Telford Journal 20-10-2022

BOARDREVIEW FORNHS TRUST

Areviewofboardgovernanceat Shropshire’smajorhospitals trust isunderwayafteranindependent reportcriticiseditshandlingofcon cernsoverfailingsinmaternitycare.

Thereport, into theboard of Shrewsbury&TelfordHospitalNHS Trust,followsaninvestigationcarriedoutbyFionaScoldingKC,which wascommissionedbythetrustafter complaints from Rhiannon Davies andRichardStantonin2020.

Ms Daviesand Mr Stanton’s daughter,Kate,diedavoidablywhile inthetrust’scarein2009

Campaigningbythecoupleulti matelyledtotheOckendenInquiry, whichconfirmedseriousand har rowingfailuresinmaternitycareat thetrust

Thelatestreportwassparkedby theirconcernsaboutformerboard chairmanBenReidandtheactions oftheboard

MsScoldinghasconcludedthat MrReidwas“fitandproper”,stat ing:“Mistakesweremade–andnot everythingwashandledasitcould andshouldhavebeen.Idonotfind howeverthatany of theseactions amount to ‘seriousmismanagement’.”She added: “Theevidence showsthatMrReiddidtakestepsto seektoimprovepatientsafety.The

By Dominic Robertson

difficultywastryingtomakesuch improvementswhennot giventhe relevantinformationtomakeastrategicdifferenceandinthecontextof anorganisationwhichwasbroken.”

However,thereportcriticisesthe board’smanagementandscrutinyof issuesinmaternitycare,findingit wastooacceptingofinformationand decisionsputbeforeit

Itisalsocriticisedoveradelay inpublishingacontroversialreport lookingatthetrust’smaternityservices,carriedoutbytheRoyalCol legeofObstetriciansandGynaecolo gists(RCOG).

MsScoldingalsofoundfailings inthewaythetrusthaddealtwith MsDaviesandMrStantonandtheir daughter’sdeath.

Theboard’s current chair, Ca trionaMcMahon,MrReid’ssuccessor,offeredanunreservedapology tothem.Shesaid:“Iwouldliketo drawspecificattentionoftheboard toMsScolding’sconclusionthatitis undoubtedlytruethetrusthasnot dealtwiththecomplaintsinanopen andhonestwayandforthisIunreservedlyapologisetoMsDaviesand MrStanton.”

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Telford&WrekinCouncil has expressedaninterestinbecoming oneoftheGovernment’s‘Investment Zones’

Themove followsthe Govern ment inviting Mayoral Combined Authoritiesand UpperTierLocal AuthoritiesinEnglandtosubmitex pressionsofinterestinintroducing oneofthezonesintheirarea

Councillor LeeCarter, Telford &WrekinCouncil’sLabourCabinet MemberforNeighbourhoodServic es,RegenerationandtheHighStreet, saidtheywerekeentoexplorethe opportunity,butthatanyagreement would have to maintain environmentalandplanningstandards

Interest in zone status Exhibitionto mark history

AWindrushexhibitionandcelebrationofcultureismarkingBlack HistoryMonthinTelford.

TheWindrushExhibitionTelford &Wrekinwas originally launched atTelfordCollegelastyear,created tohonourthememoriesoffamilies whotravelledthousandsofmilesto helprebuildpost-warBritain

Now,itwillbehostedatTelford ElimCommunityChurchinHadley

TelfordAfrican &Afro-CaribbeanResourceCentre(TARC)have spentthelastcoupleofweekstouringTelford’sschools.Theexhibition will runtomorrow (Friday) from 11amuntil2pm,and6pmto8pm, andonSaturdayfrom5pmto8pm.

Reported hate crimes rise

Reportedhatecrimesinthe West Mercia region increased significantlyinthe year to March,newfiguresshow

Hatecrimesaredefinedas thosemotivatedbyaprejudice orhostilitytowardsapersonal characteristic–suchasrace,religion,sexualorientationorgender. NumbersacrossEngland

andWaleshaveriseneveryyear sincerecordsbeganin2012,in part due to improvements in howpolicerecordhatecrime

ThelatestHomeOfficefig ures show 2,272hatecrimes wererecordedbyWestMercia PoliceintheyeartoMarch–a44 percentincreasefrom1,573the yearbefore

InDyfed-Powys824ofthe offences were recorded –20 percentupfrom685theyear before.Asacrossthe rest of EnglandandWales,thehighest proportionofthesecrimeswere raciallymotivated.

Offencesmotivatedbytrans genderidentitysawthelargest increaseacrossthetwonations. Reported offences areup

Concernoverindependence of inquiryfollow-up groups

Report by David Tooley

AConservativecouncillor hashit outata‘lack of inde pendence’inthe governance of actionstaken to stampout childsexualexploitationinthe region

AninquiryintoCSEinTelfordwascompletedinthesum merandmade47recommenda tions,notjustforthecouncilbut forhealthandotheragenciesto getonwith.

Butatameetingofthebor ough’s Labour-led cabinetlast Thursday,ToryCouncillorTim Nelson said groupsset up to runthefollow-upworkwerenot “fullyindependent”ofthecouncil. Groupscontain councilofficers,whowouldbereporting onissuestothecouncil.

This,saidCouncillor Nelson, wascreatinga‘circular’ situation,which meantthat theConservativegroup would be“reservingourposition”on actionsbeing taken. Labour councilleaderCouncillorShaun Daviessaidhehadacceptedan urgent item ontoThursday’s agendasothattheycouldgeton withtakingaction.“Iacceptthat theConservativegroupdoesnot wanttobeapartofthisbutit doesnotmeantheyhaveaveto onit,”hesaid.CouncillorDavies saidgovernanceoftheactions mirror otherarrangementsin thecouncil.

Rallyfansrevvedupatfestival

Rallyenthusiastsshowedoff theirpristinepride-and-joymotors–beforegettingmessyand muddyinadazzlingmotorsport spectacle.

TheHistoricRally Festival cametoShropshireforatwo dayfestival,withiconicracers takingtocoursesattheoldIronbridge Power Station site and

WestonPark.Firstofall,carlov ersweregiventhechancetosee thearrayofrallycarslooking polishedtoperfectionatalive scrutineeringattheQEIIArena atTelfordTownParkonSaturday.

Then,itwasontoIronbridge forthefirstseriesofracingstag es,beforeanightstageatWest-

onPark.Moreracingtookplace in thegrounds of thestately homeonSundayasspectators werethrilledbycarswhizzing throughsplashzonesanddriftingaroundcorners.

Warner Lewis, one of the organisers,said:“Webuiltsome newviewingareastogetcloser totheaction.”

The HistoricRally Festival took placelast Saturday and Sunday

Concerns over social care

Aleading councillor hasrevealed his ‘realworries’for the adultsocialcaresysteminthe borough,whichiscurrentlysetto overspenditsbudgetbymorethan £2million

Afinancereportpresentedto Telford&WrekinCouncil’scabinet revealedtheenormouspressures beingfaced across theauthority asitsowncostoflivingcrisisbites.

lionbudgetvariationinadultsocialcare,”saidCouncillorBurford, thecabinetmemberforadultso cial care andhealth, integration andtransformation.“Iamreally worried aboutthe future unless thereisincreasedfunding.”

Healsosaidhewasconcerned that some care providers could ‘gooutofbusiness’,adding:“Itisa worryingsituation”.

Theservicehasabudgetthis yearof£53.361millionandisthe council’ssinglemostcostlyser viceTelford &WrekinCouncilHQ

CouncillorAndyBurfordsaid thecouncilwouldbein“realtrouble”ifitwasnotforbuilt-inbudget contingencies.“Thereisa£2mil

Asecondaward for courageouswoman

Awoman whoignored the danger of beingattackedherself tocometotheaidofaknifeattack victimhasbeenrecognisedforher bravery.

In2020,LaurenDorsett,from Donnington, Telford, provid edhelpforamanwhohadbeen stabbedmultipletimesinashock ingattack–actionswhich have nowreceivedrecognitionfromthe RoyalHumaneSociety

EarlierthisyearLaurenwas also awardedacommendation fromWestMerciaPoliceforherac tions,alongwithPcIanCutler

Thevictimhadbeenstabbeda numberoftimesandbeatenwith abaseballbatinHighlandDrive, Donnington, on December 29, 2020

Andrew Chapman,secretary oftheRoyalHumaneSociety,said thatLaurenhadnowayofknowingthe attackerswerenot still nearby–orcouldattackherfor helpingtheman.

He said that heractionshas almostcertainlysavedthevictim frombleedingtodeath.

Lauren will nowreceive the RoyalHumaneSocietyTestimonialonparchment

Mr Chapmansaid: “Lauren hadnowayofknowingthatthe attackerswerenot still closeby andmightturnonherifshewent tohelptheirvictim.

“Butshedidn’thesitatetogo to hisaid andthen take himto herhomewheresheusedtowels tostemhisbleedinguntilhelpar rived.”

Mr Chapmanadded: “She showed amazingcourage and presence of mind andrichlydeservestheawardsheistoreceive

“Shealmostcertainly saved thelifeofthemanwhowasinseriousdangerofbleedingtodeath.”

Themanhadbeenbeatenwith thebaseballbat andhad been stabbedmultipletimesinhislegs andbuttocks.

Hewasbleedingprofuselyand therewasaseriousdangerthathe coulddiefrombloodloss.

However,Laurenmanagedto gethimbacktoherhomenearby and,coveredinbloodherself,man-

aged to stem thebleedinguntil paramedicsarrivedatthescene.

Themanwentontosurvive theordeal.

Theroots of theRoyal Hu maneSocietystretchbackmore thantwocenturies.Itspresident isPrincessAlexandraanditisthe premiernational body forhon ouring braveryinthe saving of humanlife.

It wasfounded in 1774 by twooftheday’seminentmedical men,WilliamHawesandThomas Cogan.Theorganisation’sprimarymotivewastopromotetechniquesofresuscitation

Drugsopsees38arrests

Police saytheyhave“signif icantlydisrupted”CountyLines drugdealingwithaseriesofar rests.

West Mercia Police said that in total38peoplehad been ar restedduringanoperation,while drugs, worth more than £7,000, andweaponsand£15,000incash havebeenseized.Theeffortswere partoftheNationalCrimeAgen cy’s County LinesIntensification Week.InShropshiretheresultsin-

cludedajointoperationwithMerseysidePolicewhichsaw“numer ousarrests”,andsixotherpeople beingsafeguarded.Aman was also caught at Shrewsbury Rail wayStation with crackcocaine andheroin.

TheCountyLines actionis a continuation of efforts to tackle theflowofdrugsintoShropshire.

CountyLinesisthenamegiventotheprocessandoperationof drugstransportedfrompredomi-

natelylargerurbanareastosmall ertowns,ofteninruralareas,with the‘line’referringtothemobile numberusedtoorderthedrugs.

Theforcesaidtheactionhad “directlyresultedintheclosureof twodrugslines”.Duringtheweek officersvisited110properties.

Detective SuperintendentIan Wallsaid:“Ourtargetedactivity demonstrateshowcommittedwe aretodisruptinganddismantling drugssupply.”

LaurenDorsettandChief

SuptPaul Moxley earlier thisyear

Peeragefor Kuldip

Aformercouncil leader hasbeenappointedtotheHouseofLords KuldipSahota,LabourcouncillorforMal insleeandDawleyBank,hasbeenconfirmed asreceivingapeerageinthelatestGovern mentlist.

TheformerTelford &WrekinCouncil leaderisnamedalongsidethegrandsonof SirWinstonChurchillSirNicholasSoames, andformerLabourMPTomWatson

HehadbeenputforwardbytheLabour Party. Councillor Sahota hasbeenaward memberfor20years,andledTelford&WrekinCouncilfrom2011to2015

Heisaprominentmemberofthelocal Sikhcommunityandhasspenttwodecades workingforlocalcharities,includingfundraisingforSevernHospiceandservingteas andcoffeesatthefriends’caféatthePrin cessRoyalHospital.

