Wrekin News 207 July 2016

Wrekin

News July 2016 · Issue 207

THE REGION’S FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

SUMMER OF FUN! MORE DAY’S OUT TICKETS TO BE WON! WIN A MAKEOVER!

THE GREAT WAR 214 WELLINGTONIANS PERISHED IN THE GREAT WAR

- in his new book local author Chris Owen uncovers some of the facinating and heartbreaking stories behind those brave men, many of whom died in the Battle of the Somme.

FREE PLEASE TAKE YOUR COPY

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Read George Evans every month in the 27/06/2016 12:09 Page 1 Wrekin News

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NEWS

Discovering nature at Dothill

FOOD

New food festival for Telford

LIFE Total transformation for makeover winner Sian

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Wrekin

News Established 1999

Published by: Plus Two Media Limited, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY

Wrekin OFSUMMERFUN!

News July 2016 · Issue 207

THE REGION’S FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

MORE DAY’S OUT TICKETS TO BE WON!

WIN A MAKEOVER!

THE GREAT WAR

NEWS Discovering nature at Dothill

FOOD

214 WELLINGTONIANS PERISHED IN THE GREAT WAR - in his new

FREE PLEASE TAK YOUR COP E Y

Wrekin News Banner

Ad W-C 27.06.16_Layout

New food festival for Telford

book local author Chris Owen uncovers some of the breaking stories behind facinating and heartthose brave men, many of whom died in the Battle of the Somme.

Read George Evans every month in the Wrekin

1 27/06/2016 12:09 Page 1

News

CINEMA & THEATRE TICKETS TO BE WON INSIDE! 24

SEE PAGE

LIFE Total transformation for makeover winner Sian

Award winning new homes across the Midlands www.lioncourthomes.co.uk 1 Front Page.indd 1

Award winning Lioncourt Homes build a complete range of aspirational new homes across the Midlands.

27/06/2016 15:43

Please ring for FREE brochure & price list

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Tel: 01952 522562 Fax: 01952 522567 Editor: James Baylis james@plus2media.co.uk Editorial Support: Tania Baylis tania@plus2media.co.uk Publisher & Design: James Baylis Contributing Photographer: Malcolm Couzens

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02 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 2, 3 Welcome.indd 1

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Welcome

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Welcome to the July issue of Wrekin News!

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Editor

ELLO and welcome to the July issue of Wrekin News.

This is the third issue of the magazine to be published

by Plus Two Media Limited and I would like to thank everybody who has given us such welcoming and positive feedback on our first two issues.

Hopefully we are just about finding our feet now! We continue to strive to bring you the best mix of news, features and letters in the Telford and Wrekin region.

We are only too happy to receive your feedback - please do let us know what you do like about the magazine and also what you don’t like too! We can’t promise to change everything but your comments will help us produce a magazine for everyone, of all ages to enjoy.

We are also working very hard continuing our commitment to increase the reach of the magazine.

This month we are very pleased to announce that we have secured two more key distribution outlets.

You will now find the magazine available at the Waitrose supermarket in Newport and also at the Wyevale Garden Centre in Donnington.

Please do enjoy our July issue, once again we have many fantastic prizes to be won! There really is something for everyone from a hair and beauty makeover to tickets for the Trucking Live Shropshire Show!

We also have cinema and theatre tickets to be won, a meal for two at Carriages up for grabs and tickets to visit Shrewsbury Flower Show. Good luck to all who enter!

Please keep your letters, memories and pictures coming in - we love to print them.

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2, 3 Welcome.indd 2

27/06/2016 20:44

Lots of chances to win!

We have lined-up another packed issue of Wrekin News for you with more opportunities than ever before to win some fantastic prizes!

Here’s a round-up of where you will find our great competitions:

Win a Makeover!

Your chance to have the team at Deighton Hair & Beauty treat you to a hair and beauty makeover.

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Win a Signed Book cvr

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Local author Chris Owen’s new book remembers our 214 Wellingtonians who died in the Great War and more particularly those who perished in the Battle of the Somme.

town in endured by a small market courage and sacrifice and its surrounding graphic account of the The Great War. Wellington effort. rural Shropshire, during: in its support of the war so much in terms of manpower not only of the loss of life – community loyally gave terms, it paid a heavy price in caused by this Discover how ultimately by long-term ill-health wiped out or destroyed but a generation simply to end all Wars’. was labelled as the ‘War their relatives cataclysmic event which men – as recounted by battles stories of local serving Read detailed personal the backdrop of the particular against set and memory ignorance and wishing to preserve their contrasted with the and mostly sadly died, line – as in which they fought war effort on the front commanding the British arrogance of the officers in Whitehall. officer directed by the mandarins and schools which offered story of local colleges fighting force.

Read about the fascinating officer material to the and direct contribution of effect on local families training courses and their about the war’s devastating includes local Most poignantly, read newspaper reports and – as mentioned in local an event which businesses in Wellington what was to become through living of UK – of the town and also the people’s personal accounts changed the social structure typical in terms radically and permanently present day. Although casualty affects us even up to the the legacy of which still UK, Wellington and district’s towns spread across the to survive catastrophe. of commitment as other of stoicism and the determinationdebt of honour owed to their numbers reveal a story of its war dead and the remembrance the memorials. war how Read many dedicated evidenced in the town’s which was ultimate sacrifice was of its biggest memorials of scandal attached to one Discover the local wartime ceremony and commemoration act of the official dedication rural farming community. revealed by the simple disaster to affect this largely arguably the biggest single an IT Graduate the society of authors; writer and member of who is covering Chris Owen is a freelance He is a local war historian and son in Shropshire.

WW2 and its and lives with his wife series. Specialising in for this Pen & Sword to this equally other towns in Shropshire written a logical prequel the Great War, he has origins stemming from in the local area and the devastating conflict. also piqued his interest years 20 town. for Living near Wellington once an independent industrious Great War on what was devastating legacy of the

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Win Theatre Tickets

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We have tickets to see the Billy Joel Songbook and Back to Bacharach at the Theatre Severn. Plus tickets to see Purple Zeppelin at The Place.

Win Cinema Tickets page

25

We have FIVE pairs of standard tickets for the Odeon plus two tickets for the Odeon’s Silver Screen.

Win Day’s Out Tickets page

26 We have FIVE pairs of tickets for the Trucking Live Shropshire Show

Win a Meal for Two

page

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Win a wonderful meal for two at Carriages - Wellington’s hidden gem!

Win Day’s Out Tickets We have another pair of tickets for the Shrewsbury Flower Show up for grabs!

Extra workshops for our traders

E

XTRA workshops are being arranged in Telford to meet demand from town centre traders keen to get involved with a programme to help boost their business.

The workshops are being funded through Telford & Wrekin Council’s Pride In Your High Street Fund, and organisers say they are delighted by the reaction from traders so far. > The above picture shows Deltora Malone (known as Joy) from The first sessions Joy’s Place talking to Johnny Themans from Good2Great. have been launched in Oakengates and are being Pheasant Inn brewery tap on June 8, said they rolled out in Wellington, Newport, Madeley, were excited to get going and appealed for more Donnington, Ironbridge and Hadley. traders to get involved.

More workshops are now being held in Deltora Malone, of Caribbean food outlet, Oakengates after demand grew so strongly Joy’s Place in The Parade, said: “It’s really quite following the launch in May. inspiring because all the various elements of the Sally Themans, from the team delivering the sessions are the kinds of things I think I need to business support programme, said a lot of work know. was taking place to make people aware of the “I know lots of people who have either set up workshops in each area. their own business or are thinking about it, and She said: “There are a wide variety of sessions this will give them more confidence to get on and on offer, from social media workshops to window become a success.” dressing advice and lots more besides, and we are Pam Mansell, of Tinks Treasures in Crown delighted that traders are getting involved.

Street, added: “It’s really important that everyone “We have just launched in Newport and gets involved - including the bigger shops Wellington which were both really positive and because we have a great local town and we should word is starting to get around that these practical all be working together to promote it.” workshops are a great opportunity for people to For more information about how to get improve their business at no cost to themselves involved, go to the project website at www.goodwhatsoever.

2-great.co.uk/piyhs or call 01952 951234.

“All of the workshops are very hands-on, and More details about the Pride In Your High Street we have had fantastic feedback from the traders Fund are on the Telford & Wrekin Council website who have attended them so far - so much so that at http://www.telford.gov.uk/highstpridE we are now having to put more on in Oakengates because demand is so high, which is great.”

Many of the workshops can be arranged at a time to suit individual traders, and are all aimed at helping businesses to attract more customers and kick-start an upward curve for high streets across Telford & Wrekin.

All workshops are followed up by ongoing individually-tailored support on a one-to-one basis, as well as further coaching at the business owner’s premises.

A local children’s charity is asking Telford schools, parents Traders at the launch in Wellington, held at The and governors to contact them about their services to

Local children’s charity is asking the community to contact them

page

27

Win Day’s Out Tickets

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Win a family ticket to Telford’s NEW Food Festival

Win a Signed Book We have a signed copy of local historian Allan Frost’s new book!

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children and young people. Mentor Link provides one to one support social and emotional support to vulnerable and distressed children by professionally recruited and trained mentors and counsellors. The service supports children with issues ranging from family difficulties, self- harm, anxiety or bullying and helps to improve self- esteem, relationships and engagement in learning. The charity can provide the service within the school setting or directly to families and their children. To raise awareness of this important service the charity is asking the community of Telford to contact them for further information and talk to their staff.

If you would like information on the charity please contact our member of staff for Telford-Karen Arnold on 07875438659or email Karen.Arnold@mentorlink.org.uk

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04 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 4 News.indd 1

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24/06/2016 12:33

Fordhall Farm celebrates

B

RITAIN’S first community-owned farm will celebrate its 10th anniversary by joining forces with as many as 5,000 businesses across the UK to promote the positive impact community businesses have on the local economy and quality of life of its residents.

The Community Business Weekend on July 2 and 3 will see a host of inspiring events across the country promoting a sector worth £2bn and employs almost 27,000 people.

Fordhall Farm in Shropshire was established after a David & Goliathstyle battle by a brother-and-sister team to raise £800,000 to buy the tenancy.

Charlotte and Ben Hollins launched a campaign to save their late father’s legacy back in 2006.

Now 10 years on they are so grateful to the thousands of shareholders and volunteers who supported their cause they are key supporters of the drive to grow community businesses across the UK. The farm which has proved a massive success story with a new farm shop and cafe added to the facilities during the last decade will be open for the July weekend.

“The support and encouragement we had from so many people over the years still never ceases to amaze and humble me,” said Charlotte.

“It was so important to us at the time that we saved the farm for the community and now to see it

thriving with tourists, volunteers, youth groups and other visitors is exactly what we hoped for.

“We certainly hope this weekend will show people what can be achieved and that each contribution, no matter how small, makes a massive difference and can improve life for all. If there is a further contribution that we can make as part of our legacy it is to encourage more communities to believe they can save and launch businesses together in their local area and take ownership of them to have a say in their own future.”

Community Business Weekend is being supported by Power to Change, the organisation launched to support and help grow community businesses with £100m of Lottery funding, “These businesses return control to the community and can have longlasting benefits for health and well being,” explained a spokesperson for Power to Change.

“What is even more encouraging is we have seen real growth in this sector with more community businesses being established adding up to £1.9billion worth of assets across the UK. “This is why it is important now to let people see what is being done in terms of social cohesion and inspiring pride in an area and a sense of purpose.”

Community businesses are owned and run by the community with the main aim of helping to bring people together to improve their local area.

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Nuclear power - must-have or madness?

Newport 21 is hosting a free talk, ‘Nuclear Power - Must-have or Madness?’, by Professor Andy Blowers OBE on Monday 4th July, 7pm, at the Cosy Hall, Water Lane, Newport.

The future of nuclear power in the UK is at a critical point. There is on-going uncertainty about the future of the proposed Hinkley Point power station without a decision by EDF. Also, Hitachi is pursuing an agreement on financial subsidies from the UK government for its planned new plant at Wylfa, Anglesey.

Prof Andy Blowers is an expert on nuclear politics and policy.

He was a member of the first Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) and is currently Co-Chair of the Government DECC Non-Government Organisation Nuclear Forum.

FREE ENTRY · REFRESHMENTS There will be the opportunity for questions and discussion on the issues raised.

The host Newport 21 is working in partnership with Green Shropshire Xchange which is promoting a series of talks on green issues across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin during 2016-17.

Street party for the Queen’s birthday A flyover from a Griffin helicopter from RAF Shawbury was one of the highlights of a big street party in Telford to celebrate the 90th birthday of The Queen.

Hundreds of people attended the My Options party held at Lakewood Court and Wellbeing Centre in Severn Drive, Wellington on Friday 10 June including people who use the services, their carers and families, staff and volunteers.

They were all joined by staff from the emergency services.

There was even a tank on show!

The event was created with the help of a number of individuals and companies who provided food and drink, prizes and decorations.

Dancing was the order of the day as the rain held off for everyone to enjoy the food, live

music and activities.

Deb Williams, Service Delivery Manager, My Options - Activity, Wellbeing and Care Services, Telford & Wrekin Council, said: ““Thank you to everyone, the staff, volunteers and our customers for organising such a great party.

Thank you also to the local businesses and community for helping with their displays , donations and support. Months of planning and hard work and a lot of imagination went into creating this event. It was a really fun day that was enjoyed by all.”

The new Mayor of the Borough of Telford & Wrekin, Councillor Rae Evans said: “This must be one of the biggest and best parties in the borough to celebrate the Queen’s birthday.

Well done to everyone involved

in creating such a great event to mark such a special occasion.”

Lakewood Court and Wellbeing Centre is part of the Council’s ‘My Options - Activity Wellbeing and Care Services’ which provide a wide range of person-centred support to vulnerable adults and young people including support for people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, young people leaving care and older people.

Services include registered residential support, Community Activity and Wellbeing services, a ‘Shared Lives’ scheme as well as providing individual support to people in the community and in their own homes.

For more information about My Options Services visit www. myoptionstelford.co.uk or call My Options on 01952 381317.

06 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 6 News.indd 1

27/06/2016 17:08

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27/06/2016 16:59

George

EVANS

OUR Garden

O

UR PEACE Garden is looking particularly beautiful, though we have a perpetual problem with weeds like any other garden. It is looked after by a small group of volunteers who meet on the first and third Saturdays between 10am and noon each month of the spring, summer and autumn.

Because of the way it is planted there are flowers of some kind blooming for most of the year and we have been delighted with the way the garden has grown through the large number of local people who have planted there. It seems to be universally admired.

However, we urgently need more volunteers to look after the place. Good growing weather is shared by weeds and we need to have enthusiasts who can keep them down.

Unfortunately I can’t help much due to old age and that has affected some of the others too. It’s not an onerous job; we meet on two Saturday mornings a month, the first and the third, from 10am to 12noon. Often the gardeners are congratulated and thanked by passing members of the public and we are all a very friendly group of folks. At noon we go off for a coffee and a chat. Do please join us if you can. To contact us it’s easiest to ring me on 01952 641102.

The rules are very simple – there are none.

This garden belongs to all of us and anyone can plant whatever they think is right when and where they decide to plant it. There is no need to get permission; we treat people who wish to put shrubs or flowers in the garden as sensible adults who will think about all the others who plant there. Naturally we would like anything that it going to grow tall at the back and little ones at the front and we don’t want anything to dominate the garden; we hope no one will spoil anyone else’s efforts.

Several shrubs and bushes are there as a little memorial to loved ones, like the magnolia planted by my family in memory

Wellington Peace Garden and our lovely volunteers who keep the weeds down! by George Evans

of my late wife and others are planted to show support for world peace, while quite a lot of the plants are simply to make Wellington even more beautiful. In some cases there are little plaques to explain their reason.

