivepowers at my disposal”toensuredocumentsare obtained,inthe face of either accidentalordeliberatefailuretodisclose them

He spokeasthe second phase of theinquiryintothe scandal –which sawworkers wronglyaccusedoftheft,fraud andfalse ac counting dueto flawswithinthe Horizoncomputersystem–got

underway in London.

Between2000and 2014,more than 700subpostmasters andsub postmistresses (SPMs) were pros ecuted basedoninformation from theaccountingsystem. Some were basedinShropshire. However,inDecember 2019, a High Courtjudge ruledthatthe system containedanumberof “bugs, errors anddefects”and therewas a“material risk”that shortfalls in Post Office branch accounts were in fact caused by it SincethenmanySPMshavehad criminal convictionsoverturned.

PhaseTwo of theinquiry, which wasestablished inSeptember

2020,isexamining theprocure ment,design, pilot, roll-out and modificationsofHorizon

At thebeginning of proceedings, SirWyn heardsubmissions to ad journthe probeafter it wasstated that therehad been amajor lack of disclosure of documentsonthe part of thePostOffice Theinquirywas told thePost Office hadnotified theinquirythat it was“undertakinga significant organisation andreviewofalarge number of boxesofhardcopydoc uments and filesheldatvarious Post Office locationsthroughout theUnitedKingdom”.

Counseltothe inquiryJason

Beer KC,saidsome of therecent documentdisclosuresrelated to requestsmadeasfar back as a year ago, andthatthe “limited in formation” on whenthe Post Office mighthavefullycompleted itsdis closure “putsthe inquiryinavery difficult position”.

Buthearguedthat, whileitpre sentsachallenge,there was“not sufficientreasontointerrupt good progress that this inquiryismak ing”,as he said witnesses canbe recalled at laterstages if needed

Afterhearing submissionsinfavourofanadjournment from lawyers forvictims,Sir Wynsaidthe inquiryshouldproceedasplanned

Sculpturetakes prideofplace afterclosure of oldfoundry

Former foundryworkers have been amongthose to welcomeanew sculpture markingpartof Shropshire’svital industrialheritage.

Astrikingironsculpture,made up of an anvil, aworker’sboots and avisor, hastaken pride of placeon theCokeHearthinCoalbrookdale

Thesculpture wascreated to commemoratethe Coalbrookdale Foundry, whichclosedin2017, after more than 300years.

Theideafor theartworkcame from theCokeHearthImprove mentsGroup –aresident-ledbody whichhas made it amission to im prove thearea, andcommemorate itsvital history.

Triggered

TheCokeHearth, is acentral part of thearea’sindustrialherit age, as theplacewhere Abraham Darby firstcreated thecokethat triggeredthe Industrial Revolution Jean Wright,vicechair of the Coke Hearth Improvements’Group, explainedthatthe sculpturewas createdusing actual itemsrescued from thefoundry on itslastday When it closed in 2017 workersat thesitehungtheir bootsand visors on thegates at theend of their final shift

MrsWrightrescuedapairof boots, avisor,and ajacket,which were allusedaspartofthe sculpture,sculpted by ChrisWright, and cast by RogerFewtrellatBlists Hill. Shesaidthe groupwas delight-

DOMINICROBERTSON newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

ed with thesculpture andadded that thepiece hadmet with ahugely positive response from thepublic, visitors and, crucially, some of the foundry’sformerworkers

“Weare very pleasedbecause it hastaken us quitea fewyears to gettothispoint,” said MrsWright. “The idea actually came pretty quicklyafterthe foundryshut in 2017.”

Sheadded: “The response from theresidents andpeoplewho work at theDaleworks hasbeenvery positive.”

MrsWrightsaidthatthe sculpture wasa fittingreflection of the historyofthe foundry.

“I thinkitverymuchdoeswhatit is meanttodo in that it depictsthe idea,almostofthe abandonmentof theworks

“Whenthe works closed Iwent downand Igot an actual pair of boots, avisor anda worker’sjacket andthe sculpturewas cast from the real thing.”

Thefoundry’s centralroletothe area over around 300years means that thesitehas memories forfamilies across theborough

MrsWrightsaid: “Lotsofpeople in Coalbrookdaleand widerTelford hadfamilymemberswho were involved in theworks.Ithad been here for300 yearssoitwas very much an importantemployer.”

Thesculpture waspaidfor through localfundraising anda se ries of donationsand grants

One of country’smostsuccessfuldirtbikeridersisconfirmed forshow

Adirtbikeshow taking place in Shropshire next year hasannouncedamajor star to appear at next year’s event.

Organisers of theClassic Dirt Bike Show,which will be taking placeatTelford InternationalCentre,haveconfirmed thethree-time worldchampionand 1980s and90s racing icon Dave Thorpe will be star guestfor theshow

As Britain’smostsuccessfulmotocrossracer,withthree 500cc WorldChampionships, aVeteran’s Worldtitle andmultipleBritish Championships to hisname, Thor pe is thelastBritish ridertohave wonthe premierdivision of world motocross.

Thorpe beganhis successfulcareer in theUKKawasakiteam, before moving to theHonda racing

team in 1983.The switch sawhis firstGrand Prix winin1984and he gained his firstworld titlethe fol lowing year,which he retained in 1986

Thrilling

Histhird world titlecamein 1989 followinganongoing, thrilling battleagainst Belgianmotocross legendEricGeboers.

Thorpe’s career highs andlows will be revealed to visitors as commentator JohnMcCrink quizzes themotocrossstarwhentheytake to thestage at Telford.

Forfurther detailsabout The ClassicDirtBikeShow,which is sponsoredby HagonShocks, see classicbikeshows.com

Theeventtakes placeonFebru ary11and 12 next year

Counciltakes legal advice in 10-year historic wall saga

DAVIDTOOLEY david.tooley@mnamedia.co.uk

Councillorshavemet be hindcloseddoors to consideradvicefromabarrister aboutthe collapse of twosectionsofLudlowTownWalls nearly 10 yearsago.

Theprecise nature of thediscus sionsheldlastMondayhavenot been revealed butcalls aregrowing foraction to be takensoonerratherthan laterasvegetationhas been seen growingout of therubble.

Former town councillor Andy Boddington, whorepresentsthe town on Shropshire Council, said:“Iam shockedbythe stateofthe collapsed area. Thereare sycamores andabud dleiagrowing outofthe rubble.All vegetation needs removing as amatter of urgencytoprevent furtherdamage to thewall.”Headdedthatthe securi ty fencingispartly collapsedand the site is an “eyesore”.

“That’snot fair on nearby residents. It should be tidied up immediately.”

Councillor Boddington added: “There issecurityfencing blocking offpart of theGarden of Rest above thecollapsed wall.Thisareahas been allowedtogowild. It should be awild-

flowermeadow. Buteven wildflower meadowsneedtobemaintainedwith mowingonceayear.”

Thecouncillor addedthatitistime foraction.

Councillor Boddington,asaformer councillor,was excluded from Mon day’ssecretsession.But newly-elected Ludlow town councillor Darren Childs wasthere.Hesaidhe couldnot reveal theprecise nature of thediscussions with thebarrister

“Ludlow town wallsare an important part of thetown’shistory and should be protected forfuturegener ations,”hesaid.

“Iamdisappointed that theissue hasstill not been re solved after10years

“I wasatthe meetingonMonday butcouncil rulesmeanthatwehave to keep detailsofwhatwas discussed completely confidential.

“Itisfairtosay,though, that talks areongoing andweasa town council aimtoworktowards asolution.”

Ludlow Town Councilhas been askedfor an officialcomment

Thecollapsewas followed by a wrangleoverwho wasresponsible for paying to repair thehistoricwalls, with Ludlow Town Councilagreeing to lead theworkin2015.

Thewalls were originally builtto protectthe town from thethreatof Welshattackand civilwar.It is be lieved they were builtin about1270.

Newtrainstohit tracks in £700moutlay

Newtrainswill be introduced on alineconnectingthe West Midlands andShropshire“very shortly” as part of an almost £700 millioninvestmentinthe network.

Atotal of 26 trains–known as Class196s– will replacethe 20-year-old fleetoperatedby West Midlands Railway with moreroomand additional seats forpassengers.

The firstofthese will en terservice on thelinebetween Birmingham andShrewsbury,

Drop in on Santa at garden centre visit

Shropshiregarden centresare set to celebrateChristmas in style from next month.

Dobbiesisgearing up to create aChristmas to remember forcus tomers in itsTelford andShrewsbury stores.Visitorswillbe greeted by Santa’selvestowalk throughthe snowywoodland

They canalsospend time with Santaand receiveaspecial gift to take home.Familiescan optinto purchasea photographwithSan ta.

Santa’sGrottoeventsstart on November24withpricesfrom £11.99 perchild.

To find outmore, visitdobbies com/book-with-confidence.

whichcalls at Wolverhampton, in thecomingweeks.The trains boastaround15per cent more seats, and25per cent more ca pacity,also taking into account standing room, than theexisting Class170s fleet.

Themove comesdespite wide spread strike action affectingthe networkwithunion chiefs locked in arow with theGovernment over pay, with more action set to come.Ian McConnell, man agingdirectorofWestMidlands Trains whichrunsWestMid

landsRailway services,saidthe companyhad invested £690min totalwiththe newtrainsand re latedinfrastructure.

Thenew dieseltrains, con structed by CAFwill be intro duced on thelineahead of afur ther roll-out on theBirmingham to Hereford line next year

At an unveiling in Wolver hamptonrailway station, which featured atriptoShrewsbury andback, it wasrevealedthe firsttrain in the fleethas been namedCharles Darwin

Craftgroup marks its first anniversary Terrorvision’s Tony givesSweet support

Glam rockveteransSweet will be playinginWolverhamptonjust before Christmas.

Theband’sUnlockthe Rock tour visits KK’s SteelMill in FrederickStreetonDecember 17

Supportwill come from Tony Wright,the one-timefrontmanof thebandTerrorvision.

Sweetstill includes guitarist Andy Scottfromthe band’s classic line-upofthe 1970s.

Bass playerLee Smallisfrom Bloxwich andhas been afull-time member of thebandsince2019.

Sweet’ssingles hits include BallroomBlitz,Coco, Blockbuster andFox on theRun

Acraft groupiscelebrating its firstanniversary

TheWellingtonCrafters was setupbycommunity members last year andhas gone from strength to strength, attracting newmemberswithasharedinter estin crafting

Thegroup,which hasbenefit tedfromCouncillor Pridefunding from ward councillor Grahame Cook,meets on aweeklybasis to learnnew crafts, socialise with others, shareskillsand support positive emotionalwellbeing

They meet everyMondayfrom 10am-noon at Creative Training Spaces,DukeStreet, Wellington. Fordetails,call07707 725797

Anew airlineplanningtostart flying from Birmingham Airportishiring cabincrewtowelcome itspassengers.

Hans Airwaysisplanningtorun regular flightsfromBirmingham to Amritsar,which is in theNorthwest ernstate of Punjab,India

Recruitmenthas begunfor cabin crew,with20roles available.

Thecompany is welcomingappli cantstoapply fortheir advertised roles, buttheydohavea list of man datory requirements, includingthat thecandidate must be aminimum 5ft

2ins anda maximum6ft 2ins and flu entinbothspokenand writtenEng lish,Punjabi,Hindi (desirable)and Gujarati (desirable). They will need to be willing andabletospend peri odsoftimeawayfromhome

Thejob listingstatesthatfull trainingwill be provided,and those interested should applybyemailing: ccrecruitment@hansairways.com

Hans Airwaysisthe UK’s newest hybrid,long-haul airlineventure, with several very experiencedboard membersjoining

Councillor Andy Boddington next to acollapsed section of Ludlow townwalls

Housingteam putonpinkto raiseawareness

StaffataShropshirehousing asso ciation have gone pink foraday as part of anationalcampaigntoraise awarenessofbreastcancer.

Andthere wasextra motivation forthe team at ShropshireRural Housing Association to join ‘wear it pink day’,withone of theirown having recently experienced breast cancer

Taking placeduringBreastCan cerAwareness Month, thousandsof peoplewearitpinkintheir communities,schools or workplacesfor the UK’s largestbreastcancercharity, Breast Cancer Now.

JohnGreen,chief executiveof ShropshireRural HousingAssociation, said:“We were really keen to getinvolvedtohelpraise awareness,especiallyafter amember of theteamhad herown battlewith breast cancer earlierthisyear.

“Weare delightedthatshe is now back at work, butitreallybrought home theimportanceofknowing what to look outfor because early diagnosisisvital

“Itwas greattosee everyone in theteamdeckedout in pink,and we even hadanextra addition as one of ourschememanagersisaGuide Dogtrainer,she broughther latest doggyrecruitalong to join in.”

Wear it pink dayhas been running formorethan20years, rais ingmorethan£37 million in the process.

Formoreinformation,visit wearitpink.org

Newmental health nursing degree on offer

University CollegeBirming hamhas launched anew mental health nursingdegreewhich will help tackle themassive shortage of staffin theNHS

Students on theMental Health NursingBSc (Hons) de gree,which welcomesits first cohortin September 2023, will go on arange of diverse placementstoexperience care across thelifespanand different fields of practice to broaden whothey canhelp.

Registered Nurse andsenior lecturer HelenEldridge, who wasonthe frontlineofmental health support for22years herself,willbeprogramme leadfor thethree-yeardegreecourse

Shesaid: “FollowingCov id-19, mental health problems have gotten alot worse, globally andin theUK, butespecially so in theWestMidlands,”saidHel en,who supportedpeoplewith complexmentalhealthneedsas aclinicalleadata Childand Ad olescentMentalHealthService (CAMHS)and is aspecialistin Learning Disabilities nursing.

“Around20per cent of the vacant nursingpositionsin theNHS areinmentalhealth nursing, adesperateshortageof qualified nurses with specialist expertise in this field.”

Staff devastated as bikes worth thousandsstolen

Staffata cycleshopinthe county have been devastated by thetheft of thousandsofpoundsworth of bikes.

Saturday Cycles,inWellington, wasbrokenintoovernightonMon dayand thetheft wasdiscovered when ownerDaveTayloropenedup last Tuesdaymorning

Twelve bikesweretaken,amix ture of newonesand customersthat

were duetoberepaired. Thevalue is thoughttobearound£10,000

Amongthe itemstaken wereaBianchiImpulso road bike, aFocus (White)MTB largeframe bike andaspecialisedchildren’sMTB with frontsuspensionand 20 inch wheels.

Theshoponlyopenedearly this year at aunitatMarketApproach

afterpreviouslytradingfromthe market itself.Owner Dave,who was made redundantfromhis full time jobin2020previouslyonlyopened onaSaturdayhencethe name.But he founddemandmassive andtook on theunitnexttothe market in January.

He provides repairs, servicing andmaintenance of alltypes of bike

as well as selling them

Dave said:“They gotinthrough a side passagedoorbecause we have a bigfront window with steelshutters behind it so even if they managed to smashthe windowtheywouldn’t have gotin. Iam devastated more forthe customers whohavehad bikestaken becauseyou don’texpect to havethathappen.”

Toptrufflesnuffler Oscaris sniffing outprizeddelicacies

Mike Collison andhis trusty partnerOscar are on amission to sniffout valuable truffles.

Thedelicacyisinhigh demand by high-end restaurantsfromacross thecountry.And,ifyou look hard enough,theycan be foundright un deryournose

ShropshireTruffles is afamily business in Stapleton, near Much Wenlock.

Truffles arecollected from a ‘truffleorchard’ with alittlehelp from Oscar,who thinks sniffing them outisjustone biggame.

Theenterprisehas takentimeto grow andhas developedasanoff shoottothe treeseed business

Mikeexplained:“In 2006 we purchased aseven-acre fieldtorun our newlyestablished trees seed busi ness andnursery from.Weprovide treeseeds to nurseries through outEuropeand trees andhedging plants to UK customers

“One of ourFrenchcontactswas producing‘TruffleTrees’–trees in oculated with trufflespores.

“Aftervisitinghis nursery and seeing howtheywereproduced, we decidedtobethe UK distributors forhis plants

“Initially these Truffletrees were sold as singleormultiple trees,we then beganproducing gift box’sand imported ever more plants

ED THOMAS newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

“In2008wedecided to plant some four acresofour fieldtotruf fles.Amixture of specieswas se lected –mainlyhazel andoak.We undersowed theorchard with wild flowers andleftittonature, unsure if it wasanexpensive folly, maybea bit of funoranew venture forthe future

“Finally, in theAutumn of 2018,webegan truffles,but were able to collectthe withoutatrained dog. We bought atrufflehunt ingpuppy and in 2019 discovered that puppieswant to play andnot hunt fortruffles!

“The follow ingyearOscar th trufflehound be torepay ourfai himand hasturned into atruffle findingmachine,of ten findingtruffles quickerthanwe cancollect them.”

Thetruffles have transformed thenatureofthe business andit even offers experiencestovisitors, includingtasting thedelicacyas part of athree course meal

Mikeadded: “The truffles are sold retail,torestaurants anddelicatessens, or to wholesale suppliers. We make some into trufflebutter.

“Weare very much afamily business with variousmembersof ourfamilyhelping on show days, producingtrufflebutterorplant ingand maintainingour truffle orchard. Thetruffleorchard is a source of interest both locallyand nationally,due to itsexceptional performanceand ourstory from the pl ti of the firsttrees ughtotryingtosell uffles in themiddle of apandemic

“Wehaveappeared on international news, whichwe find amusingaswe were notsure if ourorchard mightjustturn outtobeanexpensivewood!”

Theplantingisin le rows,withvarietiesmixed up

Mikeinterplanted faster grow ingnon-truffled trees to encourage shadeasearly as possible in theestablishmentofthe wood

Adding more shadeisgood forthe truffles as they want aniceshaded spot,not toowet,but nottoo dry, with leaf cover, or thin grass. Mike

irrigateswhenitgetsveryhot and also makessurethe wood is well managedand healthy, so it is well pruned andthe grassiskeptneat andtidy.

Everything is geareduptoencouragethe spores to worktheir magicand produceasmanytruffles as possible

Butit’sa fickle game.Itwas an orchardplanted second that yielded firstand whyisa mystery. It’s precisely that mysteryand intrigue that createsthe scarcity of theproductand drives high prices.Now, with both of hiswoodsproviding truffles,itishoped they will provide aconstantcropfor up to 30 years.

Oscar,aLagotto Romagnolo, loveshis joband theexercise he gets.Lagottosare an Italianbreed that were originally bred as retrieversand used as gundogsoverthe marshesofRomagna,but with the draining of themarshes theiruse changed andnow they areconsidered pre-eminenttruffledogs.

Nose to theground, tail wagging, watching Oscarworkitisclear that he is taking things as seriouslyas you cantakeany biggame, whichis exactlyhow he sees it

Notonlyisheatrufflehunter,he is also afamilypet,muchloved by Mike andhis family.

Visitshropshiretruffles.co.uk to buyonline andto find outmore about itstasterdays.

Mike Collison andhis Lagottodog Oscaronawalkthrough Mitheorchards ke Collison takesalook at someoftruffles sniffedout by Oscar

Oscarsniffsout truffles

Museum showsitis asoaraway success with topaccolade

TheRAF Museum at Cosfordhas takena gold awardina nation al tourism competition.

TheShropshireattractionhas achieved thehighestaccredita tion awardedbythe VisitEng land VisitorAttractionQuality Assessment Scheme

Thehonoursare designed to celebrateexcellencewithinthe visitorattractionsectorand areavailable to membersofthe scheme whorepresent awide rangeoftourism experiencesin England

RAFCosford’s museum is one of only 30 visitorexperiencesto receivethe highesthonourinthe 2021-2022awards, whereatotal

PAUL JENKINS paul.jenkins@mnamedia.co.uk

of 97 businesses acrossthe coun trywererecognisedfor goingthe extra mile to provideahigh-qual ityday out.

Accoladesare given for five cat egories: Welcome,BestToldSto ry,Quality Food &Drink, Hidden Gem, andGoldfor theoverall winners.

To achievethe newgoldstatus, theRAF Museum scored consistentlyhighlevelsofvisitor experi ence across awiderange of areas, includingwelcome,cateringand orientation, followingthe annual VisitEngland Visitor Attraction QualitySchemeassessment.

Alan Edwards, RAFMuseum Midlands operations manager said:“We arethrilled to have been presented with theprestig ious gold awardinthe VisitEng land Visitor AttractionAccolade 2021-22.

“It’shugelygratifyingtohave this endorsementand recognition of theefforts we make to provide a first-classday outfor ourvisi tors.”

He added: “Thisaward will spur us on to continue making improvements to theoverall mu seum experience,ensuring that we remain atop attractionfor many yearstocome.Ican’t think of abetterway to celebrateour 50th anniversary than with a gold award.”

Rail firm offers festivefun ideasacrossthe region

West Midlands Railway is offeringahelping hand forChristmas planning,offeringideas forfestive days out.

Thereare plenty of events in andaroundShropshirethatare accessible by train,withsomethingfor everyone

Some of thefestivities being held in Shrewsbury includeCar olsinThe Square,Nativity: The Musicalatthe Theatre Severn Auditorium andthe Christmas lights switch-on.

In Telfordthe Town Park is one of themainlocations forseasonal events, andwillsoonbehosting

the magicalWinterWonderland from Novemberuntil December

Visitors couldalsoget theirskates on at theice rink

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton’s GrandTheatre will be puttingon showsinthe run-up to Christmas, likeAladdin andPeter Pan, and hostingcomedianssuchasJon Richardson andDaraOBriain.

Birmingham,the nation’s secondcity, will be hostinganumber of Christmaseventsashortwalk away from NewStreetstation,includingthe FrankfurtChristmas Market andaChristmas carol sing-along at SymphonyHall.

Alittlefurther afieldthere is Worcester, with itsmagnificent cathedraland picturesque county parks, visitors whovisit Worces teroverthe next fewweeks are in foraVictorian ChristmasFay re,Winter Glowlighttrail,and aSanta Safari at West Midlands Safari Park

West Midlands Railway is also encouragingthose lookingfor festive funtovisit Hereford foralive show of TheGrinchand Santa’s grotto

Ticketstoall these destinations canbefound on westmidlandsrailway.co.uk.

Alan Edwards, RAFMuseumMidlands operations manager,with staffLouise Hammond andCharlie Cooper

Live jazz show withadifference

Ashow mixing musicwithdry hu mour will be thenextArtsAlive concertatavenue near Bridgnorth this weekend.

Much AdoAbout Jazz is atwo manshowfeaturing musicians Al Gurr andChris Gumbleythatis coming to ChelmarshParishHall.

Aspokeswoman forthe venue said it wasaimed at people who don’tnecessarily likejazz–and thosewho do

“Itisanirresistiblecombination of classicjazz– thinkGershwinand Brubeck– anddry humour,incorporatingplentyofaudience interaction,” shesaid.

“Highlyentertaining, while maintainingahighlevel of musical integrity, theshow offers an insight into how jazz musicians work.”

It starts on Saturday (29) at 7.30pm andticketscost£14

Thebox office number is 01746 862850.

Drugsseized in raidsbypolice

Shifnaland Albrightonpolice have carriedout awarrant and seized aquantityofdrugs from homesinthe area

Membersofthe SaferNeigh bourhood teamand West Mercia Police’s LocalPolicingPriority teamvisited anumberofproperties overnightonThursday last week

Officers seized an unknown quantity of illegal substances from properties

They tweetedonthe Shifnal andAlbrightonpoliceTwitter page anda spokesmansaidthey wouldcontinuetocrack down on large-scaledruguse andpos session.

Police haveurged anyone with anysuspicions over drug dealingactivitiestocontact them

TwocountyMPs vote againstbid

TwoShropshireMPs were among thosewho voted againstproposalstoenforce buffer zonesaround abortionclinics in Englandand Wales.

MP forShrewsburyand Atcham Daniel Kawczynski andMPMark Pritchardfor theWrekinwere amongthose whovoted againstthe plan.Under this proposed lawhar assing,obstructingorinterfering with an individual trying to attend an abortionclinicwould become acriminaloffence.Anyonefound guilty of breachingthe 150-metre buffer zone around thecliniccould face up to to sixmonthsinprison.

At aParliamentary votelast week themajorityofMPs backed theamendmenttothe Public Order Bill,with297 forand 110against WhileNorth ShropshireMPHel en Morganvoted forthe bill,no votewas recorded forTelford MP Lucy Allenand or Ludlow’s Philip Dunne.

Pubtoclose foramajor £420,000 refurbishment

Apub will be closedfor just overa month whilea£420,000 refurbishment takesplace

TheBellInn at Tong,aMar ston’s pub,isdue to receiveacom plete refurbishmentduringthe closure, with theend result set to emphasise its‘warm,timeless countrypub atmosphere’.

Thepub closedonMonday(24) andwill reopen on Monday, De cember 5. Thetransformationwill seeanew colour paletteintroduced into thevenue,alongside wall panelling andbespoke tiling

Anew homely ‘snug’ sectionwill be addedtothe bar, featuringcosy Chesterfieldseating.

Additionally,there will be up datestothe al fresco dining area.

Thepub’s transformationwill also seemajor changes to thefood offerasitmovestoamorepremi um menu

Sitting in theShropshirecountryside,yet closetothe M54, The Bell Inn is housed in a250-yearoldlisted building,markedbyan 18th centuryobelisk

TheBellInn’s orchard-stylebeer garden allows guests to drinkor dine alfresco, whilethe spacious andmoderninterior offers arelaxeddiningexperience

Kate Harding-Jack,general managerofthe pub,said: “Weare

so excitedtoannouncethatThe Bell InnatTongwill be receiving arefresh

“Wehaveinvested over £420k into breathingnew life into The Bell Inn.The pubis much loved by itsregulars, andwecan’t wait to welcome everybodyback on De cember 5.”

Aheadofthe reopening, guests will be abletoenjoy 50 percent offfood as part of itssoftlaunch, availabletoguestsfromFridayto Sunday, December 2to4,withlim ited slotsavailable to book online shortly.

Formoreinformation visitbellpubshifnal.co.uk

Broadwelcome fortrialsof school road safety scheme

PAUL JENKINS paul.jenkins@mnamedia.co.uk

Councillorshavebroad ly welcomed approval of an 18-month streetsafe ty scheme trialatsix primaryschools across thecounty.

