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Bridgnorth Journal - 03-Nov-2022

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Thursday, November 3, 2022

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Council seeking to create hub of venues for residents before winter begins to bite

PAUL JENKINS

paul.jenkins@mnamedia.co.uk

Bridgnorth Town Council is looking to set up a hub of venues in the town to help residents stay warm and safe this winter.

Warm Welcome locations have already been set up across the county and nationally but currently there is only one in Bridgnorth – at the library in Listley Street. Councillors discussed setting up further venues across the town at a meeting on Tuesday night, with three identified. If finalised, the town council may provide some funding to help set them up, staff them and provide ongoing support. Two organisations in Bridgnorth have expressed an interest in running a Warm Welcome group: the Baptist Church in West Castle Street and St James’ Church Hall in The Grove. Councillor David Cooper, who proposed the expansion of the groups, said: “The problem at the moment is space and location. Bridgnorth Library is a smallish building and it might not be suitable for large numbers of people coming in. “We could do with a few locations where people in other areas of the town don’t have to go too far to access this service.” Meanwhile Bridgnorth Food Bank says the number of people they are helping is rising, with 65 adults and 31 children accessing it this week. They are short on jam, coffee, tinned meat, biscuits, milk squash and shampoo.

Hundreds to attend club’s firework show

Hundreds of people are expected to turn out at Bridgnorth Rugby Club this Saturday for the annual firework display. Last year’s event sold out but there are still some tickets left for Saturday’s displays, which will take place at Edgar Davies Ground in Low Town. There will be junior and main displays at 7.15pm and 8pm, a hog roast and licensed bar, food stands and entertainment. Advanced ticket prices are £6 or £7 on the gate and under 13s £3.50. For full details go to www. bridgnorthrfc.rfu.club

Appeal after raiders target riding stables

Police are investigating after raiders struck at a riding stables near Bridgnorth this week. KA Horses at Alveley was targeted at around 11.35am when thieves smashed a car window and stole a handbag belonging to a staff member on Tuesday. Two people were believed to be involved in the theft as they drove a black Audi into the yard at Turley Green. The incident was picked up on a security camera. Police have the CCTV footage of the incident and have appealed for anyone who has information to call them on 101.

Garden centre is hit by ‘severe flooding’ Staff Sarah Stokes, left, and Jane Palmer toast The George’s new inclusion in the Good Beer Guide

Cheers as new pubs feature in real ale ‘bible’ Staff at a popular Bridgnorth pub are saying ‘cheers’ after being included in the 2023 Good Beer Guide. The George, at Hollybush Road, is one of eight Bridgnorth entries in the guide, produced by the Campaign for Real Ale. It joins the Black Horse and Fosters Arms as new entries, with The Black Boy, Gold-

en Lion, Old Castle, Railwayman’s Arms and Shakespeare Inn all retaining their places from last year. Sarah Stokes from The George said they always try to keep a variety of real ales on tap from different breweries as well as different kinds of beer from dark to light and mild. She said: “It is great we have been

recognised in this way and join so many other pubs in the town. “The Good Beer Guide is the bible of the industry and it is not easy to get into the book.” The latest edition shows the county has 14 breweries, with five having been lost over the past year. l Guide – Page 12

A garden centre near Bridgnorth was forced to temporarily close its restaurant and Christmas department due to severe overnight flooding. Staff at Bridgnorth Garden Centre on Bridgnorth Road at Shipley, discovered the incident early on Tuesday morning. They were able to open up at 11am after tackling the water but the Christmas department and restaurant remained closed for the whole of the day. The toilets were also affected by the closure. l Story – Page 2

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Further chance to see modern art at venue An exhibition of British modern art near Bridgnorth is extending its opening after a successful first season. ‘The Modern Movement’ opened at Dudmaston Hall, a National Trust property near Bridgnorth, earlier this year. At weekends in November, visitors will have the chance to view this collection of paintings and sculpture by top British artists including Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth. Laura Bishop, the senior collections and house officer at Dudmaston, said: “The exhibition has been so popular. “We want to give everyone the chance to see these incredible works of art before we close our doors for the winter. “‘Two Forms (Orkney)’ by Barbara Hepworth is my personal favourite piece in the exhibition. It’s an iconic sculpture and typical of her style.” The Galleries, along with the Dingle walks, bookshop and tea-room at Dudmaston, will be open on Saturdays and Sundays throughout November. For opening times, visit the website at www.nationaltrust. org.uk/dudmaston

Motorhome theft at storage unit Police are appealing for information following the theft of a motorhome from a storage facility. The theft of the Fiat motorhome was reported on Saturday and would have been stolen sometime between then and October 6. It was being stored at a facility in the Tasley area, near Bridgnorth. West Mercia Police is assuring residents that enquires are continuing into the theft, with Automatic Number Plate Recognition checks having been conducted. The last three characters of the motorhome’s registration are WZC, the police said.

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Garden centre affected by flooding disruption Parts of site had to be temporarily closed after water problem MEGAN HOWE

megan.howe@mnamedia.co.uk

A garden centre had to temporarily close its restaurant and Christmas department due to a flood.

Staff at Bridgnorth Garden Centre on Bridgnorth Road at Shipley, between the south Shropshire town and Wolverhampton, confirmed the news on Tuesday morning. The centre was closed up until 11am for staff to deal with the incident after what is believed to have been a burst pipe. Although it was reopened later in the day, the Christmas department and restaurant remained closed on Tuesday afternoon. A statement said: “With great regret we are having to close our Christmas department and restaurant today due to severe flooding overnight. “We hope to have the restaurant back open as soon as safe to do so, but Christmas will take us a lot longer to recover unfortunately.” A later statement added: “We have now reopened the store. Unfortunately restaurant, toilets and our Christmas shop will be shut for the remainder of the day. Thank you for all the kind messages and offers of support sent. “We are working through the worst of it and will have our Christmas shop at least open, even if the carpet is a little soggy.” People have taken to social media to share their disappointment and to commend the Christmas displays at the centre. Francesca Caruana said: “We walked through on Sunday and it was stunning. Terrible news. Hope the damage isn’t as bad as you anticipate.” “Hope it is not as bad as it looks. We were there only last week and used the restaurant. The Christmas displays are stunning,” Denise Robinson added.

Robin Melley celebrates Matrix Capital Limited’s Top 100 listing

Listing delight for leading firm Chartered financial planners at a Shropshire firm have been officially recognised as one of the Top 100 advisers in the UK. Matrix Capital Limited, based near Bridgnorth, has been named by the New Model Adviser publication as one of the best in the country. Founder and managing director Robin Melley said: “We have been listed in the Top 100 for over a decade now, and it’s gratifying to see that we are maintaining and

exceeding the standards we set for ourselves. “To be recognised among the very best in our profession for such a long and continuous period of time is a real testimony to the efforts we all put in to make sure our clients receive effective and pragmatic financial advice. “It’s yet more evidence to show that clients can have complete peace of mind that they are working with a company that really is a safe pair of hands.”

MP’s reminder to people over use of old stamps People in Bridgnorth are being reminded to use up non-barcoded stamps – which go out of use in less than 100 days. From February 1, barcoded definitive stamps will be the only type which are valid for postage. Now South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne has urged constituents to use up their old stamps. He said: “Many households will have the old type of stamp stashed away in a drawer or desk and run the risk of forgetting to use them before the February deadline. “With Christmas fast approaching, there is an excellent opportunity to make use of any stamps you may have for sending Christmas cards and connecting with loved ones by post.” The MP advised: “If you are unable to use up your stock of stamps, they can be exchanged by sending them to Royal Mail along with an exchange form. “There is currently no end date for when customers can swap their stamps – so unused stamps can be exchanged after January 31.” Swap forms are available from w w w. r o y a l m a i l . c o m / b a r c o d e d stamps where a form can be printed or requested, or alternatively contact Royal Mail’s customer experience team on 03457 740740.

Cat is rescued by firefighters Firefighters were called to rescue a cat that got stuck behind kitchen cupboards. The curious moggy became trapped at a home in Salop Street, Bridgnorth on Wednesday last week. The crew used small tools to safely rescue the animal. A Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “At 2.30pm, SFRS Fire Control received a call reporting an incident in Bridgnorth. One cat was released from entrapment behind kitchen cupboards using small tools.”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Historian joins team of authors at library’s event

Historian Clive Gwilt

There will be a chance to meet a number of authors and quiz them about their work in Bridgnorth this weekend. Bridgnorth Library has organised a Meet The Author event with an impressive range of writers from the fields of both fiction and non-fiction. Among the latter category will be historian Clive Gwilt will join a number of other authors at the event which begins at 10am. There is not much Clive does not know about the history of his home

town: he has written at least three books on the history of the town including ‘Bridgnorth Through Time,’ ‘A History of Bridgnorth’ and ‘Bridgnorth from Old Photographs’ as well as one on the inns and alehouses of the town. Elena Wilkes, Hohn Shipley, Paul Cunningham, Amy Beashel, Kevin Horak and Chris Owen will also feature – they have written books from both the fiction and non fiction genres. There will be the opportunity to question the authors, to find out

how they got started and to buy copies of their books as well as some other top quality titles which will be on sale. Bridgnorth librarian Emma Spenser said: “It’s the perfect opportunity to find out about their fascinating journeys into print and to pick up some top quality titles for yourself or to gift as Christmas presents! Shop local and support local authors!” The free event takes place at the library, at Listley Street between 10am and 2pm on Saturday.

Former rugby club captain is now a success off pitch too

MATTHEW PANTER

matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

A former apprentice steel erector is laying the foundations for the future after being appointed to a new role.

Calum Madden, who started his career in the construction industry as a teenage apprentice 12 years ago, has been named regional head of build at Vistry Mercia, just four years after joining the company as a site manager. The 28-year-old, who lives in Much Wenlock and captained Bridgnorth RFC at rugby, was put in charge of building Bovis Homes properties at Marbury Meadows in Wrenbury in 2018. And he said that played a key role in his current success. “After I proved myself there, I was put in charge of Silver Acres in Kidderminster where I was site manager from start to finish. “I was made area build manager in 2020 and was lucky enough to be offered the position as regional head of build, which I see as a natural progression and just reward for my dedication and commitment to the job. I joined the industry just weeks after leaving school as an ap-

prentice steel erector but I always had big plans for the future. I may have hung up my boots as captain of Bridgnorth Rugby FC’s first team a couple of years ago to concentrate on work, but I still see myself as a leader off the pitch. I have a lot of people looking to me for decisions and you have to be able to recognise when to talk and when to listen.” Vistry Group incorporates Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Vistry Partnerships and Calum now finds himself in charge of team of up to 80 staff. Calum said: “There is lot going on here at Vistry Mercia and I have to oversee all nine developments to ensure that all the site staff and trades people have the working environment, tools and materials they need to hit their build targets. As has been the case across the industry recently, we have encountered issues with materials so have had to find alternative suppliers to make sure we can stay on track and, most importantly, deliver the new homes on time. “I want young people to look at me to know that they can make it to higher management positions without a degree. I didn’t go to university and I didn’t particularly enjoy school but I have found something that I have an absolute passion for and am succeeding.”

Calum Madden, of Much Wenlock, has a new high-flying construction role

TALKING POINT

COUNCILLOR CHRISTIAN LEA, BRIDGNORTH EAST & ASTLEY ABBOTTS For those who regularly read this column when I write it, you will note that it often refers to highways matters – and on this occasion it is no different. I have been pursuing Shropshire Council’s highways department over the issue of the very poor condition of the short stretch of road on The Mall between the junction of St Nicholas Road and the junction with Grove Crescent. I am pleased to say that the council’s contractors Kier are producing a ‘design and build’ proposal and hopefully the resurfacing work will be carried out this financial year, if at all possible. I know that residents on The Mall will very much welcome this news. Pothole repairs have also been undertaken on The Croft which is further positive highways news. Councillor Kirstie HurstKnight and I are continuing to work with the local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team to help combat the disruption that is being caused to local residents through anti-social driving. Affected local residents are being asked to complete a log of when anti-social driving is taking place, along with vehicle registration details and to supply any photographs or video footage. This will then assist the local police in combating this anti-social behaviour. Finally, Cllr Hurst-Knight and I held our usual monthly surgery two weeks ago which was well attended, with local residents seeking assistance on getting faulty street lights repaired, a blocked drain emptied as well as an issue relating to a local footpath. Our next surgery is on Saturday, November 26 at Bridgnorth Library between 10.30am and noon. Residents do not need to make an appointment and if the issue is urgent then please contact me before and I will do my best to assist.

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PM ‘committed to going green’ Bridgnorth’s MP says he believes new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is “completely committed” to cutting greenhouse gases. The government’s Net Zero ambition includes ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK by 2030. Ludlow Conservative MP Philip Dunne, who chairs the influential Environmental Audit Committee in Parliament, said: “Rishi is completely committed to the net zero ambition. “I feel confident that under his leadership as Prime Minister the government will head down that path.” Mr Dunne told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme on Tuesday that the move away from internal combustion engines means changing a complex web of behaviours and a shift in the way the economy operates.

Police plea as BMW is stolen Police are looking for witnesses after a BMW was stolen from a driveway. Shifnal and Albrighton PC, Mandy Cooper, said the car had been taken from a property on Albert Road in Albrighton. She said those responsible had got into the property, taken the keys, and then taken the car sometime between 9pm on Friday, October 28, and 12.15am on Saturday, October 29. She said: “We are appealing to the Albrighton community for information following a burglary at a property in Albert Road, Albrighton. “The offender or offenders gained access into the property and used keys to steal a grey BMW convertible, registration number BD22 JKK. Anyone with any information is asked to contact us online.”

Delays expected as road closes A major road is set to be closed for more than a month for the latest phase of work to stabilise a slipped embankment. The B4373 Ironbridge Road at Broseley closed on Monday and is not expected to reopen until December 16. A diversion route has been put in place during the closure, with traffic directed via Much Wenlock and Buildwas. The work, which started on September 12, involves reinstating the slipped embankment, new drainage system and reinstatement of the carriageway. Shropshire Council said that the work will stop for two main events in the town – Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas lights switch-on. A Shropshire Council spokesman said: “Inevitably there will be some disruption and delays during these works, for which we apologise, and people are thanked for their co-operation during the works.”

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Town jewellers celebrating its first anniversary

Valerie Worton

A Bridgnorth jewellers is celebrating its first anniversary. Ian Charles Jewellers can be found just a few steps off High Street by the town hall in Central Court. The shop was opened by Valerie and Ian Worton and during the last year the pair have also taken on an office and created an in-house design studio above the premises where they work together to build up their business. Valerie creates the pieces using a method that she developed herself from an art form called encaustic art and says she loves melting the coloured beeswax to form the

beautiful patterning. The brand name of the jewellery is Val B’s Wax Jewellery. There are several collections including a designer range called Desire. More recently the couple have been extending and improving the memorial ashes range called Bee Remembered.

Popular Valerie said: “Cremation ashes jewellery has become extremely popular in the last few years. Clients are now requesting more personal pieces and meet them privately and design their piece with

them in-house. We have also been liaising with funeral directors from the surrounding area so they can provide families with information and examples of our range. “We provide a very personal service tailored around the client’s requirements. Pieces can be ordered directly from the funeral director or if they wish they can visit us in our private office.” If you would like more information about Ian Charles Jewellers you can visit them in person or log onto their website at www.iancharlesjewellers.co.uk, give them a call on 07813 769904 or email iancharlesjewellers@gmail.com

Highest honour is awarded to talking newspaper volunteers

SUE AUSTIN

sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk

The East Shropshire Talking Newspaper has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, it was presented to the charity by Anna Turner, the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire. Robert Green, the talking newspaper’s chairman, said members were thrilled and could not be more pleased. “Only three such awards were given in Shropshire this year and we feel privileged indeed that we received one of them,” he said. He said that as part of the decision to give the award the talking newspaper welcomed two of the Lord-Lieutenant’s deputies to its studio to see for themselves the work of the volunteers. The award was presented at the talking newspapers new base provided by the Wrekin Housing Group. “We are indebted to one of our volunteers, Tim Allsop who started the whole venture off.” Shropshire originally had one talking newspaper, launched in 1976 to help people with impaired vision. Then in 1990 it split into the East and the West talking newspapers, the east serving Telford, Albright-

Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire Anna Turner with chairman Robert Green on, Shifnal, Ironbridge, Much Wenlock, Bridgnorth, Newport, Claverley, Highley, Alverley and Market Drayton. “We provide a free weekly USB memory stick of local news and features to our listeners,” Mr Green said. “We now record remotely and send the items to a central file store.”

Arson alert over dumped rubbish Residents across Telford are being asked to help reduce the risk of arson attacks by disposing of rubbish carefully. Telford & Wrekin Council is urging people to keep a look out for potential fire risks. Since 2019, more than 11,000 fly-tipping incidents have been recorded at a cost to the taxpayer in the region of £784,000 .

Deputy leader for Telford & Wrekin Council, Councillor Richard Overton said: “Please dispose properly of any waste to help reduce the number of deliberate fires in your local community. “By thinking twice and working together we can make sure that public safety is a priority, ensuring bonfire night remains a fun time for all.”

Up until 2012 cassettes were send out to listeners but they were replaced when new technology saw them become almost obsolete. He said the talking newspaper was staffed entirely by volunteers, and operated solely via voluntary donations from both individuals and organisations. “We have been affected by the

postal strikes as the USB sticks are kindly delivered free of charge for us through Royal Mail. “We hope that things will get back to normal soon.” Anyone interested in receiving the talking newspaper or in volunteering to help can find out more information online at eastshropshiretn.co.uk.

Writers ready to inspire each other Writers in the south Shropshire area can put pen to paper and inspire each other at a library event taking place later this month. The Cleobury Mortimer Creative Writing Group meets at the town’s library on the second Monday of each month at 6.30pm, to swap their stories and discuss literary issues. Each month, members agree on

a subject to write about and share their writing. If a new member does not want to read, they are welcome to sit and listen. The aim is to encourage everyone to simply enjoy writing. The next meeting is scheduled to take place on November 14 at the library.


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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

No decisions on sites for new speed cameras until next year A decision on the location for average speed cameras in the county is not expected until next year, it has been confirmed. West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion confirmed the allocation of £400,000 to set up an average speed camera scheme in Shropshire in September. It came after calls for increased safety measures on the A41 – one of the county’s most dangerous roads. Since the start of 2017 there have been more than 190 crashes where people were killed or injured on the road between Cosford and Whitchurch. West Mercia Police’s Road Safety department has now confirmed that a group has

been set up to look at the best location for the cameras. They added that recommendations from the group would be reviewed following the decision. Shropshire Council, which is involved in the recommendations, and passed a motion earlier this year calling for Mr Campion to introduce average speed cameras on the A41, said discussions were taking place about the plans. The Shropshire Council motiowwn was led by Cheswardine Councillor Rob Gittins, who said drivers were frequently becoming frustrated on the route, leading to crashes. Speaking in August he said: “I think people

Julia Walters died in the collision at Much Wenlock

Grandmother killed on way to see her family

PAUL JENKINS

paul.jenkins@mnamedia.co.uk

A pensioner who was visiting her grandchildren died when she lost control of her car at Much Wenlock.

Julia Walters, aged 75, from Salisbury was travelling on the A458 going in the direction of Shrewsbury on Sunday, July 10 when she lost control of her Honda Jazz which hit a kerb and went into the path of a Skoda Octavia being driven in the opposite direction. An inquest, held in Shrewsbury on Tuesday, which was attended by her sons Roger and Glen, heard she died at the scene, with the occupants of the other car, Timothy Hughes and his two sons, needing hospital treatment. The court heard evidence from PC Mark Hobden from the Road Police Unit at Telford who estimated retired financial adviser Mrs Walters was travelling at 45mph when she hit the reservation and veered directly into the path of Mr Hughes, who braked and tried to get to the side of the road, but couldn’t avoid a collision. PC Hoben said: “There was a raised kerb distinguishing between the two lanes on the A458 as you come into or leave Much Wenlock, with the Honda travelling from Bridgnorth and the Skoda travelling towards it.

Control

“The road markings were clear but before the collision she stuck the pedestrian kerb causing a tyre to blow out and this caused her to lose all control of the car and the ability to brake quickly. “Eye witnesses reported hearing a big bang and the car went into the opposite lane and hit the Skoda which was travelling at 30mph. “The two cars ended up facing the same direction. Sadly although efforts were made to help Mrs Walters, she died at the scene of the accident. John Ellery senior coroner for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin said a number of possible causes of the crash had been ruled out, including a medical episode or driver impairment. Mrs Walters was found to have normal levels of prescribed medicine in her blood but no alcohol. He also ruled out a case of distraction, saying she was carrying her pet dog in the back of the car but he was securely fastened in. At an earlier hearing, the family issued a statement thanking everyone who had supported them during “this difficult time”. The coroner ruled the cause of death was a road traffic collision.

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would think twice about overtaking when they know there are average speed cameras about. It would force them to think ‘is it worth six points or three points’ on their licence just to go speeding past a line of traffic.” Richard Marshall, the authority’s cabinet member for highways, added that they were also looking at other sites where cameras could improve road safety. A spokesman for West Mercia Police Road Safety group said: “A working group has been established to produce a business case. Whilst work is under way, it is still in the early stages and a decision on the recommendations will be made next year.”