One shrub was planted for local Buddhists by visiting monks with a message of peace from the Lord Buddha. A peace rose was planted jointly by a German army ex-soldier and a British ex-soldier to remember the British and German soldiers killed in the Last World War. The local Rotary Club and the Lions have contributed as have a Sikh, a Muslim and a Jew. We look forward to seeing the contribution of a group of West Indians in memory of the Black soldiers killed in wars. It’s a peace

garden to celebrate and promote peace as well as being an asset to the town.

To begin with we all wondered if it would ‘catch on’ but it has gradually grown from a few plants in the middle to almost the whole of the sixty yard patch we were allocated by Telford and Wrekin Council. Several years ago I asked the leader of the council if we could take over a patch of ground somewhere in the town centre where the land was not likely to be used for anything else; first Andrew, then, after the election Kuldip, for a bit of land where we could plant for peace.

The idea was that the council could do something for the town without spending any money. The land would remain council property and cost nothing from council tax but would be looked after by volunteers. Nobody argued with this and eventually this long narrow plot opposite the entrance to the Civic Centre was offered and I jumped at it, saying, “Yes please” at once.

Wellington Town Council joined in and the then Mayor, the late Lesley Street, a representative of T & W Council and I ceremonially planted the first trio of peace roses. The Shropshire Star, Telford Journal and BBC Radio Shropshire helped a lot by giving the project some publicity and a large group of Wellingtonians came along to support us.

The result has been this beautiful garden where there would otherwise be only the boring ‘council shrub’ lonicera nitida. The councillors could see that they were enabled to do Wellington a favour without spending any money so they let us go

The Wrekin’s favourite columnist!

8, 9 George Evans.indd 1

27/06/2016 16:09

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To find out more, please call 01743 358 234 or visit our website: www.shropshiregas.com

H e l p a t Ha nd

Contact us

If you think we can help you, a family member or neighbour: ahead. Of course the Borough Council still owns the land though all Wellington folk own the garden.

Call us on I’m still occasionally asked what are the rules and to whom they 01952 380924 (office hours) have to apply to plant there.

We always say that there are no rules; A service designed around you and your needs. We offer a everyone is treated as a sensible person who would not want to spoil A service designed range of household tasks to make your around home life easier.

Email anyone else’s plants or to dominate the place. This isn’t my garden you and your needs. We offer or the council’s garden, helpathand@telford.gov.uk it is OUR garden. Our Town Council has We do the jobs you find difficult to do, contributed the large planter at the top end and the poppies, spending a range of household tasks to talk to us about: Or write tobut us at tax money which we didn’t want, they look good and councillors make your home life easier.

■ Food shopping - we can take you or we can mean well. The volunteer group has no money and don’t want any.

Help at Hand We have a chairman, Helen King, Jan Johnstone is secretary and I’m do it for you!

Wellington Civic & Leisure Centre president (senior geriatric,) but no treasurer. Come and plant what ■ Picking up pensions and/or prescriptions Larkin Way, Wellington you like for whatever reason you like where you think best and help ■ General cleaning - including dusting, Telford TF1 1LX us with the weeding if you like but please don’t give us money. sweeping, vacuuming Some volunteers can’t make Saturday mornings and come at other ■ Washing and ironing times to suit themselves.LBecause mymak age and decrepitude et u s hof elp e you r h om e I lam i f e e a s i e r.

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Help at Hand Help at Hand Email Wellington Civic & Leisure Centre Wellington Civic & Leisure Centre helpathand@telford.gov.uk Larkin Way, Wellington Larkin Way, Wellington Or write to us at Telford TF1 1LX Telford TF1 1LX

The Peace Garden volunteers meet on every first and third Saturday a month during spring, summer and autumn between 10am and 12noon.

Let us To find out more about how you could help please call George Evans on: 01952 641102.

01952 (office hours) Or write to380924 us at

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8, 9 George Evans.indd 2

n including Making and changing beds cleaning dusting, sweeping, 27/06/2016 16:10 We do the jobs you n find General difficult to do, talk- to us about: vacuuming

25,554

Population of Wellington

210

Independent businesses in and around the town

WELLINGTON FESTIVAL

YOUR WELL

1244

The year when the first Market Charter was awarded to Wellington

7 October 2016 to 30 October 2016

Spectacular three week arts celebration

T

HE annual Wellington Festival is a spectacular 3-week celebration of arts and culture taking place in the vibrant market town of Wellington and showcasing artists of national and international renown. This year, the Wellington Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary and, with funding and support from Wellington Town Council and local businesses, we are proud that the event remains one of the largest free access festivals in the UK. This means that all events, without exception, are free to attend.

The Festival brings together local and national artists to entertain audiences with an exciting mix of live performances including comedy, talks, photography, film, literature, music and workshops and, in 2016, a special Culture event. In celebration of its Anniversary, this year’s Festival will be bigger, bolder, more diverse and family friendly than ever before.

Opening the Festival will be the Olympian (and national treasure) – Eddie “the eagle” Edwards - who will be talking about his escapades as he became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping in 1988. This year, his story was told in the biographical film Eddie the Eagle, starring Hugh Jackman, which showed his perseverance and achievements all without funding. The following day will see a Comedy Club night with the award winning, and nationally acclaimed, comedian Hannah Sylvester and five further acts who have been delighting audiences across the country with their observational insight and cutting satire; this will be an evening to savour.

From a travel-writing workshop with award-winning travel writer Marie Kreft to a talk by Tom Watt the radio sports presenter and ghost writer of David Beckham’s autobiography….

From The Nailmakers Daughters – three poets from the Black Country, whose poetry is deeply rooted in the history of the area to Poems and Pints hosted by Tony Stringfellow which is an informal celebration of poetry in all its forms….

From the Royal Shakespeare Association – Richard III by Andrew Jarvis and Peter Smith to a children’s circus workshop, in the Market Square, run by Leo’s

Wellington Festival Tickets Tickets will be available from the 1st July 2016 via our website: www.wellingtonartsfest.co.uk, by emailing: caroline.mulvihill@telford. gov.uk or write or pop into Wellington Town Council’s Civic Offices on Larkin Way, Tan Bank, Wellington, TF1 1LX.

by Cllr Cindy Mason-Morris Chair of the Wellington Festival Committee.

Loco Circus….

From Lesley Smith, as Katherine Swynford, in spectacular period costume, to The Art of Paper Making with Jonathan Korejko who teaches the art of creating handmade paper with the thoughts of famous writers and characters with the aim of teaching everyone that every Paper tells a story.

From an evening with Moniza Alvi who has been shortlisted for the T.S. Elliot Prize to a talk by Bruce Lawson who wrote the biography of Charles Rolls (of Rolls Royce)….

From children’s writing workshops hosted by Writing West Midlands and two wonderful workshops by Wrekin Writers to Sue Crampton the author of ‘A Head Above Others’ about the amazing life of Edith Picton Turbevill – the town’s first female Member of Parliament …

From the Wrekin Photography Club ‘Salon” show to John Sam Jones – the LGB Activist and author ….

In addition to the above events, our Festival regulars will be pleased to see the return of Gloriana, Keele University and Colin Pinney.

These are just a few of the unique experiences you can have during this year’s Festival. With over 30 events and a huge breadth of artists from many different art forms, its not surprising that so many of our audience eagerly anticipate the Festival programme each year. The Wellington Festival brings you events and experiences that you simply could not have at any other time. Please get hold of a programme or check out the website or Facebook page for full details.

www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk 10, 11 Wellington Town Council DPS.indd 1

24/06/2016 12:35

SAVE THE DATE!

ELLINGTON Calling all business owners in Wellington Time and money, the most precious of resources and often one or the other is in short supply for many business owners. Good2Great understand the pressures you face and how easy it is to become distracted from your core objectives when you’re trying to balance cash flow and grow your customer base while also maintaining a quality service. It’s a stark fact that only 4% of business owners get to realise their dreams, about half fail within the first four years and 24% simply survive. As a business in Wellington you could be eligible to receive fully funded business support.

Attached are our programme dates, all are designed to be accessible in small bite sized workshops with coaching onsite in your premises and aim to increase footfall, dwell time and help customers to commit a higher proportion of their expenditure to local high street shops.

Can you afford not to attend?

Wellington www.good-2-great.co.uk/piyhs Current PIYHS Programme Dates Please note: venues to be confirmed Programme

Date

Time

High Street Excellence 4 x 3hr workshops plus additional coaching

Thurs 7th July, Thurs 14th July, Thurs 21th July and Thurs 28th July 2016

8am - 11am

Thurs 14th July, Thurs 21st July, Thurs 28th July and Thurs 4th Aug 2016

3pm - 6pm

Tues 13th Sept, Tues 20thSept,Tues 27th Sept and 4th Oct 2016

8am-11am

Tues 4th Oct, Tues 11th Oct, Tues 18th Oct and Tues 25th Oct 2016

3pm - 6pm

Wed 2nd Nov, Wed 9th Nov, Wed 16th Nov and Wed 23rd Nov 2016

8am - 11am

Locally Social 2 x 3hr workshops plus additional coaching

Mon 27th June and Mon 11th July 2016

3pm – 6pm

Retail Sustainability 2 x 3hr workshops plus additional coaching

Thurs 6th Oct 2016 and Thurs 13th Oct 2016

8am - 11am

Market Testing 3 x 3hr one to one support in coaching sessions

Flexible to suit you, we will arrange date and time upon booking

Successful Selling 2 x 3hr workshops

Mon 5th Sept and Mon 12th Sept 2016

8am – 11am

Mon 24th Oct and Mon 31st Oct 2016

3pm - 6pm

Wed 7th Dec and Wed 14th Dec 2016

8am - 11am

Wed

18th

Jan and Wed

25th

Jan 2017

3pm - 6pm

Tues 7th March and Tues 14th March 2017

3pm – 6pm

Business Start Up 4 x 3hr workshops, plus additional coaching

Mon 8th Aug, Mon 15th Aug, Mon 22nd Aug and Tues 30th Aug 2016

3pm - 6pm

Harnessing TripAdvisor and AirBnB 1 x 3hr workshop

Mon 5th Sept 2016

3pm - 6pm

Thurs 20th Oct 2016

3pm-6pm

Mon 5th Dec 2016

3pm - 6pm

Thurs 19th Jan 2017

8am - 11am

Wed 22nd March 2017

3pm - 6pm

Being Big in your Community 1 x 3hr workshop

Thurs 4th August 2016

8am - 11am

It’s Just Window Dressing 1 x 3hr one to one support session

Flexible to suit you, we will arrange date and time upon booking.

Available to support 6 businesses.

VICTORIAN MARKET, LANTERN PARADE AND CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON EVENT 26th NOVEMBER 2016.

NEWS FROM TEAM WELLINGTON

REVIVING OUR HIGH STREETS

Team Wellington are calling for your ideas!

As a trader group, TEAM WELLINGTON are doing their best to bring more people, more trade and more profit into the town centre. They’re putting on events, adding PopUp stalls into the market and working as hard as they can to fill those empty shops and offices.

What do you think needs fixing in Wellington?

What’s right and what’s wrong?

“Many people we speak to love this town of Wellington, they have a fondness for the market town and many people are sad to see banks and shops closing. So often, the best ideas for reviving a town are with the people who live there and use the place on a daily basis. Please let us know any ideas you have for improvements to the town centre.”

There’s a Collecting Box for comments in the PopUp Pitch at Wellington Market or you can email Frank or Fay with your ideas. - frank@myddle.net or fay@shropshireenterprise.co.uk

£30 Voucher for the best idea . . .

The Team are offering £30 to spend at CARRIAGES in Wellington for the best idea of the month.

MONTHLY MEET UPS

TEAM WELLINGTON Monthly Meet Ups This town centre group has come together to help the retail and economic regeneration of the town. Traders, property owners, businesses and councillors, working together to promote, improve and enhance Wellington’s reputation as a shopping destination, support the trading environment and help attract new customers and investment to Wellington. Their very clear aims are to help businesses and the town prosper and bring footfall and spend into the town centre.

The group meets monthly, membership is free for independent traders and all ideas are welcome for how to build trade, fill up the empty shops, make stronger businesses and put some power into ‘High Street Revival’ in Wellington.

www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk 10, 11 Wellington Town Council DPS.indd 2

24/06/2016 12:36

NewYou

Before

The Wrekin News Makeover

A

Sian Oliver was the first lucky winner of the Wrekin News Makeover competition.

She was treated to a full hair and beauty transformation at Deighton Hair & Beauty.

Barry Deighton writes to explain how Sian’s makeover was completed.

VERY big thank you to Wrekin News first makeover winner Sian Oliver, from Red Lake in Telford.

Sian came to the salon on Monday 20 June for the make over morning with myself, Sara our Beauty Therapist and our young colour technician Sophie.

Sian had visited the salon the previous week when we had our first introduction and our first consultation, I asked Sian to tell me about her hair what she liked and what she didn’t her life style and how she styled her hair at home and what she expected from the make over. As a hairdresser we must listen to the client and while we are we can asses the hairs integrity and history, I have to say Sian was a great client to work with very open and positive and genuinely wanted a real change. As you can see from the before picture Sian’s hair was OK but did nothing for her, the make up of the hair is fine but quite dense, the hair had been layered and a home colour that was just ok but flat and at one level and no life and vibrancy. In my opinion fine hair is cosmetically great because it is compact with a tight cuticle you can achieve great vibrancy and condition, medium and short fine hair that is layered doesn’t really work layering hair is by design to create volume and texture on fine hair it does the opposite leaving it flat with no structure and hard work for the client to maintain.

So on this basis we constructed a hair cut to

create a strong shape with volume and a little softness to the back and temple area.

The colour Sian had was not to bad but as we saw during the consultation was ok the depth fine but the tone of colour was lacking. We decided on the choice of colours strong Copper Reds with a Panel of light Copper placement of the colour was left until the hair cut was complete.

The hair cut is built up from six distinct sections the top section is a stand alone section or a disconnected section if you prefer, from the back I used very short graduation going onto round over directed graduation this will give you a very soft unconnected blend that builds up weight and volume perfect for this hair type, and on to the colour. This cutting technique is best served by the bottom or outer section being darker giving even more shape definition.

Sophie used a soft blend technique of colouring to apply the four Copper Reds some of which were inter mixed, this is a fantastic way to colour hair gives you light and shade at every angle you look from the great thing about natural hair is that it is not one colour it has light and shade for a number of reasons and this is why we use this technique, Sophie has made a fantastic job of Sian’s colour as she does every day Sophie has been with us from Saturday girl to now.

I hope you like the results thank you to Wrekin News and of course Sian hope you like your new you!

Sara given a freehand to create a new and enhanced look for Sian Sian was the perfect client to receive our makeover, as I discovered during our consultation, that she wears very little make up and was happy to give me a freehand to create the look I achieved.

Sian had a very even complexion, so very little corrective make up was required. I just needed to enhance her natural complexion whilst taking into account the hair colour Barry and Sophie had used to create the soft tones in Sian’s hair.

The shape of the hair-cut and colour are all

paramount when choosing make up colours for the eyes and lips.

I started by waxing Sian’s eyebrows to enhance the eye area and create the illusion of lifting the brow area to open up the eyes.

Bronze and copper eye shadows were applied to blend in with the skin tone and hair colour.

I then defined the eyes with a liquid eye-liners and a few false lashes. The lashes will last up to a two week period if Sian is gentle when removing eye make up.

I then shaded Sian’s brows in a little darker than her natural colour to add definition. Lip liner, colour and gloss were applied and the finishing touch was bronzer, brushed onto the cheek area with hilighter to enhance the cheek bones.

