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March 2018 · Issue 227

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Wrekin

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March 2018 · Issue 227

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27/02/2018 14:36

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER

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 Contributing writer: Dwayne Forrester

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Contact our Advertising Sales Manager: Irene Winning 01952 522562 · irene@plus2media.co.uk Specialist writers: George Evans, Richard Worton, Pete Jackson, Sue Ladds, Eve Nicholls, Robert Hudson, Russell Blakey and Syd Taylor Sports News: Lez Dean, Fraser Watson To subscribe to Wrekin News please call Tania Baylis on 01952 522562 Printed in Telford by PCP Every care is taken over the accuracy of material in Wrekin News but the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Views and opinions of contributors, advertisers and interviewees to Wrekin News are not necessarily those of the publishers who cannot accept responsibility for such contributions. © Plus Two Media Limited 2018 - All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior consent of the publisher.

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A thoughtful collection of timeless kiloverbs written by the wrekin’s favourite columnist

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Anthony Carline

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ROUND THE WREKIN IN KILOVERBS

Here are 1,000 thoughts for under a tenner!

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Read the memories of a well-known Wellington man who has watched the world change over the last ninety years.

People, shops, homes, cars, schools, clothes and especially communications have all greatly altered over the years.

Few things are as they used to be. Was it better or worse back in the ‘Good Old Days’?

Can you imagine the lives of your own ancestors? Here’s a book written by someone who lived through and can remember the changes to ordinary people.

Can you imagine going into the market with your Saturday penny to buy a wonderful toy from Peacock’s Penny Bazaar? A penny for your thoughts?

Published by Plus two media limited publishers of wrekin news

BY GEORGE EVANS

I f y ou look at ou r Classified A ds section y ou will see tha t y ou can fill in a form and send y ou r F ree Classified A d to u s. W ell now we are maki ng it a little easier and accepting F ree Classified A ds b y email. J u st email y ou r ad vertisement in no more than 3 5 words to: tania@plu s 2 m edia. c o. u k and we will print it free of char g e!

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ROUND THE WREKIN IN KILOVERBS Volvo Group UK Limited

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Plus Two Media Limited · Bridge Road · Wellington · Telford · Shropshire TF1 1RY Telephone: 01952 522562 · 07977 481186 · james@plus2media.co.uk

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

27/02/2018 14:45

Welcome Tel: 01952 522562 · james@plus2media.co.uk

Welcome to the March issue of Wrekin News!

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H

ELLO everyone and welcome to the March issue of your favourite local lifestyle magazine Wrekin News. I hope you enjoy the articles, letters and features inside and please remember to tell our advertisers were you saw their advert. Our letters pages are as popular as ever and this issue is no different as we print a wonderful letter from former local sports editor Burt Morris. Burt writes with an intriguing story of former Wellington Town footballer Benjamin Procter, see page 22... We are always on the lookout for more of your memories, stories and pictures so please do find the time to sit down and share your memories with us no matter how old or young you are - we are waiting to hear from you!

You don’t have to write an essay or a novel, just a few paragraphs and maybe if you have a picture available you could send that too. (All pictures can be scanned and returned to you). If you prefer we can write your story for you! Call Tania on 01952 522562 to make the arrangements. We don’t always have enough room in the magazine to print all the letters we receive but rest assured we keep them all on file and print them just as soon as we can!

Once again our February issue was full with some great competitions and prizes and we offer our congratulations to the following winners: Jason Ambrose of Wellington was the lucky winner of the fish and chips meal while Nikki Tromans of St Georges won the tickets to see Terra Firma.

The lucky winner of the wine tasting evening was Sue Barrett from Dawley. J M Jenkins won the family tickets to see Cinderella at the Little Theatre. Katrina Broome from Wellington is off to see comedian Craig Campbell while Royston Bowen from Dawley is the lucky winner of the Odeon Cinema tickets.

Finally Margaret Richards from Arleston told us she really enjoyed her prize, a night out at The Place to see Back to Bacharach!

We hope you all enjoy your prizes! Once again we would like to thank all of our kind sponsors who support the magazine by offering the fantastic prizes that you can win each month...

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2, 3 Welcome.indd 2

27/02/2018 15:22

Charter Day - not to be missed

M

USIC, dancing, the king’s rider and the Manor Court, it’s all coming up at this year’s Charter Day, which takes place on the first Saturday of March in 2018, that’s be 3rd March.

So what’s it all about? Well, on February 29th 1244, King Henry III signed Wellington’s first market charter. It was amongst the earliest awarded to a Shropshire town and, as a town that still boasts one of the biggest and busiest markets in the county eight centuries later, it’s an occasion worth marking. So, the first Saturday of March each year is celebrated as Charter Day.

Programme for 3rd March 2018: In Market Square: ● 11.00: Medieval-inspired street theatre from The Shrewsbury Mummers ● 11.30: The King’s Herald arrives on horseback to deliver the charter to the lord of the manor ● 11.45: Morris Dancing from the Ironmen & Severn Gilders ● 12.00: Order! Order! The town ale taster, town crier and ‘clerk of the market’ are appointed by the Manor Court ● 12.20: More Morris Dancing from the Ironmen & Severn Gilders At Wellington Library, Larkin Way: ● 10.00 – 14.30: Drop in on the annual Community History Day, where local history groups will be on hand to talk about their current projects and help you out with those local and family history questions On the Ale Taster’s Ceremonial Pub Crawl: ● 13.00: Bakers go into battle in our ‘Game of Scones’ at The Pheasant Brewhouse, adjudicated by the Ale Taster. All entries to be submitted by midday! ● 13.45ish onwards: follow the Ale Taster’s entourage of esteemed ale drinkers to other real ale haunts around town.

WIN a family ticket!

WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO THE NATIONAL SEA LIFE CENTRE, BIRMINGHAM! Be transported into an amazing underwater world at the National Sea Life Centre in the heart of Birmingham.

Dive into the frozen extremities of the Antarctic at Penguin Ice Adventure and marvel at the cheeky antics of our Gentoo penguins.

Meet a crab or starfish at our Interactive Rockpool, discover the majestic jellyfish and take a peek at our Asian short-clawed otters as they splash in their pool.

Venture into the depths of the rainforest as you encounter deadly piranhas, poison dart frogs and an electric eel, then plunge underwater as you walk through the UK’s only 360° Ocean Tunnel surrounded by our majestic sharks, shimmering fish and Molokai our giant green sea turtle!

Plus you can now dive in to a world of slime, stingers, and brainless jelly in a brand new exhibit, Jelly Invaders, opening Easter 2018! What jellyfish secrets will you uncover in the ocean’s hidden depths?

HOW TO ENTER

For your chance to win a family ticket for the National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham please send your name, address and a daytime phone number to: Tania Baylis, Sea Life Family Ticket, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire TF1 1RY. Or email your entry details to: tania@plus2media.co.uk - Closing date for entries is: Thursday 22 March 2018, good luck!

04 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 4 Sea Life.indd 1

27/02/2018 20:29

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26/02/2018 15:14

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Everyone needs good neighbours > Graham Riley, Julie Rich, Lion President Rick Talbot, Dennis Briggs

Gnosall & Newport Lions Club were very pleased to accept an extremely generous donation of £2,000 from the Shropshire Prostate Cancer Support Group (SPCSG) towards the expenses of running the annual prostate cancer awareness event in Newport.

Dennis Briggs and Graham Riley attended the recent meeting of the Lions club at the Community Room at Gnosall Fire Station to present the cheque to Lion President Rick Talbot and nurse Julie Rich. Julie has been instrumental in organising all of the Newport events and several in other nearby towns.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the local lions club may attend the next club meeting at 7.30pm at the Community Room in the Fire Station at Gnosall on Monday 5th March or for more information then call Pat Hunt on (01785) 780032 or John Fullwood on (01952) 273919.

Shropshire business leaders have praised a Shropshire Chamber of Commerce initiative for companies to get to know their neighbouring businesses.

SP Services, a UK and worldwide medical supplies firm, hosted the innovative Meet Your Business Neighbours event at its Hortonwood HQ which attracted more than 50 firms – a record attendance.

As a result of last Thursday’s late afternoon invitation, SP Services is setting

pandelbathrooms Esta blished for over 30 yea rs Quadrant Shower

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> Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Richard Sheehan with Jane Wilson, Operations Manager at SP Services with SP Services MD Steve Bray - and their neighbours.

up a Facebook page for local Hortonwood businesses so they can trade together, alert each other about road closures or events and talk about how to tackle crime on the estate.

Company MDs met accountants, lawyers, entrepreneurs and small and medium businesses from across the region to make new friends and build business partnerships at the event.

MD Paul Inions, of McPhillips civil engineers, said: It’s a

very good idea to know your neighbours. We are only across the road and we get all our medical supplies from SP Services.”

SP Services MD Steve Bray told the business audience that when he drives through business estates he wonders what products are being made under “all the tin sheds.”

“There is a lot here and we all have a lot to share. We always try to buy locally. I believe it’s very important to support the local

economy and local jobs. We bought all our warehouse racking from three miles down the road and all our visual equipment came from a company just a few doors away. It’s important to buy from your neighbours.”

Chamber Chief Executive Richard Sheehan said: “There are people who work in offices and under very big sheds very close by and have no idea what services everyone does.

‘We need to keep the £ rotating in Shropshire. People still think they have to buy goods and services from Birmingham or Manchester. They are not better, they are more expensive.”

More similar Meet the Neighbours events are due to be held across the county in 2018 by Shropshire Chamber of Commerce.

Local families benefit from car scrappage A Telford charity that supports families through difficult times is set to benefit from car scrappage.

Home-Start Telford and Wrekin supports families with children under the age of 5 through difficult times. Helping parents give their children the best possible start in life. The charity has been given the opportunity to partner with Charity Car to raise money from car scrappage to continue their amazing work.

Charity Car is the big-hearted scheme from online car buying company - CarTakeBack - who are also the UK’s largest car recycling network.

Donating your car with Charity Car is easy. You don’t have to pay a penny! And with branches across

the UK and car collection available, there’s no hassle when you donate your car!

Whether you have a scrap or used car to get rid of, Charity Car can help. If your car is ready to scrap, it will be responsibly recycled and Home-Start Telford and Wrekin will receive 100% of the car’s scrap value. If there’s enough life left in your old car, they will raise the maximum donation value by auctioning it. “ We are really excited about the partnership. This extra funding will help us support many more families through their most difficult times.”

Julia Allinson, Home Start Telford and Wrekin.

To find out more please contact Julia on 01952 872280.

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

27/02/2018 16:06

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26/02/2018 15:13

George

EVANS

50 Years of Telford I

AN HONEST REVIEW . . .

T’S well known that I’m no lover of Telford New Town but there are good things about it, mostly the people who live here. The biggest and worst mistakes were all made by outsider ‘experts’ with no real interest in the place. Serious errors include the name, the way in which it was first publicised and the fundamental concept. The best thing about Telford is the huge amount of work that so many local Councils, organisations, societies and individual people have done to right the wrongs and promote the place.

The most disastrous mistakes were in the initial plan.

The planners spent too much time examining the latest fashions for new towns (soon out of date) and too little listening to people. At the time the initial plans were being drawn up I had just studied town and country planning as part of the geography degree. Planners did not survey the people who were here efficiently. This was not the derelict industrial area they assumed, but farmland and a conurbation of individual towns and villages, some of which were bulldozed to build soulless estates after destroying happy communities. We who told them were called ignorant and accused of ‘Being dinosaurs’ and ‘Knocking Telford’.

When locals were asked for a name for this new town; almost all the votes were for Wrekin. We were overruled by a minister and given Telford, after the great civil engineer Thomas Telford. Telford’s motto was, ‘Build to last’. This does not apply to the new town, where parts have already been bulldozed and it’s clearly Government policy to keep changing it. “Oh, that’s nice, when are they going to knock it down?”

Telford Development Corporation (TDC) was a quango set up by Westminster to build the town and push it along. TDC had enormous financial resources from the profits made by compulsorily purchasing farm fields at agricultural prices. Some of this cash was used to push their policies including brutally downgrading the mature settlements already here, starving them of support while persuading their businesses to move to the shopping mall called a town centre.

In recent years Telford & Wrekin Borough has tried to give more support to the larger towns and villages and

begun to call them Borough Towns which is excellent. T&W also has tried to correct the initial planning errors like the ‘Town Centre’ which is not a town centre but a shopping centre. The Borough Towns, Wellington, Oakengates, Madeley etc. have proper town centres but not the mall in Dawley.

Telford is not yet a town but a Permissive Development Area. Oakengates, Wellington, Dawley and Madeley are ancient towns. Many large villages like Hadley and Ketley were all established settlements, centuries before Ironbridge.

The Wrekin District was removed from Shropshire by law in 1998, you can check at: http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/ si/si1996/Uksi_19961866_en_1.htm.

My correct address is Wellington, The Wrekin, not Telford or Shropshire, which are incorrect. If you use this style

of address you will still get your post correctly delivered as I do. Please yourself; the delivery system is very efficient and understanding. You don’t have to stick to the official formula.

Now it’s time to point to good people who are helpful. First there’s Wrekin News, constantly doing everything possible to positively promote the whole Wrekin County. An excellent example is Wellington Town Council and its liaison with many organisations, including the very active History Group, Civic Society, Market traders, LA21, Lions, H2A and very many others. Looking at Wrekin News it’s clear that Hadley, Madeley, Dawley,

The Wrekin’s favourite columnist!

8, 9 George Evans.indd 1

27/02/2018 20:27

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Oakengates and several other places are heading in the same direction.