HealsoservedontheBoardofGovernors oftheUniversityofWolverhamptonfornine years,andisstillontheadvisoryboardof theCentreforSikhandPunjabiStudies

Hesaid:“IwouldliketothanktheLabour Partyand,inparticular,itsleaderSirKeir StarmerforappointingmetotheHouseof Lords.”

Children to swim forfree

Childrenarebeinggiventheopportunitytolearn toswimforfree.

Telford&WrekinCouncilisofferingthechancefor childrenintheboroughtotaketheirfirstswimming courseatnocharge.

Thescheme,whichispartofthecouncil’s10by10 campaign,isavailableforchildrenbetweentheages offiveand10whoareunabletoswim10meterson theirfrontandback.

Thecouncilwillprovideupto13lessonstoteach childrenthisimportantandlife-savingskill.

Theofferwillbeavailableoverthenexttwoyears andwillbedeliveredacrossthefourpoolsinthebor ough;Abraham DarbySportsand Leisure Centre, NewportSwimmingandFitnessCentre,Oakengates LeisureCentreandWellingtonCivicandLeisureCentre.

LeaderofTelford&WrekinCouncil,ShaunDavies said:“Theintroductionoffreeswimminglessonsfor allchildrenagedfivetotenyearsoldintheborough isaninitiativeweareveryproudof,addingtoour uniqueswimmingofferoffreeswimmingforallresidentsundertheageof25

“So,foranyoneagedfiveto10whocannotswim atthemoment,wewantyoutosignupforyourfirst swimminglessoncourse–wheretherewillbenocost

“Freeswimminglessonsforouryoungpeoplewill beavailableforthenexttwoyears.

“Weallknowwhataninvaluableskillswimming isandwewantallofouryoungpeopletohavetheop portunitytolearntoswimassoonaspossible.”

Parentsinterestedinfindingoutmoreaboutthe offerdosoattelfordandwrekinleisure.co.uk/10by10

Councillor Kuldip Sahota

Thehumantouch

TALKINGTELFORD WithRobSmith

Ivisited alibrarythe other day,forthesecondtimethisyear It’salmostbecomingahabitagain.

Butthistimearoundwas a morecasualaffairthanthelast timeIhadcausetouseone.Rath erthandashingintothecomputer section of thesleek Southwater libraryinarushtoprintoffsome documentsbeforeclosing time, Isimplyhadsometimetokillin Wellington so decidedtohave whatmymumwouldcallamooch –acasualbrowsewhile Iwas waiting.

Universitylibrarieswerefairlyhigh-techwhenIwasastudent, withcomputersthatcouldtellyou downtotheshelfwherethebook youwereafterwould(hopefully) bewaiting,andmassivesophisti catedcolourprinterssyncedupto afewdozenAppleMacseach.You oftenwouldn’tneed to interact withanotherpersonatallifyou wereinahurry

Handyenough forstudents workinginahurryandkeeping unsociablehours –but as with many things in the21stcentu ry,advancementsintechnology haveoftenbeenthecanaryinthe coalmine forthe minimisingof thehumanelement.

Andthat’swhatseemstohave happenedatWellingtonlibrary–intheearlyafternoononaSatur day,whentherestofthetownwas bustling,Ihadjustmissedtheend of thehuman librarians’shifts. Thelibrary,whichisimpressive initssizeandhowwell-keptthe varioussectionsare,was completelydeserted.Self-servicewas thenameofthegame.

Imentionedtheexperienceto an associatewho knowslibrarieswellandwastoldself-service librariesarecommonnow,with fewerstaffthanthereusedtobe

–Wellingtonisstaffedfourdays aweeknow,from10amto5pm (10amto1pmonSaturdays)and self-servicetherestofthetime.

Self-servicemay well mean longeropening hours andmore convenience forthe tech-savvy, butIfeelitisasaddevelopment forthosewhorememberlibraries asafirst,friendlyportofcallfor information,especiallyforthose withoutcomputerknow-howor an excellent internet connection athome.NexttimeIneedtousea library,forgivemeifIvisitduring human-staffedhours.

Talkingabout loss canbea way to deal with your grief

Inmylastcontributiontothis columnIwroteaboutchange,littleknowingthatoneofthemost significantchanges ourcountry hasknownfordecadeswasless thanaweekaway.

YesterdayI finally hadthe privilegeofsittingdownandreadingthroughthemanycomments andmessageswrittenintheBook of Condolences that we made availabletopeoplefromourlocal communityinthedaysfollowing HerMajesty’sdeath.Common themesofthankfulnessandaffec tionshoneoutfromallthemessages,fromyoungandoldalike. Therewasasenseofsadnessata loss,butalsorecognitionofarest wellwonandfullydeserved.

Forsome,I know that the Queen’sdeathbroughtupmemo-

WORKINGFORYOU

WithRev TimCarter

riesoftheirownbereavement,the deathoftheirownlovedones.One ofthethingsaboutgriefisthatit cansurpriseus. We canthink we’redoingOK,andthatithasgot lesspainful,andthensomething catchesusout,andit’sthereinall itsrawness

Onething that some people findhelpful in workingthrough theirgriefistalkingabouttheir loss.Thisiswhythelocalchurch es in Wellington have starteda Bereavement Café on the first Mondayafternoonofthemonth, atWellingtonMethodistChurch.

Thisgivesanyonewhowantsto come alongthe opportunity to talkabouttheirloss,andtobelistenedto.

Somethingelsethatcan be helpfulistohaveopportunitiesto remembertheonewhohasdied, taking time outtoacknowledge theloss,andtomarkthepassing oftime.Manychurcheshostaspecialserviceatthistimeofyear, wherepeoplecancomeandshare inprayers,hymns,andreadings andperhapslightacandletorememberalovedone.AtAllSaints inWellington,wewillbeholding oneoftheseservicesonSunday, October30, at 4pm.Other local churches around Telfordwill be holdingsimilar services, and alsohostBereavementCafes.You wouldbewelcomeatanyofthem

On Roll

Wellington CivicCentreishometothe library

Donnathankscancercharity

Acancersurvivorhasencouraged peopletogivemonthlytotheworld’s largestcancercharity,aftersheattend edherson’sdreamweddinginMexico.

DonnaJones,fromTelford,hasis suedthepleaafterhersuccessfulcan certreatmentenabledhertoseeher son,Jordan,getmarriedinMexicothis year

Afterbeingdiagnosedwithbreast cancerinJuly2015,Donnawentfrom organisingahecticworkscheduleto arrangingherlifearoundsurgery,radi otherapyandchemotherapysessions.

Nowfit andwell, the52-year-old hasjustreturnedfromheronlyson’s weddinginMexico–anoccasionshe fearedshewouldnotlivetosee

Donnasaidsheowesherlifetoim proved treatments–thanksinpart, totheworkofCancerResearchUK–andhasencouragedeveryonetogive monthlytothecharity.

Themoneygoestowardsfunding long-termresearchprojectsthatcould drivenewbreakthroughs.

Butmonthlyprogressinresearch meansmonthlydonationsareneeded Donnasaid:“Itoldmyhusbandall thewaythroughthatIonlywantedtwo things:Iwantedtoseemy50thbirth dayandIwantedtolivelongenoughto seemyson,Jordan,getmarried

“Hewasonly20whenIwasdiag nosedandheismyworld.”Tomakea donationvisitcruk.org/donate

Donnawithher

sonJordanonthe left and herhusbandAllanon the right

Charitypleaafter influx of kittens

Arehomingcharityhasappealedfordonationsafterbeing‘inundated’withkittensbeingbroughtinto itscare.

ShropshireCatRescuehaslaunchedaJustGiving pagetoraisefundsforthe14newkittensithasrecentlytakenin.Thecharity,whichhasbeencaringfor catsandkittensformorethan21years,hassaidithas been‘inundated’withkittensoverthelastmonth.

Thekittensrangefromtwotosixweeksoldand need varyinglevelsofsupport–someneed tobe hand-reared,whichisaround-the-clockjobvolunteershavebeenundertaking.Aspokespersonforthe charitysaid:“Thecostandextracarethesekittens needmeanweneedyourhelp.Ifyouareabletospare afewpoundswewouldreallyappreciateyoursup port.”TodonatetotheJustGivingpagevisitjustgiving.com/campaign/InfluxofKittens

Jabs are behind target

Thecounty’srateofvaccinationsagainstMMRin childrenisbehindthetargetneededforherdimmuni ty,figuresshow

NHSEnglandisurgingparentstoensuretheir childrenarebookedtogetthejab,aftertheuptake rateacrossthecountryfelltoitslowestlevelinmore thanadecade.TheMMRjabprotectsagainstmeasles,mumpsandrubella,highlyinfectiousconditions whichcaneasilyspreadbetweenunvaccinatedpeople andhavelife-changingconsequences

Forachildtobefullyprotected,theyshouldreceivetwo vaccinations, the first around their first birthdayandthesecondwhentheyarethree.

NHSDigitalfiguresshow91.6percentofyoung stersinShropshirewerefullyvaccinatedbytheirfifth birthdayin2021-22.

Thiswasbehindthe95percenttargetsetbythe WorldHealthOrganisation.AcrossEnglanduptake hasfallentothelowestlevelseenin11years–85.7 percentoffive-year-oldsacrossthecountrywereful lyvaccinatedagainstMMRin2021-22.

Alison Bussey,Chief NursingOfficer forNHS Shropshire,Telford andWrekinsaid: “I’m pleased toseethattheimmunisationprogrammeismaking steadyprogressacrossthecounty,withmoreparents gettingtheirchildrenfullyvaccinatedbythetimethey startschool.Howeverthereismoreworktobedone Asasystem,wearepromotingroutinechildren’sim munisationsandworkingtogethertogetthemessage outtoparentsandcarers.IndividualGPpracticesare alsoabletocontacttheparentsofchildrenwhoserecordsshowmissingvaccinations,andthisisworking well.Weallremaincommittedtoprotectingthechil drenofShropshirefromavoidableillnessessuchas measles,mumpsandrubella.”

Date forCrufts return revealed

Thedatehasbeensetforthecountry’sbiggestandmostpopulardogshowtoreturntothe region

TheKennelClubhasannouncedthatCrufts willbetakingplacebetweenMarch9and12,2023 attheNECinBirmingham,witharangeofevents andexhibitionsondisplayforpeopletoenjoy.

TherewillbecompetitionssuchasTheKennel ClubHeroDogawardandtheBestinShow

Newfostering film

Fifty-sixcouncils,includingmanyinthe region,haveworkedtogethertoproducea shortfilmtoraiseawarenessoftheneedfor fostercarers.

Thefilm,calledChildhood,isaimedat findingmorepeoplewhomaybeinterest edinbecomingfostercarersandproviding nurturing,positivehomesforchildrenand youngpeopleacrossthecountrywhoneed them

Thecouncils,includingShropshireand Telford&Wrekin, wantedtohighlightthe impact of neglectonchildren, particular lybrothersandsisterswhomaybeleftat

timestotrytocareforeachother.Itshows thejourneyof‘Sophie’and‘Charlie’whoare inaverydifficulthomesituationwheretheir needsarenotbeingmet,tobeingnurtured andsupportedthroughfostercaretoattend schoolandbeabletoenjoytheirhobbiesand interests;inotherwords,haveachildhood

Theproject followsearlier,smaller partnershipsbetweenCoventryCityCoun ciland othercouncilsinand around the Midlands.Togetherwiththefilmcompany ReelTwentyFive,theyhaveproducedseveral award-winningfilmstohighlighttheneed forfostercarers.

Astillfromthe film, Childhood

Howa14thcentury murder ledto spectralsightingsathistoricabbey

Buildwas Abbeyhas stood on thebanksoftheSevernforalmosta thousandyearsandhasseencountless peoplepassthrough itshal lowedgrounds–notallwithgood intentions.