Barry, Sophie and I really enjoyed creating Sian’s look and look forward to completing many more make overs in the future.

Win a hair and beauty makeover!

Now it’s your chance to win the opportunity to experience the fantastic makeover that our lucky winner Sian enjoyed! We have teamed up with Deighton Hair & Beauty once again to offer one lucky Wrekin News reader a full hair and beauty makeover!

WHAT’S INCLUDED

The makeover will include; consultation, cutting, colouring, an appropriate hair treatment and make up by Sara Jackson.

12, 13 Makeover.indd 1

HOW TO ENTER . . .

To enter our makeover competition please send your name and contact telephone number to: Tania Baylis, Makeover Competition, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY or email: tania@plus2media.co.uk (Entrants must be 18 years or older, be open to new hair and beauty suggestions from the stylist and beautician and be available at a convenient time for the makeover to suit Deighton’s Hair & Beauty and to meet magazine print deadlines.)

27/06/2016 20:46

Above: Hair an

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Above: Sian is pictured with Sophie, Barry and Sara from Deighton’s Hair and Beauty - the team who completed Sian’s new look.

My total transformation . .

Thank you to the Wrekin News for giving me the opportunity to have this make over and hair restyle at Deighton Hair & Beauty.

The Deighton team are all very passionate, professional, and were totally accommodating to my requests. They get a real satisfaction from passing on their knowledge and experience Barry cut my hair in a very flattening style, giving it good texture, body and fullness.

Sophie was exceptional at doing the colouring.

My makeup was applied by Sara who also provided me with advice on different techniques and colours to suit my skin tone.

I enjoyed the day and was pleased with the total transformation which gave me a very natural effect. The makeover gave me a much needed boost at this time of year.

Thank you ! Sian

Together we run a very busy Coffee Shop within the hospital open 7 days a week including Bank Holidays 1-5pm.

All profits are used to buy equipment for the Hospital Trust and this amounted to £156,000 last year. Departments which have benefited from these funds include A&E, ITU, Ophthalmology and Physiotherapy.

If you have a couple of hours to spare, please get in touch.

Our volunteer shifts offer a variety of duties.

For more information call in and see the Shop Manager.

Tanya Griffin: 01952 641222 Ext: 4721 / 4211 www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 13

12, 13 Makeover.indd 2

27/06/2016 16:16

spirit Free Y our

Stubley’s goes from strength to strength

Join In

GEORGIA WILLIAMS TRUST NEWSLETTER · JULY 2016

Good Luck!

Good luck to our three scuba diving scholarship finalists. There will be more details on the chosen applicant in the coming weeks.

Peru trip

The Trust would like to wish Charlotte Clarke the best of luck as she is off to Peru on an adventure and mission to help out in an orphanage. We look forward to hearing all about her expedition on her return in August.

Bounceathon

Following on from the Trust purchasing a trampoline for Ercall Wood, the students are partaking in a ‘Bounceathon’. Students will be taking it in turns to bounce from 8:45 through until 15:00.

Great effort!

Sponsored walk

Ercall Wood are also doing a sponsored walk from the School grounds, up the Wrekin and then back down again. Thank you for

your continuing support towards the Trust.

Georgia Williams Trust Award

The Trust are looking forward to attending the Ercall Wood sports presentation evening where they will be presenting the Georgia Williams Trust Award to another dedicated and deserving young person. It’s always lovely to meet such keen and friendly students.

Cosford Air Show flight for Trusts plane

On Saturday 19 June the Trusts new plane through the ‘Build-aplane’ project flew into Cosford Air Show. This is an exciting opportunity for the Trust to branch out into unusual ventures and to continue the work Georgia started. The plane will be used to provide extra educational support to disabled and disadvantaged young people.

DIARY DATES . . .

Fashion Show

On Friday 8 July at 7pm, held at the Whitehouse Hotel, the Trust will be holding its first Fashion Show. We’re currently looking for independent retailers to come along with stalls and show off their products. For more details please contact us directly on our Facebook page.

Golf Day

On Saturday 4 September there is a Golf Day at Muxton Golf Course. We are looking for keen golfers to take part at £30 per person, or £120 per team (a maximum of four people per team). This includes a bacon bap and hot drink before teeing off, a round of golf followed by a meals and prizes. For more information please contact Jay Nash at Fortiss Sports, Hortonwood.

www.thegeorgiawilliamstrust.org England & Wales Registered Charity 1153519

Established in Wellington in 1977, Stubley’s has gone from strength to strength. Originally started by his farther as a secondhand business, Mark Stubley has just celebrated his 32 year of being sole owner.

Since being totally refurbished throughout nine years ago, Stubley’s left the second hand trade behind and now sell only new, A-Grade high end ranges of oak and pine, the later being made here in the Uk. Apart from the solid wood ranges they stock there is also a huge selection of beds and mattresses, with prices starting at just £39.

Stubley’s are also the local stockists of Cotswold Fireside arm

chairs, available in two or three seaters and made to order in a large range of luxury fabrics.

To accommodate all budgets a selection of flat packed furniture is on offer, with a small build charge for those who don’t want to tackle it themselves.

A two-man delivery service means that they can put your furniture, once unboxed, into a room of your choice and remove any packaging at no extra cost.

So, whatever it is you are looking for, call in and Mark or one of his salerooms staff will be happy to help.

For more information visit their showroom or call 01952 257610.

‘SMALL JOBS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME WITH’

COPELAND ELECTRICALS ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAL ● NO CALL OUT CHARGE WORK CARRIED OUT ● 24 Hour / 7 days a week PART P BUILDING REGULATIONS ● Local Low Cost Repairs REGISTERED WITH ● Over 10 years experience ● Efficient / Reliable Special Rates ● FREE QUOTES for the ● Fully Insured Elderly

GREAT OFFERS ON LIGHTING & ACCESSORIES

CALL US FOR A COMPETITIVE QUOTE TODAY

07866

CALL DAVE ON: 455993 OR 01952

404635

14 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 14 Georgia Williams Trust.indd 1

27/06/2016 17:21

CLEANTEX LINEN AND WORKWEAR RENTAL

Laundry collection or drop off at B3 Stafford Park 11, Telford, TF3 3AY

T: 01952 820810 62 High Street Newport TF10 7AQ

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Food served

Spring cleaning of bedding, clothing,curtains and rugs

10am - 3pm

HOUSEHOLD AND BUSINESS LAUNDRY

SPECIAL OFFER! July and August 50% off a child’s meal with any full paying adult with this advert

Monday - Saturday

(Bookings required for Parties)

Open Late nights till 2am Fri & Sat Live Music every last Friday of the month Look out for our Theme Nights!

BOOK YOUR SPECIAL OCCASION AT THE BARLEY IDEAL VENUE FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES, CHRISTENINGS, ETC..

Breakfasts Served from 10am - 12pm

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556460 www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 15

15 Adverts.indd 1

27/06/2016 19:26

Dothill Nature Reserve

D

- a resource for all the community

OTHILL became a local nature reserve early this year.

It can be found either side of Severn Drive near Dothill School (TF1 3JB). It can also be accessed from Admaston House and Silkin Way. Covering approximately 40 hectares, it has a variety of habitats including lakes, ponds, streams, woodland and grassland.

Inhabited from at least Saxon times, owned by the earl of Mercia and later the families of Steventon and Forrester (who are still present locally). The remains of a moat and house are still present.

Its main source of fame is of course it was brought and sold on behalf of Wellington council by Wrekin News own George Evans!

Now owned and managed by Telford and Wrekin and Wellington councils. With the help of friends of Dothill Local Nature Reserve a group of local volunteers and organisations.

We do a variety of practical and survey work. This has included pond clearance, hedge laying, mammal and bat surveys, recent visitors would have noticed some of the many bird and bat boxes put up. Most of which are now occupied, so we’ve done our bit for Telford’s housing crisis!

Future projects include fishing platforms for disabled anglers, interpretation and way marking, subject to funding, at present we are clearing invasive Himalayan Balsam which swamps local Flora.

Great Crested Newts are present, as well as six species of bat and scarce

invertebrates, Kingfishers are present all year, and its one of the best places in Telford for Bullfinch. So far 930 different species have been recorded, including 94 birds.

We are keen for Dothill to be a resource for all the local community, and welcome your views and comments, especially any tales from readers who remember what Dothill was like in the past.

Anyone can help us, no experience is required, we can even train you if needed.

To get in touch with the group please email: friendsofdothill@gmail.com or text message only to: 07706942376.

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Dea r Editor . . .

Letters

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL MEMO RIES AND PICTURES THROUGH THE MOST POPULAR PAGES OF THE WREKIN NEWS

Verboten Love Dr Paul Minton writes to Wrekin News from South Wales with an intriguing story of a couple’s forbidden love during the post-second world war years involving a local woman and a German POW posted at one of Donnington’s three Prisoner of War camps.

I

WAS prompted recently to enter into a discussion with my daughter about the nature of the atrocities committed during the Second World War. Somehow or other, we got to talking about those ordinary Germans, who actively rebelled against the Nazis.

This all tied in neatly with a new film called, ‘Alone in Berlin’, which is based on the true story of Otto and Elise Hampel. The factory worker and his wife wrote over 200 postcards, which they left in letterboxes and stairwells, urging people to rise up against the Hitler regime. The point I was trying to make was that although the Axis Powers were inherently evil, not all of its citizens were wicked: there were many brave souls who opposed the Third Reich and lost their lives as a result.

With the direction our conversation was taking, I was reminded of the tales my mother used to tell me of when she was growing up just after the war.

My grandfather had been be a farmer in Donnington, which was close to a cluster of three Prisoner

of War (POW) camps known as South (651), North (659) and East (1004). Despite the end of hostilities, POWs (or “belligerents” as they were officially known) had to wait several years until they were deported. Indeed, the Donnington sites were still in use as late as 1948. Nevertheless, the prisoners were afforded some degree of freedom and even received a weekly allowance to be spent at the prison shop. Noncommissioned personnel were also permitted to earn extra money by working on the land and the sight of men with coloured patches sewn onto their clothing to signify their enemy status was a common sight in the area.

As a young girl, my mother remembered the Germans, whose camp was located directly behind the family home, as being very kind: carrying her to her parents when she fell over, giving her piggyback rides, and even making toys for her. Most of these handcrafted playthings have been lost over the years - the rocking horse and small carved chickens all long gone - but the red Scottie dog

Dr Paul Minton’s mother is pictured with a couple of German POW’s.

We love hearing from you!

For 15 years Wrekin News has printed pages and pages of your letters and pictures and we want to publish more!

Please keep our editor’s inbox full and send your letters and pictures to: The Editor, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire TF1 1RY or email your contributions to: james@plus2media.co.uk 18 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 18, 19, 20, Letters.indd 1

27/06/2016 16:20

that normally resides on a bookshelf in my study is one of the few possessions to survive from that period.

I thought it might perhaps be interesting to learn a little more of the inmates at the camps near my mother’s former house, especially in light of my daughter’s curiosity about the topic. And so, much like the POWs who reputedly excavated an escape tunnel (albeit unused) beneath their Donnington compound, I decided to go digging. It didn’t take long before I uncovered the surprising story of Leo Ganter and Monica Cann, which had made headlines in 1947.

Monica Patricia Cann was a sergeant in the Women’s ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) and was stationed at the Army Ordnance Depot that still exists in Donnington today. Reports indicate that she was employed as a shorthand typist but she was also tasked with teaching English to some of the Prisoners of War. In July 1946, she met Hermann Leo Ganter, late of the German Afrika Corps, whom she first noticed working in a hut. However, since he had looked so lonely and she was fluent in his language, she decided to speak to him, hoping to lift his spirits. After this first encounter, they saw each other regularly but because fraternisation was prohibited, their meetings were often held in secret and after dark.

Within a few short months, Ganter proposed marriage and Monica accepted. The following day, she went on her own to the local Registry Office in Wellington to buy a licence and they exchanged their vows in January 1947, with Leo dressed in civilian clothes. Thus, Monica Cann became the first Englishwoman to marry a German POW. After a brief honeymoon at The Charlton Arms Hotel, the couple returned to Donnington, although their wedding was kept hidden from the camp authorities. The pair continued to meet up covertly for night time walks until much later when Mrs Ganter revealed the truth. The reaction was far from sympathetic but though Monica was taken to court and fined, their union remained legal; the formal ban on marriage was not compelling enough to override the ceremony that had been performed at the Registry Office.

Undeterred, the army split up the couple by transferring Leo to a camp approximately 50 miles away. It was an act that was greeted with much disdain by local residents, who knew that similar liaisons had been taking place for some time.

One farm labourer told a newspaper, “It’s danged hypocritical. I reckon they brass hats knew about the goings on and winked at it so long as there was nothing official. They allus turns nasty when folks tell them things.” Meanwhile, a further six ATS women announced their intention to marry Germans and soon the issue was brought before Parliament. The pubic was strongly supportive of the Ganter’s plight and in fact, the law was changed in their favour during the summer of that year.

Five months after their wedding and on the eve of her demobilisation, Monica travelled to Sudbury in Derbyshire, where her spouse was spending his final few weeks of captivity. She is said to have covered the full 20 square miles of

June’s Lucky Winners!

Dear Tania, Thank you and Wrekin News for the tickets for “Legend of a Band”.

Dr Paul Minton’s mother is pictured playing in a wodden rocking horse made for her by German POW’s in post-war Donnington.

It was a great evening, thoroughly enjoyed by my husband and I. (He has just ordered some Moody Blues music because of it!)

Thanks again Irene Lysons

the base searching for him but did not have any success until, shortly before curfew, Leo appeared and hurried over to greet his wife. Not knowing of the planned visit, he had walked four miles to Uttoxeter in order to post a letter to her. Although their reunion was brief, Monica told the Derby Daily Telegraph that she planned to follow her husband back to Germany. “As soon as permission comes through,” she said, “I shall spend my savings on getting there as quickly as possible. We shall live at his parents’ home at Herbolzheim”, where his father was apparently the Bürgermeister (town mayor).

After being demobbed, the new Mrs Ganter returned to her own family in Bootle, Lancashire and as she waited for her passport to arrive, Leo sailed from Hull aboard the steamer, ‘Stamford Victory’, together with 1,400 other German Prisoners of War. According to reports, he secured a job as a mechanic and in due course, Monica was reunited with her husband.

It is certainly a tale to warm the heart and make you believe that love does indeed conquer all. You can imagine my disappointment, therefore, when I discovered that the marriage was short-lived and Monica had eventually travelled back to Britain alone. It’s all rather depressing really. I think I’ll go and have a cup of tea and perhaps pick up a Mills & Boon book to help restore my faith in happy endings.

EDITOR Thank you for the letter Paul, what a shame it didn’t have a happy ending for Monica and Hermann after all that they had been through. Do you have any memories, stories or pictures of any of the German POW’s who were held at Donnington or any other camps around Telford? Please do get in touch, you can email: james@plus2media.co.uk or write to me at: Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire TF1 1RY.

Congratulations to all of our prize winners from the June issue, if you didn’t win this time don’t worry there are plenty of opportunities in this issue to win some fantastic prizes!

THEATRE TICKETS

Some Guys Have All The Luck Alan Winter Rock n’ Roll Back The Years Louise Whitley, Kidderminster Ray Quinn Hilary Morris, Wrockwardine CINEMA TICKETS

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To everyone entering our July competitions! www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 19

18, 19, 20, Letters.indd 2

27/06/2016 16:20

Wrekin News has received this lovely picture from overseas reader Victoria Vickers.

