Author: Sheila Davies

Come and listen to an evening of Sea Shanties

Friday 10^th May 2024, 7.30pm, Silvester Horne Institute, Church Stretton

The Lower Deckers Shanty Group are a fun, contemporary shanty group from Shropshire and Herefordshire. Their repertoire embraces traditional shanties, songs of the sea and sailing, folk songs and more! These talented singers regularly perform around the country at festivals, pubs and cafes, sharing their love for maritime music.

If you’re in the mood for some toe-tapping sea shanties, come along and they are sure to lift your spirits! ????

Bar available

Admission £10.00, Tickets (cash only) from Vines, the library and on the door

“Through the wardrobe: C. S. Lewis and the hidden secrets of the Narnia stories”

An illustrated talk by Ben Warren.

Tuesday 26 March 2024, 2.30pm in the United Reform Church Hall (URC)

The Narnia stories written by C. S. Lewis have been a publishing sensation – over 120 million copies have been sold since they were first published in the 1950s. In this talk Ben will explore the factors that led to their creation: the people Lewis met, the landscapes he loved, his vast knowledge of literature (including medieval literature) and, pervading all the stories, Lewis’s Christian beliefs.

In addition, Ben will explore the evidence for an intriguing new theory that there is a secret Narnia code – that each one of the seven Narnia books is based on the characteristics of one of the seven medieval planets.The talk will be illustrated throughout – including some of the beautiful original Narnia illustrations by the artist Pauline Baynes. This promises to be a fascinating and entertaining exploration of the background to Lewis’s enchanting imaginary world. All welcome.

In March, Church Stretton Library are aiming to have a Narnia themed display and Burway Books will be selling books by C S Lewis at this event.

Admission: £5 pay on the door

Russian Literature

Speaker: Janet Longstaff

Wednesday 28^th February, 2.30pm

Following her successful talk on Turkish Literature, Janet Longstaff is introducing us to Russian Literature. She doesn’t intend to get political, but will be historical and link books with places she has visited in Russia. Janet has a collection of over 70 books both by Russians and about Russia, some of which will be available to buy at her talk to raise extra funds for the library.

Admission £5.00, pay on the door

How would you cut millions from Shropshire Council’s budget?

Shropshire Council has to find savings of £23 million in next year’s budget, in addition to the £51 million savings made this year. This is likely to affect non statutory services such as libraries and leisure centres.

Shropshire Council is asking residents to tell them where they should make savings.  The survey is lengthy and asks people to prioritise different local authority services.  We have written some Hints and Tips below which we hope you will find helpful.

We encourage residents to complete the survey. We also recognise that your priorities might reflect your own personal experiences of needing these services for either yourself or your loved ones.

Hints & Tips

Print or online – You might find it easier to print the survey and decide how you want to fill it in before entering online.  You can download a print version of the survey at the bottom of this web page.  Printed versions of the survey are available at the library and completed paper surveys can be submitted there.

Video – The 2 minute video in which Lezley Picton, Leader of Shropshire Council, explains how money is currently spent is well worth watching to give some context to the survey.

Statutory and non statutory services – Adult Social Care, Children’s Social Care and Housing Services are statutory services, meaning local authorities have to provide them by law for those who need them.  Most savings will come from other services.  Local authorities have to provide a library service as it is a statutory service. However, they can make savings by closing some libraries and/or reducing opening times.

Outdoor spaces – Where this is mentioned, it does not refer to outdoor spaces in Church Stretton.  Rectory Wood, Coppice Leasowes, Sandford Avenue Town Park, the two recreation fields, the cemeteries, allotments and the war memorials are all funded by Church Stretton Town Council and not Shropshire Council.

Prioritisation and suggested options – These two sections include questions asking you to prioritise different services, including leisure and library services.  Please make sure you answer these two questions.

Other questions

If you struggle to answer some of the other questions as you do not think you have sufficient information, you can always flag these as ‘neither agree or disagree’ and add a comment to that effect.

Leisure or library service? – Some residents might struggle to prioritise one of these services above the other, as they are both important to Church Stretton. Putting one close to the other in the prioritisation is the best you can do. 

We encourage people to complete the survey as it is important that the views of residents from this area are heard.  Please remember to include Church Stretton as your nearest town at the end of the survey.

Links to the online consultation and print version of the survey can be found at Budget consultation 2024/25 | Shropshire Council

A printed copy of this web page can be downloaded here

The consultation runs until 28^th January 2024.

Speaker: Sandra Whitlock

Wednesday 17^th January at 2.30 pm in the Library

In September 2022, Sandra and Peter Whitlock managed to raise £400,000 through crowd funding to  purchase these  fields. The High Leasowes Management Committee now manage the three fields to improve habitat and increase biodiversity, whilst providing space for people to quietly appreciate the area. On a cold January day, we hope that you will join us to hear this inspirational story and enjoy photos of the fields at their best.

Admission £5.00, pay on the door. All proceeds going to support the library

Glyn’s Garden

Speaker: Hily Clarke

Date 24^th November, 2.30pm in the URC Hall

The illustrated talk will provide a potted history of gardening as a therapy.

Hily will also talk about the Church Stretton project and how it will be available to help a number of different groups locally.

Proceeds from the talk will be shared by Glyn’s Garden and the Friends of Church Stretton Library.

Help support these two local projects that are part of our rich local culture.

Admission £5.00, payable on the door.

Calendars are £8.00 and can be purchased in Church Stretton, Library, The Outdoor Depot, Peppers, and Stretton Print and Supplies. (cash only please)

This year photos have been kindly donated by eight local photographers: Yvonne Beaumont, Richard Childs, Penny Hayward, Ron Parnell, Andrew Fusek Peters, James Russell, Geoff Taylor and  Simon Whaley.

This calendar will make a wonderful present for friends and family, as well as a treat for yourself.

Each photograph is A4 in size and and comes with an envelope suitable for sending the calendar through the post

All profits go to the library

If you cannot get into town we can arrange local delivery but postage would have to be added if delivered outside the Strettons area.

For further information email churchstrettonlibrary@outlook.com

More photos can be seen below.

If you would like to purchase a print from one of the photos in the calendar please contact the photographers direct.

Richard Childs	www.richardchildsphotography.uk
Andrew Fusek Peters	www.fusekphotos.com
Ron Parnell	Email ronparnell77@gmail.com
James Russell	www.theoutdoordepot.co.uk
Geoff Taylor	www.geofftaylorphotography.com
Simon Whaley	www.simonwhaley.co.uk
Yvonne Beaumont	prints not for sale
Penny Hayward	prints not for sale

Bikeability is the national cycle training programme supported and funded by the Department for Transport. 

Level 1 is the first step in the Bikeability training scheme and prepares pupils for when they are in older year groups.  So, whether your child cycles regularly or not, the course will prove beneficial.  Shropshire’s Bikeability Scheme is delivered by Learn Cycling, a national training company who employ qualified, professional, DBS checked National Standard Instructors.

To take part, pupils will need:

A roadworthy cycle and a cycle helmet that fits securely.  A roadworthy cycle has:

●             inflated tyres, as hard as an apple

●             two working brakes

●             a well-oiled chain

●             a saddle and handlebars which are fixed on tight

We train in all weather conditions!  On cold or wet days please make sure pupils have coats and gloves.

This course develops the cycling skills and confidence of children who can already cycle (no stabilisers please)

Attendance is free but places are limited, and BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL.  Please call Church Stretton Library to book on 01694 722 535.