Interest in Local history is growing, not only among those whose families settled here long before a new town was thought of but also recent arrivals including immigrants and young folk as well as those of mature age. We’d all like to know about life years ago in our home town. Were any historic people living here or were there notable happenings?

A new friend first told me she was from Madeley, and then admitted it was Woodside, which is in Madeley. She prefers to be part of an historic place. If the first plans had been better researched her address would have been Madeley and access to Madeley town centre would have been much simpler. The finest secretary any history group could have was brought up in India and has worked most of her life in London. She’s only been here a while but she enjoys researching information in archives and records and passing it on.

Is Telford fantastic – meaning a fantasy? I think a lot of it is.

Now Telford is an area where

a new town may be built but it hasn’t grown up yet.

Is it a credit to Thomas Telford after whom it was named? Never! “Build to last” said old Tommy. Do you know a building here that’s likely to last long? I don’t. Poor old Tommy, he must be turning in his grave.

Is Telford “a building site with delusions of grandeur?” It’s certainly a place where there’s a lot of building and forever we hear someone talking about making it a city. As they say, a hamlet has a farm, a village has a church a town has a market and a city has pollution. No, I don’t want a city, thanks.

Is Telford fit for purpose?

They said it was built on slag heaps and pit mounds but it was farmland, mainly fattening bullocks. Hurrah for the trees they planted and the wildlife corridors.

All the same there are a huge number of happy people living in the county of The Wrekin who are quite contented and I’m one of them. But just don’t ask if I was born in Telford; I was 45 when it started. Telford needs a big shake-up.

Fortunately we have the people who can do that.

Please note - The views expressed in Wrekin News by individual contributors do not necessarily represent the views of the editor of Wrekin News nor the publishers, Plus Two Media Limited.

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8, 9 George Evans.indd 2

27/02/2018 19:24

YOUR WELLINGTON Wellington Town Council presents

ST GEORGE’S DAY CELEBRATION in aid of the Mayors Charity Appeal Sunday 22nd April 2018 – 3.00pm – 7.00pm The Acting Mayor of Wellington, Cllr Cindy Mason-Morris, would like to invite you to join us at the Buckatree Hall Hotel, Wellington for a Sparkling Afternoon Tea. Entertainment to include Tom Little – Finalist of BBC Radio New Comedy Award and regular at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, local celebrity Paul Shuttleworth and themed St George’s Day quiz!

Tickets are £25.00pp and available from the Wellington Town Council Offices.

Dress code is Smart Casual. Proceeds from the event will go to the Mayor’s charity ‘Wellington Cottage Care’ Cindy very much hopes you will be able to join us on this occasion but if not, any raffle prizes donated would be gratefully received.

RSVP no later than Monday 2nd April 2018. Limited tickets available, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Name:………………………………………………………………………

Representing:..................................................................................

I/We* will be attending the Sparkling Afternoon Tea on Sunday 22nd April 2018 at 3.00pm at The Buckatree Hall Hotel.

I/We* enclose a cheque made payable to ‘Wellington Town Council’ (*Please delete as appropriate) Number attending:......................................................................

Please forward our tickets to: ……………………………….………… …………………………………..…………………………………………

Contact Telephone No….…………………………………..

RSVP: Caroline Mulvihill, Communications & Events Manager WELLINGTON TOWN COUNCIL Civic Offices, Larkin Way, Tan Bank, Wellington, TF1 1LX Telephone: 01952 567696 · Email: caroline.mulvihill @telford.gov.uk

The latest news and events from Wellington Town Council

VOLUNTARY GROUPS AND CHARITIES WELLINGTON TOWN COUNCIL MINOR GRANT SCHEME Wellington Town Council every year awards Minor Grants to local organisations and charities to assist them to achieve their aims and objectives and this year is no exception and the Town Council is looking to the receipt of Grant Applications that will be considered in early April. The Town Council is keen to assist and support the valuable work these types of organisations undertake in the Parish as they play a vital role in the local community.

Grant applications must be from a properly constituted group, club, committee or charity which must show that the group has charitable/community aims and benefits the residents of Wellington.

Groups are encouraged to apply now, and should not take the view that if they have applied before that they can’t submit a further application. All applications must be submitted along with a bank statement and a copy of their latest financial statement or accounts.

Forms are available now and should be submitted by the end of March prior to the applications being considered by the Town Councils Grants Panel in early April. Forms can be obtained directly from the Town Council offices during normal office hours, by phoning the office on 01952 567697 or by accessing the Town Council website: www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk

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

26/02/2018 15:44

N

Spring The Wellington

Festival

21st Anniversary

Wednesday 2 May to Monday 7 May Wednesday 2nd May

Lucy Corbett Poetry Workshop 7.30pm Wellington Civic Offices Committee Room Poet and performer Lucy Corbett invites you to join her for a fun and inclusive poetry and performance workshop. Attendees will write and develop their own poems, and work on some performance poetry techniques and styles. Performing your work isn’t mandatory but this will be a friendly and supportive environment to play with words and ideas.

No experience necessary - playfulness and creativity encouraged!

Wellington Walkers are Welcome - 2.00pm outside Wellington Leisure Centre A choice of a local 30 minute, 1 hour or 90 minute walk as guests of Walking for Health -Telford and Wrekin. All walks will start from the Leisure Centre at 2 pm. No booking needed, but please arrive by 13.50. The 30 minute walk will stay very local to Wellington, the other walks will visit Limekiln Woods.

Comfortable footwear needed. Trainers or boots are advised for the longer walks which may encounter mud.

Thursday 3rd May

Bertie Pearce - Charles Dickens; The Man, His Life and His Characters. 7.30pm.

Venue TBC Charles John Huffam Dickens brought into the world a staggering array of wonderful characters with orphans, starving children, misers, murderers and abusive school teachers among them. People such as Mr Mcawber, Fagin and Abel Magwitch remain in one’s literary psyche long after the books are put down. In his lecture Bertie Pearce looks at the life and places of Dickens while interspersing the events with readings of his works. A truly Dickensian experience.

Friday 4th May

Didgeridoo Healing Sound workshop 11.00am and 1.00pm - venue TBC Chris has spent most of his working life as a Mental Health Nurse (RMN) leaving nursing last year to persue his hobby of becoming a full-time musician playing the Didgeridoo.

Moving up from Gloucester in 2008 Chris has never looked back and his Didgeridoo playing has reached a new level recording to date 6 albums with a 7th in the pipeline and has been on television and radio numerous times which can be viewed on his website.

10, 11 Wellington Town Council DPS.indd 2

Chris will perform with his Didgeridoo weaving its magic to create a healing sound for pure relaxation, meditation, healing and well-being.

Bring something comfortable to lie or sit on such as a bean bag, pillow, sleeping bag, yoga mat or blanket to lie or sit on and wear loose fitting comfortable clothing.

Chris’ CDs available to purchase at the event.

Dothill Local Nature Reserve 50 TREE WALK TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF TELFORD The Friends of Dothill Local Nature Reserve, will start the walk outside Dothill Junior School at 10.00am on Friday 4th. May 2018.

Stout footwear required.

Join us to open our new walk at Dothill Local Nature Reserve, looking at 50 different trees, to mark 50 years of Telford.

Wonder at a tree only known from fossil records but now living happily on the reserve.

See a tree that became quite rare in Britain during the middle ages because of its popularity with archers and learn which trees were used to ward off witches plus many other interesting facts about trees.

Sunday 5th May

Wrekin Writers Workshop with Jane McNulty – Wellington Civic Offices Committee Room 10am till 12.30pm and 1.30pm till 4pm Highly participatory, the workshop will look at the elements of story and at the particular requirements of creating crime fiction – not just the when, the where, the who, the how, the what… but also the ‘why’ and the relationships between perpetrator, the victim, and the pursuer. In creating characters and short scenes, the workshop is designed to consider participants’ own practice and to generate ideas and material for development of their crime story. Bring writing materials and a twisted imagination!

Clifton Film Series - Alison Neil Live performance as the Sister of Mrs Beeton

Sunday 6th May

‘Makers’ craft and gift fair 10.00am – 2.00pm ‘Easy Peasy’ Childrens Cookery Bus Face Painter Simply “Magical” Photography- A Children’s Fairy Adventure- TBC

‘easy peasy’ is a mobile cookery school offer fun structured hands-on workshops, cooking-from-scratch principles with a focus on healthy eating, seasonal vegetables with local food provenance. ● 20 stalls offering locally made crafts and designs ● Face painting by Fantasy Castle ● Professional Children’s Photographers specialising in Fairies for the little girls and Super Heroes for Little boys Wellington Walkers are Welcome 2.00pm outside Wellington Leisure Centre Bluebell Walk. This Wellington Walkers are Welcome walk will visit the slopes of the Wrekin, looking for bluebells. The walk will start from the Leisure Centre at 2 pm. No booking needed, but please arrive by 13.50.

The walk will last 1.5 to 2 hours. Trainers or boots are advised as the route may involve mud.

Our Hero’s Charity Event (9th year) Raising money for: Help for Heroes, Care for Casualties, SSAFA, Gurkha welfare trust and many more.

Plough Pub, Wellington, TF1 3AW 12.00 midday – late Entertainment from The Zoobs, Waiting for Hollywood, Wellington Brass Band, Shrewsbury Buglers association, the Exotic Zoo, Military Vehicles and a Fly past.

Stalls selling’s Arts, Crafts and foods will also be present

Monday 7th May

Family Discovery Day 10.00am – 4.00pm at Church of Latter Day Saints - 72 Glebe Street, Wellington TF1 1JY The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would like you to join us for a “Family Discovery Day”, and strengthen your family ties, past, present, and future. ● Discover how to find names to add to your family tree ● Learn new techniques to preserve your family legacy ● Find out how to share your discoveries with others ● Be inspired with new ideas ● Enjoy activities for all ages that will improve your family connections ● Free access to online resources

26/02/2018 15:44

Wildlife . . . around the Wrekin

with Tim Preston

PATIENCE, LOTS OF PATIENCE A Swan photographed

by Tim at Dothill Pool in Wellington

B

ACK in 2010 there was a series on TV called Halcyon River Diaries.

It was a fantastic little sequence of programs about a photographer who spent a year concentrating on a small stretch of river by his home. Virtually on his doorstep he photographed Kingfishers, Otters, Dippers and a whole array of wildlife. This program inspired me to go out and explore the area by my own home in Dothill, Wellington.

I was amazed at what was there, Dothill Pool, Tee Lake and the Beanhill Brook were all little wildlife havens. This was back in the days well before it was awarded Local Nature Reserve status. I had discovered a fantastic untouched natural environment right under my nose. On my very first walk I remember seeing the buzzards soaring on the thermals in the blue sky above me, there were rabbits amongst the dandelions in the meadows alongside Tee Lake and the Swans on Dothill Pool had several healthy cygnets, the butterflies and bees danced about the white flowers on the brambles too.

I was hooked! I fell in love with the place. I’d spend hours exploring the woodlands. I would sit in the undergrowth at the water’s edge watching the waterfowl on the

lakes going about their business as if I wasn’t there. Most of my early photographs In fact were of the Mallards, Coots and Swans purely because they were there all of the time, every day. The more time I spent there though the more I would see.

I soon learnt that I needed patience, lots of patience. You can’t control wildlife, you need to wait for it to do something interesting and be ready to capture it. I learned that being at eye level with my subject made for much better photographs than standing above them pointing the camera downwards. I’ve had many a strange look from dog

walkers when I have been lying on my belly by the pond. Just getting down on one knee can make a huge difference to the overall photograph too.

This month’s photos hopefully demonstrate this. These birds can be spotted on most waters within Telford. The Swan, which I am sure everyone recognises, and the smaller black bird is a Coot with its young.

Rather than just snapping them I waited to try and capture a moment we wouldn’t necessarily see every day. Both of these were taken on Dothill Pool, a five minute stroll from my own front door. Wildlife is all around us, we just have to notice it.

Family Ties Genealogy

Parish Registers

I

NITIALLY registers date to 1538; a time of great change; part of Cromwell’s drive to ratify the administration of the country, Initial records were poorly kept and written on paper; only when Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1558 were they written on parchment, and a law was passed that all baptisms, marriages and burials should be recorded. Older records were supposed to be copied into the new registers, although many never were, and were lost.

In 1597 it became necessary to send regular copies of the registers to the bishop, becoming known as Bishop’s Transcripts.

These are invaluable where original registers are missing or destroyed.

Early registers record little more than names and dates, often only giving the father’s name when a child was baptised.

Even more frustrating are some marriage entries that just give the groom’s name.

However, registers improve during the early 1600s, until the Civil War results in gaps in some registers. Of course there is no guarantee that the registers will be in legible condition; mice, fire, damp, flood, may all have had an impact, along with fugitive ink and barely legible writing.

Initially registers were a mix of baptisms, burials and marriages, written in chronological order. Later registers divided the pages into columns for each, but it was only in 1813 that separate, preprinted, registers were used.

Anne and Ursula from Family Ties are experts at deciphering Parish Records and would love to help with your family tree, they can be contacted on 01952 303091.

A Coot with its young photographed

by Tim at Dothill Pool in Wellington

12 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 12 Tim Preston Wildlife.indd 1

27/02/2018 20:26

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27/02/2018 07:35

ADVERTORIAL

News from your hospitals Bringing you updates from The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH):

Diamond crown for Postnatal ward at PRH

Council to continue lobbying for further station investment Telford & Wrekin Council has welcomed planned investment an improvements to Wellington Railway Station – but has pledged to continue lobbying for further improvements.

O

UTSTANDING care, leadership, cleanliness, exceeding targets and many other achievements, mean that the staff on the ward are the first in the Trust to win the coveted Exemplar Ward Diamond status – the highest possible.