Victoria now lives in Melbourne, Australia and would love to hear from anyone who can shed some more light on the people in the picture. What is known is that it was taken at The Gate at Bratton in the mid-eighties and features pupils from the Charlton School. Some of the children on the photo are believed to be German school pupils possibly

on a school exchange visit.

Victoria is pictured fourth along from the left on the back row. She can identify her friend Nicola Ridgeway and Nicola’s mother Mrs Ridgeway is also on the photo.

Can you help? Are you, or somebody you know on the picture? Please let us know. Send your letters to: Tania Baylis, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford, TF1 1RY or email: tania@plus2media.co.uk

My ‘Mr Wonderful’ Les

S

INCE I last wrote to you, I had an idea that having told you something of my life with my first husband ‘Dennis’, it was time to tell you of my second husband ‘Les’, needless to say they were totally different in every way.

By the time that I had met and married Les it was all of seventeen years further on, I was 45 and Les was 51 years of age we were married on 24th March 1974.

Now a couple of friends who lived opposite my home at that time invited me to go along with them to the Coddon Social Club in Donnington.

It proved to be a lovely evening and at a certain point my friend’s husband went off to buy some drinks and Oh yes, he came back with them plus this man, we were introduced and I realized that he was quietly spoken with gorgeous brown eyes, and as ‘they say’ it all took off from there and yes it was ‘Les’ I quickly learned that he was a member of the RAOB and attended their local functions, after which he would come down to me, where I recall some lovely hours were spent together.

I had a lovely little record -player and as I have already told you I do love romantic music

Regular correspondent Rona Harris writes with memories of how she met her late husband, her ‘Mr Wonderful’ Les

and the loving and meaningful words that went along with them.

It was on one of these occasions that something beautiful happened, were talking of our likes and dislikes in life, and right out of the blue he told me that he loved me and then asked me to marry him, well!! I was for once totally ‘gobsmacked’, and heard myself telling hm that I loved him and would love to marry him.

However, by the time we both realized what was happening, we noticed that it was daylight, so Les went to work and I got ready to get my bus to the office in Wellington.

I still felt as though I was in some sort trance and like being on top of the world.

I had this lovely quietly spoken man even finding me anything like attractive in any way, I have no illusions about myself with my plain face complete with freckles.

Now I was wondering what my lovely son Ian would say of my news, you see there had only been the two of us in my little family ever since he was born, and he was now 17 years of age, but was great about it, and both he and Les always got on fine together.

Les has two daughters “Linda and Jackie”, but it has all been great, we all got/get on fine and are still very fond of each other.

Now I am very much without him and I know that I am a much better person for having met and married and I am still loving my “Mr Wonderful Les”.

Oh yes, there are still times when I hear some of his favourite music, classical stuff like Beethoven etc., which again stirs lovely memories of him I still talk to him and have a little cry to him too, but he still is and always will be my lovely husband from until eternity.

Time has now gone by and I will write more next time.

20 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 18, 19, 20, Letters.indd 3

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27/06/2016 17:40

THE GREAT WAR

The Somme: 1st July – 18th November 1916 Remembering our 214 Wellingtonians who died in the Great War and more particularly those in this disastrous campaign

WELLINGTON WWI cvr

29/8/14

08:10

Page 1

A

F

graphic account of the courage and sacrifice endured by a small marke rural Shropshire, during t town in : The Great War. Wellin community loyally gave gton and its surrou so much in terms of manp nding ower in its support of Discover how ultimately the war effort. it paid a heavy price in terms, not only of the but a generation simply loss of life – wiped out or destroyed by long-term ill-health cataclysmic event which caused by this was labelled as the ‘War to end all Wars’.

Read detailed personal stories of local serving men – as recounted by wishing to preserve their their relatives memory and set agains t the backdrop of the partic in which they fough ular battles t and mostly sadly died, contrasted with the arrogance of the officer ignorance and s commanding the British war effort on the front directed by the mandarins line – as in Whitehall.

Read about the fascin ating story of local colleg es and schools which training courses and their offered officer direct contribution of officer material to the Most poignantly, read fighting force. about the war’s devast ating effect on local businesses in Wellington families and – as mentioned in local newspaper reports and people’s personal accou includes local nts of living through what was to become radically and permanently an event which changed the social struct ure of the town and also the legacy of which still the UK – affects us even up to the present day. Although of commitment as other typical in terms towns spread across the UK, Wellington and distric numbers reveal a story t’s casualty of stoicism and the determ ination to survive catast Read how the remem rophe. brance of its war dead and the debt of honou ultimate sacrifice was r owed to their evidenced in the town’ s many dedicated war Discover the local wartim memorials. e scandal attached to one of its biggest memorials revealed by the simple which was act of the official dedica tion ceremony and comm arguably the biggest single emoration of disaster to affect this largely rural farming community.

Chris Owen is a freelan ce writer and member of the society of autho and lives with his wife rs; an IT Graduate and son in Shropshire.

He is a local war histor other towns in Shropshire ian who is covering for this Pen & Sword series. Specialising in origins stemming from WW2 and its the Great War, he has written a logical prequ devastating conflict. el to this equally Living near Wellington for 20 years also piqued his interest in the local area devastating legacy of the Great War on what was and the once an independent indust rious town.

OLLOWING on from the ceremony marking the Battle of Jutland at the end of May, the nation will officially commemorate, in this centenary month of July, one of the most momentous campaigns of the Great War (1914 – 1918) - the Battle of fought ukthe £9.Somme, 99 $00 .00 on the Western Front in 1916. Two years intousthe conflict the Jacket Design: allies and the Germans had fought each other to a stalemate Jon Wilkinson and were now dug into their respective trenches. The Somme campaign was a combined British and French attempt to breakthrough the German lines and surround the north-western ports of Neuiville and Ostend, Belgium fifty miles away, which the Germans were using as submarine bases from which to harass allied shipping. Strategic planning and co-ordination was handled by Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig’s office as CIC of The BEF. (This was a large-scale Allied offensive launched on 1 July against the German Front Line astride the Somme River in North-west France. The British Army attacked north of the river, the French Army attacked south of the river. These grueling battles were fought over four and a half months and were carried out in several phases with many thousands of casualties on both sides of the wire – for the net result of exactly 7 miles captured enemy territory.)

Wrekin News marks this event by recalling some of the stories of those Wellingtonians who fought and those who died in The Great War as told

www.p e n - a n d - s w

to local author and historian Chris Owen by the local relatives of these brave servicemen in his forthcoming book.

Chris takes up the story - ‘I was originally commissioned by my publishers Pen and Sword Books to write about Wellington in the Great War. My request for stories about serving relatives seemed a little forlorn at first when I made my appeal through the pages of the Wrekin News back in 2013. Given the relative antiquity of the period I was interested in, I was a little pessimistic about the anticipated response but was pleasantly surprised by the calibre of the material submitted. Many local relatives and also institutions were prepared to disclose some heart-wrenching war biographies from their own lovingly preserved and cherished family records and official archives. (A few sample extracts of those pertinent to the Somme are featured here and with many others included in the book - some disclosed publicly for the first time.’)

o rd .co.uk

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE WWI TITLES FROM PEN & SWORD

Double tragedy for Wellington woman The first extract involves the tragic tale of a woman who married twice, to local men,only to lose both husbands successively to the Great War - leaving her to raise a total of four children alone. Mrs Emily Harris of 82, Park Street, married Private Samuel Harris, 5th Battalion, KSLI, a career soldier, just before the outbreak of the war. He was killed in action during the Somme campaign at the Battle of Delville Wood, 24th August, 1916, aged 34.

(She subsequently married Private George Herbert Mansfield, 2nd Battalion of TheRoyal Bedfordshire Regiment, who was killed in action in France on 24th October 1918 -aged 29. Both men are recorded on the main Lych Gate memorial at All Saints Church,Wellington.)

(Details supplied and reproduced by kind permission of the Wedge family, of Dothill.)

22 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 22, 23 Chris Owen.indd 1

27/06/2016 15:58

WELLINGTON WWI cvr

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08:10

Page 1

WIN A COPY OF THE BOOK A

graphic account of the courage and sacrifice endured by a small market rural Shropshire, during: town in The Great War. Wellingto community loyally gave n and its surrounding so much in terms of manpow er in its support of the Discover how ultimatel war effort. y it paid a heavy price in terms, not only of the but a generation simply loss of life – wiped out or destroyed by long-term ill-health cataclysmic event which caused by this was labelled as the ‘War to end all Wars’.

Read detailed personal stories of local serving men – as recounted by wishing to preserve their their relatives memory and set against the backdrop of the particula in which they fought and mostly sadly died, r battles contrasted with the arrogance of the officers ignorance and commanding the British war effort on the front directed by the mandarin line – as s in Whitehall.

Read about the fascinatin g story of local colleges and schools which offered training courses and their officer direct contribution of officer material to the Most poignantly, read fighting force. about the war’s devastati ng effect on local families businesses in Wellingto n – as mentioned in local and newspaper reports and people’s personal accounts includes local of living through what was to become an event radically and permanen tly changed the social which structure of the town the legacy of which still and also the UK – affects us even up to the present day. Although of commitment as other typical in terms towns spread across the UK, Wellington and district’s numbers reveal a story of stoicism and the determin casualty ation to survive catastrop Read how the remembr he. ance of its war dead and the debt of honour owed ultimate sacrifice was evidenced in the town’s to their many dedicated war memoria Discover the local wartime ls. scandal attached to one of its biggest memoria revealed by the simple ls which was act of the official dedicatio n ceremony and commem arguably the biggest single oration of disaster to affect this largely rural farming commun ity.

Chris Owen is a freelance writer and member of the society of authors; and lives with his wife an IT Graduate and son in Shropshire.

He is a local war historian other towns in Shropshi who is covering re for this Pen & Sword series. Specialising in origins stemming from WW2 and its the Great War, he has written a logical prequel devastating conflict. to this equally Living near Wellington for 20 years also piqued his interest in the local devastating legacy of the area and the Great War on what was once an independent industrio us town.

To win a signed copy of Chris’s book send in your postal entry marked: ‘Wellington in the Great War’ supplying your name, address and daytime telephone number details to: Tania Baylis, Wrekin News, at the usual address (see page 2) you can also email your entry to: tania@plus2media.co.uk. The winner will be the first drawn from the hat. Wrekin News standard terms and conditions apply (Please allow 30 days for postal receipt of prize).

uk £9.9 9

us $00.0 0 Jacket Design: Jon Wilkinson

Sir John Bayley’s personal tragedy The next story involves a local landmark – Wrekin College (known at the time as Wellington College). Its founder Sir John Bayley had a housekeeper, called Mrs Hodgson whose son Stuart, enlisted in the Great War, although technically under age, after graduating from the college’s own Officer Training Corps (OTC). His rank was 2nd Lieutenant, in the Yorks and Lancaster Regiment. He was killed in action in France on 12th October 1916 – aged 18.

For such a young man his war service was exemplary; bravely leading his men from the front and dying of wounds received during the Somme campaign. On receipt of the news Sir John was grief-stricken having regarded Stuart as the fostered son he never had and was moved to record his feelings in the Wellington (Wrekin) college magazine.

(Details supplied and reproduced by kind permission of Mervyn Joiner – Chief Archivist,Wrekin College)

Wellington in the Great War

These are only a few details of the fascinating stories of our Wellingtonians and their part in the Great War as told by Chris Owen in his book – ‘Wellington in the Great War ‘(Part of their series: ‘Towns and Cities in the Great War’) published end of July by Pen and Sword Books Ltd., - price £12.99 available in most good book-stores.

www.p e n - a n d - s w

o rd .co.uk

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE WWI TITLES FROM PEN & SWORD

Haig: A much maligned leader – or national hero?

Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Forces (BEF) in 1916, was dubbed the ‘Butcher of the Somme’ because of the appalling casualties suffered by the allied forces and more specifically the British Army, in this disastrous campaign. BEF Statistics show that out of 58,000 casualties suffered on the first day alone: 20,000 lay dead in the field and the rest were either wounded, captured or missing presumed dead. This was to be recorded as the single worst day in the history of the British Army - and remains so to this date.

BEF casualties overall totalled 419,654 of which 127,641 were fatalities (including our lost Wellingtonians) recorded between July and November 1916.

The full casualty list for the Somme campaign will never be known but the walls of the Edmund Lutyens-designed memorial erected at Thiepval war-graves cemetery in France, list the names of over 72,000 BEF soldiers recorded as: missing in action - with no known grave. Ironically, Haig was also to command some of the most successful campaigns ever fought by the BEF on the Western Front in 1918.

The measure of the man lies somewhere between these two extremes of leadership. To be

fair, no officer on either side was truly prepared for the very first worldwide war of the modern era. No military personnel had ever experienced such a scale of mechanised slaughter as that prevalent on the Western Front.

Appalling statistics came to typify the Great War as it was common for casualties in single battles to be counted in their tens of thousands.

Although heir to the eponymous whisky fortune, Haig was a deeply religious man. He was to further demonstrate his compassion for his men by setting up the Haig Fund to care for exservicemen after the war. On his death in 1928 he was hailed as a national hero but within ten years his reputation had been mostly discredited.

After its own inauguration in the early twenties the Royal British Legion took over Haig’s charity and funded it by selling poppies annually.

It still raises thousands for servicemen’s causes today so when you buy your poppy for Armistice Day remember our 214 lost Wellingtonians and wear it with pride.

Remember too all the other men and women who served our country in the Great War and later conflicts only to return injured sometimes permanently; or else never came home at all.

www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 23

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AS FEATURED in the BBC TV documentary “The Joy of the Guitar Riff”, Purple Zeppelin are proud to pay tribute to the two greatest Rock Bands of all time, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin – Together on the same bill for the very first time!!!

Whether you were lucky enough to have seen the original bands live or not, Purple Zeppelin will take you back to the magic, the excitement and the sheer raw energy generated by those incredible musicians.

In a “full on” two and a half hour show complete with costume changes for each band, you’ll hear more than 30 classic songs – basically THE BEST BITS, ALL OF THE TIME! Come and experience the excitement of Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin in one mesmerising show!

WIN THEATRE TICKETS Wrekin News has teamed up with The Place to offer one lucky reader a pair of tickets to see PURPLE ZEPPELIN. All you have to do to enter is send your name and daytime telephone number to: Tania Baylis, SOME GUYS, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY or email your entry to: tania@plus2media.co.uk GOOD LUCK!

24 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 24, 25 Entertainment.indd 1

LIVE MUSIC TICKETS! TO WIN 27/06/2016 16:01

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Odeon, Telford General Manager Carl Fletcher welcomes you to 10 screens of film magic screening stunning RealD 3D. You can treat yourself to an exclusive entertainment experience with our Premier seats, cafe culture at Costa or icy indulgences at Ben & Jerry’s. Parking is available at the cinema for the perfect spot!

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The humans behind ‘Despicable Me’ take it upon themselves to reveal ‘The Secret Life Of Pets’ and show us what our animals get up to when we leave the house.

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Featuring the voices of Louis C.K., Kevin Hart and Lake Bell, come and learn about ‘The Secret Life Of Pets’. You’ll never look at your dog the same way again.

Ghostbusters (TBC)

Have you heard about our family summer super-deal?

It’s just £25 for a family of 4 or £21 for a family of 3.

Super Ticket offer!

FIVE PAIRS OF TICKETS TO BE WON!

There’s something strange in the neighbourhood. When people start seeing ghosts all over New York City, they need heroes to save them. Who they gonna call? ‘Ghostbusters’!

Abby is an expert on the paranormal.

Erin is a doctor of quantum physics.