Thetrial will startnextweekat twoschools in theOswestryarea, oneinWhitchurch, oneinShrewsbury,one in Market Draytonand anotherinBridgnorth

It will seeShropshireCouncil enforcerestrictionsonparking and waitingoutside school gatesinpedestrianisedareas using ANPR (AutomaticNumberPlate Recognition)systems

Expanded

Councillor KirstieHurst-Knight, ShropshireCouncil’s Cabinet memberresponsiblefor children andeducation, said shewas delightedthat theschemehad been approvedand –ifsuccessful– it wouldbeexpanded even furtheracrossthe county

Shesaid: “There hasbeenalot of research done with highways officers –and Iwould liketothank them for theirexpertise andhelp–aswellas you canimagine,consultationwith staffand governorsofschools

“Wehaveworkedtirelesslyon this andIamexcited to seeithas come to fruition with therollout of thetrial acrosssix schoolsover 18 months whichwill hopefullysee ve hiclecongestion cutdownand safer spacesfor people to walk in andout

of theschools at thestart andend of theschoolday

“Researchhas showntrialsneed to be held over afull school year plus abit more to be able to analyse thefull results– we have already seen positive resultsatColeham School in Shrewsbury whichwill have ANPR addedand Ihopefor similarresults elsewhere.”

Progress

Councillor forLongden,Roger Evans, welcomed theprogressand said it wasgood progress in encour agingmorechildren to walk or cy cletoworkbut questioned whether thefunding should allcome from centralgovernment andwheth

er ShropshireCouncil coulduise theCommunity Infrastructure Levy (CIL)and whetherthe costs couldbereduced.Hesaid: “I have been involved in anumberofpar ishcouncilswhich have broughtin similarschemes buttheyhavebeen able to do it cheaperand Iam happy to sharethatinformation if it meansafurther roll outofthe pilot scheme acrossthe county.”

Councillor HurstKnightsaidthe use of CILmoneywould depend on thesuccess of thepilot scheme and theinitial cost didnot just include thecameras butinstalling signage andother associated costs.

Shesaidthe quickertheycould carryitout themorefunding might become available.

More than 70 school teams join forces forathletics challenge at college

Morethan70schoolteams from acrossthe boroughdescendedon TelfordCollege to take part in a three-day sports hall athleticscom petition

Thesportshallat thecollege’s Wellingtoncampushosted competitionsfor YearsFiveand Sixand YearsSeven andEight, plus Key StageOne andTwo pupils –with collegestudents on hand to ensure

everything went smoothly

Aselection of challenges were laid on during thesessionsincluding relayraces,sprints, obstacle courses andskills-basedactivitiessuchas throwing,jumping,and co-ordinatingactivities.

Theevent is designed to give pupils thechancetotakepartina blendofcompetitive andnon-com petitive events –putting physical

activity andcompetitive sportat theheart of schools.

It waspart of theTelford &Wre kinSchoolSportsPartnership programme,and wasalsoachancefor TelfordCollege’s sportand public uniformedservicesteamtoput theirorganisationaland communi cation skills into practice.Melanie Newbrook,learner managerfor sportand public services,said: “We

have hosted this eventinour sports hall forseveral years.

“Not only is it afantastic occa sion forthe pupils taking part,it is also awonderfulopportunityfor ourown students to gain valuable experience helpingtoorganise the activities.”

“The sports hall athletic hasrun at Telfordcollege forthe past few years.”

Revamp –The BellInn at Tong

Topstars to take stagewhenvenue reopensits doors

DAVIDBANNER newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Musicstars Robert Plant andBeverleyKnightwill be soundedout aboutplayingWolverhampton Civic Hall when it reopens.

Themove comesafter thenew oper ator of theCivic,AEG Presents, con firmed thevenue wouldstart hosting showsagain in June 2023 afteran eight-year revamp costing£48 million.

Thevenue,now knownasThe Civ ic at TheHalls Wolverhampton, will holdaseriesoftesteventsnextspring. Thereare also plansfor “small-scale communitypreview events”before Christmas

Stourbridge-bornAEG Presents CEO SteveHomer, said:“Having host ed artistsfromThe Clash, Bowieand Nirvanatothe ManicStreet Preach ersand Morrissey,it’sincredibletobe able to bringaniconicvenue back to life andasa locallad, thisisall the more special “Wecan’t wait to open thedoors of TheHalls Wolverhamptonand bring theworld’s best artiststothe West Midlands stage.”Wolverhampton Councilisset to hand thekeystothe CivictoAEG Presents on November 21,whenthe promoterwill startwork

on completing finalrenovations to the frontofhouse bars, kitchen, sound andlightssystems Bosses say thereopening will see “world class” artistsreturntothe 84-year-oldGrade II-listedvenue, whichwillfeature more comfortable seats, extra bars andimprovedtoilet facilities andanew balcony.

CouncilleaderIan Brookfieldsaid thereopenedvenue wouldhelpshape thecitycentre by “creatingjobsand boosting localbusinesses”.

Once open theCivic’scapacitywill be 3,404,whilethe Wulfrunwillhold 1,289.

Lownumber of hate crimes pursued

An LGBT charityhas said police must do more to investigatepotential sexual orientationhatecrimes, as just onein20led to achargeinWest Mercia last year

Figuresobtainedthrough aFreedomofInformation requestshow therewere351 sexual orientation hate crimes recorded by West Mercia Police last year.Just16– five percent –led to achargeorsummons.

At least48–14per cent –were droppedbecause asuspect couldnot be identified,and thevictimdid not

supportfurther action andafurther 52 –15per cent –werecloseddue to evidential difficulties.

Data from the32forcesacross England andWales that provided in formationoninvestigation outcomes showsonly1,648 –nineper cent –of the17,824offencesrecordedin 2021 ledtoachargeorsummons.

Stonewall’sRobbie de Santos said society must do more to “combat anti-LGBTQ+violenceand call out abuse, harassment andanti-LG BTQ+ sentimentwherever we seeit”

Councilwarningabout ‘sophisticated’ frauds

Fraudsters aretargetingthe publicbyposing

courtenforcement

cers andbailiffs viaphone callstoresidents andbusinesses.

andcustomerservices, warned: “Scammersare becoming more andmoresophisticated andcom ingupwithnew ways to steal moneyfromhonestpeople, so it’s vitalyou stay vigilant

transferusing asortcodeand ac countnumber.

–and

adebt arebeing

Thecouncil says it hashad reportsofthe crimeactively taking place. Fraudsters claimthe personorbusinessowesmoney,and demand they transfer fundsdirectly into abankaccount

Councillor RaeEvans, cabinet member for finance, governance

“Ifitfeels suspicious, don’tbe afraid to endthe call andinvesti gate.Wepride ourselves on exem plarycustomerservice andwould neveract in an unprofessional or threateningmanner.”

Thecouncil warnsthatenforce ment agents acting on theirbehalf wouldnever call people to askfor bank detailsortomakea bank

Thecouncil says it maycontact people by phonetodiscusstak ingcontrolofgoods if they have an unpaid debt.But aspokesman insisted:“This wouldonlybethe case afteracourt summonshad been obtained andyou hadreceived remindersby post andmay involvetakingdebit or credit card payments over thephone.”

People areadvised if they geta suspicious call to endthe conver sation andcontact Telford&Wre kinCouncil on 01952383838.

Writeyour will for free

LedZeppelin’s frontman Robert Plant

Beverley Knight during theBirmingham 2022closing ceremony

Fearsoverlong term ill health

Almost 90,000 sick notes were given to patients in Shropshire,Telford andWrekinlastyear, new fig ures show

The figurescome as ahealth charitywarns long-termill health is having profound consequences on workers, employers, and the Gov ernment’s finances

Since2012, GPshavebeenableto give patients electronic‘fitnotes’, whichsay whetherthe patientistoo sick to return to work, or give other recommendations, such as aphased return to work.

NHSDigital data shows88,964of these notes were given to patients in theformerNHS Shropshire,Telford andWrekinCCG area in the year to June –equivalentto30,993 forevery100,000 registered working-aged patients

These figurescover thenumber of individual notesissued, andpatients mayhavereceivedmultiple notes over thecourse of theyear.

AcrossEngland,the number of fitnotes roseto10.4 million in the year to June,up8.6 percentfrom 9.5million in theyeartoJune2019.

Therehas also been asignifi cant national increase in fitnotes given forlongdurations –132,000 fitnotes were issued forleave of 20 weeksorlongerinthe year to June, up 42 percentfrom93,000three yearsprior

It hasbeensuggestedthat‘long Covid’ couldbecontributingtothe increase in workers beingsignedoff forlongerperiods,alongside longer waitinglists forNHS treatment

Tell public cost of relief road

Thepublicshouldbetoldthe expected increase in costsfor Shrewsbury’s NorthWestRelief Road,itwas demanded LiberalDemocratCouncillor forCopthorne in thetown, Rob Wilson, said that he hadbeen frustrated at alackofanswers from Shropshire Councilover thepotential cost of theroad.

Thecouncil says it will not know thefull rise in theprice of theroaduntil it hascompleted itsbusiness casefor theproject

ButShrewsbury &Atcham’s ConservativeMP, Daniel Kawczynskihas revealed he is seek inganother £27.5million forthe projectfromgovernment.

Mr Kawczynski’sletterto theDepartmentfor Transport (DfT)statesthatamountwould accountfor 75 percentofthe growth in costs.

That wouldleave thecouncil to find around £9.1 million

Themostrecentpublicestimate forthe projectfromthe council is £81milion– with £54.4m coming from Government,£28.5 millionfromthe councilitself, and£4.2million from theMarches LocalEnter prise Partnership(LEP).

Therisingcosts come as in flationsoars andthe priceof rawmaterials, together with workforce costs, go up.Council lor Wilsonsaid: “Justsayingwe have to wait forthe full business case,thatisnot acceptable.”

Funeralofpriestwho served villagefor 29 years

Thefuneral hasbeenheldofthe RevRoger Balkwill,who wasthe parish priest forthe Albrighton area for29years

Mr Balkwill,who was81, moved to Telfordonhis retirement in 2010.HediedonSeptember 17 and hisfuneral took placeat St An drew’s Church, Shifnal.

Speaking at thetimeofhis re tirement,hesaid: “In2010I think my proudest achievementisthe formationofthe United Bene fice of Albrighton,Boningale and Donington– threedistinctchurch communitiesall working collabo ratively together

“Twenty-nineyears is along time foraparishpriesttominis terin oneplace,but it’s nothing compared with one of my Victorian predecessors, theRev George WindusWoodhouse,who wasvicar of Albrighton for58years.”

In 1981 he oversawthe formation of Churches Together in Al brightonand area. “Thisbrought together Anglicans, RomanCatho lics,Methodists, Baptists andIndependents, to provideaunited Christianfront to thecommunity andafocus forpractical co-opera tive ministry together.”

Andfollowing apublicappealto

raise £250,000 beinglaunchedin 1992,hehelpedmodernise theinterior of the12thcentury St Mary MagdaleneChurchin Albrighton, whichwas closed forsix months whilea large-scalerestoration took place.

Asecondphase of work was completedin2001, providingmore space forthe SundaySchool, acre cheand counselling room

In 2005 Mr Balkwill movedinto localpoliticsafterbeing elected as acouncillor on Albrighton Parish Council’sNorth Ward.MrBalkwill leaves hiswifeJosieand children David, Victoria andDaniel.

Take trip backintimetowhen CubanMissile Crisis brokeout

DOMINIC ROBERTSON newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Re-enactorsatthe RAF Museum Midlands will explorehow theCuban MissileCrisisinOctober 1962 broughtthe world to thebrink of Armageddon.

Theweekend event, from October 29 to 30,willreflectonthe Cuban MissileCrisis, 60 yearssince the politicaltension betweenthe So viet Unionand theUnitedStates broughtthe twocountries close to warover thepresenceofSovietnuclear-armedmissilesinCuba.

In aseriesofworkshops, demonstrations, andobject-handling sessions, visitors will discovermore about thetense 13-day political stand-offbetween thetwo superpowers, andthe impendingcount down to nuclearwar,astheystep back in time with re-enactorsfrom Up an’at‘em!History

On ajourney throughthe Muse um’s National Cold WarExhibition, visitors can find outhow members of theCivil DefenceCorps, RAF V-Bomber Pilots, RoyalObserver Corps, BritishArmyBerlinBrigade andUSAir Forcedealt with thecri sis.

Knowledge

Suitable forvisitorsofall ages, therewill also be theopportunity to take aclose look at theuniforms, kitand equipment used at pop-up stations dotted around thehangar.

Once people have brushedupon theirknowledge with there-enac tors, families areinvited to take part in an interactive CubanMis sile Crisis strategy game

Delivered by theForeign Field Living HistoryGroup,the game re flects theeventsleading up to the CubanMissile Crisis

People will be challenged to seeif they have gotwhatittakes to make quickdecisionstochoosethe route through thediplomatic nightmare –orderingblockades,airstrikes, reconciliations,olive branches and

brinksmanshipwhile doingtheir levelbesttoavoid theoutbreakof an unwinnable war.

Thegamecan be playedby allages either individually or in groups

Theweekend activities will take placeinsidethe National Cold War Exhibitionhangar, featuringair craft, vehicles,equipment, andpeo plestories from theColdWar peri od, includinganimmersive audio visualCuban MissileCrisishotspot

Entrytothe Museum andparticipationinthe re-enactment activi ties is free

On Friday,October 28,the mu seum will also host afreelecture suitable foradults, entitled ‘Cuban MissileCrisis– How closedid Brit aincome to Armageddon’

Commencing at 12.30pm,Bill Pyke,anindependentair powerresearcher,will discusshow andwhy theCuban MissileCrisisoccurred, what preparations were in placein

theUK’stop secret ‘War Book’, and what lessonswecan take away from theexperience

The free lecturewill be hosted in themuseum’s lecturetheatre with a live audience

It will also be live streamed on line viaCrowdcast.

Formoreinformation aboutthe weekendevents andtopre-book your arrivaltimeoraplace at the lecture, visitthe website at rafmuseum.org

RevRogerBalkwillin1992

An interactiveCubanMissile Crisisstrategy game will be available to lookatfor thosevisiting themuseum

Deer rutmay be fascinatingto watchbut don’tget tooclose!

THEWILDSIDE

With BenWaddams

Seeingaswe’re havingsuchamildtimeof things lately,there are severalwildlifephenomenathatwillbeextended throughintothe next month.

Typically Octoberwould encapsulate perfectlythe deer rut, yetit will probably runwellintoNovemberthisyear.

Dormicemay still be roamingthe hedgerows,inthose small, precious areasthatstill containthem, in cludinginShropshire. Bats arestill on thewingwithmoths by night andhedgehogs arestill snuffling throughthe autumnal leaves

But, although Iwas goingtotalk about thewinter migrants this week,let’sstickwiththose giants of thelandthatdeserveanother delv ingand ‘bolving’intotheir lives.

Thedeerrut is, afterall,one of thegreatestmammalspectaclesto be seen in theyear.

Red, fallow andsikadeerare all currentlyrutting although theRoe deer’s calendar is slightly different.

Reddeertendtoholdtraditional rutting grounds, areasofgoodgrazingthatthe femalesare attracted to.The stags aredrawn to thefe-

males, whoformsmall matriarchal groups, andworkhardtokeepcom peting malesawayfor long enough to mate with as many of theirhar em as possible

Thestags roar (or“bolve”)for several reasons. It’s an extremely

impressive,not to say, intimidating soundand canscare offpotential rivals, attract nearby femalesand help bringthe femalesintooestrus. Research by scientistsonthe Isle of Rumhas revealed that females cantellthe size and fitness(and probably theindividualdeer) from thevolumeand duration of theroar; larger animalshavedeeperroars Much thesameapplies to fallow andsika, except that themales tend to occupy agoodspot(called alek) wheretheystand andbelch (fallow) or whistle(sika)toattract females.

Disturb

Thedeerrut is fascinating and very entertaining to watch,but please remember that,evenindeer parkslikeAttingham, gettingtoo close canbothdisturb thedeer andbedangerous foryou –these arelarge mammalspumpedupon testosterone,and this makesthem unpredictable. Pleasekeepyourdistanceand don’triskyoursafety, or theirs,for thesakeofa photo; we certainly owethemthatmuchatthis, their most remarkable time

CROSSTALK

ASHLEY METHODIST CHURCH, WITH MARGARETMAXWELL

On awet Sunday morning worshippers were met as always with awarmwelcome to aservice at Ashley Methodist Church.

BuntyHodgkinsintroduced RevMarkLawrencewho be ganwithwords from Psalm29 –ascribe to theLordgloryand strength.Rod Smithaccompanied us in singingCrown Him With Many Crowns followed by prayersofpraisetoour Creator.

RodSmith andNorma Buck leyreadtousfromMatthew 5 whereJesusmakes clearthe way Godwants us to live butalsohis greatmercy when we fall short of thosestandards.Inprayer Mark thankedGod forthe comfortsweenjoy todayand prayed forwisdom forthe governments of countriesinturmoil.

Mark emphasisedthatinour readings on standardsofbehav iourthere is no compromise.We areall in thesameboat, striving forperfectionbut falling short when we letour focusstrayto otherdesires insteadofput ting God first. Family integri ty is importantbut Godknows ourweaknessand is mercifu. We have messed up ourworld butthank Godfor Jesus Christ whose sacrifice givesushope.

Next Sunday at 10.30amour servicewillbeled by Mr RoyEllisfromShrewsbury.

fares from £1,654pp

Rouen,France

NorthCape, Norway

Ben’spainting of astaghangs in Callaghan’sGallery,Shrewsbury

Nice detached familyhome

NEWPORT

OIRO £289,995

This is averynicedetachedfam ilyhome situated in lovely established residentialroad

Thepropertyoffersa spacious entrancehall, ground floorW.C., an attractive modern kitchendining room andaspaciouslounge.

Thereare also four really good sized first floorbedrooms anda modern bathroom

Outside, thereare several park ingspacestothe frontand side of theproperty.

Thereare also larger than av eragereargardens. Thehouse is located just half amilefromNew port’s High Streetwithits shops, cafesand pubs.

To arrangeaviewing of this lovely familyhome,pleasecontact Barber’s NewportOffice on 01952 820239

Situated in a lovelylocation

Propertywithpotential

If you’relooking foraproject with loadsofpotential –thenthis is theone foryou.

Setina popularlocation, this three-bedroomhouse hasbeen part renovated, andsodoes need worktobring it up to thehighest standards-but it will make alovely family home

To thefront is asmall enclosed frontgarden andthe frontporch leadsthrough to thehallway with stairs to the first floorand lead

STOKEHEATH

OIRO £185,000

ingontothe utility area andWC. There’saspaciousloungewitha largewindow- andthe back has been opened up andwill make areallysmart open-plandining kitchenwithpatio doorsout to the rear garden

On the first floorare three good sizedbedroomsand thebathroom.

Call Barberson01630 653641

Very spaciousbungalowis setonagenerous corner plot

LOGGERHEADS

OIRO £400,000

This is aspaciousthree bedroom detached bungalow setona generouscornerplot– recently reduced, it hasthe addedbonus of beingofferedtothe market with no upward chain!

To thesideofthe property there’s acoveredpatio area offwhich are twodoors -one to thesmart,mod ernutility,and theother into the kitchenwhich overlooksthe frontof thepropertyand hasagoodrange of kitchenunits andspace foryour electric cooker andfridge freezer Theloungeisreallyspacious, with fireplaceand alarge corner window -and leadstothe separate dining room

Offthe centralhallway is the bathroom,showerroomand then bedroomthree is currentlyset up as asmart home office.Bedrooms Oneand Twoare both doublebed rooms, andthe conservatorycan be accessed from themainhalland through bedroomtwo. Theconserv atoryisa lovely lightand spacious room overlooking theprettyter raced rear garden

Properties on Avon Grove are very popularso, to be one of the firsttoview, call 01630 653641.

CHURCH ASTON

OIRO £450,000

This highly desirable detached familyhouse situated in alovely lo cation within Church Aston.

Theaccommodationcomprises alarge entrancehall, ground floor W.C.,cloakscupboard, spacious lounge,separatediningroom, conservatory, kitchen.

Themainbedroom hasan en suiteand thereare also threefur ther bedrooms andawet room.

Externally,there is adoublegarage,parking,afront garden and pleasant rear gardenswitha raised pavedpatio, cultivated borders, rear coniferoushedging,lawned gardens, rockery area,steps down with retaining wall to furtherlawn andtimberconstructed summer houseand storageshed.

To view this property,contact Barberson01952 820239

LOGGERHEADS

OIRO £157,500

This is averynicely presented detached two-bedroombungalow on aselectdevelopment forover55s of just eightsimilar bungalows, set in well maintained communal Gardens andwithallocated parking.

Thepropertyisin‘move-in’ condition as it hasbeendecorated and re-carpetedthroughout.

Thereisanewly fitted kitchen, spaciousloungediner with fireplace andFrenchdoors, amainbedroom with abay window,asecondbed room andshowerroom. To arrange aviewing,call01630 653641

Sheer terror of meeting ‘Owd Scratch’ on isolated road

Howa historic murder ledto spectral sightingsatabbey

BY ROBSMITH newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Buildwas Abbeyhas stood on thebanks of theSevernfor almost a thousand yearsand has seen countlesspeople pass throughits hallowedgrounds –not all with good intentions.

In fact,one murderousmonkis even said to have slainagreedy abbot, causinghis spirit to haunt theabbey to this day. Shropshire folkloreexpertand researcher Amy Boucherisafrequent visitortothe abbey andhas been diggingintoits history, particularly thegrimperiod of theearly 1340swhenmurder andplaguefelluponits doors.

Amy, whocomesfromMadeley andrunsablogdetailing spooky go ings-oninShropshire, takesup the storyofthe violence at theabbey that mightexplain ghostsightings in theinterveningcenturies

Disease

Shesaid: “1342wasn’ta great year forBuildwas Abbey, though thetrouble really beganaround18 months earlier, when ahorrendous cattle diseasestruckShropshire. Unknowingly, this diseasewould startachain of events that would lead to murder

“The cattle diseaseblightedthe area anddecimated livestocknum bers with onemanor nottoo far from theabbey seeing 62 of the154 cattle dead, andthe rest toosick to give milk.It’snot knownhow farthe diseaseaffected Buildwas Abbey’slands,however theremust have been some impact,asitled to thebehaviour of theabbot being called into question

“The abbotseemedtoignorethe problemand grew even more unre lentinginhis pursuitofrent. This angeredlocal farmers; however, thedispute waseventually calmed when church officials were sent to

Buildwas.There waspeacefor a time,until thefollowing year,when thecrops failed

“Withnocrops andthe coun ty stillinthe gripsofacattledis ease,manypeasant farmersleft theirlandinsearch of work further afield, or died,leaving acresof abandonedarable land.Thiswas a real crisis andput immense pres sureonthe peasants left behind It seemsthatthe abbotrefusedto acknowledge these seriouseconomic problems.Hehad no pity forthe peasants andinsisted that theabbeyshouldcollect thefull taxesof abbeyland, even if empty. He said he expected full rentsand refused to allowany remissionoffees or fines.

“The detailsofwhatfollows are lost to time,however it seemsthat thelocal peasants expressedtheir

concern, andfound avoice in ajun ior monk, by thenameofThomas Tong,known asThomasofTonge in some records. Tong sympathised with thepeasantsand wanted the abbottoaddress thegrowing issue, buthealso disliked theabbot on a personallevel

“Tongraisedthe concerns anda meetingbetween thetwo men was arranged to discussthe growing dissent. Themeetingwas arather unpleasant affair,withthe two menquickly losing theirtempers As theargumentraisedand insults were thrown,somethinginTong snapped, andhestabbed theabbot to death.

“Itisnot knownwhether this was apremeditated actora moment of madness, butthe wholeabbey was stunned by theevents.”

Apatentroll– an officialorder is

sued by theCrown –fromSeptember16under thenameofKingEdwardIII detailsthe “appointment of William Carles to attach Thomas de Tonge, amonkofBuldewas, who is indicted in thecountyofSalop of themurderofhis abbotasissaid, andhas spurnedhis religioushabit andisnow vagabond in secularhab it,and imprisonhim in Shrewsbury gaol”.

ThebookMedievalMonasteries of GreatBritain includes this passage:“In 1342 theabbot wasmur deredbyone of hisown brethren, Thomas Tong.Tongmanaged to evade arrest andlater hadthe au dacity to petition forreinstatement to theCistercianOrder.” Whatever happened to Thomas,itappears he wasn’t punished tooharshly.He wasevenabletorejoin theorder af tersome time

Butwhatabout theabbey?Amy said:“Anew abbotwas appointed to Buildwas,who waskindertothe plightofthe peasantryand so the rent situationwas resolved.Howev er,thiswasn’tthe endofBuildwas Abbey’s strife

“Fiveyears laterthe BlackDeath wouldstrikethe country, killing many in Shropshire, andplummet ingthe valueofBuildwas estate

“Totop it alloff,Tongreturned,” Amysaid. “However,his return seemed to be toomuchfor thespirit of theabbot.After restingfor five years, hisghost wasrisen. Soon he wasseenagain,incessantly wandering theabbey’s grounds, un happyat hiskiller’sreturn. Many of theyounger monks suggested he wassearchingfor Tong,who fled themonastery,apparentlynot too keen on theideaofmeetinghis victimagain

“However,thisdidn’tgivehis victimrespite.His spirit is still report ed to wander thecrumbling ruins of Buildwas Abbey. He is oftenseen stood amongthe ruinsand enjoying the serenity of theabbey ruins.”

n Read Amy’sworkatnearlyk nowledgeablehistory.blogspot.com

Thereisasmall andinconspic uous road in southShropshire where, it is said,you couldmeet theDevil himself andfacehis judgment

Andaccordingtolocal folk lore, if you don’tmeasure up you mightnot make it back from an encounteronthe road known forgenerations as theDevil’s Causeway

Modern-day Shropshire folk loreexpertand paranormalenthusiast Amy Boucher explains:

“There areanumberoftales whichlinkthe Deviltoaspecific area,which were oftenused to implorethe listener to avoid that place. ActonBurnell in Shropshireisthe home to several such stories.”