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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Advertising screens plan raises concerns Plans to install 75-inch advertising screens in a town centre are expected to be voted down. A set of applications for six BT street hubs, which would have large LED screens, have been submitted for several Shrewsbury streets. But they are expected to receive the thumbs-down from Shropshire Council’s northern planning committee due to not being in-keeping with the town’s historic surroundings. They would be sited at Claremont Bank, the junction between Smithfield Road and Chester Street, St Mary’s Street, Castle

Driver is injured in incident with van

A van driver was seriously injured as he tried to stop his vehicle from hitting a house. An off-duty nurse and member of the public gave first aid to the driver after the incident at Newnham Bridge at around 1.45pm on Friday last week. A spokesperson for the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Cleobury Mortimer and Tenbury Wells went to the scene and on arrival found that a commercial van had collided with the front end of a two-storey domestic property. The driver was taken to hospital by ambulance for medical treatment.

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Street and near the market entrance in Shoplatch. Phone boxes would also be removed from Castle Street, Market Street and Shoplatch. The hubs would be nearly 3m high and 1.2m wide with LED screens on both sides. Businesses would pay BT to display advertising material and fund the hubs, which would provide ultrafast public and encrypted wi-fi, USB ports for charging, free phone calls and a direct 999 call button. A Shropshire Council development management report said: “It is considered that the proposed hub due to its scale, design

and digital display screen and having regard to the character of the area in which it will be located, would have an adverse visual impact on the character and appearance of the street scene, the setting of nearby listed buildings and this part of Shrewsbury town centre conservation area. “The proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to local plan policies and also fails to preserve or enhance the setting of nearby listed buildings or the character or appearance of the conservation area.” The committee will meet on Tuesday.

Jazz guitarist will bring group to town

Start-up firms in region are hit hard

A county venue will be hosting a gig organised by Shrewsbury’s jazz group. Vitor Pereira – Quintet & Electric Chamber will be playing at The Hive in Shrewsbury at 8pm on November 12. A spokesman for the organisers, Shrewsbury Jazz Network (SJN), said: “London-based guitarist and composer Vitor Pereira returns to SJN at the Hive with a double bill of his creative and adventurous quintet.” Tickets cost £23, or £12 for those under 22, and are available from 01743 234970, or by visiting hiveonline.org.uk, the organisers have said.

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The fox warms up after her frightening ordeal

Fox rescued after plunging into tank at treatment works

NICK HUMPHREYS

nick.humphreys@shropshirestar.

A young female fox escaped serious injury after plunging eight feet into an empty water storage tank.

An eagle-eyed worker at Severn Trent’s sewage treatment works in Coalport Road, Madeley, Telford, alerted the RSPCA when he spotted the frightened vixen in the corner of the tank, standing in three inches of rainwater. A pallet was lowered into the tank for the fox to stand on before RSPCA inspector Claire Davey arrived to try and catch her. Initially it was thought the officer would have to climb down into the pit using her ladder, but an access door at the back of the tank was unlocked, allowing her to get inside and safely secure the animal using a grasper. The cold and bedraggled vixen, who had some heavily bleeding claws, was then transferred to Cuan Wildlife Rescue in Much Wenlock, where she settled down for the night with a large bowl of food. The following day she was sedated and examined more closely by the centre’s vet. Because she was found close by, the vixen was scanned for a microchip to see if she was a fox they had encountered before. Vets may microchip foxes coming into their care for post-release monitoring purposes. Dani Peat, senior wildlife care assistant at the rescue centre, said: “We were really surprised to see she was one of our fox cubs who we’d released back in July. What were the chances? “After her examination, it was quickly determined that there was no lasting damage; her claws were all intact, she was healthy and probably had just needed bed and food for the night.” The vixen was collected again by Claire and re-released back in the countryside near the site of the rescue.

The tank where the fox was found Claire said: “We think she’d probably been stuck in the tank no longer than 24 hours but it was wet and cold and must have been a thoroughly unpleasant experience for her. It was also a fairly substantial drop, so she was very fortunate to escape more serious injury. “Returning an animal like this back into the wild is always one of the best parts of my job and I’m really grateful to Neil Jones at Severn Trent for reporting the incident to us so promptly, and to the team at Cuan Wildlife Rescue for the care and rehabilitation they gave her. “I’m sure they were a little surprised to see her back again, but no doubt relieved she’s had another happy ending.” Neil added: “We’ve got a disused water tank on the site that I walk past every day and always have a glance in. Luckily the tank only had a few inches of water in it, but the poor fox was in the corner looking terrified and absolutely frozen. “There was no way she could have got out by herself, so we called the RSPCA and lowered a pallet into the tank so that she could get out of the water. The inspector was fantastic and had the fox out of the tank really quickly.”


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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Runners put through paces on 10k course DOMINIC ROBERTSON

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

The Bridgnorth 10k returned to the town with great success as runners of all ages put their best foot forward on a scenic route. Organised by Bridgnorth Running Club, Sunday’s event saw 320 athletes go through their paces for the first time in three years after the popular event was curtailed by the pandemic. Spectators thronged roads through the High and Low towns of Bridgnorth and the race ended with a run up Railway Street, one of the steepest residential roads in the country. It was the seventh year the event had been held and race committee chairman Craig Coates said it was one of the most successful so far. He said: “We had 399 people entered but we always account for some no-shows and it was a good number of runners, a good turnout for what is one of the highlights of the calendar. “It was also good to see so many people turnout to support the runners, their encouragement does make a difference, particularly in the latter stages.”

There was a good turnout from members of Lawley Running Club, Telford

Eleanor Williams and Claire Mathias

Runners at the start of the race

Time to grin and bear it as the race gets under way – only another 10k to go

The front runners set a strong pace as the race got under way

Ready at the start point in High Street, Bridgnorth, were Stuart Bickerton and Claire Upton.

From left: Alan Pitchford, John Wood, Alex Vasilionka and Steve Langford


8 COMMENT & ANALYSIS COMMENT House prices have fallen following the disastrous mini-budget and the economic challenges facing the UK. That’s not a surprise considering the rise in mortgage rates and a dip in confidence. People who’d been looking to move into the market have been put off, either because they can no longer afford it or because they no longer see it as being a wise decision financially. A cooling-off of the market will not be a bad thing, however. The housing market has continued to swell over a long period of time and if we enter a period of years where the market is more stable, many will be pleased. In recent years, first-time buyers have faced an impossible task of getting on the ladder as prices have grown quicker than they can save for a deposit. Presently, mortgage rate repayments are increasing in much the same way, more quickly than their wages. While that stability on house values may be welcome, will we be able to avoid a sharp downturn in values, which happened during previous boom-and-bust cycles? Rishi Sunak needs to seek stability and a recovery from recession that can bring back confidence and ultimately bring down inflation, stabilise interest rates and put our economy on an even keel. There is considerable work to do and the recent mismanagement of the economy – by his own party lest we forget – must be rectified. It will be expensive and painful for many but is a task the nation must undertake. The truth is that the nation is in a phase of damage limitation. A number of factors, from Covid to the war in Ukraine, inflation and the adjustment to Brexit have caused economic shocks. It looks like it may be a long road to recovery. We must seek to limit the damage. This week has been Journalism Matters Week. Some may feel it is self-indulgent to highlight the work of this newspaper, along with iour sister daily paper and website. But, in uncertain times, it is worth stepping back and considering what our country and our democracy would be without the role of local newspapers and websites. We help ensure that those in power on a local, regional and even national level are held accountable for the decisions they make. That matters, because democracy should be built on accountability for those in charge. In a world in which fake news and conspiracy theories fly around the internet and land on our phones and laptops, we should cherish avenues in which reliable news can be found. It is therefore a welcome sign that Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has talked up the importance of independent journalism and pledged to protect its future interests.

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Why dog owners need to behave responsibly Dogs can be great but what about owners?

I do wonder whether being a dog owner addles people’s brains and makes them behave incomprehensibly.

From talking a kind of doggy gibberish to other owners, to allowing their pets to become canine terrorists. A dog is often called man’s best friend. The phrase describes a history of close relations, loyalty and companionship with humans. They also deliver important support, whether it be for farmers, as guide dogs, police dogs and drug or explosive sniffer dogs. All of that is commendable. But it seems to be more the case of man or woman being dog’s best friend, given the behaviour of many dog owners. There has been a boom in pet ownership since the pandemic lockdowns. There also appears to be a boom in the rise of irresponsible dog owners. And I’m not talking about shaven-headed neanderthals with slavering pitbulls. They remind me of those who fail to control their children with phrases like, ‘they’re only playing’ while they are creating mayhem in public places. It is the same with dogs, only lack of control can present a much more dangerous problem. Let me make one thing clear here. I have been a dog owner. I have no problem with dogs. But sometimes I find it hard to believe what I am seeing when they appear dressed in full bodysuits, bandanas, ribbons and bows. They even show up in birthday and Christmas outfits and fittingly, Halloween outfits. Only recently I saw pushchairs for dogs on sale at a local Lidl. However, when I go out to walk in the local park, to have a pint in the local or just walk up the street, I don’t expect to be harassed by dogs. Why take a dog to a pub anyway? A survey by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) showed that 3.2 million households in the UK had acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic. It adds that there are now 34 million pets in the UK including 12 million dogs. Another survey by German statistics firm Statista found the population of dogs kept as pets in the United Kingdom was estimated at 13 million in 2020/21. That is a huge increase from a decade earlier in 2010/11, when the dog population in the UK was around 7.6 million. Perhaps related to this is recently released data from NHS Digital. This showed hospital admissions for dog bites and other injuries caused by dogs, rose by 17 per cent in the 2021-2022 year to 8,655 admissions, up from 7,424 in 2020-21. Perhaps this growth in the dog population has magnified problem. I live near a large park, an area of

natural beauty and scientific interest that is a delight to walk or cycle around. It is also a major attraction for dog walkers, with its changing scenery, picturesque pools and various bars and teashops. Fair enough, a great place to exercise the mutt or mutts provided owners clean up after them. Clean up that is and not hang a poo bag on a convenient branch. A particularly disgusting habit. They should also keep them under control, but so many are not under control. The attitude seems to be the same as with those pesky kids. “They just enjoying themselves.” There’s also the strange language when greeting other owners, ‘Can they say hello’? Or, after a vicious attack: ‘He’s not normally like this.’ Or when they leap at you: ‘Sorry, he is just being friendly.’ Yeah, right.

‘They talk doggy gibberish and their pets are canine terrorists’ Worst of all is when a large canine bursts out of a thicket and leaps at you as you are enjoying a quiet walk. It is all very unsettling as you have no idea what kind of temperament the dog has or whether it is actually attacking. And where is the owner? Usually deep in conversation on the phone or chatting with someone else dozens of yards away. Too many owners assume everyone loves dogs. That is not the case and many people actually fear them. It shows a crassness and lack of empathy for others not to respect other people’s space. One touch of schadenfreude.

The park in question is home to a small herd of Exmoor ponies. These gentle creatures spend the day with each other, moving around looking for pastures new to graze. They are regularly harassed by dogs and on a couple of occasions it has gone horribly wrong for the dog. These ponies pack one hell of a kick.Ruff justice if you like. Owners can face penalties or even jail for such attacks and information can be found on a Government website which says it’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as: in a public place, in a private place, for example a neighbour’s house or garden in the owner’s home. Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it injures someone or makes someone worried that it might injure them. A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if it attacks someone’s animal or the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal Let me stress again. I am not a dog hater, it is the boneheaded owners who have abrogated their responsibility, but often get away with flagrantly ignoring the law. The straw that broke the camel’s back for me was stopping for a coffee at one of the park’s cafes after a lengthy walk. You could barely move and there were literally more dogs than people. Many were off the lead and running wild with some attacking each other. One approached having just got out of the water and proceeded to shake itself dry over me and my coffee. When I politely suggested the owner should control his dog he told me to ‘**** off’. Charming, but not unusual and ever more prevalent aggressive attitude. Do we live in a more selfish society. Or is it just me? I’m sure the majority, at least I think the majority, of owners are responsible. But sometimes I am not sure.

PHILIP DUNNE MP Many people will be looking forward to Bonfire Night this coming Saturday, the first time it has fallen on a Saturday for seven years. Now that the clocks have gone back an hour, it provides a good opportunity for an evening event in our local communities this weekend. Bonfire Night has been celebrated since the 17th Century to commemorate the failed attempt to blow-up Parliament by Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators on November 5th, 1605. It is a timely reminder of the value of our democratic institutions which were threatened by Fawkes and Catesby and have endured through many tests in the centuries since. We are fortunate to live in a free and democratic country at a time when authoritarian states around the world are suppressing those who share our democratic ideals. To this day, Parliament marks the occasion of the Gunpowder Plot with a ceremonial search of the cellars beneath the Palace of Westminster by two Yeoman of the Guard, or Beefeaters. Fortunately, no plotters have been found in this tradition’s 400year history since Fawkes was arrested. Fireworks and bonfires can be great fun, but we must also remember that they can be dangerous. I am pleased not to have seen reports, thus far, of anyone locally replicating reckless behaviour of some elsewhere in the country using them inappropriately. The best way to enjoy fireworks and bonfires safely, with the best displays, is by attending an organised event. Across South Shropshire there will be many bonfires and firework displays, including larger events in our market towns such as those held annually at Bridgnorth Rugby Club and Rectory Fields in Church Stretton. I shall be attending the bonfire in my neighbouring village. For those who do decide to celebrate with friends and family at private events, please ensure that owners of animals nearby are made aware of any plans for fireworks well in advance so that they can make arrangements for their livestock and pets. Horses are especially susceptible to loud noises, but domestic animals like cats and dogs can be alarmed too. Dogs and cats should be kept inside, and owners should ensure they have a hiding place for comfort. For animals kept outside, give them lots of extra bedding and nesting material to burrow down in. I am even told that Classic FM have curated a special broadcast in collaboration with the RSPCA to play soothing music for anxious pets. Enjoy the celebration.


LE T TERS 9

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Hospitals plan that needs to be abandoned As others have called for, the decade long crawl of ‘Future Fit’ or ‘hospital transformation plan’ should be abandoned. Had it been a sound plan in the beginning it would have been delivered long ago. People who need clinical treatment now, tomorrow and beyond need complete reassurance that the plan to spend well over £300 million of our money on new hospital buildings will do anything to deliver enough doctors, nurses and care workers to meet the health needs for Shropshire people. Patients are people who are treated and made well again by dedicated, professional clinical people, at every level, who we are relying upon to repair us when we need. Too few of them to treat too many of us puts unacceptable strain on these over-stretched clinicians which is unfair, inefficient and risks our National Health Service. ‘Healthy Greens’ are seeking more information about plans to deliver adequate capacity at every level in every service to meet patients needs. I, for one, don’t choose to be ill or injured. Who does? It can and does happen which is why we need and praise our NHS and its staff and demand it has adequate capacity throughout. John Crowe, South Shropshire GreenParty,

New venue for Remembrance service in town The November 11, 2022 Remembrance service will take place in the Castle grounds at the War Memorial, not High Street as in previous years. The short service will commence at 10.50hrs and everyone is invited to attend on Friday to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice from 1914 to the present day. The Remembrance service on Sunday November 13 will start with a formal parade from Whitburn Street. All organisations, clubs and personnel wishing to partici-

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE

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A Tiger Moth biplane above Weston Park on July 14, 1986. The daredevil wing walker was Iain Shorthouse and this picture was taken by Jeff Millward in advance of the Park’s 14th annual air display. This was a practice flight for the show, which attracted some 10,000 people. pate in the parade are requested to form up on Whitburn Street at 10.10hrs. Those wishing to march in memory of a family member or loved one are welcome to join the RBL contingent of the parade. The band will lead the parade from the top of Whitburn Street adjacent to the High Street followed by the RAF, RBL and veterans, uniformed organizations and the children’s associations: the same parade format as in previous years but commencing from Whitburn Street. The parade will march along High Street and West Castle Street to the Castle grounds. Those wishing to support the parade can line the footpaths leading to the Castle grounds. All members of the public are welcome to participate in the service conducted in the Castle grounds which will commence at 10.45hrs. After the Act of Remembrance, organisations and personal wreaths will be laid at the town’s War Memorial. A church service will be conducted in St Mary’s Church after the service in the Castle grounds. If you wish to assist in any capacity or join the Royal British Legion which is open to all, including those who have not

been members of HM Forces please speak to a member of the RBL or via RBL Bridgnorth website. The Bridgnorth branch of the Royal British Legion looks forward to your support for the 2022 Remembrance services and Poppy appeal as in previous years. JJ Whitty Chairman, RBL Bridgnorth

Crack down on all the drivers! Hooray, there’s to be a crackdown on bad driving – oh hang on, it’s only in the vicinity of six schools including one in Bridgnorth. Shame, for a minute there I thought that it would include all the car owners who think the indicator stalk is for decorative purposes, who assume we all have eagle-like vision when they wend their merry way in the pouring rain with no lights on and who assume lane discipline is some form of esoteric philosophy known only to the initiated chosen few! W I Huxley, Shropshire

PR AY E R O F T H E W E E K

BY MARION LOW, OF CARTWAY METHODIST CHURCH There will be people locally who at this time of year are filling shoeboxes with Christmas presents for those in various parts of the world, who otherwise wouldn’t be expecting what most of us can look forward to, even in these difficult times. At Cartway we are sending boxes to a charity called Link to Hope, which works throughout the year with the poorest, most vulnerable, and most exploited people in four countries in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine. “Father of all, as winter approaches, we pray for those whose lives are so hard compared to ours, who lack proper shelter, food, and education. Please bless and guide those who are working to bring humanitarian aid to countries like Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Romania, so that one day every person in these countries will have a safe environment to live in. Amen.”

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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Outdoor learning benefit offered A leading educational charity is on a mission to help teachers across Shropshire and beyond give their pupils the benefit of outdoor learning. Learning outdoors is proven to improve children’s mental health and success in school, but about one in 10 children don’t get chance to regularly spend time outside. The Field Studies Council is now looking to recruit 30 primary school teachers for a free pilot project aimed at sharing the benefits of learning outside the classroom. Teachers who sign up will get four online training sessions, access to a supportive online community and an overnight stay at the FSC’s field studies centre at Preston Montford, near Shrewsbury, to put what they have learned into practice. For more details visit www. field-studies-council.org

Support hub for hearing issues People who have issues with hearing loss are being invited to visit Bridgnorth Library for advice and support. The library, in Listley Street, stages a support hub twice a month where audiology-trained volunteers are available to offer support. They offer support with hearing aid tube changing and battery collection as well as general advice on hearing aid care. The next event which is free to attend, is on Tuesday, November 15 but appointments must be pre-booked on 01743 342168 or alternatively emailing shls@community-resource. org.uk

Sick dog Zeus seeks gift from gods in hope of brighter future

MATTHEW PANTER

matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

A Shropshire man whose travels with his dog have gone viral on social media has been left shattered after his beloved pet was struck down by a devastating illness. Now Daniel Enmarch, aged 29, from Newport, has launched a gofundme page to help raise funds to help pay the cost of vets’ bills as he tries to give Zeus, who can hardly walk, hope of a brighter future. “He’s my best friend,” said Daniel. “I got him a little while after I got back off a tour of Afghanistan in 2014. “I was serving in the Territorial Army, as part of the Royal Logistics Corps. I suffered with anxiety when I returned. It took its toll on my mental health – you go from having the daily routine daily to just coming home. It was very quiet. “I really felt the need to find a friend and that support came in the form of Zeus. I got him as a puppy and he became my best mate. “My military background had also given me a lot of love for hiking and being in the outdoors, so set a precedent for what was to follow.” Daniel and Zeus’s journeys around the UK have attracted the interest of more than 48,000 followers. “Our adventures started when he was one-and-a-half and I got my first camera. I remember our first adventure was at Halloween and we went up to the top of Snowdon. “We ascended all the way up and

Daniel Enmarch is the proud owner Zeus, a black German Shepard it was cloudy. When we got to the summit, the cloud just started to clear. We sat at the top of the mountain and watched this beautiful sight. I did some photography and it snowballed. We started doing mountain hikes and ticking places off, going to Scotland, the Lake District, Cornwall and more. “We are a really good team. We have a unique bond. I spend every day with him and dedicate all my

time to him and creating this relationship. “The places we go, the things we have done and the images we share have reached a large audience. We started to go viral and there are a lot of people who are very aware of Zeus.” Daniel has now been rocked by Zeus’s devastating news, which casts doubt on the pair’s adventures. Zeus was diagnosed with

Myasthenia Gravis, a rare disease which attacks the nerves and stops the muscles from being able to function. “I keep the hope that one day he can make a full recovery,” says Daniel. “There is the hope of remission but the journey is long and doesn’t come without its dangers. To support Daniel’s fundraising for Zeus, visit gofundme.com/f/helpwith-vet-bill-for-zeus-enmarch

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A popular soapbox derby event will not be taking place any time soon, due to “a lack of support” from key people, organisers have announced. The Krazy Races, which was launched in Shrewsbury in 2019 and returned in May this year following a break due to the Covid pandemic and lockdown rules, will not be held in the county town“for the foreseeable”, organisers have confirmed. Sarah Belcher Events Ltd, the company behind the event, said a date had been agreed to return to the Quarry next year, but it is now unable to go ahead due to a lack of support from “key stakeholders”.