In fact,one murderousmonk isevensaidtohaveslainagreedy abbot, causinghis spirit to haunt theabbey to this day. Shropshire folkloreexpertandresearcherAmy Boucherisafrequentvisitortothe abbeyandhasbeendiggingintoits history,particularlythegrimperiod oftheearly1340swhenmurderand plaguefelluponitsdoors.

Amy,whocomesfromMadeley andrunsablogdetailingspookygo ings-oninShropshire,takesupthe storyofthe violenceatthe abbey thatmightexplainghostsightingsin theinterveningcenturies.

Shesaid: “1342wasn’tagreat year forBuildwas Abbey, though thetroublereallybeganaround18 monthsearlier,whenahorrendous cattlediseasestruckShropshire.Unknowingly,thisdiseasewouldstart achainofeventsthatwouldleadto

By Rob Smith

murder.Thecattlediseaseblighted theareaand decimatedlivestock numberswithonemanornottoofar fromtheabbeyseeing62ofthe154 cattledead,andtheresttoosickto givemilk.It’snotknownhowfarthe diseaseaffectedBuildwasAbbey’s lands,howevertheremusthavebeen someimpact,asitledtothebehav iouroftheabbotbeingcalledinto question

“Theabbotseemedtoignorethe problemandgrewevenmoreunrelentinginhispursuitofrent.This angeredlocal farmers; however, thedisputewaseventuallycalmed whenchurchofficialsweresentto Buildwas. Therewas peacefor a time,untilthefollowingyear,when thecropsfailed

“Withnocropsandthecounty stillinthegripsofacattledisease, manypeasantfarmerslefttheirland insearchofworkfurtherafield,or died,leavingacresofabandonedarableland.Thiswasarealcrisisand

putimmensepressureonthepeas ants left behind.Itseems thatthe abbotrefusedtoacknowledgethese seriouseconomicproblems.Hehad nopityforthepeasantsandinsisted thattheabbeyshouldcollectthefull taxesofabbeyland,evenifempty.He saidheexpectedfullrentsandrefusedtoallowanyremissionoffees orfines

“Thedetailsofwhatfollowsare losttotime,howeveritseemsthat thelocal peasants expressed their concern,andfoundavoiceinajunior monk,bythenameofThomasTong, knownasThomasofTongeinsome records.Tongsympathisedwiththe peasantsandwantedtheabbotto address thegrowing issue, buthe alsodislikedtheabbotonapersonal level–andperhapssawanopportu nitytochallengehisleadershipby becomingthepeasants’voice.

“Tongraisedtheconcernsanda meetingbetweenthetwomenwas arranged to discussthe growing dissent.Themeetingwasarather unpleasantaffair,withthetwomen quicklylosingtheirtempers.Asthe

argument raised andinsults were thrown,somethinginTongsnapped, andhestabbedtheabbottodeath.

“Itisnot knownwhether this wasapremeditatedactoramoment ofmadness,butthewholeabbeywas stunnedbytheevents.”

Apatentroll–anofficialorder issued by theCrown –fromSep tember16underthenameofKing EdwardIIIdetailsthe“appointment ofWilliamCarlestoattachThomas deTonge,amonkofBuldewas[sic], whoisindictedinthecountyofSalop ofthemurderofhisabbotasissaid, andhasspurnedhisreligioushabit andisnowvagabondinsecularhab it,andimprisonhiminShrewsbury gaol”.

ThebookMedievalMonasteries of GreatBritain includes this passage:“In1342theabbotwasmur deredbyoneofhisownbrethren, Thomas Tong.Tongmanaged to evadearrestandlaterhadtheaudacitytopetitionforreinstatement totheCistercianOrder.”Whatever happenedtoThomas,itappearshe wasn’t punished tooharshly, per-

hapsbecauseofhisstatusasaman ofthecloth.Hewasevenabletore jointheorderaftersometime.

“Tongreturned,”Amysaid.“Havingcompletedhispilgrimage,hewas technically forgiven in theeyesof God,andsowasfreetore-joinhis order.However,hisreturnseemed tobetoomuchforthespiritofthe abbot. Afterresting for fiveyears, his ghostwas risen. Soon he was seen again, incessantlywandering theabbey’s grounds, unhappyat hiskiller’sreturn.Soonenoughthe ghostwasanightlyoccurrenceand manyoftheyoungermonkssuggest edhewassearchingforTong,who fledthemonastery,apparentlynot tookeenontheideaofmeetinghis victimagain.

“However,thisdidn’tgivehisvictimrespite.Hisspiritisstillreport ed to wander thecrumblingruins ofBuildwasAbbey.Heisoftenseen stoodamongtheruins,asifincon templationandenjoyingtheserenity oftheabbeyruins.”

n ReadAmy’sworkatnearlyknowledgeablehistory.blogspot.com

Amurderousmonkissaidtohave slainagreedy abbotatBuildwasAbbey

An aerialshotofthe abbey, wherethere have been spookysightings

Pros andconsofusing heat pumpsatyourresidence

Aheatpumpdoeswhatitsays onthebox,it‘pumpsheat’,iteither actsasairconditioninginsummer whereitpumpsheatfrominside yourhouse to theoutside,orin colderweatheritpumpsheatfrom theoutsideintoyourhouse

Thelimitation with heat pumpsisthattopumpheatthe heathastoexistinthefirstplace.

This meansat30°Cambient onasummer’sday(whenyoudo

notneedtoheatthehouse)itwill pumpheatintothehouseatarate of3.5kwforevery1kwofelectric ityusedtodriveitspump.

Fastforwardtoacoldwinter’s dayatsay 5°Cambient andfor every1kwusedtodrivethepump younowget1.4kwofheatinside yourhouse

Theproblemisthatelectricity isfourtimesthecostofgas,soata minimumtheheatpumpneedsto

No mentionmade of Welshsettlers

Televisiondocumentariescov eringSouth Americaseldom,if ever,mentiontheWelshinPatago nia,anditwasagreatshamethat SimonReevesinhislatestinterest ingdocumentaries of his travels throughthiscontinentdidnotsee fittomentiontheWelshsettlers.

WhenIwasaboymanymoons agoandbeingeducatedatRoath ParkSchoolinCardiff,Ihadapen palinPatagoniawhosefirstname wasEdmond,andhewouldwrite tomeinWelsh,withthelettersbe ingreadout(andtranslated)dur ingmorningassembly.

TheWelsh Colony (Y Wlada) inPatagonia,ChubutProvince,Ar gentina,wasestablishedin1865, when153Welshsoulsemigrated

theretosetupaWelshstateunder theblessingoftheArgentinegov ernmentanxioustocontrolavast unpopulatedarea,inwhichitwas indisputewiththegovernmentof Chile.

Howmuchmoredepth,edu cationalandinterestingthepro grammewouldhavebeenifhehad travelledthereandmentionedthis fact–indeed,therearefourtrains of interest in Patagonia: theOld Patagonian Express, theLaTro chita(‘thenarrowgauge’)which runsbetweenEsquelandNahuel Pan,astopnamedafterthearea’s dominantmountain, also known asMynyddLlwyd–anodtoWelsh ancestorsinthearea

Nameandaddresssupplied

giveyou4kwforevery1kwinput Beingabletouseheatpumpto coolyourhouseinsummermeans we will be seeing extraloading onthegridinsummerthatisnot thereatthemoment–itisnotunu sualforthepowergridtocrashin hotcountriesduringsummerdue toexcessloading,dowewantthe sametohappeninUK?

ChrisSmith,Horsehay

Unwillingto live in peace

Neverbeforehasnuclearwar beensoopenlytalkedabout.

AmericaandUkrainearere portedly distributing radiation tabletstohelppreservelifeifthis happens.

Thenationsshowthatdespite alongopportunity,someareun willingtoliveinpeacefulcooper ation.Thereistheattempttotake overandcontrolothers’lands

Thefinalconflictwillcomeas theScripturesshowandGodwill judgetheworld.Thisisanawful prospect,butGodgivesusadvice toturntoHimandlive

ThesequeltoHis judgment will be theKingdom of Godon earthwitheverlastingpeace

PeterKeen, Shropshire

Stampdesigncompetition

Weareagroupofvolunteers whocollectusedandnewpostage stampsfromtheUKandoverseas, horizon labels,collections, post cards,firstdaycoversandobsolete andunwantedcurrencyfromany wherearoundthe worldaswell asrunningfundraisingeventsin aidofBoneCancerResearchTrust (BCRT),charitynumber1159590.

To raise awareness of our fundraiser,wearerunningacol

GETINTOUCH

By email:

daniel.morris@mnamedia.co.uk

By post:

Readers’ letters Midland News Association 51-53Queen Street Wolverhampton WV1 1ES

Letters must include afull name and address. The Editor reserves the right to condense letters.

Distribution

ouringcompetitionandwouldlike youngstersanywhereintheUKto designtheirownpostagestamp, butithastobeA4size,templates canbedownloadedfromthein ternet.Thethemeis‘Whatmakes you happy?’Itcan be absolutely anything,anyoneoranywhere.We can’twaittoseetheresults.

Thefinaldateforthecompe titionisDecember2sothesooner you startdrawing,paintingand

colouringthequickeryoucansend yourmasterpiecesintousatthe addressgiven.

Pleasesendinyourentry to us with yourname, age, abrief descriptionofyourartworkanda contactemailortelephonenum berto:ColouringCompetition,20 BowersRoad,Benfleet,Essex,SS7 5PZ.

TerriBush,FriendsofBCRT

Code

The

at www ipso.co.uk.

If you areunhappywith the

write to

TelfordJournal, Midland

Association, 51-53 Queen Street,

Wolverhampton, WV1 1ES. If we cannot reach aresolution contact Ipso at complaints@ipso.co.uk or by post at Ipso, c/o Gate House, 1Farringdon Street, London, EC4M 7LG

Areyou experiencing delivery problems with the TelfordJournal? Get in touch with our customer service team today.Email: ssstarservice@shropshirestar.co.uk. Please include your name, address, postcode and contact number or call freephone 0800 146540Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm (Callback service available).

ONE STOP ROOFING

Ourname says it all.Weare One StopRoofing –thatmeans there really is just one placetogofor all your domestic and industrial roofing needs.Your local flat roofing specialists,whether you want an entirereplacementroof fitted,aminor or major repair or youfancyanupgrade to astylish lantern roof.

One Stop Roofing is afamily business with over 30 years’ experienceinthe roofing trade. We specialise in rubber and fibreglass roofing.Our team supplies and fits new build roofs, flat roofs, lantern and warm roofs–all using the best materials and construction to ensureyou aredry and warm,whateverthe weather.

MASTER DRIVES

Based in the Shropshirearea, Master Drives Construction Ltd is your local installer of driveways,patios and landscaping.Wetake greatpride in providing atop quality bespoke service, whether laying anew driveway,patio or workingon alandscaping project. We work forboth residential and commercial customers.If you’re looking for block paving,gravel, resin bond or Tarmacadam, get in touch. We put our customers at the heartofour business and aim to achievemaximum customer satisfaction. We have the knowledge and expertise to provide areliable solution forwhateveryour needs and promise to provide youwith the most up-to-date,durable designs to ensureyou have abeautiful home.Choose us as your go-todrivewayand landscaping companyinShrewsbury. Ourcrewiscourteous,not only to you, but also your needs and your neighbours.Wedoour best to make sureyour work is done professionally and quickly.Our speed is due to our high level of expertise.Restassured,we do not cut corners on anyproject. Visit our websitewww.masterdrivesconstructionltd.co.uk formoreinformation or call us on: Mobile 07553930047 Landline 01952426042

THE HIDDEN GEM

We areSue Perryand CarlyBushill,mother and daughterfromShropshire, and the team behind the exciting new venturethatisThe Hidden Gem.