Anditisbetween ActonBur nell andthe nearby villageof Cardington that ‘Old Scratch’ is said to do hisdevilish business, north-eastofChurch Stretton andwestofMuchWenlock

Thestretch of road in ques tion is mentionedin the1883 tome Shropshire Folk-Loreby CharlotteS Burne: “A stretch of rude pavement, from twoto threehundred yardsin length, knownas theDevil’s Causeway.

“Itonceformedpartofa Romanroadleading to Wroxe terfromRushbury, andinthe judgement of theRev.CHHartshorne,the localantiquarian authority, wasnever more than on an average13ftwide.”

Amytakes up thetaleofthe causeway:“This road is known as theDevil’s Causeway, as folk lorestatesthatthe Devilcreat ed it in asinglenight,toaid his nefarioustravels

“Heisbelievedtowanderthis road still, andmostlyappears to anyone whochooses to walk this path at midnight. ‘Owd Scratch’ takesthe form of aman riding awhite horse (sometimes with hornsand hooveslikeagoator cowand fartallerthanany mortalman).

“Hehas tasked himself with judgingthe soulsofthose who arecaughtout late.Ifyou have liveda good life, youmay pass unheeded as theDevil knows he cannot harm you.However, if you areawretchedsoul, the devilisfreetobeatyou to a ‘bloodiedpulp’

“I wouldargue that thepur pose of this storyistoemphasise therisks of thehumanworld TheDevil is thus aconduit for thefears inspired by long,open roadsand dark nights.”

Buildwas Abbeyinlithograph, by JC Baylissin1856

An aerialshotofthe abbey, wherethere have been spooky sightings Buildwas Abbey, in apicture broughtintothe Shropshire Star offices in

Part of theroadnorth outof Cardington, leading to the Devil’sCauseway

NaturalCapital in thespotlight

BarbersRural is runninga free seminartoexploreNatural Capital regulations.

TheGovernment is introducingnew legislationtobothgov ernand market NaturalCapital. “There is stillalot to learn aboutwhatthe newlegislation will mean to ourfarming clients,” said DanBowden, Rural Surveyor andPartner with Barbers Rural. “DirectPayments, includingThe BasicPayment Scheme,are duetobephased outby 2027 andweneed to know how thenew NaturalCap ital regulationswill affect support forfarmers goingforward.”

To help farmersunderstand more about what NaturalCap ital will mean to theirfarming businesses,Barbers Ruralis runninga free seminaronDecember 1at6.30pm

Theevent will be held at Market DraytonLivestock Market andthe guestspeaker will be Kate RussellfromTellusNat ural Capitalwho is aleading voiceinthe UK regardingNaturalCapital

Otherspeakerswill be Paul Appleby from ApplebysDairy andChris Talbot from Alltech E-CO2who runs carbon audits forfarmers

Refreshments will be provid ed so bookingisessential.For more informationand to book your placecall01630 692500

Firm is boosted by appointments

Agri-techveterans, ScottMillar andLouise Rix, have joined Trinity AgTech in farmer-facing roles as customersuccess managers

Both coming from agri-techbusinesses,their newpositionswillsee them supportnew andexisting farm customers to measureand op timise theirnatural capitalassets usingTrinity AgTech’s smartnat ural capitalnavigator,Sandy.Asa gatewaybetween Trinity’sproducts andservicesand theend user,their cross-sector agricultural expertise meansimproved, tailored support forfarmers whoare lookingtobuild theirbusiness resilience,profitabil ityand sustainability

Mr Millar hasspent adecade working in business development, andhails from ruralroots,having graduatedfromHartpuryUniver sity with adegreeinagriculture andlandmanagement. He will be supporting Trinity’s livestockand dairycustomers in hisnew role

“I believecredibleand high-qualitycarbonand biodiversity scoring andoptimisation will play akey role in advancingfarmers’needsfor higher profitability andsustainabil ityand Trinityhas themostrobust system in themarket to help farm ersachieve theirmaximum potential,” he said.

Also bolstering theteam’sexper tise with over 10 yearsworking in customer-facing rolesworking di rectly with farmersisMsRix.Ms Rix joinsTrinity AgTech to support thecompany’s arable andhorticulture customers

Storagereminderisoffered as fertiliser demand increases

DAVIDBANNER newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Followinganotable in crease in thedemandfor urea fertiliser,agronomy firm Hutchinsons is remindinggrowers to ensure they store and handle it correctly.

Strict regulationsgovern the transportation andstorage of all fertilisers

The firm’s fertiliserand crop nu tritionspecialistRob Jewers said farmersmustbecareful to abide by these rules, particularly when storingbothureaand ammonium nitrate (AN) products

Urea is relatively inertcompared with AN,but he warnsthatregulationsprohibitthe twofrombeing transportedorstoredtogether.

Failing to follow theappropriate storageguidelinescould risk farm ersfailing ACCS or RedTractor inspections, nottomention increas ingthe risk of significant losses in theeventofanincident.

He said:“Urea hasbeenmore competitivelypriced than ammoni um nitratethisyear, by quitesome

margin.One kilo of AN nitrogen waspricedataround£2.60 at the endofSeptember,whereas akilo of urea nitrogenworkedout to be about £1.90, so we have seen more demand forit.

“There maywellbefarmers who haven’t bought urea before,orhav en’t used it foralongtime, that perhaps aren’t awarethe twoshouldn’t be stored together

REPORT

MARKET DRAYTON

MONDAY17OCTOBER,234 BARRENCOWS, CULL BULLS &OVERAGE CLEANCATTLE(Green Market). Seasonal flush of cattle forwardresulting in an entryrepresentingthe “good,bad andugly” with alarge contingent of lightweight worked or parlourcows. Meatedcowswerefew andfar between andcertainly commanding apremium on thenight.Verymuchatwo tier tradewithlightand plainer cowsharder to place butincontrastyoung feeding typesand meat findingsome real spirited bidding.Highlightedprices to 245p or £1,774.08 for clean,202por£1,622.08 forsucklers, 173p or £1,453.92for dairyand 166p or £1,464.12for bulls andthe overall market average returned at 133p 123Dairies -Ashowofcowsinkeeping with the seasonwithcowsmilking of their backs andthe goodness gone outofthe grass. Topcalls rang out to 173p (£996.48)for youngMontbeliardecow from HK.&SB.Bennett, Manor Farm.The James Family, St Martinssaw their Norwegian Redto 170p (£1,190.00), 151p (£987.54)etc,GE.T.&PG. Wright, Barrow cowsto169p (£1,152.58)and 166p (£1,102.24)and F.D. Wright &Son,Baddiley sawtheir cowto165p(£1,221.00) andJS.&HJ Gleave, Heywood Lane black andwhite to161p (£1,127.00)and 150p (£912.00)etc.Inthe lump C.RG.&BR. Goodwin, Astburyblack andwhite cowgrossed £1,453.92, DW.Eardley&Partners, Almingtongenerated £1,289.54and J.M. Brindley &Partners, Mill Lane £1,263.00 to mention afew Thesection averagereturned at 121p (£781.42).

82 Sucklers-Likethe dairies an extremely mixed entrybut allsellingtosome competitivebidding be it from end user to further finishers. High lightofthe nightwas aLimousinsellingto202p(£1,365.52) from Mr Liam Swinnerton &Family, Lipley Villa We sawBluesto190p(£1,413.60) from theBlack NBlue Show Team,Luston.Distant travellersThe JamesFamily, St Martinssaw Limousins to 190p (£1,352.80)and 178p (£1,306.52).AR.&DM. Phillips,Ruabon Blue to 188p (£1,628.08) andThe DeavilleFamily,Rocester Blue to 186p (£1,160.64) to mention afew.Natives sawAngusto169p (£1,226.94)fromBeechCliffeFarmPartners, CliffLane.The section averagereturned at 146p (£980.12).3Bulls -Humble number forward andmanymorecould have been sold to vendors advantage. Blue to 166p (£1,464.12)fromThe Goldstraw Family,KinseyHeath.Simmentalto 155p (£957.90)fromAG.&RL. Cornes,HalmerEnd andfurther Blue to 139p (£895.16). Thesection

average returned at 154p (£1,105.73). 26 Clean -Steers took poleposition at 245p (£1,754.20) for BluefromPhil Tushingham &Family,Clotton andfurther Angusto224p(31,774.08).Heifers totallydominated with dairybredtypes seeing Shorthorns to 166p (£816.72)fromE.W. Hamer & Co,Minsterley. 188PIGS. 35 Cull Sows -Another big entryofsowsforward andaverymuchtwo tier trade. Goodsowsifpickedat30p to 40p topping at 68pfromD.J.Shakeshaft&Son,Cold Hatton.Other sowsfrom5p to 25pdependingon colour,size, shape etc. Boarsveryhardworkwith some having to go home.107 FatPigs-Good little show of fatpigswell bidfor today.Bestpigs at 140p to 160p toppingat182pfromMrNigel Turner,Cleobury Mortimer.Withnopigsunder 100p today whichwas good to see with vendors rewarded for theirhardwork. 46 Store&Weaner -Nothing to gettoexcited by trade wisebut some lovely pigsforward topping at £40fromBTR.&R. Gittins, Golfawithother trading from £5 to £30all finding newhomes.372 WEANLINGS. Astrong number forward with qualityverymixed with some cattle showingthe effects of weather andfodder situation.Having saidthat, better bred andwel fleshed typesstill selling at therecenthigh levels with themostdemandbeingfor thewell fleshed 6-8month cattle.Plain,cross bred or smallfor agetypes continue to be thehardesttosell.Onto trade,startingwiththe bullswhichweremore tricky to sell today,mostbulls at 4to6monthsold andselling at £350 to £450 topping at £520for Angusat£520for Yareal LlanfordaLtd,Longslow andBluesat£495for R.A. Fisk &Sons, Bridgnorth. Onto thesteers whichwerethe better trade of the day, well fleshed typesinveryhighdemandtopping at £790 forBlondes from ACD. &J Walton,Stone, andyounger3to4month old typesat£350to £400.A mixedbag of native steerswithstrongest types£400 to £500 with top call being£590for Mr M. Latham,Derby.The plainer,small native steers harder to place in general.All 166steersaveraged £418.The Continentalheifersaverysimilar storyto thesteers with agood tradefor thebesttypes.Top call went to BluesfromMrJ.F.Deane,Eccleshall at £635,youngertypes seeing mixeddemand at £350 to £400.The native heifers were atwo tier trade with fleshy typesverymuchdemanded, up to £425 for 7month old modelsfromMrM.Latham,Derby andplainer typescontinue to be hard work.

WEDNESDAY19OCTOBER,179 CLEANCATTLE &YOUNG BULLS.New market record for clean commercialcattlereturning at astaggering 366p

“Itissomethingtothink about, otherwise youmightbeinfor a shockifthere’s an ACCS inspec tion.”

Thereasonureaand AN cannot be stored or transported together is notbecause thereisadangerof them spontaneouslyreactingwith each other, more thefactureais an organicmaterialthatactsasa carbon source –CO2 produced in

theHaber-Bosch processgetsadded back into theammonia to produce urea. “So, if therewas an incident with theammoniumnitrate,such as fire,the urea wouldprovide an additional fuel source,” Mr Jewersexplained.Thisiswhy thetwo products cannot be putonthe same vehicle when beingdelivered,and ideallytheyshouldnot be stored in thesameshed, he said

for atremendousLimousinheifer today.Generally averysharp tradeespeciallyfor cattle with loin andshape andideallyinexcess of 500kilos. Best butchers cattle we canhandle down to 450kilos butideally500 kilosplus. Pleaseremember with escalating costs abattoirs needcattlewithweight duetocost. Lightweight,plain typesharderto place with some cattle especiallybulls another two monthsonhardfood wouldmakethemmuchmore saleable.Iammorethanhappy to come outand advice.Iappreciate costs aregoing up butsome of youhave done thehardworktheyjustneed abit moretime.Top of thedocktoday heifers to 366p or £2,072.00, steers to 305p or £1,919.02and bullsto280por£1,857.24.72Bulls -Numbers remaining reasonablyconsistentbut moresuckler bullsurgentlyrequiredtoservice increasing orders. Sucklerspeakedat280p (£1,607.20)for a LimousinfromF.B.Jones& Son,MiltonLane. W. Walker &Sons, Rushtonsold Limousinto268p (£1,688.40), N. &B Moseley& Son, Allostock sold Salersto259p(£1,745.66) andAberdeen Angusto238p(£1,751.68),Barbers’Bon-Bon’ Helen Barber &Family, HigherWhitley sold Blue Crossesto246p(£1,500.60).Nativessaw Angusto257p(£1,634.52) from MrBob Holmes High Offley andHerefordto249p(£1,762.92) Draytonspecials sawblack andwhitesto229p (£1,360.26)fromThe BarlowFamily, Hamstall Ridware andfurther bu lto228p(£1,445.52) Pleaseremember tryand getbulls over500 kilossoall ourbuyerscan support!!The section returned at 218p (£1,268.39). 38 Steers -Humble number with shape andmeata real treattosell andplenty of buyerscompeting foryourcattle. DistanttravellersThe Wright Family, Nuneaton selling Blue to 305p (£1,634.80)and further Limousinto298p(£1,686.68).Closertohome JG.&DJ. Francis&Son,Wem sawtheirBlues to 288p (£1,630.08), 261p (£1,534.68)and 256p (£1,459.20)etc andMrDarrenYoung of Young FarmsLimousinto280p(£1,853.60).Lighter steersto262p(£1,278.56) from aregular Cheshire vendor.Inthe lumpThe RobinsonFamily, Rushton sold WelshBlack to return £1,919.02. Natives sold to 234p (£1,488.24) forAngusfromMrMark Lokier &Family, NewtownVilla well represented by ourRachel! Thesection average returned at 230p (£1,447.32). 69 Heifers -Not enough forward forthe leveloftrade andanew Market Record setonthe daybyMrIan Brown, Werrington with hisLimousintoa tremendouseye watering 366p (£1,969.08)and further Limousinto320p

(£1,452.80). DistanttravellersThe Wright Family, Nuneaton Blue to 310p (£1,683.30) and300p (£1,629.00)for aLimousin. Closertohome from aregularCheshirevendorseeing theirLimousinto 296p twice(£1,349.76and £1,219.52). Mr Darren Young, YoungFarms Limousinto294p(£1,828.68) andMrCharles Forrester, Northwood Limousinto 276p (£1,308.24)tomention afew.Inthe lumpwe sawanoverage Limousintogross £2,072.00from another regular Cheshirevendor. Nativessoldto 244p (£1,273.68) for aAngusfromW.A.Jebb & Son,Ford. Thesection averagereturned at 244p (£1,389.02). 94 DAIRYCATTLE. Yetanother arge entryoffresh milkersselling to another exceptional trade.Today’s top was£3,150for thepedigree heifer HankinsSangria Hebe from HankinsHeys Farm,Audlem.She wasthe firstprize pedigree heifer andoverall champion of theMonthly Show &Sale supportedbythe WesternHolstein which wassponsoredbyHJLea Oakesand judged by Robertand JamesMadders.The second prize pedigreeheiferBudworthApprentice Queen 2from HilltopFraming Co,Northwich sold for£2,900and their other twoheiferseachsoldfor £2,850 each, averaging £2,867 forall three. C. Whitticase &Son of St Martinssold heifersat£2,950,£2,550and £2,500 with their threeaveraging £2,667.Other heifersover£2,500were£2,650J.M.Griffin, Sutton Coldfield, £2,650 M. &JC. Gould,Bomere Heath,£2,620 MW.& JM.TrevorJones,Oswestry, £2,620 D. &E.Monk, Ormskirk, £2,500 Hankins Heys Farm.The firstprize commercialheifer sold for£2,720. The firstprize pedigree cowwas the secondcalverBidlea Grazie CasfromRay Brown &Partners, Twemlows, shewas also thereserve championand sold for£2,700. Bidlea Bullion Fayne 2was thesecond prizepedigreecow and sold for£2,500. Allseven secondcalvers from the Bidlea herd averaged£2,114. Thetop pr cedcow at £2,750 wasthe secondcalverJumarAchieve Anita from TM.&JM. Bowes, Wellenhall.Inall,32cattle sold over£2,000 of which 16 were over£2,500. All 84 milkersaveraged£1,904. 268STORECATTLE. More stores forwardand averyfasttrade indeed especiallyfor top endyarding cattle.Great to see again thestart of thesuckler calves coming on to themarketjustahead of next weeks“Suckled Calf Show &Sale”-moredetails at endofreport. Ahandy show of Friesian steers topped at £1,020 with allthe best£800plus. Trademainly160p to 180p/kgand averaged 175p.Finally we were wearing pink at themarketfor Breast Cancer Awareness month andmanaged to raise£345!

Strictregulations govern thetransportation and storageofall fertilisers

Innovative trial helpsto flag up thekey benefits of slurryadditive

An innovativetrial exploringifa newslurryadditivecan improve nutrient availability in digestate hasshowna20.3per cent increase in availablenitrogencontent anda 29 percentreduction in drymatter solids afterthe firstyear.

Thenew Digest-Itslurryadditive from Origin Fertilisers is a live liquid biological bacteria that hasbeenusedindigestate forthe firsttimeand hasbeenwellproven to significantly reduce ammonia emissionsand increase ammonium nitrogenlevelsinslurry. Thetrial took placeata1.2MW anaerobicdigestionplant in Lincolnshire

The20.3per cent increase in am monium nitrogenwas shownafter a12-week period followingthe ap plicationofDigest-It.Afurther 29 percentreduction in oven drysol idshas translatedtothe digestate beingeasiertopump, whichin turn hasreduced machinery wear and fuel use, alongwithshortening fill ingtimes

As an outcome of reducing solid content, thedigestate hasathinner consistencyand is thereforeeasier forthe plants to absorbfollowing applicationtothe soil.Plantsaren’t usingasmuchenergytosearch fornitrogen, andnitrogenlosses throughvolatilisation arereduced

Callum Norman,specialitysales manageratOriginFertilisers, who wasinvolvedin thetrial,saidwhile theheadlineincreases make ex cellentreading,the widerbenefits of applying Digest-Itshouldn’t be overlooked.

He said:“Thetreated digestate hadlessnitrogencontent than the untreated product.”

Worries grow over quality of school meals

Children face adeteriorationin school mealsdue to shortagesand increasing prices, asurveysug gests.

Morethan90per cent of the99 school meal providerspolledby Laca TheSchoolFood People across England andWales said they are experiencing food shortages,with morethan60per cent saying this hasnot improvedsince May.

Bread, fish,cheese, pastaand po tatoes arethe itemsmostaffected Thesurveyalsofound that prices have risenbyafurther 30 percent sinceMay.Thisisinadditiontothe

DAVIDBANNER

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

20 percentprice increases Laca membersreported in May, comparedwithApril 2020

According to thesurvey, some ca terers have experienced50per cent priceincreases sinceMay

Thesurveyalsofound 28 percent arenow usingmoreprocessed foods to cope with rising costs, whilealmost 35 percentare considering switchingfromBritish meat to meat from abroad.The survey found52.2

percentexpectthe qualityofschool mealstocontinuegetting worse over thecomingweeks andmonths.

Laca is calling on theGovernment to increase fundingper meal for both UniversalInfantFreeSchool Meals–currently £2.41– andFree School Meals–currently £2.47–to addressthe currentcostofliving crisis andfor this to increaseannually with inflation.

Chairman of Laca, Brad Pearce, said:“Despitethe best effortsofour membersand dedicatedfrontline staff, theschoolmeals industry is on itsknees.”

Biosecurityadvice service is hailed as amassive success

Afreeservice offeringfarmers biosecurity advice to preventthe spread of TB hasbeen ratedexcellent anduse fulby themajorityof farmerswho accessed it.

SarahTomlinson, technical di rector at theTBAdvisoryService (TBAS) –which offers livestock farmersin Englandfreebiosecurity advice to protecttheir animalsfrom TB –saidshe wasdelighted to share areporthighlighting thesuccess of theservice between2017and 2021

Shesaid: “The report shows 2,280 farmswerevisited and 2,400farmers were given over-thephoneadvicefromTBASoverthe four-year-periodwith90per cent rating theservice as excellentand 92 percentsayingthe recommen dationsgiven to them were very useful.

“Thisisreallyencouraging as it

DAVIDBANNER

showsTBAShas providedvalue to thousandsoffarmers andhas hope fullyempowered them to seeTBas an infectiousdiseasethattheycan take stepstocontrol, rather than somethingcompletelyout of their control.”

MrsTomlinsonsaidthe service is designed to show farmerswhile thereare things they can’tcontrol, thereare things they cancontrolon theirown farm

Sheexplained:“TBAS is proactive;we’re trying to reduce therisk of thenextTBbreakdown on afarm by helpingfarmers to implement certainmeasures, butit’salsoa tool to go onto afarmwhere thereisa breakdown.”

Thereportfound the five most common recommendationsgivento farmersatthe endofavisit were: installwildlifecameras;use the ibTB website priortopurchasing

animalstoascertain thetimeof afarm’slastTBbreakdown;add barriers to thebottomofgates and doors; useelectricfencingtoprotect routes of entry; andfeed animalsin badger-prooftroughs.

“Eachfarmerwas given four recommendationsand thereport shows43per cent hadcompleted threeofthembytheir six-month follow-upcall, andjustover half hadcompleted twoofthe tasks,” said MrsTomlinson.

Sheiskeentoremindthe industrythatTBASisavailable to all farm businesses in England and TB susceptiblespecies including camelids andgoats.Anyoneinter ested in theservice canask their vet forareferralorget information online at www.tbas.org.uk

“The firstvisit takesacoupleof hours. We talk aboutTBasaninfectious disease. We look at how TB couldarriveand circulateon-farm, andifit’salready on-farmwelook at how we canhelpget theholding

clearquicker andstopitcoming back,” addedMrs Tomlinson.

“WithCovid we learnedthatdoingsmall seeminglyinsignificant things like wearingfacemasks and washingour handscan have an im pact on anationaldiseasecontrol.

“It’sthe same with TB, little things farmerscan do, likeshutting theirfeed storedoors at night, will help reduce theirown riskbut can also have an impact on national TB eradication.”

As well as free farm visits, TBAS offers free over the-phoneadviceon 01306779410.

TheTBAdvisoryService wasdelivered from 2017-2021using RDPE funding, by Westpointfarmvets, nowpart of theVetPartners family Thedeliveryofthe newDefra fund ed TBAS serviceisbeing delivered by Farmcare SolutionsLimited,a jointventure betweenVetPartners Limited, Obligace Limited,IndependentVetcare Limited(IVC) and UK Farmcare Limited.

Amilestone is beingcelebrated

Some importantmilestonesare be ingcelebratedatthisyear’sNewark VintageTractor &HeritageShow

Andone such milestoneincludes the50thanniversary of atrue workhorse –the Massey Ferguson 1200

TheMF1200was the firstar ticulatedfour-wheeltractor to be manufactured in Britain. It canbe credited with changing theconcept of agricultural engineering, despite some earlyproductionblips

Thetractor waspowered by a Perkinssix-cylinder dieselengine giving 105hp, with itsbox-likebody featuringa steel-nosedbonnetand integral cab– andofcourse,the centralpivot giving it thearticulation andmanoeuvrability it’s re nowned for.

Theseicons of theirtimeare be ingexhibited at theNewark Vintage Tractor&HeritageShow

Theshow takesplace on Novem ber5-6

Presentations will be made

TheNuffieldscholarswho will this year present the findings from theirstudy travels have been announced by theNuffield FarmingScholarshipsTrust

Thescholarswill make their presentationsatthe Nuffield FarmingConference.

Theeventwill take placeat CardiffCityHallonNovember 23-24.

Ticketstoattendthisyear’s NuffieldFarming Conference andAnnualDinner arenow availabletopurchaseonthe NuffieldFarming website, along with additional eventdetails

Scholars will make presenta tionsonavariety of farming issues includingbiodiversity forthe future of fruitfarming, managing landscapes to produce sustainablevenisoninthe UK andlatestinvestments in technologyand innovation.

feature

Fendthas developeda newfront loader with adedicated valveblock, newweighingfunction, greater flexibility of movement, andheavier load carrying capacity

TheCargo 6will be availableon thenew Gen7 700Vario tractors andisthe firstFendt loader to be fullyindependent, making it possibletouse allthe tractor valves with theloaderattached.

Fendt’sEdDennett said:“It is a function that will help in so many situations.Havingaloaderwith threeindependent functions– lift, tipand athird valve–without using valves needed forother implements will save operatorstimeand enable tractors fitted with this loader to be more versatile

“A clever newhydrauliclocking function enablestools to be changed in anyposition with theaddedben efitofaneasy-to-use mechanical lock andwithout having to crowd back theloaderfully.”

School mealproviders saidtheyare experiencing food shortages, asurveyhas found

Unsung heroes awards appeal

AShropshire-basedsocialenter prise is asking fornominations for anew awards

PEGS,which is committed to supportingparents, carers andguardiansimpacted by ChildtoParent Abuse,has launched CPAHeroes –which enablesparents to nomi nate someone whohas gone above andbeyondtoassistthem. Nomina tionscould either be aprofessional such as aGP, socialworker, police officerorteacher,ora friend,fami ly member,neighbour or colleague.

Nominationsare open until5pm on Wednesday,November30. An yone wishingtonominateshould emailadmin@pegsupport.com and includethe name,organisation–if applicable –and address– if known –oftheir nominee, alongsidetheir reason forputting them forward. They must also indicate ifthey’re happyfor theirnametobeshared with theirCPA Hero.Visit pegsup port.com

Groupswings to raisecash

Housebuildinggroup Vistry raised£7,690for suicidepreven tion charityPapyrus at agolf tournament

Eightmembersofstaff from thehousebuilder’sMercia re gion,which is basedinStafford, took up theirclubs forthe 18 hole eventheldatThe ShropshireGolfCoursein Telford.

Theevent washeldinthe same week at WorldSuicide Prevention Day. PapyrusisVis try’snationalchosencharity this year

Theorganisationisdedicat ed to theprevention of suicide, whichisthe biggest killer of people aged 35 andunder in theUK. It provides confidential supportand advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicideand anyone worried aboutayoung person,through itshelplineHOPELINEUK.