Holtzmann is a brilliant, albeit unstable, engineer. And Patty knows New York back to front. It’s up to them to save the city from this ectoplasmic infestation.

When you’re bringing back a franchise as beloved as ‘Ghostbusters’, who you gonna call? Paul Feig, Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig seem like good choices!

24, 25 Entertainment.indd 2

Plus both ticket bundles come with food and drink for everyone!

Our £25 deal includes: 4x Standard 2D Tickets 1x Regular Popcorn 2x Regular Drinks 2x Kids Popcorn 2x Kids Drink 2x Kids Snack

Our £21 deal includes: 3x Standard 2D Tickets 1x Regular Popcorn 1x Regular Drinks 2x Kids Popcorn 2x Kids Drink 2x Kids Snack

Please note this promotion will be live from the 24th June 2016 and ends on the 8th September 2016.

WIN CINEMA TICKETS

s teamed up with Wrekin News ha a, Telford to offer the Odeon Cinem d a pair of standar s er ad re FIVE lucky choice. ur yo of lm fi a cinema tickets to ne me and telepho Just send your na Wrekin s, yli Ba nia Ta contact to: , kets, Bridge Road News, Odeon Tic : ail em or Y rd TF1 1R Wellington, Telfo .uk co ia. ed m s2 tania@plu

WIN CINEMA TICKETS

Wrekin News ha s teamed up with the Odeon Cinema, Telford to offer on e lucky reader a pa ir of Odeon Silve r Screen Cinema tickets to a film of your choice. Just send your name and telephone conta ct to: Tania Bayli s, Wrekin News, Od eon Silver Screen Tickets, Bridge Ro ad, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY or email: tania@plus2med ia.co.uk

27/06/2016 16:01

The Wrekin

July 2016

Diary Saturday 2 July Wrockwardine Church Fete An old fashioned village fete with stalls, games and activities including bouncy castle, exotic zoo, Little Fishes activities table, tombola, barbecue and refreshments.

1-5pm Church Farm Guest House, Wrockwardine. Admission £1 (children free). Email…

Laurahendy129@gmail.com

Thursday 7 till Saturday 9 July A Slice Of Saturday Night This musical comedy by The Heather Brothers will take you spinning back to the singing sixties. 7:30pm, The Belfrey Arts Centre, Princes St. Tickets £6/£5 from www.belfreytheatre.com.

Friday 8 & Saturday 9 July Annual Arts Exhibition Exhibition of work by artists.

Refreshments available.

10am-4pm, Wellington Methodist Church.

Saturday 10 July Lions Day On Wheels A display of all things wheeled, from classic cars to large trucks, bicycles to tanks. Expect charity and craft stalls, amusements, hot food, tea room and arena events all day. 11am – 4pm, Bowring Park, Wellington; FREE entry www.telfordlions.org Friday 15 July Lunchtime Organ Concert series: Micheal Davey & Simon Platford (trumpet) The performance will last for 40 minutes. Refreshments available, Bring lunch. Collection for shrops Air Ambulance. 12.30 for 1pm srart, Wellinton Methodist Church Saturday 16 July Sound in The Square: The Bandicoots Enloy a potted history from Newth, Jonathan Wysome and friends. 11am – 1pm, Market Square.

Saturday 23 July Sounds in The Square: The Telfordaires July’s Makers’ Market gets a musical accompaniment from Barnstorming barbershop choir The Telfordaires. 11am – 1pm, Market square.

Thursday 28 July Big Picnic at Hoo Farm A special picnic to celebrate 150 years of Beatrix Potter, alongside real life ‘Beatrix’ animals & local authors.

10am – 5.30pm, Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom, near Wellington. See www. hoofarm.com for details.

Saturday 30 July Back To The Sixties Join the traders of Wellington Market as they turn back the clock with music and fashion from the swinging decade-50 years to the day since England’s 1966 World Cup victory! All day, Market Hall & Market Yard, off Market St. Sunday 10 July Dawley Quiz Night Starts at 8.30pm and runs on the second Sunday of each month. £1 per person to take part in terms of up to 5 people. Elephant and castle, Dawley.

Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 July Den Building Come and build a den at Hawkstone Park Follies Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 July Costford Food Festival Following the success of the last two events, which have seen more than 15,000 people attend, around 80 exhibitors from across shropshire, Staffordshire and west midlands will be tempting visitors with a wide range of exquisite local, fresh and handmade produce at the festival.

RAF Costford Museum. TEL 01952 376200 Adult £5 Child £2 (5 – 15) Family £12 (2 adults & up to 4 children) Concession £4

Friday 29 July Butterfly Bonanza Learn all about these lovely insects.

Track their life cycle and discover how they Change from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly! Using butterfly nets see if you can catch one of these creatures. Make your own butterfly feeder to take home and mix up some food for them to enjoy. 10:00 till 12:00 Children £3.50

Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd - Degeneration Punk & Ska Festival Friday 8th - The Words

Saturday 9th - AC/DC tribute Whole Lotta DC Thursday 14th - Damaged Gods Thursday 21st - The Soap Girls & Fred Larkinsen and the Legitimates Saturday 23rd - Steel Monkey Saturday 30th - Adrenalize

UT! ’T MISS O

Saturday 9 July NEWPORT SHOW The annual agricultural show, Newport Show, now in its 107th year offers a varied programme of family entertainment. From livestock and horse competitions to horticulture and craft fairs. The event promises to be a fantastic family day out!

Chetwynd deer Park, Tel 01952 810814 Friday 15 till Sat 16 July Much Wenlock annual FESTIVAL AT THE EDGE now in its 25th year.

International story tellers, live music, comedy and related arts. A family friendly event visit the Edge website for details. Tel 07544044126 Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July IRONBRIDGE BRASS BAND FESTIVAL Free family event on the green at Coalbrookdale Museum of iron.

Sat; 10.25am till 5.30 Sun; 10.25am till 6.30 Bar drinks and light refreshments available.

Win a meal for two! *

Wrekin News has teamed up with our friends at Carriages Restaurant at the Station Hotel to offer one lucky reader a meal for two.

For your chance to win this great prize and enjoy a lovely meal in fantastic surroundings email your entry to: tania@ plus2media.co.uk.

DON

26 HAYGATE RD, WELLINGTON, TELFORD, TF1 1QA - 01952 247333 FACEBOOK.COM/THEHAYGATE

THE

WIN TICKETS TO

Saturday 16 July CARNIVAL OF THE GIANTS Come along to Telford Town Park and enjoy an amazing array of GIANT creatures. There will be performances, sports activites, a mini fair, dressing up box, not forgetting the GIANT picnic chair. FREE event.

If you would like to feature your event, gig or function in The Wrekin Diary for August please call Tania on 01952 522562 or email: tania@plus2media.co.uk

JULY 2016

Ticket JUST

*Terms and conditions apply

Trucking Life Shropshire (formerly The Shropshire Truck Show) at Oswestry Showground this September looks set to fulfil its promise of bringing the best of trucking to life with a whole host of attractions in store for visitors.

Hundreds of trucks will be on display at the show including American big rigs, painted super trucks, gleaming fleet displays, vintage, veteran and classic trucks plus many more additions.

Other attractions lined up for Trucking Live Shropshire include a funfair, model display and the Action Arena with Backdraft Wheelie Firetruck - A massive 20 ton Fire Engine that thinks it’s a wheelie bike and Kangaroo Kid Quad Stunt Man - the world class stuntman from the Gold Coast, Australia. Plus there will be two very special celebrity guests who will be announced soon!

As always there will also be a variety of trade stands where the regions leading dealerships will be on-site presenting their latest trucks with an unbeatable variety of vehicles on show. The trade area will also house a vast range of a trade stands from up and down the country selling and promoting all kinds of truck products, accessories, services, gifts and more.

General adult day admission costs just £10 and children £5.00 (when you book in advance).

Alternatively weekend camping passes are available for just £45.

For more information and ticket booking visit www.truckinglive. co.uk.

Win tickets to Trucking Live!

5

FAMILY TICKETS TO BE WON!

Wrekin News has five family tickets to give-a-way to lucky readers for the Trucking Live Shropshire Show!

To enter the competition please send your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Wrekin News, Trucking Live, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY or email your details to: tania@plus2media.co.uk

Telford Stamp, Card and Coin Fair Telford Stamp, Card and Coin Fair, Saturday 8 October, 2016, Belmont Hall, Wellington Centre, Telford, TF1 1LU, 10am to 3pm, free entry, good range of stalls, free valuations, buy and sell, home made refreshments.

Free adjacent car park, train station close by, bus via Telford Centre to nearby local bus station.

Further details from Bob Hemmings, Tel: 01694 720192. (Tables may be available.)

26 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 26, 27 Just the Ticket.indd 1

27/06/2016 19:18

t Get Ouwith t & Abourekin the W s New

To advertise in

JUST THE TICKET

Shropshire Horticultural Society Charity Number: 501564

Please call Irene on 01952 522562 or email irene@plus2med ia.co.uk

Win a pair of tickets to the Flower Show Wrekin News has teamed up with the Shrewsbury Flower Show to offer one lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets for the show! All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning the tickets is send your name and daytime telephone contact details to Wrekin News Flower Show Tickets, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY or email your entry to: tania@plus2media.co.uk

Annual Arleston Memories Show Arleston will once again be holding its annual show this year on the 24 of September. The theme will be Arleston through the early years. We would ask anyone who can give us help with their memories of Arleston, their school days what they did during their schooldays and their pursuits and hobbies.

Development of housing and memories of the old shops that served the area of Arleston. In fact anything from the old days that visitors will be interested to learn about - including adjacent areas around Arleston.

The event will be held at the Arleston Centre, Kingsland on the Saturday 24 September from 10.30am until 3pm with free admission and free refreshments.

All are welcome we would like anyone with a contribution of any sort for display be it written memories, photographs, artefacts etc to let us know before 10 September. Telephone Roy Corbett on 01952 247149 Dave and Gill Barnett on 01952 244922, Rob Maddox on 01952 401850 or Councillor Angela McClements 01952 380212.

We have had some great shows so wherever you are from you will be made very welcome, perhaps meet some old school friends bring along your football memories and we look forward to seeing you all.

Best wishes Dave Barnett.

Friday 12th & Saturday 13th August 2016

Flowers, Fireworks & Fun for all the Family Performances by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Musical Ride Friday Evening

Celebrity Gardener

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Sarah Raven

Celebrity Chef

Saturday Evening

Gizzi Erskine

The Christians

Call us on: 01743 234050 or visit www.shrewsburyflowershow.org.uk

Shape your special day in rural Shropshire charm From field and farm festival weddings to trips and marquees.

From country house comforts to stately home grandeur-we’ve got it all in four square miles of Shropshire!

In the heart of Shropshire yet ten minuets from the M54, come along on Sunday 10 July and dicover your perfect venue. Whatever your dream day looks like we can advise, help and plan the perfect wedding that reflects your unique relationship.

At The Wroxeter Hotel we have an array of innovative and on trend all inclusive packages from just £1,999 including winter wonderland, vintage venus,

woodland, fabulous fall and many more.

Leighton Hall is a spectacular stately home available for just 12 weddings a year with views of the river severn and glorious Shropshire countryside.

And our newesr addition is Morrells Wood Farm, a genuine working farm complete with rustic wedding barn, cow sheds and events field all overlooking the landmark Wrekin.

So weather you’re looking for stately home grandeur, country house comforts and styling festival chic or rural Shropshire charm on Sunday 10 July and find out how we can help shape your special day.

www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 27

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27/06/2016 19:19

Ticket JUST

THE

t Get Ouwith t & Abourekin the W s New

Midsummer Fayre joy for Wellington

To advertise in

JUST THE TICKET

Please call Irene on 01952 522562 or email irene@plus2med ia.co.uk

Enjoy a Victorian Summer of Fun

Blists Hill Victorian Town; 23rd July 4th September

The night before the Midsummer Fayre, the weather forecast was looking grim – rain every hour throughout the duration of the event. When it came to it, we didn’t get a drop – perhaps after last year’s downpour, we were due some good fortune. Market stalls filled the churchyard – more than we’ve ever had before – and musicians and street entertainers kept the crowds smiling. We were grateful as always to the Belfrey Theatre for loanig us some of their amazing costumes, to our friends at All Saints Church who opened their doors and invited the town inside, and to the Town Council and Market Company for helping us fund the event for the ninth year running.

Rob Francis, Wellington H2A www.wellingtonsoup.org

Annual Marquee Summer Ball Wellington Cricket Club presents their annual Marquee Summer Ball on Saturday 16 July.

There will be drinks and canapes on arrival followed by a three course meal.

Guests will be entertained by a DJ and there will be live music from The Travellers Barber Shop Quartet and local band Fruit Machine.

There will also be a raffle and auction on the

night with some fantastic prizes to be won.

Dress code for the ball is Black Tie and Cocktail dresses. The evening starts at 7pm for 7.30 with carriages at 12.30am.

Tickets cost £50 and can be purchased from Matt Earley on 07792 966561 or Kaye Simmonds on 07860 717227. You can also email enquiries to: events@wellingtoncc.co.uk

Join the residents of Blists Hill Victorian Town, near Ironbridge this summer between 23rd July and 4th September as they host a great variety of traditional activities, fun family events and three spectacular themed weekends.

Over the weekend of 30th and 31st July Blists Hill is recreating the atmosphere of a traditional Victorian Country Fair. Go along and play traditional games on The Green with the Town’s residents, watch demonstrations, and be entertained by the Prince Albert Players. Working horse demonstrations will take place throughout the weekend and you can enter your four-legged friend in the daily fun Dog Show.

Discover how the Victorians harnessed steam to power their engines and other machines over the weekend of 20th and 21st August, when Blists Hill will be ‘In Steam’.

The outdoor museum will be displaying its own eclectic collection of steam powered machines, which will be in their full working splendour. Then over the Bank Holiday weekend of 27th – 29th August, you can join the townsfolk as they celebrate a traditional gypsy wedding. See the elaborate gypsy waggons on The Green, watch the recreated ceremony at 2.30pm each day and then join in the fun and merriment.

Open 10am to 5pm Blists Hill is one of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums. A great value Annual Passport Ticket allowing unlimited entry into all ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums costs £25 per adult, £20 for seniors, £15 for children under 18, £68 for a family of two adults and all their children and £50 for a family with one adult; under 5s free (terms and conditions apply); Passports can also be bought online in advance saving 10% and individual entry tickets are available at each museum. Activities and workshops vary dayto-day and some carry an extra charge.

For further information call the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk.

28 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 28 Just the Ticket.indd 1

27/06/2016 16:07

Events CALEN Calendar EVENTS DAR

To Book

If you would like to join us at any of our events, please contact us to reserve your space. Booking is essential for paid events.

01952 641821 sales@buckatreehallhotel.com www.buckatreehallhotel.com

Buckatree Hall Hotel Buckatree Hall Hotel FP.indd 1

The Wrekin, Telford, Shropshire, TF6 5AL Email: sales@buckatreehallhotel.com

Tel: 01952 641821 27/06/2016 19:28

Surfing, sightseeing . . . and a taste of Rick Stein’s restaurant two-course meal on a very small budget.

“I was so impressed with the finished dishes,” she said. “The students were professional and created very tasty meals which would have not been out of place on our restaurant’s menu.

“I am immensely proud of the students and their willingness to get involved in all aspects of this trip.

They have represented the college in such a positive light, and have grown in confidence as a result.”

The Orange Tree restaurant at TCAT is open to the public every Friday lunchtime during term-time from noon to 1.30pm. To reserve a table, call 01952 642477.

To find out more about TCAT’s range of catering and hospitality courses, call Sue Hayward on 01952 642537 or see www.tcat.ac.uk 16:49:03

A group of TCAT students have returned from a fun-packed and confidence-boosting educational visit to Cornwall.