The Exemplar Ward scheme is part of the Trust’s vision to provide the safest and kindest care in the NHS. To achieve Exemplar Ward status, the team on a ward must meet high standards in a number of key areas from caring, medicine management, leadership, nutrition and hydration to cleanliness, safety and record-keeping.

There are three levels of award – silver, gold and diamond. Diamond is the highest and means that the Postnatal Ward, situated in the Shropshire Women and Children’s Centre at Princess Royal Hospital, demonstrates the very highest standards, which is great news for new mums and their families using the ward.

Annette Barton, Postnatal Ward Manager, said: “I am very proud of the whole team whose

commitment to our women and their families is second to none. We are absolutely thrilled to achieve Diamond status, which is testament to the hard work put in by each and every member of staff who works on the ward. They are all diamonds in my eyes.”

Simon Wright, Chief Executive, said: “The Postnatal ward is a fantastic example of what a ward environment should be like – and will be of great benefit to our new mums and their babies.

I am incredibly proud of the Postnatal team, it is a fantastic achievement by all of them.”

Parents make donation Eight-month-old twin sisters Tali and Nina Owen-Tranter were born eight weeks prematurely weighing around 3lbs each.

It meant that they needed specialist care in the neonatal unit at PRH Telford, where they spent a month before finally being allowed to go home after more than doubling their birth weight.

The youngsters’ parents Mary Owen and Ian Tranter of Wellington, said they are incredibly grateful for the care they all received at the unit, and decided to fundraise, raising more than £100 wrapping dozens and dozens of Christmas presents over the festive period.

Mary said: “The girls were born eight weeks prematurely on June 6 last year - Tali weighed 2lbs 14ozs and Nina weighed 3lbs 6ozs. The staff in the neonatal unit were phenomenal.

They were so encouraging and the care that they showed all of us was fantastic.”

The girls were allowed home after spending four weeks in the unit in the Shropshire

Women and Children’s Centre - both weighing around 6lbs.

“The girls are now eight-months-old and they are doing so well. They have both been brilliant, and are such happy babies,” said Mary.

Ian added: “The staff in the unit did such a fantastic job, so when we got the opportunity to fundraise to say thank you that’s what we did.

We wrapped presents in return for a donation, and were well supported by our family and friends. We raised £104 in total. We are not stopping there though and plan to continue to fundraise throughout the year.”

Sam Davies, Neonatal Unit Manager at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust which runs the PRH, said: “We would like to thank Mary and Ian for their fantastic efforts in fundraising for us – and we will make sure that their kind donation is put to very good use. It is absolutely wonderful to see the girls doing so well.”

The new West Midlands Trains franchise has responded to a joint letter from Telford & Wrekin Council and Wellington Town Council.

Their response promised as a minimum that the station will receive a range of new facilities which will improve aesthetics and enhance security for travellers.

These include a new CCTV system, parking for bicycles, a deep clean of the whole station, a help point for passengers, a new station travel place, customer information screens and onplatform ticket validation machines.

Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Transport, said: “I am delighted to welcome the proposed investment by West Midlands Rail which will make Wellington Railway Station a more welcoming and safer place.

“However, what is promised is the minimum standard that Wellington will be receiving and West Midlands Rail has indicated that there are other development funding streams that can be accessed to further enhance these essential improvements.

“We will continue to work with the Friends of Wellington Station volunteer group – who do great work – and West Midlands Trains on long term proposals for the railway station as the new rail franchise progresses.”

Shropshire Humanist Group announce next meeting Karen Williams will talk about poverty in our community.

She will discuss the reality of struggling to survive and the problems faced by the lower-paid, both in day-to-day living and in dealing with government and other officials.

Karen Williams is Project Leader of Shrewsbury foodbank PLUS, a holistic range of projects that serve our community often when people are at their most vulnerable. Working with the people of Shropshire they offer hope by recognising the value of each individual, enabling them to make positive choices for their future to play a full role in society and see personal transformation in their lives. Foodbank PLUS is part of Barnabas Community Projects of which Karen is a Director.

Thursday 15 March at 7.30 pm, University Centre Shrewsbury, Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury SY3 8HQ. All welcome, but voluntary donations requested.

14 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 14 News NHS.indd 1

26/02/2018 16:28

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15 Adverts.indd 1

27/02/2018 18:06

Free antiques and collectables valuation day at Hadley Park A special antiques and collectables valuation event will be taking place soon in your area. The experts of Lockdales Auctioneers will be providing free valuations to the public on Friday 16th March, 10am to 2pm at The Hadley Park House Hotel, Hadley Park East, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 6QJ (free car Friday 16 parking on-site subject to March availability).

10am - 2pm We will be valuing: Coins, jewellery, watches, stamps, The Hadley banknotes, medals & militaria, antiques, clocks, pens, gold, Park House silver, pre-1900 documents/books & maps, cigarette-cards, postcards, pre-1960 sporting programmes and tickets, vintage toys and comics, scientific instruments, swords, bayonets and de-activated antique firearms. No appointment necessary at this event. Simply turn up with your goods and queue to see the relevant expert.

Members of the public will have the option to consign their goods to auction (subject to terms). Cash purchase offers also available. Valuations will be provided free of charge, no obligation to sell.

We recently broke the British record for a Rolex Submariner watch sold at auction. On 11th October 2017 we sold an example made c.1964 with orange numerals for nearly £280,000 including premium. This achievement was reported in the national media. The owner consigned the watch to auction at one of our valuation events in the east of England. Many other star items have turned up at our events and we look forward to meeting the public in your area.

Any questions please call Lockdales Auctioneers 01473 627110, email sales@lockdales.com or see our website www.lockdales.com

Local company donates gifts to more than 200 people in Telford

From left to right: Bernadette Menzies from ReAssure along with colleagues Robyn Pritchard and Tim Walsh. Lois Clifford, Service Development Officer at Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin.

Staff from a Telford based life and pensions company presented over 200 gifts to Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin for members of their day centres. The gift boxes containing chocolates, biscuits and toiletries were kindly donated by employees working at ReAssure.

Age UK is ReAssure’s chosen corporate charity, and they will be the focus of fundraising efforts across its sites in Telford, Hitchin and Norwich until the end of 2019.

Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin runs 39 day centres for older people, with 16 in Telford. Over the past few week’s staff and volunteers have been distributing the gift boxes to each of the Telford day centres.

The gifts were intended to be given out before Christmas but the snow caused some disruption in getting them to older people before the festive break.

Lois Clifford, Service Development Officer at Age UK STW, said: ‘We are very grateful to ReAssure for donating so many gift boxes. It was lovely to see people open them and everyone has been delighted with their gifts. It was so thoughtful of the staff at ReAssure to do something like this.’

Matt Cuhls, ReAssure Chief Executive, said: “As a company focussed on putting the customer at the heart of our business, we feel that Age UK is an excellent fit for us.

I’m delighted that fundraising efforts across our business will be dedicated to a charity that is close to the hearts of many of our employees and customers.”

If you would like to know more about the Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin day centres, call 01743 233123 or visit their website www.ageuk.org.uk/ shropshireandtelford

16 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 16 Lockdales.indd 1

26/02/2018 16:37

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26/02/2018 16:09

The Great British Spring Clean IF YOU’VE had enough of seeing litter on strewn all over the countryside and in the streets and want to do something about it, why not take part in one of the events being organised by Telford & Wrekin Council as part of Keep Britain Tidy’s ‘Great British Spring Clean’ week.

There will be a series of litter picking events taking place throughout the borough including sessions at Hurley Brook and Forest Glen.

Apley Woods, Sunday 4 March 10am12noon. Meeting at the entrance to Hurley Brook off Leegate Avenue near to Leegomery Roundabout. ● The Friends of Apley Woods are taking part in a Spring Clean along the banks of Hurley Brook assisted

by Daphne Duck who will be there in her Street Champion hi viz vest to highlight the dangers to waterfowl from discarded plastics, tin cans, rubber bands, etc.

Foot of the Wrekin, Thursday 8 March 10am-12:30. Meet along Wellington Road near the Forest Glen Car Park ● The group will be working with the land owner to remove a large fly tip and other rubbish in the area assisted by Wellington Friends of the Shropshire Way. The Wellington group have been very

active since their formation in November last year and now have small groups of volunteers who have adopted the majority of the new route of the Shropshire Way from Rodington to Ironbridge and litter pick it on a regular basis. In January the group helped to organise an initial litter pick of the area around Forest Glen which attracted around 60 volunteers who managed to fill a 7.5 ton truck with the rubbish collected. The follow-up event on Thursday 8th March will aim to complete the task by targeting the fly tips close to the Wellington Road and other hot spots for littering close by.

Litter picking itself is a very rewarding activity which combines light exercise in the open air, as and when people are free to do so, with the feel-good factor of being able to contribute to the improvement of our community.

Anyone wishing to help tidy pavements, paths and public spaces in their own area can obtain the basic equipment free of charge by contacting: Pride.Officer@telford.gov.uk

Loyalty card scheme Pay for 8 cuts and get the 9 th FREE!

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Why voluntary registration is worth considering…

S

INCE April 1986 it has been compulsory to register land ownership in Telford & Wrekin with the Land Registry however the trigger to do so only occurs if something significant happens to that property, for example; a sale, remortgage, inheritance or transfer of equity.

If you have been in your house for a number of

by Sarah years (prior to April 1986) and there has been no Clinton change in ownership since, your property is likely to of Parry Carver be unregistered land.

Solicitors It is therefore worth considering whether to make a voluntary first registration application and there are a number of reasons why you should do so: CONVENIENCE & SECURITY– all records of registered land are kept electronically at Land Registry and unlike unregistered deeds cannot, therefore, be lost, damaged, destroyed or stolen.

EVIDENCE OF OWNERSHIP – a registered title provides an up-todate record of who owns the land or property and includes details of rights which benefit the property and obligations or rights the property is subject to.

FRAUD PREVENTION – registered land is less susceptible to property fraud. If your land is registered then Land Registry are able to notify you should any third party make a claim on your land.

GETTING YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER – registration means that your property affairs are in order and will be more straightforward for your executors to deal with.

GUARANTEE – a registered title is guaranteed by the state giving greater security of title.

NO STORAGE FEES – electronic storage of registered titles negates the need to keep the title deeds lodged with a bank or solicitors office for safe keeping.

PLAN – a registered title is accompanied by a title plan which is based on the latest Ordnance Survey Map. The plan will show the general extent of the land in the title and therefore reduces the potential for boundary disputes between neighbours. Unregistered title plans are often inaccurate.

PROTECTION - registration provides greater protection against the possibility of losing title by adverse possession ‘squatters rights’ and it Parry CarverorSolicitors are supporting Midlands can assist in avoiding arguments over boundary issues.

Charity’s Freeprovides Will Writing Service, which is ava RESOLVE ANY PROBLEMS – registration an opportunity aged 55 over. have Whether you are looking to to resolve any issues with the property titleand that might remained undiscovered without the title investigation.

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Arleston Show 7date announced Church Street, Wellington,

The Forum

Good friend of Wrekin News Dave Barnett been in touch to remind us Shifnal TF1 Telfordhas TF1 1BX that the date of the annual Arleston Show will this year be on Saturday 29 641 291 September 2018. The theme of theTel: show 01952 will be celebrating victory and the Tel: 0195 end of the Great War (1914/1918).Mon Memorabillia from that period will be Mon - Fri 8.30 - Fri 8.30am - 5pm. Sat 9am - 12pm on display.

Authorised & regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority - Parry Simon Jarman MBE will be giving a talk about the conflict. We hope all our supporters will come along once again we are hoping to have other people available with specialist knowledge also many exhibits from that era. As always a warm welcome to all, once again free refreshments with Paddy Ryans pork pies. A chance to meet people, renew acquaintances from previous shows and meet old friends. All this takes place on September 29th at the Arleston Community Centre off Kingsland Wellington. Times will be announced later.

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Free Will Writing Service

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26/02/2018 15:11

DIG DEEP for the Granville Boys

Preserving the proud memories of miners in Telford

T

HREE former miners are striving to keep the memories of mining alive in Telford 39 years after the last pit closed and have ambitious plans to create a mining memorial to celebrate the industrial heritage that Telford was built upon.

Malcolm Peel, Cliff Hewitt and Stewart Braddock have over 80 years mining experience between them and are known as the ‘Granville boys’.

Following an approach from Martin Philips at English Heritage they have been going into local schools to talk to children about the work they did as miners and the importance coal mining had in the lives of many people in the area.

The project all started when Stewart saw a request from Martin on the Granville Facebook page and contacted Cliff and Malcolm to see if they were willing to have ago. “With some trepidation, we agreed. None of us had done this sort of thing before, but we did have a lot of mining artefacts and photographs, also, we have over eighty years of experience between us.” says Stewart.

Their first visit was to Priorslee Primary Academy. This went down very well, and they were encouraged to do more by the reaction and enthusiasm of the children. They were given one hour to talk to them which they said was not long enough. Mr. Phillips reaction was that they would not retain the attention of the children for longer than this, but he was totally wrong. Malcom explains “The children were there long after the end of the period, both asking questions, looking at and trying on our gear. We have been back to this school on at least two occasions.”

They have been to many other schools in the Telford area and to a school in Brownhills and Trefonen near Oswestry and in all estimate that they have spoken to over five hundred children.

They have also made two films involving

children from John Randle in Madeley and the Meadows School at Ketley and been involved with three radio broadcasts on local radio.

They are moved by the many thank you letters and cards and little mementoes from the children. They even had a tea towel, from the Meadows School at Ketley, with the children’s faces drawn on it. These are a great encouragement to them and that they say they will always keep.