Sharpfallin tourismoutput

Tourismand recreation experi enced thesharpestfallinoutput of anyUK sector in September,accordingtothe latest Lloyds Bank UK sector tracker

Output in thesector, whichincludes pubs, hotels, restaurants andleisure facilities,contracted at thefastest pace (36.3) sinceFebru ary2021, when theUKwas last in lockdown

Thedropwas causedbydemand –represented by neworders–fallingfor afourthconsecutive month (38.5) as consumersreined-in discretionary spending amid rising inflation.

However, five of the14UKsec tors sawoutputgrowinSeptember (against threeinAugust),while the same number sawnew orders grow (fromthree in August).

Output growth washighest amongsoftwareservice providers (55.8vs63.1inAugust),followedby healthcare firms(53.6 vs 47.8).

Motordealerisonmoveintown

Greenhous, oneofthe UK’s larg estautomotive groups, hasopened anew site in Shrewsbury

ThesiteonFeatherbed Lane will replacethe currentGreen hous ShrewsburyVauxhallsite on Old PottsWay

RichardPotts, director and generalmanager at Greenhous Shrewsbury,said: “After28years on OldPotts Way, we’reveryex-

citedtobemovingtoour new homeonFeatherbed Lane.We prideourselves on deliveringthe highestlevelsofcustomerservice andour newsitewill allowusto do exactlythat.”

It will offeraone-stop-shop carexperience, includingalarge rangeofusedcarsand vans, Vauxhall approvedservicing,repair andmaintenance andMOT

Matrix picksupa national accolade

Chartered financialplannersfrom a firm have celebrated yetanother national industry awardsuccess

TheteamfromMatrixCapital, whichisbased near Bridgnorth, hasscooped theMoney Marketing awardfor SmallAdviceFirmofthe Year 2022 andtheyreceivedtheir trophyat aceremonyinLondon.

Founderand managing director

RobinMelleysaid: “I’m so proud ofthe teamfor theworktheydo

in making sure that ourclients achievegreat outcomesand that they areprovidedwithasafepair of hands.

“Wereceivedthe awardinthe category for firmswho have fewer than five authorisedadvisers, and competitionwas extremely fierce

“Sotohaveachievedthisnational titleisbrilliantnewsand it’s the ultimate recognitionfor thehard workthateveryone puts in.”

Councilhelps recruitment firm source cash forITinvestment

JAMESPUGH

james.pugh@mnamedia.co.uk

Astart-uprecruitment agency hassecured £10,000 throughthe Business Growth Programme thanks to support from Telford&WrekinCouncil’s Enterprise Telfordteam.

Telford-basedHariley Solutions Ltdhas used theadditionalcashinjection to supportaseriesofCapital expenditureITinvestments forthe business,including newlaptops and desks.

The£10,000 wasthe maximum amount that Harileycould applyfor throughthe Business Growth Programme (BGP)and hasprovideda much-needed financialboost to sup port thecompany’s newITinfra structurewhich hascost£18,000 in total.

HarileySolutions Ltdwas founded by directorsRyanWheeler,Stu artMackintosh andJay Plant, who bringextensive experience in re cruitment, to help firmsinthe in dustrial andtransport sectors find thebeststaff

Mr Wheelersaid: “Weweredelightedtoreceivethe Business Growth Programmefunding which is invaluable forbusinesses like ourselves.The Enterprise Telford team were really helpfulfromstart to finish,helping us with allthe paperworkand guidingusthrough theapplication.”

Law firm is shortlistedfor twoaccolades

Alaw firm hasbeenshortlistedin twocategoriesatthe upcoming na tional PersonalInjuryAwards. Theawards, nowin their15th year,recognise theexcellence of law firmsand individualsacross thepersonalinjuryand medical negligence sectors, with 21 awards beingpresented on thenight.

Shropshirelaw firm Lanyon Bowdlerisa finalist in theClini calNegligenceTeamofthe Year

JAMESPUGH james.pugh@mnamedia.co.uk

category andBethHeath, apart nerand head of Lanyon Bowdler’s clinical negligence team,isa fi nalist in theClinical Negligence Lawyer of theYearcategory. The awards ceremony takesplacein Manchester on November24.

BrianEvans,managingpart-

ner, at Lanyon Bowdlersaid: “We aredelighted to be shortlistedin twocategoriesatthe Personal In jury Awards –the country’sleadingawardsinthe personal injury andclinical negligence sectors.”

He added: “Our clinical negligenceteam, whichhas an enviable reputation within theindustry, works tirelessly on behalf of our clientsand fullydeserves to be recognisedonthe national stage.”

22 unitssnapped up at business parkthankstoQ

A financialservicesgroup has revealed howithas helped busi nesses secure dealsfor morethan 20 unitsonathrivingShropshire business park

QFinancialServicessaidithas securedcommercialmortgages for22separateunits on theTern Valley Business Park on theedge of Market Drayton, in dealstotal ling £2.5 million.The park will be home to around 300new jobs when fullyoccupied– with Qhelping source financefor nearlya quarter of allunits on thesite.

Josh Timbrell,partner at Q CommercialFinance, said the companyhad helped awidevarie

ty of businesses on theparkaccess themoneytheyneededtomake theirbusinessdreamscome true over thelastfouryears

Success

“The Tern Valley Business Park is ahugesuccess storyhelping createjobs, growth andexpansion and we aredelighted to have been able to play ourpartinhelping somany businesses move onto thesite.

“Intotal,wehavesecured competitive commercialmortgages for 22 unitsonthe site –all with asale priceofmorethan£100,000

“We’vebeenabletobrokerour

clientsthe best deal basedontheir business circumstancesand have helped seethe dealsall theway throughtocompletioninevery case

“There have certainlybeenchallenges overthe four years–includinggetting lenderstoworktowardsstrictcompletiondeadlines once theunits were constructed –but theoverall result hasbeen absolutelyfantastic andthe park is arealcredittoall thosebehindit.”

QFinancialServicesgroup, whichhas officesinWellington andShrewsbury, is oneofthe lead ingand fastest-growingcompanies in thesectoracrossthe Midlands

Qpartner Josh Timbrell

AJonah

BJamie

CJason

Anansie

ACROSS

Former name of Ethiopia (9)

“--- Bede”, novel by George Eliot (4)

Mountain in Rio de Janeiro(5,4)

and 24 Ac. Novel by John Steinbeck (2,4,3,3)

Michael, 1989 French Open tennis champion (5)

The goose, Branta bernicla, is found in northerncoastal regions (5)

Capital of Qatar (4)

Disembodied hand in The Addams Family household (5)

Aforwardinrugby (4)

In Greek mythology,the underworld abode of the souls of the dead (5)

Upper part of the bows of aship which houses the holes through which the anchor ropes pass (5)

See 10.

Genus of shrubs with yellow bell-shaped flowers (9)

26. “--- Wars”, 1977 science fiction film (4)

Tom, actor who appeared in Alan Ayckbourn’sThe Norman Conquests (9)

DOWN 1. Common auk, Alca torda, of the North Atlantic (9)

2. Tourist centreinFlorida between Lake Worth and the Atlantic (4,5)

4. Colour of the ball worth five points in snooker (4)

5. In tennis, afast and powerful overhead stroke (5)

6. “The ---”, 1979 novel by Peter Benchley (6)

7. Country whose capital is Baghdad (4)

9. Paul, English novelist who authored the “Raj Quartet” series (5)

11. Small purple-flowered plant whose leaves are used in cooking (5)

12. Oliver,Irish author of She Stoops to Conquer (9)

13. Daughter of Priam endowed with the gift of prophecy (9)

17. African republic whose capital is Accra (5)

19. Title assumed by Prussian king Wilhelm (6)

22. Erik, French composer who died in 1925 (5)

23. Dorothy’sdog in the film The WizardofOz(4)

24. Verdiopera set in Egypt (4)

WORD

1Happy

4Gums

Clogs, 120 Tissue, 121 Doorways, 122 Awards, 123 Togo, 124 Silver Down: 2Accuser,3 Deals, 4Arizona, 6Garibaldi, 7Shape, 8Drive, 9Lit, 11 Abi, 12 Fox, 13 Ruffian, 14 Being, 15 Eventual, 17 Fever,18Naive, 19 Part-timer,20Stub, 21 Red-hot, 25 Spain, 26 Battled, 28 Supposing, 32 Tom, 33 Redrawn, 37 Ron, 38 Finish, 40 Caste, 41 Corgi, 43 Pastorals, 44 Heath, 46 Sui, 47 Now,48Levers, 50 Depress, 52 Greatness, 53 Weights, 54 Parlour,56Islamic, 57 Thame, 58 Alto, 59 Hazel, 61 Iris, 66 Calico, 67 According, 70 Erase, 73 Lammas, 74 Keyhole, 76 Drain, 77 Ruler,78Philately,79Joe, 81 Rig, 83 Spotter, 85 Unnerving, 87 Protests, 89 Ill, 90 Expose, 92 Impress, 94 Drops, 96 Lag, 98 Thrones, 99 Gazelle, 100 Panic, 101 Thing, 103 Orate,

Men’srole in dealingwithmenopause issues

Many women believemenopause wasafactorintheir relationship breakdown, accordingtoanew study.

Seven outof10women ques tioned blamed themenopause for theirdivorce or maritalproblems, with some saying it increasedargumentsordomestic abuse. Only a thirdofrespondents polled by the FamilyLaw Menopause Project andNewsonHealthsaidtheyhad beenoffered treatment,withmany believingitcould have potentially savedtheir marriage

“Menopause canbesucha chal lengingtimefor twopeopleina relationship,” says psychotherapist CathyPress.She listsmood swings,physicalchanges, disrupted sleepand nightsweatsas just some of thepotential effects of menopause,which usuallyhap

pens betweenthe ages of 45 and 55,and perimenopausecan start up to adecadebefore. “All of these symptoms canleave apersonwith littleenergy, enthusiasm andhope, andsome experience asense of griefat thelossofthe personthey were pre-menopause.”

Theeffectoncouples whoare experiencing ongoingdifficultiescan be even worse, shecontinues:“The onsetofmenopause canbeacatalyst formanywomen to recognise thereissomethingwrong in the relationship.”

Everywoman experiencesthe menopause differently, buthaving asupportive partnercan make a huge difference,and couldprevent relationship problems

“Education is thekey,and nor malising theconversation helps notjustpartners, butall of us,”

says psychologist andauthorDr Audrey Tang.The firststepisto read up on thesymptoms, butremember that they vary greatly: “Some women mayexperience symptoms similar to PMS, others oftenreporta‘flat’moodwhich canall tooeasilybedismissed as stress or overwork.”

If yourpartner is struggling, en couragethemtoseekhelpfroma doctor or online resources.

“Menopausesupport.uk is an ex cellentwebsite forresourcesand information, includingasymptom checkerand afactsheet forpartners,” Tang continues.

If you’refeeling more distance betweenyou andyourpartner than usual, that’s normal.

Themenopause canalso lead many women to step back andreassesstheir lives.

Emma’s bakes arethe icing on thecakeinnew venture

HEATHER LARGE heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

When EmilyRoa clocks offfromher dayjob in credit control, she doesn’tjustput herfeet up.

Insteadshe headstothe kitchen whereshe gets to workbaking sweettreatsfor thecommunity

From cupcakes to celebration cakes, the29-year-old completesup to 25 orderseachweek.

Herventure hasgone from strength to strength sinceitwas launched around twoyears agoand nowshe hasbeenshortlistedfor a business award.

“Mybakingbusinesshas achieved more andmoresuccess andIwanttoshare my storyto show that anything ispossibleif you aredeterminedenough,”says Emily, wholivesinWolverhampton.

Shebegan making batchesof cupcakes to keep herself occupied whilelooking foranew job after beingmaderedundant from herreceptionroleata cardealership.

With thehelpofher mother Julie, akeenbaker,she started learning newrecipes andhoningher skills

“Mymum wasoff workas well so we baked togetherand shetaught me how to make cakesand butter cream,”explainsEmily.

Emilyposted picturesofher bakingsuccesses on herpersonalIns tagram accountand soonstarted attractingcompliments

Sheset up herdedicated Beauti fulBakes By Em Instagrampage in September 2020,which nowhas more than 15,000 followers.

Soon theorderswere flying in and therun-uptoChristmas 2020 was especially busy as people shopped forgifts.

Amongher customers hasbeena friend of acelebrity girl-band member, whoshe is unabletoname, who

gotintouch andordered four chocolate bombsasagift.

SincethenEmily hascontinued to attractcustomers from farand wide andgrowthe business alongsidea full-timejob

“I opened during lockdown and took amassive gamble.Iworkedsuperhard– andImeanliterally bakingall dayand nightwithno sleep consistently,” shesaid.

After finishingher dayjob at 5pm, shecan oftenbefound baking to fulfilordersuntil theearly hours.

ButEmily,who hasalsohelda number of pop-up stalls, says she

doesn’tmindthe longdaysbecause sheloves getting creative andmak ingpeoplehappy with herbakes.

“I don’tenjoy themess butIen joyeverything else.The best part is tastingitall.Ihaveacreative flair whichI neverknewI haduntil I startedthis,”she says Herspecialitiesnow includecup cakesand cakesicles as well as decorativecelebration cakesinarange of flavourssuchasvanilla, choco late andred velvet

Emilyrecentlyfound outshe had been nominatedfor TheMBCC (Multicultural Business& Com-

munity Champion) Awards,which recognise andcelebrate thenation’s inspirationalbusinessand community unsung heroes

Membersofthe publicweregiv en thechancetovotefor whothey thoughtmostdeservedtoreach the final.

Afterwinningenoughvotes to secure herplaceat thered carpet eventonNovember5,Emily now hasachanceofwinningthe titleof Most InfluentialBusinessPersonof theYear. he awardisfor peoplewho notonlyhaveasuccessfulbusiness butalso help andinspire others around them.But sheadmits the nomination came as such asurprise that shedidn’tbelieve it couldbe true at first.

“I thoughtitwas ascamsoIignored the firstemail.Thenasecond emailarrived andI thoughtI’d bet terhavea look at it

“I have no idea whoput me forward forthisaward.Itcould be a friend or relative butno oneisown inguptoit. Averythoughtfulper sonhas gone outoftheir waytodo this formeand I’mreallytouched

“Toevenbenominated foran awardwas enough formebut to know that my amazing Instagram followersand my loya clientsall voted formeand gotmetothe final is completely overwhelming andI’m still in shock,”Emilysays.

As well as thesupport of herfol lowers andcustomers, sheis also grateful to hermotherfor teachingher to bake andfor making the eye-catchingfondant toppersfor hercelebration cakes.

Herpartner,Sunny, hasalso helped with ideasfor thebusiness andcontinued to “pushher to succeed”

Emilyhopes herstory canbean inspirationtootherstofollowtheir dreams andnot to letany challeng es standintheir way.

n Seewww.facebook.com/BeautifulBakesByEm or follow @beautifulbakesbyem on Instagram.

ANTIQUES

WITH JOHN RIDGWAYOF OLDMILLANTIQUESCENTRE

It’s that time of year again, when ghosts andghoulsabound andwitches take to theskies on theirbroomsticks!

Andifyou areplanninga Halloweengathering of any kind you maydowelltotrack down some vintageitems with whichtohelpcreateasuitably spooky atmosphere!

Candlesare amust, of course, so look outfor chunky wooden gobletsorsilver-plated chal ices in which to display them andlamps will definitely help brightenupeventhe most ghostlyofrooms

If you have thebudgetfor it acandelabrawould look amaz ingonyourdiningtable and look outfor some orange bowls in whichtoserve your pumpkin soup.Why notadd an oldmirror above your candlestoadd extra lightand burn extra candles or tealights in vintageholders in your fireplaceoronaman tlepiece?

Youmay be able to find some Coalport Batwingchina cups andsaucers foryourtealights whichmay suffice in theab

senceofrealbats!

If mightbepossibletolocate amedical skeleton whobethe ghostatyourfeast.Don’t forget to getanold broomstick or two forthe guests whodon’t drive andacauldronwould be ideal, youcan find them at very rea sonablepricesand afterHalloweentheymakegreat planters

Autumn dried flowersinvin tage containers wouldlooklove ly andyou candisguise sofas andchairswithvintage rugs

Youcould also look outfor copiesofvintage classicghost novels, such as TheTurnofthe ScrewbyHenry JamesorThe CantervilleGhost by Oscar Wilde,and leave them around for people to browse through.

If you arelooking to dress up foryourparty thereare all kindsofvintage costumeitems to choosefrom, rangingfrom blackcloaksfor vampires to Victorian lace-upboots forwitches

So do alittlevintageshopping this Halloweenand have alove ly spooky time!

BakerEmilyRoa setup herown cake business afterlosing herjob

Menopausecan bringonmany

Chalicescan hold candles

Chef Andi keen to promote diversityinthe kitchen industry

Topcooks’advice on ways to getchildren serving up help

PressAssociation

Thereare so many reasons to getchildren cooking.

Theupper echelons of thefood world haslongbeendominated by whitemalechefs –but this isn’tanaccuratepicture of the culinary greatnessout there, says chefand broadcasterAndi Oliver

ThehostofBBC 2’sGreat BritishMenusaysinthe UK thereisa“narrow perception” of excellence in thefood industry, writes ImyBrighty-Potts Oliver,58, says:“Thereare people wholooklikemeatthe topend whoaren’tgetting what they deserve. Theexcellence, the beauty,the poetry, themagic is what food is about.Thatcomes from allparts of theworld.”

Oliver is celebratingthisexcellence as ajudge forthe BIH SpotlightAwardswithBeInclusiveHospitality,aninitiative that aims to tackle diversity is sues within theindustry.

Itsfounder Lorraine Copes, asocialentrepreneurand hospitality consultantwho has workedwithGordonRamsay Restaurants, says there’sa no ticeable absence of people of colourinvisible positionsofinflu ence in hospitality.

Shesaidjust17.83 percent of theindustryidentified as BAME.“Ihavesat on theboards forbusinessesand Iamalways theonlypersonthatlooks like me in thoserooms,”she says “I wouldstruggletonameanotherblackwoman in thesame position as me in thesector.”

This extends, Oliver says, to working in food andtelevision. Thinking back to an International Women’sDay eventearli er in theyear, shesaid: “I was surprisedathow many of the younger womenchefs of alleth nicities in that roomstill had hesitation aboutworking in a kitchenataparticularlevel

“British multiculturalism is thejewel in ourcrown.We should be celebratingitinevery environment. People of colour should notjustbewashing dish es.”

As thehostofa prestigious show likeGreat BritishMenu, andasablack woman in her late 50s,Oliver says shetakes herroleseriously “I don’tspeakfor anyone else,but Iknowmyvisibility is important. It feelslikequite a responsibility.Iget alot of support andlove.I don’ttakethat forgranted,” shesays.

Notonlywill it armyoung peoplewithcruciallifeskills, it brings them closertotheir food –poten tially helpingthemmakehealthier choices. Plus, you canhavealot of funbakingand cookingwithchildren (onceyou accept things won’t be perfect, andyou mighthavea hefty amount of tidyinguptodo)

Butitcan be hard to know where to startwithlittleonesinthe kitchen –sohere’swhatthe pros sug gest

1. MARYBERRY

“I thinkit’sessential to getthe young into thekitchen,” shesays. Forher,the best waytoget children cookingisbyhavinga two-pronged approach: figuring outwhatthey want to cook,and making sureit’s not toocomplicated

“Startwithsimplethings– even making scones or breadisinexpen sive,” sheadvises. “And then stand by them,show them weighing– af terall,ifyou’vegot digitalscales, theyare used to that sort of thing.

“And somethingthey’ll be proud ofhavingmade. Ispoke on the phonetomydaughterthismorning, andAtty[hergranddaughter,Ata lanta] hassome friendscomingover forasleepover

“Theyweremakingbiscuits and when herfriends come,theywill also cook thefamilysupper–it mightbepasta,and it’llbepartof thelateafternoonentertainment, so to speak. They’lldoittogether, andenjoy eating andsharing it.”

n Cook AndShare by Mary Berry (BBC Books, £27)

2. HUGH FEARNLEY-WHITTINGSTALL

ForHughFearnley-Whitting stall, if you have anychanceofget ting children interested in cooking, it’s allabout engaging them with food from ayoung age.

“Even thetiniest kids have a real naturalcuriosity around food, andtheywanttoplaywithit–soI wouldsay,let them,” he says

“Theydon’t always want to taste it or eatitstraightaway…It’squite hard forgrown-ups to letgoofour hang-ups aboutkeeping thekitch en tidy,and also stressingabout whetherour kids areeatingthe rightfood, butifyou letkidsmuck about with agoodrange of ingredients when they’rereallyquite small… soonerorlater,they’ll come around to it.”

Fearnley-Whittingstall’s also a bigadvocatefor introducing chil dren to “realfood”froma young ageifyou can.

“Kidswho theonlyfood they seeisajar beingopenedand mush beingspoonedout of it into their mouths, they’regoing to grow up not actually knowingwhatfood is,” he says –which is why“food recognition is so important”,hopefully

sparkinganinterestinwhatgoes on in thekitchen n River CottageGood Comfort by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (BloomsburyPublishing, £27)

3. OLIA HERCULES

Olia Hercules is marriedtochef andfood photographerJoe Wood house, so theirtwo-year-oldson Wilfredhas been around food from ayoung age.

“Duringthe pandemic,wewere allstuck in thehouse andmyhus band puthim into asling,” sheremembers. “Assoonashewas able to turn himaroundfacingout –becauseJoe waswriting abookaswell andtestingall therecipes–Wilfred wouldhangoff thething andwatch himchop, mixand whatever.”

To startWilfredonhis cook ingjourney,Herculeshas astool “thatyou putnexttoyou as you’re chopping,sohe’sonthe same level standing”, shesays. Sherecommendsgetting akids’ knifesothey canstart gettingstuck in too.

n Home Food by Olia Hercules (Bloomsbury Publishing,£26)

4. EDD KIMBER

EddKimbermightbebiasedbecausehe’sa bakerbytrade, buthe recommends starting with some thingfun in thekitchen

“Kidsmightnot necessarily find cookingfun at ayoung age–I think baking hasthatmorehands-onapproach kids like,”hesays.

“It’sreallyimportant,because you canhelpeducate them about food in general, whilst doingsome thingreallyfun with them.When youbakewithkids, you have to let them do thethingstheycan do, and know when to step in anddothe things they’renot goingtobeable to do

“Butalso realise baking with kids meansyou’reprobablynot goingto getthe perfect finish –and that’s okay.Halfthe funisthe process, so sticktothe simple things.”

n SmallBatch BakesbyEdd Kimber (KyleBooks,£18.99)

5. SUZIELEE

ForSuzie Lee, youdon’t need specialistequipment to get children excitedinthe kitchen. Instead,

shesays: “Startthemwithabut terknife,and offyou go”– or you couldbuy plastic serrated knives:“I bought apack of five from Amazon, andtheycosttwo pounds.”

Shecontinues:“Getthemona chairorone of thesafetystoolsyou canget,and letthemworkaway–startthemoff on mushroomsorsoft fruit, or anything likethat– and just letthemplay. That’s thewhole point–that’swhatmymum didfor us.Wewerepeeling chopping,doingfood prep forthe takeaway from ageseven,but we were alltottering around thetakeawayfrombirth.”

Lee’stop piece of advice forpar ents supervisinginthe kitchen? “Relax andchill out,”she suggests. “Ifitdoesn’tlookbeautiful,it’s fine You’re allowing themtosee,thisis what food is allabout.” That’s why herrecommendationfor kids is “bring them into thekitchen from thestart,let them chop,let them askquestions”.

Andfromthere,“Theirfood knowledgewill grow –and your food knowledge will grow”.

n Simply ChinesebySuzie Lee (HardieGrant,£20)

Superviseyour children in thekitchen while youallow them to chop andprepfood

EddKimber –‘SmallBatch Bakes’ ‘Simply Chinese’–Suzie MarLee

yBerry–‘Cook andShare’

Andi Oliver

Conjuringup abewitching brew this Halloween

This spooky season,Baileys is conjuring up theirmostbewitching treatsyet

Mixing thevelvety creaminess of Baileyswithrichchocolatey realness,Baileys hasa newrange of luxuriouslyindulgent choctails, includingthe BaileysChocolate Orange Martinicocktailand the BaileysSaltedCaramel Espresso MartiniCocktail

Thesetreatsaren’ttobemissed by chocolateloverswho want aseriouslysumptuous sip, everytime.

So,ifyou’replanningoncelebratingHalloween in stylefrom home this year,don’t fear,treat yourself in thecomfort of your own

home with ourstep-by-stepchoctail recipe

THEZESTY WITCH

(BaileysChocolate Orange Martinicocktail)

Ingredients: 50ml BaileysOriginalIrish Cream

25ml TripleSec 75ml milk (dairy or soya milk –orfor extra deliciousness use50:50 milk andcream)

ChocolateOrangeslice

Method: Addyour50mlBaileys OriginalIrish Cream, 25ml Triple Secand 75ml Milk to acocktail shaker with iceand shakeitup!

Garnishyourserve with some grated chocolatefor theultimate Halloweentreat n Releaseyourinner HalloqweenthisOctober with Baileys OriginalIrish Creamavailable at majorsupermarketsand online ABV17% RRP:70cl£15,1l£20

Deliciousonits own, over ice, in ascrumptiousBaileys Choctail,or poured over your favourite devilishlydeliciousdessert.

Delicious,seasonalrecipes shared by toprestaurateur

ANDY RICHARDSON andy.richardson@mnamedia.co.uk

Birmingham restaurateur AndreasAntona shares some more deli ciousseasonalrecipes.

DUCK BREAST CELERIAC PURÉE, BRAISEDRED CABBAGE, DUCK FAT POTATOES

Ingredients: Serves 4

DuckFat Potatoes: 1kgMaris Piperpotatoes

100g duck fat,melted

Maldon salt

CeleriacPurée:

580g celeriac (about 1celeriac), peeled androughly diced 250mlwhole milk

250mldoublecream

5g salt

BraisedRed Cabbage: 25gbutter ½red onion, thinly sliced 600g redcabbage, shredded 65gsoftbrown sugar

1cinnamon stick

65ml cidervinegar

125mlred wine

Duck Breasts: 4duckbreasts

Maldon salt

Method: ForThe Duck FatPotatoes:Preheat oven to 200˚C. Peel thepotatoesand cutintofoureven sizedpieces.