Sue is the creatorofWishingWellHome Care,a successful carecompanythatshe founded in 2015, and nowemploys over 40 staff

some stunning pre-lovedoutfits forhire. We also have agorgeous range of hats to accompanyyour outfit. Furthermoretotop off your look on the day, we have arange of packages thatinclude getting your hair and make-up done in TheSecret Salon. We arestockists forVeniInfantino and Invitations by Veni, and we will shortly be stocking the stunning John Charles collection, we also have acollection of ball gowns forthose special occasions or your cruise holidays Viewing is by appointmentonly and we allowplenty of time foryou to enjoyour collection.

MATHESON &BROWN

Established in 2000, our modest family-run companyoriginally began repairing sealed units and door locking mechanisms across the Telfordarea. But as our reputation as regional repair specialists grew,sodid the demand foramorediverse range of renovation products available within awider radius.Branching out into windows,doors and conservatory and veranda installations,we areproud to offer an arrayofhigh qualityproducts to accommodate anybudget or property style.AtMatheson &Brown, we are firm believers thateveryone deservestofeel safe, secureand happyintheir home; which is whywestrive to achievethis with everysingle one of our customers.Double glazing

be when

begins to

up in the

could be atemporaryissue

by

weather or high

Or in moreserious cases it could mean thatthe

have failed or in the worst-case scenario,thatthe actual units themselves have failed and need to be replaced.Toget to the bottom of this and preventlarge amounts of heatand energy from escaping from your home,the Matheson &Brown team areheretohelp! If required,we can also repair and replacelocking mechanisms along with associatedhardwarewith precision and ease.This encompasses our whole windowand door range,aswell as aluminium and timber profiles Feel quietly confidentthatyour windows and doors areperforming at their absolutebest with Matheson &Brown expertwindowand door repairs

Fireworksspectacular

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

On Saturday,November5,from 6pm-9pm, as well as having theoppor tunitytomeetsomeofthe town’s res identVictorians, visitors canexplore thehistorictownbynight before head ingtothe greenfor aspectacular fire works display. Thedazzlingdisplay, settoa musicalsoundtrack,issureto be ahit with visitors young andold

Guests cantruly enjoythe sights, smells andsoundsofthe ageofindus trywithavisit to thetown’sFoundry

wheretheycan seetraditionaliron castinginactionusing theage-old method of sand casting.Visitorscan also catchaglimpse of Blists Hill’s steamengine.

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

Bookingisessential with tick etspricedat£15 foradultsand £10 forchildrenwitha10% discount for PASS PLUS holders. Formoreinfor mation or to book yourtickets, visit www.ironbridge.org.uk

Half term family funacrossborough Thereisplentygoing on in and around Telfordtokeepyoungsters entertainedduringthe half-term break.

n Exotic Zooishostingathrill filled eventcompletewithpumpkin picking andacreepy-crawlycanteen.

From Saturday untilOctober 31, visitors will have theopportunity to exploreapumpkin picking trail through thezoo’s hauntedwoods.

n TelfordIce Rink hasalso planned Halloween-themedfun includinga spooky discoand fancydress compe tition on theice on Friday,October 28

n Visitors to Blists HillVictorian Town cansee how theVictorians celebrated thespookiesttimeofthe year and find outhow thetraditions we know todaywerestartingtotake shape.

Explore Blists Hill Victorian Town by nightand enjoythe fireworksdisplay

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Bringing outthe best in everystudent

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Burton Boroughisan inclusiveschooland it is thestaff’s firm conviction that allstudents, no matter what theirbackgrounds, needsorabilities,are able to succeed andreach theirfullpotentialgiven theright care,support andguidance.

Thestaff instil an ethosofhardworkand self-disciplinefromthe very starttoensure that students have an excellentworkethic Awards

Aspokesman said:“We believe that children have varied giftsand talentsthatwecan encourageand cultivate, both individually andto gether,soastobring outthe very best in each of them

“Our extra-curricularprovision is fantastic, especially in thearts, whereour wind bandsare have won awards andare recognisednation ally andinternationally

“Students have also wonawards sixyears in arow at theprestigious National Enterprise Challenge, in cluding‘Most Enterprising School’

andlocal competitions such as the ShropshireStarSTEMChallenge andThe Telfordand Wrekin High StreetChallenge wheretheyse cured£10,000 with theirideafor WellingtonMarket.”

TheBurtonBorough School Uni versityschemealsocontinues to grow,withstudents from Year 9 successfullycompletinguniversity undergraduatecourses andstu

dentscompletingcriticalthinking modulesaspartofEtonXwith Eton College.

StaffatBurtonBorough possess drive, commitment andhighexpec tations, combined with apassion to help young people succeed which prepares students well forthe next stages of theireducation,adoles cenceand journeytoadulthood

Thespokesman added: “Start

ingsecondary school is an exciting time that we know yourchildren will enjoy –new environment, new lessons, newpeople–but at Burton Borough we also understand that thechanges from primaryschoolto alarge secondaryschoolcan seem dauntingat first.

“The unique three‘smallschool’ system we have createssmaller communitieswithinthe school,

each having an excellentpastoral system andadedicated team of staff.

“Thissystemallowsstaff to get to know each childand family per sonally, so enabling them to quickly pickuponany potentialissues.

“In addition,wehaveverticaltu torgroupswithmembersfromall years, this againcontributingto oursmaller communityfeel.

“Inafast-paced, ever-changing 21st century, we arelivinginan age of informationwhere we seeming ly have theanswers to everything availableatthe clickofa button

Nurture

“Itistherefore increasingly im portant that we nurture our stu dents to become confident, lifelong learners whoare unafraidtovoice theirown opinionsand debate them in an intellectual,consideredand structured manner

“Our aspiration is forthemto thinkand askquestions whichwill propel them into an ageofinnova tion wheretheir creative andcriti calthinkingskillswill be moreim portantthanever before

“Wewantour students to be well-rounded,not relyingonrote or technology, so that they arefully empoweredtocompete andengage with theirpeers, bothnationally andinternationally.”

Students arepreparedfor thenextstagesoftheir education, adolescence and journeytoadulthood

Hotelcommissionfor Caris

AShropshireartisthasbeenchosen tocreatealargemuralforoneofLon don’slargesthotels.

Wellington-based CarisJackson, whospecialises in collagework, was commissionedbyThe Hilton London Metropole Hoteltodesign threebespokepermanentpiecesofartwork.

“Thesetellthe storyofthe local Londonmarketsandthehistoryofan 18th centuryway-maker,the Tyburn Stone,whichresideswithinthehotel restaurant,”saidCaris.

HeroriginalA2sizedcollageswere transformedintoa2.4mx4.24mwall papermuralincorporating three-di-

mensional neon lighting andhand finishedtextures. Herartwork was spottedonherInstagrampageandit wasfeltthatherstylewasperfectfor thecentrepiecetotherecently-refur bishedrestaurant

Carisadded:“Thebriefwastocre ateapieceofcollageartjuxtaposing old-fashionedpicturesofpeoplewith bright,modernclothingand gadgets andforeachsideofthecentralcolumn totelladistinctivestory.

“Itmixes historical characters throughtheagessuchastraders,carts withfreshfoodandproducewithmoderndayshoppersandtourists.”

Wellington-basedartist Caris Jacksonspecialises incollage work

Across Down Cryptic Clues:

&18Ac. Feature of the military funeral –there’s no collection after this! (4,4)

Temple for adeity in Pennsylvania (6)

Show an obsolete attitude (6)

Corset restyled by the chaperon (6)

Vehicle reversed in the region of ancient Greece (6)

See 9 Across

They put amatch to the vessels (8)

Describing the redundant doctor in need of employment for his skills (3,2,8)

They are downtrodden by callers (8)

Stop working in the Post Office quickly (6)

The image of the medico nowadays (4)

The outlook offers achance of success (8)

Use the brakes both ways (4,2)

Soft blockhead to get by (4)

Animal to make the colonist run away (8)

Its entrants will finish up getting debagged! (4,4)

Point in adifferent way round the ring –that’sthe alternative (6)

Take turns to put up in price (6)

Aconsiderable scoremay

Concerns forlifelineprojects

Concerns

fundingofprojectsinShropshirewhich supportyoungpeoplenotineducation oremployment

TheIN2Trainingprogrammehas helpedhundredsofyoungpeoplefrom acrossthecounty,aged15to24,who arenot in education,employment

training(NEET)oratriskofbecoming NEETtobuildconfidenceanddevelop newskillstoenablethemtoeitherstay in or return to education,move into workorembarkonspecifictraining

Ithasbeenrunsince2019byTel ford-basedsupportedemploymentand training charity, Landau,inpartner shipwithseveralbusinessesandcharitableorganisationswithfundingfrom theEuropeanSocialFund(ESF)

However, as aresult of theUK’s

withdrawalfromtheEU,thisfunding willcometoanendinMarch2023

PhilTaylor,chiefoperatingofficer forLandau,said:“Thereisalotofun certainty at themoment aboutwhat availablefundingtheremightbetocontinuethisprogrammeandthefantastic workitenablespartnerstodeliverto supportyoungpeopleinthearea.”

Niko Dobraczynski,aged17, who movedtoTelford from Poland when hewas11,hasbeensupportedbythe FuturesProgrammewhichwasdevelopedbyJoeLockleyatBrightStarBoxingAcademy with fundingfromIN2 HewasreferredtoBrightStarbyhis teachersafterhestartedgettinginto troubleatschool.Hesaid:“Beingpart oftheFuturesProgrammehelpedme changemymindset.”

NikoDobraczynski, Phil TaylorandJoe Lockley

Checkout

Trendscomeandgo.Butifyou’reafter lastingappeal,it’salwaysadvisabletostick withtheclassics.

Combiningtraditionaltartanandging hamintoaschemecanstrikeaharmonious balance–especiallyatthistimeofyear,as weyearnforthosecalmandsnugvibes.

Thesestrongrepeatpatternsprovide visualinterestandcanhelpwarmaroom withcolourandtexture

Here’showtosoftentheedgesandin troducesomecheckedcontrastasthenights drawin…

1. Carnoustie check grey blackout linedeyeletcurtains, from £40, Julian Charles Winterwarmthwithineasyreach, thesedappercheckcurtainsarefullylined, featuringeasytohangeyelets.Bestofall, they’llreducedraughtsfromwindowsand preventtheheatfromescaping.

2.Mustardhousepinkweavesetof4 placemats–multi,£32,andsetof4coast ers,£16,MADE.com

By Sam Wylie-Harris

Foralovelytwistontablesettings,who sayscheckscan’tbecontemporary?

3.KatieAlicevintageindigogingham side plates,£8.99 each, vintageindigo teapot,£39.99, otheritems from aselec tion,KatieAlice

InspiredbyDutchDelftware,thesece ramicnavygingham plates reinvent the past with thoughts of afternoontea and shortbreadbiscuits

4. Madras gold check throw, £60, checkcushions,£55,WeaverGreen

Coveting throws andcushions? Com fortingandcheerful,welovetheyellows, bluesandsoftpinksinthistimelessdesign Idealforstylingonrusticfurniture.

5.Ginghamcheckstonewarevase–li lac,£14,FiveAndDime

Romantic andquaint, we’redefinitely sensinganodtocottagecorewhenyoufill thischarmingvasewithdriedflowers.

6.HeritagetartanwallpaperinEgyp tianblueandmineral,£46perroll,Lucie Annabel

Classicplaidprintscanplayupthedull estofcorners,and spur theimagination withthoughtsofaglowingfireplace,glass ofclaretandchicdrinkstrolley.Thistartan wallpaperinEgyptianbluewill give any roomafreshfaceandaddatouchofdrama

7. Balmoral check cushion covers,£6 each,Studio

Foraquickiefabricfix,takeanexisting cushionpadandswapoutthecoverforone ofthesegame-changingdesigns,availablein allyourfavouriteshades

8. Gleneagles patterncarpet in Kin rossgreyplaid,£44.99persquaremetre, Carpetright

ThiswovenWiltoncarpetinanelegant dovegreycheckwillbringanyspacetolife Versatileenoughtoworklikeadreamwith exposedwoodenbeams,neutralsandScan di inspired mid-centuryfurniture,not to mentioncountrylivingschemes

Gardenerscan do bitfor bees

If you’vespotted bees in yourgarden duringsunnydaysinautumn,safetosay theyarestillforagingfornectartoseethem throughwinter.