In addition, they have made talks to twenty different groups, as far afield as Kidderminster and the Seven Country Park and other local groups including Shifnal Women’s Guild and the Naturalists Club at the old Grange Colliery. Malcolm points out that “The Naturalists have done a wonderful job in collecting and preserving old mining artefacts that they have found on their site”.

One of the local history groups that they spoke to was Ketley. It was at this talk that Malcolm recalls how they got their name. “Their secretary was putting together an advertising leaflet and asked what we called ourselves? With very little thought, I suggested the “Granville Boys”. This has stuck with us and seems to have aided the publicity that we require to achieve our most important project of getting a mining monument in Telford.”

The Granville boys are passionate and proud about the miners that have worked and died in the local mining industry. Cliff says that “It had always been apparent to me and the other two boys, that there was no mining memorial in Telford. In other mining areas, such has Brownhills or Cannock, they have wonderful statues representing their mining past.”

It is the case that the Coalbrookdale Coalfield was, in the past, one of the biggest, regarding output, and most important coalfield in Great Britain.

It had at one time, the second largest output from a colliery in the country

Pete Jackson

who wrote in last mo nth’s Wrekin News about th e plans to commemorate the Battle of Cinderloo spoke rece ntly to the Granville Boys ab out their project and the importance of minin g to our local area

and developed a method of extraction that eventually was used all over the world.

The southern part of the coalfield was called “the cradle of the industrial Revolution”. It would not have been called this, without, amongst other things, experienced miners and a variety of natural resources. These include ironstone, coal, limestone, various fireclays, sandstone, natural bitumen, salt, Walker’s Earth and sand.

With the help of Kath Peel, the Granville Boys have come up with an idea that they think will represent the areas mining heritage. The wheel is obviously a mining symbol with a boy representing the children that worked underground up to 1842. The man is dressed in modern apparel, to represent modern day mining, and they intend to mention, on the plaque, that women also worked in the coalfield. They hope to have the monument placed in Telford Town Park and so far, although they have not put a planning application, have received help and encouragement from council officials.

If any Wrekin News readers would like to get in touch with the Granville Boys or make a donation towards the construction of the memorial they are collecting donations for the project and would be grateful for any help they receive.

An artist’s impression of how the memorial might look drawn by Cath Peel

Donations Donations can be made to the ‘Telford Mining Memorial Fund’ and sent to: Cliff Hewitt, 55 Wrekin Avenue, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 7HQ. or Malcolm Peel, 6 Ladygrove, Old Office Road, Telford, TF4 2LS. You can contact Malcolm by email on

Malcolm.peel@gmail.com

20 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 20, 21 Granville Boys.indd 1

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Dea r Editor . . .

Letters

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

Community History Day A DATE to remember, Community History Day in the Library Saturday 3rd March.

Wellington History Group and a lot of other local history groups will be there to answer your questions and be interested in any information you can give them about the town in the past.

At Wellington History Group we very frequently get emails asking about local and family history, often giving us information which we were not aware of before – or indeed photographs we have not seen previously. We respond as soon as we can and frequently the information leads to articles in Wellingtonia – for example Panification Works (Issue 21) and Doctors Calling (Issue 22) and there is one, about William Withering in the next issue, but you will have to wait until June for that – you can get it at our stall at the Summer Fayre in June.

We get many enquiries about family history, particular USA. A typical example; Hello - I am asking for information on my 2nd great grandparents who were both born and raised in Wellington in the early 1800s.

I have tried researching on my Ancestry account as well as many other genealogy sites but cannot get beyond the following “brick wall”. Thomas Ellis (born 1806 in Wellington, died 1858 in USA) married Elizabeth Booth, (born 1807 in Wellington, died in Shropshire and buried in 1879 in Oakengate, Salop (I think)) in July 1831 in All Saints Anglican Church. I have the record of their marriage. What I am asking if someone from your group would be willing to help me find the parents of Elizabeth Booth which I have as Joseph Booth (born abt. 1786) and an unknown mother which some family trees list as Rebecca Hollingworth (born abt 1781). I doubt that Rebecca Hollingworth is correct.

In this instance we were able to provide a page of notes and images of parish registers showing baptisms, funerals and marriages.

Such enquiries very often take a great deal of research but do produce additional information with which we can reply.

One interesting e-mail, I won’t give the informants name, provided us with a number of photographs of School Lane in Wellington – unfortunately they were unable to provide a date. Do you know when?, please tell us

(e-mail ghdl19768@blueyonder.co.uk).

We are always very grateful for information about the ancient Parish of Wellington. Why you may ask ‘ancient’, after-all surely the parish has always been as it is now; no. Just less than 200 years ago the Parish of Wellington, with its parish church of All Saints extended over a much greater area than at present – for instance there was no Christ Church parish. Wellington parish encompassed the townships of Arleston, Aston, Hadley, Horton, Ketley, Lawley, Walcot, Wappenshall, Watling Street and Wellington and the demesnes of Apley and Dothill. Have you looked at the maps of that time displayed in the Library? If not why not look when you visit the Community Day event.

Our next regular meeting at the Library is on March 15th - come and join us.

Benjamin Procter - pride of the all-conquering Lilywhites In sharing her Oakengates memories in February’s Wrekin News, Marjorie Nicholls did not do full justice to her father Benjamin Procter - probably because she was not aware of the secret of his past.

She said he played professional football for Stockport County, Blackburn Rovers, Wolves, Wellington Town (now Telford United) and Oakengates Town (alas, no more) but that brief mention does not reveal the part he played in one of the most memorable parts of Wellington Town’s history.

My dad, who came from Ketley Bank, was a keen local footballer until his country called and he came back from the 1914 - 18 war with bullet wounds in his shoulder and leg and blinded for ever in one eye by shrapnel.

So by force of circumstances, he became a watcher rather than a player and a regular at the Bucks Head ground.

In this respect, he was lucky for the early 1920’s was the era of the all-conquering Lilywhites.

To this day I remember the line-up though it was 10 years before I was born - Hedgecox, Robinson, Littlewood, Thomas, Caddick, Rushton, Price, White (E), Millington, White (J), and Sheldon.

My dad did bang on a bit about them! I learned about the sterling defensive capability of Billy Littleford and Ted Caddick, the grace and guile of the White brothers, Ted and Joe and Charlie Millington’s explosive goal scoring.

But most of all my father admired the brilliance of Benny Price on the right-wing.

But what has all this got to do with Benjamin Procter? You may ask.

Well, Procter stepped out of League football under something of a cloud - some transgression of Football Association rules now lost in the mists of time, which resulted in his being banned from playing.

According to my dad, Benny took the only way open to him - he changed his name.

Benny Procter became Benny Price and his real name is not recorded in the illustrious history of the Lilywhites.

by Burt Morris

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What does 1948 mean to you?

The Trust which runs Shropshire’s two acute hospitals is looking for people for whom 1948 was a particularly special year.

A

s part of its plans to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS, The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) wants to hear from anybody who was working in the health service when the NHS was formed – or anyone who was born in 1948, following the creation of the National Health Service on 5 July.

The Trust, which runs the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford, wants to record people’s memories of life in the NHS for future generations. It is hoped this will form part of the centrepiece of SaTH’s celebrations – an NHS70-themed fun day which will take place at RSH on 7 July.

Julia Clarke, who is overseeing the fun day and NHS70 celebrations, said: “The NHS remains one of the most treasured institutions in the country and is still revered around the world. This is almost entirely thanks to the fantastic men and women who work – and have worked – in it.

“Our plans to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS are quickly taking shape and a key part of that will be hearing the stories of those who were there at its inception.

“If there is anyone living in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin or Powys who worked in the health service in 1948 and witnessed the creation of the NHS first hand, we would love to hear and share their stories.

“Equally, we would love to hear from anyone who was born into the NHS when it was first created. You never know, we might even find the first baby born in the NHS in Shropshire!”

Anyone who would like to share their story should email communications@sath.nhs.uk The highlight of SaTH’s NHS70 celebrations will be a charity fun day at the Shropshire Conference Centre at RSH on 7 July.

The fun day will include family stalls and attractions, as well as a

> The photograph shows a group of student nurses from Shropshire who studied between 1948 and 1951 fundraising element in the form of a 5km circular charity walk or run and a separate cycle ride. The event, which is being organised by a team of volunteers, is being held at Shropshire Conference Centre, as it provides the opportunity for events to be moved indoors in case of bad weather.

A unique sculpture to mark the 70th year of the NHS will be unveiled at the fun day thanks to a special partnership with the British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry. The centre has agreed to

make a striking sculpture using obsolete hospital equipment such as old blood pressure monitors, parts of hospital beds, surgical hands, microscopes, a former anaesthetic machine, a broken dialysis machine and wheelchairs.

The design of the sculpture will be selected by a panel who will consider ideas put forward by members of the public and staff at SaTH. Other events to celebrate the 70th anniversary are also being planned and will be announced throughout the year.

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www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 23

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Letters

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

Herbert’s story On 21 March 1918 the German Army launched a large-scale offensive against the Allied front on the Somme battlefield. One of the soldiers involved on that first day was Bombardier Herbert Gordon Edwards from Wellington. This is his story.

H

ERBERT was born to George and Clara Alice Edwards (née Reynolds). His parents were married in 1876 in Urmston, a district of Manchester, Lancashire.

George was a butcher. In early 1885, shortly after Herbert was born, the family moved to Shropshire where on 19 April Herbert was baptised in the parish church of Rushbury, 14 miles south of Shrewsbury.

By 1891 the family was living in the High Street, Much Wenlock. However, Clara while married is head of the family, living on her own means. Her last child, Beaumont was born in 1887. Clara’s father-in-law, was living with them at the time of the census in 1891.

In 1901, the family had moved to Fish Street in Shrewsbury. Clara was earning money by sewing and Herbert was a grocer’s errand boy.

Just one week after the census was taken, Herbert left home for Gosport, Hampshire where he enlisted into the Rifle Brigade on 11 April as 8389 Private Herbert Edwards. Gosport was the depot of the Rifle Brigade after a fire which destroyed its Winchester buildings in 1895.

He states his place of birth as St Alkmund’s, Shrewsbury. He gave his age as 18 years 2 months which was two years more than his true age. His medical examination shows him as 5’ 5 ½ “ tall, of fair complexion with blue eyes and brown hair.

On 10 July 1901 he was posted to the 4th Battalion and in December was posted to the 15th Provisional Battalion which was stationed in Dublin. He arrived in South Africa to serve with the 4th Battalion, Rifle Brigade on 16 August the following year. This was three months after the end of the war against the Boers. He remained there until he returned to England on 3 February 1903.

A year later he was sent to India with the 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade. The battalion was in Meerut until 22 November when it arrived at the south Arabian port of Aden. Apart from occasional duties up to Dhala in the mountains where it was cooler, the battalion endured heat, humidity and sand storms until 1 January 1906 when it returned to England.

Herbert served the remainder of his service with the Colours in home stations until 10 April 1909 when he was transferred to the army reserve.

This allowed him to pursue a civilian occupation from home and in 1911 he was working as a commercial traveller in oils. The family has moved again; this time to 6 Walker Street, Wellington where Clara was running apartments for lodgers.

Clara’s daughter had married and was living in the same house with her husband and three children.

He finished his reserve commitment on 10

By Mary Rogers

❂

WELLINGTON REMEMBERS

Herbert Gordon Edwards 687441 Bombardier Royal Field Artillery ● Born on 1 February 1885 in Higher Road, Urmston, Lancashire ● Lived in Urmston; Much Wenlock, Shrewsbury & Wellington, Shropshire ● Killed in action on 21 March 1918 aged 33 in France ● Buried NeuvilleBourjonval British Cemetery; grave D.1

April 1913 and later that year he married Beatrice Lillian Chaplin, daughter of Frederick, a grocer living at 67 Mill Bank in Wellington. Later that year their daughter, Dorothy Irene Mary, was born in Wellington.

On 3 February 1915 he enlisted in Wolverhampton into the Royal

> St Quentin front line trench Field Artillery. As 1853 Gunner Herbert Gordon Edwards he was embodied into the 3rd North Midland (Reserve) Brigade, RFA (TF). Over the next 19 months he served in a number of homebased units: 2/3rd North Midland Brigade, 297 North Midland Brigade and ‘D’ Battery 287 Brigade with a change to his number: 3581.

On 16 September 1916 he was transferred to 58th Divisional Artillery but less than two months later he was posted to France at Headquarters 87th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force).

At the same time he was promoted to paid, acting bombardier and on Christmas Day his promotion to bombardier was authorised. In 1917 his number was changed again; this time to 687441.

On 3 March 1918 he left his role in the headquarters and became a member of ‘D’ (Howitzer) Battery. This sub-unit was

> British 4.5 inch Howitzer.

It weighed 1.45 tons and fired a shell weighing 35 lbs up to 7,300 yards (over 4 miles).

24 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 22, 24, 25 Letters.indd 2

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equipped with the British 4.5 inch howitzer.

Herbert’s unit was in 19th Division, a part of IV Corps in the Third Army.

The Division was involved in the Battle of St Quentin on 21 March and it was there cemetery located about 8½ miles east of Bapaume, 2½ miles southeast of Belincourt.

Herbert’s British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to his wife Beatrice, as was his war gratuity of £15.

In 1922 Beatrice married Robert E Partridge in Wellington. Herbert’s daughter Dorothy married Reginald Carey in Dartford in 1936.

Herbert had three brothers who served in the Army: George Albert Edwards served in the Royal Army Medical Corps in the 2nd Boer War. 8434 Lance Sergeant Frank Edwards served in 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade. He was the husband of Florence living at 28 Park Avenue South, Hornsey, London. He was killed in action on 21 March 1918, the same day as Herbert.