Placethe potatoes in apan and cover with cold,saltedwater.Bring to theboilover medium heat and cook forabout five to 10 minutes untiltender.

Drainoncecookedleave and shakeincolandertorufflethe edg es.Leave to standfor five minutes

Pour duck fat into roasting tin andplaceinthe oven to heat up for about five minutes

Carefullyremove theroastingtin from theoven andgentlyadd in the potatoes.Stirthe potatoes in the roasting tintoevenly coat thepotatoes

Roastfor about 30-40minutes, turningthe potatoes over twoto threetimes during theroasting process. They should be crispy and adeepgolden colour.Seasonwith Maldon salt

Forthe celeriac purée: Placethe diced celeriac,milkand double creamina panand bringtothe boil over medium heat

Reduce theheatand simmer for about 20-30minutes or untilten der.Drain theceleriac andreserve theliquid. Placethe celeriac in and blender andblenduntil smooth

If you arestrugglingtoblendthe puree, addina tablespoon of the cookingliquidatatimeuntil you canblend andcreateasmoothpuree. Thepuree should holdits shape when ateaspoonamountisplaced on aplate.Taste andseasonwith salt

ForThe braisedred cabbage: Melt thebutterinalarge panover medium heat.Add in thered onion andcookuntil soft.Mix in thecab bage,brown sugarand cinnamon stick.

Stirin thecider vinegarand the redwine. Bringtothe boil then re duce theheatand simmer with alid forabout an hour,stirringoccasionally

Addalittlewater to thepan if thecabbage is lookingdry andnot cooked.The redcabbage should be tender when done.Remove thecin namon stick.

Forthe duck breasts: Preheat oven to 180˚C. Trim duck breast

andremove the fillet andsinew Placeina cold panand bring up to theheattorenderthe fat. Drain offasmuchfastas possible as this will help to crispthe skin.The skin should be agolden-browncolour andcrispy. Turn thebreastover andsearfor about30seconds

Transfer theduckbreasts to a baking trayand placeonthe oven forabout four to five minutes or longer dependingonthe desireddegree of cooking.

Once cooked allowtorestfor about10-15 minutes

To Finish:Reheatceleriacpuree andred cabbageinseparatepans untilhot

Placeasmall bedofthe cabbage on theplate.Gentlywarmthe duck breastsinthe oven.Slice theduck breasts, season with Maldon salt andplaceontop of thecabbage Addadollopofceleriacpureeto the plate. Servewithred wine sauce androast potatoes.

Perfectsnacks forVeganuary

Bringing thebold, thecolourful andthe abundant this Veganuary is RAMONA’S,adeliciousrange of vegan-friendly products that are perfectfor sharingand designed to be eatenjoyouslyand plentifully.

If you’relooking forsomethingto bring flavourtomealtimes this Ve ganuary, then keep apot of RAMO NA’S Heavenly Houmoustohand. Aspokesman said:“Perfectfor easy lunches, as asnack with colourful veggies, or as atopping for salads,orpasta dishes, RAMONA’S Heavenly Houmouswill be your easy go-toinyourquest foraveganlifestyle andperfect forsharing with friendsand family, vegans and non-vegans alike.

“Available in four delicious fla vours:mighty Original,kicking Jalapeno,refreshingRed Pepper andtangy Beetroot.RAMONA’S Heavenly Houmousismadefrom the finest ingredientsingreat,big bountifulsizes to ensurethe fullest andtastiest flavours to make your mealtimeswithfriends andfamily as deliciousaspossible.

“For aperfect companion, choose RAMONA’SFabulousFalafel Served as part of tastingplate, with asalad or stuffedintoawrap, theseauthentic Fabulous Falafels area filling andwholesome choice

“TuckintoRAMONA’SFabulous Original Falafelavailable from Sainsburys andOcado in thefrozen andchilled sectionand Fabulous Spinach andKaleFalafel in Ocado in thefrozensection (RRP £3.25).

“RAMONA’scan help youbom bard yoursenses with delicious Mediterranean-inspired flavours that will make mealtimesbothdeliciousand memorable.”

RAMONA’SHeavenly Houmous is availablefromTesco, Sainsbury’s,Morrisons, Ocadoand Cost co,RRP £3.00for a500gtub.The rangeis veganand gluten free

Newburgers join themenu

Burger King®UKhas an nounced thelaunchofa mouth-watering, southern-style menuitem: TheMemphis Crispy ChickenBurger.

Andthe good news doesn’t stop there, as duetopopular demand,the mighty Memphis King beef burger hasalso made atriumphantreturntoBurger King®menus nationwide

Theindulgent Memphis Crispy Chickenburgerfeatures asucculent chickenbreast, sandwichedbetween crispy baconslices, melted Americancheese,three golden onion rings, creamy mayo, Burger King®’ssignature smokyBBQ sauce, andall served in atoast ed briochebun

Themuch-lovedMemphis King burger is made using iconic flame-grilled beef,three crispy onionrings,aheapof mouth-wateringbacon slices, twolayersofmeltedAmerican cheese slices,aswirl of cool mayo, adollop of tangyBBQ sauce, andall served in alightly toastedsoftsesame seed bun.

Duck Breast Celeriac Purée, BraisedRed Cabbage, Duck FatPotatoes

Helpingclimate throughthings in your basket when shopping

Hunting foroptions forthose worriedabout mortgagerates

VICKIJONES

vicki.jones@mnamedia.co.uk

Rising mortgage rates anda smallerpoolof home loanstochoose from meanshomeown erslooking to secure theirnextdealcould be in fora bill shock.

We areall awareofthe wor ryingstate of affairswhenit comestothe climatecrisisand thelossofhabitatsfor ourplanet’swildlife.

TheWWF’s latest Living Planet report revealspopulation sizesdeclinedby69% on average, between1970and 2018,driven largelybythe loss andbreak-upofnatural habitat foragriculture,while climate change is also increasingly a threat to wildlife.

So,whatcan we do as consumers to mitigatethe impact of deforestation andhelpto preventit? Wherecan we make planet-friendlyswaps?

1. Ditchanimalproducts re liantonsoy: From soymilk, to candlesand veggie alternatives, soyisusedeverywherenow

“There is an oceanofsoy be ingproducedwithhugeareas beingdeforested in ordertopro duce it.Soy hasbeenproduced to such ascale,because it’s used predominantly foranimalfeed,” says Steele.

2. Look outfor palm oillabelling: Palm oilhas become a more prevalent productpeople aretryingtoremove from their diets, butthere arewaystolook outfor ethicalpalmoil too.

“Palmoil is in things likenut butters, anditeven appearsin toiletries like shampoos and soaps,”Steelesays.

“Palm oil, likesoy,isasuper crop –it’susedinalot of things Boycotting doesn’talwayswork, so do look forcertified palm oil labels that show it is notfrom freshly-deforested land.”

3. Stop buying newgold: Due to an immense rise in theprice of gold,particularly during the pandemic,mines have been set up across theAmazon.

“Large partsofthe Amazon arebeing illegally destroyedin ordertocreategoldmines,and mercuryisusedinthe extraction process, whichoften polluteswaterways andtherefore harmslocal indigenous communities,” Steele says.

4. Only buybeefifit’sBritish: Steele says:“Oneofthe reasonsfor illegal land grabs in theAmazonisfor cattleto effectivelyberearedand sold forbeef. UK supermarketsare focusing on not importingBra zilian beef,sowecan as well.”

Octobermarkedthe weakest starttothe month formortgage productchoiceinmorethan12 years, accordingtoMoneyfacts. co.uk. Encouragingly, thechoiceof products hassincestarted to creep back up again– butwiththe added stinginthe tail that lenders’ rates have also increased.

Market volatility andastringof recent Bank of Englandbaserate hikes have been amongthe factors putting an upward pressure on mortgage costs. Averagerates for twoand five-year fixed-rate mort gage topped 6% in earlyOctober, markingthe firsttimethishas happened for14yearsand 12 years respectively,accordingtoMoney facts’ records. Whilethe ratesavail able will vary day-to-day,thiscould mean difficult choicesfor thoseon the1.8 million fixedmortgagedeals scheduledtoend next year

“The climbininterestrates will be worryingnewsfor borrowersnot only sittingona variable rate deal, butalso thosewho aresoontocome offtheir fixed-rate mortgage,” says Rachel Springall, a financeexpert at Moneyfacts

Some borrowerswho have savings putby maywanttoconsider making overpayments on their mortgage,which couldpotential ly give them access to acheaper mortgage rate ifoverpaying means they move down into alower loan to-value bracket.But individual circumstances vary –and so thepros andconsofpotentially having less moneyinsavings butmorepaidoff themortgageneed to be weighedup verycarefully

Theremay also be othersteps that homeowners cantaketoget themselves in abetterposition.

“Althoughthe mortgage market is certainlystill open forbusiness, it does mean that dealsare comingand goingfrequentlyand often with little or no notice,”saysDavid Hollingworth, associate director, communications at L&CMortgag es.“That meansborrowers don’t have theluxuryoftimetodecide on theright deal andwill have to move fast to secure arate.

“Using an advisercould help,as they will hopefullybeabletohelp borrowerszoneinonthe rightdeal as well as assist in making theapplication,”he adds.“Once thefull applicationissubmitted,the rate should be secured, butitwill make sense to provideall therequested back-updocuments as soonaspos sibletohelpthe processing time

“Withborrowers eagerto fixtheir rate to give some security,lenders will be beinghit with aspike in business andthatisbound to have an impact on processing times. Whilst borrowersneed to move quickly, it’s still importanttoshop around andtheyshouldn’t panicor make knee-jerkreactions.”

Borrowersmay be able to widen choice of dealsavailable to them by speaking to theirexistinglender. KatieBrain,consumerbanking ex pert at star ratingsbusiness Defaq to,says: “Itcould be worth goingdirect to yourexistinglender or bank you alreadyhaveaccountswith, as many of thebestbuysare only availabledirectlythrough thelender.Otherwise,itisworth goingtoa broker,who cansearchthe market

foryou,but it maybetrickygetting access to oneat themoment dueto sheerdemand. Getyourpaperwork in order,soyou canapply forthe mortgage quickly,”she suggests Anotherdilemma maybewhether to fixintoamortgageratein order to have certainty, or to sitonavar iabledeal. “The decision forthose with a fixedratecomingtoanend now, whetherto fiximmediately or move onto avariableratefor awhile to seewhere themarket settles,is adifficult onetomake,”saysPaul Broadhead, head of mortgage and housing policy at theBuildingSocietiesAssociation (BSA). “The best betisfor borrowersinthisposition to reachout to theirbrokerand/or currentlendertodiscussall theoptionsavailable.”

Putthe kettle on andthink aboutthreatofscams

Putting people underpressureisa common tactic used by scammers, to trickpeopleintodoing some thingwithout really thinking it through

When people areina stateof high stress,theymay only real ise afterthey’ve transferred their cash or handed over theirpersonal details, that they have probably justbeenconned. Scams canbeso convincingthatone in five (21%) people feel resignedtobeing likely to fall victim to afraudster pretendingtobesomeoneelse, accord ingtoresearchfromSantander

So,pausing fora moment to take stockofthe situation– andtore-

move yourself from that sense of urgencyand pressurethey’re putting on you –can breakthe spell woven by ascammer

This is exactlywhatthe Take Five to Stop Fraudcampaignis encouragingpeopletodo–and in some cases, it couldsimplymean stopping to make acup of tea

Morethantwo fifths (44%)of thosesurveyedfor Santander agreed that stoppingfor acup of teais thebestway to addclarity to asituation, andfor more than a third(35%),stoppingfor acuppa hashelpedthemtoavoid making a gravemistake

Psychologist Dr MegArrollsays

doing some deep breathingcan also help calm asituationdown.

“Begin by breathingdeeply throughyournose, hold foramoment andthenbreathe slowly out throughyourmouth,” shesug gests. “Ifyou find yourself in a stressfulsituation,for example beingconfronted by somethingor someone suspicious, this canslow yourheart rate down andprovide asense of calm.”

Stopping to jotthingsdownwith apen andpaper,orgetting theper spective of familymembers can also bringclarity to asituation, shesays. “Whenin doubt, putthe kettleon!”saysArroll.

Manyfamilies will be worrying about mortgage rates

Paul Broadheadhas advice

KatieBrainfromDefaqto

Do othercountries follow trickortreat traditions?

As Halloweenapproaches, experts have looked into how differentnationsacrossthe world celebratethe annual festival

Theteamat Busuuhaveresearched what October31stmeans forother countriesand cultures to seeifthey’ve embracedthe Ameri cantradition.

How Halloweeniscelebrated around theworld:

Mexico: Mexico is very bigon Halloweenand allofthe traditions areembraced –the pumpkins, the spooky decorations, thedressing up The only thing that isn’t a big thingistrick or treating– this is becauseofkidnappingfears.Chil

dren living in saferneighbour hoodsmay be knocking door to door,but generallyit’snot safe for children to be roamingthe streets.

Spain: Protective over theirtraditions, Spaintends nottocelebrate Halloween,and sees it as an Amer ican tradition.Youngstersmay go to Halloweenpartieshosted by clubsand school kids in biggercit iesmay go trickortreating, but the eventisn’t widely celebrated by all.

Poland: Halloweenisn’t abig cel ebration in Poland.All Saints’Day is andfamilies will go to thecemetery together,where it’s knownto become very busy andpacked. Ex

pertsactuallysay that it’s as busy as rush hour on theLondontubes!

Germany: Like theUK, Germany seemstohaveadapted moretothe idea of Halloweeninrecentyears andit’smainlyyoungsterswho are likelytocelebrate it.The Hallow eenvibes aredefinitely metwith spooky decor, pumpkins andfancy dress. Kids also do allofthe tradi tional Halloween activities

China: Halloweenhas definitely growninChina because of popular cultureand socialmedia. It’s used alot moreincommercialsettings by shopsand bars,ortocome to Halloweenevents.

Have afrightfullygoodtime stylinghomefor Halloween

HEATHERLARGE

heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

Homeowners who are lookingtoset theirspaces up aheadofHalloweencan create brilliantly eerie-themed homes whethertheywantto go extremeordecorate subtly on abig or small budget.

Halloweendecorations will differ foreveryonedepending on how they areplanningtocelebrate this year andthere areplentyofdifferent de corideas to choose from

Tips includecreatingaHalloweentreat table, usingchicorex travagant decorationsall around thehouse andgarden andtaking part in pumpkincarving traditions

Creative

NicShacklock,fromOnline-bed rooms.co.uk, said:“Halloweenis agreat time to getcreative with themed decoraroundyourhouse andkidscan getstuck in andhelp make some of theirown decora tions.

“Lotsofparty-goersare looking forwardtodressingupcome Octo ber31, andlittleoneswill be filled with sugarand excited about trickor-treating. Formanyofus, this time of year is allabout over-the topdecorations in yourhome and garden,and thereare Halloween designsand ornamentsfor alldif ferent budgets.

“And forthose less interested in thespooky season,there areplenty of chic home decoroptions to subtly bringHalloween into yourhome: you don’thavetogo extravagant with fake graveyards andlife-size zombies, insteadchooseattractive ceramicpumpkinsand Halloween string lights

“However you choose to celebrate Halloweenthisyear, whetheryou want to host alavishpartyorare lookingfor ways to styleyourhome in achicway,there arelotsofdiffer-

entideas on how to setupaHalloweentheme you canbehouse proud of.”

Thebestwaystodress up homes forHalloween:

HALLOWEEN THEMEDTREAT TABLE

Forthose hostingaHalloween party this year,atable stackedfull of delicioussnacksisessential for guests.

Thereare loadsofgoodies that canbeturnedintoaHalloween theme–try making cupcakes with scaryfaces iced onto them or choose from pickand mixsweets, caramel apples,monster cookiesand chocolate pumpkins.

PUMPKINCARVING

Carvingout root vegetables is an iconic Halloweentraditionacross theworld,withpumpkinsbeing the most popular–other countriesopt forturnips, swedes,ororanges

Thereare lots of differentdesigns forvarious skill levels andtrying somethinga bit more difficult than theclassic trianglenoseand round eyes wouldbefun forall ages.Also trydifferent decorative ideassuch as painting thepumpkinsinstead of carving.

SPOOKY DECORATIONS

It is easy to create fabulously-creepy haunted houses this Halloween,

with loadsofdecorations perfect forthe spooky season.Hanging up ghosts andbatswithfakecob webs andorange-and-black candles will adda scarytheme throughout homes. Go allout with awow factorfor Halloweenbyaddingeerie soundeffects andfog machines to really impressguests.

CREATE A‘CHIC’HALLOWEEN HOME

Optfor attractivealternativesto stay with thecreepytheme this year,whilst stillkeeping thehouse lookingstylish.There arelotsofchic decoration options, such as smart centerpieces,wooden Halloween decor, subtle pumpkinstringlights andblackcandles.Minisculedecor pieces also look chic in homes, such as ceramicpumpkins.

GETTHE TRICK-OR-TREAT SNACKS READY

Oneofthe most importanttraditionsfor many children is dressing up in scarycostumesand going trick-or-treating. Be prepared for anynight-timedoorknockersby getting abowlfull of yummyHal loween-themedsweetsand chocolatesready to hand out.

THEMED HOUSEWARE

Deckout thehome with abunch of creepy lookinghouseware there’ssomething foreveryroom. Pick outHalloween themed glasses,mugs, plates,tea towels, bath mats,pillows, andbedding to have thespooky seasonal vibe running throughout theentirehouse

DON’TFORGET THEGARDEN

Thegarden is agreat space to decorateatthistimeofyearand adds an extra bitofHalloween pizazz when settinguphomesahead of thespooky season.Gosubtleby simply stringingupHalloween outdoor lights acrossthe garden,orgo allout by settingupa fake grave yard complete with ghostand ghoul props

n Formoreinterior tips, see www.online-bedrooms.co.uk/

Autumn canbe theperfect time to celebrate the greatoutdoors

Autumn is the perfecttimetoenjoy foraging in thewoodlands andfor ests –roaming around in thecrisp autumn air, thesense of achievement of filling abag with natural goodies andtakingthemhome to make adeliciouspie or jamare all part of thefun

Andwhatbetterway to spend time with lovedonesthanwildfor agingfollowedbyfeastingonthe fruits of yourlabour?

Catharina Björkman,lifestyle ex pert at Contura, offers herguide to mindfulautumn foraging

Foraging perks: Beinginthe greatoutdoorsunquestionablyhas benefits forbothmindand body As theweather coolsitiseasytogo from one indoor space to another with only minimal time spentout side.Havinga reason to be in the freshair is thereforeagreat wayto ensure you aresoaking up allthe goodnessnaturehas to offer.

Location,location, location: Differentareas of theUKhave differentlawsaroundforaging. In Englandand Wales, foraging on privatelyowned land requires permission from theowner,unless there’sasignsayingit’sallowed.In Scotland thereisa‘RighttoRoam’ whichallowsfor foraging in private land.Sense should be usedhowever Obviouslyawoodland mightbeOK to forage in butyou should probably avoidsomeone’s back garden!

Fruits of theforest: Depending on wherein theUK you areforag ing, differentberries andnutswill be more readilyavailable.Blackber ries grow in many woodlandsacross theUKsoare perfectfor collecting –justmakesuretheyare adark purple when pickedotherwise they arenot yetripeenoughfor eating Otherwidelyfound berriesare elderberries,hawthornberries and rowanberries.Whenpicking ber ries it is importanttoknow which varietiescan be tasted rawversus whichneedtobecooked first. Haw thornberries,for example, contain atoxic acid when rawbut once cooked areperfectly safe

Nuts arealsoa greatoptionfor foraging,and identifyingthe different species whilst outwalking,is oddlysatisfying!

Bake off: Foraging is agreat activityinand of itself,but arealhigh lightisbringingall your findshome andcooking up afeast!Foraged fruits have thebenefitoflargely growingwithout addedpesticides, soneed less washingtoremove any waxesorchemicals.Aquick rinse in thesinkshouldbeenoughtoprep theberries forawhole rangeof homemade treats.

Making jamisagreat option for foraged berriesasitactstopre servethem, meaningyou canmake enough to storeunopenedjarsina cool,dry placefor up to 12 months. Make blackberry, raspberryand el derberry jams or combinetomakea preserve of yourown invention fora fruity flavourthatwill perk up the colder days ahead.

n Formoreinformation,visit contura.eu

Trickortreating at Halloween

Enjoyisland’s superb vistas on ahiking trip

HeadingtoMajorca during the autumn monthsisperfect for travellersseeking to avoid the peak-summercrowdsand truly enjoythe island’s incredible natural landscapes

Majorcaisaparadisefor ad venturers duetothe varietyof exciting hikingtrailsthatlead walkersthrough themountain rangeofSerra de Tramuntana (a UNESCO WorldHeritage site)and theisland’spleasant year-round climate. Holidu has dugintothe AllTrailsdataof more than 600reviewedhikes in collaboration with Spain-Hol iday to discover thebest-rated hikingroutesinMajorca.Ready to plan yourdream Majorcaadventure?

Es Pujadors –Colldena Benet– BonAire

The hiking trailisabout five kilometreslongand is located near Alcúdiainthe north of Majorca. Theroute has amedium level of difficultyand canbe completedinabout twohours Thepanoramic path is alittle uneven in partsbut offers afan tastic view of thesurrounding mountainsand thesea.

La TrapaRuinLoop

The7.6km circular walk alongthe ruinsof“La Trapa” near Port d’Andratxisclassified as moderate andtakes just un derthree hoursonaveragea The routeisparticularlyenjoyable for(amateur) ornithologists, as you canobserve many different species of birds. T

Valldemossa–Puigde Teix –PuigGros

Oneofthe more difficult routesonthisroughly 13-km trail leadingfromValldemossa to Puig de Teix is apopular hikingchoice. This is afairlychallengingtrail that should take about five hourstocomplete. Du

Ruta de PedraenSec VariantalPuigdeMaria

NexRutadePiedraenSec GR221, or DryStone Trail, whis alongthe west coastthrough theSerra de Tramuntana mountain rangeand is aUNE SCOWorld Heritage Site.This five kilometre trail, whichtakes abouttwo hourstocomplete, is considered an easy routethat even beginnerscan handle.Thi Ermita la Victoria–Pen ya desMigdia–Talaiad’Alcudia

Fina routetakes you around theeastofthe northerntownof Alcudia.It takesapproximately threehours and50minutes to complete

Make Wish come true with afairytale adventureatsea

BY DAMON SMITH PressAssociation

In Disney’s 1950 animation Cinderella, the optimistic heroineserenades apairofbluebirds with ADream Is AWish Your HeartMakes.

Eleven yearsafterthe Disney Dreamembarkedonher maiden voyage, my heartisfull as Ipose adoringlybesidealife-size bronze statue of thesoot-to-richesprincess on theDisneyWish.

Enchantmentisthe themeofDis neyCruiseLine’simpressive fifth ship andmagical touchesbegin with mischievousmiceJaq andGus peeking outfrombeneath Cinder ella’s sculpted ballgown,catching theattention of aslinking Lucifer thecat with abowlclasped between hisclaws. Feline fury is unleashed at thefootofa sweeping staircase, next to acloche-encasedglass slip perinthe main atrium on deck three, whichhas been redesigned as aGrand Hall

Hidden

During theday,the hall’s stage hoststhe playful Who’sBehindThe Curtain? game show,withappearancesfromhiddencharacters.

At night,achandelier-lighting ceremony dubbedthe Kiss Good nightreveals ribbonsoflightsembeddedin theornatearchitecture andchimesthatsignalthe endof Cinderella’s danced’amour

Poweredbyliquefied natural gas, theWishisa resplendent144,000 grosston behemothstretching 1,119feet, whichboasts 1,254state roomswithcustom-made fairy-tale artworkand capacity for4,000 passengers

Forits inaugural season,the ship sailsexclusively from Port Canaveral in Floridaonthree andfournightcruises to Nassau,capital of theBahamas,and Disney’s private island Castaway Cay. Thebow de pictsCaptain Minnie Mousewho joinssweetheartMickey, Captain Hook andCaptain Jack Sparrowat

theship’shelm. Continuing thevis ibility of strong female role models, Rapunzel is the firstDisneyprin cess immortalisedasa signature sternsculpture

Uniquely,the ship’s frontred funnel housesa1,966-square-foot Wish TowerSuite that sleeps eight. Twostoreys of opulence deliverunrivalled oceanviews through floorto-ceiling windowswitha pricetag comfortablyinexcessof£15,000 Disney Cruise Line oftendedi catesone nighttonautical-themed entertainmentand thePirates Rockin’ParlayParty on theWish delivers“theboldest beatsand swingingestsea shanties”inthe companyofswashbuckling four piece TheScallywagsand lead sing er CaptainRed StandportsideonDeck12for thebestviewofbiodegradable fire works choreographedtoaliverendition of thePirates Of TheCarib bean soundtrack,unobstructed by

theAquaMouse watercoaster

The firstattractiononaDisney cruise ship snakes around theWish from an entrance on deck 13 and enlivensthe thrillsofAquaDuck on theDream andFantasy with a controlled log-flume-styleascent embellished with videoscreens and water jets.It’sgiddy fun(you will be soaked)as two-personinflatable raftsare propelledthrough 760feet of enclosedwinding tubes. Ages three-12 access theOceaneerClub on deck twovia aslide from the GrandHall.

TheWish’sdedicated children’s areasare topofthe classfor immer sive storytelling anddesign.

Youngrecruitsencounter Spider-Manand BlackPanther in the Marvel SuperHeroAcademy while Star Wars:Cargo Bayis filled with otherworldly creatures,including an audioanimatronicPorg.

Threesignature dining experi ences, included in theprice of the

cruise,are immaculatelythemed.

Accessed on both sidesofthe GrandHall, 1923 (named afterthe year Walt andbrother RoyODis neyfounded theircompany)adorns wallswithmemorabilia, animation cellsand props.

Arichcolourpalette of gold, greenand chocolatebrown evokes bygone Hollywood glamour. Spiced Ahituna with wasabi andyuzu mayonnaise followed by arackof lamb encrustedwithItalian flat parsleyand rosemaryiscomfortablymyfavourite meal of thevoyage.