The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management students packed a lot into their four-day trip, visiting top tourist location The Eden Project, and enjoying a half day of surfing and body boarding on the Cornish coast.

They also stopped off in the beautiful fishing town of Padstow where they had the opportunity to visit celebrity chef Rick Stein’s fish restaurant for a behind-the-scenes chat with sous chef Dan Hine.

Sue Hayward, Catering & Hospitality Coordinator at TCAT, said the two groups of students showcased their creative cookery skills in a live ‘cook-off’ when they were challenged to create a

EXPRESS ONE HOUR DENTURE REPAIRS RE-LINES/ADDITIONS/COPY DENTURES

27 WEST CASTLE ST, BRIDGNORTH, WV16 4AD

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Out for lunch with Age UK Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin are delighted to announce the launch of three new lunch clubs in Telford for people aged 60 years and over.

Lunch clubs meet once a month on the same day around midday to enjoy a twocourse traditional meal consisting of a main course and dessert with tea or coffee for a reduced price.

The Barley in Newport, Wyevale Garden Centre in Donnington and the Fallowfields in Hortonwood have all signed up to the scheme and organisers are now looking for new members to join.

Age UK are also looking for volunteer organisers to liaise with existing and new members, take member food orders, and to be a welcoming friendly host.

For further details on joining a lunch club or volunteering please contact Age UK STW in Telford on 01952 201803, email diane.douglas@ageukstw.org.uk or visit the website www.ageukshropshireandtelford.org.uk

Independence and peace of mind at the touch of a button C

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To book a FREE home demonstration please call 01952 217151 www.watchalarms.co.uk 30 Community.indd 1

27/06/2016 17:11

Care provider recognised for it’s commitment to staff

S

HROPSHIRE’S largest care provider is celebrating after retaining the prestigious Investors in People award following a rigorous assessment process.

Coverage Care, which runs 14 homes in the county on a not for profit basis including four in Telford, has held the standard that recognises organisations for their investment and commitment to their workforce continuously since 2001. It has now been recognised for a further three years.

Coverage Care employs more than 1,000 people in a range of roles from caring to administration at its homes in Shrewsbury, Telford, Newport, Whitchurch, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Bishops Castle as well as its regional office.

David Coull, Chief Executive of Coverage Care, said retaining the status was testament to the company’s commitment to the meaningful and directed development of its staff.

“Our most important asset is our staff and we are committed to helping them focus every effort on supporting those people in need of our care and thereby to develop their careers should they wish,” he said.

“Our staff make a real difference to the lives of the people we support, providing the excellent standard of care for which we are well known. As

an organisation, we are determined to provide a framework that helps them achieve the best they can and the Investors in People accreditation is external validation that we are successfully meeting that aim.”

To achieve the Investors in People standard, employers have to demonstrate how it leads, supports and improves its workforce, meeting nine key indicators in areas such as leading and inspiring, managing performance and creating sustainable success.

The organisation had to demonstrate that it satisfied 37 mandatory evidence requirements in a rigorous assessment that reflected the latest workplace trends, essential skills and effective structures to demonstrate it is a leader in its field. The internationally recognised accolade is only awarded to 14,000 organisations across the world.

Coverage Care has a dedicated in-house training team that provides mandatory and regulatory training as well as a full range of skill specific training tailored to staff requirements.

It also offers leader development programmes, regular staff reviews and runs a monthly award scheme to reward outstanding employees.

Coverage Care runs Briarfields, Barleyfield House, Coton Hill House and Crowmoor House in Shrewsbury, Barclay Gardens, Chillcott Gardens, Farcroft and Lightmoor View in Telford, The

Chief Executive of Covera ge Care David Coull and trai ning officer Steph Lewis with the Investors in People certifi cate.

Cottage Christian Nursing Centre in Newport, Greenfields in Whitchurch, Woodcroft in Market Drayton, Fairholme in Oswestry, Innage Grange in Bridgnorth and Stone House in Bishops Castle.

Montgomery House, a new purpose built 90bed facility, will open later this year in Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury, and will act as a replacement for Crowmoor House.

Discover near you

Making care a positive and rewarding choice Coverage Care – a not for profit, multi award winning organisation with care services throughout the region – improving the lives of those using our services by providing quality, innovative and inclusive care that respects the individual.

locations to feel at home.

Lightmoor View Telford Tel: 01952 432 412

Barclay Gardens Donnington Tel: 01952 605 321

Farcroft Wellington Tel: 01952 223 447

Cottage Christian Newport Tel: 01952 825 557 www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 31

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25/06/2016 13:18

Love Food

NEW

Food Festival for Telford

I

N A region renowned globally for its great food, Telford has sometimes been regarded as the poor relation, but Buildwas based event company Shropshire Festivals is hoping to change all that, with the first TELFOOD FESTIVAL taking place at Southwater’s outdoor QEII arena on 30 and 31 July.

More than 130 of the best local producers will be joined by nearly a dozen top regional chefs, including Suree Coates from Brosley’s King and Thai. Not only has she been named the UK’s best Curry and best Thai Chefs, her restaurant has just been named best in the region and is listed in the prestigious Good Food Guide.

Also on the bill is Stuart Phillips from The Hundred House, Norton, winner of a latetooms. com Best Kept Secrets Award and Lesley Keever and Abbi Lycett from The Grove in Walcot, currently number one on Tripadvisor for places to eat in Telford. More names will be announced soon.

There are also loads of great producers joining the event including top farm shops Greenfields and Apley Farm; Telford based Shropshire Ice cream, Haughton Honey, Powells Pies from Whitchurch and locals Natural Game.

They will be joined by a number of food vendors, with visitors able to try everything from

30 & 31 July

African dishes to French food served out of a converted horsebox, while Ironbridge Catering will be bringing along their BIG American school bus for the weekend.

With its industrial heritage and ‘new town’ label, Telford has always been seen as a place of innovative and forward thinking and it’s an approach that the organisers of the festival have kept very much in mind. There will be a whole section of the festival and talks dedicated to ‘free from’ foods. Gone are the days when this category covered Gluten free and was seen as a lifestyle choice.

With many of us placing more emphasis on the health benefits of food, Telfood will be looking at sugar free, dairy free and vegan too.

Beth Heath from Shropshire Festivals said: “This is the first time that Telford has staged an event like this so we do hope people come and support it. Some producers and chefs will be familiar to people but there are plenty of new discoveries to make too.”

In addition to the exhibitors, talks and demonstrations there will be fun, food related activities for children.

For your chance to win a family ticket to the Telfood Tickets are available now and can be Feastival please send a postcard to the usual addresss purchased www.telfood.co.uk. Adults £5.00, (see page 2 for details) or email your entry to: tania@ children £1.00 or £10.00 for a family.

Win a Family Ticket to the very first Telfood Feastival!

Passionate local brewery We are a local brewery passionate about our craft and provenance.

With 20 years of brewing under our hat (or what we call our coke) we have created a fine range of award-winning beers which proudly sit under the Hobsons name. Our recipe of combining the very best locally sourced ingredients and traditional brewing techniques is given a modern twist with the use of green sustainable technologies in all areas of the brewery.

We stand by an ethos of supporting our region, its people and its resources. We have secured our core ingredients from nearby farms, with contracted growers to supply Maris Otter malting barley and over 80% of the hops used are grown seven miles from the brewery.

Hobsons is committed to supporting its community, we pull together in organising all kinds of events, have set up a pub cricket league, championed local causes and promoted special charity beers.

Slow roast local meats with french flavour served from a vintage horse trailer

Cheers To award-winning ales from Shropshire brewer Hobsons

www.hobsons-brewery.co.uk

@lagrandeviande Start eating more fresh produce today!

Have a “veggie box” delivered FREE to your doorstep

FIRST BOX ½ PRICE Donnington Shop

01952 677 345

www.greenfieldsonline.co.uk

plus2media.co.uk please remember to include your address and daytime telephone number.

Award winning hand-made Patchwork was established in 1982 by Margaret Carter, a talented, although untrained, home cook. Patchwork’s product range includes not only paté but chutneys, relishes, hummus and spelt biscuits. All products are still hand-made in small batches, without artificial colouring, additives or preservatives, to Margaret’s original recipes and to date the company has won over 80 taste awards including the prestigious Best Welsh Speciality Golden Fork award in The Great Taste Awards 2014.

Family bakers and confectioners since 1863

Telephone 01824 705832

Tel: 07814 431306 High Street Tettenhall Wolverhampton

Paté, chutneys, relishes, hummus and spelt biscuits

2 High Street, Shrewsbury SY1 1SP

info@patchwork www.patchwork-pate.co.uk

01743 236 751

32 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 32 Food Festival.indd 1

27/06/2016 16:28

Love Food Food preferences develop before birth Professor Ralph Early is head of the Department of Food Science and Agri-Food Supply Chain Management in Harper Adams University, Food Sector Champion for the Telford Business Board, a Council Member of the Food Ethics Council, and a member of the Guild of Food Writers.

L

AST month’s article highlighted the growing problem of diet related health in Telford and made the point that food habits formed in childhood are extremely resistant to change. If Telford’s food and diet problems are to be resolved an obvious place to start is by changing the way children eat and what they eat. For adults it’s also not too late to improve eating habits, but a clear desire to change and lashings of will power will often be necessary. Simple modifications to the diets of children and adults can enhance the lives of both, and for children this can increase their chances of living long and healthy lives.

Currently the diets of many children in the UK are so energy rich and nutrient poor it is estimated that their average life expectancy due to diet related disease may be some 9 years less than their parents.

Clearly, as a nation, we have a big problem with our diet, but what brought us to this? A large part of the answer is that we imported poor dietary practice from the USA. American-style takeaway is playing a major part in undermining our understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet and is increasingly displacing healthy meals prepared in the home. Additionally we are willing to spend good money to buy time to sit in front of the TV stacking up the calories while we eat supermarket convenience foods and ready meals that save us from cooking and prevent children from learning about good, healthy food. Are we daft?

It is often said that there is no such thing as bad food, only bad diets. Research is showing however that confectionery, snack-foods and fast-foods, the so-called junk foods, do have addictive powers and are particularly influential in forming the food habits of children. Just as some farm animal feeds are formulated with flavours to encourage rapid consumption and weight gain which is good for market prices, so junk food manufacturers work to create foodstuffs with flavours that are irresistible.

But consume too much too often and in the long run your health will pay the price.

All too easily junk foods have become part of our nation’s standard diet, forcing out healthier foodstuffs and causing the creation of unhealthy eating practices. And kids that get a liking for burgers, pizzas, doughnuts coated with sugar and canned sodas frequently end up getting fat.

This in turn is threatening an unmanageable and financially unsustainable drain on our country’s health and social services. So, if change is necessary, as it surely is, where do we start?

For many with diet and health issues today

@ProfRalphEarly

their problems may have started before birth.

Our inclinations for foodstuffs begin to develop in the womb. The foods that pregnant women eat influence the taste preferences of their children in later life. So, an expectant mother who likes pickled onions may condition her child to favour these delicacies. Similarly, a child that shows interest in cheeseburgers may have developed a liking for such prior to birth, because mum regularly tucked into them during shopping trips.

Improving the diet of a family has to start with mothers taking care of their own diet before their children are born. Just as doctors advise expectant mothers to exclude alcohol, they would also be well advised also to reject junk food. If their children can then be born without preconditioned desires for these foods there is more chance they will accept healthy foods and meals when offered at the dinner table.

In the last article in this series on diet and health we will look at how to create meals that can appeal to children and which, importantly, are healthy and cost-effective.

by

Professor Ralph Early

Buckatree Hall Hotel

Tel: 01952 641 821 Nestled inside The Holiday Inn, The Olive Tree is the perfect dining choice.

Enjoy the finest, locally sourced food, prepared by our talented Chef and his team.

Come and discover the best kept secret in Telford.

To book, please call 01952 527319 The Olive Tree Restaurant Holiday Inn Telford – Ironbridge, St Quentin Gate Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4EH

Sunday Lunch Fantastic Value

£13.95 3 Courses

THE WREKIN, TELFORD, SHROPSHIRE, TF6 5AL Email: reception@buckatreehallhotel.com www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 33

33 Ralph Early.indd 1

27/06/2016 16:32

DUTTERS EATS WELL Inspirational, simple & delicious food to fuel your body without spending all your paypacket

the tipple!

by Laura Dutfield

Curry in a hurry anyone?

People have been asking me for recipes to use which contain these amazing super food spices.

I’ve made it a few times, and road tested it on various groups of friends and family, with the the overriding vote of authentic and delicious.

It’s a light and healthy chicken and spinach balti, which I serve with a spiced cauliflower rice.

Give it a whirl and let me know how it turns out.

by

Sue Ladds

W hy not try . . .

Chicken & Spinach Balti Ingredients

Serves

2

For the marinade

For the curry

1in piece fresh ginger, peeled 2 garlic cloves, peeled ¼ tsp salt 1 lime, juice only ½ tsp ground coriander ½ tsp chilli powder ½ tsp ground turmeric ½ tsp ground cumin 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 75ml fat free natural yoghurt

1 tbsp coconut oil (melted) 1 red onion, peeled and finely sliced 2 tomatoes, seeds removed, flesh finely chopped 1 tbsp tomato purée splash water 75ml half fat double cream / fat free natural yoghurt or creme fraiche (depending on preference) 150g spinach leaves

Method 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

For the marinade, finely chop the ginger and garlic. Sprinkle rover the salt and chop a little more, then place into a bowl.

Add the lime juice, ground coriander, chilli powder, ground turmeric and ground cumin to the bowl and mix well.

Add the chicken pieces and the yoghurt and stir to coat the chicken. Leave to marinate for at least 10-15 minutes (or for an hour if possible, covered in the fridge).

For the curry, heat the oil in a frying pan over a low heat and add the onion. Fry for 1-2 minutes, then add the tomatoes and the tomato purée and cook gently for about one minute.

Add the chicken to the pan along with the marinade and a splash of water.

Pour in the cream, turn up the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Add the spinach to the pan and stir until just wilted.

Serve and enjoy!

Check out Laura’s Instagram account for more ideas: www.instagram.com/dutters1980

Website: www.dutterseatswell.wordpress.com

Like us on facebook facebook.com/Wrekin-News 34 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 34 Wine and Dine.indd 1

Invading France for the fizz of it!

So, we’ve invaded France. Again. Only to save them from all the other invaders, of course. I think the authorities may have over-reacted to the very funny Mars advert, British humour dosen’t always translate.

There are many French things we love, but the Brits buy more Champagne than any other country. For those who have married; got engaged this summer, congratulations, good luck, toasts have been raised in fizzy wines.

If you have asked for Champagne in a restaurant or hotel you may have cringed when the bill came, however the establishment has to leggaly provide what you ask for, therefore think beforehand and check out the other fizzies available.

Genuine champagne is made by a wonderful method used for centuries. (a la methondé champenoise). The partially fermented wine is bottled, that’s why Champagne bottles are so strong, and angled down in a riddling rack. The bottles are quarter-turned regularly (riddling) until the sediment has settled in the neck. The sediment plug is removed by freezing the neck of the bottle and replaced with more grape juice’ Depending of the quality of champagne intended, this process maybe repeated several times.

Obviously more modern standards are employed with Cava, Prosecco and other very acceptable fizzy wines keeping the price down. But the French continue to beleive the old ways are the best, their accountants in agreement.

So wether or not the French courts decide our ruffians should stay a little longer in very small (hotel) rooms or send them home thanking them for their selfless intervention, the world will always celebrate sporting events, big contracts, weddings and peace with a wonderful French product.

