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Consultation

Budget Consultation

Shropshire Council have launched an online budget consultation asking residents to prioritise which services they think are least important.

They need to make huge savings next year, by reducing services and increasing how much they charge for services.

The survey includes questions about libraries and leisure centres.

Please let people know about this survey and if they do not use the internet, that printed copies are available in the library.

Please download our information sheet which you might find helpful when filling in the survey.

The closing date for the survey is 16th January.

PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS CONSULTATION as the results will influence where services are cut.

2026 calendar still available

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.

Two Long Mynd ponies taken with hard frost
Jan Hoar frost -High Park ponies
Farmer leading sheep downhill in deep snow
Feb – Farming on Ragleth hill
Mar Photo - Walk to Cardington - view of road heading towards Cardington at dawn, showing trees and hedgerows and blue sky with pink clouds
Mar – Walk to Cardington – dawn
Photo of lone tree on the Long Mynd
Apr – Long Mynd tree
View of Church Stretton nestling in front of the Long Mynd, taken from the top of Caer Caradoc
May- Church Stretto from Caer Caradoc
Portrait photo of Kingfisher on perch
June – Kingfisher
View of top of Caer Caradoc with Church Stretton below
July – Caer Caradoc towards Church Stretton
Photo of sun rays shining between the trees in a wood
Aug – Early morning at Wart Hill
Photo of three dogs on the Long Mynd
Sept -Long Mynd Dogs
Photo of fungi on rocks in Carding Mill Valley
Oct – Autumn at Carding Mill Valley
Photo of fireworks in sky above Rectory hill celebrating Bonfire Night
Nov – Fireworks on Rectory Hill
Picture from Yearlet at dawn in heavy frost showing sun rising behind Caer Caradoc opposite,
Dec – Yearlet at dawn

AGM 2025

AGM 2025, Wednesday 11th June

United Reform Church Hall, 7.30pm

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

ALL WELCOME

Author Talk

Thursday 7th November 2024 , 7pm in the library

You will hear from Meredith about his latest novel. “Gorgeous and Adorable”, a 1970s-set roller-coaster ride of a thriller about a young couple in way over their heads. The novel features some of the most loveable (and most despicable) characters imaginable – but who will come out on top?

Local author Meredith Vivian will talk about his experience as a novelist, plus read extracts from his latest book  to whet our appetites .

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.”

MEREDITH VIVIAN, OBE, grew up in London and worked for the Department of Health for many years before leaving to become a clinical hypnotherapist and author and settle in Church Stretton. He has taken on many voluntary roles and is the current Chair of Mayfair. He is also a non-executive director of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin NHS Integrated Care Board.

Please come along to support this event to help raise funds for the library.

The talk will be followed by drinks and nibbles.

All welcome!

Tickets £7.50 on the door.

Who would miss the library if it closed?

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

Town Council Consultation

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.

You can also complete the survey online on the Town Council website here.

Closing date of the consultation is 7th October

If you have any further questions about this please contact us

High Leasowes Illustrated Talk

Photo of High Leasowes in June showing wild flowers

Speaker: Sandra Whitlock

Wednesday 17th 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

Illustrated Talk

Glyn’s Garden

Speaker: Hily Clarke

Date 24th 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.