In starkcontrast,WorldsOfMar velondeckfoursears retinaswith pulsatingneonand videoscreens fora filmed lectureentitledMira cles From MoleculesfeaturingPaul Rudd andEvangelineLillyasScott Land andHopevan Dyne, akaAnt Manand theWasp. Thescriptis hilarious,creatingthe illusion of interactivitywithminiature quan tum coresoneachtable

Meeting BlackPanther at MarvelSuper Hero Academy

The1923 dining experience aboardthe Disney Wish

Disney Wish at Port Canaveral with Captain Minnie andMickey

Majorca is popularfor hiking

Facing up to thepumpkin alternatives for Halloween

Turn to timeless, trendy tiles to make decorative statement

SAMWYLIE-HARRIS PressAssociation

Tilesare timeless,and ago-to choice when you’re lookingtoinvest inanew backsplash,or kitchenand bathroom flooring.Especiallyif you’re feelingcreative. They providevisualimpact, are pleasanttothe touch, andcan make afeatureout of aforgotten or over looked space.Fromtexturedsur facestorippled finishes and fluted designs, here’s what’s trendingin theworld of tiles…

Natureinspired

“Natureprovidesthe perfect placetodrawinteriorsinspiration from,thanks to itsrestorativeproperties,” says HarrietGoodacre of ToppsTiles

Shesaysthe nature trend is all about findingjoy in thenatural en vironment, usingits textures and colour palettetoconnect with the outsideworld,and enhanceyour space andwellbeing

“Thismeans using tiles in muted, soft shades such as ashgrey, earthy brownand sage greentoground you andevoke feelings of theworld outside,”suggests Goodacre.“Pair with hintsoftealorbabypinkto enliven thesenses, whilst conjuring up images of warm sunsets

“Texturedsurfaces, such as natural stone, terrazzo andwood effect tilesare perfectfor this.Creating depthand texturein away that feelsauthentic to this style.”

CoastalContentment

“You don’tneed to be living be side theseaside to benefitfromthis interiorsstyle,” notes Goodacre “By usinga sophisticatedand mut ed colour palette, alookinspiredby theBritish coastlinecan be updated with an autumnal feel.”

If you’renot surewhere to start, shesaystocomplement cool tones, such as powderblue, with coppery pink,vibrant inky bluesand

muskyolive-green tiles. “Build on thelookbychoosingtexturedtiles, andsurfacesthatare weatheredor aged with anatural patina.Local ly-sourced rustic or artisan objects will addfurther personality to your space.”

Sheadds: “Yourchoicein the shapeoftilecan also addapoint of interest to your interior.For ex ample, usinga scallopedshape tile givesasubtlenod to thesea and createsafocal point, whereasa lightly fluted tile evokes thelookof calmingrolling waves.”

Fluted andlayered

“Flutedinteriorsare goingtobe oneofthe biggest trendsof2023, andasautumn getsunder way, we’regoing to starttosee more homeowners playingaroundwith this distinctive finish,” says Abbas Youssefi of PorcelainSuperstore.

Influenced by theArt Decomove ment,Youssefi says fluted tileswill not only adda really interesting texturetowalls, buttheyalso play with naturallight beautifully–adding anew dimensiontointerior schemes.

When you’vemadeyourcolour choice,it’salso worth thinking about how you want to laythe tiles to enhancetheir appearance;sim ilar to fitting them together likea jigsaw puzzle,tocreatedifferent illusions

Patterned, classical mosaic

“Patterned,classicalmosaictil ingfor both floorand wall applica tionsare on trend rightnow,due to theirability to createabeautiful focalpoint,” says ChrisKettell of BenchmarxKitchensand Joinery

“Available in avariety of patterns andcolours,these designsare a

greatway to introduce eye-catch ingcolourthemesinatastefulyet statementform.”

If youlovethe mosaic-style tile andwanttocreatea real statement,hesuggests incorporatingit acrossbothyour floorspace andas asplashbackfeature.Kettell adds: “Whenchoosing on-trend,bold kitchencabinetry,I’d recommend pairingitwitha more neutraltile that complementsthe lead colour.”

Similarly, if you have asmaller kitchen, opting fora neutralpat terned tile cancreatea bold feature.

Cost cutting

With thecostoflivingcrisis, Youssefi suggestsDIY decisionsfor homeowners will be heavilyswayed by theprice of everything.“Iexpect an increase in demandfor floortiles whichare compatible with underfloorheatingmats,”saysYoussefi

Pumpkins

If yourefforts to grow aHal loween pumpkin havebeena nightmarebecause of thesum merdrought,fearnot.There areother fruitand vegyou may have harvested whichcan add magictoyourscary display…

Turnips

Accordingtothe charityEng lish Heritage,peopleacrossthe BritishIsles once carved scary facesintoturnips andplaced them near doorways to fright en away evil spirits. Thecus tomoriginated from afolktale about aman namedJackwho, aftertryingtotrick thedevil, wascursedtoroamthe earth with aburning coal inside a hollowed-out turnip to lightthe way– theoriginalJack-o’-lan tern.

Swedes

Oftenmashedwithcarrot or potato as awinter warmer, swedes canalso be carved into sinister facesfor Halloween. They areeasytogrow, if you sowthemin late Mayorearly June in an open spot in full sun.

Butternut squash

They’refromthe same family as thepumpkin,and if you’ve grownacropwhich hasmaturedwellit’sprettyeasytocut thelid off, scoopout the flesh andcarve them into Jack-o’-lanterns.

Onions

They mayseemlikeavery poorsubstitutefor mumpkins, butifyou have plenty spareo–most types canbestoredtouse from September to February –taveagoat decoratingthem with ghostlyfaces andadd them to your indoor Hecorations. Once Halloween is over,you can peel offthe facesand use them in cooking.

Apples

If yourtrees areheaving with apples or have enough stored in acoolshedtokeepyou goingall winter,you coulduse some of thecroptomaketasty treatsfor thekidsindoors.Createspooky teethusing slices of apple–the children will love it.

Potatoes

Thehumblespudmay not look sinister enough fora carved face,but once cooked it cantake on acreepyair.Carveeyesand mouthsintoa selectionofjacket potatoes andput them in the ovenfor an hour,they’ll come outwithscary shrunken heads,

MO GILLIGAN& FRIENDS: THE BLACK BRITISH TAKEOVER

Channel 4, 11.05pm

Some people first became aware of Mo Gilligan when he became apanellist on The Masked Singer, while others already knew him from his Channel 4 Lateish Show or as the sidekick to Big Narstie.

If they were really quick off the mark, they could even claim to have been fans of his viral comedy videos, which blew up on social media. However, Gilligan believes his real big break came on the Black British comedy circuit.

It helped to launch his incredible career,which has so far taken him from cult Channel 4shows to primetime Saturday ITV,picking up Bafta wins and an acclaimed Netflix special along the way.There have also been rumours that he’s hoping to conquer the US, and given his remarkable success so far,few people would bet against it.

Fornow though, he’s going back to his stand-up circuit roots with Mo Gilligan &Friends: The Black British Takeover.Filmed at the O2 Arena, it features sets from Eddie Kadi, Ola Labib, Slim, Thanyia Moore and Babatúndé Aléshé, as well as Gilligan himself, with music from the Compozers.

The fact that it was shot in December 2021might give the show acertain festive feel –executive producer Ben Wicks has said the show was partly born inspired by Mo’s dream of hosting his own seasonal special, and has described it as “the best Christmas party ever held”.

So, it may seem slightly odd that it’s airing closer to Halloween, but The Black British Takeover doesn’t need tinsel and sleigh bells to feel like acelebration, and Gilligan is certainly excited to share it with viewers.

He says: “I’m so proud of the Black British comedy circuit that Istarted on. The scene and its exceptional talent have nurtured and supported me since the very start of my career.I am thrilled to share our culture and

bring together some of the best comedy talent on offer in this country right now.”

The comedian has an impressive track record when it comes to giving talent achance, both in front of and behind the camera. Last year, he launched The Lateish Accelerator Programme, creating production roles on the second series of his Lateish Show to boost the careers of talented individuals from underrepresented groups.

Speaking about the project, Gilligan said: “A lot of young people often say Ican do things online and carry on like that, but TV gets you to an audience that you wouldn’t necessarily get from just broadcasting online.

“With the Accelerator Programme, we were able to offer not only great opportunities in front of the camera but also behind it. It’s still early days but if we can give people these key opportunities and Ican help do that in some small way -Iwill absolutely do my best.”

So, this could be the chance for some viewers to discover performers they were previously unfamiliar with. Along with the jokes –and there are plenty –the special also features backstage footage and conversations with the cast, as they discuss the significance of this event.

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live (S). 10.00 Critical Incident (S). 10.45 Paramedics On Scene (S). 11.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.15 Bargain Hunt (S). 1.00 BBC News At One; Weather (S). 1.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 1.45 Doctors (S). 2.15 Money ForNothing (S). 3.00 IEscaped To The Country (S). 3.45 The Repair Shop (S). 4.30 The Tournament (S). 5.15 Pointless (S).

6.00 Take AHike (R) (S). 6.30 IEscaped To The Country (R) (S). 7.15 Money ForNothing (R) (S). 8.00 Sign Zone: The Repair Shop (R) (S). 9.00 BBC News (S). 10.00 BBC News (S).

12.15 Politics UK (S). 1.00 Best House In Town (R) (S). 1.45 Attenborough’s Wonder Of Eggs (R) (S). 2.45 Eggheads (R) (S). 3.15 Lightning (R) (S). 3.45

Murder,MysteryAnd My Family (R) (S). 4.30 Gardening Together With Diarmuid Gavin (R) (S). 5.00 Flog It! (R) (S).

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S). 9.00 Lorraine (S). 10.00 This Morning (S). 12.30 Loose Women (S). 1.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.55 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 2.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal (S). 3.00 Riddiculous (S). 3.59 ITV Regional Weather (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (S). 5.00 The Chase (S).

6.00 Richard Osman’s

Of Games (S).

Strictly:

(S).

Takes

on

Strictly

with

7.00

6.00 ITV Regional News; Weather (S).

ITV News; Weather (S).

Antiques

Trip

embark on the

hunting challenge (S).

8.00 Autumnwatch The team reportlive on another spectacular autumn. Last in the series (S).

7.30 Emmerdale Kerry desperately tries to get Chloe to stay (S).

8.00 Coronation Street Fiz learns that John Stape is the subject of an upcoming book (S).

9.00 Gardeners’ World Monty Don reflects on the gardening year.Last in the series (S).

10.00 Mock The Week Highlights of the topical comedy series (S). 10.30 Newsnight (S).

9.00 Professor T The CID team blunder into a Drugs Squad operation against amajor trafficker.Last in the series (S).

10.00 ITV News At Ten; Weather (S).

ITV Regional News; Weather (S).

The NFL Show (S).

11.05 MOTDx Football discussion presented by Jermaine Jenas (R) (S).

11.35 Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (R) (S).

12.05 Sign Zone: Martin Compston’s Scottish Fling (R) (S). 12.35 Sign Zone: Road Rage: Cars

11.45 The Motorbike Show HenryCole rides through the Peak District (R) (S).

12.35 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal (R) (S).

Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 Grand Slam Years: Ireland 2018 (R) (S).

THE EVIL DEAD (BBC3, 9.30pm)

Although afew more squeamish viewers once branded it a‘video nasty’ in Britain,Sam Raimi’s classic horror film remains hugely influential as well as atestament to how far an inventive director can stretch asmall budget. It also helped to make a cult hero of Bruce Campbell (pictured), who plays one of five students staying in aremote cabin. They stumble upon an ancient book which unleashes evil spirits that starttoturnthe holidaymakers into zombies determined to feast on the living.

AMERICAN PSYCHO (Film4, 11.05pm)

Christian Bale is on terrific, deadpan formas Patrick Bateman, a financier in 1980s New York, who is determined to project the right image.

However,behind

Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 7.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 8.00 Secret Crush (S). 9.00 Secret Crush (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 1.00 Family Fortunes (S). 2.00 Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow (S). 3.05 One Tree Hill (S). 4.00 One Tree Hill (S). 5.00 HartOfDixie (S).

6.00 Classic Coronation Street (S). 6.35 Classic Coronation Street (S). 7.00 Classic Emmerdale (S). 7.30 Classic Emmerdale (S). 8.05 Bless This House (S). 8.40 Bless This House (S). 9.10 Upstairs, Downstairs (S). 10.25 Upstairs, Downstairs (S). 11.30 Heartbeat (S). 12.35 Heartbeat (S). 1.40

Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.15

Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.50

Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.25 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.55 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 Kirstie’s Handmade Treasures (S). 9.15 APlace In The Sun (S). 10.05 APlace In The Sun (S). 11.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 12.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 1.10 Heir Hunters (S). 2.10 Four In ABed (S). 2.40 Four In ABed (S). 3.15 Four In A Bed (S). 3.50 Four In ABed (S). 4.20 Four In ABed (S). 4.50 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 5.55 Car S.O.S (S).

Escape To The Chateau:

chateau (S).

Carty

Grand Designs Kevin McCloud

the Sampsons in France

Martin

Martin

Winton

9.00 Astrid: Murder In Paris

one of two. A renowned

in the middle of atrial. In French (S).

10.05 Astrid: Murder In Paris

two of two. Astrid

11.15

Karlishian’s

In French

CHARLES: OUR NEW KING Channel4,8.00pm

When Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died in September after a70-year reign, it was truly the end of an era –most of her subjects couldn’t remember aworld without her.So, it’s no wonder some of us feel like we are still getting used to the idea of having aking, but this new two-partdocumentary may help as it asks what sort of monarch Charles III will be.

Of course, while he may be new to the top job, it’s not like Charles isn’t afamiliar figure to the public –heisafter all the longest-serving Prince of Wales in British history and the oldest monarch to ever accede to the British throne.

The programme willdraw on rare royal archive footage and revealing interviews from some of the people who know him best as it looks back over the key moments in his life and offers afresh insight into his personality

It’s astory that begins in 1948, when Charles was born to the then-Princess Elizabeth. Although he was always destined to be king, he became the first in line slightly quicker than might have been expected –hewas just three when his grandfather, George VI, died and his mother became queen.

Perhaps due to the demands of her new role, it has been claimed that the Queen was asomewhat absent mother,while Prince Philip seems to have taken atough-love approach to fatherhood, especially when it came to his sensitive eldest son.

The documentary looks at how these formative years would shape Charles. It finds that despite the personal difficulties he may have faced during his childhood,hegrew up to be charitable, with apassion for causes that may not always have seemed fashionable at time but now appear rather forward thinking.

Despite that, Charles’ relationships with the public and the press have not always been easy

In 1981, following much speculation about when the 32-year-old Prince would marry,hetied the knot with Lady Diana Spencer

Here it’s argued that it was his sense of duty that led him to marry her,and his choice of bride certainly met with the public’s approval –the new Princess of Wales quickly became an international sensation.

Sadly,their relationship broke down and the subsequent stories about his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles (now the Queen Consort) dented his popularity.Inthe wake of Diana’s death in 1997, some pundits even feared for the monarchy’s future.

This documentary asks whether the new King has truly managed to put the past behind him, or whether the past scandals will prove an obstacle when it comes to commanding the same affection and respect as his mother

It also explores how living in aharsh media spotlight will influence his approach to his reign.

If you still have questions and can’t wait for the second instalment, ITV has its own documentary, also entitled Charles: Our New King, on Wednesday November 02.

6.00 Breakfast (S) 10.00 Saturday Kitchen Live (S). 11.30 Strawbridge Over The Drawbridge (R) (S). 12.00 Football Focus (S). 1.00 BBC News; Weather (S). 1.15 Bargain Hunt (R) (S). 1.45 Live Men’s Rugby League World Cup England vs Greece. Kick-off is at 2.30pm (S). 4.30 Final Score (S). 5.30 BBC News (S). 5.40 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 5.50 Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel (S).

7.25 Shaun The Sheep (R) (S). 7.35 Dennis &Gnasher Unleashed! (R) (S). 7.50 Ninja Express (R)(S). 8.00 The Deep (R) (S). 8.25 Odd Squad (R) (S). 8.35 One Zoo Three (R)(S). 9.00 Newsround (S). 9.05 Nova Jones (R) (S). 9.30 Blue Peter (R) (S).

10.00 Britain’s Secret Seas (R) (S). 11.00 Trawlermen: Hunting The Catch (R) (S). 12.00 TopOf The Shop With TomKerridge (R)(S). 1.00 Nigel Slater’s Dish Of The Day (R) (S). 1.15 Saving Lives At Sea (R) (S). 2.15 Gene Kelly: Talking Pictures (R) (S). 2.50 FILM: Singin’ In The Rain (Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly 1952) (S). 4.30 LiveMen’s Rugby League World Cup (S).

6.00 CITV 7.15Live Women’s World Cup Rugby Union The second quarter final. Kick-off is at 7.30am (S). 10.00 James Martin’s Saturday Morning (S). 12.15 James Martin’s Great British Adventure (R) (S). 12.45 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.00ITV Racing: Live From Wetherby Coverage from Wetherby and Ascot (S) 4.00 Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals (R) (S). 4.30 Family Fortunes (R) (S). 5.25 Ninja Warrior UK: Race For Glory (S).

6.50 Strictly Come Dancing

Daly and Claudia Winkleman present a Halloween special (S).

6.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 6.45 ITV Regional News; Weather (S).

7.00 How The BBC Began Part two of two. More tales from the first 50 years of the BBC (S).

8.35 Blankety Blank With Stacey Dooley,Dion Dublin, Ed Gamble, Josh Widdicombe, Trisha Goddard and Chunkz (S).

9.10 ICan See Your Voice With guest panellist Becky Hill (S).

8.35 Ed Sheeran At The BBC Acollection of performances from the archives (S).

7.00 The Chase Celebrity Special With Chizzy Akudolu, Andrew Pierce, Sonja McLaughlan and Jack Carroll (S).

8.00 The Voice UK Final Emma Willis presents the climax of the singing contest. Last in the series (S).

9.35 Later With Jools Holland With Simple Minds, Wu-Lu, Flo and Christine and the Queens Presents Redcar (S).

10.10 BBC News; Weather (S).

Match Of The Day Highlights of the latest matches (S).

10.25 Ed Sheeran At Glastonbury2017 The singer-songwriter’s performance on the Pyramid Stage (R) (S).

11.55 FILM: The Exorcist (1973) Supernatural horror,starring Linda Blair (S).

9.50 The Jonathan Ross Show With TomDaley, RobBeckett Lena Dunham and Georgina Campbell (S).

10.45 ITV News; Weather (S).

12.00 FILM: David Brent: Life On The Road (Ricky Gervais 2016)

Ricky Gervais (S).

BBC News (S).

1.55 FILM: The Curse Of The Cat People (Gunther VonFritsch, RobertWise 1944) Fantasy sequel, starring Ann Carter (S). 2.45 (GMT) This Is BBCTwo (S).

11.05 English Football League Highlights Action from the latest fixtures (S).

1.00 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 (GMT) America: The War Within (R) (S). 3.55 Unwind With ITV (S) 5.00 Ainsley’s Mediterranean Cookbook (R) (S).

HALLOWEEN (Channel 4, 11.35pm)

Masked psychopath Michael Myers made his debut in John Carpenter’s classic 1978 horror.Asa young boy, Michael stabs his sister and is dispatched to Smith’s Grove Sanatorium. Fifteen years later,Michael escapes and heads back to his hometown. That night, high school student Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis, pictured) babysits aboy named Tommy Doyle while her friend Annie babysits at ahouse across the street. Michael kills Annie and when Laurie discovers the grisly remains of the murder,she flees black to the Doylehouse to protect little Tommy

THE SIXTH SENSE (Channel 5, 10.05pm)

Director MNight Shyamalan’s supernatural thriller opens with atense five-minute sequence, detailing how Dr Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis)

was attacked in his home by an ex-patient who then turned the gun on himself.Ayear later Crowe tracks down an eight-year-old boy called Cole Sears (Haley Joel Osment) who bears all the telltale signs of child abuse. Crowe senses that there is more to the boy than meets the eye.

9.00 FILM: Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) Action comedy,starring Colin Firth and Taron Egerton (S).

(Michael Scott 2010)

drama sequel, starring Doris Roberts (S). 2.55 FILM: Christmas In Dollywood (Michael Robison 2019) Romantic drama, starring Danica McKellar (S).

Dolly Parton: The Queen Of Country (R) (S).

11.35 FILM: Halloween (1978) Horror,starring Jamie Lee Curtis (S).

7.00 Expedition Volcano Part one of two. Exploring volcanoes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (S).

6.00 Dogs With Extraordinary Jobs (R) (S). 7.00 Dogs With ExtraordinaryJobs (R) (S). 8.00 Futurama (R) (S). 8.30 Futurama (R) (S). 9.00 Futurama (R) (S). 9.30 The F1 Show (R). 10.30 Soccer AM 12.00 The Slow Mo Guys’ Big Adventures (R) (S). 12.25 The Simpsons (R) (S). 12.50 The Simpsons (R) (S). 1.15 FILM: Monster Family (Holger Tappe 2017) Animated comedy,with the voices of Emily Watson and Jason Isaacs (R) (S). 3.00 Gillette Labs Soccer Saturday Stay up to speed with the afternoon’s football up and down the country(R). 5.00 Secrets In The Jungle (R).

6.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 6.25 Coronation Street Omnibus (S). 9.05 Secret Crush (S). 10.05 Dress To Impress (S). 11.05 Dress To Impress (S). 12.10 Ninja Warrior UK: Race ForGlory (S). 1.15 In ForAPenny (S). 1.45 I’m ACelebrity: Surviving The Jungle (S). 2.50 FILM: Goosebumps (Rob Letterman 2015) Fantasy adventure, starring Jack Black (S). 4.55 FILM: Hotel Transylvania (Genndy Tartakovsky 2012) Animated comedy,with the voice of Adam Sandler (S).

6.00 On The Buses (S). 6.35 The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (S).

7.35 The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (S). 8.40 Foyle’s War (S). 10.55 Foyle’s War (S). 1.05 Midsomer Murders (S). 3.00 Midsomer Murders (S). 5.00 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 Food Unwrapped (S). 9.30 APlace In The Sun (S). 10.25 APlace In The Sun (S). 11.25 APlace In The Sun (S). 12.30 Location, Location, Location (S).

1.35 Come Dine With Me (S).

2.05 Come Dine With Me (S).

2.35 Come Dine With Me (S).

3.10 Come Dine With Me (S).

3.40 Come Dine With Me (S).

4.10 Four In ABed (S). 4.45 Four

In ABed (S). 5.20 Four In ABed (S). 5.50 Four In ABed (S).

9.00 Wisting Part one of four.Wisting is called to achilling crime scene (S).

(S).

9.00 FILM: Scream (1996) Horror,starring Neve Campbell (R) (S).

FILM: It (2017) Horror, starring Bill Skarsgard (S).

conclusion of the second round (S).

9.00 24 Hours In A&E A crash victim of acharity bike ride is airlifted to St George’s (S).

11.25 The Green Man Maurice attempts to exhume Underhill, who is not finished with him

(S).

11.00 The AToZOfHorror

the genre (R) (S).

trip

11.40 Family Guy The Griffins go on arock music cruise (S).

11.00 Midsomer Murders Aburglar dubbed “the Creeper”targets

SAS ROGUE HEROES

BBC1, 9.00pm

The last episode of Peaky Blinders aired earlier this year,although amovie is in the works –2024 has been bandied around as apotential release date, and Cillian Murphy recently suggested that the script was close to being ready The good news for anyone who can’t wait that long is that the hit drama’swriter and creator Steven Knight is back with anew drama, SAS Rogue Heroes, which tells the story of the creation of the special forces unit during the Second World War.

So, like Peaky Blinders, which was inspired by real Birmingham gangs, it does have its roots in history, but it seems we should expect afew dramatic liberties.

Knight, who also serves as executive producer, says: “It has been aprivilege to work on aproject which tells the story of arenegade band of soldiers who used wit and imagination as much as firepower to halt the march of Fascism across North Africa during the darkest days of the Second World War. This is awar story like no other,told in away that is at once inspired by the facts and truetothe spirit of this legendary brigade of misfits and adventurers.”

As you’d expect given Knight’s track record –as well as Peaky Blinders, his credits also include the movies Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises and Spencer,and the TV dramas Taboo and AChristmas Carol –he’s attracted an impressive cast, including Connor Swindells, Jack O’Connell, AlfieAllen, Sofia Boutella and Dominic West. If the average age seems alittle on theyoung side, that’s completely intentional.

Knight says: “I’m really excited to be gathering together the very best of anew generation of British and international talenttotell this remarkable story The people who are depicted and who did such extraordinary things were young, in their 20s, and

we have made aconscious decision to cast people of the same age. We enter this project with aspirit of adventure and believe our young and talented actors will do justice to this period of history.”

It’s astory that begins in North Africa in 1941, where the British Army appears to be losing the war against Germany and the Axis powers.

Eccentric young officer Lieutenant David Stirling (Swindells) is growing increasingly frustrated with the military authorities and their current strategies, and he’s not the only one –Lt. John ‘Jock’ Lewes (Allen) fighting under heavy bombardment in the besieged city of Tobruk, and Lt. Robert Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne (O’Connell), currently ‘detained’ in amilitary prison, share his misgivings.

However,Lewes thinks the Brits aren’t the only ones makingmistakes. He points out that Rommel has moved too far and fast, leaving coastal airfields vulnerable to attack, and while the Germans may be expecting an attack from the sea,anyone coming from the desert would have element of the surprise.

So, aplan forms to parachute in units of men –but first, they’ll have to prove aparachute drop in the desert could actually work.

6.00 (GMT) Breakfast (S). 7.30

Match Of The Day (R) (S). 9.00

Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg (S). 10.00 Politics England (S).

10.30 Animal Park (R) (S). 11.00

Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.00 Bargain Hunt (R) (S).

12.45 Points Of View (S). 1.00 BBC News; Weather (S). 1.15

Songs Of Praise (S). 1.50 MOTD

Live: Women’s Super League Everton vs Manchester United. Kick-off is at 2pm (S). 4.00

Blue Planet Revisited (R) (S). 4.55 BBC News (S). 5.10 BBC

Regional News; Weather (S). 5.20 Countryfile (S).