9060 Sergeant Beaumont Richard Edwards who landed at Le Havre with the 2nd Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry on 21 December 1914. He married Frances Bickley in 1927 and died in 1972.

Can You Help?

We love hearing from you!

For 17 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

COPELAND ELECTRICALS

We will be organising an exhibition in Wellington later in the year, incorporating stories and pictures of the Lychgate people. If you have medals, letters, pictures or other World War 1 memorabilia that would complement our material please contact us on:● Telephone 07944 435978 ● Email wellingtonremembers@outlook.com ● Blog https://wellingtonremembers.wordpress.com ● Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wellingtonremembers Acknowledgements: Thanks to Jane Jones for permission to use the image of St Quentin trenches. The 4.5” howitzer image is courtesy of Imperial War Museums under their non commercial use licence © IWM (Q 5142)

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The

Stage

this months picks

MARTINE McCUTCHEON SATURDAY 14 APRIL 2018

JOIN MARTINE AND HER ACOUSTIC BAND AS SHE PERFORMS HER HIT SONGS ALONGSIDE TRACKS FROM HER NEW ALBUM

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WIN THEATRE TICKETS! HOW TO ENTER

Wrekin News has teamed up with The Place, Oakengates and Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury to offer two lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to see our feature shows. All you have to do to enter is send your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Tania Baylis, (Name of show) Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY or email your entry with all of the above details to: tania@plus2media. co.uk - you may enter both draws.

Closing date for entries is Thursday 22 March 2018.

Terms and condition apply.

GOOD LUCK!

MARTINE McCUTCHEON first found fame as Tiffany Mitchell in EastEnders, before releasing her platinum-selling debut solo album and the No. 1 single Perfect Moment. West End and TV roles followed before she starred opposite High Grant in Love Actually and sealed her place as the nation’s sweetheart.

Now 41, happily married, and mother to a 2 year old, Martine has returned to the studio, co-writing a host of songs on her new album Lost and Found with her husband, the multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Jack McManus. MARTINE McCUTCHEON has never sounded better!

Join Martine and her acoustic band as she performs her hit songs alongside tracks from her new album, shares anecdotes from her glittering career and invites questions from the audience.

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WINGS OVER ABBEY ROAD

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26 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 26, 27 Entertainment.indd 1

27/02/2018 20:20

GO LIMITLESS . . .

SEE ALL THE FILMS YOU WANT, AS OFTEN AS YOU LIKE!

big

N T S

Imagine being able to see all the films you want, week in, week out. Mid-week romcom?

Saturday night blockbuster? With huge potential savings and access to exclusive member treats, joining Limitless means you can watch all the films you want as often as you like for one monthly fee.

screen In association with

Unwind and let us lead you into the magical world of film

The magic of cinema is timeless. It never ends. This is an imaginative experience that goes on for as long as you’re willing to give yourself over to the world before your eyes.

ODEON Silver Cinema is our series of film screenings for our guests who are over-55. Tickets are from £3* each and include tea, coffee and biscuits before your film.

Unwind and catch up with friends

over aromatic tea and coffee and buttery biscuits as you get ready to be transported to another reality. Whether you’re watching a critically acclaimed classic or talk-ofthe-town new release, we’ll lead you to another time, another place.

Relax as we dim the lights, raise the curtain and bring the screen leaping to life. Inspiring biopics. Laugh-out-loud comedies. Ageless romances. Let us take you there.

ODEONSAYS Peter Rabbit, the mischievous and adventurous hero who has captivated generations of readers, now takes on the starring role of his own irreverent, contemporary comedy with attitude.

In the film, Peter’s feud with Mr. McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) escalates to greater heights than ever before as they rival for the affections of the warm-hearted animal lover who lives next door (Rose Byrne).

James Corden voices the character of Peter with playful spirit and wild charm, with Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, and Daisy Ridley performing the voice roles of the triplets, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail.

26, 27 Entertainment.indd 2

Welcome

Odeon, Telford General Manager Annette Small 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!

Your ticket to the greatest shows on Earth

Lose yourself in the action of the world’s greatest performances, brought to you live via satellite or recorded, straight onto the big screen.

From captivating theatre, opera, music and dance, to exhilarating sporting and gaming events, you’ll never miss a moment.

Get ready for edge-of-your-seat shows like you’ve never seen them before, with breathtaking surround sound for an unforgettable, larger-than-life experience.

With ODEON Event Cinema you’ll always have the best seat in the house, with close-up action so real you’ll feel like you’re there.

Encore, Encore!

Missed the live event? Some of our shows are replayed as a special ‘Encore’ performance the following week so keep an eye out on our Event Cinema page.

WIN CINEMA TICKETS

the Odeon s teamed up with Wrekin News ha ader’s a pair re ky offer TWO luc to rd lfo Te a, m Cine of your choice. a tickets to a film of standard cinem e and telephone contact to: m Just send your na kets, Bridge News, Odeon Tic kin re W s, yli or email: Tania Ba Y 1R 1 n, Telford TF Road, Wellingto ia.co.uk tania@plus2med

!

ETS TO BE WON 2 PAIRS OF TICK

26/02/2018 15:39

th 100

Centenary

of the end of WW1

by Chris Owen

In his exclusive Wrekin News series about the great battles of the Great War and is effects on the UK and local communities Chris Owen continues with documentingthe faltering steps on both sides towards the ending of the war.

A

The year the war’s fate was decided . . .

S 1918 dawned it was not regarded by either side as heralding a visible end to the conflict. On the Western Front the power of the German Forces continued to penetrate the resolve of the allies.

For the first time in the war the Germans had a clear superiority in numbers brought about by the transfer of extra troops to the Western Front from the collapsed Russian Front. This meant that the Bosch could field 192 divisions as opposed to the Allies 159 divisions.

Earl Douglas Haig in particular as leader of the BEF was preparing his troops for yet another year of attrition and beyond with no end in sight. His grand plans designed to break the might of the Bosch with his big push strategy had finally died in the Belgian sector of the Ypres salient on the battlefield of Passchendaele in 1917. He was now building up the depleted field strength of the BEF using fresh recruits from home. The overall allied strategy had also ground to a halt and Joseph Joffre was soon to be replaced by Marshall Ferdinand Foch as supreme commander.

In March General Erich Ludendorff was preparing to launch what was to be the last German counter-offensive of the war. It was seen as the last

> Sir Douglas Haig

> General Erich Ludendorff Second in Command German Army

Read more about the war WELLINGTON WWI cvr

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Read more about the war and its effects A on the people of Wellington and local A communities such as Ironbridge in Chris Owen’s books: Wellington in the Great War and Ironbridge in the Great War published by Pen & Sword books – to obtain your own signed copies enquire through the Wrekin News or direct on email to: chris.w.a.owen@gmail.com.

graphic account of the courage and sacrifice endured by a small market rural Shropshire, during: town in The Great War. Wellington in community loyally town and its surrounding gave so much in terms endured by a small market of manpower in its support courage and sacrifice Discover surrounding of the war effort. and itshow ultimately it paid a heavy graphic account of the price in terms, not only The Great War. Wellington but a generation effort. of the war of the loss of life – simply rural Shropshire, during: wiped out or destroyed in its support by long-term ill-health of life – so much in terms of manpower notcataclysmic loss which caused by this only of theevent was labelled as the ‘War community loyally gave terms, to end all Wars’. it paid a heavy price in by this Read detailed caused personal Discover how ultimately stories of local serving by long-term ill-health men – as recounted by wishing to preserve their wiped out or destroyed their relatives memory and set against but a generation simply to end all Wars’. the backdrop of the particular in which by was labelled as the ‘War relatives their they fought recounted and as battles cataclysmic event which – mostly sadly died, contrasted men arrogance of the officers battles stories of local serving with the ignorance and Read detailed personal commanding the British the backdrop of the particular war effort on the front directed by ignorance and memory and set against line – as in Whitehall. wishing to preserve their contrasted with the the mandarins Read the front and mostly sadly died, line – as the fascinating in which they fought war effort on about story of local colleges and schools which offered training courses and their commanding the British officer direct contribution of arrogance of the officers officer material to the in Whitehall. officer Most poignantly, offeredread fighting force. about the war’s devastating directed by the mandarins and schools which story of local colleges businesses force. effect on local families in fighting Wellington to the Read about the fascinating – as mentioned in local and of officer material contribution newspaper and people’s direct reports and includes local local families accounts of living through effect on personal training courses and their what was to become about the war’s devastating radically includes local and permanently an event which Most poignantly, read changed the social structure newspaper reports and the legacy of which of the town and also the – as mentioned in local an event still which affects us even up to the businesses in Wellington UK – was to become present day. Although of living through what UK – of commitment also the towns typical in terms other of the town and as people’s personal accounts spread across the UK, Wellington and district’s changed the social structure numbers revealtypical in terms casualty radically and permanently present day. Although a story of stoicism and the determination Read how district’s casualty affects us even up to the to survive catastrophe. remembrance the legacy of which still of its war dead and the UK, Wellington and the ultimate debt of honour owed towns spread across the sacrifice catastrophe. was survive evidenced to to of commitment as other their in the town’s many dedicated Discover to their of stoicism and the determination war memorials. the localowed wartime debt of honour numbers reveal a story scandal attached to one of its war dead and therevealed by memorials. of its biggest memorials war the simple act of the official which was Read how the remembrance many dedicated dedication ceremony and was arguably memorials evidenced in the town’s whichdisaster commemoration of biggest single ultimate sacrifice was of its biggestthe n of to affect this largely rural farming community. scandal attached to one Discover the local wartime ceremony and commemoratio act of the official dedication Chris is acommunity. freelance writer and member farming ruralOwen revealed by the simple of the society of authors; disaster to affect this largelyand lives with his wife an IT Graduate and son in Shropshire. arguably the biggest single He is a local war historian other of towns an IT Graduate in Shropshire who is covering authors; for this the society origins stemming writer and member of covering Pen & Sword series. Specialising in WW2 fromisthe war historian who and its Chris Owen is a freelance Great War, he has written Shropshire. He is a local in its devastating a son and logical and WW2 wife prequel in conflict. his to this equally and lives with series. Specialising for this Pen & Sword equally Living near to thisfor Wellington prequel a logical other towns in Shropshire 20 years also piqued his written interest in the local area devastating legacy of the the Great War, he has Great War on what was and origins stemming from once an independent industrious the area and the town. devastating conflict. his interest in the local town. for 20 years also piqued Living near Wellington once an independent industrious Great War on what was devastating legacy of the

uk £9.99

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uk £9.99

Jacket Design: Jon Wilkinson

us $00.00 Jacket Design: Jon Wilkinson

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

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SCAN THE FOR QR CODEwww.p e n - a n d - s w o rd .co.uk MORE WWI TITLES FROM PEN & SWORD

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

grand strategy to force a wedge between the allies and quickly bring about a situation where Germany could sue for peace from a position of strength rather than wait for the Americans to build up overwhelming numbers to force German capitulation.

His grand battle-plan codenamed Kaiserschlacht or Kaiser’s revenge was unleashed on March 21st at 4:40am with a five hour bombardment of allied positions.

He had fatefully selected the area of the Somme to commence the first wave and immediately made up lost ground making this the first phase of a more mobile fluid campaign than the previous three years of trench-bound

stalemate capturing 14 miles of allied-held territory in the first day.

The German successes mounted daily so much that by April 10th Haig was forced to issue his ‘backs to the wall’ telegram designed to stiffen BEF and allied resistance.

However by August the German master-plan had ground to a halt on the battlefield of Amiens, marked in Ludendorff’s diary as the blackest day in the German army and beginning the last 100 days of the war. It was arguable that any combatant nation could have continued the war for much beyond 1918, especially Germany as she was experiencing domestic unrest due to crucial shortages.

Help raise some extra funds Help Chris in his quest to raise extra funds for The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in this special centenary commemoration year which signifies 100 years since the ending of WW1. (See launch details in November issue) Chris Says: “I am a member of the Royal British Legion - and have pledged to donate some of the proceeds of signed copies of my book sold by me across this year - I look forward to seeing you at various planned events in Wellington (details to follow).”

28 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 28 Chris Owen.indd 1

27/02/2018 20:18

The perfect place to mark your special days A hotel in the heart of the Shropshire countryside is giving families across the region the perfect place to mark their special days.

Based in the beautiful village of Wroxeter, which lies in the shadow of the Wrekin, The Wroxeter hosts events large and small - whether it’s a garden party for 200 or a buffet for 10.

From wedding anniversaries to baby showers, birthdays and more, The Wroxeter has welcomed thousands of people through its doors - as well as onto its lawns, through its wild meadow garden and into its two giant kata tipis!

The venue tailors everything specifically for your event, from a personalised cocktail to a fire to toast your marshmallows, and there are reduced accommodation rates for party guests.

From the colour of

DAYTIME AND SIT-DOWN PACKAGES ALSO AVAILABLE

the table linen to the decoration hanging on the walls, everything can be bespoke to allow it to be the perfect event for the person, or people, it is celebrating.

And if you are stuck for ideas they have found people love packages too! Packages are available to cover most

events and they are all carefully designed to offer the things that happy customers have loved the most.

And it is also important to us to meet your budget - so our packages range in price to allow everyone to enjoy an amazing day, or night, at a fair and sensible price.

Please do call The Wroxeter to make an appointment on (01743) 761256, email info@ thewroxeterhotel.co.uk or pop in during opening hours to chat about your plans.