Gutted A spokesman for the event said: “We love Shrewsbury and we have loved being able to put our free to attend events on in the town. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing sponsors, teams and spectators who have supported our event. “We are gutted that we won’t be returning to Shrewsbury. “However we hope that in the future we will be able to work with the local authority to give the people of Shrewsbury a

Krazy Races will not be back in Shrewsbury ‘for the foreseeable’, organisers have said great ‘free-to-attend’ event to remember, while raising several more thousands for local causes.” The first Krazy Races event started in Shrewsbury Quarry in 2019, under the name ‘Shrewsbury Wacky Races’ raising over £20,000 for local charities. It went on to win a ‘best new event in the UK’ award. The national success of the Shropshire event encouraged town and city councils

as well as business improvement districts from all over the country to invite Krazy Races to their area for their own versions of the event. The Covid-19 pandemic cancelled events across the country in 2020 and 2021 including the Races, but it returned this year. The organisers said nearly 50,000 people attended the events in Shrewsbury, Northwich and Wolverhampton.


12 NE WS

Plan to remove sewage works A water company has applied to carry out a major demolition project at its sewage treatment works in Ludlow as it steps up efforts to cut pollution. Severn Trent Water has applied to Shropshire Council for the demolition of five big glass coated steel digested sludge storage tanks, other treatment tanks, a high-level access walkway and supporting steelwork, blockwork wall surrounding the digestion plant, and miscellaneous other buildings at the site in Overton Road. The water company is planning upgrades to meet the river bathing water directive, and to provide a sufficient footprint within the boundary of the site for a new activated sludge process. The company is planning to use 15m tall demolition shears which will be used to cut the tanks and metalwork into sections and then to lower these to ground level.

Climate change action meeting Climate change action will be in the spotlight at a meeting later this month. Stretton Climate Care is inviting people concerned for the future of both society and the environment to join them on November 16 at 7pm. Drawing inspiration from Kate Raworth’s “Doughnut Economics”, discussions will centre on a series of themes. These include how to visualise a future which meets the basic needs of all citizens and enables them to thrive, while ensuring that we avoid overshooting key ecological boundaries. It will also look at what practical steps local people can take towards achieving Net Zero. Admission is free for members and £5 for non-members and the meeting is at Church Stretton’s Silvester Horne Institute.

Man is trapped under caravan Emergency services were called after a man became trapped under a caravan. The alarm was raised at Long Lane, Craven Arms, just before 2pm last Friday. Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service sent crews from Craven Arms, Church Stretton and Wellington to the scene while West Midlands Ambulance scrambled the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and an ambulance and paramedic officer. Firefighters were able to release the man in a 15-minute operation. A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance said: “We were called to reports of a patient who was trapped underneath a caravan on Long Lane at 1.51pm. One ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham attended the scene. The patient was treated for injuries not believed to be serious before he was taken to hospital by ambulance.”

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Mayor issues plea for more devolved powers at a regional level Levelling-up plans for the West Midlands have been left in limbo due to government “paralysis”, according to Andy Street. In a direct plea to new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the West Midlands Mayor called for more powers on a local level to end the region’s “dependency on London funding”. He said the current system had created a “bottleneck for decision-making” and reiterated his long-standing call for greater devolution to the regions.

Mr Street said he has been through four Prime Ministers in five years since taking office. He urged Mr Sunak to “reach out to the regions” to spur growth. He also called on the new PM to honour the West Midlands’ trailblazer devolution deal – negotiated when Boris Johnson was in Number 10 – to allow greater powers over homes, education and careers. Mr Street said: “Given the intense challenges facing the West Midlands, we want to get on and

take the decisions needed to deliver for people here. We do this as best we can, but without the powers, the cash, and the responsibility we are hamstrung.” Mr Street, who backed Liz Truss in last summer’s Tory leadership contest, said he was frustrated that so many decisions were “dependent on Number 10’s seal of approval”. He said a bid for cash to build more affordable homes on brownfield land “remains stuck after

months of negotiations”, while plans for investment zones still had “no guarantee” of the 25-year business rate growth retention needed to make them work. “These are practical steps to make a real tangible difference to people’s lives, but have got stuck without urgency in the Westminster machine,” he added. “I’ve no doubt the new government will address them, but the fundamental point is are they decisions that need to be taken at national level?”

Leading guide to nation’s top pubs has 14 county additions MARK ANDREWS

mark.andrews@mnamedia.co.uk

The latest edition of a prestigious guide to the nation’s best pubs features 14 new entries from across Shropshire.

A total of 51 pubs across the county feature in 2023 Good Beer Guide, produced by the Campaign for Real Ale. Bridgnorth does particularly well, with eight pubs featured in the 50th edition of the book. It is beaten only by Shrewsbury, which has 13 pubs listed. But the guide notes that the county has lost more than a quarter of its breweries since the last edition was published at the end of 2021. The latest edition shows the county has 14 breweries, with five of them being lost over the past year. Most notable of these was Wood Brewery in Wistanstow, which had recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Corvedale brewery, based at the Sun Inn at Corfton near Craven Arms, has also suspended brewing due to the recent sale of the pub, although it is expected to resume soon. The guide also features 33 pubs and nine breweries in Mid Wales. The popular Three Tuns Inn in Bishop’s Castle, one of the ‘Famous Four’ brewing pubs to feature in the first edition of The Good Beer Guide, makes a welcome return for 2023 after a period of absence. Now run as a separate entity, it continues to source its beer from the neighbouring brewery.

Adam Cayton with staff at the Kings Yard micropub in Shifnal In Bridgnorth, the Black Horse, Fosters Arms and George are all new for 2023, joining The Black Boy, Golden Lion, Old Castle, Railwayman’s Arms and Shakespeare Inn which all retain their place from last year. The 17th century Gaskell Arms Hotel in Much Wenlock is a new addition for 2023, with mention made of its beamed ceilings, open fires and bay windows. It joins the George & Dragon which also appeared in the 2022 guide. The Apple Tree at Onibury, which returned its original use as

a pub after spending many years as a shop, is praised for its quirky appearance, and emphasis on beer and conversation. The Kings Yard in Shifnal is typical of the growing trend towards micropubs, small bars often created in former shop units. The guide notes that two of the handpulls are dedicated to Wye Valley beers, with at least one dark beer also available. The Anvil Inn and Plough Inn, also in Shifnal, have kept their listings from last year. At Kinlet, on the road between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster, the

17th century Eagle & Serpent is praised for welcoming atmosphere and log fire. The Red Lion in Market Drayton retains its place. Over in the Shropshire Hills, the Green Dragon at Little Stretton is another new entry. “The pub’s L-shaped bar has a comfortable and welcoming feel, and the pleasant dining areas are always popular,” says the guide. The Yew Tree in Church Stretton retains its place. The 17th century Blue Boar and 14th century Church Inn are new entries for Ludlow, the latter having received a comprehensive refurbishment. Ludlow Brewing Co’s tap house in the old railway shed keeps its place, along with the Charlton Arms and Rose & Crown. Shrewsbury has 13 pubs in the guide, with Brunning & Price’s Armoury and J D Wetherspoon’s Shrewsbury Hotel making the guide. The riverside Armoury in Victoria Quay, which originally was an armoury, is praised for its excellent food and tasting notes, while the guide notes the number of nooks and crannies in the Shrewsbury Hotel. Old favourites including the timber-framed Nag’s Head in Wyle Cop, the Salopian Bar – which has seen extensive refurbishment since the 2020 floods and the 15th century Three Fishes all retain their places, as do the Abbey at Monkmoor, Admiral Benbow and Coach & Horses in Swan Hill, Cross Foxes at Longden Coleham, and Prince of Wales at Belle Vue. l Love Your Local – Pages 24&25

Mixed reaction to plans for new children’s home

Plans to convert a large detached house into a children’s home for youngsters who have suffered trauma have stirred up a hornets’ nest of opposing views in a Shropshire town. Dimensions Care has applied to change the house in Sheet Road, Ludlow, into a home-based environment for five children aged between six and 17 with social and

emotional needs. Reaction from local people has been mixed, with some saying they don’t want the potential for trouble in the neighbourhood and others offering to welcome the children to the town. Dimensions Care has told Shropshire Council planners that it is looking to “care for children who have suffered trauma in their past”. They will have a trained

staff team adopting a therapeutic approach and providing a family home structure with routines for all the children. The company says it has written to all the neighbours offering to talk about what it does. One resident complained that it is “not a suitable use for the neighbourhood”. However, Ludlow Town Council

supports the proposal and other supporters have stepped in to the row to give their backing. One said: “We strongly oppose and are appalled by the deeply offensive objecting comments of negative prejudice and misconception, projecting harmful and malicious stereotyping of children in care.” The plan is open for comments at pa.shropshire.gov.uk


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

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Jay’s repair team leaves King thrilled with fixing work

Clock and ceramic piece are restored – at Royal request

NATHAN ROWE

! M O O B200,000

£ D COUL

S I H T ON BE W T

H G I N FIRE

BON

nathan.rowe@mnamedia.co.uk

His Royal Highness King Charles III was left “thrilled” as he featured in a special episode of Jay Blades’ ‘The Repair Shop’.

The monarch – who was the Prince of Wales at the time of filming – brought two items to be repaired for the show. Jay, who has a workshop in Wolverhampton and lives and works in Ironbridge, paid a visit to Dumfries House in Scotland and discussed the importance of apprenticeships with His Royal Highness. The King has said “not everybody is designed for the academic” and labelled the lack of vocational education in schools a “great tragedy”.

Help During the programme, the king requested help with an 18th-century bracket clock and a piece made for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 by British ceramics maker Wemyss Ware. He joked that the damaged 19th-century ceramic piece fell over when someone was opening a window – “they didn’t own up” he said. Speaking about his love of clocks, Charles added: “To me, I just love the sound, the tick-tock but also if they chime, that’s why I love grandfather clocks. “I find it rather reassuring in a funny way and they become really special parts of the house, the beating heart of it.” Horologist Steve Fletcher and furniture restorer Will Kirk both

Jay Blades and King Charles (BBC/The Prince’s Foundation/PA) got to work on the clock, restoring it to working order. Following the big reveal, His Royal Highness said: “Fantastic, it just shows what love, care and attention does, marvellous – I can’t thank you enough.” Ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay was enlisted to work on the Wemyss Ware piece, which she described as a “mammoth job”. After seeing the piece, which had been consolidated and painted, Charles said: “Now look at that, that is fantastic, how you do

it I don’t know – I would have never believed that.” The importance of apprenticeship, and passing on the knowledge of old vocational practices was emphasised throughout the show. The monarch said: “I still think the great tragedy is the lack of vocational education in schools, actually not everybody is designed for the academic. I know from The Prince’s Trust, I have seen the difference we can make to people who have technical skills which we need all the time.”

More than 750 new homes planned in major scheme Major plans are on the drawing board to transform a town centre with hundreds of new homes. More than 760 new homes, commercial units and business space is being earmarked for land known as Telford Station Quarter. Turley, the agents for Telford & Wrekin Council, have asked the authority’s planning experts to take a look at what is being proposed and make a ruling on whether it needs an official environmental impact study before any official application is lodged. “The proposed scheme includes up to 764 dwellings which will

increase the population on site – some of which will be new to the area and some as a result of displacement from the surrounding community,” says an assessment of the scheme. The area is a slab of about 5.56 hectares of land currently occupied by the office buildings Addenbrooke House and Bishton Court, a disused electricity substation, access roads, a footbridge over Lawn Central and landscaping. The assessment looks at the possible impact of the new homes on education and health services. “Of the maximum 764 dwellings pro-

posed, 345 of these are proposed to be one-bed dwellings. Due to their nature, it is not considered likely that these one-bed dwellings will house both adults and children. “As a result, only the remaining maximum 419 two- and three-bed dwellings have been considered likely to house children.” On education, Turley says the proposed scheme will “yield approximately 117 primary school students and 67 secondary school students”. The increase in population could also “increase demand on local health care services” from an estimated 1,290 extra residents.

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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Celebrations as restaurant takes award PAUL JENKINS

paul.jenkins@mnamedia.co.uk Staff and customers celebrate with Dave Miah at the Himalaya

A Bridgnorth restaurant has won a coveted national award for the quality of its curries.

Local chef ‘Dave’ Miah and his team at the Himalaya Tandoori, Bridgnorth, have won this year’s regional Best Chef Award at Curry Life magazine’s prestigious award ceremony in London. The awards were held at a star-studded event held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, hosted by Adam Boulton of Sky News and Lord Bilimoria, president of the CBI.

Celebrate Bringing the award to Shropshire, Bridgnorth mayor Councillor Karen Sawbridge was joined with a group of local residents and regular customers this week to celebrate some 40 years of Dave’s Bangladeshi food. A regular herself, Karen said “I have personally enjoyed dinner at the Himalaya, literally hundreds if not thousands of occasions in the last 20 years.”

David Miah, of the Himalaya Bridgnorth, centre left, is presented with the award at the Curry Life awards ceremony in London Karen explained that the Himalaya menu was great for healthy options: “I don’t eat meat, there’s always lots of choice here and Dave always offers consistent high-quality food delivered with a smile.” Dave explained that each time he returned to Bangladesh he tries to find inspiration for new dishes in a land that has an abundance of fresh herbs and spices that help create rich and incredibly complex flavours. “It’s the food that we grew up on”, explained Mark Lang, a regular at the Himalaya for over 30 years. We have been coming here for

over 30 years, Dave’s curries are so distinctive. One of our friends went travelling around the world for 18 months but the first thing he wanted to do when he came back was to eat at the Himalaya because the food is so good, the lamb is the best, it is superb.” The Himalaya Tandoori in Whitburn Street Bridgnorth was winner of the Curry Life’s Customer Choice Award last year following a public vote. Curry Life magazine is the voice of the industry with a circulation to over 15,000 Indian restaurants and takeaways across the country.

Dave Miah, head chef at the Himalaya Tandoori, is presented with the Curry Life Best Chef Award plate by the Bridgnorth mayor Karen Sawbridge

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EDUCATION 15

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Consider all options after your GCSEs

Independent Day School for Boys and Girls Welcoming ages 4 to 18 years | Reception to Sixth Form

It’s never too early to start thinking about what you want to do when you’ve finished your GCSEs.

And with so many different opportunities depending on your skills, interests or chosen career path – the world really is your oyster. When it comes to considering the next chapter in your learning, look at the pros and cons of each of the options available to you. You might decide to stay on to study A-levels in your school’s sixth form, go to college for vocational training or start an apprenticeship. For some of you, the decision might be easy because perhaps you’ve always known that you want to be a doctor, plumber or architect. For the rest of you it might seem more than a little mind-boggling deciding what it is you want to do. But there are ways to make it seem less daunting, which start with approaching it positively and with an open mind. Considering what you are good at and what you are interested in can be a good place to start. If you enjoy learning and want to continue your education in a familiar environment, then A-levels are the most traditional route to university and take two years to complete. These qualifications have recently been overhauled. The content for the new A-levels has been reviewed

Now registering for

Year 7 and Sixth Form entry in September 2023 Consider your next steps and updated, with universities playing a much greater role in this for the new qualifications than they did previously. If you fancy doing something a little more vocational, then there are plenty of other qualifications you can look into such as NVQs and BTECs. They offer a more practical approach than traditional academic courses and may be related to a broad employment area. But if you think you’re ready for the workplace, then taking an apprenticeship is a great way to learn handson skills in a real world setting and you will be paid while you learn.

Sixth form challenges and supports students

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Bridgnorth Sixth Form is a vibrant and friendly community, striving to create a lively, stimulating learning environment where students feel both supported pastorally and challenged academically. There is a strong and experienced team of teachers and support staff that guide students in Sixth Form. A spokesman said: “We want Sixth Form to be an enjoyable, social experience for you, running reward trips at Christmas and a residential London trip in the summer term. Our students organise charity events and get involved with school fundraising.

Opportunities “We offer Post 18 support through our CORE programme where we will offer you an insight into the opportunities that your Sixth Form qualifications will create. “We will provide you, through guest speakers and activities, with information on university courses, apprenticeships, and careers as well as developing your employability skills and knowledge on PSHE-related issues. “Annually, we visit the UCAS Higher Education Fair, hold parents’ eve-

Application deadline: 2nd and 16th December

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Bridgnorth Sixth Form Oldbury Wells Bridgnorth Shropshire WV16 5JD


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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Historic Belvoir Castle is Emma’s home

Emma with one of her beloved dogs

Relaxing in the castle grounds

‘Accidental duchess’ tells her story for the first time Emma Watkins went from farmer’s daughter to becoming Duchess of Rutland, living in her own castle. Heather Large finds out more about her extraordinary life. Life changed beyond recognition for Emma Watkins when she fell in love with the future Duke of Rutland.

When the pony-mad daughter of a Welsh farmer first met David Manners, she had no idea that he was heir to one of the most senior hereditary titles in the land. When David succeeded his father, Emma, who grew up on the Welsh-Shropshire border, became the chatelaine of magnificent Belvoir Castle, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Rutland. Now Emma has shared her story, from her childhood in Radnorshire, now Powys, to her current responsibilities running the commercial activities of Belvoir Castle in her new autobiography, The Accidental Duchess. But the mother of five freely admits that writing a book about her life had never featured on her to-do list. “I was approached by the publisher. I didn’t think there was a story to write so it was a bit of a surprise. They said they thought there was a good story. I wasn’t looking to write the story – it came at me,” she explains. During the three months spent writing the book, she found the process “very cathartic”. “I was dipping into my memories. I really loved the whole journey of writing it,” says the Duchess. The book describes how her life changed after becoming the nowDuke’s partner, and later wife, as well as all of the ups and downs along the way. Emma grew up on the family farm at Heartsease, three miles

east of Knighton and went to the local school in Bucknell. Her father ran a mixed farm, mostly sheep and beef, and her mother ran a B&B from their home. As a child, she was pony mad and would often work as a beater for the shoot at Grade II-listed Stanage Park riding her pony into the undergrowth to put up the birds and spending every day after school riding her pony through the local fields and woods. It was in Wales that, having failed miserably at school, Emma – who previously worked as an estate agent marketing properties in London – started her first business as an interior designer, founding Eardisley Park Interiors with her friend Janet. At this time she was living with her brother William, who discovered spring water on the family farm Heartsease and started Radnor Hills Spring Water.

Designer Emma’s work as an interior designer led her to meet David at the age of 27. They were married in 1992 and became the Duke and Duchess of Rutland after the 10th Duke of Rutland, Charles Manners, a former captain for the Grenadier Guards, died in 1999, aged 79. Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire is said by experts to be one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in the country. The couple were faced with a vast estate in desperate need of modernisation and staff who wanted nothing to change. It would have been be a daunting responsibility for anyone and the Duchess chose to roll up her sleeves and tackle the challenges straight

on with optimism and gusto. “It’s been a wonderful journey of discovery,” she says. The castle visitors to the estate see today was built for the 5th Duke and Duchess of Rutland between 1801 and 1832. Elizabeth, the 5th Duchess of Rutland, had been fascinated by her father’s lavish and fashionable improvements at their family home, Castle Howard in Yorkshire. Sharing her father’s passion for architecture and design, the young Duchess abandoned Capability Brown’s plans to rebuild the castle and chose leading gothic romantic architect James Wyatt to create her dream home.

Views “I think the thing I enjoy most about the castle are the views. My favourite room is the Elizabeth Saloon because I love Elizabeth who built the castle,” says the Duchess. If the castle looks familiar, it’s because it stood in for Windsor in popular Netflix drama The Crown. It has featured in all three series of the worldwide blockbuster charting the ups and downs of the Royal Family as well as films including Young Queen Victoria, Da Vinci and Victoria & Abdul. Among the well-known faces who have been guests at the castle over the years are Susannah Constantine, known for her TV fashion show with Trinny Woodall, Elizabeth Hurley, Hugh Grant and David Furnish. In her book, the Duchess recalls Grant staying at Belvoir for a shooting weekend. “He was absolutely terrified of ghosts and the children delighted in playing tricks on him,” she writes.

This included “making scratching noises with their nails on his bedroom door, scuttling away before he could catch them at it”. “Elizabeth Hurley turned out to have a surprisingly good voice,” Emma also recalls in her book. “She and David Furnish would always do a duet to Elton John’s ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’.” The Duchess has presented on various television programmes, including ITV’s Castles, Keeps and Country Homes, and has produced a book about Belvoir Castle. And in 2021, the Duchess created a podcast titled Duchess, where she interviews chatelaines of castles and stately homes throughout the UK. In her podcast’s first season, her interviewees included Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill of Blenheim Palace and Lady Mansfield of Scone Palace. The Duchess says she enjoys “listening to other people’s challenges” that have often been quite similar to her own. Over the years, it has become the Duchess’ mission to make Belvoir “what once it was” and to build a business that will support the castle and estate for many generations to come. Running the commercial activities of Belvoir Castle, including shooting parties, weddings and a range of furniture, means there is never a dull moment. And it is enjoyable work for Emma too. “I enjoy keeping the bottom line balancing and having a happy, coherent team around me to help me run it,” she says. n The Accidental Duchess by Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland, is published by Pan Macmillan, £22.

It has been a wonderful voyage of discovery for Emma

She has always been pony-mad

Emma’s book which tells her story


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Memorial unveiled in honour of airmen killed in accident

TOBY NEAL

toby.neal@mnamedia.co.uk

A memorial has been unveiled honouring the sacrifice of a teenage airman and two of his colleagues who lost their lives when their bomber crashed during the war.

Sergeant Eddie Brisbourne, 19, from Much Wenlock, was the rear gunner of the Wellington bomber and died when the aircraft suffered an engine failure while on approach to landing at RAF Desborough in Northamptonshire, hit a tree, and burst into flames. Among those at the ceremony was Eddie’s sister, 85-year-old Jean Jones, from Sundorne, Shrewsbury, along with members of the families of the other victims, who unveiled the memorial, which was draped in the Union Jack and Australian flag.