Champagne.

Salut!

BREW ie Gen Large range of beer and wine making kits including starter kits and equipment.

Plus all distilation requirements.

Very competitive prices at all times.

Delivery service throughout UK and Europe.

Enquiries please to: sales@brewgenie.co.uk

www.brewgenie.com

Church House New Church Road Wellington, TF1 1JX 01952 250771

27/06/2016 16:34

Fabulous Food

Carriages Carriages is at The Parade, Wellington call 01952 246855 or visit their website:

www.carriagestelford.com

Wellington’s hidden gem!

I

felt like I had discovered Wellington’s best kept secret as I entered Carriages cocktail bar, restaurant and boutique hotel on a rainy week day evening. The unassuming but smart and refined greypainted exterior of Carriages, nestling subtly in Wellington’s centre, did not betray the lush interior within. Warmly welcomed out of the rain by Val, our very attentive waitress for the evening, we quite forgot the miserable evening we left outside as we took our seats in the cocktail bar, opulently decorated in relaxing and cosmopolitan purple hues, and perused the impressive cocktail (and mocktail) list.

As we sipped our ‘French 75’ cocktails (gin and fresh lemon juice, topped with prosecco – absolutely delicious!), we were given the menu to contemplate at our leisure, and decided to share two tapas dishes for starters from a delicious looking menu – spicy king prawns with spring onion salad and mixed olives, hummus and pitta bread. For our main courses, I chose the 8oz grilled sirloin steak with grilled tomato, flat mushroom and hand cut chips and my friend went for slow cooked fillet of pork with burnt apple puree, creamed potatoes and tender stem broccoli. We didn’t have to wait long before Val showed us to our table in the comfortable but contemporary dining room and our starters arrived. Both were beautifully presented and sumptuously moreish, leaving me wanting to come back to sample more. The main courses came soon after, and we were reluctant to break the fabulous presentation of both dishes, but were so glad that we did! Both the steak and pork were cooked exquisitely by Carriages’ chef Adrian Badlands, and were literally melt-in– the-mouth (we just had to try each other’s!).

Perfect portion sizes meant that we still had room for dessert, so we chose warm chocolate

By

Eleanor Pittam brownie with vanilla ice cream and homemade honeycomb and vanilla crème brulee with mango sorbet and mango salsa. The different flavours of each dessert lusciously complimented one another; the crunchy honey comb being the piece de resistance!

Not wanting our delectable experience to end, we retired to the cocktail bar and James, Carriages’ amiable and very knowledgeable mixologist, expertly created us our very own personalised cocktails, based on our favourite alcohol and mixers. We learned from James that he takes bookings for bespoke cocktail making parties, ideal for hen dos and other celebrations, and that every day between 5pm and 8pm you can enjoy 2 cocktails for £8 which is great value considering the quality. A lunch time menu is also available between 12.30 and 3.30pm.

Carriages is most certainly Wellington’s hidden gem; what a treat it was, and right on our door step! Carriages is a sophisticated haven that surpassed all my expectations and allowed me to escape the ordinary every day and instead, while away the hours in a distinguished setting, eating truly exceptional food and drinking unique cocktails. The congenial hosts worked very hard to successfully create an exclusive and memorable evening that would be equally suited to a big celebration as an intimate gathering. Simply, if you haven’t been, you must.

We all deserve a little chic escapism from time to time.

Carriages · The Parade, Wellington · 01952 246855 · www.carriagestelford.com Carriages Food Review.indd 1

27/06/2016 15:40

Get out in your

Garden

Passing their prime?

- It’s time to deadhead those plants Written by

Robert Hudson

of Lilyhurst Plant Centre

Simon Bradbury Tel: 07725 040408

The Coach House, Holyhead Road, Albrighton, Shropshire, WV7 3BT

❁ Tree Pruning ❁ Tree Removal ❁ Hedge Trimming ❁ Topiary ❁ Domestic and commercial ❁ Grounds Maintenance inc. Grass Cutting ❁ Fully Insured ❁ Over 15 Years Experience

T

HIS is the middle of the year and for many gardeners their thoughts turn to the end of the year. As plants pass their prime it is time to deadhead (remove spent and fading flowers) to encourage more where ever possible. This will in any event allow any remaining to be more visible and not have the distraction of the fading and tatty. The lupins have given a truly spectacular display this year and if you are careful these can be extended by gently removing the dying flowers, each flower stem should be hiding a new spike with a flower ready to replace the old one.

If you do not take care, however, it is very easy to take this new growth out with the old flower.

If the preparatory work was successfully completed during the winter and spring you should now be able to enjoy the fruits of that labour. Take time to saviour the garden in its fully glory. Those who have fruit and vegetables in the garden will now be thinking about starting to harvest their crops, starting with the gooseberries and strawberries. Fresh produce is always more

enjoyable that that bought from the supermarkets, even more so when you have produced it. The only drawback of growing your own is that much comes in together which means there is just too much of each crop to consume as it matures this excess used to be stored in a variety of methods but now most of it can easily be stored by freezing. This allows it to be used when fresh fruit and vegetables are not available from the garden, although it is not quite the same as the ‘real’ thing.

If we have a dry spell reduce the cutting of the lawns or raise the height of the blades. This will reduce the stress on the grass and allow it to remain green. If it is closely cut the tips will, in dry weather, often brown and if it remains dry for some time this browning will gradually spread down the leaf giving the effect of a dead lawn. Usually when there is moisture again it will regrow but weed seeds will take this opportunity to settle themselves in and will be well established in the lawn next year.

Andy Allmark Painter & Decorator

01902 375244

Tel: Email: sbtreeandgardensolutions@gmail.com

CALL NOW ON: Tel: 01952 248119

Mob: 07816 781196 OR EMAIL AT

d.allmark@sky.com

36 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 36 Gardening.indd 1

27/06/2016 16:56

WOODLAND TIMBER PRODUCTS FENCING, SHEDS & DECKING

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Tops tips for a safe BBQ

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Before

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Telford based company servicing the Shropshire region

Top Ten Tips As the temperature warms up and we dare to believe we may see summer this year, thousands of people will be getting out the barbecues to enjoy freshly cooked food with friends and family.

Yet having a real fire in an open space can be dangerous if it’s not managed properly and cause lasting damage.

Telford Timber Supplies

Sheds Made to Order Erection & Delivery Available

For more information and to arrange a FREE quotation call Chris Nichols on :

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www.deckingandpergolasltd.com

CALL:

01952 242916

Here are AskCiindy.com’s top tips for enjoying a barbecue safely: 1. Never leave a lit barbecue unattended.

Its common sense but it’s easy to get distracted when you socialising and relaxing with friends and family.

2. Make sure that your barbecue is on level ground and is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs or garden waste.

3. Keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby so that you can quickly deal with any emergencies.

4. Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area.

5. Make sure your barbecue is in good working order and follow the safety instructions provided with the barbecue when you use it.

6. If you are using charcoal, use only enough to cover the base of the barbecue to a depth of about 5cm (2 inches). Only use fire lighters or starter fuel to light it, never use petrol.

7. If you are using gas, make sure the tap is turned off before changing the gas cylinder. Change cylinders in a well ventilated area, its best to do this outside if possible. When you have finished cooking, turn the gas cylinder off before turning off at the controls to ensure any gas in the pipe work is used up.

8. Make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it.

9. When you empty out the ashes, empty them onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If they’re hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire.

10. No matter what the weather throws at you, never move a lit barbecue inside as this is a huge safety risk.

Unit 1, Hadley Business Park, Telford

www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 37

37 BBQ Tips.indd 1

27/06/2016 16:38

 Membership from £1 a day LEISURE ADVERTORIAL

Summer is here and everyone starts to become body 51 HIGH STREET, HALESOWEN 3BG and are conscious, but most of us will stick to whatB63 we know 0121 448 1743unsure • www.gymophobics.co.uk/halesowen of trying something new.

Many conversations that are had with new members of Gymophobics start in this way…

Q. I’ve tried lots of gyms and don’t like them, why is Gymophobics so different?

A. Aside from the fact that it is only 30 minutes (as women are always busy) and there are no men (they hog all the best equipment!) and that it is a friendly place to be, Gymophobics takes a holistic approach to weight loss and fitness, therefore you get the whole package, not just one or the other and this really helps with motivation and ensures that you achieve your goals.

Q. Can it work for anyone?

A. Yes! It doesn’t matter whether it’s fitness, weight loss or just toning that you’re looking for, as we write individual programmes for every member, their desires, strengths, health and previous exercise is all taken into consideration to ensure that it is the right programme for them using air resistance weights.

Q. Is it safe as I’ve never done weights before?

A. Air resistance weights are very safe on your joints but more importantly, there is always an instructor with you to ensure that technique is correct and we always do a full induction to address any health issues prior to using the circuit, updated every 10 weeks for changes or of course, improvement!

Q. So do I just come and shape my figure there then move on to a ‘proper’ gym?

A. Not at all! Our programmes are changed every 10 weeks therefore progression is never ending and we have members with us from when we opened 6 years ago (in Telford) and they still find the programmes challenging. It’s also such a fun and happy place to be, an experience not normally associated with gyms!

Q. Is there lots of jumping and running around?

A. As we don’t work particularly on the cardio vascular system then no. We do encourage walking to keep the heart healthy but getting hot and sweaty is not our idea of a workout here at Gymophobics.

Q My concern is that I work full time, have children and am not sure that I can fit it in.

A. A 30 minute session 3 times a week is all you need to drop a dress size in 10 weeks and with our extended opening hours and appointment system to ensure your time slot, everyone can get the figure that they want with limited time available.

Q. And you can help me with my diet too?

A. Yes, all instructors are nutritionally trained in real food, so making it easy to lose weight without cooking different meals for all of the family.

Q. This all sounds fab, I think my mum should come too!

A. That’s great and we have special package rates for family members and as there are no men, makes for a great bit of girly time together too!

Visit our Facebook page gymophobics/telford email us on telford@gymophobics.co.uk or call on 01952 872150 for more information and a free 10 day pass

38 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 38 Advert.indd 1

27/06/2016 18:23

Common skin problems found in pets Severn Edge Vet Frithjof Praetsch BSc MRCVS discusses common skin problems found in pets

By

Frithjof Praetsch BSc MRCVS

Y

OUR pet’s skin protects it against the environment, regulates its body temperature, and enables it to have a sense of touch.

Certain skin conditions can not only become severely debilitating for your pet, but they may also cause very unpleasant symptoms in humans. In recent years significant progress has been made allowing your vet to help most pets with skin conditions quickly and effectively.

The most common skin conditions in pets are atopic dermatitis, flea allergic dermatitis, and ear disease. The former two are often referred to as allergies, but over 70% of cases of ear disease are also secondary to an atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is an inherited disease, characterized by itchiness and a reddening of the skin. The most commonly affected parts of the body include the paws, the underside of the belly, and the ears. Fortunately, there is now a medication available that is just as effective as steroids for the treatment of

atopic dermatitis, but does not cause any side effects.

Flea allergic dermatitis is the most common skin disease in cats, causing itchiness as well as hair loss and scabs.

This condition can be controlled with effective ectoparasite treatments, provided reinfestation can be prevented.

This may necessitate the treatment of other pets and the affected pet’s home.

Ear disease is more often seen in dogs than cats, and results in persistent head shaking, reddening of the skin of the outer ear, an acidic odour, and often severe pain.

Primary factors causing ear disease are bacteria, yeasts, ectoparasites, foreign bodies and trauma. If treatment is started early, most cases of ear disease can be cured with ear drops, but management of an underlying atopic dermatitis and regular ear cleaning may also be required.

Severe chronic cases of ear disease can be successfully cured by means of surgery.

If you suspect your pet might be suffering from a skin condition then contact your local Severn Edge branch.

匀挀爀愀琀挀栀 戀攀氀漀眀 琀栀攀 猀甀爀昀愀挀攀⸀⸀⸀

⸀⸀⸀椀猀 礀漀甀爀 瀀攀琀 氀椀瘀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀 愀 猀欀椀渀 挀漀渀搀椀琀椀漀渀㼀 圀攀 愀爀攀 栀攀爀攀 琀漀 栀攀氀瀀Ⰰ 眀椀琀栀 最甀椀搀愀渀挀攀 愀渀搀 琀爀攀愀琀洀攀渀琀猀 琀漀 栀攀氀瀀 挀愀爀攀

昀漀爀 礀漀甀爀 瀀攀琀猀 猀欀椀渀⸀

吀漀 戀漀漀欀 挀愀氀氀 ㄀㜀㐀㘀 㜀㘀㌀㤀㤀㠀 漀爀 昀漀爀 洀漀爀攀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 猀攀愀爀挀栀 猀攀瘀最⸀挀漀⸀甀欀⸀

Dear Reader, thank you . . . . . . for picking up your free copy of Wrekin News the region’s favourite monthly lifestyle and news magazine. We really do hope you have enjoyed reading our exciting mix of news and new features.

Please don’t forget to enter our great competitions and support the advertisers who are supporting Wrekin News.

NEXT ISSUE

The next issue of Wrekin News will be in all of our usual distribution outlets on: WEDNESDAY 27 JULY 2016 www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 39

39 Vets.indd 1

27/06/2016 20:25

Budding young Special solution to loneliness with photographers man’s best friend invited to capture ‘Barking Mad hosts have a furry companion to stay for a weekend break or longer’.

Have you always wanted a dog but worried you couldn’t look after it all the time or afford it?

As we near the summer holidays many of you will be thinking of ways to burn off those extra calories, why not become a host family with an excellent excuse to go out walking with a furry friend for company. Barking Mad lets people take in a pooch on a temporary holiday as an alternative to kennels while their owners are on holiday and enjoy the social aspect of going out walking.

Becoming a ‘host’ by looking after somebody else’s dog whilst their owners are away is all set-up and organised by Anne Kessell who takes this often informal arrangement and makes it fully safe, insured and easy to take part in without costing a penny. As a dog holiday host you provide a loving home environment where your visitor relaxes and feels at home. Regular exercise and companionship is your part of the deal and the cost, administration and transport is dealt with by Anne. There is no need to worry about paperwork or dealing with the customer yourself as that is all taken care of.

As the dog host, all you need to do is meet with Anne and you agree together the type of dogs you like and when you are available to look after them.

Become a host for Barking Mad

lf you would like to become a host for Barking Mad and look after a dog on a temporary basis, but enjoy the benefits of having a dog for company please contact Anne Kessell on 01952 677704 or by email to anne.kessell@barkingmad.uk.com

super pet snaps

Animal-loving kids are encouraged to capture photos of their favourite pets this summer, as vet charity PDSA launches its annual photo competition for young people.

Running with a ‘super pets’ theme, youngsters are asked to submit their photos to one of three age categories: under 10s, 10-13 or 14-16-year-olds.

From captivating cats to beautiful bunnies, PDSA wants to see the best snaps of pets showing off what makes them awesome!

The competition is free to enter – each child’s best photo should be emailed to petprotectors@pdsa. org.uk with ‘Pet Photo Competition 2016’ in the subject, along with their full name and date of birth in the email. The closing date is 9 September 2016. Kids who are already members of PDSA’s kids’ club – Pet Protectors – should also

include their membership number to receive their points.

The winner of each age category will receive a print of their picture and a selfie stick. The overall winner across all categories will also receive a professional photoshoot with their pet, courtesy of Venture Studios, and a special VIP tour of one of PDSA’s Pet Hospitals.

PDSA Vet Rebecca Ashman said: “We’re looking forward to seeing lots of amazing pets. But remember not to dress your pets up, it may look funny to us but it can make them nervous and uncomfortable.