THE NIGHT ‘DO’ £950.00 FOR UP TO 80 GUESTS

AMAZING VALUE EVENING PARTY PERFECT FOR CELEBRATING ANY OCCASION PRIVATE ROOM WITH BAR AND DANCE FLOOR FROM 7.00PM HOG ROAST FOR UP TO 80 GUESTS · DISCO UNTIL MIDNIGHT

Extra guests £8.95pp

For more information on events & offers, then please contact us on

TEL: 01743 761256 · INFO@THEWROXETERHOTEL.CO.UK WWW.THEWROXETERHOTEL.CO.UK

College launches taster workshops for 2018

N

ORTH Shropshire College (NSC) is hosting a series of Pre-Course Taster Sessions across all of its vocational areas for Easter and Summer 2018. The sessions are designed to give prospective students an experience of College life and a sample of the wide variety of courses available at NSC including Bricklaying and Plumbing, Animal Management, Engineering and many more. The sessions are due to be held at both the Oswestry and Walford campuses, and students can book on to more than one session Business Administration Apprentice Bekki Fardoe, and if they wish to sample several Schools Liaison and Marketing Co-ordinator Chloe subjects.

Edwards with Information Leaflets for the Taster Sessions.

Lucy Evans, Marketing and Customer Services Manager at NSC comments, “We are delighted to be offering such a diverse range of taster workshops this year, and we are sure that they will prove to be very popular. They are an excellent way for any prospective learners to find out more about student life and what opportunities are available for them when choosing to study with us.”

For more information about our Pre-Course Taster Sessions, please visit www. nsc.ac.uk/help-and-support/events. You can also find out more, or book a place by emailing Chloe Edwards, Schools Liaison and Marketing Co-ordinator via c.edwards@nsc.ac.uk or by calling 01691 688087. Please note the spaces are reserved for Year 11 students or adults looking to start in September 2018.

COME ALONG TO OUR SPRING LAMBING DAY

Here is a taste of what’s on offer...

New-born Lambs - you may even see a lamb being born if you are lucky! Come and see our animals, we have over 90 species from Snakes and Chinchillas to Meerkats and Alpacas!

We also have Pony Rides, Treasure Hunt, Forest School, Face Painting, Vintage Machinery, Porthywaen Silver Band, Milking Display and much, much more!

Sunday 25th March 10.30am - 4.00pm 11.30am - New Milk Vending Machine Grand Opening Walford Campus, Baschurch FREE parking at Walford Campus or park and ride Just £10 per car / family on foot #WalfordLambing

01939 262100 WWW.NSC.AC.UK www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 29

29 Ents.indd 1

27/02/2018 08:22

Ticket JUST

THE

To advertise in

JUST THE TICKET Please call Irene on 01952 522562 or email

W IN TICK ETS

irene@plus2media.co.uk

WIN TICKETS TO THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW! We have teamed up with The Photography Show to offer two lucky readers and their ‘plus one’ the chance to attend 2018’s most exciting photography event, absolutely free!* The Photography Show, the event for everyone passionate about photography and moving image, returns to the NEC Birmingham from 17-20 March 2018 featuring the latest kit from big brands and a jam-packed speaker line-up.

Get hands-on with new products from Canon, Epson, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, Manfrotto, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma and Sony TICKETS to name a few, plus tripods, albums and accessories you didn’t even know existed from over 220 exhibitors.

The Great Outdoors, a new stage for 2018, will feature live demos and expert advice on image capture outside, including dramatic landscapes, getting close to nature and special occasions whatever the weather. The enhanced Mobile & Social Stage will offer the opportunity to explore mobile imaging technologies and how social media can make (or break) a photographer, and the dedicated Video Stage will showcase cutting-edge products alongside technical and creative help on how to get the best out of moving image production skills.

For more information, please visit: www.photographyshow.com

WIN

HOW TO ENTER To be in with a chance of winning, please send your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Tania Baylis, Photography Show, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire TF1 1RY or email your entry details to: tania@plus2media.co.uk - Closing date for entries is Tuesday 13 March 2018. Tickets are limited to one pair per winner and are valid for one day only. So what are you waiting for? Hurry and send your entry today!

GET YOUR TICKET To guarantee that you’ll be at the show in March, you can buy tickets to the show by visiting: www.photographyshow.com/pr_1. Tickets to Super Stage sessions, masterclasses and for the VIP package are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

* Free tickets are for entry to the show plus a selection of theatre and stage programmes. Additional tickets must be purchased for the Masterclasses, Super Stage sessions and VIP upgrades.

Free admission to Ironbridge Gorge Museums for mothers on Mothering Sunday SUNDAY 11TH MARCH The Ironbridge Gorge Museums are inviting mums to enjoy a day out as their guest on Mothering Sunday, 11th March, when accompanied by another full-paying visitor. This free entry offer includes Blists Hill Victorian Town, Coalport China Museum, Jackfield Tile Museum, Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Museum of The Gorge and Enginuity.

At Blists Hill, where life over 100 years ago is recreated by costumed characters, you can treat mum further and buy

her a Victorian High Tea in the Club Room with delicious sandwiches, cream-filled scones and pastries along with a glass of sparkling wine and a pot of freshly brewed tea. Afternoon Tea must be booked in advance, see www. ironbridge.org.uk for details.

The museums are open from 10am until 4pm. A great value Annual Passport Ticket allowing multiple 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 5% and individual entry tickets are available at each museum. Activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge.

For further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on Tel: 01952 433 424 or visit www. ironbridge.org.uk.

Giovanni Pernice in BORN TO WIN BBC ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star, Giovanni Pernice, who reached the finals of the hit show with his celebrity partner, Debbie McGee, is set to head back out on tour this year in his SENSATIONAL BRAND NEW dance show ‘BORN TO WIN’.

After the huge success of his debut tour ‘Dance is Life’ in 2017, Giovanni is extremely happy to announce that Giulia Dotta, Kai Widdrington, Emily Barker, and Curtis Pritchard, professional dancers on ‘Dancing with the Stars Ireland’ are returning to join him and his leading lady, Luba Mushtuk, once again.

The show will tell a stunning tale of love and passion, with dances such as the Paso Doble and the Argentine Tango, plus you can expect other favourites like the Quickstep, and the Viennese Waltz. The 2x Guinness World Record Holder won’t let you miss out on his fast footwork either, he’ll be sure to showcase his Jive and Charleston skills too!

Tickets are on sale now directly through the theatres or at www.giovannipernice.com There are also a limited number of VIP tickets available at most venues, where people can meet Giovanni before the show, get a signed print and have photo opportunities.

Born To Win, Telford, The Place, 15 April, 3pm - Booking - theplacetelford.com or 01952 382382 Tickets - £28, VIP - +£20

WIN TICKETS TO SEE GIOVANNI AT THE PLACE - HOW TO ENTER

Wrekin News has teamed up with ‘Born to Win’ to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to see the show at The Place on 15th April. All you have to do to enter is send your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Tania Baylis, Wrekin News, Born to Win, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY or email your entry details to: tania@plus2media. co.uk closing date for entries is Wednesday 21 March 2018, good luck!

30 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 30 The Ticket.indd 1

27/02/2018 17:20

BUCKATREE HALL HOTEL MARCH JANUARY

EVENT CALENDAR 2018 2016 7th March Wedding Open Evening

11th March Mother’s Day Lunch

£17.50 per adult £8.95 per child Give mum the perfect Mothers Day gift and treat her to lunch at Buckatree Hall. Includes a delicious 3-course lunch followed by coffee and a gift for all mums on the day.

11th March Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea

£15.50 per adult £6.95 per child Served in the Lander Lounge from 2pm-4pm. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with a glass of sparkling Bucks Fizz. Pre-booked in advance only.

FEBRUARY

17th March St Patrick’s Day

£17.50pp Join us for an Irish themed 3-course dinner and disco as we raise a glass and toast the luck of the Irish.

APRIL 1st April Easter Sunday Lunch

£15.95 per adult £8.95 per child A traditional roast Sunday lunch with children’s entertainment.

6th April Swing into Spring

£19.00pp Your evening includes a 2-course dinner, main course and dessert, followed by our rat pack inspired tribute act.

27th April All Inclusive Party Night

£35.00pp Your all-inclusive party night includes a 2-course evening meal and FREE bar followed by hits from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and present day.

Special Overnight Party Package

Includes check-in from 2.00pm, party night accommodation with full English breakfast and a box of chocolates in your room (based upon 2 people sharing a double or twin bedded standard room FROM - upgrades available at an additional cost). £34.50 £15.00 single supplement applies.

MARCH

PER PERSON

Free Entry (6pm-8pm) An informal opportunity to view our main function suite set for a wedding reception. Our wedding co-ordinators, along with some our of selected wedding specialists will also be on hand to answer any of your questions.

Fairytale weddings at the Buckatree Hall Hotel

S

ET in beautiful Shropshire countryside at the foot of the Wrekin, yet only a short drive from Telford and Shrewsbury, Buckatree Hall Hotel is the starting point for your fairytale wedding.

Join us at our wedding open evening as we unveil our newly refurbished Sir John Bayley suite.

Decorated in a neutral palette with hints of opulence we are confident you will like it as much as we do.

To celebrate we will be extending our popular £2,018 for 2018 package. Happy couples will have the chance to get married for just £2,019 throughout 2019.

The country house setting and extensive grounds provide the perfect backdrop for photographs that you can share and cherish forever. Renowned for successfully hosting weddings, we can tailor a package to suit your individual requirements.

The hotel team are proud to offer a friendly and professional service. The wedding team have a total commitment to ensuring that your wedding day exceeds your every expectation. Pride is taken in perfecting the details that make up your wedding day and your guests will be catered for by attentive and professional staff.

We look forward to welcoming you and turning your dream into reality.

APRIL

Celebrating a Birthday?

Special Overnight Party Package

Free birthday cake for the birthday guest (must be Includes check-in from pre-booked and minimum 2.00pm, party night party numbers of 10 apply). accommodation with full English breakfast and a box Hen Party? of chocolates in your room Brides go free on parties (based on 2 people sharing of 20 or more (entrance a double or twin bedded to the party night only, not standard room – upgrades accommodation). available at an additional cost).

Gift Vouchers

Looking for the perfect gift? £15.00 single supplement £34.50 Personalised vouchers Gift Vouchers Hen Party?

PER PERSON available for all events at the applies.

Looking for the perfect gift?

Brides go free on parties of 20 ormuch more. hotel plus Personalised vouchers available for all more (entrance to the party night events at the hotel plus much more. only, not accommodation).

FROM

Celebrating a Birthday?

Free birthday cake for the birthday guest (must be pre-booked and minimum party numbers of 10)

To book any of our events call:01952 641821 email:sales@buckatreehallhotel.com visit:www.buckatreehallhotel.com To book any of our events call:

01952 641821 or email: sales@buckatreehallhotel.com visit: www.buckatreehallhotel.com

Buckatree Hall Hotel FP issue 227.indd 1

26/02/2018 15:04

ENJOY EASTER MONDAY AT EYTON RACES! Event: Date: Time: Location:

Eyton Races North Shropshire Hunt Point-to-Point Monday 2nd April 2018 Gates open 11am. First race 1pm; last race 4.35pm Eyton-on-Severn, Wroxeter, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 6PW Eyton-on-Severn is located 7m SE of Shrewsbury, off the B4380 via the A5 and the M54 (exit 7). Postcode location: SY5 6PW

W IN TICK ETS

Enjoy a day at the races this Ea Monday, as th ster e North Shropshire Hu nt Point-to-Poin t takes place at Eyto n.

What better way to spend Easter Monday than with a day at the races, as the North Shropshire Hunt Point-to-Point takes place at Eyton.

Now in its 95th year, this popular race meeting is a wonderful day out for the whole family! In addition to the thrill of the races and betting with Bookmakers, there will be a fair, a hound parade, a great selection of food from local suppliers, including Fordhall Farm hog roast, ice cream and crepes; a licensed bar, and stalls selling country clothing and equine accessories. To add to the excitement, any budding jockey age 16+ can now enter the North and South Shropshire Hunt Scurry! Following last year’s success, the Scurry allows complete new comers to racing the opportunity to ride 1.5 miles of Eyton Racecourse, jumping seven of the Point to Point fences.

James Tanner, Joint Chairman of the Point-to-Point Committee commented, “We are delighted to be celebrating our 95th year of Eyton Races – it truly is a wonderful event in the racing calendar. As always, we can expect an exciting race day, and this year we see the return of the Hunt Scurry, giving all riders, from novice to experienced, the chance to try the renowned Eyton course for themselves!

Racegoers will also be pleased to learn that the popular ‘Best Dressed Lady Race-Goer’ Competition will be held at the Easter meeting – a chance to pull out all the stops and dress up for race day. The judges don’t mind hats and wellies, just so long as they are combined with a touch of race day glamour!

Gates open at 11am, with the first race taking place at 1pm and the last race at 4.05pm.

Admission is £10 and free for under 16’s. Dogs on a lead are most welcome and car parking is free.

For further information about the races, visit www.eyton-races.com.

Win a family pass for Eyton Races Wrekin News has teamed up with Eyton Races to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a family pass for the Pointto-Point races on Monday 2 April 2018.

The family pass is for two adults and three children (children must be under 16 years-of-age).

All you have to do to enter our prize draw is send your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Tania Baylis, Eyton Races, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire TF1 1RY. Or email your entry details to: tania@plus2media.co.uk - closing date for entries is Wednesday 21 March 2018.

Good luck!