“Myhiveisstillactive,”saysfarmerand TVpresenterJimmyDoherty,conservation expertforRowseHoney.“Whilethereissun andflowers,therearebeesaround.”

AspartofRowse’sHivesForLivesiniti atives (rowsehoney.co.uk/hives-for-lives) toprotectbees,Dohertyissupportingthe brand’spartnershipwithBlenheimEstate–afive-yearconservationprojectwhichwill seemorethan50acresofwildflowerseeds sownthroughouttheestateand124milesof hedgerowstoreplenishnectarsourcesand createnewhabitatsforpollinators.

So,howcangardenersdotheirbittohelp beesthisseason?

“It’snotjustourdomesticbeesbutour wildbeepopulationsandallourpollinators weneedtolookoutfor,”saysDoherty.

Only theyoung queens of bumblebees liveoverthewinter(oldbumblebeecolonies

diewhile thenewly-mated queenhiber nates).Honeybeesneedtocollect enough nectar to feed andmaintainthe colony throughoutthewinter,heexplains.

“Themostimportantthingforbeesisthe continuationoffoodthroughouttheyear.We alwaysthinkofspringflowersandsummer flowers,butwhatwecandoaswecomeinto

autumnisalsoimportant.Therearestilllots ofinsectsflyingaroundandtheyallneedour help,”headds

Dohertyoffersthefollowingtipstohelp beesasautumnprogresses

Plantivy

“Ivyisagreatgiveratthistimeofyear andthehoneyproducedfromthatnectarof ivyisdarkandrich.”

Chooselong-floweringspecies

“Thinkaboutthingslikeverbena,asters, dahliasandsedums,aswellashoneysuck le.YoufinditnaturallyintheUKgrowing inwoodlandsandhedgerowsbutthereare manyvarietiesyoucanbuyinthegarden centre.”

Selectopenfloweredvarieties

“Whenyouarechoosingvarietieswhich arebeneficialtoinsects,open flowered typesareamustsothatthenectarcanbe easilyaccessed.Often,flowerbreederswill breedforbeauty,notfornectar,soyouget theseamazing,beautifulflowers,butthebee can’tgettothenectar.”

Heritage tartan wallpaper in Egyptian blueand mineral Katie Alice vintage indigoginghamsideplates andteapot

JimmyDoherty

BULL Lois

Of St Georges.

Passed away peacefully at home on September 29, 2022, aged 81 years.

Devoted Wife of Fred.

Dearly loved and sadly missed by all who knew her.

AFunera lS er vice to take place at Telford CrematoriumonThursday, October 27, 2022 at 10.30am.

Family flowers only please.

Donations if desired for the Dogs Trust for which purpose acollection box willbeprovided at the Crematorium.

Inquiries to

ELLIOTT George

Of St. Georges.

Passed away peacefully at The Princess Royal Hospital on September 29, 2022.

Aged 79 years.

Beloved Husband of Janet.

Much loved Dad to Mark and Kevin.

AFuneral Service to be held at Telford Crematorium on Wednesday,October 26, 2022 at 2.30pm.

Floral tributes welcome.

Donations if desired for Me so the lio ma UK for which purpose acollection boxwillbeprovided at the Crematorium.

Inquiries to

MCGUINNESS Brenda

Formerly of Old Vicarage Road, Dawley,Telford.

Passed away peacefully on October 10, 2022, aged 89 years.

Loving Wife of the late Jim, Mom to Mike and Steve.

FuneralService 10.30am Monday,October 24, 2022at Telford Crematorium.

Donations if desired for Hilbrae Rescue Kennels would be appreciated.

All inquiries to

NOVKOVIC Nikola (Nick)

Of Trench Road, Trench, Telford.

Passed away peacefully at home on October 1, 2022.

Aged 100 years.

BARBER Kenneth Charles (Ken) Husband

My heart still aches with sadness, the secret tears still flow,what it meant to lose you, no one will ever know Miss you always, love Heather

XX Dad

Our thoughts are always with you,your placenoone can fill,inlife we’ve loved you dearly,indeath we love you still.

Miss you Dad, Simon,Karen, Andrew and Sarah.

XX

Grandad Kenny

There’saspecial Grandad in Heaven and he belongs to us, so putyour arms around him Lord, and give him lots of hugs.

Lots of love and kisses, Emily and Chloe.

XX

Of Leegomery, Telford.

Passed away peacefully with her Familybyher side on October 10, 2022, aged 70 years.

Loving Wife of the late Ray, Mum of Shane and Allen, Sister of David, Sylvia, Sandra and the late John.

Funeral Service, 3.30pm, Friday,October 28, 2022 Telford Crematorium.

Donati ons if des ired for R.N.L.I.wouldb appreciated.

All inquiries to

Beloved Husband of the late Duja (Gina), dearly loved FatherofMileva,Zorka and Jovanka and Grandfather of Petar and Aleksandra.

Funeral Service to be held at St. NicholasSerbian OrthodoxChurch, Barclay Court, Donningto non Monday,October 24, at 11.00am.

Dorothy ‘Dee’ Allen Roger Balkwill Betty Bennett Madeline Breeze Maggie Brookhuis Julie Brownfield Auryel Butmaro Ronald Childs Marie Craig Sheila D’Aniello Hollingsworth BarryDavies Anne Evans KerryFoster Gerald Garbett Anthony Garrett Ray Goodwin Richard Greenwood Margaret ‘Anne’ Griffiths Jude Jones Jayne Parnham Richard Nicol Robert Oakley Gillian Prince Gladys Pumford Derek Smout Julie Ann Spruce Susan Stone Dorothy ‘Dotty’ Vernon Paul Wright

G.JWrightMonumentalMason

Masons

In Memoriam Acknowledgements ials.co.uk orials.co.uk 623621

DUNN Christine Jennifer

NOTICE TO READERS

Full Time General

PUBLIC NOTICES

BoroughofTelford&Wrekin

TheCouncilproposestomaketheBoroughofTelford&WrekinPoolHillRoad, Horsehayand Pool Hill Road, Dawley(TemporaryProhibition of Traffic) Order 2022undertheRoadTrafficRegulationAct1984,inordertoundertakeHighway Improvementworks.Theorderbecomesoperationalfromthe2/11/22between the hoursof8:00am and 17.30pm. The following roads areaffected: Pool Hill Rd,HorsehayfromitsjcnwithStationRdtoitsjcnwithPoolHillRd,Dawley.Pool HillRd,DawleyfromitsjcnwithPoolHillRd,HorsehaytoitsjcnwithDoseleyRd. AlternativeRouteswillbesignedonsite.Themaximumdurationis18months,but theworksareexpectedtobecompletedbythe4/11/22.

AntheaLowe,AssociateDirector:Policy&Governance.TemporaryRoadClosure NoticeTCB-11420/10/22 TWCLP03773

THESHROPSHIRECOUNCIL

(PROHIBITIONANDRESTRICTIONOFWAITINGANDPARKING PLACES)(CONSOLIDATION)ORDER2009

(VARIOUSROADS,SHIFNAL)(AMENDMENT)ORDER

ShropshireCouncilproposestointroducethefollowingparkingrestrictions

onvariousroadsinShifnalTownCentre:

RestrictedParkingZoneNowaitingatanytime

BradfordStreet (Eastside)

BradfordStreet (Westside)

BradfordStreet (Westside)

BradfordStreet (Westside)

BradfordStreet (Westside)

BradfordStreet (Westside)

BradfordStreet (Westside)

Cheapside (Bothsides)

MarketPlace (Bothsides)

MarketPlace (Westside)

MarketPlace (Westside)

MarketPlace (Eastside

BetweenitsjunctionwithBroadwayandits junctionwithVictoriaRoad/MarketPlace.

FromitsjunctionwithShrewsburyRoadtoa point65.1msouthofthatjunction.

Thatlengthofthedrivewayaccess(bothsides) fromBradfordStreettothecarparkattherear ofCheapside(King’sYardcarpark).

Fromapoint75.3msouthofitsjunctionwith ShrewsburyRoadtoapoint88.1msouthof thatjunction.

Fromapoint109.1msouthofitsjunctionwith ShrewsburyRoadtoapoint118.9msouthof thatjunction.

Thatlengthofthedrivewayaccess(bothsides) toNoramHouse.

Fromapoint138msouthofitsjunctionwith ShrewsburyRoadtoitsjunctionwithVictoria Road/MarketPlace.

FromitsnorthernmostjunctionwithBradford Streettotheaccessservicingno.14 Cheapside(Patons(Shifnal)Ltd)

BetweenitsjunctionwithBradfordStreettoa point23msouthofthatjunction.

Fromapoint44.2msouthofitsjunctionwith BradfordStreettoapoint68.9msouthofthat junction.

Fromapoint94.9msouthofitsjunctionwith BradfordStreettoitsjunctionwithJohn’s Street

Fromapoint36.5msouthofitsjunctionwith BradfordStreettoitsjunctionwithJohn’s Street

RestrictedParkingZoneDisabledParkingBay

MarketPlace (Eastside)

Fromapoint23msouthofitsjunctionwith BradfordStreettoapoint36.5msouthofthat junction.

BradfordStreetTheparkingbaysoppositeno.14Cheapside (Patons(Shifnal)Ltd)withintheareabound betweenCheapsideandBradfordStreet.

Restricted Parking Zone Loading only 8.15 -9.15am and 4pm -6pm /

Limitedwaiting9.15am-4pm30minutesnoreturnwithin1hour

BradfordStreet (Westside)

BradfordStreet (Westside)

BradfordStreet (Westside)

MarketPlace (Westside)

MarketPlace (Westside)

Fromapoint65.1msouthofitsjunctionwith ShrewsburyRoadtoapoint75.3msouthof thatjunction.

Fromapoint88.1msouthofitsjunctionwith ShrewsburyRoadtoapoint109.1msouthof thatjunction.

Fromapoint118.9msouthofitsjunctionwith ShrewsburyRoadtoapoint138msouthof thatjunction.

Fromapoint23msouthofitsjunctionwith BradfordStreettoapoint44.2msouthofthat junction.

Fromapoint68.9msouthofitsjunctionwith BradfordStreettoapoint94.9msouthofthat junction.

RestrictedParkingZoneNowaitingorloadingatanytime

(Exceptfortradersorotherauthorisedvehiclesformarketsorevents)

Cheapside

TheadoptedareaboundbyBradfordStreet, thedrivewayservicingno.14Cheapside (Patons(Shifnal)Ltd.)andthedriveway servicingthecarparkattherearofCheapside (King’sYardcarpark)

TheadoptedareaboundbyBradfordStreet, thedrivewayservicingthecarparkattherear ofCheapside(King’sYardcarpark)andthe drivewayservicingthedrivewayaccessto NoramHouse.

TheadoptedareaboundbyBradfordStreet, thedrivewayservicingthedrivewayaccessto NoramHouseandtheretainingwalloutside NoramHouse.

ThefollowingsidesofroadswillbeaddedtotheRestrictedParkingZone

TheywillremainNoWaitingatAnyTime

AstonStreet (Bothsides)

Broadway (Westside)

Broadway (Eastside)

ChurchStreet (North-Westside)

ChurchStreet (South-Westside

ParkStreet (Bothsides)

ShrewsburyRoad (Bothsides)

VictoriaRoad (North-Eastside)

VictoriaRoad (South-Westside

FromitsjunctionwithBradfordStreettoapoint 14metreseastofthatjunction.