6.05 (GMT) Gardeners’ World (R) (S). 7.05 Countryfile (R) (S). 8.00 Landward (S). 8.30 This Farming Life (R) (S). 9.30 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites (S). 11.00 ACook Abroad: Rick Stein’s Australia (R) (S). 12.00

FILM: Lucky Jim (John Boulting 1957) Comedy,starring Ian Carmichael (S). 1.35 Ghost Bear Family: Natural World (R) (S). 2.35 FILM: ParaNorman (Chris Butler,Sam Fell 2012) Animated adventure, with the voice of Kodi Smit-McPhee (S). 4.00 Flog It! (R) (S). 4.30 Live Men’s Rugby League World Cup Samoa vs France. Kick-off is at 5pm (S).

6.00 (GMT) CITV 9.25 ITV News (S). 9.30 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh (S). 11.25 Ainsley’s World Cup Flavours (S). 12.25 Gino’s Italy: Like Mamma Used To Make (R) (S). 12.55 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.00 NFL Live Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos. Kickoff is at 1.30pm (S). 5.00 Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals (R) (S). 5.25 Ninja Warrior UK: Race For Glory (R) (S).

7.20 This Farming

Family Fortunes

Quinns from Bournemouth go up

the Edwards

of Kent (S).

8.20 Stanley Tucci:

ForItaly

through

region of Calabria (S).

9.00 Tutankhamun’s

Larkins Ma

Cupid between Primrose and Rev

(S).

10.00

BEETLEJUICE (Channel 5, 5.05pm)

After Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis) are killed in acar crash, they discover they will be stuck haunting their home for the next 125 years. That wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t for the fact their house has been purchased by areal-estate developer (Jeffrey Jones), his sculptor wife (Catherine O’Hara) and goth daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder). When the Maitlands fail to scare the interlopers away, they turnto‘bio-exorcist’ Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton, pictured) for help.

HIS HOUSE (BBC2, 10.45pm)

Bol (Sope Dirisu) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku) escape war-tornSouth Sudan in the hope of astable future. They risk their lives on aperilous night-time boat

Raiders Of The

With

(S).

Ranganation With

Beaumont

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Celebrity Special With Jo Brand and Dan Walker (S).

10.00 ITV News; Weather (S). 10.15 Sorry, IDidn’t Know (S). 10.45 Slam Dunk (S).

11.30 Gallagher Premiership Rugby Union Highlights Action from round eight of the season (S).

12.25 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 MotorsportUK (R) (S). 3.50 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 Ainsley’s World Cup Flavours (R) (S).

crossing, which culminates in heartbreak and despair.The couple are taken to adetention centre and are eventually allocated ahome to call their own. However,the peace and security they crave is supplanted by fear because the refugees are convinced that they are not alone in the house.

Friends (R) (S). 11.30

(R) (S). 12.00 Friends (R) (S). 12.30

(R) (S).

The Goonies (Richard Donner 1985) Family adventure, starring Sean Astin (S). 3.10

FILM: The Witches (Nicolas Roeg 1990) Children’s fantasy,starring Anjelica Huston (S). 5.05

Beetlejuice (Tim Burton 1988) supernatural comedy,starring Michael Keaton (S).

7.00 (GMT) Newsround (S).

7.10 Morph TV (S).

Blue Peter (S).

Chineke! Plays Coleridge-Taylor And Sowande (S).

6.00 (GMT) Madagascar: A LittleWild (R)(S) 6.25 Trolls: Trollstopia (R)(S) 6.50Where’s Wally (R) (S) 7.15 The Mighty Ones (R)(S). 7.40CroodsFamily Tree (R) (S) 8.05The Slow Mo Guys’ Big Adventures 8.35

TheGhastlyGhoul9.05 David Attenborough’s Wild City (R) (S) 10.00 Formula 1 (R). 11.45

The Simpsons (R) (S) 12.10

The Simpsons (R) (S) 12.35The Simpsons (R) 1.00 TheSimpsons (R) (S). 1.30 The Simpsons (R) (S) 2.00 The Simpsons (R). 2.30

The Simpsons (R)(S) 3.00 The Simpsons (R) (S) 3.30 FILM: Monster Family 2 (Holger Tappe 2021)(S). 5.30 PatrickAryee’s Wild World

6.00 (GMT) Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 7.00 Secret Crush (S). 8.00 Secret Crush (S). 8.55 Dress To Impress (S). 9.55 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 Take Me Out (S). 1.15 Celebrity Catchphrase (S). 2.15 I’m A Celebrity: Legends Of The Jungle (S). 3.15 In ForA Penny (S). 3.45 FILM: Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (Tim Burton, Mike Johnson 2005) Stop-motion animated fantasy, with the voice of Johnny Depp (S). 5.30 FILM: Hotel Transylvania 2 (Genndy Tartakovsky 2015) Animated comedy,with the voice of Adam Sandler (S).

6.00 (GMT) Bless This House (S). 6.35 Emmerdale Omnibus (S). 8.55 Bless This House (S). 9.25 Foyle’s War (S). 11.40 Foyle’s War (S). 1.50 Foyle’s War (S). 4.00 Midsomer Murders (S).

Lewis Astudent and a well-known

8.55 (GMT) George Clarke’s Amazing Houseboats (S). 9.55 Ugly House To Lovely House With George Clarke (S). 11.00 George Clarke’s Old House, New Home (S). 12.00 Come Dine With Me (S). 12.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 1.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 1.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.40 Four In ABed (S). 3.10 Four In ABed (S). 3.40 Four In ABed (S). 4.15 Four In ABed (S). 4.50 Four In ABed (S). 5.20 Come Dine With Me (S). 5.55 Come Dine With Me (S).

Audience

6.25 Come Dine With Me (S).

6.55 Come Dine With Me (S).

7.30 Come Dine With Me Patrick McMurray hosts the final party in Sutton Coldfield (S).

8.00 Emergency Helicopter Medics

injured cyclist

rescued from amountainside (S).

9.00 999: On The Front Line Paramedics are called to aroad trafficcollision (S).

10.00 24 Hours In A&E Patients include a 53-year-old woman who has suffered a suspected heartattack (S).

11.05 Emergency Helicopter Medics Amountain biker has abad fallina remote partofaforest (S).

12.10 999: On The Front Line (S). 1.15 24 Hours In A&E (S).

2.15 Emergency Helicopter Medics (S). 3.20 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.50 Close

JAMIE’S £1 WONDERS

Channel 4, 8.00pm

Jamie Oliver used to spend his time making tasty meals, but these days, he seems more focused on making a difference to people’s lives.

Back in 1999, theEssex-born chef become ahousehold name overnight thanks to his The Naked Chef TV shows.

And while he has sold afew million cookery books off the back of it (he is the second best-selling British author, behind JK Rowling), Jamie has admirably used his fame to tackle some of society’s most pressing problems, particularly those relating to food and nutrition.

In 2002, he established theFifteen restaurant, where he trained disadvantaged young people to work in the hospitality industry

He then became the scourge of the Turkey Twizzler through his programme Jamie’s School Dinners, before joined several other celebrity chefs on The Big Fish Fight to raise awareness about the discarding saltwater fish.

He joined forces with charity Sustain to startthe Sugar Smart campaign, and became asupporter for of Fresh Thinking for Forgotten Food, tackling waste.

In April this year,Jamie co-organised acharity dinner in London to raise money for Ukrainians who suffered from the Russian invasion.

In his recent book and TV series, Jamie’sOne-Pan Wonders, the chef has been providing us with helpful with advice on how to prepare delicious home-cooked food while just using one pan, pot or dish.

But although the title of tonight’s special one-off programme sounds very similar to that, Jamie hasmore than just washing-up on his mind.

Inflation is at the10-per-cent mark and, apart from energy,the biggest driver of price rises has been food and drink.

The escalating cost of living means households are having to make their money stretch even further especially at the supermarket –soJamie has come up with afew solutions to help out.

He will show us ahandful of tasty,family-friendly dishes

that can eachbemade for less than £1 aportion (based on the cost of the ingredients used, according to prices at the time of filming in October 2022).

He kicks off with adeliciously juicy meatloaf that elevates one of the cheapest cuts of meat to the level of aSunday roast, before celebrating the most cost-efficient way to cook by creating acheeky vegetarian curry

He also goes half-veg with his batch-cooked Bolognese to make our meat –and money –stretchfurther

To save time and cash, Jamie makes the most of the oven whenever it’s on by cooking two dishes at the same time.

He makes asuper-simple Cajun chicken traybake cooking the chicken, veg and rice in one dish so you don’t need to boil aseparate pan –alongside acleverly streamlined lasagne made from frozen veg and store cupboard staples.

And lastly,being on abudget doesn’t mean you can’t have tasty treat forafters.

Jamie’s super-speedy sponge pudding, cooked in three minutes, is atraditional delight, and shows that Jamie still has an excitement for great food, as well as an unwavering passion for what food can do.

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live (S). 10.00 Critical Incident (S). 10.45 Dirty Rotten Scammers (S). 11.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.15 Bargain Hunt (S). 1.00 BBC News At One; Weather (S). 1.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 1.45 Doctors (S). 2.15 Money ForNothing (S). 3.00 IEscaped To The Country (S). 3.45 The Repair Shop (S). 4.30 The Travelling Auctioneers (S). 5.15 Pointless (S).

6.00 Take AHike (R) (S). 6.30 IEscaped To The Country (R) (S). 7.15 The Repair Shop (R) (S). 8.00 Sign Zone: Antiques Roadshow: 100 Years Of The BBC (R) (S). 9.00 BBC News (S).

BBC News (S).

Where The ArtIs (R) (S).

(R) (S).

Life (R) (S).

Live Special (S).

(S).

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

It! (S).

BBC News (S).

6.00 Richard Osman’s House Of Games (S).

6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two (S).

7.00 Live Men’s Rugby League World Cup Papua New Guinea vs Wales. Kick-off is at 7.30pm (S).

6.00 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 6.30 ITV News; Weather (S).

7.30 Emmerdale Afurious Cain makes ashocking discoveryand lays a trap (S).

8.00 Coronation Street Tyrone shows Fiz the first extract from the John Stape book in the Gazette (S).

9.30 Women Of Steel Behind the scenes with the England Women’s rugby league squad (S).

10.30 Newsnight (S).

9.00 The Walk-In Robbie Mullen must face his former friends from National Action in court. Last in the series (S).

10.00 ITV News At Ten; Weather (S).

10.30 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 10.45 Nazi Hunters: The Real Walk-In (S).

11.15 FILM: Ghost Stories (2017) Horror anthology,starring Andy Nyman and Martin Freeman (S).

12.45 Sign Zone:

11.45 Police, Camera, Murder The police hunt for asuspected serial killer in Greater Manchester (R) (S).

12.35 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 On Assignment (R) (S). 3.30 James Martin’s Great British Adventure (R) (S). 3.55 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.10 Dickinson’s Real Deal (R) (S).

GHOST STORIES (BBC2, 11.15pm)

Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman (pictured) write and direct this big-screen version of their 2010 stage play Nyman heads the cast as Professor Philip Goodman, who has gained areputation as adebunker of hoax ghost sightings. He has been given a file of three unsolvable cases by his hero Charles Cameron, who has been missing for years. As Goodman goes to work trying to solve what Cameron could not, his perception of what is real and what is his imagination becomes increasingly blurred, until he is brought down to earth with abump.

THE EXORCIST

10.00pm)

girl (Linda Blair) is possessed by amalevolent demonic entity,and her mother (Ellen Burstyn) recruits Father Damien Karras

To Declare (R) (S). 10.00 Supergirl (R) (S). 11.00 NCIS: LosAngeles (R) (S). 12.00 NCIS: LosAngeles (R) (S). 1.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 2.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 3.00 Wildlife Rescue New Zealand (R) (S). 4.00 Modern Family (R) (S). 4.30 Modern Family (R) (S). 5.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 5.30 Futurama (R) (S).

6.00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 7.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 8.00 Secret Crush (S). 9.00 Secret Crush (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 1.00 Family Fortunes (S). 2.00 Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow (S). 3.05 One Tree Hill (S). 4.00 One Tree Hill (S). 5.00 HartOfDixie (S).

6.00 Classic Coronation Street (S). 6.35 Classic Coronation Street (S). 7.00 Classic Emmerdale (S). 7.30 Classic Emmerdale (S). 8.05 Bless This House (S). 8.40 Bless This House (S). 9.10 Upstairs, Downstairs (S). 10.25 Upstairs, Downstairs (S). 11.30 Heartbeat (S). 12.35 Heartbeat (S). 1.40 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.15 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.50 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.25 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.55 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 Kirstie’s House Of Craft (S). 9.15 APlace In The Sun (S). 10.05 APlace In The Sun (S). 11.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 12.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 1.10 Heir Hunters (S). 2.10 Four In ABed (S). 2.40 Four In ABed (S). 3.15 Four In ABed (S). 3.50 Four In ABed (S). 4.20 Four In A Bed (S). 4.50 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 5.55 Car S.O.S (S).

6.55 Escape To The Chateau: DIY Billy and his father tryto level apatio so it can pass health and safety regulations (S).

7.55 Grand Designs Arevisit to an arch-shaped home made of clay tiles (S).

1.15 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 2.20 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.25 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.50 Close

LANDROVER FREELANDER

SPORT

2.2cc,

SD4

till April

ABSOLUTELY

FORESTRY

NorburyPark,Staffordshire

Apositionhasarisenforamotivated,hardworkingindividualto joinanestablishedteamtohelpmanageandmaintain750acres ofwoodland.

Theintensivelymanagedwoodsincludeover450acresofnew plantationsandhostarangeofforward-thinkingmanagement techniquesandscientificresearchprojects,aswellassupplying timbertoourownsawmillandfirewoodbusiness,Shelmore Timber

Therolewillincludechainsawandtractorwork,planting,spraying pruning,strimmingandlogsplitting

Applicantsshouldbeabletoshowsomeexperienceand understandingofforestryoperations,theuseofagricultural/ forestrymachineryandgoodawarenessofhealthandsafety matters.NPTCCS30andCS31chainsawcertficatesdesirable butnotessential.

Fulldrivinglicenceessential. Competitivesalaryandfurther trainingavailablefortherightcandidate.

BoroughofTelford&Wrekin

BoroughofTelford&Wrekin

NorburyParkHouse,Norbury,Sta

ordST200PPorbyemail toalex.malkin@norburypark.co.uk

BARRATT

Phillip Lester

Peacefully passed away on October 7, 2022, aged 83 years, of Market Drayton.

Dear Husbandof the late Shir ley,b el ove dD ad , Grandad and Great- Grandad.

FuneralService 10.00am on Wednesday,November 2, 2022 at St. Mary’sChurch, Market Drayton followed by Interment in the Cemetery.

Family flowers only but donationsif so desired, to Montgom er yH ouse Residents Comfort Fund for which purpose acollection plate will be provided in Church.

All inquiries please to

PLANT

Beryl Ann

Sadly passed away on October 7, 2022. Aged 87 years.

Aloving Wife to Ken.

Mum to Kevinand Steven, Mother-in-law to Fayand Christine.

Nan to Darren, Jenna and Stephanie.

Great-Nanny to Sophia and Alexander

Adear Friend who will be missed by all.

Acelebration of life willtake place at Telford Crematorium on the November 1, 2022, 10.30am.

Fa mily flowers only, donations if desired to Cottage Christian Nursing Home Residents Comfort Funds.

All inquiries to

NEWPORT&DISTRICT

FUNERAL SERVICES 01952 820667.

UpdatedS-Cross is high-speccomfort

GRAY Joan

Peacefully passed awayat her home in Market Drayton on October 16, 2022 aged 88 years.

Dear Partner of John, loving Mum and Nan.

Funeral Service, 10am on Friday,November4,2022 at Christ Church, Little Drayton followed by Interment in Market Drayton Cemetery Black optional.

Family flowers only but donations if so desired to Cancer Research UK for which purpose acollection plate will be provided in Church.

All inquiries to

MADDOX

Joan Ellen

October 28, 2018.

Another year without you.

Loved and missed as always. Missthe greattimeswe shared,especiallyattea times.

Loved and missedforever your Robin.

Acknowledgements

MORRIS Margaret Ellen

Passed away peacefully aged 94 years,formerly of Market Drayton.

Amuch-loved Mum and Nan.

Funeral Service 12.30pm on Friday, November 4, 2022 at Emstrey Crematorium, Shrewsbury.

Family flowers only but donations, if so desired, for DementiaUKfor which purpose acollection box willbeprovided at the Crematorium.

All inquiries please to

Doreen Bevan

Jean

Jenny

Gill Chadd

Charles

Paul Dowler

Wayne Francis

Anne

Michael Griffiths

Mark

Margaret

Keith Humphreys

Eileen

Caroline

Wayne Lewis

Lewis

Gwyneth Martin

Gwenneth Pinches

Kevin Price

Frederick Ralph

Leonard Tipping

Julie Trilliene-Cooke

Suzuki’s latestSUV only arrivedinthiscountry earlierthisyear–but it hasalready had amajor upgrade.

Full hybridversionsofthe S-Cross went on sale this month, with extra electrical powerfor smoother perfor mancewhile cutting fuel consump tion andemissions.Itsitsbetween the slightlysmall buthugelypopular Vi tara,and theA-Crossand comesintwo versions –the £28,749Motionand the £31,549Ultra whichcomeswithextra equipment,mostprominent of whichis Suzuki’sproven ALLGRIPautomatic four-wheel drivesystem.

Given itshighequipmentlevels, economyand theoptionoffour-wheel drivewithautomated manual trans mission, theS-Crosslooks particularly goodvalue in comparisontosimilar ly-sized SUVrivals.

Like thelatestVitarahybrids,the newS-Crosscomeswitha1.5 litre petrolengineplusa140-voltelectrical powersystem(as compared to 48-volts in mild hybrid systems),but it’s still self-chargingsothere’s no plugging in required

Themotor-generator system (MGU) assiststhe petrolenginewhenmoving off, accelerating andevenonthe open road when,under lightload, thecar canrun on electrical poweronly. My test caraveraged 50mpgevenduring an hour of tackling muddytracksin low gear.

TheMGU also helpssmoothout electrically actuated gear changesas well as contributing to fuel savings. Whilethe S-Crossprobablywouldn’t be a firstchoicefor seriousoff-roadfor

ays, it didprove itself capable on this exercise on standard road tyres, with theALLGRIP system instantlydivert ingtorquetothe rear wheels when necessary.

It’s primarilyareassuringsafety system forwinter roads.

TheALLGRIP system is best left in ‘auto’ mode foreconomy andsmooth ness,but thedriver cansimplyturn aswitchtosharpen performancein ‘sport’mode. There’salso asetting for snow and‘lock’for permanentfourwheeldrive when conditions getreally slippery

TheS-Crosshas room for five with nearly 300litresofluggage spacein amuchimprovedand updatedcabin, plus roof bars as standard.Comfort able andquiet,all models come with dual zone airconditioning, heated frontseats, full iphone/smartphone connectivity,parking sensors anda rear view camera,recliningrearseats, LEDlights andelectricwindowand door mirrors. Thereisafull rangeof safety features

Ultramodelsalsoget satnav inte grated into thecentralcontrolscreen, apanoramic slidingsunroof anda 360-degree ‘birds eyeview’ camera

FACTFILE

SUZUKI S-CROSS

Power: 115PSplus140velectric motor 0-62mph: 12.7secs (13.5secsAWD)

Economy: 54.3mpg (48.7AWD)

CO2: 118g/km(132g/kmAWD)

Price: £26,749-£31,549

JOHN GRIFFITHS

in

It looksthe part andthe novel number plate, VW51EEP,also provokedcuriosity

Thereare twoversions, theCoast andOcean driven here.The Ocean also features a grille embellished with four chrome strips andis framed with newLED daytimerun ning lights

Poweredbyaneconomicaltwo litre diesel unit that pumpsout nearly 200bhp,thismodel also featuresVW’s4Motionall-wheel drive system,perfect forextra traction when campinginpotentially muddy areas.

ownhotel California

Theinterior features anew touchscreen in theroofconsole whichmanages campervanfunctions. It controls theopening and closingofthe electric pop-up roof, andmonitorsfridge operationand waterlevels.

At firstglance, It never seems likethere is enough space to store allyourholiday paraphernalia, but with ingenioushiddencubby holes, cupboardsand storageareas,an awfullot canbestored.

It even includes acleverlycon cealed mini wardrobe

Spaceisat apremium butthe rear seatsfoldtocreateadouble bed, whichfeaturesindividual lights, whilethe twofront chairs arecaptain style, whichmeans they swivel around

Also theelectrically-operated fabric roofcan be raisedtoaccommodate acouple of children in the sleeping area above themainbed

The kitchen facilities offer a two-burner cooker anddeepfridge, andatinybowlwithanelectricwaterpump. Weatherpermitting, an awning is availableasanoption.

On theroad, thepowerful diesel matedwiththe seven-speedDSG automaticgearbox offers plenty of pulling powerand quiteaturnof speedwhenrequired.Italso proved extremely economical, with economy at onepoint showingatnearly 40mpgagainst theofficial34.9. Im pressive consideringthe amount of weightinvolved.

Acentral‘DigitalCockpit’is standard on this is modeland it of fers an excellentinfotainmentsys temand smartphoneconnectivity.

Therideiscomfortable andthe vanalwaysfeels stable,and the CrossWindAssistsystemautomat ically stabilises thecamperwhen buffeted by high windsonthe motorway

Safety systemsare also impres sive,withafull rangeofstability functionsand airbags,plusLane Assist,ParkAssist, asideprotec tion function (warns of obstacles when manoeuvring) andTrailer As sist (simplifies manoeuvringwitha trailer).

TheOceanisa superefficient descendant of theoriginalcamper-

FACTFILE

CALIFORNIA 6.1OCEAN SWB2.0

TDi

Price: From £76,172

Mechanical: 204PS, 1968cc four cylinderdieselengine driving allwheels viaseven speedauto gearbox

MaxSpeed: 126mph 0-62mph: 11.9 seconds

Combined MPG: 34.9

C02 emissions: 213-225g/km

Warranty: 3years/100,000 miles

75 bids farewell to theJaguarF-Type

Jaguar hasannounced that production of itsF-Typesportscar is coming to a close with aspecial editionversion the75. Introduced as part of ‘model year 2023’, this will be thelastyear theF-Typeissold, as themodel bows outtoclear theway forthe British firm’s switch to electrification

Called the‘75’ as it marksthree quarters of acentury of Jaguar sports cars, thespecial editionmodel is available in both coupeand convertible bodystyles,and comessuppliedwith Jaguar’s legendary5.0-litre V8 engine underthe bonnet

Twoguises areavailable forthisengine –the P450,which gets444bhp, andthe P575 ‘R’model,which produc es 567bhp

These areabletoaccelerate from 0-60mph in 4.4and 3.5seconds re spectively.The P450 getsthe choice of rear-orall-wheel-drive,withthe P575 coming exclusivelywiththe latter.

The‘75’editionsget model-specif-

ic 20-inchalloy wheels anddiscreet badging, whileinsideeachalso getting auniquemotif on thecentre console andstainlesssteeltread plates,along with agloss blackinterior package.

AstandardF-TypeR-Dynamic will also be availablein2023, usinga 296bhp2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine

MatthewBeaven,JaguarLandRov er chiefexterior designer,said: “For 75 years, Jaguar hasbeenrenownedfor producingextraordinary sports cars that deliver performance, agility and maximumdriverreward.

“The F-Type special editions hold true to theseprinciples, adding unique interior andexterior design detailsto celebratethislineage before Jaguar becomesanall-electricbrand from 2025.”

TheF-Typehas served as Jaguar’s sole sports carsinceits introductionin 2013,withthe modellastreceivinga majorupdatein2019.

van. It’s notcheap,withthismod el toppingout at morethan£80k with addedbit andpieces. Greatfor thoseshorterbreaksand apleasure to drive.

Pook hits thegravel runningwithimpressivetitle win

Shrewsbury’s ChrisPookhas claimedaprestigious national bikingtitle at the firstattempt

Pook battledhis waytogloryin theBritish MastersGravelCycling 35-39yearage groupchampionship at theKings CupinSuffolk

Thesuccess is even more noteworthygiven that he haslessthan 12 monthsexperiencein gravel racingunder hisbeltafterswitching from road racing to therougher terrainin2022.

TheKings Cup is considered to be theultimatebikingfestivalfor gravel cycling. Increasing in popu larity,the sportisperformed on a varietyofoff-roadterrain ranging from root strewn singletrack,gravel fire roads, hard packed mudand even sand

Pook claimedvictory over the fi nalfew metresonthe 15.6km track in KingsForest, near Bury-St-Ed munds, Suffolk, racingfor approx imatelytwo hours

Pook,who hasbeentrainingfor thecompetition in theShropshire Hills andraces forHolohan CoachingRaceTeam, wasdelightedat hissuccess in Suffolkand knew go ingintothe eventwhattoexpect.

“It’saverytechnical sport, you are making calculations allthe time, regardingthe terrainand youropponents, you need to remain very alert,”hesaid. “Withseven kilo metrestogoanother competitor took thefront andheldahigh pace whichwas perfectas it stoppedoth er competitorsattacking

“The endofthe race wasvery close andknowing thatthe sprint wouldbeintoa headwind Ilet two guys pastgoing into thelasttechnicalsection as Iwanted to come off thewheel in thesprinttothe line, only catching thelastone with me trestogo.

“I usedtoonlydoroadcycling but have movedtograveland mountain biking likealot of otherpeople. You canraceonlotsofdifferent terrains, generallyoff roadssoaway from cars andyou will struggle to find abettertraininggroundthan theShropshireHills.

“Gravelridingisreallytakingoff in popularity because there’sjust so much you candofromendur ance challenges,singleday races or just getting offthe beaten track andenjoyingthe countrysidewith friends.”

Golden girl Alison proving agereallyisjustanumber

When Alison Salthouse startedcycling at 53 to improveher health,she didnot expect to be a BritishMasters Cycling championintwo events 10 yearslater.

The63-year-old claimedasuperb double success in the500mTime Trailand the200mMatch Sprint at theBritish Mastersin Newport, SouthWales

TheTelford-based cyclisttrains sixdaysaweek, oftenatthe velo dromesinManchesterorDerby, paying herown coachand working full-timeasanITproject manager in ordertofundher racing.