Jean Jones, Bill Everatt and Squadron Leader Luke Ridgway

Estate The memorial has been erected close to the site of the tragedy. The area is now covered by a new housing estate, and members of Desborough Civic Society had successfully negotiated for an area of the estate to be used for remembrance. Made of York Stone, it has a granite plaque bearing an image of a Wellington bomber and honouring the trio who died – Pilot Officer Reg Byrne of the Royal Australian Air Force and, from the RAF Volunteer Reserve, Sergeant Bill Barnett and Eddie. It also recognises the sacrifice of other airmen who lost their lives while training at RAF Desborough,

The crew, including, far right, 19-year-old Sergeant Eddie Brisbourne which was the home of Bomber Command’s 84 Operational Training Unit. Jean said: “I was very proud of him. It’s wonderful. I remember

the last time I saw him, he turned around and smiled and held up his hand. He was lovely in his own way. I can remember the day he died. I came home from school and tears

were streaming down from mum’s eyes.” Eddie’s nephew David Brisbourne, from Cheswardine, who was also at the event, said the family lived on a smallholding at Much Wenlock. “He had six brothers and two sisters. His dad fought in the First World War for the Canadian Army and lost his leg which meant his mobility was restricted and Eddie’s mother Eve had to milk the cows, deliver the milk to houses in Much Wenlock by horse and cart and bring up eight children. “When the Second World War broke out Eddie wanted to join the RAF but had to wait until he was old enough. He volunteered, became a sergeant at the age of 19 and became the rear gunner of the Wellington bomber. “He was still living in Much Wenlock at the time and, as my Aunty Jean said, there were a lot of tears from my Nan on receiving the letter from the Air Ministry.” More than 50 people, including Squadron Leader Luke Ridgway who was attending on behalf of the Australian government and the RAF, joined in the service. Squadron Leader Ridgway and Jean were among those who laid wreaths. Event co-organiser Steve Richards, of the civic society, said: “It’s a fitting memorial to those who died. The ceremony was very moving, especially for the relatives of those that died in the crash.” The aircraft had taken off from RAF Desborough for a night exercise and crashed on its return in the early hours of September 5, 1944. Three of the six on board survived the crash and were treated for their injuries at the air base’s sick quarters.

Headless man and demonic frogs among tales

Acton Burnell by Bob Hanley

Demonic frogs and a headless man are among 160 hauntings reported in the county in recent years. The tales of ghostly hauntings have been floating around since the 1700s – one is of a bride-to-be called Hannah Phillips. In 1707, she is said to have drowned after ‘slipping’ into a river a few days before her wedding day. Some motorists say they have seen her ghost, wearing a long, dark dress, by the main village road in Astley Abbots. For the thrill-seekers of Shropshire, there are plenty of locations to try and spot a headless ghost, or a devilish amphibian, during the spookiest of seasons. Here are some more sightings found from research by online casino, slotbox. com. Mytton and Mermaid Hotel, Atcham John ‘Mad Jack’ Mytton was a local eccentric who lived with 2,000 dogs and 60 cats while drinking six bottles of port per day. His money eventually ran out and he died in

a debtors’ prison. However, once a year on his birthday, his ghost is reputed to visit the hotel that has now taken his name. Girl in White Lace, Acton Burnell Castle A ghostly girl dressed in white lace is said to haunt the ruins. In 2004, a student visiting the castle recalled seeing a ‘misty face’ and hearing scratching noises. The Maid, Acton Burnell The spirit is said to have been seen only once – in what year remains unknown, but the castle was built between 1284 and 1293 and abandoned in 1420. It has been creepily reported that a maid entered a bedroom and announced ‘mass is at eight o’clock’ before disappearing. Laid by the Devil, The Devil’s Causeway, between Acton Burnell and Cardington Legend has it that the old road was built by Old Nick himself in one night. Anyone using the road at midnight would be greeted by

a man on a white horse, who had the horns and feet of a cow. It is believed he was the devil in disguise, who would judge the midnight traveller on the goodness of their soul before either letting them pass or, if they had led an evil life, beating them to a ‘bloodied pulp’. Demonic Frogs, Frog Well It is said that the devil and his mischievous imps live here, manifested as frogs. Old Nick take the form of a larger frog who hides away most of the time. RF398, Cosford Aerospace Museum The last remaining Avro Lincoln Bomber is situated at the museum. Some say they have seen the ghost of the pilot in the cockpit. When a tape recorder was left there overnight, it picked up the sound of a busy airport. Headless Man, Baschurch The spirit of a headless man who hanged himself in Nescliffe is said drive his horse and trap around the neighbourhood.

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Rail access bill disappointment An MP has criticised the Government after a law change that would force railways stations to meet disability access standards was voted down in Parliament. Lib Dem MP Tim Farron put forward an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which would legislate to make all UK railway stations meet disability access standards. However it was voted down at committee stage and North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has since criticised this decision, saying she was ‘disappointed’ by MPs’ actions. Ms Morgan said: “It is outrageous that disabled people are not able to travel by train like people who are fully mobile. It is difficult enough travelling by public transport in north Shropshire without these added accessibility barriers. “I’m disappointed and surprised the Conservative MPs on the Bill committee voted against the amendment but remain optimistic that Network Rail will see sense and make the station accessible.” The amendment would have led to changes at stations like Whitchurch where anyone wishing to use Platform 1 currently has to manage 44 steps and a footbridge. Explaining his proposals during the Levelling Up Bill Committee in Parliament, Tim Farron said: “It is outrageous that just because these are not huge main line stations they are inaccessible for many.”

Joy at harvest for vineyard Owners of a vineyard on the Shropshire/Wales border are celebrating after a very successful harvest. Husband and wife team Russell and Janet Cooke, of Kerry Vale Vineyard, said they were delighted with the quantity and quality of their grapes this year. Picked over three days by the family, their workforce and a team of local volunteers, the group brought in 12 tonnes of grapes from the four-acre site. Owner Russell said: “The last month has been incredibly busy, but also very exciting. Harvest time is the culmination of a years worth of work on the vineyard, and determines our future wine production capabilities. This year’s harvest has been very successful and I’m really looking forward to tasting the fruits of our labour, once the pressed grapes have been turned into wine.” The vineyard, located just outside of Montgomery, has been very lucky with the weather this year, said Russell. “Our lovely warm summer with just the right amount of sun and rain at the necessary times has led to good growing conditions, resulting in a fantastic yield and high quality grapes,” he said. Kerry Vale Vineyard has harvested three grape varieties this year – Rondo, Phoenix and Solaris.


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Warning over public services spending freeze Many public services would be stripped back to levels seen in the 2010s era of austerity if Rishi Sunak freezes public service spending, a think tank has warned. Ahead of their autumn budget, the Prime Minister and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt are considering up to £50 billion of spending cuts and tax hikes to fill a gaping black hole. While a real-terms freeze in day-to-day public service spending would save around £20 billion a year by 2026-27, the impact would be huge, according to research by the Resolution Foundation, which focuses on living standards. It would mean the per-person spending of departments such as transport, justice and local government – assuming health, education, overseas aid and defence are protected - would be slashed by around nine per cent, the think tank said. It would come as their budgets remain below pre-austerity levels and are under significant pressure. Prices rising far higher than expected when threeyear budgets were set in October 2021 has meant an effective £22 billion real-terms reduction in their public service spending power, says the Foundation.

Former PMs to share advice on leading nation Sir Tony Blair and David Cameron have said that a “thick skin” and “a plan, a team, values” are key to being a successful prime minister. The two former PMs shared their advice on what it takes to lead the nation with the finalists of the Channel 4 series Make Me Prime Minister. Sir Tony, who led the Labour government of 1997 to 2007, said: “Don’t do it unless you’re prepared to take criticism. It’s a big responsibility, but you’ll find that when you decide, you divide, and it’s all about stepping up, whilst others step back, so you need that thick skin.” Mr Cameron, who was Conservative prime minister from 2010 to 2016, said: “The most important thing you need to be prime minister is to have a clear plan, a clear idea of what it is you want to achieve because from day one you’ll be hit by problems, by rebellions, by scandals, by problems in Parliament, by the day-to-day dramas of politics. “You need a plan, you need a clear set of values and principles to judge things against and most of all, you need a strong team. “If you have those things – a plan, a team, values and you take time to make the big decisions, then you could be a real help for our country.” The six-part series began with a 12-strong line-up – including Shropshire viral sensation Jackie Weaver – with the candidates whittled down each week.

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

County is divided on whether Rishi is right man for the job

PETER MADELEY

peter.madeley@mnamedia.co.uk

People in Shropshire are split on whether Rishi Sunak is the right person to be prime minster – with a small majority saying he is the best man for the job.

Nearly 1,000 people took part in an online poll carried out by our sister paper the Shropshire Star which asked whether Mr Sunak was the best leader to take the country forward. The former chancellor took over in Number 10 last week after a chaotic few months which have seen the departures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Our poll saw just under 1,000 responses, with 53.8 per cent saying Mr Sunak was the best man for the job, as opposed to 46.2 per cent who said there was a better choice. Last week Star readers overwhelmingly backed Mr Johnson to make a sensational return to the job he left last month after resigning in July. But his comeback was curtailed when he pulled out of the race ahead of the deadline for nominations, saying he could not govern without the support of a united parliamentary party. Mr Sunak’s rise to power has been met with a mixed response by Tories in the region. Councillor Tammy Wood, chair of Telford Conservatives, said she was disappointed that he had become PM. Bridgnorth’s MP Philip Dunne, a supporter of Mr Sunak, said: “He will provide the reassurance that the markets, the party and the country need after a turbulent few weeks.”

Rishi Sunak will provide the reassurance that markets, party and the country need – according to MP Philip Dunne Mr Sunak last week faced criticism from opposition parties and some of his own MPs after reappointing Suella Braverman as Home Secretary. Ms Braverman had quit the same role under Ms Truss less than a week earlier after admitting a security breach. The PM said he has complete faith in his home secretary and is focused on addressing the economy, with chancellor Jeremy Hunt due to deliver a crucial economic statement on November 17. Meanwhile the Lib Dems have continued to call for a general election. North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan, said: “Rishi Sunak was

a central part of Boris Johnson’s failed government and has consistently shown he does not understand the challenges families in North Shropshire are facing.” And elsewhere, Michael Gove has confirmed he is reviewing investment zones, a key plank of Liz Truss’s plan for growth, as he insisted anything that might undermine the environment is “out”. The region has put forward a number of potential sites for investment zone status. But Mr Gove, who returned as Levelling Up Secretary under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak only four months after being dramatically sacked by Boris Johnson, told

Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme that investment zones could be scrapped. He also insisted that “under no circumstances will we weaken environmental protections”. Asked if the zones – a key part of Ms Truss’s policy platform – are going ahead, he said: “I’m reviewing them. We need to make sure that any change that we make is one which of course helps to support economic growth and good jobs for people, but also one of the concerns raised about investment zones was the impact on the environment. Under no circumstances will we weaken environmental protections.”

‘Neither defence nor peace come cheap’ says MP

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard has said the government must stick to its pledges on defence spending. He has written a piece for Parliament News questioning whether the Ministry of Defence (MOD) should be excluded from efficiency savings called for by the new Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt. Mr Pritchard said the MOD is already projected to deliver £20 billion of efficiency savings over a 10-year period by a mixture of renegotiating old Private Finance Initiative contracts, reconfiguring manpower and estates as well as cutting back on weapons. He said: “That is not to say further MOD efficiencies cannot be found, but in a world less safe now than it was just 12 months ago, our armed forces cannot be asked to do more without the commensurate funding to deliver them. “With a hot and protracted war

in Ukraine, rising tensions in the Balkans, a volatile Asia-Pacific region, a belligerent China, and with the continual menacing of North Korea; the Government must ensure UK defence is sufficiently resourced to meet the threats of today and tomorrow. “One of the many challenges for UK defence is how modern warfare is being waged on and off the conventional battlefield. Whether though unmanned aerial platforms, space, cyber, or the weaponisation of disinformation, the 21st century threat landscape is multi-layered and rapidly changing, often with shorter product life cycles. “This is a huge challenge for the MOD’s procurement strategy. Whether on land, sea, air, space or in the subterranean battlespace, threats are increasingly deniable, asymmetric, and able to deliver a high kinetic punch for a compara-

tively low cost. The UK must continue to lead by example and as a leading member of NATO and at the vanguard of the international effort to give Ukraine the arms it needs to defend itself from Russia’s illegal invasion, the UK cannot take budgetary decisions which might be perceived as slowing the pace of that support. “As the Prime Minister rightly said: ‘Ukraine can win, Ukraine must win, and Ukraine will win,’ but that means the MOD must continue to give Ukraine the training and kit to finish the job. “Neither defence nor peace come cheap and as the conflict in Ukraine has shown, both are incontrovertibly linked.” He added defence has its part to play in the government’s levelling up agenda with the defence footprint found in every region of the country and also in the private sector.


JOURNALISM MAT TERS WEEK 19

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Newspapers are our eyes and ears – and hold people like me to account Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan explains why local newspapers are so important Journalism matters. That is not just a slogan; it is a fundamental feature of our democracy.

Without publications like the one you are reading right now, we would not be able to hold the people in power to account – including, of course, politicians like me. Like countless readers, I am really proud to live in a country that has such a flourishing media scene, starting with the 850 local news titles across the UK (including the Bridgnorth Journal you are reading and the Melksham Independent News in my own constituency). These local newspapers act as our neighbourhood watch. They have their ear to the ground of their communities – holding local public services’ feet to the fire, monitoring what is happening in the local courts and providing a valuable platform for causes and community groups. But we also need the reporters and editors who work at national press and broadcast outlets, and who are just as vital to our democracy. Their front pages lead the

Out and about – reporter David Tooley chatting to Ken and Ilene Epstein in Ironbridge national conversation. Their presenters ask the questions to which we all want answers. And their investigations shape our society by exposing wrongdoing. So this week is the perfect opportunity for me to make clear that as Secretary of State, I am going to be a champion of journalism in every way I can. For me, that starts with one of the most pressing things in my in-tray: making sure this industry thrives in the digital age. That has not always been easy. While the internet has transformed all of our lives for the better, I know

that it has also completely uprooted the business models of local publishers. True, online readership of local media is growing – up 18 per cent on last year. But it is clear that big tech has swallowed up much of the ad market and contributed to the closure of too many newsrooms. Journalism is just as important

in 2022 as it was before the rise of the internet. So this government is committed to doing a number of things to protect it. We are going to repeal Section 40, which would threaten media freedom and risk financial ruin for publishers. We have reshaped our world-leading Online Safety Bill to safeguard free speech and ensure Silicon Valley monoliths cannot censor quality journalism on a whim. And we are stepping in to stop the biggest tech players from using their market dominance to mistreat

other businesses and consumers. Our new regulator, the Digital Markets Unit, will level the playing field between news publishers and big tech – particularly when it comes to getting paid fairly for the news articles they create. After all, good journalism does not come for free. Together, those things should give journalists the space and support they need to thrive, no matter what new tech throws at them. Sadly, though, one thing seems to have survived the digital age. Being a journalist is just as risky as ever. In fact, thanks to the reach of social media, cases of intimidation, threats – and in rare cases – violence are on the rise. While the UK certainly doesn’t face the same challenges as other countries, one incident of abuse is one too many. No one should have to put up with that bile for simply doing their job. So I will be pushing ahead with our National Action Plan to ensure that journalists in the UK can operate without fear for their safety. Working alongside industry partners, the police and others, we are committed to reducing the number of attacks and threats against journalists and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice. I intend to do my bit to help this essential industry thrive. But papers need your support, too. Ultimately it is you – the readers – who keep your local Star, Gazette, Inquirer or Bugle up and running. When you buy a paper or visit a news website, you are doing so much more than getting up-to speed on the latest news or gossip. You are supporting an institution that keeps this country running.

Making sure highly trusted journalism has a sustainable future During another tumultuous year, the role of journalism in our society has become more important than ever before. The conflict in Ukraine has graphically shown us the critical importance of having eyewitnesses on the ground to document and explain the horrific brutality of war. Spin and disinformation are used to confuse and destabilise, yet trusted journalism from wellknown brands serves to neutralise this potent threat. Closer to home, we are beginning to face up to the consequences of an economy under severe pressure on multiple fronts. There is no doubt we have tough times ahead and the role of journalism in making sense of complex events, holding power to account, and campaigning on our behalf, will be more important than ever. New research to be published by marketing body Newsworks during this week’s Journalism Matters

OWEN MEREDITH

UK News Media Association campaign will demonstrate the critical role journalism is playing in helping families navigate the cost of living crisis. But we must not take trusted news and information – which require significant resource to produce and distribute – for granted. The news media industry today faces a multitude of threats. Overseas, this can take the form of authoritarian regimes who seek to clamp down on freedom of speech by murdering or imprisoning journalists. Thankfully, we do not face such dire problems here, but we must always guard against insidious attempts to muzzle freedom speech such as Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act. This insidious piece of legislation – which would burden news publishers with crippling costs even if their journalism was vindicated

– must be repealed immediately, delivering on the Conservative government’s manifesto commitment. The business of journalism is also under threat with the tech platforms continuing to exercise huge power and abusing their dominance in the digital market to the detriment of news publishers. The government made a good start by setting up the Digital Markets Unit – a tough new regulator tasked with levelling the playing field between the tech platforms and news publishers – but it still lacks the statutory teeth it needs to get the job done. Just last week, MPs from an influential Parliamentary committee issued an unequivocal call for government to publish the draft Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill without delay. Calls which have been echoed by report after report over the last decade. This legislation will enable the DMU to tackle the entrenched pow-

Eyewitness reports are important er and market abuses in the digital economy, driving down prices for consumers and small businesses, while helping to level the playing field between news publishers and the tech platforms. It’s a win on all

fronts and open goal for a government seeking ways to allow households to keep more of their money. In recent years local journalism, which underpins democracy in communities right across the UK, has enjoyed a boom in audiences as people increasingly turn to sources of trusted information. A fascinating study from government showed a direct link between higher local newspaper circulations and electoral turnout, proving that local papers boost democracy. Local journalism is a precious resource, and it must be protected from the ravages of the deteriorating economy and the all-consuming tech platforms who exploit journalism to drive engagement yet contribute next to nothing back into the industry which invests in it. I ask you to join us in celebrating what journalists do, and by calling for those in power to take steps to ensure highly trusted journalism has a truly sustainable future.


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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Gove suggests Family express gratitude to football clubs for help in search for missing dad HS2 investment will be reviewed Michael Gove has suggested capital investment for HS2 will be reviewed as he warned the Government has to make “painful” decisions. Ahead of their autumn budget, the Prime Minister and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt are said to be considering up to £50 billion of spending cuts and tax hikes to fill a gaping black hole in the nation’s finances. Discussing the possible cuts on Times Radio, the Levelling Up Secretary was asked why not cut HS2, the Government’s major high speed rail line project. Mr Gove said: “I am sure everything will be reviewed” before adding “I do think HS2 is a significant investment...” On whether the project is still worth it, even without its eastern leg, the Levelling Up Secretary said: “In a way your question is the answer, which is that we’ve already had to make economies. “But I think long term capital investment in making sure this country is better connected is a good thing. “But when we face the particularly economic problems that we have at the moment, I’m sure that some capital spending will be cut.”

Funeral date for Becca after town centre tragedy The funeral of Rebecca Steer who was killed when she was hit by a car in Oswestry will be held later this month. Rebecca, 22, know as Becca, from Llanymynech, died when she was struck by a vehicle in Willow Street in the town centre at about 2.50am on October 9. A 27-year-old man has been charged with her murder. Her mother, Jennie Steer, has said on social media: “We would like to let people know that Becca’s funeral is on the November 15 at 1pm at the church in Llanymynech followed by a burial in Llanymynech cemetery. “We are asking people to wear bright colours and anyone who wants to be there is welcome. “Becca’s wishes were for her funeral to be a party so we will be having drinks in the village after. “We would like to pass on our sincere thanks and overwhelming gratitude for the compassion and support shown to us following the tragic death of our daughter, Becca. “The support from the local community has provided our family with such strength and comfort in the most tragic circumstances imaginable.” Stephen McHugh, 27, of Artillery Road, Park Hall, near Oswestry, has been charged with the murder of Miss Steer and causing grevious bodily harm to a male. He has been remanded in custody.

The family of missing Telford man Harjinder Takhar have thanked two football clubs in Shropshire and the West Midlands for their help in the appeal for information on his whereabouts, The 58-year-old – known as Harry – has been missing for almost a month, having disappeared on a family outing to woodland near Stirchley Pools on Sunday, October 2.

An appeal was put out on the big screen at The Hawthorns during West Bromwich Albion’s game with Sheffield United on Saturday and AFC Telford United also put a picture of the missing poster on their Twitter feed. The Takhar family lived around the Smethwick and Greater Birmingham area before moving to Telford around three years ago. A Facebook group ‘Help find

Missing Harjinder Takhar “Harry” has over 6,000 followers but so far despite extensive searching by police and members of the group of Stirchley Pools and the surrounding woodland in Telford Town Park, no leads have been found. Harry’s daughter Pooja said this week would mark a milestone for the family since Harry went missing and they were determined to continue the search until he was

found because they were certain he was still out there. She thanked West Bromwich Albion and AFC Telford for their help and all the people who have been searching for him. She said: “We will leave no stone unturned in the search for my father as it has still been a relatively short space of time he has been missing and we think he may have needed some ‘time out’.”