“Why not capture them showing off a skill or playing with their best friend instead?”

For more information, plus terms and conditions, visit www. pdsa.org.uk/photocomp.

NOrtHwOOd & SONS

Look good.

Feel better.

Live longer.

FuNeral directOrS

Wanted

dog lovers to care for lovely dogs whilst their owners are away Become a host with

Our funeral plans can be tailored to your exact needs

To find out more please contact Anne Kessell

BarkingMad.uk.com

For capturing great pictures of your super pets!

· Family business · Home visits available · Private chapel of rest · 24 hours service

Barking Mad

01952 677704

TIPS

“Your "Your wishes wishesalways alwayscarried carriedout outinin quietly dignifi ed manner” aaquiet and dignified manner"

It’s great fun, all of the benefits of dog ownership without the emotional or financial commitment. We carefully match dogs to your home.

anne.kessell@barkingmad.uk.com

TOP

www.northwoodfunerals.co.uk

call andrew woodhouse:

01952 727248

1. Always have your camera nearby so you can catch your pet being funny or cute 2. Practise taking shots from different angles 3. Make sure the light is good 4. Play with your pet in lots of different places 5. Take loads of pictures so you can choose the best one

40 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 40 Barking Mad Must Edit.indd 1

27/06/2016 16:42

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www.theshropshirefuneralplan.com www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 41

41 Adverts.indd 1

27/06/2016 17:00

Wrekin News Book Club

Wellington in the 1960s and 1970s Local historian and author Allan Frost has just published his latest book, Wellington in the 1960s and 1970s. Allan’s family have lived in this part of the county for over 270 years, which may explain why he is driven to discover more about the area’s past, and to preserve those findings in a series of popular histories before it’s too late.

Allan has published many other books, including novels, and gives talks to clubs, societies and schools.

He is the founder chairman of the Wellington History Group, his advice on local history and heritage matters is sought by other researchers, local government organisations, community groups and the Press and his latest book is another very well written and researched gem with an abundance of wonderful pictures that will bring back many delightful memories for a lot of our readers.

F

OR centuries, Wellington in Shropshire developed and expanded in ways which were carefully thought out and executed by those responsible for the town’s governance and prosperity. They understood the likely consequences of their decisions.

From the 1890s onwards, county, urban and rural district councils took over and devised their own schemes intended to benefit their areas. At times, owing to a lack of understanding, common sence and respect for public opinion and local knowledge, they inflicted irreparable damage to Wellington’s economy as well as on the appearance of its heritage buildings and street scenes. Then Telford Development corporation arrived, armed with we-know-best attitudes and draconian powers-and it limited ability to advise sensible plans to benefit the Telford conurbation in the long term.

Yet, despite the negative impact of ill-conceived planning projects, the people of Wellington and its neighbouring districts were determined to continue long-established traditions associated with close-knit and thiving communities such as membership of churches, societies, sports and social clubs and making good use of dance halls, hotels, public houses, cinemas and countryside as well as enjoying the excellent range of goods provided by a comprehensive variety of shops, markets and essential service’ buisnesses like hairdressers, barbers, cafes, banks, etc.

Entertaining and informative, this book explains the reasons behind and long term impact of council planning decisions, and reveals aspects of community activity which made Wellington the envy of surrounding towns and villages.

All this and more is accompanied by a wealth of additional information in a perceptive commentary.

WIN

A SIGNED COPY OF ALLAN’S NEW BOOK!

Home Services

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FREE ADVERTS New DOG CAGE for small to med dog with fitted bed. Cost £33 so will except £20 ono 01952 505130 Tall WICKER BAR stool £25 Large potted PALM PLANT £25 New FOOTBALL TABLE £25 TRAVEL COT and bedding £20 Tel: 07484106632 Two new, unused Hauck Lifesaver CHILDRENS CAR SEATS. Hoods and raincovers. From birth. £15 each will separate. 01952 811741

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SELL YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS FREE THROUGH THE WREKIN NEWS!!

Allan has kindly given Wrekin News a signed copy of his new book Wellington in the 1960s and 1970s.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning Allan’s book is send your name, address and daytime telephone number to - tania@plus2media.co.uk SEND COUPON TO WREKIN NEWS, BRIDGE ROAD, WELLINGTON, TELFORD, SHROPSHIRE TF1 1RY.

42 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 42 Home Services.indd 1

27/06/2016 17:05

clean up with What have you Sutherlands got to lose?

Are you intrigued by the Newspaper, Radio and TV adverts, or sick to death of the barrage of phone calls, text messages, and emails asking “HAVE YOU GOT PPI?” If so, and you have taken a loan, credit card or Mortgage over the last 25years or so, but you have not yet taken any action because you cannot remember buying such a policy, cannot find any paperwork, or have perhaps been told by the staff at your local Bank that you do not have a claim, let me work with you to access the Bank records to so that you can be absolutely sure.

You may have seen in the news recently that the Financial Conduct Authority

are looking at setting a deadline for new claims, and I would urge you to act promptly to make sure you do not miss out.

Over recent months I have been able to get refunds of between £100 and £42000 for local people just like you. Just imagine how helpful a windfall such as this would be when your Holiday credit card bill lands on your doormat, or when you are dreaming of that Cruise you’ve seen on the TV adverts!

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www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 43

43 Acorn.indd 1

27/06/2016 17:13

Test Road

Beautiful inside & out

Power and Efficiency: The CX-3 is powered by Mazda’s SKYACTIV-D Diesel, four-cylinder in-line, DOHC, 16-valve engine that produces 105ps at 4000rpm and 270Nm at 1600-2500rpm.

0 to 62 mph is also dealt with in 10.1 sec – moving on to a Top speed of 110 mph.

The CX-3 official fuel economy figures from Mazda were; 70.6 mpg (combined) with a CO2 rating of 105 g/km (Euro Stage 6) although the best I could get was around 50mpg, but then I was not trying really to get near what Mazda say.

On the road: I like the way the CX-3 handles the road – it feels very well balanced.

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own. The steering also feels light and you get a lot of feedback from the front wheels as to what the surface below you is doing. Also, when you hook all this up to its fantastic six speed gearbox – you can’t really go wrong - It’s no exaggeration for me to say that I think the CX-3 is the best crossover to drive on the road at the moment.

Design and Interior: My test car was fitted with leather seating which lifts even the most boring cockpit – but no worries here as Mazda have made one of the best interiors I have seen so far this year.

All the controls are right there when you need them and the dials/ readouts are all clear and fresh looking.

The seats were also very hugging and the driving position was very good with plenty of room in the back for three adults - even people who are 6ft plus. Add in the CX-3s good size boot (287 litres / 1197 litres (5 seat mode / 2 seat mode) and you start to see how it all fits together.

Technology: Some of the standard features on the CX-3 SE/SE Nav; daytime running lights, coming home / leaving home lights, cruise control , 7” colour touch-screen display and Multimedia Commander with AM / FM / DAB radio with six speakers, CD player, USB and iPod, driver and passenger front, side and curtain airbags, Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control System.

To sum up: I like the CX-3 – I am now looking to replace my current Seat with dare I say it – a CX-3. Standard car price (on-the-road) £21,895.

44 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 44 Motoring.indd 1

24/06/2016 12:23

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01952 699 042 Made locally in Shropshire www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 45

45 Adverts.indd 1

24/06/2016 12:41

Sport WREKIN NEWS

PICTURE BY JAMES BAYLIS

Wellington’s Bhargav Merai - a great example on and off the pitch

email your sports story to james@plus2media.co.uk

Merai setting an excellent example at Wellington CC

S

OME tough results for Wellington CC but they continue to move forward.

After an impressive win against Attock they briefly topped the table but then lost a couple of crucial tosses and slipped into mid table.

Ross Edwards, First Team Coach, commented, ‘When it’s been dry our batters have stood up, scored runs and created pressure. But it has been mostly wet and the conditions have not favoured us.’

The month started brightly, Wellington amassed 271 against Attock, thanks mainly to Bhargav Merai’s 105 off 87 balls. Edwards continued, ‘He is obviously a quality player. 105 against Attock and 81 against Dorridge were fabulous knocks. He is also setting an excellent example off the field. He always wants to train, he is not over here for a holiday and he wants to hit balls, bowl balls every day of the week.

His enthusiasm is backed up with a terrific work ethic, his success is no fluke. Other players see him train every night and this can only have a positive effect on the younger players for the future.’ Merai’s batting statistics speak for themselves; he currently averages 56 and has scored around 30% of Wellington’s runs this season.

by Fraser Watson Young Dan Lloyd impressing with his spin bowling

Attock’s batting crumbled - 126 all out. Spin twins, Jamie Miller and Dan Lloyd demolished Attock with figures of 5 for 34 and 4 for 21 respectively. 24 points and Wellington topped the table.

With a lot of weather about Wellington made the trip to Smethwick. Edwards takes up the story, ‘It was very debatable whether the pitch was playable which made the toss crucial. We lost it. We batted well to get 111 after 20 overs on a poor surface. All batters struggled in the conditions apart from Smethwicks professional, Amitoze Singh. We had them 2 for 2 but that

Pre-season countdown for Bucks AFC Telford United head back to pre-season training with boss Rob Smith seemingly satisfied that he has constructed a squad capable of pushing for promotion honours.

Smith was quick to rebuild his defence and midfield following a long, but successful battle against relegation. The search for goal-scoring options was a bit more problematic but the Bucks chief seems to have come up with the answers. The versatile James Hurst joins from Torquay.

Hurst, who can play wide or through the middle bagged

by Lez Dean seven goals for the Gulls and is cited as a top signing by Smith having worked with him at Hednesford. Telford will also pose a threat through Tom Peers who Smith has also managed describing the striker as ‘strong and powerful.’

Danny Reynolds arrives from Wrexham, Reynolds is highly thought of but not just one for the future as Smith states he expects the 19-year-old to ‘hit the ground running’.

Bucks’ fans do not have long to wait now to see the new

acquisitions in action as the pre-season campaign kicks off on July 9th with a visit to Colwyn Bay. This is followed by trips to AFC Wulfrunians and then Bridgnorth Town.

Championship side Aston Villa visit the New Bucks Head on 16th July, before Solihull Moors travel to Shropshire three days later. It is the Shropshire Senior Cup next as Smith’s men make the short trip to Market Drayton Town.

A home fixture with Wrexham follows before another home tie with a Birmingham City development side wraps up the preparations on July 30th.

only brought Amitoze to the crease. Sometimes you just have to take your hat off and say well played.’ He scored a match winning 78 off only 57 balls and was the difference between the 2 sides. Edwards comments, ‘On this occasion we lost the toss on a wet one. That happens and we have to say ‘ok’ and keep going.

Unfortunately, history appeared to repeat itself a week later at home to Dorridge. After days of torrential rain the toss was vital again, and again Wellington lost it. Bhargav Merai showed his class, top scoring with 81. With conditions suiting the bowlers, Wellington limped to 129 all out. As the pitch dried, Warwickshire’s Laurie Evans moved the game away from Wellington with a brisk 42. Dorridge eventually reaching 130 after only 16 overs. Edwards summed it up, ‘The pitch dried out which made batting easier.

Sometimes you just have to put your hands up and say we came second, it wasn’t for the want of trying, so we deal with it and move on.’

Next game, Wellington bowled well and limited Brockhampton to 144-6 from 40 overs.

Captain Wendell Wagner (34 not out) briefly gave the home side hope of a win but Wellington fell just 2 runs short, finishing on 142-7 from 40 overs. Edwards said, ‘Brockhampton fielded very well and took some good catches but we got 7 points. I don’t think it is a secret that we are all hoping for some dryer pitches. Jamie Miller is a quality spinner, Adam Byram is still a very capable cricketer and we are hoping that Dan Lloyd, who is currently playing for Shrewsbury School, returns in July.’

With these spinning options its important Wellington have a good wicket keeper and Charlie Mackleworth has made a good start to 2016. Edwards continued, ‘Since coming back from Australia, Charlie has worked hard at his game and has set his own standards. We’ve not noticed him behind the stumps, which means, he is doing a good job.’

In July Wellington are away at Moseley on the 2nd, at home to Barnards Green on the 9th, away at Himley on the 16th, at home to Sutton Coldfield on the 23rd and finally at home to Bromsgrove on the 30th. All games start at 12 noon.

46 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 46, 47 Sport.indd 1

27/06/2016 20:12

TCAT announces new partnership

Loyalty card scheme Pay for 7 cuts and get the 8 th FREE!

WALK IN SERVICE! Celebrating the partnership are Ben Coates and Dave Gregory from Wellington Amateurs, with Joe Bates and Claire Riekstins from TCAT.

Telford College of Arts & Technology has announced an innovative partnership with local football club Wellington Amateurs which will provide learners with the opportunity to play for both teams.

It means students who display exceptional football talent while studying and playing for TCAT will be able to represent Wellington Amateurs’ new Under 21 side and possibly the first team, which plays in the West Midland Regional League.

The partnership’s aim is to develop highly-skilled footballers while providing students a complete pathway for development in football as they expand their skills and technical ability while they study.

Joe Bates, from TCAT said: “It is vitally important that as a college we offer as many ways for our learners to progress as possible, and this partnership gives young people the opportunity to play football with a recognised and well run community club while gaining a qualification that may help them achieve their goals in the future.”

The partnership will also see all of Wellington Amateurs’ junior teams play their home fixtures at the TCAT

sports complex.

Chairman Dave Gregory said: “I’m really excited about this new partnership with the college. We are delighted that from next season all of our teams, right through from our under 8’s to senior men’s team, will train at the college’s top-class sports facilities.

“As well as this, our junior teams through to our new Under 21 team, who have entered new Mercian League Under-21 league will play all home fixtures at the college. We are also keen to develop a strong ladies team which we will be working closely with the college to promote.”

Wellington Amateurs is one of the county’s longest established football teams, playing continuously since the 1950-51 season.

The club presently plays from the Wickes Stadium in Oakengates and has strong links with the community, having established a junior section eight years ago and now running ten junior teams.

For more information about sports courses at TCAT – including its latest exciting link-up with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC - visit the college website www.tcat.ac.uk or call 01952 642237

Bowls correspondant - can you help?

The ChopShop are proud to announce our support of the blue light services and our armed forces by offering 20% discount on production of a membership card

Call: 01952 872722 www.facebook.com ChopShopTelford

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The Wrekin News is looking for someone to help us compile a monthly round-up of the local bowls scene. If you are interested please call James Baylis on 01952 522562 or email: james@plus2media.co.uk

We are open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm & Sat - 9am - 4pm

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www.trotfieldwindowsltd.co.uk 1 Madeley Road, Ironbridge, Telford, TF8 7PP www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 47

46, 47 Sport.indd 2

27/06/2016 20:12

It’s time to get a place of your own!

And with Help to Buy you can afford it: With a Help to Buy interest free loan, you can buy a new two bedroom semi-detached home at Heritage View in Hadley with just a 5% deposit - here’s how it works:

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www.lioncourthomes.com †Calls will be charged at seven pence per minute from a BT landline and may cost considerably more from mobile and other phones. Contact your service provider for more details. Photographs show a typical Lioncourt home interior. *All offers are subject to terms and conditions. £7,000 deposit is based on a purchase price of £140,000 and is for example purposes only. There is no fee charged on the equity loan for the first 5 years. At the start of year 6 a fee is collected of 1.75% of the market value of the property at the time the loan is entered into multiplied by the outstanding percentage under the equity loan, the annual fee of 1.75% will be uplifted by RPI +1% p.a. Conditions apply and mortgage is subject to status. Please speak to our sales negotiator for more information..

Lioncourt Advert.indd 1

24/06/2016 11:31