THE

Christopher’s Restaurant SWAN Bar and Rooms at

The Swan Hotel SPECIALS

Free House Monday

AFTERNOON CREAM TEAS NOW BEING SERVED £6.50 per head (Bookings Only)

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

THE SWAN CARVERY Wednesday · Friday & Sunday

Friday Saturday Sunday

Chefs Special Night including pint, glass of wine or soft drink Sizzler Night All Day Carvery 12-9 Steak, Chicken & Fish Night or any two for All Day Carvery 12-9 FULL A LA CARTE MENU AVAILABLE Three Course Carvery 12-6 Kids Under 10

£7.95 £7.95 £4.95 £7.95 £15.00 £4.95 £8.95 £5.95

SATURDAY - FULL A LA CARTE MENU AVAILABLE WEDDING PACKAGES AVAILABLE

Watling Street, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire TF1 2NH

www.swan-hotel-telford.co.uk · Tel: 01952 223781 E mail: chris .witton@aol.com

SKY SPORT SHOWN HERE

CAN BE HIRED FOR PRIVATE FUNCTIONS & WAKES

32 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 32 The Swan.indd 1

27/02/2018 20:17

See the colossal engineering miracle ‘Man Engine’ at Blists Hill Victorian Town

T

HE largest mechanical puppet ever constructed in Britain, the Man Engine, is coming to Blists Hill Victorian Town on Saturday, 14th April when it will be the ‘star’ of spectacular daytime and evening events.

Weighing nearly 40 tonnes, the Man Engine crawls at 4.5m high and ‘transforms’ to stand at nearly 12m. Engineered in Cornwall to mark the 10th anniversary of the county’s World Heritage status, the Man Engine is touring venues across the UK to celebrate Britain’s rich industrial heritage.

The Man Engine will be centre stage at the amazing and spectacular hour-long ceremony at 2.00pm and 8.30pm when the audience will be asked to help wake the puppet from its slumber. Bring along your enthusiasm, energy and loudest voice to help the Man Engine Team raise the sleeping giant to its full height with songs and chants.

The day time event is perfect for families as young visitors are also invited to join in the Miners’ Parade and have a go at printing, candle dipping and building a mini steam engine, amongst many other hands-on activities. Make sure you find out what life was like for the Victorian mining communities of Shropshire as you chat to the townsfolk in their shops and

Saturday 14 April 2018

cottages.

During the th evening the atmosphere changes as the sounds of the live band fill the air and the actors perform street theatre around the historic streets. Join in the sing–a-long in the pub before heading down to The Green to watch the remarkable Man Engine Ceremony at 8.30pm.

Whether you visit by day or by night, make sure you tuck into some delicious Fish and Chips and other treats from the cafés and come prepared to be amazed by the biggest mechanical man in Great Britain.

One of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Blists Hill will be open from 10am to 4.30pm by day and 6.30pm to 10pm in the evening.

Tickets for the daytime event can be purchased online or at the gate, subject to availability, priced at £19.75 for adults, £14 for

60 plus, £12 for children 5 - 16 years. Evening event tickets much be purchased in advance online priced at £10 for adults and £8 concessions. Annual Passports are not valid for either event but current Passport holders will receive a 25% discount off daytime admission.

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

IRONBRIDGE.ORG.UK WHERE WILL YOUR VISIT TAKE YOU?

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www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 33

33 Ironbridge.indd 1

27/02/2018 02:58

The Tipple!

A Gypsy Curse Wrekin News chats to local children’s book author D.A. McGrath who’s new book A Gypsy Curse is out now . . .

by

Sue Ladds

Our charities must not fail the world!

A

S a lifelong supporter of Oxfam many of you are feeling as I do, bemused and saddened by the news of sexual corruption by a few aid workers. But not suprised.

For many of us “third-agers” a moral compass was instilled by decent clergy and decent teachers.

We aspired to live honourable lives, whether by saving the world or sewing a blanket.

But things changed. Schoolchildren are taught about “sex and relationships” with no moral guidance. Holiday clubs like 18-30 sprang up for singles to “have fun”, possibly followed by visits to abortion clinics or children who never knew their father.

The same children are now heading businesses and charities and their lack of personal restraint is seen as normal.

A TV ad for a wellknown shampoo shows an actress lovingly caressing her hair, suprised at how luxurious it now feels, uttering the immortal phrase, “gonna pull tonight”. How that got passed advertising standards is a mystery but if said by a male actor would have been slammed as inappropiate.

Presuming Aid Agencies, schools and universities carry out criminal checks before employment, then these checks alone are inadequate to catch the immoral swill floating thro’. How do you measure moral fibre?

And our favourite charities? The hardworking decent volunteers who work in the shops and traipse the streets for donations must demand honourable leadership.

Our charities must not fail the world when calamaties happen.

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What inspired you to become an author?

I won a Winnie the Pooh book in a competition when I was seven years old. It had a lovely shiny cover and had beautiful pictures and little poems in the stories and I treasured it (and still have it on my bookshelf). It was the start of my passion for reading and, as an avid reader, writing came naturally to me. I have loved both ever since.

But, you have only recently started to write professionally?

That’s right. When I was a child we were pointed in careers events towards traditional jobs in offices, the armed forces or the manufacturing sector. As well as writing I enjoyed messing around with numbers so I decided to become an accountant. It was a profession I loved for over twenty years. I didn’t write during that time, but I never stopped reading, amassing several hundred books in the process! When I realised I had done everything I wanted to achieve in accountancy I started to look for a change. After weeks of self-reflection and research I decided that the thing I was most passionate about was writing and so I took it up again last year.

It is much easier for budding writers to start a career in writing these days. One of the ways to do this is to become an independent author, like me.

What is an independent author?

Independent authors keep control of the publication of their work rather than contracting it out to traditional publishing companies. There are now huge amounts of resources available worldwide for the publication and marketing of physical, electronic and audio books, with traditional publishing only being one of many options available. Independent authors choose which type of publishing route suits them best and can vary this over time depending on the number and type of books they want to publish. I, for example, currently publish my books electronically through Amazon. But, in time, I would like to expand both the market for my books (e.g. Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords) as well as the available

formats (e.g. audio, physical, foreign language).

As an independent author I retain all of the copyright and decision making for my books.

Wow, that sounds like a lot to take on board?

This last year has been a steep learning curve. I am not only the writer, I’m also responsible for the book cover design, editing and the marketing.

I’m basically a business owner with all the duties that come with it. Having said that I am enjoying it immensely, and I always get a little thrill every time somebody asks me “What do you do?” and I reply, “I’m an author!”

Why did you decide to write Children’s fiction?

It wasn’t actually a conscious decision. When I sat down and started to tap away, the story that evolved was about an eleven-year-old girl who inherits the ability to transform into animals. I loved the character and had a thousand ideas about how she would develop. It was almost like the story was always inside of me and was bursting to get out!

I published my first story “Under the Light of a Full Moon” in September 2017 and have just published a second story in the same series “A Gypsy Curse” in February 2018. I have story outlines for a third, fourth and fifth novel in the series, which I am very excited about getting down on paper over the coming months.

Who are your favourite authors?

I absolutely loved Enid Blyton books growing up.

Nowadays I enjoy the likes of Eoin Colfer and J K Rowling.

I also love historical fiction and have many Philippa Gregory, Diana Gabaldon and Jane Austen books, favourites that I go back to time and again. We also have a huge collection of crime thrillers at home, with my favourite authors being Michael Connelly and Kathy Reichs.

If you would like to find out more about D.A. McGrath, visit her website at: www.damcgrathauthor.com

34 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 34 Brewgenie.indd 1

27/02/2018 20:15

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home

garden and

TIME TO CATCH UP IN YOUR GARDEN AFTER the waterlogged conditions at the beginning of the year many of the jobs in the garden have had to wait but as soon as conditions allow try to catch up. The late flowering clematis should be cut down to the ground, or if this seems too drastic at least hard pruned to force the new growth for this year’s flowers.

The cornus family which has given such a spectacular display this winter should also be pruned. If your plant is at the back of the border prune to about three foot so that the new growth will be at the height where it will show at its best. Buddleias can be treated in the same way. As they flower

some four to six foot above the pruning point decide where you want your flowers and prune accordingly. You can also control the time the buddleia will flower if you want later flowers prune later in the spring.

This has been an unusual winter in that it has swung from one extreme to another, snow one day and

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then a short warm spell. This has confused the plants and bulbs. Our snowdrops, which usually appear in early January, did not show their faces until February, but the Daphnis are in flower at their correct time, the hazel catkins were there in early January, although they did not fully develop and produce their pollen until mid February as normal.

Early spring flowers will have also been held back so once the warmer weather comes we should have a spectacular show as they all try to catch up. The rhododendrons

and azaleas should be starting to bloom and they make a wonderful display especially when planted en mass. Even in the small modern garden it is possible with just a few of the dwarf varieties to create this spectacle. If you have grown some in pots group them near to the house for the best effect. Magnolias and camellias can also be used in this way.

Camellias are often regarded as difficult but if a few basic rules are followed they are just as easy as any other plant. They require acidic soil,

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36 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 40, 41 Home and Garden.indd 1

26/02/2018 16:26

> pictured a Daphne in flower

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Tel: 01952 292393 Spring cleaning of bedding, clothing,curtains and rugs the same as rhododendrons, but they must be sheltered from the east, the early morning sun on the buds can cause browning if the buds are frosted when the sun strikes, they will then fall off.

March weather can be very changeable so take any opportunity to carry out a general tidy up in the garden. If you have a greenhouse make sure you have had a ‘spring clean’ and it is ready for the new season. Do, however remember that you have had a winter layoff so do not attack everything with a vengeance, take it slowly at first. Also remember that when the garden comes to life after its winter rest the weeds also start again, so keep these under control or they will get out of hand later in the year.

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40, 41 Home and Garden.indd 2

26/02/2018 16:26

Extensive refurbishment for Severn Edge Park Street site

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HE veterinary surgery in Park Street, Madeley was established

by Mr Roy Clutterbuck and Mr Tony Bradley in 1972 and has a proud history of providing quality veterinary services for the local community.

Adrian Budd Steph Edwards The practice has grown considerably BVetMedMRCVS BVetMedMRCVS over the years as part of the Severn Edge Veterinary Group and has neighbouring branches in Donnington, Broseley and Much Wenlock, providing access to a wide breadth of professionals with extensive knowledge in the veterinary field.

The surgery looks after its clients round the clock at the main hospital situated in Hollybush road, Bridgnorth. This facility is open 24hrs every day providing continued monitored care for patients with a dedicated team of vets and trained nursing staff.

We are now moving on to a new phase in our development of the Park street site. With extensive refurbishment we are able to offer a range of surgical facilities and diagnostic capabilities. We have introduced radiography, ultrasonography and dedicated dental and surgical areas.

The surgery now has two fully trained Veterinary nurses on site, looking after your pets, and offering a range of free preventative health clinics throughout your pet’s life, from your new puppy to those in advancing years. We have become registered as a Nurse Training Practice, passing on knowledge to the next generation through on –site training.

Stephanie has joined our existing veterinary surgeon, Adrian Budd, to provide a personal client and patient driven clinical approach.

And you will always be greeted by our friendly and helpful reception staff.

We provide a number of health initiatives including our own Pet Health Insurance and our Healthy Pet Club enabling you to spread the cost of Preventative health, and to be safe in the knowledge that you are always doing the best for your pet.

We are extremely excited about our new venture and are sure that you will be too.

Oxygen masks for animals campaign Shropshire house fires now have a much better chance of survival after a successful campaign to stock all county fire engines with pet sized oxygen masks.

Two Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service employees who helped to support a fundraising campaign backed by the public have been praised for their efforts.

Watch Manager Martin Huckle and support officer Emily Hodson, who work at Shrewsbury fire HQ, received an award from Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dave Myers for their “innovative thinking” and charitable work in aid of the campaign which touched the hearts of Shropshire people.

Martin helped to co-ordinate the campaign after being contacted by Hectors Greyhound Rescue, of Gobowen, which held a charity walk to buy the first two mini oxygen masks specifically designed for cats, dogs and smaller animals.

Since the campaign was launched less than two yeas ago, a total of 28 masks costing £90 each have now been placed on all Shropshire’s fire appliances, paid for from donations. Emily (20), who joined Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service as an apprentice, who lives in Telford, was praised for organising a bring your pet to work day to raise money for three charities, including the Smoky Paws national charity which provides the pet masks.

Telford firefighter Louise Fletcher (pictured) also raised funds to pay for five pet oxygen masks, among the first to go onto fire appliances.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is one of the first brigades in the UK to have the masks on all fire appliances.

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

27/02/2018 01:47

‘Keeping kindness at the heart of our care’

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39 Adverts.indd 1

26/02/2018 16:00

Care & Community In later years . . .

The Wrekin Housing Trust supports PCSO Ann Moore Working on the frontline of the police force in Telford is a job with plenty of variety, as one of the town’s police community support officers (PCSO) has discovered.

Ann Moore has recently started in the role and her job is to be a visible and reassuring presence while helping tackle any anti-social behaviour problems. However, Ann wouldn’t be in her position without funding from The Wrekin Housing Trust in a partnership believed to be the first of its type in the West Mercia Police area.

Last year it was decided that four PCSO posts, which were funded by Telford & Wrekin Council, would end as part of the council’s plans to find £30m of cuts by 2019.

However, the four posts were saved with Great Dawley, Oakengates, Madeley, Wellington and Newport town councils taking responsibility for the posts and the Wrekin Housing Trust agreeingWrekin to fund with14:28:43 the Newsone NEWfurther 17.pdf 1 post, 31/03/2017 officer working throughout Telford.

Ann is one of the town’s longest serving PCSO’s and has gained vast experience, from working across Telford and in specialist roles with the Safer Schools Programme and with Parking Enforcement. In her new role she works as a partnership between the police and The Wrekin Housing Trust to problem solve the more long-term community incidents that get reported.