Region to become ‘heart’ of country’s transport network

THOMAS PARKES

thomas.parkes@mnamedia.co.uk

Major railway schemes over almost three decades will cement the West Midlands’ role at the “heart” of the country’s economy and transport network, chiefs have said.

Transport leaders have unveiled major plans for the railway network up to 2050 which will see stations built – including Shrewsbury Parkway – lines opened and a string of service improvements made. And they say they are remaining optimistic despite the impact of Covid-19 still being felt, with passenger numbers only expected to return to 2019 levels in four years. But they are confident the completion of the first two phases of controversial rail scheme HS2 will be a major boost to Birmingham, the Black Country and Shropshire. However the only way this will be possible is with investment in future schemes – such as the Shrewsbury line – to boost network capacity and regional connectivity. West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, chair of the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) which released a consultation over its draft proposals, said: “We are making great progress on developing our rail network. But there is no doubt that rail is facing challenges following the Covid 19 pandemic but

Mayor Andy Street and West Midlands Trains’ Ian McConnell at a launch of new trains on the Shrewsbury line this strategy shows that passenger numbers will return and it remains a crucial part of our transport network and will play a key role in tackling the climate emergency. “Therefore we have set out how we plan to grow the network in a coordinated way over the next three decades to better connect communities to the jobs and opportunities

our region has to offer.” More services will run between London and Shrewsbury, through Wolverhampton, by 2026 with an hourly service between the two destinations introduced by 2031. Over that period another station in Shropshire will be built – Shrewsbury Parkway – which has been touted for some time as a way

of reducing congestion on the roads. Although it has not been confirmed officially, there was a proposal for it to be built near Preston Island linking to a new interchange on the town’s park and ride network. Council chiefs said it would be one way of removing traffic from the town centre and encourage more people to use the station.

Alex selected to fight seat at next general election

Alex with his Lib Dem colleagues

The Liberal Democrats have selected Bowbrook councillor and NHS campaigner Alex Wagner to stand for Shrewsbury and Atcham at the next general election. Mr Wagner won his seat on the county council last year at the age of just 20 with 1,001 votes, beating the second placed Conservative candidate Arlinda Ballcaj, who received 322 votes after the incumbent Peter Adams who chose not to stand. On his selection by the party he said: “Shropshire is a wonderful part of the world. I was born at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in the

part of town I now serve, grew up in the countryside on the Welsh border, and my family still live and run a business here. I’m proud of where I live and have a stake in our community. “People here deserve the very best, yet often have the worst services in the country. Our NHS services are in the fourth-division, our roads are crumbling, and it feels like we don’t have a voice at Westminster. “There needs to be a local choice on the ballot paper next election who is dedicated to banging the drum to get Shrewsbury a fair

deal. I’m putting myself forward to do just that. “North Shropshire has a fantastic, hard-working Lib Dem MP who has been tireless in fighting for our county – I want to follow in Helen Morgan’s footsteps and beat the Conservatives here too. I want to be a constituency-focused MP who puts Shrewsbury first. We deserve a better deal from Westminster, and I’ll make that case tirelessly to whoever forms the next government.” The former Labour Mayor of Shrewsbury Jon Tandy is supporting Mr Wagner’s bid to be the town’s next MP.


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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Shropshire was world first for legendary Lamborghini

The Lamborghini in 1964 Jazz musician John Barnes entertains punters at the Black Boy, Cartway.

Jazz musician Enrico Tomaso outside Tanners in High Street.

Days when third annual jazz festival hit right note again

HEATHER LARGE

heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

2005: More than 1,000 music fans descended on Bridgnorth for the town’s third annual jazz festival.

With a varied line-up of performers, the event offered a wide range of music to suit all jazz tastes. It featured many artists from around the region, including Claverley’s Carole Westwood, who was singing with the Archie Cotterell Trio. They were known for performing smooth jazz from stars such as Ella Fitzgerald and Diana Krall. Carole performed during the Saturday Jazz Trail, which was made up of town venues such as the Bell and Talbot, King’s Head, the Bear, the Black Boy, as well as the Bassa Villa and Cinnamon coffee house, both in Cartway, and Gabrielle’s Wine Bar in High Town. At the time, The Archie Cotterell Trio were working mainly at jazz clubs across the Midlands region and had recently completed recording for their second CD. Also performing, were The Liane Carroll Trio with support from special guest and guitarist Andrew Williams. Encouraged to play piano from a young age, Liane received lessons from concert pianist Phyllis Catling. She developed a deep passion for everything jazz, soul and beyond culminating in the formation of The Liane Carroll Trio in 1990. Her vocal talents were recognized in 2005 when she was awarded ‘Best Vocalist’ and ‘Best of Jazz’ at the BBC Jazz Awards for her album Billy No Mates on Splash Point Records. Artists who also appeared during the trail included Keith Nichols, Paul Sawtell, Martin Litton, Enrico Tomaso, Erika Lyons, John Gibbon, Julian Stringle, Roy Sainsbury, Dee Daly and Brenda Scott. The event was followed by a per-

Organisers Tim Lord and Malcolm Wain with local singer Carole Westwood formance of the Pizza Express Allstars in the evening, at the Theatre on the Steps. Sunday lunch took on a new meaning when fans could enjoy a feast of jazz as they swing to the strains of The Craig Milverton Trio, who were performing at The King’s Head The weekend was rounded off on a high note with a terrific performance of Tribute to Satchmo and the Duke by the Keith Nichols Orchestra. Tim Lord, chairman of the Bridgnorth Jazz Festival committee, started the festival three years previously, following the success of the Ludlow Jazz Festival, which he had organised for 17 years. “The Bridgnorth event came together when I moved back to the area in 2001,” he said. “I got to-

gether with two friends who are also interested in jazz music. The first event was a success, the second even better and here we are at our third.” Mr Lord said the three-day event had been a huge success, adding: “This was our third festival in Bridgnorth and this year instead of having just four venues there were seven. It went very well and from what we can tell it was very well attended. We had an audience of around 120 at the Theatre on the Steps, 130 at the Stroller event and around 90 people at the Down Inn on Friday. In terms of music and the number of venues it is certainly the biggest festival we have staged in Bridgnorth. We think attendance numbers were up on last year but it is difficult to say without looking at the real figures.”

The Liane Carroll Trio returned to the festival the following year to open the event with a concert at the Down Inn, again joined by special guest Andrew Williams. Other artists entertaining audiences in 2006 were Keith Nichols, Craig Milverton, Paul Sawtell, Archie Cotterell and Enrico Tomaso. Malcolm Wain, from the festival committee, said that year’s event went better than he could have hoped for. “We had good capacity audiences all the way round the festival,” he said. “We had some stunning performances. Anyone who missed the Liane Carroll performance really missed out, it was magical. “She is a top drawer entertainer. But that’s not to take anything away from the quality of the other acts.”

A delve into the archives of one of the world’s great supercar companies has confirmed the pioneering part Shropshire played in the birth of the Lamborghini legend. Italian car enthusiast David Morris of Shrewsbury and Carl Peele, the Lamborghini Club’s company secretary and treasurer, travelled to the firm’s factory in Italy to verify that the very first Lamborghini sold in the world was to a Shropshire buyer and that it was the first road-legal Lamborghini ever produced. It was the same sleek white car Dave had seen as a car-mad youngster one Saturday in September 1964 when he cycled down to Jones’s newsagents at The Column, Shrewsbury, to collect a magazine. The sports car pulled up with Italian number plates and, incongruously, the driver got out and went to the shop to buy a can of Heinz baked beans. Dave found out later that the owner was wealthy industrialist Robin Grant, of Pitchford Hall, near Shrewsbury, who had taken delivery on August 21, 1964, although the driver on the day he saw it was Oliver Colthurst, who was married to Robin’s stepdaughter Caroline. Finding out more has meant years of research culminating in the Italian trip confirming that car’s historic significance. “They let us loose in their factory archive,” said Dave, of the Italian AutoMoto Club. “The build records were all contained in handwritten exercise books, with entries made in ballpoint pen, and it was quite a shock to see how primitive they were. “They were able to confirm that Mr Grant was the very first purchaser and owner of a Lamborghini car in the world, and they were delighted when I handed over the copy of the very first receipt ever issued by Mr Lamborghini – to Mr Grant – which they had not seen before. They asked me to sign its authenticity, and it is now sitting in the company’s archive, together with the build records. They confirmed that I held more information on that first car than they did, and asked me to update them if we come across further information.” Plans are now being drawn up to celebrate Lamborghini’s 60th anniversary at Pitchford Hall next year.


22 FARMING MARK E T REPORT BRIDGNORTH LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT – TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1, There were 81 cattle: a much more varied sample of beasts penned this morning, with meat and finish definitely in shorter supply. There were more bellied cattle today, especially in the bulls when producers were selling cattle to reduce feed bills on the face of it. More steers forward saw best shapes selling to 291p/kg, with £1878 top price per head. Butchers heifers topped at 320p/kg, with 6 females 300p/kg or above. Few heavy females forward sold to £1728 and £1674. Our bull sample was mixed giving the auctioneer a tricky task to hold prices there! Continentals topped at 255p/kg with others to 253p/kg. Heavy bulls sold to £1932 for 814kg. Amazingly, no Friesian/Holstein bulls forward at all. Lambs (1100). An average of 230p/kg up around 15p/kg on last week although the general quality would be better. Best lambs a very firm trade to 288p/kg at 44kg for Beltex from Pete Morris and several pens sold to 260p/kg plus. Heavy weights remain keenly sought after with Neil Ellis selling his Texels for £154 and Josh Munday’s 54.5kg lambs at 238p/kg. Lambs under 37kg showed considerable improvement to 237p/kg from Richard Parkes and more hill-bred sheep generally over 215p/kg with only the pure Welsh under 21kg. With the onset of winter, please be mindful that clean, dry lambs will start to sell to a premium. Ewes (791). A similar entry of ewes to last week with quality ewes short in number but well sought after. Texel cross ewes sold to £159, Suffolk x Mules ewes sold to £134 and a whole alleyway of North Country Mules, lacking size and power, sold to £110. Large numbers of plainer mules the worst at £40, with warmed up Mules £55 plus. As recent weeks Continental ewes most sought after with better sorts £130 to £159 and plainer, smaller sheep £120. Most breeds of hill ewes were represented with Cheviot ewes selling to a premium to £87 for medium sorts and £60 for the plain. Small-meated Scotch ewes sold to £42 with Welsh £38 and small, plain hill ewes a similar trade to last week. Rams sold to £160 from Pete Kirton and yearling wethers £100.

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Sheep and beef event back after five-year gap

The first Wynnstay ‘event’ was held in 2015

An agricultural event is returning this week after a fiveyear hiatus. The Wynnstay Sheep and Beef Event will take place tomorrow at the new location of Coleg Cambria, Llysfasi, Ruthin. First established in 2015, this year’s dedicated event for sheep and beef farmers will focus on championing the red meat industry, showcasing the opportunities for farmers in both sectors. “The last couple of years have been challenging, with uncertainty around support payments and now the costof-living crisis raising ques-

tions around the affordability of food to consumers,” said Gareth Davies, chief executive of agricultural supplies group Wynnstay. “However, there are definitely opportunities out there for farmers looking to produce food sustainably, and often it’s the small tweaks which enhance efficiency and result in a more profitable and resilient farm business,” he said. Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to listen to four key industry speakers, who will be covering a selection of pertinent topics for farmers. “We’re delighted to have

Jayne Rees Buxton, writer of ‘The Great Plant Based Con’, speaking at the event. Jayne was born in the UK, raised in Canada and then returned to the UK where she started writing a book about food, health and the environment. “Jayne’s an ambassador for producing real food to improve public health, and at the event, she’ll showcase the truths around the importance of including red meat in diets,” added Mr Davies. To sign up and keep up to date with the latest news on the event, visit https://www. wynnstay.co.uk/

Conference to put the focus Crop expert now has new on regenerative techniques role at Emerald Research DAVID BANNER

Wilson Boardman, an internationally respected crop nutrition and formulations expert, has joined the Emerald Research Ltd (ERL) team as business development director. Bosses say Mr Boardman’s extensive knowledge of biostimulants and crop nutrients will further strengthen and complement ERL’s already impressive research and new product development programmes, bringing still greater improvements in crop performance, sustainability and farm profitability. Mr Boardman is respected within both the academic and commercial biostimulant and crop nutrition arenas and often invited to speak at international congresses. His wealth of knowledge comes from 40 years of experience within the crop health care market. During his time at Micromix, a company he founded in 1999, he developed an extensive knowledge and resource base in Eastern Europe, China and Brazil, where he has spent time working closely with commercial, technical and regulatory bodies. He joins ERL to support the business as it embarks on a radical five-year growth plan to support British and European agriculture to increase crop quality and quantity in a sustainable way with a reduced reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

TENBURY FODDER SALE

THURSDAY 10th NOVEMBER – 3.00pm

@ Fountain Inn, Oldwood, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8TB 3510 conv, 3122 round & square bales of Hay, 1183 round & square bales Haylage/Silage, 700 conv, 2667 round & square bales Wheat Straw, 250 conv, 483 round & square bales Barley Straw, 781 round & square bales Oat Straw, 125 round & square bales Rape Straw, on farms in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire & West Mids. Catalogues online.

TENBURY SHEEP SALE

SATURDAY 12th NOVEMBER

2500 Store Lambs, Breeding & Cull Ewes & Rams –

HOLLY, MISTLETOE, WREATH & TREE SALES TUESDAYS, 22nd & 29th NOVEMBER

AT BURFORD HOUSE GARDEN CENTRE, WR15 8HQ Delivery strictly between 8.00 am and 12 noon only on SUNDAYS & MONDAYS. NO CASH PAYOUT - Details on website Tel: 01584 810555

www.nickchampion.co.uk

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

A firm is hosting its inaugural agroecology conference on Tuesday next week at The Belfry at Sutton Coldfield.

The Hutchinsons event will give farmers the chance to discover how to make the most of regenerative farming practices to benefit the environment and the bottom line. Agroecology: Making the Transition will address many of the core regenerative agriculture principles, which head of agroecology, Ed Brown, believes form the basis of good agronomy in a rapidly changing industry. He said rising costs, changes to farm support, and increasingly extreme weather events, have hastened the need to build more resilient production systems that harness natural processes and reduce the need for artificial inputs. He said: “The days of ‘high input, high output at all costs’ agriculture are numbered. The focus is much more about taking an holistic approach to farming and agronomy.”

Healthy soils can prevent slumping and erosion

Hutchinsons is helping farmers do this with the launch of its new agroecology service, and the conference will be packed with practical advice about sustainable farming practices. Mr Brown said: “Whether you’re a farmer that has already moved to a more resilient farming model, or are just starting out, the conference should have something for everyone.”

Speakers include Knight Frank’s Tom Heathcote, who is passionate about regenerative farming, and has helped a number of businesses transition to more sustainable farming systems, making him ideally placed to offer advice on business structuring and finance. Soil health is widely recognised as a cornerstone of sustainable farming systems, so

Hutchinsons’s Ian Robertson will explain the importance of understanding your soil before making any significant structural or operational changes. Internationa lly-renowned independent researcher and regen consultant, Joel Williams, will also be present to offer a technical insight into his latest research. Two farmer speakers, at different stages of their agroecology journeys, will be there too. Ben Taylor-Davies, aka “regen Ben”, will share his experiences from years of adopting regenerative practices on the farm at Ross-on-Wye, while Harry Heath, who hosts the Helix Agroecology farm, will explain how he has tackled soil health issues on the Shropshire pig and arable farm. “For us, we’ve gone through that early phase where we recognised our soils weren’t in the best of health, with significant slumping and erosion,” says Mr Heath. “We were massively over-cultivating, and with subsoiling in particular, we found the more we did, the more we had to do, to artificially create structure. “But we are now well down the implementation phase, having converted to direct drilling five years ago.”

Free business and environmental training is now being offered Farming families across the UK can now sign up for free business and environmental training from The Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF). Co-ordinated locally by Rural Support NI in Northern Ireland, RSABI in Scotland and Rural Advisors in Wales, farmers can participate in the sixth year of The Prince’s Countryside Fund’s Farm Resilience Programme. Seventy-three per cent of farmers who have taken part in the Farm Resilience Programme reported improved

business skills and 58 per cent reported increases in profitability, with an average profit increase of over £9,000. This year, groups will be based in Dungiven and Seskinore in Northern Ireland; Stranraer, Ullapool and Caithness in Scotland; and Bala, Brecon, and Tregaron in Wales. In England, farmers can participate in Farm for the Future, which is taking place in 13 areas and being delivered by trusted local partners, as well as a virtual group for families based elsewhere in England. Groups

will be based in Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Dartmoor, the Durham Dales, Exmoor, Herefordshire, the High Weald, Lancashire, Norfolk, Northumberland, the Peak District, and the Yorkshire Dales. Through these farm resilience programmes, groups of farming families will take part in a series of workshops designed to help their business become more profitable and sustainable as well as receiving one-to-one support and access to the PCF’s Farm Resilience Network, which provides on-

going free social and training opportunities. All family members are welcome to attend the sessions, which are delivered by expert agricultural consultants, and a meal is provided at each meeting. In a survey of farmers who have participated in the PCF’s support programmes, only 13 per cent thought their farm would be more profitable over the next 12 months. For more informatio visit The Prince’s Countryside Fund’s website: www.princescountrysidefund. org.uk/farmresilience


FARMING 23

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Hunt is on to find the next generation of farmers

The Prince’s Countryside Fund and Aldi UK have launched a joint initiative that seeks to provide young people and new entrants with the skills to succeed in the agricultural industry. Opening the Gate consists of a series of virtual workshops that aims to equip young people and new entrants with the skills, confi-

dence, and networks to succeed in farming, and the wider agricultural industry. The programme will provide access to industry experts, such as university admissions officers, graduate recruiters, and farm managers, whilst also offering the opportunity to hear from other young people who’ve overcome

obstacles to start a career in farming and run viable enterprises. In addition, the sessions will be accompanied by a bank of online resources, with case studies, short career advice videos, and experts’ top tips. The first workshop topic will look at work experience, employment opportunities and network-

ing. This topic will be broken down into three separate sessions for different audiences. The first – aimed at college and school leavers – will take place on November 21 at 7pm. Each workshop will last 45 minutes and be hosted on Zoom. Visit princescountrysidefund.org.uk/ openingthegate

Growers given an insight into the latest top maize varieties

DAVID BANNER

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Maize growers had an insight into the latest varieties and growing techniques at the Carlisle Maize Regional Technology Centre.

It is the 13th year that Smalmstown Farm has hosted the maize trials, which are tailored to finding new ways of maximising the output of maize grown under film and open ground in the more marginal growing conditions often experienced in northern and western parts of the country. “Although conditions have generally been pretty good this year, our climate in this area can be less conducive to warm-season crops,” explained agronomist Jim Clark from Hutchinsons, which hosted the event. “Up here, many growers establish maize under film to mitigate some of the early season risks from cooler temperatures in spring, but the technique creates its own challenges and requires considerable investment, so maximising crop output is vital to secure the future of maize growing in such areas.” With more than 17 varieties on display both under film and in the open, visitors to the trials day had plenty of opportunity to look at the performance of established and new varieties. The trials demonstrated the latest varieties under film from a range of

Hutchinsons agronomist Jim Clark leading plant breeders such as Germinal, Corteva, Bayer, Limagrain, RAGT and Elsoms whilst the open plot varieties demonstrated the latest varieties from Limagrain, RAGT and Pioneer. “It’s been quite clear this year that some varieties have really stood out, so it will be worth discussing these before making deci-

sions about what to grow next year,” said Mr Clark. “The biggest variety up here continues to be P7034 from Corteva (Pioneer). It is a consistently good all-rounder and has the dent-type grain that has been bred specifically for the cooler maritime locations found here in the UK. It also delivers a good dry weight yield with high starch levels that are

more rumen-degradable and allow shorter clamp to feeding time. “There are some newer varieties of interest; P7179 is a new open or under film early variety from Corteva that should be available in the UK next year. Bayer’s DKC 3218 shows appeal as an early driller, it’s a big plant type and early to mature.

International agriculture university is now open

Jamshid Khodjaev, left, with RAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter McCaffery

Uzbekistan’s new International Agriculture University, a partnership with the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), has officially opened in the nation’s capital Tashkent. Just days after welcoming the first 200 students to its new courses, the grand opening ceremony took place. It was attended by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, Minister of Agriculture Aziz Voitov, as well as RAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter McCaffery. After signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions, Mr

Khodjaev and Professor McCaffery attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new building, which has been named The Queen Elizabeth II Building in honour of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who was also the patron of the RAU. Professor McCaffery gave Mr Khodjaev a commemorative plaque to mark the partnership between the two institutions. Speaking at the ceremony, at which the new first year students made a “student pledge” as part of their matriculation ceremony, Professor McCaffery said: “Today’s launch of the International Agriculture Uni-

versity (IAU) opens up an exciting new chapter in our history. “That the RAU was chosen as the founding partner by the Uzbekistan Ministry of Agriculture, against competitors from North America and Europe, bears testament to our mission, vision and approach to agricultural education.” “With the potential to exceed 3,000 students in three to five years, the RAU is uniquely placed to be ‘the UK’s International Agricultural University’. The surpluses generated – like those from our links with China – will go towards improving the experience of all our students, including Cirencester.”