FromitsjunctionwithShrewsburyRoadtoa point14mnorthofthatjunction

FromitsjunctionwithShrewsburyRoadtoa point14mnorthofthatjunction

FromitsjunctionwithMarketPlacefortoa point20msouth-westofthatjunction.

FromitsjunctionwithMarketPlacefortoa point20msouth-westofthatjunction.

FromitsjunctionwithJohn’sStreettoapoint 16msouthofthatjunction.

FromitsjunctionwithBroadwaytoapoint17m south-westofthatjunction.

FromitsjunctionwithBradfordStreettoapoint 38metresnorth-westofthatjunction.

FromitsjunctionwithBradfordStreettoapoint 38metresnorth-westofthatjunction.

Anyexistingrestrictionsattheabovelocationswillberevoked.

Borough of Telford&Wrekin

TheCouncil has made the Borough of Telford&Wrekin Waterloo Road, HadleyandWaterlooRoad,Ketley(TemporaryProhibitionofTraffic)Order 2022undertheRoadTrafficRegulationAct1984,whilstresurfacingworks arebeing undertaken. The order becomes operational from the 24/10/22 between the hoursof19:00pm and 06:00am. The following roads are affected: Waterloo Rd,Hadleyfromits jcn with Waterloo Cl to its jcn with WaterlooBridge,WaterlooRd,KetleyfromitsjcnwithWaterlooBridgetoits jcnwithStationRd.Alternativerouteswillbesignedonsite.Themaximum duration is 18 months, but the worksare expected to be completed by the 31/10/22. Anthea Lowe,AssociateDirector: Policy&Governance. TemporaryRoadClosureNoticeTCD-10120/10/22. TWCLP03787

THESHROPSHIRECOUNCIL

(DISTRICTOFBRIDGNORTH)(SPEEDLIMITS)

ORDER2007(AMENDMENT)ORDER

ShropshireCouncilproposestoplacea20mphspeedlimitonthefollowing roadsinShifnal:

ShrewsburyRoad

FromitsjunctionwithBradfordStreettoapoint39msouth-westfromthat junction.

Broadway

FromitsjunctionwithBradfordStreettoapoint35mnorthfromthat junction.

BradfordStreet Initsentirety.

Thatlengthofthedrivewayaccess(bothsides)fromBradfordStreet servicingno.14Cheapside(Patons(Shifnal)Ltd.).

Thatlengthofthedrivewayaccess(bothsides)fromBradfordStreettothe carparkattherearofCheapside(King’sYardcarpark).

Thatlengthofthedrivewayaccess(bothsides)fromBradfordStreetto NoramHouse.

Cheapside

FromitsnorthernmostjunctionwithBradfordStreettotheaccess servicingno.14Cheapside(Patons(Shifnal)Ltd.).

AstonStreet

FromitsjunctionwithBradfordStreettoapoint57meastfromthat junction.

VictoriaRoad

FromitsjunctionwithBradfordStreettoapoint73mnorth-westfromthat junction(totheboundarybetweenpropertyno’s9and11VictoriaRoad).

MarketPlace

Initsentirety.

ParkStreet

FromitsjunctionwithMarketPlacetoapoint44msouthofTheGrove ChurchStreet

FromitsjunctionwithMarketPlacetoapoint11mwestofthatjunction.

DocumentsrelatingtotheseconsultationscanbeviewedatShifnal Library,Broadway,Shifnaloratwww.shropshire.gov.uk/traffic.Alternatively youmayrequestcopiesby -E-mailing:traffic.engineering@shropshire.gov.uk -writingto:TrafficEngineeringTeam,Shirehall,AbbeyForegate, ShrewsburySY26ND -orbycalling03456789006.

Ifyouwishtoraiseanobjection,expresssupport,ormakeanyother commentsabouttheseproposals,pleasesendusane-mailorletterby10 November2022(contactdetailsasabove).Youmayalsoringtheabove phonenumberformoreinformation.

Pleasenotethat,forlegalreasons,objectionsmustbemadeinwritingor bye-mail,andshouldstatethegroundsonwhichtheobjectionismade Objectionscannotbeacceptedoverthephone 20October2022

ROADTRAFFICREGULATIONACT1984-SECTION23

INSTALLATIONOFTRAFFICCALMINGMEASUREON VARIOUSROADSINSHIFNAL

NoticeisherebygiventhatShropshireCouncil,inexerciseoftheirpowers underSection23oftheRoadTrafficRegulationAct1984,andafter consultationwiththeChiefOfficerofPolice,proposetoestablishtraffic calmingmeasuresonvariousroadsinShifnal.Theproposedraisedtables willactastrafficcalmingfeaturestoaidtheself-enforcingnatureofthe 20mphspeedlimitzone.Theywillalsoenablepedestriandesirelines,and facilitatesafercrossingpointsforpedestriansatjunctions.

Thetrafficcalmingcomprisesofflattoproadhumps(maxheight65mm) acrossthefullwidthofthecarriageway:

AtthejunctionofShrewsburyRoadandBradfordStreet:Bradford Streetforalengthof16mfromitsjunctionwithShrewsburyRoad (asmeasuredalongitscentreline).ShrewsburyRoadfromapoint8m westofitsjunctionwithBradfordStreettoitsjunctionwithBroadway. Broadwayfromapoint2msouthofitsjunctionwithDunstanvilleCourt toitsjunctionwithShrewsburyRoad.

AtthejunctionofVictoriaRoad,BradfordStreet,AstonStreetand MarketPlace:BradfordStreetfromapoint9mnorthofitsjunction withAstonStreettoitsjunctionwithVictoriaRoad.AstonStreetfrom itsjunctionwithBradfordStreetinaneasterlydirectionfor13.5m.

VictoriaRoadfromadistance2mnorth-westofthepropertyboundary betweenno.1and3VictoriaRoadtoitsjunctionwithMarketPlace. MarketPlacefromapointinlinewiththenorthernmostedgeofthe publictoiletbuildingtoitsjunctionwithVictoriaRoad.

ParkStreetfromapoint1.5mnorthfromthesouthwestcornerofNo.3 ParkStreetfor13minasoutherndirection.

AplanillustratingtheproposalsmaybeinspectedatShifnalLibrary, Broadway,Shifnaloratwww.shropshire.gov.uk/traffic.Alternatively,you mayrequestcopiesby:

-E-mailing:traffic.engineering@shropshire.gov.uk

-writingto:TrafficEngineeringTeam,Shirehall,AbbeyForegate, ShrewsburySY26ND -orbycalling03456789006.

Anypersonwishingtomakerepresentationsinrelationtothisproposal shouldsendusane-mailorletterby10November2022(contactdetailsas above).Youmayalsoringtheabovephonenumberformoreinformation. 20October2022

(DataProtection: Pleasenotethatrepresentationsreceivedmaybe reproduced,stored,copiedandpublishedon-lineinconnectionwiththe processingofthe(proposed)Orderand/oranyInquiry.Informationwillnot beusedforadditionalpurposeswithoutconsent.Representationswithout anameandaddresswillbetreatedasanonymous,whichmayaffecttheir weightinthedecisionmakingprocess.Anydetailspublishedon-linewill excludeindividualsemailaddressesandphonenumbers.)

SYLVIA MILLICENT BILBOE

Deceased

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone having aclaim against or an interest in the Estate of the deceased, late of 4North Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire,TF1 3EZ,who died on 19/05/2022, must send written particulars to the address belowby 21/12/2022, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard onlytoclaims and interests notified.

Carina Kervin c/o FBC ManbyBowdler LLP, 6-10 George Street, SnowHill, Wolverhampton,WV2 4DN. Ref: CXK/BIL439/1

BoroughofTelford&Wrekin

TheCouncil has made the Borough of Telford&Wrekin NewRoadNorth Of WrockwardineWoodWay,WrockwardineWood(TemporaryProhibitionofTraffic) Order 2022 under the Road TrafficRegulation Act1984, in order to undertake foulwaterconnectionworks.Theorderbecomesoperationalfromthe22/10/22.

The following road is affected: NewRoadNorth Of Wrockwardine Wood Way, Wrockwardine Wood from its jcn with Plough Rd forapprox.70m in asoutherly direction. Alternativerouteswill be signed on site. The maximum duration is 18 months,buttheworksareexpectedtobecompletedbythe30/10/22.

Anthea Lowe,AssociateDirector: Policy&Governance. TemporaryRoadClosure NoticeTCC 06320/10/22 TWCLP03795

CROSSWORD

VW Taigoscoreshighintough market

BILLMcCARTHY

siblingAudi, is wide,not leastwithits rangeof SUVs.

It’s atough market as it is not only up againstsimilar VW modelsbut others likeNissan, Peugeot, Mini,Skoda andSEAT.

VW describesthe Taigo newcom er as an SUVCoupe,because of its sleeksilhouette

It scores with itseye-catching styling, choice of twoengines, three trim styles andgenerousstowage areas. It certainlyhas individual styling, acrossover with adesign aimedatyounger buyers.Itisbuilt

on VW’s MQB platform andmaintainsastreamlinedprofile despite sitting higher offthe ground.Itfea turesadramaticsloping roofdesign andwillwidelightbar to therear, whichisall nicely setoff withroofbars andsmart alloywheels,

Despite beingthe entrylevel,still notcheap at £21,960, specification includes thenow familiarcusto misabledigital cockpitand central screen,which controls thethird generation of ModularInfotainment Toolkit(MIB3).

This enablesthe useofa variety of online-based functions and ac cess to streamingservices. Move up thegradestoStyle andR-Lineand thegoodypackgetsbigger.

Despite beingthe base model, the

Lifeincludesfront foglights, LED headlights, inductive smartphone charging,amultifunction steering wheeland electric foldingand heat ed door mirrors

Theinterior itself is typical VW solidlybuiltand reassuringly dura blewithamixture of soft touchand some admittedly harsherplastics. Controls andswitchesare logically placed anddespite modest proportions,fouradultsare seated in comfort. It also features aone-litre, 95PSthree cylinder petrolengine. A110ps versionisalsoavailable,as is amoresportyfour-cylinder 1.5-li tre 150PSengine.

Thegutsy threepot onelitre engine is not exactlydesignedfor pace,moreeconomy anddelivers that in spadeswitharealistic 50 mpgachievable.

Despite itsrelativelymodestpow er,itstill deliversthe throatygrowl associated with threecylinder en ginesand,mated with a five speed manual box, pullswellthrough the gears.The sprint to 60mphismore of arapid jog at around 11 seconds, butstill adequate enough formost circumstances.

It performs particularly well around town andthe otherhalfwas particularly impressedwithhow easy it wastodrive,she lovedthe slickgearchanges andthe manoeu vrability

That’s nottosay it is not acapablemotorwaycruiser.Which it is

Despitesitting relatively high off theroad, it handleswelland feels well planted enough on corners, whilethe suspensionrides well over even theworst of ourroads

SUVs arepractical beasts and despiteits modest dimensions,the Taigooffersplentyofstowage space with an impressive 440litre available,which opensup substantially with thesplit rear seatsfolded.

Having achieved theEuroNCAP five star safety rating,featuresin cludea full rangeofairbags,front andrearparking sensors, emergency brakefunction, andthe lane de parturewarning system as standard.

FACTFILE

VOLKSWAGEN TAIGO LIFE

Price: £22,275

Mechanical: 95PS,999cc three cylinder enginedriving front wheels via five speedmanualgearbox

MaxSpeed: 114mph

0-62mph: 11.1sec

Combined MPG: 50.5

Insurance Group: 13 C02 emissions: 124g/km

Warranty: 3years/60,000 miles

Legendsare honoured by MidShropshireLeague

MALCOLM FLETCHER sports@mnamedia.co.uk

Three more legendsof bowlshavebeenhon ouredwithlifemembership of theMolsonCoors MidShropshireLeague.

Angela Gaut,Keith Pessall andColin Rudrum received their awards at aspecial ceremony following theleague’sOctober exec utivemeeting at Wellington’sSir JohnBayleyClub.