Ann said every day in the post is different and she is enjoying working with The Wrekin Housing Trust. “I work all over Telford throughout the area covered by The Wrekin Housing Trust,” she said.

“So, I could be in Newport one day, Brookside the next and then in Sutton Hill. I usually come in to the station in the morning and look at any problems that have come in the previous night to see if it involves any Trust properties. Then I go out and patrol any areas that I’ve been requested to.

Ann, who lives in Telford, has been with the police for the last 14 years and transferred

> PCSO Ann Moore at The Wrekin Housing Trust head office in Telford.

to her new role from the Newport Safer Neighbourhood Team. As part of her role Ann will also work at a number of Trust community events throughout the year. “It is good to work with the local community and I’m getting to know the residents,” she said. “I go to their houses or their retirement living accommodation, have a cup of tea and listen to any issues they may have.

Phil Heywood, Neighbourhood Manager for The Wrekin Housing Trust, said Ann’s job was important in helping to tackle issues that concern residents and Trust tenants. “Ann provides valuable support to our local communities and works with residents to ensure any anti-social issues are dealt with quickly,” he said.

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26/02/2018 16:41

New appointments for leading Shropshire care provider Shropshire’s leading independent care home provider has made a series of new appointments to its management team.

C

OVERAGE CARE, which provides residential and nursing care for mainly older people in 14 homes across the county, said the five new home managers would underpin the not-forprofit company’s long-term strategy for a successful and sustainable future.

Wendy Lellek replaces the recently retired Elizabeth Jones at Greenfields in Whitchurch while Liam Palmer has been made Manager at Innage Grange, Bridgnorth.

Debbie Ellis has taken the helm at Barclay Gardens in Telford with Carolyn Fisher and Michelle Humphries taking over at Montgomery House and Coton Hill House in Shrewsbury respectively.

Chief executive of Coverage Care, David Coull, said: “I am delighted to welcome our new managers to their roles. They will play a pivotal role in the leadership and delivery of care in our homes and

New managers (L-R) Michelle Oseland, Kelly Lowry, Carolyn Fisher and Debbie Ellis with Chief Executive David Coull (centre).

in supporting our on-going aims to continually strive for improvement across our services.

“Great leaders deliver great services and we look forward to supporting them to achieve this as they bed into their new roles.”

Coverage Care homes are: Barclay Gardens, Chillcott Gardens, and Lightmoor View in

Telford; Barleyfield House, Briarfields, Coton Hill House, and Montgomery House in Shrewsbury; New Fairholme, Oswestry; Farcroft, Wellington; Greenfields, Whitchurch; Innage Grange, Bridgnorth; Stone House, Bishops Castle; The Cottage Christian Nursing Home, Newport; and Woodcroft in Market Drayton.

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 · 41

Coverage Care page.indd 1

26/02/2018 15:05

Syd

Taylor

The region’s nu mber one motoring journalist

Suzuki Vitara 1

.4 Boosterjet S

A DEVOTED COMPANION A

sudden flash of sunlight, too bright for the eyes, caused me to pull over at a convenient spot. I felt an urge to commune with nature and got out of the car. Sometimes on a winters day it’s possible to experience a foretaste of Spring. This was one of those moments.

My feet crunched on gravel as I made my way down to the edge of the lake. Lake Codsall lay still, its surface lustre like polished pewter reflecting the light, bursting with dazzling radiance where it caught the sun. I looked back.

The top ‘S’ spec. 4WD, £22,749 5 Door Suzuki Vitara stood motionless and proud on the raised track, resplendent with gleaming black alloy wheels and waiting for a further opportunity to serve its driver as only a true and devoted companion knows how.

Then a change. A breeze brought to life by an agency unknown, ruffled the placid surface of the lake. I shivered. It was time to go.

A thought came to me. Nothing original. Just a mental observation

that nature was seldom to be relied upon. A capricious force, always capable of summoning up disappointment from its inexhaustible reserves.

The opposite is the case with the Vitara. This compact 5 seat SUV never disappoints. Here is a car designed and conceived to deflect problems before they arrive. A functioning device offering versatility, comfort, style and performance without the vagaries of uncertain outcomes. In short, a solid tool for todays job of serving the family driver. Everything you ask of this admirable compact SUV is done with a calm and dependable aplomb that urges the poet in you to sing its praises in immortal lines. Proof positive that incommensurate nature can be tamed via technological and engineering thoroughness courtesy of one of the worlds outstanding motor manufacturers, whose cars are renowned for reliability.

As I opened the door into the well equipped cabin with its stylish design and quality fixtures and fittings, along with adjuncts to comfort and convenience like automatic air

42 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 42, 43 Syd Taylor.indd 1

26/02/2018 16:35

T h e at r e R e v i e w W I T H C H RI S O W EN

conditioning and DAB radio, I smiled in relief - for at that moment, unexpected cold winter rain stung my face. A second later and I would have been soaked.

I started the engine. A shape appeared in front of me, barely discernible through the curtain of rain on the windscreen. A man. A fellow human being clearly in distress. He waved a fishing rod. I understood at once. A recreational angler trapped in his own pool of misery courtesy of heartless nature. I had to help.

“Thanks a million” He spluttered as he took to the passenger seat with the gusto of a doomed gudgeon.

His name was Allan (With two ls) and his car, a cheap classic, had failed to start. I took him at once for a traditionalist and decided to show him in a subtle way just what the Vitara could do.

He had an appointment in town and, perforce, had to abandon his sad little car. It was lucky for him I was there. “I bet you don’t have any trouble starting this” He opined. I let that pass without comment.

The Vitara - with the wonderful 140PS 1.4 petrol engine, amply aspirated by BOOSTERJET technology, will take you to near 125mph on the road yet gives 52.3 mpg overall - barely noticed the steep and muddy incline up to the road. The generous torque readily transferred itself in ‘smart’ fashion to the wheels according to the traction needs of the moment.

On the highway, the All-Grip system adjusted to the tarmac, and ride and handling were nothing short of a good hatchback or saloon. This quite capacious car took off like a vehicle half its size and weight. Quickly and surprisingly smoothly we headed for town.

I sensed my passengers increasing awe and wonder and his evident admiration for the jolly and comforting sense of bonhomie imparted by clever cabin design. A dry place to be at the very least I chuckled to myself.

Suddenly a deer appeared in our path.

Before I had barely time to register its presence the Radar Brake Support system retarded our progress to allow the animal to survive the moment. Allan was overcome with emotion.

“How did you react so quickly?”

Dare I give the secret away? Why not? So I told him.

“You know” he said, “ Experiencing a car like this makes me think. Perhaps it’s time I got a new one.

Something a bit more modern. Like a Sunbeam.”

“Catch many fish?” I asked.

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O

nce again Wrekin News was invited

by HADS to review their latest production of that stalwart of British TV sitcom in the eighties – ‘Allo ‘Allo written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft.

Chris Owen our theatre reviewer was invited to attend their grand finale performance of 10th February.

Chris reports: ‘As with all adaptations the audience were carried along on waves of nostalgia for a treasured favourite which has also now become one of amateur theatres too.

This HADS production does not disappoint and with some innovative casting by director Edward Davies, he has avoided the cliche of recycling casts from local past productions when utilising the cream of local acting talent available.

The plot is perennial to the TV series revolving as it does around the constant struggle of Rene Artois to keep life and liberty together whilst running his small cafe in provincial France during WW2. This eternal predicament provides the wellspring of this timeless farce as Rene constantly strives to keep one step ahead of arrest and execution by the occupying German forces.

Chris added: ‘HADS talent for ensemble comedy playing comes to the fore and with some of the usual faces and a few new ones, the cast make much of a challenging theatrical adaptation involving multiple scene and costume changes.

The bill for costume hire must have been phenomenal as well as the one for the elaborate scenery and props changes which, although slowing the action pace down a little, did not detract from the overall enjoyment too much.

HADS veteran President and the play’s director Edward Davies says: - ‘I am marking my 60th year in the society with this warm, affectionate comedy which is uniquely British and borrows extensively from both of our proud Farce & Pantomime traditions. Of course this blends well with the seasonal calendar cycle of theatre productions.’

The production’s acting talent was diverse with the lead part of Rene taken by HADS stalwart Rob Fisher who was ably supported by Cath fisher (Edith), Jen Edwards (Yvette), Mike Candlin (Le Clerc), Jan Jackman (Michelle), Lisa Cane (Mimi) Andy Reed (Col. Von Strohm), Alec Edwards (Herr Flick) Karen Brittle (Helga), Mike White (Lt. Gruber), Russell Lawrence (Gen. Von Schmelling) Kane McCabe (Capt. Bertorelli) Edward added: ‘I would also like to thanks my wonderful cast and all those backstage and front of house without whom our productions would not be possible. Not forgetting of course our wonderful loyal patrons who ensured a sell-out for every performance.’

THE NEXT HADS PRODUCTION ON 10th -12th OF MAY IS FRANK VICKERY’S COMEDY: PULLIN’ THE WOOL USUAL BOX OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS APPLY. www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 43

42, 43 Syd Taylor.indd 2

26/02/2018 16:35

New Telford group offer creative help Telford Makerspace is a new Telford group asking local people to help build an amazing, non-profit resource where creative people throughout the community can make their ideas and inventions reality.

Makerspaces bring a whole host of positives to the communities they exist within - nurturing entrepreneurs; empowering people to build and create things; cross-fertilisation of ideas; learning valuable new skills. They bring equipment which would otherwise be too expensive or large to own at home, within the reach of ordinary people; provide a creative outlet and a forum for discussing and improving ideas; a community of like-minded people.

The closest maker spaces to Telford are in Digbeth to the South, or Stoke to the North, about an hour’s drive away, which makes it impractical for most people to use.

There is a clear need for something like this in Telford.

Telford Makerspace are opening up at the Belfrey Theatre and Arts Centre in Wellington in early March, with the aim of bringing these benefits to Telford.

On offer from the start, will be a range of equipment including a laser cutter, computers, sewing machine, craft tools, electronics equipment, hand and power tools - all of which have been donated or sourced by the founding members. There’s a long wish-list of equipment big and small, which the group are aiming to acquire - 3D printer; tower drill; knitting machine and so on. The founders are calling on creative people of all kinds, including artists, engineers, modellers and tinkerers in the Wellington and surrounding areas to join them in this community driven organisation.

Founding member Andy D’Arcy Jewell says; “Come and join us, and help us build a community resource where people can come to express their creative side - to build models, gadgets, ornaments, or to repair and improve things, share skills and expertise and learn new things! We want to make people of all ages, and all walks of life welcome, with a positive, inclusive culture.”

The group are going to run workshops and tutorials, and they want everybody to pitch in with their own creative ideas and interests. Meeting and workshop areas will be available for use both during the day and most evenings, and a regular programme of events is being planned. It already includes: Repair Cafe; Coding club; Digital Fabrication Workshop; Soldering and micro-electronics; Craft, wood- and metalwork; Home education groups.

Andy adds, “Everybody is welcome to come to Telford Makerspace whether they just want to use the equipment or space for personal projects, or join in with group projects or to help with running events. If you would like to share your own skills, interests or hobbies, that would be great too. Small business will also be welcome to use the facilities.”

There will be a minimal membership fee to cover rent and other running costs and purchase equipment and materials.

There will be various membership options such as individual, family, concession and so on, to suit everyone’s circumstances.

Contact the Makerspace Group The group has a web-site at https://telfordmaker.space and you can email them at hello@telfordmaker.space

Home Services

Call 01952 522562

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44 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 44 Home Services.indd 1

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Sport WREKIN NEWS

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BUCKS STRENGTHEN FOR SURVIVAL FIGHT

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FC Telford United boss Rob Edwards has dipped into the transfer market to secure the signing of Paul Bignot, younger brother of ex Bucks favourite Marcus, also centre back Niall Maher joins. Bignot junior appears to fit the bill as far as Telford’s needs are concerned.

At 32 he is well versed in the art of defending. He has plied his trade as a right back, centre back and

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defensive midfielder at several clubs, Kidderminster Harriers and Blackpool most notably. Maher brings league experience to the back line having featured at Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and Bury.

The 22-year-old joins from Galway United.

As expected the Bucks easily disposed of the National League North’s whipping boys, North Ferriby 3-0. However, hopes that this would be a turning point in

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> Bucks made a double swoop that included defender Paul Bignot, above.

their season were cruelly dashed as they fell to a 3-0 home reverse against lowly Curzon Ashton. A promising opening to the game was overshadowed by a timid response when Curzon took a first half lead. Worse was to come as Jake Dunwoody’s screamer hit the back of Telford’s net on the hour, from here the game died as a spectacle. The home side were then easy pickings as Niall Cummins added a third. To add insult to injury Amari MorganSmith missed a late penalty for Edwards’ side.

Telford could consider themselves unfortunate not to take all three points from their visit to The Lamb, home of Tamworth.

Twice the Bucks led through a Morgan-Smith effort and an own

> Niall Maher - impressed on his Bucks' debut against FC United of Manchester

goal by Joel Kettle. Tamworth responded first with Akwasi Asante getting on the scoresheet before Aman Verma broke Telford hearts with a leveller deep into added time.

Telford went into the Bucks Head clash with FC United four points from safety and were desperate for a win. New signings Bignot and Maher took to the pitch for their debut appearances.

Both acquitted themselves well but it was Shrewsbury Town loanee 18-year-old John Mcatee who made the headlines. The youngster winning the game with his first half strike in a game Telford controlled for long periods to deservedly capture the three points and pull themselves closer to safety.

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

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BobBlind Advert.indd 1

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GRAB YOURS!

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