FARMING SCENE

BY RICHARD YATES The adage ‘a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush’ is particularly apt for the turkey sector. Avian influenza is causing havoc in both the housed and wild bird populations in the UK. Such is the severity of the virus that Defra has made it mandatory for all poultry to be housed. The turkey brigade have a conundrum. Clearly their operation is based around Christmas markets. Huge amounts of expensive feed have been consumed in getting them this far, combined with an escalating energy bill. Should this killer virus infect the flock, then the ramifications point to total wipeout within days. There is Defra compensation in the case of this devastating event, but as with most government bail-outs, they are far from perfect and frequently fall down on close inspection. Hence some farmers may conclude it is more pragmatic to harvest their turkeys several weeks early and freeze them, rather than risk avian flu wipeout. Of course, the birds won’t have attained their preferred weights, which will be reflected in a much reduced selling price. For poultry producers, the situation is inevitably causing an interrupted sleep pattern. I have to admit I had an event last week I certainly wasn’t looking forward to. Eldest daughter Laura helps with the PR for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. ‘Dad, we could do with refreshing our portfolio,’ was the request, ‘and I’m struggling for candidates willing to be photographed’. As usual, fathers assist their children. Fortunately, the weather was calm and sunny – I ought to have been on our crop sprayer. Our urban photographer was amazed that the sound of my voice would attract both the 200 ewes and the 50 cattle that we pranced around with. My livestock have been so devoid of forage for the past few months that they associate me with feed and hence are greatly interested. I did contemplate donning a bag of feed under my arm for the activity shots, but the upshot would undoubtedly be for 50 gutsy ewes to hone in on my nether regions, causing me to be engulfed in fleece and hooves. Bet that doesn’t happen to Adam Henson! A decade ago I had a quad bike nicked from our farm. The press got hold of the story and wanted a photo. The brief was to adopt the miserable gait while perched on my replacement bike. It causes a titter in our family whenever a journo from the Shropshire Star wants a quote on the latest agricultural topic. Cue the inevitable picture from their photo library appearing with me glowering astride the quad bike.


24 BUSINESS

College’s HGV employment event is big hit A Telford College event showcasing career opportunities in the road haulage industry has been declared a great success. Haulage companies from across the region brought demonstration vehicles onto the campus, and more than 100 people dropped in to take a look at them – and find out about the college’s programme of short courses for HGV training. The event coincided with National Lorry Week, the Road Haulage Association’s annual campaign to raise awareness of career opportunities in the industry. Simon Priest, the RHA’s area manager, said: “National Lorry Week is an event we created to celebrate the industry and all the things it does for the country. Around 98 per cent of all products are transported via truck. We teamed up with Telford College to introduce people into the industry due to the shortage of drivers. “Hopefully we’ll be able to reduce the shortage and make sure that we give people the potential to have a great career with great salary prospects.” Telford College worked with the local job centre teams to promote the event.

More profit warnings are issued by firms Listed companies in the Midlands issued nine profit warnings in the third quarter of this year – two more than the previous quarter. It was the highest number of warnings since the second quarter of 2020, according to the latest EY-Parthenon Profit Warnings report. Nationally, profit warnings issued by UK-listed companies in the quarter reached their highest third quarter total since 2008. In total, 86 profit warnings were issued nationally between July and September, compared to 51 in the same period of 2021, an increase of 69% and a 34% increase from the previous quarter when 64 warnings were issued. The rise in warnings has been driven by a significant increase in the number of warnings from consumer-facing companies, which rose almost three-fold year-onyear. The report reveals that 57% of warnings during Q3 cited rising costs, while 23% were prompted by labour market issues. The three warning ‘danger zone’ now contains 28 listed companies who have issued their third consecutive profit warning in the last year, compared to 18 at the end of Q2 2022. Dan Hurd, a partner at EY-Parthenon, said: “While the UK experiences a period of economic uncertainty, the effects of higher energy bills, interruptions to supply chains and reduced consumer spending are just a handful of the challenges businesses are facing.”

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Rising star James gets promoted A rising star at a family-owned firm has been promoted to join the management team. James Bright was previously a waste operator at Tudor Griffiths Group who has been with the company for four years. And now, thanks to his dedication and commitment, he has been named as waste and recycling manager. “I’m so incredibly proud to

have been given this opportunity and I’m thoroughly enjoying the new responsibilities I’m taking on. It’s a privilege to be trusted with this important role and I know that with the support of my hard-working team we can continue to go from strength-tostrength,” he said. James is based at the company’s head office at Wood Lane, in Ellesmere.

Team expanded after amalgamation Property and land agents Roger Parry & Partners has expanded its planning and architectural services team following the recent amalgamation with planning consultancy firm Les Stephan Planning. The Les Stephan Planning team will become an integral part of the on-going service provided by Roger Parry and partners throughout the Midlands and Wales. Les Stephan Planning’s senior

planning consultants are members of the Royal Town Planning Institute and include three former local authority planner officers, with a wide knowledge and expertise in a variety of planning aspects. Roger Parry, partner at Roger Parry & Partners, said: “We are delighted to announce the inclusion of Les Stephan Planning within Roger Parry and Partners. The company shares our values.”

Firms prioritising current crisis instead of investing long-term JOHN CORSER

john.corser@mnamedia.co.uk

The majority of regional businesses are prioritising measures to ease the impact of the current economic crisis over long-term investment.

Supply chain problems, skills shortages and rising energy costs top the list of concerns for companies according to a survey from business services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Almost half of West Midlands businesses – 45 per cent – say net zero plans had been superseded by more immediate concerns. The survey found 56 per cent were prioritising short-term operational improvements over long-term strategic solutions. Edward Williams, deals partner at PwC, said: “Businesses across the UK, including the Midlands, are focused on short-term financial positions and tackling the immediate economic challenges. Whilst this is understandable given the current climate, it leaves them less prepared for the issues of tomorrow. Where at all possible, businesses should also implement long-term strategies such as upskilling and digitisation to future-proof and help them to remain attractive to investors. The latest insolvency stats showed the third highest rate of insolvency since January 2019, which is a sobering reminder of the challenge facing our economy. “

Cereal entrepreneur launches tasty venture MATTHEW PANTER

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Hammond Brown has launched his own brand of breakfast food

A man has become a cereal entrepreneur after creating a new breakfast food. Hammond Brown, of Telford, has been mixing his own muesli for years after failing to find one he liked in shops. He has now launched his own brand after completing a start-up course with business consultants Good2Great of Bridgnorth. “I was dissatisfied with the quality of the mainstream muesli available in supermarkets,” said Hammond, who has had previous careers as a vet and genealogist. “I enjoyed making my own so much that I decided to produce it.” He said he has ensured it is as sustainable as possible by using local ingredients and plastic-free, recyclable packaging. Every 650g box of Hammonds muesli also comes with a free packet of wildflower seeds which can be sown to support bees and other pollinators. Hammond thanked Good2Great for giving him the confidence to start his new enterprise. ““The support and encouragement that I received from the team, as well as other entrepreneurs, was indispensable.”

Company appoints duo to supercharge growth A Telford-based renewable energy and battery specialist is super charging its senior team with the addition of two new directors. Ania Frajfeld and James Willets have been promoted to director level in recognition of their hard work and dedication to helping AceOn develop and grow as a business over the past seven years. Finance Director Ania joined the company in 2015. She oversees the company’s financials and HR functions and has successfully implemented more efficient systems to make the accounts and people sides of the business run more smoothly. Ania recently gained her Profes-

sional Diploma in Accounting with the company’s full support and she is keen to develop herself further with the new opportunities becoming a director offers. Ania said: “I’m really excited to be taking this next step at AceOn. Joining the company all those years ago has been a very positive experience for me, and the promotion to finance director shows how much AceOn values me, my work and the contribution I make to its success. It will be demanding, stepping up to director level, but I have a great team around me at AceOn, and I look forward to seeing what new challenges lie ahead.”

James officially joined AceOn in 2017 but worked with the company before then on an innovative project with Faradion to develop sodium ion battery cells. In his new role, James will be working on introducing some of the latest automated manufacturing techniques and helping to grow AceOn’s range of off-grid product solutions. James said: “I’m really passionate about the development of off-grid technologies, such as next generation solar charging devices, so I’m looking forward to working more closely with our managing director on bringing them to the fore in my new position.”

James Willets and Ania Frajfeld


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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

PUZZLES H H

2. Who added the King’s to King’s Lynn? A Henry V B Charles II C Henry VIII D George I

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3. What name was given to the area of England where Danish customs prevailed between the 9th and 11th centuries? A Viking land B Daneland C Danelaw D Anglo-Denmark

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11. Sid Vicious, the subject of Alex Cox’s 1986 punk biopic Sid and Nancy, was bassist in which band? A The Clash B The Sex Pistols C The Buzzcocks D The Angelic Upstarts Daniel Mays See Question 6.

7. Which city in Piedmont is the centre of the Italian motor industry? A Turin

H ACROSS

10. Which English financier propounded the law that bad money drives out good? A Maynard Keynes B Sir Michael Trow C Sir Thomas Gresham D Simon Masters

1. Which US president is famous for making the Gettysburg Address? A George Washington B Thomas Jefferson C Abraham Lincoln D William McKinley

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KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED

General Knowledge Quiz

STAR SEEKER Can you find the celebrity name hidden in this crossword? Complete the crossword in the normal way, then make a note of the letters contained in all the squares which are marked with shaded stars. These letters will make an anagram of the name you are trying to discover.

H

AN EIGHT- PAGE SPECIAL TO

4. What name is given to saclike organ that stores bile produced by the liver? A Gall bladder B Pancreas C Spleen D Lower intestine

DOWN

1. Eager (4)

2. Brilliance (10)

8. Deviation (10)

3. Valley (4)

9. Power (8)

4. Scant (6)

10. Fashion (4)

5. Curved (6)

12. Sullen (6)

6. Rush (8)

14. Fanciful (6)

7. Gaming stake (4)

15. Hand digit (6)

11. Tiny (10)

17. Chaperon (6)

13. Arrange (8)

18. Psalm (4)

16. Diet (6)

19. Produce (8)

17. Refusal (6)

21. Fulfil (10)

18. Chop roughly (4)

22. Retain (4)

20. Smell (4)

5. Which British political party grew out of the Tory Party in the 1830s? A Liberal Party B Unionist Party C Labour Party D Conservative Party 6. Which Sky 1 police procedural drama stars Daniel Mays and Anna Maxwell Martin? A Code 101 B Code 202 C Code 303 D Code 404

B Bologna C Milan D Naples 8. In 1933 Flying Down to Rio marked the start of Fred Astaire’s long partnership with whom? A Bette Davis B Katharine Hepburn C Ginger Rogers D Luise Rainer 9. Whom did Californian model Kelly

12. Which American Civil War general became the 18th president of the United States? A Ulysses S Grant B Andrew Johnson C Abraham Lincoln D James A. Garfield 13. Which city provided the setting for Kay Mellor’s TV drama Band of Gold? A London B Manchester C Liverpool D Bradford 14. Which French novelist defended Dreyfus in an open letter entitled J’accuse? A Albert Camus B Eugene Ionesco C Emile Zola D Victor Hugo 15. What is the name of Dick Dastardly’s canine servant? A Scooby-Doo B Rocky C Rover D Mutley

Fisher claim to have been jilted by? A Richard Gere B Dodi Fayed C Tom Cruise D Brad Pitt

GOGEN Insert letters to form the listed words, moving between adjacent cells horizontally, vertically or diagonally in any direction. Insert all the remaining letters of the alphabet (except Z) in the grid so all the listed words are spelt out in this way.

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1 BAROQUE BOX CAR DUVET FLIP GRAB JOB MILKY SHOWJUMPING TWO WHO

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXY

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2 AIRS CHUM DUET FLACK JOG NEXT PARTY QUART ROT SORT TUBA VOTED WRAP

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3 BELCH DUB FRANK FRUIT JONQUIL LONG MOCK PITY RITE SPITE SUIT VET WAX

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26 PUZ Z L ES

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

FILL IN When you’ve completed the puzzle, rearrange the shaded squares to spell out a bird. We’ve given you one word to start you off.

General Knowledge Crossword ACROSS

DOWN

1. ‘--- of IPC’, 1947 novel by E E ‘Doc’ Smith (11) 9. Jess, 1915 world heavyweight boxing champion (7) 10. 1995 film set in Africa based on a Michael Crichton bestseller (5)

T R E N D

11. Game fish such as Salmo trutta (5) 12. Mediterranean variety of wild marjoram (7) 13. Stefan, 1991 US Open tennis singles champion (6) 15. Member of a Hindu people living chiefly in Nepal (6) 18. Region of NW Italy (7) 20. Standard unit of currency of Ecuador

3 LETTERS BEE CUR EEL NAN PIT RUE SAC SAD SAY SET

4 LETTERS ABET ALOE APSE BODY CODA EVIL ISLE KEPT LASS LYRE

5 LETTERS ABEAM BEANS SIDLE TREND

MISS MUSE SICK SILT SLOE STEW SWAM TALE TREE TYKE

7 LETTERS ARBUTUS COVERED

until 2000 (5) 22. Piece of music composed for a group of nine instruments (5) 23. Julian Lloyd Webber or Jacqueline du Pré, for example (7) 24. ‘The Luck of ---’, novel by Thackeray (5,6)

Here is a list of moons. Can you find them in the grid? The answers can be found running backwards or forwards, horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

PLUMBAGO

QUOTIDIAN

A Lead weight attached to fishing line B Fungal disease C Form of carbon used in pencil-making

A Daily B Argumentative C Type of division

219625

gives a feline

2

125483

gives a woman

ARIEL

DESDEMONA

OBERON

1354

gives felines

724589

gives women

BELINDA

FERDINAND

OPHELIA

6728

gives a feline

687789

gives beautiful women

BIANCA

PORTIA

FRANCISCO

CALIBAN

PROSPERO

JULIET

CORDELIA

MARGARET

ROSALIND

CUPID

MIRANDA

TITANIA

I

L

D A O P H E

E D R O C R R L

I

A R

M R Y C X N E

L

N

I

I

N F

B E

L

A R

L N B S

E

T

A B

B

I

N B D B

T

I

C T C A B R

I

R N N E

I

I I

S R

J

C

A D N D J

P

T

O M S

W H U V

O S

I

I

D T

L

V D

I

L

U A

I

J

L

A A M K M H C

I

U R

I

P Y

S K R O A N N M F

Y A

Z O L N

1

2

J

T

P N L

I

M G A C Y A A C F

A

P

E R O S R M N

E D M X G A R M M O F

THINKING SPACE

I

N W

6

7

8

9

1

3

9

4

5

8

10 11

12

13

14 16

17

18

19

2

3

4

ACROSS

7

E R A G R A M Z G V B O P R O S

5

6

V C G Y R D D O C O P R N D

D U O V

4

A test of knowledge for the sporting enthusiast

F

I

3

SPORTWORD

D S A G O M O E R E A B R R R

2

1

PUCK

CRESSIDA

A N K A

L

The word may sound familiar, but do you know what it means?

Each number from 1 to 9 represents a different letter. Solve the clues and insert the letters in the appropriate squares to discover a word which uses all nine letters.

1

P

WORD WISE

NINERS

WORDSEARCH

I

2. Shortened name of the disease also called infantile paralysis (5) 3. Pipe on a set of bagpipes on which the melody is played (7) 4. The — Bay is an inland sea in NE Canada which houses the Belcher Islands (6) 5. ‘--- Vanya’, play by Chekhov (5) 6. European kingdom whose capital is Copenhagen (7) 7. European confederation whose capital is Bern (11) 8. 1940 film musical starring Anna Neagle (2,2,7) 14. Genus of plants cultivated for their ornamental leaves and waxy flowers (7) 16. 20th letter in the Greek alphabet (7) 17. Mr Proust, author of À la recherche du temps perdu (6) 19. Device with blades which propels a helicopter (5) 21. Name adopted by comedian Leonard Marx (5)

15

1. Chris ........, Manchester United defender signed from Fulham in 2010; made his England debut in 2011 (8) 6. See 17 Across. 7. Artistic gymnastics event for men and women (5) 9. .... County, 2018/19 Scottish Championship champs (4) 10. Ian ......, former Everton midfielder signed from Leeds United in 1987 (6) 12. Kazenga ......, Luton Town winger signed from Brighton in 2018 (6) 14. Gianfranco ...., former West Ham, Watford and Birmingham City boss (4) 17 and 6 Across. 2011 World Championships men’s 100m gold medallist; won Olympic gold with the Jamaican men’s 4x100m relay team in 2012 and 2016 (5,5) 18. Samit ....., Nottinghamshire all-rounder whose brother Akhil also plays for the club (5) 19. Peter ........, former Ireland and Munster scrum-half who retired from rugby in 2018 (8)

5

6

7

8

9

DOWN 2. Tyrone ....., West Brom defender; previously at Bolton and Seattle Sounders (5) 3. Sébastien ...., nine-time World Rally Drivers’ Champion between 2004-12 (4) 4. Eddie ......, F1 driver who won the 1999 Malaysian GP (6) 5. Bobby ....., Arsenal’s 1969 League Cup Final goalscorer (5) 6. Premier League football club managed by Sean Dyche (7) 8. Mike ......., former England and Gloucester Rugby centre who married equestrian Zara Phillips (7) 11. Joe ......, Hungary-born boxer who appeared on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2009 (6) 13. England and Australia Test cricket series (5) 15. Sven ....., 1998-2004 IBF Super Middleweight champion (5) 16. Bowling technique of Monty Panesar (4)


PUZ Z L ES 27

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

WORD LADDER

Kakuro Fill in the white squares with the numbers 1 to 9. Each horizontal block of squares must add up to the number in the shaded square to its left, and each vertical block must add up to the number in the shaded square above it. No number may be used more than once in any one block.

1 7

4

28

8

10

2

12

13 9

26

19 8 29 5

14

6

13 13

12

34

12

5

12 11

6

13 7

13

11

12

22

12

Drill

13

12

Basic

7

31

5

9 10

TALE

12 13

17

16

Bundle of hay

9

13

25

7

Golf cry

12

10

19

8

Utensil

11 20

5

19

12

FOLK

13

9

9

1

5

16

12

14

13

15

8

29

10

12

11

14

8

8

17

21

23

27

15

11 19

15

9 18

19

5

6

11

7

12

7 23

8

Using the clues provided, fill in each step of the ladder with a new word, changing one letter at a time.

6

16

13

22

2

HOLD Gap

15

Rod

3 11

6

35

21

6

4

10

8 6

12

14

8

11

5

12

16

34

20

25

10

3

10

8

11

23

Mail Previous

11

4

17

FAST

15

10

4 9

14

10

14

Webs

20

15 21

34

NEWS

3

13

16 8

Stance

17

8

8

21

16

14

17

24

9

8

12 5

23

3

13

14

16

11

3

14

10

12

22 15

16

16

8

12 19

7 24

4

26

17

8

13

12

11

12 14

20

8

14 12

Groups

11

4

11

Visualises Charges Touch

TWO SPEED CROSSWORD Across 6. Vertical (7) 7. Stopping place (3-2) 9. Killed (5) 10. Forgive (7) 12. Grammatical category (5,6) 14. Controversial (11) 18. Elves (7) 19. Milk supplier (5) 21. Instrument (5) 22. Illness (7) Down 1. Period (5) 2. End (6) 3. Timid (3) 4. Goose (6) 5. Desert (7) 8. Sedative (7) 11. Typesetter (7) 13. Confound (7) 15. Threefold (6) 16. Customs (6) 17. Crucifix (5) 20. Tune (3)

Cryptic Across

6. Not stooping to dishonesty (7) 7. Keep off the highway! (3-2) 9. Nails badly finished off (5) 10. Excuse for the study being finished (7) 12. Grammatically, it is (5,6) 14. Satisfied with debts, but unlikely to reach agreement (11) 18. Spirits priests conjure up (7) 19. Yard I prepared for storing milk (5) 21. Listening device the French used to sound the alarm (5) 22. Medical problem from a seaside resort (7) Down 1. A charming device to put into

4. Unusual danger for a goose (6) 5. Leave a fellow under a

letters (5) 2. Polish, perhaps, but not Polish by sound! (6) 3. React like a startled horse and throw (3)

REEL

Quick

This two-speed crossword has two sets of clues, but just one grid. If you can’t solve the Cryptic clues, try the Quick.

prohibition (7) 8. Painstaking preparation (7) 11. There’s all types in his trade (7) 13. Puzzle no more! (7)

THINKING SPACE

15. Trip up the Spanish three times (6) 16. Habits of a wise man in America (6)

Scribble pad

ALPHAMUDDLE Rearrange the letters in the grid on the left to make five words that read both across and down. Five letters have been placed to start you off.

T R E F F

T

C H E E R

O

T H O C H

E

Y E C T S T H I

T

B O

E

SPLIT DECISION Cross out one of the two letters in each divided square to reveal a completed crossword grid.

S K C O

17. Not pleased to go over to the other side (5) 20. Look for a number (3)

A

C

A

L

A

O S

A

L

U E

H E

A

A

T

T

L

I

O

A

D T

E

N

S X

L R

N

I

N

S

M G G I C


28 PUZ Z L ES

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

PATHFINDER Beginning with the top highlighted letter, follow a continuous path of words associated with the given subject. The trail goes through each letter once, twisting up, down and sideways, but never diagonally.