Gaut hastwice been crowned BritishLadiesMerit champion, Pessallmadehistory on hisreturn to thesport as thecounty’s first ever winner of theBritish Veterans Meritand Rudrum is the manwho ledNewport’s remarkable rise to thetop tableofShropshirebowls

Allhavewon othertitlesgalore andaleaguespokesman said:“We want to keephonouringpeoplewho have done so much forour game andthese three really deserve life membership forall theirachieve ments.”

Lookingahead to the2023sea son, thespokesman added: “Officers woulddearlyliketosee at leastdivision one return to 12-a-side fix turesonFridays (from10-a-side sinceCovid struck).

“But, in lightofa survey of memberclubs andthe many strong views expressedbycurrent firstdivision clubs, we arereluctant to risk any proposalsthatcould lead to more teamswithdrawing

“The league simply cannot afford that, so the officers will notbeput ting forwardany proposalsonthe matter to theAGM in January.

“Butthatdoes not stop clubs making proposalsbeforethe Octo ber31deadline,thatwould require secondingatthe December meet ing.”

nn nn

Shropshire’stop bowlerstookto thenew £2,100 Autumn Doublesat St Georges like duckstowater.

They dominated thequalifying sessions in the31-up twoman team eventthatwill endwith£900 going

to thewinnerson finals daySatur day, October22(2.30pm).

ScottHarries teamed up with countyteam-mate SpencerClarke (Sir JohnBayley) to getthe ball rolling

Andtheir examplein booking aplaceinthe last eightwas soon matchedbyCastlefields duoMichael Beer &AdamJones, WayneRogers &NickLewis (Burway) andGary Neal (Hanwood)&AdrianRowe (Castlefields). In addition,Brit ishNo.1CallumWraight teamed up with Welshace JohnBaileyto qualifyand hisstepdad Rich Goddard also made it with TomPalmer (Warwick &Worcester).

nnnn

St Georges have finallyended Sir JohnBayley’sreign in Shropshire’s longestestablished veterans bowls league

TheBayleyBoyshad been First Division champions of theMid ShropshireSeniorCitizensLeague nine timesinarow,but this year theDragons pipped them to the crown.

So St GeorgesAwereinthe spotlightatthe league’s finals and presentation dayatBylet,when Wrockwardine Wood andNewport Bwrapped up fine doubles

TheWrockites,winners of the Second Division,beatSir JohnBay leyBby 39 shotstolandthe Charity Shield whileFourthDivisiontop dogs NewportBliftedthe Charity Consolation Shield with a47-chalk winoverAllscottHeath B. Phil Furniss(21-9)and John Clarke (21-9)led theway forWood, whostarted with a12-shot handicapadvantage,whileDavid Ches ters (21-5)was tops as theFishes soonaddedtotheir own12-shot handicap over Allscott.

St Georges Calsowon Division Threeand thedivisionalaverages winnerswere–One:Barry Gilder (StGeorges A);Two:TonyGarmson(WrockWd);Three:JohnBax ter(AllscottHeath B);Four: Alan Gould(NewportB). nnnn

Plentyofencouraging signsfor Shropshire’sbowls chiefs have been

offset by theneedto find twonew keyofficers for2023.

Thelatestmeetingofthe asso ciation’s county executiveatMeole Braceheard that 4,921bowlers had playedfor clubsinaffiliated leagues in theseasonjustcompleted

Andthere were 265 newplayer registrationsthisyear– another figure up significantly from aCov id-affected 2021 –meaning interim treasurer MarieScott couldreport ahealthy bank balance.

Butthe need to fill thetreasurer’s role permanentlyremains acon cern forthe executive anda finance committee ledbycountyvice-chair manSeanRound

They also need areplacement for competitionsecretary MikePotter who, when he finishes hissecond spellascountypresidentatthe AGMinFebruary, will be stepping down from that posttoo.

Alreadycoping with Parkinson’s Disease, Potter nowhas otherper sonaland family issues to deal with andhas announcedthatheintends to withdraw from theposition.

A finalsalute to champions

Wrockwardine

SirJohnBayleyand hosts Burway werethe winnerson finals night in Shropshire’s topbowls league –but it wasWrockwardineWood whotookall theplaudits.

TheWrockites’ domination of theShropshirePremier wasoffi ciallysaluted at theleague’spool finals andpresentationevening at theLudlowclub.

TheBayleyBoysbeatCounty Cupwinners Iftoninthe Pool A finalwhilethe othereight-a-side clashfor thePoolBtitle ended with Burway beatingHanmer.

County MeritchampionDavidLloyd won21-2asthe Bayley stormedout of theblocks, with Alex Jonesaddinga21-5cardina comfortablevictory

“JoeyWilliamswon 15 forIft on butSpencer Clarke getting20 from 14-4 down meantthatthe Bayley ledby28afterthe front four,” said Premierchief RobBur roughs. “And threefurther winners at theback, ledbycaptain ChrisWorthington’s 21-11win, meantan overallwin of 42 “Burway used home advantage as they wontheir fourth Pool Btitleagainst Hanmer

“Wayne Rogers won21-7togive them agreat start, with Kiah Robertsaddinga21-11 winand JesseJames another21-11.”

Butitwas Wrockwardine Wood whohad bossedthe main Premier season,producingthe best campaignthe league haseverseen. They brokethe followingrecords-mostpointsin aseason 271; most wins in aseason23; most away wins in aseason10; leastdefeats in aseasonthree,to equalChester Road in 2005;most away points in aseason127;most improvedteambetween twosea sons 85 points;biggest margin be tweentop two54points.

Castlefields star Mike Beer was theother bigwinner on thenight as he finallygot hishands on the league averages afterlosing just onegameall season,addingthe Most Consecutive Wins award with 10

Proudnew Mid Shropshire life members– Colin Rudrumand (right) Keith Pessall with Angela Gaut

Wrockwardine Wood’s John Clarke with league presidentKen NeTonkiss wportB line up for ateamshotfollowing theirDivision Four titleand Charity Consolation Shield success

Newchampions –Bob BarberofFirst Division winners St Georges with league presidentKen Tonkiss

Mike Beer–double titlewinner

Bayley captainChrisWorthington with league president Andy Smith

Wilkin wants everyone pulling in rightdirection

Newly-appointed AFCTelford United managerKevin Wilk in hopes to seethe NewBucks Head ‘packedout’and ‘enjoying itsfootball’ again.

The55-year-old wasbrought in swiftly afterthe club sacked previous managerPaulCarden

Theteamhavehad adismal starttothe season,which has left them 23rd in theNational League North. As aplayer, Wilk in featured 78 timesfor Northampton Town,but as amanager, he is vastly experienced,having spentseven yearsin charge at Brackley Town

Andthe newbossisdelighted to have joined such abig club –and he hopes he canhelpthe club to take ‘steps forward’.He said:“Ihavebeenhereasa play er at theold ground andobviously have managedseveral times here

“Telford areamassive club, it hasnot quiteachievedits po tentialinrecentseasons andis an opportunitytoworkatsucha fantasticstadium,withafantasticsurface

Gemmaleftdisappointed by Games’ judodecision

LEWISCOX lewis.cox@mnamedia.co.uk

European championand Commonwealth silver medalwinnerGemma Howellisdisappointed more judo playerswill be denied theopportu nity to experience and promotethe sportonthe bigstage.

It wasrevealedthisweekthatthe published list of sports forthe 2026 Commonwealth GamesinVictoria, Australiawillnot includejudo

That comesasablowespecially to scores of Englishand Britishjudokas,manyofwhom have excelled in recent years–particularlyatthe successfulhome Commonwealth GamesinBirmingham this year

England topped themedaltableintheir home games, with 13 gongs–including five golds. Scot land pocketed four andthere were twoeachfor Walesand Northern Ireland.

Howell, whowas born in Stafford butlives in Priorslee in Telford, earned abrilliantsilver andbecame one of thefaces of thesport with televisionworkinthe BBCstudios

al.Inthe category above theAus tralian gold medalwinner wasreally unexpected

NewBucks bossKevin Wilkin

“There areclearly bitsthat will need adjustingand moving around,hence thereasonthey have not finished as farforward as they wouldhaveliked in re cent seasons.

“There is clearlyadisconnect betweenthe team andcertain partsofthe support, andone thingI need to do is geteveryone pulling in theright direction, whichwill help us take those stepsforward.”

He added: “There areclear ly things that need to improve within thegroup –results don’t lie.

“I thinkthere aregoodbits theretogoand workonand try to bringtogetherthatwill take alittlebit of time.Iwanttoget this placepackedout againand enjoyingits football

“I am undernoillusionofhow difficult ataskthatmay be,but I am here to workand workhard.”

Andthe newbosssayshe is prepared to ‘adapt’whenit comestothe system histeam will play,and he just demands hisplayers meet hisstandards.

He said:“As amanager,a coachand aleaderIthinkIhave evolved, Idon’t thinkIhaveever stood still.

“I demand ahighstandard, andI am notafraidofhavinga difficult conversation with who ever it needstobe.”

Shehoped Australia’simpressive medalhaulof10may have meant thenexthostnationincluding judo, butthe Commonwealth GamesFed eration, AndrewsLabor Govern ment andCommonwealth Games Australiaconfirmed otherwise.

Howell, 32,who this year be came European championfor the firsttimewithgoldinSofia, said:

“We wanted Australia to do well although notaswellasus! If they hadasuccessfulGames they would want to host

“I hadto fightanAustralian in thesemiand shegot abronzemed

“Theydid well andhad some good blingtoshow foritsoIthought it mightbelikely,but it’s not.”

Howell, whoisstudyinga maths postgraduate certificate in educa tion forlifeafterjudo, knowsall too well about fighting to success hav ingovercome 10 differentsurgeries in hercareer.

Sheadded: “Itwas always going to be disappointingfor judo notto be in Australia. One because it’s an incredible countryand it will be an amazing atmosphere

“It’sthe opportunityofbeing at aGames.For people whohaven’t competed at an Olympicsyet.A

Gamesissuchadifferent experi ence,itcan be so overwhelming with allthe sports.JusttoexperienceaCommonwealthscan help you forthe future,beitOlympics orwhatever.Being apartofother sports andcountries,soaking up theatmosphere, it’s just ashame

“Moreimportantly it puts judo in thelimelight.I’m sure therewas an uptake in judo afterpeoplewatched this year,the morepeoplewecan getinjudo, thebetterathleteshave come from it.”

Howellsaid: “It’seasiertoqual ifyfor aCommonwealths than an Olympics, it givesmorepeoplean opportunitytoperform

“I feel luckythe homeone fell in my cycle, an athlete’scareerisn’t

500years, you don’tget endlessop portunities.

“2026isawhileaway, Iwouldn’t be goingbecause Iknowmybody can’thandlethatfor toomuch longer,but it’s ashame it mightfall forthe peakofsome athletes’career andtheywon’t have that opportu nity.”

Howellhas returned to training followinga shoulder injury andis preparingfor theWorld Mastersin Israel in December

Birmingham wasthe fifthGames judo hadbeeninvolvedwithsince itsintroduction as ademonstration sportin1986. It hasbeenheldin Scotland 1986,New Zealand1990, England 2002,Scotland2014and England 2022

Bridgnorthstudents shineastheypasstheir latest test with flying colours

Gemma Howell afterwinning silver in thewomen’s -63kg finalonday five of the2022Commonwealth Games

BridgnorthTae Kwon-Doare celebrating after14studentsearned newbeltsand gradesatSevern Centre, Highley. Thegroup includedstudentsaged from sixup to adult. DelightedinstructorAnna Bradford,who is picturedwith fellow instructor Gary Plant,said: “Someofthe students were particularly nervousfor this grading, battling theirnervestoshowtheir best ability.Othershad notgradedsince before thepandemic and hadshowedagreat deal of perseverance. This groupwas also notable duetothe majority of candidates being femalefor the firsttime inour 10-yearreign at theclub.”

