Friends of Church Stretton Library win National Prize!
We are pleased to announce that we have received two awards in a competition run by the Library Campaign, a national charity supporting Friends and users of libraries across the UK.
Fund-raising category: Calendar
We were awarded joint first prize in the ‘fundraising’ category for the calendar which we produce each year with scenic photographs of the area taken by local residents. The judges remarked that they were particularly impressed by how the wider community helps with this, in both producing and selling the calendar.
There are still a few 2026 calendars on sale in the library, Peppers and the Outdoor Depot.
We were also awarded a Special Mention for helping to provide a Dementia Collection in the library, working with ‘Stretton Dementia Friends’. The collection includes Information about Dementia, Information for Carers, books for children and young people, Picture to Share books, Relish jigsaws and specially adapted games. All of these have been added to the Shropshire Library catalogue and can be taken out on loan free of charge.
All the winning entries will be shared with other Friends groups across the UK. We hope this will lead to lots more libraries having Dementia Collections.
A talk by Graham Haynes – a Shropshire lad, a Church Stretton resident and a post-graduate researcher at Bangor University.
11th November 2025, URC hall, 2.30pm
According to the 2021 census data, Church Stretton’s population is heavily skewed towards older residents, yet despite this, our health seems to be robust, with above average numbers of residents reporting to be in good or fair health. Is there something about our community that may be contributing to this scenario? Graham will present findings from his research about the role of community in facilitating older people to age well, in a rural context. These will include the views of older people who have taken part in a small-scale study based in The Strettons.
PLEASE BOOK YOUR PLACE – as we expect a large number of people wanting to attend this event.
Our fabulous 2026 calendar makes a wonderful Christmas present, providing lovely photographs of the local area .
They are still on sale in Church Stretton Library, Peppers and the Outdoor Depot. For those who live outside the area or have difficulty visiting the town, calendars can be ordered by emailing admin@strettonlibraryfriends.org.uk
All profits from the sale of this calendar will go to supporting our local library here in Church Stretton.
You can browse the photos below which appear in the 2026 calendar below.
Jan Hoar frost -High Park poniesFeb – Farming on Ragleth hillMar – Walk to Cardington – dawnApr – Long Mynd treeMay- Church Stretto from Caer CaradocJune – KingfisherJuly – Caer Caradoc towards Church StrettonAug – Early morning at Wart HillSept -Long Mynd DogsOct – Autumn at Carding Mill ValleyNov – Fireworks on Rectory HillDec – Yearlet at dawn
Discover the secrets of the Swift with Julia Cowley from the Stretton Area Wildlife Group
16th July at 7.30pm in the library. Admission £5.00
The Common Swift (Apus apus) has graced our skies for millions of years. These remarkable birds spend almost their entire lives on the wing – feeding, mating, even sleeping in flight – and touch the ground only to nest.
Each year, swifts return from Africa to breed in the very places they were born. Many of us delight in watching them swoop and soar over Church Stretton on warm summer evenings.
But swifts are now critically endangered due to the loss of their breeding habitat and the global decline in insect populations – their only source of food.
Join Julie Cowley from the Stretton Area Wildlife Group at the Library on Wednesday 16 July at 7.30pm for a fascinating talk about these ancient aerial acrobats, learn how dependent they are on us, and what we can do to help them.
Admission: £5 on the door All proceeds go to support the Library.
You will hear more about the new funding agreement made between the Town Council & Shropshire Council to support the running of the library.
Hayley Reynolds, Church Stretton Library Manager will also give a short presentation on the impact the Friends of Church Stretton Library has on library’s operations.
The AGM will include the annual report and accounts presented by the Chair and Treasurer, as well as a vote on new trustee appointments.
Following the AGM there will be wine, soft drinks and nibbles in the URC garden.
You can download the agenda and papers for the meeting here