Sudoku Challenge

L E M A I O F E K A O T Y R O

L T S R X I T H E N N I M T B

A R A E T N S W R S R O P O A

A L L I A V R A A A I B O C C

D B T E N A T S T N T U T T K

E R N E M E A R H T R R U O T

N U M A D L T F E M A E F E H

N E R A M E H I F E H T T E R

L I U X A N O F T E N C N O S

I B Q E L E T E H E S O U F T

I R H E P N P A C L O N I K H

U M T T M E E T Y L E D R D E

I M R E X G S I S Y L O I H T

N A T O R R A V I U M O P E R

1 2

Medium

MIRROR IMAGE Which of the shapes below is an exact mirror image of the shape on the right? A

4 9

5 4 2 1 3 5 4 8 8 2 5 1 4 9 6 8 7 4 1 4 2 3 7 9 8 4 7 6 2 4

2

3 7

Sci-fi films T H E T R R C E A W R I R E P

1

Easy

C

D

CLOCKWORD The solutions from 1 to 12 are all six-letter words ending with the letter E in the centre. Moving clockwise from 1, the letters in the outer circle will spell out the name of an English writer and painter. 12

1

11

E

4

5 7

6

1. Speak wordily

7. Cloak

2. American, informally

8. Wolflike

3. Suitable for marriage 4. Girl’s name 5. Knob 6. Greek goddess

9. Member of a former sect 10. Twist 11. Pierce 12. Waste matter

THINKING SPACE

2

2

2

4 3

8 5

6 8 7 2

6

9 3 4

8

4

2 6

1

2

4

2 6

6

5

1 4

6 7

1

1 5

8 9

1

7

6

2 9 4

9

3

6 2

8

2 1 5

3 8

3

1

7

5 8

7

8

1

4 9 7

5 1

7 4

6

4

2

9

4

2

3

5 5

7 8

8

7

9 1

6 5 8 5 8 4 7 4 8 9 2 6 3 4 6 4 3 5 3 4 6

3

9

4 1 7 9 3

1

Hard

2

10

5 9 1

8

9

2

9 5 6 4 8 3 1 9 1 2 7 6 2 1 8 5 8 6 7 4 1 2 9 3 4 7 5

1

7

6

B

4

3 6

6 9

3 6 1

1 8 9 3

5


PUZ Z L ES 29

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

NUMBERFIT

Giant Sudoku

Fit the listed numbers into the grid.

Every row, every column and every 5 x 5 box must contain every digit from 1 to 9 and every letter from K to Z.

0

5 3 ! . $ 7 " 9 #

1

% 4 " * ( $ : # . % ) 1 / . ' 3 3 8 & ( : . , - / 0 ' 7 9 : 7 + ' - 5 # ( 9 8 % 6 9 # . * , ' 8 1 " $ 0 / 5

! (

6 # ,

$

* 9 8 %

' "

1

9 6 * / 4 6 : ( + & ) 8 / + ) 0 - $ 5 4 1 , % 7 8 ! / ) 1 & : 3 8 ! " 5 # * 3 ( 9

* 7 4 / ( & ) 8 1 / + ) 3 ' + / 1 0 9 7 . " , # ! ( * & ! 7 * $ # 1 / 8 : ( 7 . * 9 6 % 5 + 3 ( # " * 1 0 5 4 8 $ 6 , 6 / % 4 & 5 : $ 8 3 ' 4 5 1 ( 6 4 + * ) # * . !

' $ % "

, 0 : &

5 6 + # & 0 : ! . 3 % 6 1 $ 4 7 ) 0 9 5 / ! 4 + 3 " ( :

2 digits: 52 54 3 digits: 127 232 233 424 434 452 456 554 655 731 5 digits: 13427 73634 6 digits: 322553 352236 355633 533523 7 digits: 5622145 5644126 6512245 6544125 9 digits: 266454425 466544521 655464452

2

( 9 5

* 1

' ( + 1 ) . % # ,

ALPHADOKU

2 digits: 3 digits: 4 digits: 5 digits: 6 digits: 924456 8 digits:

12 28 33 63 88 93 261 438 443 459 477 482 495 892 1822 1834 2384 2984 4382 4982 58434 58733 292458 522494 689433 788169 844435 51698924 53698236

3

Both the puzzles contain 9 x 9 sudokus but with the letters R to Z.

V V T

X R W W Z

X

S T U S Z W Z T X S THINKING SPACE

T

S Y U Z W S Y

R T V

X U R T R S

V W R

X Z T

Z X

X V S

U

2 digits: 18 24 48 56 3 digits: 453 492 645 779 864 871 923 982 984 988 4 digits: 8128 8348 8568 8788 5 digits: 42289 49387 7 digits: 8441824 9956743 9 digits: 248489752 293285832 293884292 298385362


30 PUZ Z L ES

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Arrowword

REMEMBER WHEN The following events all occurred in living memory. Can you guess the year?

Panic

A 1. Manfred Mann had a UK No.1 single with Do Wah Diddy Diddy 2. The Beatles starred in A Hard Day’s Night 3. Actor Alan Ladd died 4. Play School was the first programme officially broadcast on BBC2

In this place

Shirt part

Closest

Notify

American rancher

Umpires

Different

Nuggets

Cropped up

B 1. Bill Murray starred in Groundhog Day 2. Ace Of Base had a UK No.1 single with All That She Wants 3. Actor River Phoenix died 4. The siege of a religious sect’s compound at Waco ended with an inferno

Donna _, pictured

Pastry dish

Seem

Tally

Dignified

Britney _, singer

Feigns

Obtain

Trip

Put together

Alcove Verse Levy

C 1. Charlton Heston starred in The Greatest Show On Earth 2. Al Martino had the first UK No.1 single with Here In My Heart 3. Tea rationing ended 4. Actress Isabella Rossellini was born

Feeling

Sofa

Favourite

Owing

Verbal

Crawl

Over

Beaker

Dined

_ O'Leary, pictured

Steer a horse

Hatchet

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Locality

Expanse

Provide food

Enquire

Which actor played villainous surgeon Edward Hutchinson in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks? What is the word zoo short for? In which decade did punk rock emerge? ‘Who dares wins’ is the motto of which specialist British regiment? In which sport is a shuttlecock used? What type of word can be common or proper? What is the name for an illusion of water seen in the desert? In which American city is the Pentagon? What is the official name for a sleeping policeman? Which Scottish economist wrote The Wealth of Nations?

2. 3. 4.

Pedal a bike

Instrument

QUICK QUIZ 1.

Pen point

Extra studies Railway stop

Perceive

Dip

Yield

Without difficulty

Weirdly

Jury

Small church

Huge

Epidermis

Fortune

Tropical tree

Country

Pebbles

Actions

Behind time

Gesture

Leaked blood

Sentence unit

Age

Arm joint

A pair

Pungent bulb

CODEWORD

Certainly

Direct

Mineral

This puzzle has no clues. Instead, every number printed in the grid represents a letter, with the same number always representing the same letter. For example, if 8 turns out to be a V, you can write in V wherever a square contains 8. Using your knowledge of words, complete the puzzle.

Types

1

2

3

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

1 14

2 15

3 16

4

5

D

17

18

6

I

19

7 20

THINKING SPACE

8 21

9 22

10 23

11 24

12 25

13 26

1 14

2 15

3 16

4 17

5 18

6 19

7 20

8 21

9

10

T

22

O

23

11 24

12 25

13 26

1 14

2 15

3 16

4 17

5 18

6 19

7 20

8

H

21

9

10

11

12

13

22

23

24

25

26

T


PUZ Z L ES 31

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Giant Crossword '

&

%

$

#

"

!

:

9

'2

''

'&

'%

'$

'#

'"

'9 &'

&&

&!

&9

%2

':

&2

&%

&:

'!

&$

%'

&#

&"

%&

%%

%$

%#

$"

$!

%"

%! %:

%9

$:

$9

$2

#2

$'

$&

#'

$%

#&

#%

$$

$#

#$

##

#"

#!

#: #9

"2

"'

"&

"!

!:

":

!9

:2

"9

"%

!2

!'

!&

"$

!%

!$

:'

!#

"#

!"

:&

""

!!

:%

:$

:#

:" :!

::

9:

99

:9

92

'22

'2'

9'

9&

'2&

9%

9$

'2%

'2$

'2#

9#

'2"

9"

'2!

'2:

9!

'29

''2 '''

''9

''&

'&2

''%

''$

''#

'&'

''"

''!

'&&

'':

'&%

'&$

ACROSS 1 5 8 10 14 16 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 32 33 34

Stableman (6) Excessive (5) Combat (6) Micro-organisms (8) Jockeys (6) Arm joint (5) Rivals or competes with (8) At last (7) Welsh town (7) Prepare an ambush (3,2,4) Teacher’s workplace (6) __ Idle, Monty Python star (4) Facial twitch (3) Grating, rough (8) Pungent, sharp (5) Indolent (4) Mistake (5)

44 46 48 51 54 55 59 60 62 63 64

Podium (4) Destiny (6) Link or connection (3-2) Ruud __ __, former Man United and Holland striker (3,10) Defence plea (5) Impartial (4-6) Over there (6) Concept, idea (7) Commercial (10) Bald (8) At the rear of (6) Bogey, bugbear (9) Light oars (7) Shin (5) Having therapeutic properties (9)

67 69 71 74 77 78 81 82 84

24 25 26 30 31 34 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 47 49 50

Assertively manly (5) Garland of flowers (3) High-pitched cry (7) Managed (3) Rider’s foot support (7) Organs of sight (4) Frozen water (3) Of flowers (6) Lock opener (3) Body part (7) Tutor (7) Snapshot (5) All-night watch (5) Unlikely tales, informally (5) Easily (2,1,6) Muslim religion (5) Nothing (3) Supervise (7) Bureaucracy (3,4)

52

35 38 40 42

87 90 92 95 96

Pleasant or sweet odour (9) Smooth and shiny (5) Revival or renaissance (7) Tortured (9) Pugilism (6) Disease that affects the limbs (8) Apparently (10) Let go (7) Eminem album released in 2004 (6) Extraordinary (10) Make happy, exhilarate (5) Southwest football team currently in League One (7,6) Edges of a roof (5) Central American country linking Costa Rica to Colombia (6)

98 100 101 102 104 107 109 111 112 114 117 118 119 120 121 122

Net (4) Very strong person (5) Hiatuses (4) Tugs sharply (5) Insolvent (8) Health resort (3) Daddy’s __, 2015 comedy starring Will Ferrell (4) Genetic copies (6) City in northwest England (9) Providence (7) Not either (7) Pipe for excess water (8) Gardening tools (5) Light shoe (6) Unnecessary (8) Eras (6)

123 124

Silly or sentimental, informally (5) Regular beat (6)

Epoch (3) __ Partridge, fictional radio DJ played by Steve Coogan (4) Garden implement (3) Open rebellion (6) Pain reliever (7) Irritated (5) Flightless bird (3) Trailblazer (7) Colossal (7) Manufacturer (5) Bisect (5) Auctioneer’s hammer (5) To trouble, afflict (3) Corrosive substance (4) Groups of three (5) Great pain (5) Big and strong, informally (5) Therefore (4)

112 113 115 116

Stripling (3) Possess (3) Call for help (1,1,1) Yes, informal (3)

DOWN 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20

Japanese warrior (7) Pale mauve colour (5) Draw back (7) Distressed (5) Lacking something essential (9) Sea eagle (4) Light wood (5) Statute (3) Durable type of wood (3) Generation (3) Bangla (7) Prepared for use or action (5) Speck (3) John __, sports commentator and former tennis pro (5) Breakers, eg (5) Diesel oil (4) Place of worship (6)

THINKING SPACE

53 54 56 57 58 61 65 66 68 70 72 73 75 76 79 80 83

US state whose capital is Nashville (9) Aged (7) Amphibious rodent (7) Dishonourable (7) Meeting for discussion (7) Revise (4) Skeleton part (4) Embraces, hugs (7) Book of words (7) Follow (5) Popular takeaway dish (5) Explosions (6) Fish (7) Angers (5) Elude (5) Charged particle (3) Catches fire (7) Listen secretly (9)

85 86 88 89 91 93 94 96 97 98 99 101 103 105 106 108 109 110


32 PUZ Z L ES

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Solutions

Kakuro

1

General Knowledge Quiz

PAGE 1

1 C; 2 C; 3 C; 4 A; 5 D; 6 D; 7 A; 8 C; 9 B; 10 C; 11 B; 12 A; 13 D; 14 C; 15 D.

Star Seeker Across: 1 Avid; 8 Aberration; 9 Strength; 10 Mode; 12 Morose; 14 Dreamy; 15 Finger; 17 Duenna; 18 Hymn; 19 Generate; 21 Consummate; 22 Keep. Down: 2 Virtuosity; 3 Dale; 4 Meagre; 5 Arched; 6 Stampede; 7 Ante; 11 Diminutive; 13 Organise; 16 Regime; 17 Denial; 18 Hack; 20 Reek. Star Name: LAURA MARLING 2

3

S

X

R

A

C

J

S

G W

F

W X

F

D

S

H

O

B

G

F

V

O

R

I

L

G

A

R

U

P

J

W Q

N

L

X

T

Q

A

P

M N

Q

I

B

T

U

D

I

K

Y

E

U

B

C

K

O

L

E

T

E

V

M

P

Y

N M D

H

K

H

C

J

V

Y

PAGE 2

Across: 1 Spacehounds; 9 Willard; 10 Congo; 11 Trout; 12 Oregano; 13 Edberg; 15 Gurkha; 18 Liguria; 20 Sucre; 22 Nonet; 23 Cellist; 24 Barry Lyndon. Down: 2 Polio; 3 Chanter; 4 Hudson; 5 Uncle; 6 Denmark; 7 Switzerland; 8 No, No, Nanette; 14 Begonia; 16 Upsilon; 17 Marcel; 19 Rotor; 21 Chico.

Fill In

Word Wise:

Bird: SWALLOW

SWAM I P L A S S T R E E B T C U R T B M U S E I S L E S O S T EW

S K E P P I T V D S I C L A L O R E N D V U A E E E A N S R B A B E E C O D S A Y D M L Y R

Sportword Across: 1. Smalling; 6. Blake; 7. Vault; 9. Ross; 10. Snodin; 12. LuaLua; 14. Zola; 17. Yohan; 18. Patel; 19. Stringer. Down: 2. Mears; 3. Loeb; 4. Irvine; 5. Gould; 6. Burnley; 8. Tindall; 11. Bugner; 13. Ashes; 15. Ottke; 16. Spin.

Wordsearch A D N I L E B C U P I D P P L

N A I N A T I T R Y V U J N E

K O M F R A N C I S C O T L D

A P R B L B B A W K G V E P M

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PAGE 4

The Matrix, Interstellar, Alien, Avatar, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, RoboCop, Minority Report, Back to the Future, The Martian, The Fifth Element, Blade Runner, Mad Max, Equilibrium, The Terminator, X-Men, Planet of the Apes, Gravity, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Elysium, Looper.

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PAGE 7

Across: 1 Ostler, 5 Undue, 8 Battle, 10 Bacteria, 14 Riders, 16 Elbow, 21 Emulates, 22 Finally, 23 Wrexham, 25 Lie in wait, 26 School, 27 Eric, 28 Tic, 29 Abrasive, 32 Acrid, 33 Lazy, 34 Error, 35 Dais, 38 Kismet, 40 Tie-up, 42 Van Nistelrooy, 44 Alibi, 46 Even-handed, 48 Yonder, 51 Thought, 54 Mercantile, 55 Hairless, 59 Behind, 60 Hobgoblin, 62 Paddles, 63 Shank, 64 Medicinal, 67 Fragrance, 69 Sleek, 71 Rebirth, 74 Tormented, 77 Boxing, 78 Beriberi, 81 Ostensibly, 82 Release, 84 Encore, 87 Phenomenal, 90 Elate, 92 Bristol Rovers, 95 Eaves, 96 Panama, 98 Mesh, 100 Titan, 101 Gaps, 102 Yanks, 104 Bankrupt, 107 Spa, 109 Home, 111 Clones, 112 Liverpool, 114 Destiny, 117 Neither, 118 Overflow, 119 Rakes, 120 Sandal, 121 Needless, 122 Epochs, 123 Soppy, 124 Rhythm. Down: 2 Samurai, 3 Lilac, 4 Retreat, 5 Upset, 6 Deficient, 7 Erne, 8 Balsa, 9 Law, 11 Ash, 12 Age, 13 Bengali, 14 Ready, 15 Dot, 17 Lloyd, 18 Waves, 19 Derv, 20 Church, 24 Macho, 25 Lei, 26 Screech, 30 Ran, 31 Stirrup, 34 Eyes, 36 Ice, 37 Floral, 38 Key, 39 Midriff, 40 Teacher, 41 Photo, 42 Vigil, 43 Yarns, 44 At a canter, 45 Islam, 47 Nil, 49 Oversee, 50 Red tape, 52 Tennessee, 53 Elderly, 54 Muskrat, 56 Ignoble, 57 Seminar, 58 Edit, 61 Bone, 65 Cuddles, 66 Lexicon, 68 Ensue, 70 Kebab, 72 Blasts, 73 Haddock, 75 Riles, 76 Evade, 79 Ion, 80 Ignites, 83 Eavesdrop, 85 Era, 86 Alan, 88 Hoe, 89 Mutiny, 91 Aspirin, 93 Irked, 94 Emu, 96 Pioneer, 97 Mammoth, 98 Maker, 99 Halve, 101 Gavel, 103 Ail, 105 Acid, 106 Trios, 108 Agony, 109 Hefty, 110 Thus, 112 Lad, 113 Own, 115 SOS, 116 Yep.


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

We need to get back on track with climate change pledges Press Association

Pledges by countries to cut greenhouse gases will see the world warming by around 2.5C – well above agreed targets to limit dangerous climate change, a United Nations report shows.

Increase

Current commitments will increase greenhouse gas emissions by 10.6 per cent by 2030 compared to 2010 levels, an improvement on last year’s assessment which found countries were on a path to emissions rises of 13.7 per cent by the end of the decade. But the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2018 report showed that carbon emissions needed to be cut by 45 per cent by 2030 on 2010 levels, and the latest science this year indicates there needs to be a 43 per cent fall in greenhouse gases on 2019 levels in the next eight years to meet the 1.5C goal. Only 24 new or updated climate plans have been submitted since Cop26 in Glasgow, where all countries agreed to revisit and strengthen their plans, which Mr Stiell descried as “disappointing”. “The downward trend in emissions expected by 2030 shows that nations have made some progress this year. But the science is clear and so are our climate goals under the Paris Agreement. “We are still nowhere near the scale and pace of emission reductions required to put us on track to-

ANTIQUES

WITH JOHN RIDGWAY OF OLD MILL ANTIQUES CENTRE Mobile phones have become essential for most but those of us who remember the days before this modern technology may think fondly of the static telephones who played an equally important role in our lives. Of course we do still have landline phones but do they look as nice as those old ones with the proper dials? I don’t think so and neither do many of our customers. Old telephones in good condition are very much sought after by collectors, who could be looking for anything from a Victorian wall variety to the slimline trim phones popular in the 1970s. The first telephone was patented by in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell, who invented it in the wake of numerous experiments involving early hearing devices. Both his wife and mother were deaf and this inspired him. The first wooden wall phones were produced throughout the late 18th century and well into the early 1900s and collectors are always on the lookout for these. The earpiece of these early phones was on a

EMILY BEAMENT

UN climate chief Simon Stiell warned that while there has been some progress this year, countries were “still nowhere near the scale and pace of emissions reductions” needed to limit temperature rises to 1.5C over this century. Under the global Paris Agreement climate treaty, countries agreed to take action to limit global warming to 2C and pursue efforts to curb them to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The world is already seeing increasing floods, storms, heatwaves and wildfires as a result of climate change, and beyond 1.5C of warming, more devastating weather extremes, crop damage and losses of key systems such as coral reefs are expected. The report from UN Climate Change assessed the combined climate pledges of 193 parties – countries and the European Union – submitted under the Paris Agreement, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs). It found the combined pledges of countries could put the world on track for around 2.5C of warming by the end of the century.

FE ATURES 33

A warning has been issued over helping the planet ward a 1.5C world. To keep this goal alive, national governments need to strengthen their climate action plans now and implement them in the next eight years.” He added: “Government decisions and actions must reflect the level of urgency, the gravity of the threats we are facing, and the shortness of the time we have remaining to avoid the devastating consequences of runaway climate change.” A second report looked at longterm plans to move to net zero emissions by or around mid-century, which cover 62 parties to the Paris Agreement accounting for 83 per cent of world GDP, 47 per cent of the world’s population and around 69 per cent of total energy consumption in 2019. It found that those countries’ emissions could be around 68 per cent lower in 2050 than in 2019, if the-long term strategies are fully implemented on time – but warned that many are uncertain and postpone action that should be taken now. The UN report has been released ahead of the latest round of international climate negotiations, Cop27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, and Mr Stiell urged countries to come to the talks to show how they will work to implement climate action through legislation, policies and progress. He also called for nations to make progress on issues including addressing the loss and damage poorer countries and communities are suffering from climate change, and finance flows to those nations to

tackle global warming. Sameh Shoukry, Egyptian minister of foreign affairs who will be president of Cop27, said the report showed the world was off-track to keep the 1.5C goal alive. “This is a sobering moment, and we are in a race against time. Several of those who are expected to do more, are far from doing enough, and the consequences of this is affecting lives and livelihoods across the globe,” he warned. Cop26 president Alok Sharma said: “It is critical that we do everything within our means to keep 1.5C in reach. “These reports show that although we have made some progress – and every fraction of a degree counts – much more is needed urgently. We need the major emitters to step up and increase ambition ahead of Cop27.”

