This illustrated talk by Heather Williams combines her keen interest in both horticulture and history.
The Tradescants worked for some of the most powerful men in England and they were all men. John Tradescant the elder was born in 1570 and his son died in 1662 so they covered between them a very exciting period of British history. Both travelled widely, as far east as Russia and as far west as Virginia collecting rare bulbs and seeds of plants. Among the seeds brought back to introduce to English gardens were great American trees including magnolias, bald cypress and tulip tree, and garden plants such as phlox and asters.
Their adventures included possible spying, encounters with wars and pirates and using their collection of ‘curiosities’ running the first museum open to all for payment of a small fee.
Before moving to Church Stretton Heather was Chair of the South West Shropshire Historical Society, and more recently she was Chair of the Shropshire branch of the Hardy Plant Society.
Shropshire Council is asking Church Stretton Town council to help pay for the library. Before you complete the Town Council Survey please think about all the people in the community who would miss the library if it were to close.
Early years – First reading books; Rhyme Time colouring (all free)
School children – books they enjoy to develop reading skills and to help with school projects; holiday reading scheme and activities; Lego Club; school visits
Teenagers – books for teenagers; quiet and warm place to do homework with friends; free wifi and computer access; volunteer opportunities
Students -online reference materials; ability to reserve text books and save the cost of purchase
Job seekers – free computer and internet access is essential to those without their own computer, so they can claim benefits and seek jobs
Work/businesses – IT facilities such as scanner, printer, computers in case of problems at home/workplace
Retired – books on hobbies; reading and creative writing clubs; educational talks; Knit & Natter
And those needing Citizens Advice; internet access; large print books; audio books; home bound service; Memory Café; Warm Place in Winter
Library, Leisure Centre & Swimming Pool ALL at Risk
Shropshire Council has to make enormous savings in their budget to remain solvent. They are asking Town Councils to assist them financially next year to keep libraries, leisure centres and swimming pools open.
All these services are at risk of closure next year, unless this financial assistance is provided.
Church Stretton Town Council is consulting with local residents to find out if they would support an increase in next year’s precept to help save these services in Church Stretton.
We have produced background information about this consultation which you might find useful to read.
Friends can – and will – try to increase the amount of money we raise each year. However, we cannot raise all the money that is likely to be required by Shropshire Council on our own. We need the Town Council to also contribute.
Please bear this in mind when completing the Town Council Consultation.
Copies of the survey are being delivered to households by the Town Council over the next few days. Completed surveys can be left in the library, leisure centre, town council offices & Vines.
Local author Meredith Vivian will talk about his experience as a novelist, plus read extracts from his latest book to whet our appetites – a thrilling roller coaster of a novel!
Author Meredith Vivian is blind. According to him:
“The 1970s were my formative time, when I was a teenager – when life seemed full of promise and possibility. However, it was also the time when I began to lose my sight. Thus, “Gorgeous and Adorable” is a book full of hopes and fears, highs and lows, rather like my own life back then.”
There are 165 Scottish Islands and Janet has visited approximately one fifth of them- some several times, and nearly always by sailing boat (yacht). Janet’s talk will feature more than a dozen.
Each island has its own history, literature, wild-life and famous people including, of course, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald. Religion practised on each island was closely linked to its location. Some are remote whilst others are easily accessible and less than half of the islands are now inhabited.
The talk will be illustrated and there will be the opportunity to obtain books about the islands (with a donation to Friends of Church Stretton Library).
We have been overwhelmed with the quality of the photos submitted for the 2025 calendar. We had so many wonderful photographs to choose from it was difficult deciding which ones to choose.
This year we have four new photographers whose work has not appeared in any of our previous calendars. How lucky we are to have such talented people living in the area.
We would like to give a big thank you to Richard Gresswell, Jill Ming, Penny Hayward, Geoff Taylor, Matthew Halstead, Terry Moore, Sandra Whitlock, Richard Childs and Julia Williams who have given us permission to use their photographs.
A special thank you to Geoff Taylor who again has helped to source the photos and prepared the picture files to make a single proof print.
At the moment the calendar is only on sale in the library but it will be appearing in the shops around town in the Autumn.
We are again keeping the price at £8.00 this year, but you are welcome to top this up to £10.00 by making a donation of £2.00 to Friends of Church Stretton library when purchasing.
Each photograph is A4 in size and comes with an envelope suitable for sending the calendar through the post
This calendar makes a wonderful present for friends and family, as well as a treat for yourself.
The main topic for discussion at this year’s Annual General Meeting is the review of library services currently being carried out by Shropshire Council.
Their latest Financial Strategy mentions making savings by reducing spending on libraries and leisure centres, which could include reducing opening times, fewer premises or increased charges.
What can we do to influence decisions being made concerning Church Stretton Library?
How can we raise additional funds for the library if required?
Please come to our AGM so we can share ideas on how we think we can support our local library and gauge how much support there is in the community for such an approach.
You can download the agenda and minutes for the meeting here
Following the AGM there will be wine, soft drinks and nibbles in the URC garden.
A collection of resources to help people whose lives are affected by Dementia was launched at Church Stretton Library as part of Dementia Action week.
Left to Right: Pete Banford, Rawden Parslow, Sheila Davies, Vicky Munro, Hayley Reynolds (Church Stretton Library Manager)
The collection was purchased for the library by two local charities, Friends of Church Stretton Library & Stretton Dementia Friends.
The launch took place at the Memory Café, run by Stretton Dementia Friends, which meets once a month in the library. Pete Banford, Head of Culture & Communities for Shropshire Council and Rawden Parslow, Shropshire Council Principal Library Operations & Development Manager attended the launch and met with regular attendees of the Memory Café.
Sheila Davies, Chair of Friends of Church Stretton Library said:
‘We were delighted to help fund this resource, which would have been so useful to me personally when my mother was first diagnosed with dementia.This initiative will mean Church Stretton residents get helpful information early on and find out about resources that can help. I think all libraries should house a similar collection.’
The contents of the collection have been carefully selected to provide information and resources relevant to a wide range of the community, and not only those directly affected by Dementia. It includes:
Reading Well books: a collection of books approved by the NHS and Dementia Charities to provide information about dementia, practical advice for families and carers and inspiring personal stories written by people affected by dementia.
Books for children and young people: that aim to increase understanding about dementia and how they can help if one of their relatives has dementia.
Picture to Share books: which provide beautiful high-quality pictures combined with a a small amount of text, to help stimulate memories and conversation for those in the mid to late stages of dementia.
Relish Jigsaws: designed with a small number of pieces suitable for those with dexterity difficulties, pictures which stimulate memories and spark conversation and illustrations with vibrant colours to help with visual impairment.
Vicky Munro, chair of Church Stretton Dementia Friends said:
‘This collection is such an important resource and exemplifies our commitment to increasing awareness of, and information for, those living with dementia in our community. I’m proud to be formally launching this collection during Dementia Action week, when we are running over 14 activities for those with memory issues’
The books and jigsaws can all be taken out on loan from the library.
Friday 10th 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