Salopian hitthe bullseye withanother fine display

Salopian’s unbeaten starttothe UKDA InterCountyseasoncontin uedwithahard-fought 20-16vic tory at home to Northumberland, writes Che Kerin.

At avocal Bagley club it would be thevisitorswho made theear ly breakthrough in theladies’ B matchesasLisaBarnesdefeated Hayley McGuines

Claire Boyle(12.68one dart aver age) respondedfor thehosts butthe Northumbrianshit back to storm 4-1ahead

JulieGriffiths(17.06) then bagged akey winfor Salopian to reduce the deficittotwo points goingintothe men’sBmatches

Paul Ashworth (21.35) andAdri an Logsdale (21.17) ensured the momentum wasmaintainedbySa lopian although that waschecked by Northumberland’s Paul Sinclair

in thefollowing contest. Salopian hitbackthrough Mark Crutchley (21.17)and Darren Lane (20.93)al though both successes were repelled with wins forNorthumberland. Thehosts then appeared to take controlofthe game with successive wins from JamieKynaston(20.59), BenMorgan(23.86) andShaun Pryce(25.05)

However,Northumberlandhit back to take thelasttwo gamesto ensure theoverallmatch waslocked at 9-9atthe endofthe firstday AlisonGallagher gave Salopian ladies’A theperfect startonday two, butagain Northumberland re spondedinthe next match.

Back came Salopian with Steph Clark (23.12), Sarah Roberts (18.11) andEvonneTaylor hittingformto give theirsideanoverall13-11 lead JohnRoberts (24.50) gave the

men’sAthe perfectstart,but Northumberland hitbackagain to take the nexttwo games

KaceyJones (26.89)restoredpar ityinthe men’sAbattleonlyfor the visitors to respondagain

Salopianrallied to take thenext twomatches throughMattElsey (26.02)and JoeHiggins (25.14)to putthe home side onegameaway from victory.

Northumberland weren’t fin ished, however,takingthe nexttwo matches, although it wasjustpro longingthe inevitable as Paul Row ley(27.75) securedvictory aman-ofthe-matchperformance

The finaltwo gameswentthe way of thehosts through ScottDockerty (26.30)and Jon Mansell (24.99).

Coldecott stars to helpAlveley make progress

TheBridgnorthLeagueturnedits attentiontothe three-a-side com petition this week with theprelim inary andquarter finalmatches taking place.

Andinthis‘aggregatescore’com petition it wasanight that favoured thehigherhandicappedthree somes.

In thepreliminary round, played at Alveley, it looked as though Bro seleyhad the edge, particularly afterMattSmout’s firstframe win againstReg Burton

ButAlveley hitbackand player of-the nightand match-winner was undoubtedly SteveColdecott.He putBrian Edwardstothe sword, winningby56points.

Gary WatsonbeatChris Jepson 66-52inthe finalframe,but it was Alveleywho progressed 286-251on aggregate.

St John’sBplayers,MarkWors dell,MarkJonesand Mike Crawley with a77-pointhandicapadvan tage,wereconsideredtobethe un derdogsagainst atriofromWood field.

Butafter Worsdell’svictory againstRichard Castlehad pushed thehome team’sadvantage to 98 points it needed somethingspecial from father andson Neil andCam eron DrewettifWoodfieldwereto turn things around They both won, respectively beat ingMarkJones andMikeCrawley, butthe St John’sboysdid more than enough to secure a64-point victoryand aquarter finalplace Ended

Meanwhile, thesecondStJohn’s team in action made it throughto thelastfouratthe expense of Bro seley.

PerfectDawleymarch on as rivals hitthe goal trail

Dawley Town made it a magnificent sevenwins on thespininthe Salop LeisureLeague.

ThePremier Division pacesetters were made to workhardtomain tain theirperfect starttothe sea sonin theirtop-of-the-tableclash with Ludlow ButastrikefromKieranBuckley provedtobeenoughtosecurean otherthree-point haul

Second-placedHodnetare two points behind theleaders but maintained thepressureatthe top thanks to anothergoal-laden dis play Hodnet hitthe back of thenet 12 timesfor thesecondtimeinthree matches.

St Martinswereonthe receiving endonthisoccasionwithhot-shot NickyParkerleading thegoalrush.

He scored five times– with four of hisstrikes coming before half-time –totakehis tallyfor theseasonto

19 Connor Dunneaddedabrace, with CameronDourish, Lewis Brown, Adam Heath, Macauley Cliftonand Daniel Parker also on themark.

Anotherofthe titlehopefuls, Church StrettonTown, also hitthe goal trail

JamesHillwas theirhat-trick hero as they beat Shrewsbury Up &Comers 7-4inanentertaining clash.

Strikes from Josh Hunting, Dean Richards andMatthew Cole plusan owngoalcompleted Stretton’stally Juan Finlow baggedatreblefor

Shrewsbury with Owen Rothwell grabbing theirother goal

Thevictory leaves Strettonsit tingthirdonthe same number of points as Hodnet

Thegoals continuedto flow in the othertop flight games.

Samuel Florystrucktwice as PreesUnitedbeatvisitingGobow en Celtic 4-3.

ShaunDavieswas anotherman whofound hisshootingboots in theclash betweenWem Town and MadeleySports.

Davies gave visiting Madeleya slender half-timeleadbeforehitting topgearafterthe break

He struck threemoretimes to help Wemtoa 6-0success.Jon Mat thewsand Mark Pritchardadded theother goals.

Broseley easedtoa5-1 winat home to Ercall ColtsJuniors Evo lution

Twogoals from Daniel Jamesand onefromAsa Deanput them three up at half-time.

Joseph Morrisand MichaelSmith addedtothe hosts’tally in the final 10 minutes

Morda United also won5-1 –away to Wrockwardine Wood Juniors.

Therewas no change at thetop ofDivisionOne as theleading con tendersbothwon

Table-toppersWellingtonAma teursDevelopmenthit thenet six timeswithout replyawaytoErcall ColtsJuniorsRangers

Second-placed Bridgnorth Devel opment were 2-0winnersathome to EllesmereRangers Reserves

Theother second tier clashsaw LlanymynechbeatErcallColts JuniorsRevolutionColts3-1

SamLewis scoredtwice with skipperMikeWhitehouse also on target

St John’sstarted with aslender seven-point handicap,but that was increasedbyanother seven by Tim Steelashe beat SimonMcloudwith theaid of a30break

Martin Lippett’s40-pointvictory overNickCarsonthenjustabout ended thecontest

Broseley’s Mick Brezwyn, well knownfor high breaks andexcep tional comebacks, didhis best as he beat Josh Summers,but amodest 31 breakwas notenoughtostopSt John’sprogressing

Thesecondquarter finalofthe eveningwas an all-Chelmarshaf fair

Thefavourites, undoubtedly, were thethree players representing Chelmarsh B, thechampions in six of thepastseven seasons.

They were giving away a14-point starttoChelmarsh SC

Frameone sawGarySmith beat Carl Walker by exactlythatdiffer ence to levelthe match.

Unfortunately forthe favourites, IanPostans hadnot read thescript.

Postans, whoonmanyaprevious occasion hadcome unstuckwhen playingagainst ChrisLewis, gave outpossiblythe biggest hammering that Lewishas received from any playerfor many aseason.

Postanswon 81-20togivethe SC team an almost unassailablelead with oneframe to go Simon Thomas wasuplastfor Chelmarshbut came outsecond best to Matt Judd as theChelmarsh Sc trio triumphed 179-91

Action from table-topping Dawley Town’s clashwith fellow SalopLeisure League titlehopefuls Ludlow.Dawleybattled to a1-0 win. Pics:David Hamilton

NICK ELWELL nick.elwell@mnamedia.co.uk

Salopian ladies Awereawarded trophiesbeforetheir match for winning theirsection last season

WILKIN AIMS TO STEM THEFLOW

OLLIEWESTBURY ollie.westbury@mnamedia.co.uk

NewAFC TelfordUnited boss Kevin Wilkin’s firstpriorityisto fixthe Bucks’ defensive woes.

Wilkin will be in charge of his newsidefor the firsttimewhen they traveltoScarboroughAthletic on Saturday andthe goalsagainst column is somethingheislooking to improve as quicklyaspossible.

TheBucks have theworst defensive record in theNationalNorth having letin22goals in their12 games.

Andthe bossbelievesitissomethinghe must look at if he wantsto getthe teamwinning games.

“Weneedtolookinthe mirror andunderstandwhy we leak too many goals,”hesaid, when asked about hisside’sdefensive frailties.

“Statistics do not lie. Youcan make them look theway you want certainly, buttheydonot lie.

“The league positiondoes notlie, thereisa reason andwehavetounearththatreasonand understand

“Wehaveafew sessions before our firstgame, it will be greattoget outthere on thegrass andunder standthe levels of theplayers

“Generally,my sideshaveplayed with arealhighintensity andthat is not always with theball, it is againstittoo.”

The55-year-old wasappointed last week followingthe departureof previous bossPaulCarden

Wilkin said he mayhavetocon sidermakingchanges to hisstart ingXI to getthe desiredeffect.

“Whether it is achangeinper sonnel or we find an improvement in certainplayers in theshort term,” he continued.

“The playershavegot to want to find that themselves.Wecannot be afraid to do somethingabout it.”

Hornetssufferaderby daydefeat

Bees stung by red-hotTigers

TelfordTigersbounced back in styleonSundaywithagoal-laden success at theBees.

Tigers headed to Slough on thebackofa2-1 home defeatto Peterborough Phantoms buthit topformtorecordan8-4 victory.

Astunningopening period sawTigerssurge intoa7-1 lead JasonSilverthorndeflected a DannyRoseshotpastBees’ netminder Adam Goss to give the visitors thelead.

ACorey Goodisonshotthen hitthe post andrebounded off thebackofGosstomakeit2-0 Juha Lindgren reduced the deficitbut then Tigers took charge with Rhodes Mitchell-King, RickyPlant,Fin How ells, TomByrne andVladimir Luka allscoring

Josh Martin andBrendan Walkom hitbackfor thehosts beforeBayleyHarewood struck forTigerstomakeit8-3.Bees’ DominikGabaj roundedoff the scoring.

Tigers head coachTom Watkins wasdelightedwiththe way hissidecame flying outofthe blocks

“Wegot afaststart,collective lyeveryone wasontheir game from thestart,playedsimple, movedthe puck low to high and gotbodiestothe net,”hesaid. “Wewererewardedfor oureffortsand hopefullyitshowshow simple thegameshouldbe.

At 7-1weshouldshut thegame down notallow ateamtocome back at us.That’ssomethingfor us to learnand improve upon.”

Lloydlands an end-of-seasondouble

Wellingtonskipper DanLloyd has seen his fine season recognised in theShropshireCountyCricket league’s end-of-seasonawards.

Lloyd, whohas represented Shropshire,has been namedPre mier Division playerofthe season followingastellar campaign that sawhim score627 runs andtop the

top flight bowlingchartswith53 wicketsatan averageof10.51

AndLloyd hasalso been selected as skipperinthe PremierDivision side of theyear.

TitlewinnersLudlow hadthree players namedinthe select XI while Newportand Sentinel both hadtwo in theline-up

Team: Josh Darley (Oswestry), Mike Robinson(Whitchurch), Luke Miles(Ludlow), SaqibAkbar (New port), DanLloyd (Wellington),Will Sparrow(Ludlow), DanWalker (Shelton), George Cheshire(Sentinel),ShabirKhan(Newport),Jon ny Evans(Sentinel), JoeWilliams (Ludlow)

51-53QueenStreet,WolverhamptonWV1 1ES.

Action from TelfordHornets’ derbyshowdownwith Shrewsbury.Itwas hostsShrewsbury whoclaimedthe Counties 1MidlandsWest(North) honoursthankstoa35-25 success.

Picture: John Cutts

Birmingham