AndSalthouse,who is originally from Preston, cannot believehow good shehas become

“I wanted to do somethingtoimprove my health.Iplayedfootball in my late teens, butIdid nothing then untilIwas in my mid-50s,”she said,whenasked what it wasthat made hertakeupracing.

“I thought‘Ineedtostart doing something. Idon’t want to become a couchpotato’

“I started riding just athree-mile routefromhome,and Iwas outof breath.Who wouldbelieve Iwould gethookedonthe velodrome riding abikeatthatspeed with no gears andnobrakesand find that youare actually good at it.”

In the500mTimeTrial,one of theeventswhere shewon gold,she explainedthatshe started from a standstill andbeather competition by more than twoseconds,which is

abig margin in aracethatshort, with a finishingtimeof43.992 sec onds

TheMatch Sprint wasamuch closeraffair, andshe just pipped Kathleen McCormac to thegold, heropponenthas been cyclingsince shewas nine

This eventincludedthree-and-a half laps to gain speed before going foranall-out sprint on the finallap to find awinner.

Salthousealso came runner-up in theIndividualPursuit whereshe wasbeatenbyLindsay Clarke, who smashedthe Britishrecordbyalmost sixseconds

Shesaysshe wishes shehad discovered thesport earlierin lifeand also revealed how sherubsshoul ders with some of Britain’sOlympic champions when shetrains.

Shecontinued:“IwishI hadfound it when Iwas younger.Ididn’t. But Iamsoglad that Ihavenow

“You justnever know untilyou have agoatit.

“I am still gettingpersonalbests in my 60s

“I train on thesametrack as Ka tieArchibald andLaura Kenny, and they thinkI am fascinating

“I will be in thechanging, and they saytome, ‘I hope we arestill riding likeyou when we areyour age’.”

Next year,Salthouse is hoping to wingoldatthe WorldChampionshipswhentheycome to Manchester.

Hales sealsHill Climbsuccess forthe first time

TomosHales hasclinchedthe The BBR Opticians HillClimb Series

Halesled from thefront in round10– thePropelCCclimb of SwayneyCliff,Coalport–totake thewin in twominutes 20 seconds,but he waspushedclose by MidShropshireWheelers’ John Woodward

Hales’ victoryput theShropshire Hill ClimbChampionship beyond doubt,asheclaimed thetitle forthe firsttime.

SwayneyCliff offers asignifi cant challengetoridersdue to an undulating gradient –tough over thebridgenearthe start, rising to 17 percentinthe middle and tricky around thehairpin near the top.

This wasreflected in Hales’ post race comments:“I’ve always found SwayneyCliff climbhardtopace duetoits constant gradient changes.I’m happytotakethe winand seal theSeries.”

Woodward wasmakinga belated entranceintothe Series and stoppedthe watchjustfourseconds behind Hales.

It wasaclose call forthe finalpo dium spot with Oswestry Paragon’s Jack Youngjustbeating ChrisRiley by onesecond in 2:41

With Haleshavingsealedthe Series,Young isone of theriders hominginonatightcontest forthe remainingmedals

Rileytightened hisgriponthe Veterans’Championship,although that is stillverymuchinplay.

In theBBR Women’sSeries, HayleyWells cannolongerbeovertak en with a60-pointleadand just40 points maximumavailable from the finaltwo events.Thisisthe Para mountrider’s firstseasonand she hascertainly made an immediate impact

Alex Hart wasinasimilar posi tion in theBBR Junior Series and his44-pointadvantage with 40 maximumavailable makeshim Junior champion. TheVeterans’ Championship wasdecidedinthe 11th andpenultimateround of theBBR Op ticians HillClimb Series

Princecrowned vets’champion

Over-40s riders winning events is ararity, butthatonly made Steven Prince allthe more determined to finallyget thebetterofoverallSerieswin nerTomosHales by atwo secondmargin, afterchargingup thethree-quarter mile Station Road,Ironbridgecourseinthree minutes 34 secondstosealglory in style.

Princehad extra cause forcelebration as that winalso meant he went home with theoverall silver

It wasaclose race in thewom en’s competitionasvisitingrider HannahHavelock-Allenbeatthe championHayleyWells by asin glesecond.

Theonlyother medaldecided on theday wenttoa junior,with BenSouthgatebagging silver.

Alison Salthouse in action at theBritish MastersinNewport,South Wales

Chris Pook crossesthe finish linejustahead of hisrivalstoclaim glory

Windsofchange blowingatthe PremierLeague

A2023seasonfull of changeshas alreadystarted forShropshire’stop bowlingleague.

TheShropshirePremier League hasanew main sponsorand the14 member clubswill voteonaraftof proposalsatthe AGMonJanuary 17 at MeoleBrace BC League chiefRob Burroughs confirmed:“Theleagueisproud to announce anew sponsorinTaylor Supportfor an initialtwo yearsfor £750 peryear.

“Aspartofthe agreement, the league will facilitate access forTay lor Supportservice users at multiple crowngreen bowlstasterses sionsacrossthe county

“Thiswillprovide opportunities to access afun,social, health activityfor people of allages andabili ties whilst also promoting inclusion within thesport

“Weare incredibly excitedto workwithTaylor Supportand their owners Hollyand Mark Taylor,with Mark having playedin ourleague forStGeorges,Bowring andCas tlefields

“Webelieve this is an excellent opportunitytopromote more inclu-

Shifnal’sVasecampaign

Shifnal Town’s FA Vase campaigncametoanend as they conceded four at StourportSwifts.

BenTilbury scored twice, includ ingafourthminuteopener, as the hoststookadvantage of some lax defendingtowin the firstround tie.

Shifnalfound themselves two down at thebreak when BenJevons divertedhome LeeChilton’s corner andthenhad amountaintoclimb when Tilbury smashedhome again within threeminutes of therestart. Thevisitors finallybegan to

exertsome pressureand pulled one back when MaxChimenesdrove a shot beyond Stourportgoalkeeper Josh Bishop.

Yetany hope of acomeback was quicklyextinguishedwhenChiltonhit home to restorethe home team’s three-goal cushion.

Shifnal, to theircredit, kept pushing. JoeThompsonwentclose to pullingagoalbackjustpastthe hourmarkand then didreducethe deficitfromthe penaltyspotafter Jevons hadbundled over Chimenes

Butitprovedonlyaconsolation Jayden Hunter marked hisdebut for Whitchurch Alport with the goal whichset them on course fora 3-0win over Uttoxeterinthe Midland League PremierDivision.

Hunter,who joined last week on loan from NewcastleTown, fired home just before thehalf-hour mark.Second-halfgoals from Sam Yeardley andNicky Parker completed avictory whichsaw Alport move up to ninthinthe table.

“It’supthere certainlywithsome

of ourbestperformances. Definite ly in thetop three,”saidassistant bossAdamShillcock

Alport enterthe FA Vaseinthe second round, having reached last season’s quarter-finals, andhave been drawnawaytoWolverhamp tonCasuals

In NorthWestCountiesLeague FirstDivision South, third-placed EllesmereRangers were 4-0 winnersatRocesterthanks to CallumGraybrook, Jordan Davies, Jack Sweeney andSteven Hole

Wimbledon star signsup forclub’sbesteverevent

sion in oursport andshow it canbe accessed by all.”

TheTaylors were guests at theleague’srecentpresentation eveningatBurwaywhentheypre sented some of theprizes.

Thebig changesfor 2023 include theformatofthe presentation eveningalteringasthe Pool Aand Bknockouts areplayedasa one-day competitionat thestart of thesea son, with theMerit qualifiersand finals beingmovedtobeplayedon FridaysinSeptember

“There will be aproposaltothe AGMabout theremoval of rule about having aplay-offifteams finish levelonpointsatthe topor bottom of theleague,”addedBur roughs.“Andwewanttointroduce aruleabout players in theAlan Mayhew Trophy finalhavingto have playedfourgames fortheir club

“The 2023 league season will startonFriday, April7,and we arelooking at doinganInter-Area competitioninvolving SouthShrop shire, NorthShropshire, Telford andShrewsburyas an eight-a-side knockout on aSaturdayevening.”

Oneofthisyear’sWim bledonladies’ singles semi finalistsisset to play at TheShrewsbury Club when theWorld Tennis Tour returnsto Shropshirethisweek.

German star TatjanaMaria is amonganimpressivenumberof players currentlyrankedinthe world’s top100 on theentry list for theBudgenMotorsW100tournament.The prestigious eventispart of theLTA’s PerformanceCom petitionsCalendar, whichaimsto provideenhancedplaying oppor tunitiesfor players throughout the country.

It is also thebiggest indoor women’s tennis tournament in theUK sincethe 1990sand takesplace at theSundorneRoadvenue between October30and November6 Maria, currentlyranked71in theworld,enjoyedabrilliantrun at SW19 earlierthisyear, reaching the last four before eventually losing in threesetstoOns Jabeur

HeatherWatson, HarrietDart, KatieSwan, KatieBoulter and JodieBurrage lead astrong British

STUART DUNN sports@mnamedia.co.uk

challengeinShrewsbury,ahead of theBillieJeanKingCup Finals, whereGreat Britainare oneof12 nationscompeting to be thebestin theworld

Thehighest-rankedplayeronthe entrylistisUkrainian Anhelina Kalinina,currently 45 in theworld

TheShrewsburyevent is setto featureMarketa Vondrousova, who wasrunner-uptoAshleighBartyin the2019FrenchOpen finalinPar is, andlastyearwon asilvermedal forthe CzechRepublicatthe Olym picsinTokyo Karolina Muchova, another Czech star,isalsoonthe entrylist. Asemi-finalist at last year’s Aus tralian Open,she reachedthe quar ter-finals at Wimbledonin both 2019 and2021.

TheShrewsbury line-upalsoincludes ViktorijaGolubic –who won adoubles silver medalrepresent ingSwitzerland,alongside Belinda Bencic,atlastyear’sOlympics–andwas a2021Wimbledon singles quarter-finalist

Dave Courteen, TheShrewsbury Club’s managing director,said:

“Wehavetalkedalot in thebuild up to this eventabout thecalibre of players that will take part in this high-profile tournament

“Now that theentry list hasbeen confirmed,it’sprobablybeyondour best expectations

“Whilethere’s still apossibility that playersmay withdraw through injury,the qualityofplayers to have enteredthistournamentisfantastic.

“Tohaveplayers that have reachedthe latter stages of Grand Slamsinthe last twoorthree years, as well as anumberofcurrent top 100players headingtoShrewsbury is so exciting

“Wehopethiseventwill attract biggercrowdsasaresultand we really encouragepeopletomake sure they reservetickets, so they areguaranteed theirseats to enjoy what’s goingtobesome trulyexcep tional tennis.”

Reflecting on thestrong British challengeinShrewsbury, Dave added:“With theexception of Emma Raducanu,all thetop Britishplayerswill be here,which is greatnews, with this eventheldthe week before theBillieJeanKingCup Finals take placeinGlasgow.Wehavere-

cently enjoyedsome Britishsuccess at Shrewsbury tournamentsand it wouldbeniceifthatcontinues

“The qualityofthe international opposition meansit’sgoing to be much tougherthistime, butthe Britishplayers areplaying well and they aresuretoreceivelotsofsup port.Welookforward to watching them play.”

Ticket prices forthe tourna ment,which includea40-page programme,start from £7.50.

Finals Daytickets to enjoy thesingles anddoubles finals on Sunday, November6,are priced £17.50

Aday earlier, forthe semi finals on Saturday,November5,there will be aFamilyDay,which will provide many offcourt activities forjuniors, with free admissionfor under-16s accompaniedbyanadult

Atournamentpasstowatch all matchesthroughoutthe week from court-side stands is availablefor £49, with anumberofspecialhospitality events also to be held at The Shrewsbury Club

Ticketscan be purchasedonline at www.worldtennistourshrewsbury.com/tickets-and-events/#tickets

Tatjana Maria –aladies’ singles semi finalist at Wimbledon thisyear– is one ofthe starsplaying in Shropshire next week,alongside Britain’sHarrietDart

Champion night: Rob Jones, skipperofrecord-breaking Wrockwardine Wood,receives the trophyfromHolly andMark Taylor

Charliecomes Home to lead Shropshire in 2023

STUART DUNN sports@mnamedia.co.uk

CharlieHomewilllead Shropshireinthe Na

tional Counties Cricket AssociationChampionship afterbeing appointed captain.

Home replaces SamWhitney, Shropshireskipper in thethree-day format forthe last twoyears, after he decidedtostepdownfromthe role at theend of the2022season.

All-rounderHome,23, atop or derbatterand off-spinner, made his firstteamdebut forShropshire aged 16

He previously representedShrop shire’sjunior sidesfromthe ageof nine,playing in ayeargroup which included Dillon Pennington and GeorgeHargrave, before he joined NorthamptonshireCCC’s Academy.

Home comesfroma bigcricketing familyand many of them have also represented Shropshire Hisdad,Ed, played forthe coun ty,asdid Jim, hisgrandfather. Guy, Charlie’suncle,isaformerShrop shirecaptain,whilecousinTom also playedfor theclub.

Younger brotherJackmade hisShropshire first-team debut againstCornwallin July,while Charlie’ssister, Milly, represented theShropshirewomen’s team and nowplays forWorcestershireand CentralSparks.

Newcountycaptain Homesaid: “Itwas ahonourtoreceive the phone call aboutbecomingcaptain andIwas verypleasantlysurprised.

“Havinghad numerous family membersrepresent Shropshire over theyears,tonow be askedtobe captainisanamazing honour and somethingI’m so proudof.

“Tobebrought up in afamily that’s Shropshire cricket through

andthrough,itmeans so much to me andthe wholefamily.

“Thankstothe committee forbestowingthe honouronme. Iwould also liketothank SamWhitney for hisleadershipofthe Championship side over thelasttwo years. He’s done abrilliantjob forShropshire cricket.”

Home’s studiesinqualifying to become an accountant meanthe wasnot availabletoplayfor Shropshireduringthe 2022 season,but he keptaclose eyeonresults andis nowexcited aboutleading the team

He said:“Theexams have been quitefull on,soIdidn’tplaythis

year,but I’msoeager to getback involved.Iwas keen to be involved before thecaptaincy news,soI can’t wait to play

“I’veplayedfor Shropshiresince theage of 16 andhavealso played in theBirmingham League,soI’ve playedafairamountofcricket fora 23-year-old.”

Home,who livesinNewport, added: “I’m lookingtowards anew era andanew chapterin theclub’s greathistory

“The plan is to energise theundoubted talent within thecounty andperhaps persuadeafew of the olderhands to getbackinvolved.

“I’m very heartenedbythe conversationsI’vealready hadand I’m optimistic aboutthe 2023 season within allthree formatsthatwe’re goingtoplay.

“The goal is to make it funfor everyone that playsand to entertain ourveryloyal supporters and followers.

“Ifweare entertaining them andenjoyingourselves,we’re go ingalongway towardsdoing good things.”

Home is in theShropshirerecord booksaftertaking7-52, the best bowling figuresbyany player forthe county in one-daycricket, againstWales at Oswestry in 2017 He will be playinghis club cricket in Shropshire in the2023season afterdeciding to return to Shifnal from Wolverhampton.

Home helped Wolverhampton gain promotion to theBirmingham League’s topdivisionlastseasonas PremierDivisionTwo champions ShropshirechairmanJohn Hulmesaid: “Weare delightedthat Charliehas accepted ourinvitation to captainthe side

“His return to theteamiswarmly welcomed. He will strengthen both thebatting andbowling and, likehis predecessorSam,playan importantrolein encouragingand supporting theyounger players lookingtobridge thegap between league andNationalCountiescrick et

“Still only 23, Charlieisalready an experiencedcricketer with a good insightand soundknowledge of thegame, as to be expected given hisfamily’slongplaying association andinvolvementwiththe county club

“Hehas aclear vision as to what he wantsfor both theteamand the county club goingforward andas with othersinthe past,weshall do ourverybesttosupport himand theteam.”

Dominant Dawley hitWoodfor sixtostayclear at top

Dawley Town continue to stretch theirlegsatthe topofthe Salop LeisureLeague.

They hit Wrockwardine Wood Juniors forsix on Saturday as they racked up theireighthwin from eightPremier Division matches this season

Daniel Beddows wasatthe dou blefor Dawley in their6-0 victory,whileKieranBuckley,Jordan Jones,GeorgeLeesand substitute Samuel RayRigbywerealsoon target

Church Stretton Town re main twopointsbehindDawley, having played agamemore, after thrashingsecond-bottom SAHA 7-2thanks to apairofhat-tricks from JamesHill andDeanRichards –whileAlexander Ryderwas also on target.

Hodnet arethird, butdid not play at theweekend,with Ludlow

taking thechancetomovea point behind them in fourth thanks to a4-0 successagainst bottom club

WemTown

Fifth-placed Morda United were also home winners– 3-0over St Martins–whilea five-point gap hasopenedupbetween them and sixth-placed Madeley Sports af terSportsconceded alateequaliser to Broseley

Joshua Clifford had firedMade leyahead just before half-time, only forMichael Smithtosnatch ashare of thespoilsfor Brose leytwo minutes into stoppage time

Andthere wasaseven-goal thriller between Shrewsbury Up &Comers and GobowenCeltic JamieHands andLewis Jones fired Gobowenintoa2-0 lead at half time,but Shrewsbury hadturned thematch on itsheadbythe hour

mark with threegoals in eightmin utes

DeclanJohnson gotone back,before AblaySowe’s doubleput them aheadfor the firsttime.

LewisBloor bagged afourthin the71stminute, anditwas important he didasJones grabbedone morefor Celtic to leaveUp&Com ersas4-3 winners.

Division Oneleaders WellingtonAmateursDevelopment needed twogoals in the final10 minutes from apairofsubstitutes to preventthemfrombeing held to asurprise draw by Llanymynech BenWalkerhad scored a 42nd-minuteopenerfor Welling ton, butitwas notuntil super-subs Hayden Norryand Joshua Harveynetted in the final10minutes that they finallymadethe points safe

AFCBridgnorthDevelop

ment arefourpointsbehind, but with agamein hand,afterhaving theweekend off.

Thereisthenasix-point gap back to thirdplace, whichisnow occupiedby Shrewsbury Juniors Development aftertheyedgedout bottom side Ercall ColtsJuniors Revolution 2-1thankstogoals from JamesAstleyand Archie Perkins

And EllesmereRangers Reserves occupy fourth placeafter overcoming BrownClee 2-0.

n TheShropshireSaturday ChallengeCup takescentre stage this weekend, with anumberof fix tures, includingWem Town trying to climboff thebottomwhenthey host St Martins.

AFCBridgnorth Development couldtakethe opportunitytoclose in on leadersWellingtonAmateurs DevelopmentinDivisionOne

Maddocksbeat championsto reachsummit

Thematch of thenightdid not disappoint in theBridgnorth &DistrictAmateur Snooker League as Maddocksfought back to down defendingchampionsChelmarsh Band move to thetop of thetable

Chelmarshgot offtoa fly ingstart with wins from Gary Smithand SimonThomas

Smithrecordeda34break whilecomfortably beatingTom Maxfieldand Thomas,inaclos er-foughtframe,got thebetterof JamesBrennan despiteamodest 27 breakfromthe latter

However,Maddockscame back with strong performances from Neil Pearsonand DanMor ris.

Pearson, in particular,did extremely well –knockingina breakof39and a25-pointclear ance to beat Paul Manningon the finalblack

Morris’swin over ChrisLewis wasalso aclose-run frame

However,there couldbeno doubtsabout theclosing frame wonby Paul Harper that completed theMaddocks’ turnaround.

Includinga modest 31 break by hisstandards,Harpereased past MikeRogerstoput his team back on topofthe tableby asinglepoint

Nowjoining ChelmarshB in second spot areBroseley B, who completedahard-earned yo-yo 3-2win againstWoodfield.

Pete Thompson, Mick Brezwyn andNickCarson–winners of frames one, threeand five gave Broseley theirvictory,with Dwyer Evansand JasonMorris taking thetwo even-numbered frames forWoodfield.

Also,inthe hunt forhonours arefourth-placed Chelmarsh SC,who nowtrail theleague leadersbyjustthree points af terawell-earned 4-1win overSt John’sA

Reasonably comfortablewins forCarlWalker, ChrisPetford andBeamerJones andone less so from IanPostans, whojust managedtopip KevinHawkins on theblack,was more than enough to confirm Chelmarsh’s superiorityonthe night.Josh Summerssaved St John’sfroma whitewash, convincinglybeating Matt Judd in the finalframe

St John’sBare provingtobe oneofthe surprise teams of the season,havingnow wonthree of their first five outings.

They beat Broseley A3-2 thanks to hard-foughtwinsfor Mike Crawley, JasonBrown and KevinSmith

Neil Caswellwas on song, putting Mark Worsdelltothe sword, andBrian Edwardswon acliff-hangingdeciding frame againstMarkJones to earn Broseleytwo valuable points

In theall-Alveley showdown, theresultwentverymuchasexpected –the Bteamhavingfar more in theirarsenal than theC team thanks to framewinsfrom TomWeaver, Arek Ziemkiewicz, Martin Coffey andDaveJones SteveColdecott gotone back

Charlie Home hasbeen appointed thenew Shropshire captain

BROWN EYES THE BRAGGING RIGHTS

LEWISCOX

RichardBrown hopes to tipMarketDrayton Town’s rivalrywithShif nalTowninfavourofhis side underthe lights on Friday.

TheShropshireduo face each underthe Greenfields floodlights, incredibly,for thefourthtimealreadythisseasonasBrown eyes a firstleaguewin of hisshort tenure

So farthe bragging rights have been relatively even.Drayton took theopening-day spoils in theFA Cuponhome turf,beforeagoalless draw at Shifnal’sAcoustafoam Stadium in theFAVase– whichsaw Shifnalprogressonpenalties

Thepairthenclashed in theMid land League Premier, againinShifnal, in late September andJamie Haynes’sideedged out2-0 winners underBrown’s predecessors Paul Snapeand Sean Notley Brown, back at therock-bottom Draytonasbossfor asecondtime, said:“Youlookat it andthe clubs have playedeachother threetimes alreadythisseasonand it’s pretty much equal, winningone each and adraw.

“Ifwecan getsomethingout of thegame, even if it’s adraw, then it’s astartingpoint forus. It canbe aspringboardfor us to go on to the next game andsoon.

“Shifnal area decent side,inthe topsix and up therefor areason.”

Themanager recorded a firstwin sincehis return last time outin theTJVickers County CupatAFC Bridgnorth, whereJoelJones and Jack Leask netted in a2-0 winfor much-changed Drayton.

Brownhopes afreeweekend last time outwill help keyduo Jamie Handsand captainBrendon Price to recover from knocks

Market Draytonwereunableto buildonagood winover LuctoniansIII thepreviousweekasthey were beaten in aShropshirederby at Oswestry Drayton’s39-19 defeat leaves them thirdbottominrugby un ion’sCountiesTwo Midlands West (North)astheyfailedtoholdonto an early14-pointdeficit.

They hadone pushover held up

Ravens’wings areclipped by Oswestry

Sharpamuddy marvel in 10k

Market DraytonRunningClub’s Fran Sharptookpartinthe CannockChase 10konSunday.

To describe theraceaswet, muddyand hillywould be an understatement –the torrential rain madethe course even more challengingand therewerenot aclean pair of trainersinsight

However,thatdidn’tstop Fran achievinga phenomenal time of onehourseven minutes and13seconds to finish second in herage category

Collinsisfeeling so embarrassed

Nathan Collins brandedWolves’ 4-0 loss to Leicesteras‘embarrassing’ in abrutallyhonest assessment of theclub’sdesperate circumstances. GoalsfromYouri Tielemans, Harvey Barnes,James Maddison andJamie VardyleavesWolvesin real danger of slipping outofthe PremierLeague, on aday thefans turned on theclub’shierarchy.

before they gottheir noses in front when RyanHortoncrashed over for theopening try, convertedbyAlex Gammon

Theleadwas doubled to 14-0 with only 13 minutes played when RatubalvuWame, making his first appearanceofthe season,broke through anumberoftackles to race away.Again Gammon converted ButOswestrybegan to gettheir

game together,and they hadthe leadjust17minutes later.

With things continuing to break down forthe Ravens–mostnotablytheir scrum– Oswestry moved 39-14ahead before George Minshallhad the finalsay,completinga length-of-the fieldmove.

Draytonhostbottomclub Aldridge in acrucial game on Sat urday

Wilkin cansee theeffortisthere on hisBucks bow

NewAFC TelfordUnitedmanag

er KevinWilkin knowsmuchhard workremains, butwas pleasedwith hisside’scommitmentintheir 1-0 defeat at Scarborough

TheBucks slipped to dead last in National League Norththanksto Kieran Burton’s ninth-minute winnerand avictory forBradford(Park Avenue)over Hereford Wilkin gave amuted response

to an improvedperformance that yieldednoreward.

“We’ve gottostart picking up points,”hesaid. “There were effort levels there, whichwas positive,but certainlythe intensitythatweneed to workatand theconcentration levels whichweneedtoshowneed to continue to improve “Scarborough have probably given as much as they’vegot there

today. Whetherwecan continue to getanimprovementissomething that they’vegot to go andshowover these coming weeks.”

Wilkin’s cautionand hisadher ence to theneedtominimise errors through consistent applicationiseffectivelyachallenge to hissquad to show they canmeasure up,and the managerwas unapologeticabout having exacting standards. He said:

“It’sverydemanding forplayers to workatthatconsistentlevel,and to continue to strive to improve themselves,develop themselves anddevelopasagroup

“Ittakes acertain person to be able to do that,and hopefullythe groupisstrong enough.”

Wilkin leadsTelford at theNew BucksHeadfor the firsttimeon Saturday when they host Alfreton

Collins wasone of only four play erstoacknowledge thefansatfulltime,asheraisedhis handsinapology, andthe summer signinghas nowcondemnedthe team’s display on adismalday at Molineux

He said:“It’s notgood enough Endof. It’s nowherenearwhere we need to be.It’sa shambles,a poor performance. It wasembarrassing.”

Market Drayton Ravens claima lineout during their39-19 defeat to Oswestry Picture: LouDaviesArmstrong

Market Drayton’sFran Sharp