Record The warning came as UN experts said the world saw a record jump in levels of methane in the atmosphere last year as the main heat-trapping greenhouse gases reached new highs, UN experts said. The World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) annual bulletin shows the three main greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – all reached record high concentrations in the atmosphere in 2021, showing the world was “heading in the wrong direction” on climate change. And potent greenhouse gas meth-

ane saw the biggest year-on-year jump in levels since measurements began nearly 40 years ago. The WMO said the reason for the leap in methane was not clear but it seems to be the result of both biological and human-induced processes. Methane, a strong but short-lived greenhouse gas, is produced from a range of sources, including natural wetlands, agriculture and fossil fuel production. The report said the increase in methane levels in recent years was thought to be predominantly from biological sources such as wetlands or rice paddies. But it was not yet clear if that was partly due to increased emissions from wetlands as a result of global warming speeding up the natural decomposition processes that give rise to methane. Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere have increased nearly 50 per cent since the beginning of the industrial revolution, when it was around 280ppm. Nearly half (48 per cent) of the total carbon emissions from human activities during the 2011-2020 period built up in the atmosphere, while 26 per cent was absorbed by the oceans and 29 per cent in land ecosystems such as forests, the report said. But experts are concerned that the ability of natural land areas and oceans to act as “sinks” absorbing carbon dioxide will become less effective, reducing their ability to act as a buffer against larger temperature rises.

A vintage desk phone cable with the bell housed in a ‘bellset’ and calls were made via the operator before the advent of the automatic switchboard in 1912, it was only then that the dial was incorporated into the design. The famous Bakelite telephone made its first appearance in the 1930s, with black being the colour of early models (later Bakelite phones were supplied in other colours including ivory, red and green). The candlestick phones were introduced in the late 1800s, some of them being manufactured in nickel plate, and they continued to be used well into the 1940s. They are also sometimes called a desk stand or stick phone and are very popular with the collectors – and they look great displayed in a home or a vintage-style office. And the original mobile phones that we now refer to as ‘bricks’ are also sought after, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, introduced in 1983, can sell for hundreds of pounds!


34 FOOD

IN SEASON

by Andy Richardson

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Delicious turkeys and ducks for your festive feast

Good food – if you know where to look Autumn is nearing an end and soon we will be into the harsher, colder months of winter. The provision of new crops will diminish as growers batten down the hatches and await the return of spring. It’s time to make the most of the last of autumn’s bounty, therefore, and wild mushrooms remain abundant – if you know where to look, or if you can find a good supplier. With nearly 15,000 types of wild fungi in the UK, there’s a very simple, very clear rule for those looking to forage and feast. Never rely on one source for mushroom identification, and never eat anything unless you are 100% sure it is edible. There are a small number of widely available mushrooms that are commonly found at this time of year, including oyster mushrooms. Those are generally located in a tiered formation on tree stumps, particularly beech. Its shell-shaped cap varies in hue from cream to grey-blue, beneath which is a white

Chanterelle mushrooms underpart and short, stubby stem. Oyster mushrooms are edible with a delicate taste. Chicken of the woods is popular in restaurants and is often, but not only, found growing on oak trees. This bracket fungus is made of fanshaped layers with wavy edges. The young surface is soft and creamy in colour, with an acid-yellow underside. Another favourite is the giant puffball, which is found in meadows. It is so big that it is often mistaken for a football. A real favourite is the chanterelle, which is found in woods, particularly beech and oak. This rich-yellow fungi, shaped like a funnel, develops a wavy, turned-under edge with age. Beneath, gills form deep ridges down the stem. It is accompanied by a delicate apricot scent. Chanterelle toast is an easy dish to create – and tastes delicious. All you’ll need to make it are about two cups of chanterelles, some butter, salt, and heavy cream. Simply saute the mushrooms in butter, then add in the cream and salt, stirring gently. Try chanterelle soup, too, with sage, thyme, onions, garlic and coconut milk.

Create something special

Whether you like to keep things traditional at Christmas with turkey, or fancy a change with duck, then Gressingham has all your bases covered. Producing turkeys and ducks to high welfare standards, Gressingham can ensure that you find the perfect and most succulent bird for your festive table. All of Gressingham’s turkeys come from Red Tractor assured British farms across Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex. Gressingham offers both free range turkeys and turkeys that have been reared free to roam in large airy barns with natural day-

light and good ventilation. The turkeys are given perches and pecking objects to encourage them to interact and be active during the day and at night they are encouraged to roost and sleep.

Vitamins They eat a mix of wheat and soya with vitamins and minerals to ensure they are given a balanced diet to meet their needs. If you fancy having duck for Christmas lunch, then Gressingham is the expert and offers delicious whole ducks or crowns that serve three to four people. Perfect for a smaller crowd, but

still special and something a bit different, Gressingham breeds, hatches, rears and then prepares the ducks by hand. All Gressingham turkeys and ducks are reared in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. Gressingham turkeys are available from Costco and butchers/farm shops. Prices vary. Gressingham ducks are available from Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose and Ocado all year round. Prices vary. For more information about Gressingham turkeys and ducks and recipe ideas visit www.gress inghamduck.co.uk

Butternut squash, leek and potato shine in these dishes

ANDY RICHARDSON

peeled and deseeded

andy.richardson@mnamedia.co.uk

4 - 6 tbsp olive oil

Winter is just around the corner and these recipes from Michelin-starred Andreas Antona are just the ticket. They are guaranteed to warm cool winter nights and are selected from his forthcoming book, Eureka, which is available from his restaurant, Simpsons, in Birmingham.

2 tsp chilli powder 2 tsp smoked paprika 2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp ground cumin Salt Pepper Chilli Dressing: 100ml olive oil 40ml lime juice ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp cayenne pepper 1 tbsp honey

LEEK AND POTATO SOUP

¼ tsp black pepper

POTATO BEIGNETS, CHIVE OIL Ingredients: Serves 4

Spiced Butternut Squash

Leek and potato soup, potato beignets

Leek And Potato Soup: To Finish:

1 large onion, sliced

100ml chive oil

200g / approximately 2 leeks,

Chives, finely chopped

white parts sliced

Method: For The Leek and Potato Soup: In a large saucepan, melt the butter and add the onions and leeks. Cook over a low - medium heat until they are soft with no colour. Stir in the potatoes. Add the chicken or vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and cooked through. Transfer to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Pass through a fine sieve. Return soup to a clean pan and place back on the heat to warm through. Mix in the cream and season to taste. For The Potato Beignets: In a large bowl combine the flour with the baking powder. Whisk in the milk and then stir in the shallots, garlic, spring onion and potato. The mixture will be quite stiff but will loosen when the other ingredients are added. Add ¼ tsp of salt. Heat

into 1cm cubes 1l chicken stock or vegetable stock 240ml double cream Potato Beignets 150g plain flour 10g baking powder 2 spring onions, finely sliced 2 shallots, finely diced 2 small garlic cloves, minced 200g potato, diced and boiled 125ml whole milk Salt (a very generous amount) Vegetable oil to fry

To Finish: Pecorino shavings

30g unsalted butter, diced

200g potato, peeled and diced

1 tsp chili powder

enough oil, about 5cm, in a deep pan to 180˚C. To check the seasoning, carefully place a teaspoon of the beignet mix in the oil and fry until golden and crispy. Adjust seasoning if required. Carefully fry the rest of the beignet mix, about tablespoon sized pieces. Creating a quenelle shape will form a beautiful shape once fried. Fry until golden brown on both sides, flipping once during the cooking process. Drain on kitchen paper. It is recommended to fry the potato beignets right before you are ready to eat the soup. To Finish: Drizzle the chive oil on the piping hot soup and top with the potato beignets and chopped chives. SPICED BUTTERNUT SQUASH PECORINO, PINE NUT, CHILLI DRESSING Ingredients: Serves 4 Spiced Butternut Squash: 2 butternut squashes,

50g pine nuts, toasted 1 red chilli, thinly sliced Watercress Method: For The Spiced Butternut Squash: Preheat the oven to 200˚C. Dice the butternut squash into large cubes and place in a bowl. In a separate bowl combine the olive oil, chilli powder, paprika, garlic powder and cumin on a bowl to form a paste. Add the butternut squash to the bowl and mix to evenly coat. Place the butternut squash on a lined baking tray and roast for 25 - 30 minutes or until tender. Mix halfway through the roasting process. For The Chilli Dressing: Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until combined. Check seasoning and adjust if required. To Finish: Place the butternut squash into a bowl and drizzle the chilli dressing on top. Sprinkle over some pine nuts and pecorino shavings. Top with fresh chilli and watercress.


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Why we should teach children all about the food on their plate

FOOD 35

Why pumpkins are good for your health and eyesight

LISA SALMON

Press Association

Most children love chocolate – but do they know their favourite sweet treat actually comes from a bean?

Children’s food writer Annabel Karmel says the fact that chocolate originates from cocoa beans is just one of many fascinating things kids don’t know about the food they eat – or the food their parents want them to eat. And to help improve youngsters’ food knowledge, and hopefully broaden the types of foods they will eat, she’s written the new book Where Does My Food Come From? Karmel, who’s penned more than 20 bestselling books, including the New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner, believes understanding food isn’t just magically created in a supermarket and instead learning some of the often amazing stories behind its creation or manufacture can be just the encouragement kids need to eat foods they’ve turned their nose up at before. “Children don’t know where their food comes from,” she says. “They see it on the plate and have no idea how pasta is made, how honey gets made by bees, that chocolate is from cocoa beans, and all of those things, and they find it absolutely fascinating.

Annabel believes children are far more adventurous with food when you teach them where it comes from

Adventurous

“Education is really important, and little ones are far more adventurous with food when you teach them where it comes from and explain the journey. They’re more likely to actually try the food – they can be so fussy! “We have to cater for probably the most difficult consumer in the supermarket, which is an irrational, fussy toddler, and you have to find clever ways to get them to eat.” Karmel says she chose ‘ interesting’ foods to write about, and searched for quirky facts that children – and adults – would love. “Honey is the only food that’s eaten by insects and humans, strangely enough, and children love facts like it takes 5,000 bees to make one pot of honey, ” she says, “and everyone eats chocolate, but do they know about cocoa beans? “And then there’s things kids like to eat, like tomato ketchup, and I explain that you get 25 tomatoes in a bottle of tomato ketchup – most kids probably don’t know that. “They’ll love telling adults funny facts like mice don’t like cheese, they prefer peanut butter, and I really like the fact about how M&Ms were made for soldiers so the chocolate that was covered with candy didn’t melt in their pockets.” Mother-of-three Karmel explains that while for most adults food is one of the greatest joys in life, that’s often not the case for children. “I wanted to share my love of food and all the things that food brings, like where it comes from, how it grows,

Pumpkins are not only a fun Halloween accessory used to create jack o lanterns. They are also an excellent ingredient for many autumnal recipes from soup and stews to desserts. And they also contain vitamins and minerals that can benefit our overall health, including our vision, according to Alastair Lockwood, ophthalmologist, eye surgeon and eye health advisor at Feel Good Contacts. He says pumpkins are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A and zinc, which are all good for our eyes. “Vitamin C slows down the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and reduces the risk of cataracts. “Vitamin A protects the cornea and improves night vision, while zinc helps to deliver vitamin A from the liver to the retina to form melanin which protects the eye and helps slow down AMD progression,” explains Alastair.

Protect Children’s food writer and best-selling book author, Annabel Karmel

cooking it, making it, eating it. I just thought opening all things up to children would help them think, ‘I love food now, it’s not going to be something I’ll have a battle with my parents about.’” The aim of the book is to not only get kids interested in where food came from, but show them how to use the food in child-friendly recipes, like Beary Tasty Bear Pancakes, Cheesy Robots and Mini Pizza People. “The idea is that parents and kids make the recipes together, like the funny face pizzas, they can decorate them to look like their mummy or their daddy or their friends,” explains Karmel. “Things don’t take too long to make, because children don’t have a very long attention span. If a child’s going to make something, it should be really tasty and they should like to eat it again.” She stresses cooking is a vital skill for children to learn, not only so they can feed themselves well in the future, but because they’ll learn basic life skills in the kitchen, such as they can burn themselves on hot kettles, or how to use a sharp knife. “No-one else is going to teach

them these things, it’s really down to parents,” she stresses. “There’s a lot to learn in the kitchen, because you’re measuring, looking at the clock, weighing things. That’s a maths lesson in itself, but in a fun way. “There’s so many good things about cooking with children, and they love to be a part of the adult world. If you don’t cook with your child, you’re missing out on a great bonding experience with them.” Karmel explains that what children eat when they’re young tends to be what they eat when they get older, so if parents don’t instil a love of good food in their children, “you’re missing out on teaching your child things that are going to set them up for a healthier life when they get older. “There’s so many good things about cooking and understanding food, and trying new things, which is often a huge barrier,” she points out. “Children will often refuse a food saying they don’t like it when they haven’t even tried it, and it’s very difficult to get past first base. “They take a pride in cooking, so therefore they generally want to

Annabel’s latest book

eat what they’ve made. The more involved with food they get, the better. It’s not enough to just put something in the microwave and put it on a plate – children need to learn about food, where it comes from, how you cook it. It’s a real life skill, and very important, and every child I know loves to cook.” She says she understands parents might worry about the mess kids will make in the kitchen, but says cleaning up is definitely preferable to the alternative of having children that never learn to cook. “If we don’t teach them, we’ll have a generation of children who can’t cook. They’ll be able to operate the most complicated computer games, but ask them to make a scrambled egg and they wouldn’t know how to do it. “If a child can’t cook, they will not become a healthy adult. Get your child in the kitchen, teach them all these fun facts, get them involved in their food and you’re going to reap the benefits later on when they bring food to you. They will cook for you one day!” n Where Does My Food Come From? by Annabel Karmel is published by Welbeck, priced £12.99.

Pumpkin contains lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which are antioxidants, says Alastair. These antioxidants protect your eyes by filtering out high energy wavelengths of light. They may also reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases such as cataracts and AMD. In addition to beta-carotene and the vitamins that pumpkins offer, iron and folate strengthen the immune system and speed up the healing process of a wound. Aside from boosting eye health, eating pumpkin has many other health benefits, Alastair explains. They are high in fibre and potassium, which helps lower blood pressure and aid weight loss. While the market is saturated with pumpkin snacks, many of these snacks, including pumpkin spiced lattes and pumpkin pie, are packed with sugar. Snacks and beverages such as these are best enjoyed in moderation, Alastair recommends. Healthy pumpkin snacks include baked pumpkin seeds, which are packed with vitamins, smoothies, and soup.


36 FAMILY LIFE

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Points to keep an eye on to avoid concern with finances

Times are hard right now and surging bills are bringing extra worry for people such as the elderly, those living with a health condition or disability

Stay on top of your finance Keen to avoid any financial frights? Here are some financial nightmares to keep an eye out for this autumn and beyond… Paying more interest than you need to on debts: Several current accounts charge around 40% in annual interest for going overdrawn, so sitting in your overdraft for long periods can be very expensive. While borrowing costs are generally on the increase as interest rates rise, it may be cost-effective to move some existing debts onto a 0% balance transfer card. MoneySavingExpert.com has an eligibility calculator that enables people to see how likely it is they may be accepted without it affecting their credit score. Leaving money sitting in poor-paying savings accounts at a time when rates are improving: Cash savings rates have been on the rise in recent weeks. While rates may not be high enough to beat inflation, they may at least offset some of the impacts. Rachel Springall, a finance expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, says: “Savers will find some attractive rates to choose from right now, the majority of which come from challenger banks and building societies.” She adds that savers should be proactive in chasing down a better deal – “especially if they have seen little benefit from the back-to-back base rate rises,” notes Springall. “Some deals may not last very long if they are in high demand, so speed is essential.” At a time when interest rates are rising, splitting cash between accounts where money is locked in for a set period, as well as accounts with more flexibility around withdrawals, could be helpful. This way, savers can potentially benefit from both higher interest rates and be able to get their hands on some cash when they need it, Springall suggests. Not claiming support that you’re entitled to: The website gov.uk/cost-of-living has information on a range of benefits and support that are available, while ofgem.gov.uk has information about getting help – search for ‘getting help if you can’t afford your energy bills’.

How surging bills are starting to bring extra worry for many

VICKY SHAW

switches the heating on or has a bath to ease the pain and stiffness in her joints. “My wheelchair had to be repaired recently, and without the warranty would have cost nearly £1,000,” says Hesketh. “Servicing of my wheelchair, repairs and petrol, as well as attending hospital appointments, are more disability-related costs that are piling up and getting worse.” James Taylor, director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, says: “Life costs more if you are disabled. Many disabled people have no choice but to power life-saving equipment and now the cost of powering an electric wheelchair or a ventilator has doubled in a year. “Scope is being inundated with calls from disabled people with nothing left to cut back on and nowhere else to turn. Our research shows that half of disabled people say they will be struggling from October, and won’t be able to afford essentials.

Press Association

Surging living costs are a worry for many. But for people living with a health condition or disability, it can be an added stress on top of the extra expenses they are already having to pay in order to get by day-today.

When budgets are finely balanced or stretched, extra financial strain may mean missing appointments, or living with pain rather than switching the heating on to help ease it. Having been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016, Julian Fiano says the situation with surging bills is adding to his stress and forcing him to make tough choices. “My partner and I are literally living week-by-week, faced with so much anxiety about how we’re going to pay the bills and buy food. It doesn’t make sense,” says Fiano, 34. “I’m having to make daily choices between buying food or petrol, which is stopping me from travelling to my physiotherapy appointments.” The Londoner has been helped by cancer support charity Macmillan. “If it wasn’t for them, I don’t think I would still be alive,” he says. “I really would urge anyone in a similar boat to me, who is worried about money, to get in touch with them.”

Worried Macmillan and Virgin Money have released research which found nearly three-quarters (74%) of younger people aged 18-39 with cancer are worried about the cost of food over the year ahead. Two-fifths (40%) are struggling to pay their basic living costs. More than a quarter (27%) of young people living with cancer also say they’re getting further into debt, or have fallen behind on paying a major bill such as the rent, mortgage, water or gas and elec-

Choice

People with disabilities are worried about the situation, says research tricity, because of increased living costs. Just over two in five (41%) say the cost-of-living crisis is the most concerning issue to them, apart from their cancer diagnosis. Virgin Money partnered up with the charity to roll out its Macmillan Guides support service, available on their website (macmillan.org.uk) – and you don’t need to be a Virgin Money customer. Previous Macmillan research found 83% of people living with cancer in the UK experience some kind of financial impact from their diagnosis, and for those affected, this reaches an average of £891 a month. Other health conditions can also have a big impact on living costs. The charity Versus Arthritis has warned that people could face deteriorating health due to the cost-ofliving crisis. Their survey of people affected by

arthritis or musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions found nine in 10 are worried about the cost of heating their homes this winter, with nearly a third already skipping meals or eating less to make ends meet. More than nine in 10 (94%) say the cold makes their condition worse – but the charity has heard from some people who say they will be restricted in how much they use the heating this year. Versus Arthritis says over half (52%) of people with arthritis already face additional costs due to their condition, including on energy, medicines, food, and travel. Heating bills were found to be the most common outgoing that people with arthritis pay extra for due to their symptoms. Among those the charity has seen is Lynda Hesketh, 60, from Chester, who has rheumatoid arthritis and

“It’s no longer a choice between ‘heating and eating’, many disabled people can’t afford to do either,” adds Taylor. “Some have been pushed into debt to pay their bills, others are cutting back on showering and turning off their fridge, but it’s still not enough.” A Government spokesperson says: “We know that living with a long-term illness or disability can impact on living costs, which is why we are supporting six million disabled people with an extra £150 payment. “This is part of the £37 billion package of support, which will see eight million low-income households receiving at least £1,200 in support this year, including £650 in direct cost-of-living payments and all households will also receive a £400 discount on their energy bills.” The energy price guarantee, which limits the unit cost of energy, will be in place until next April. A Treasury-led review will be launched to consider how to support households with energy bills after April 2023.


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

The simple ways to help you cut down on costs at home MATTHEW PANTER

matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

Families are looking for simple ways to adapt within their households so they can help save on their rising energy costs.

Practical solutions such as cutting the shower time by one minute or investing in smart plugs around the house can help knock off more than £100 on a monthly energy bill. John Stirzaker, online consumer expert from NetVoucherCodes. co.uk said: “We want to help people who are worried about their monthly energy bills rising.With the recently announced price cap, we’ve found smart ways to cut back on typical energy usage at home, from household habits to what can be easily installed in the living room. “Taking measures to cut back on weekly energy usage such as batch cooking on a Sunday night and making sure radiators aren’t blocked by furniture can make a big difference.” Here are NetVoucherCodes. co.uk’s smart ways to reduce energy usage around the home: INVEST IN A HEATED AIRER Sticking on the dryer can be one of the biggest energy drainers in the household. When suitable, invest in a heated airer as an alternative solution, which can cut the costs of drying in half and will only take an extra hour or two. CUT A MINUTE OUT OF SHOWER TIME While everyone loves a long shower, shortening the time spent in a shower by taking off a minute per time spent, can save over £50 annually. This is a simple solution to cutting back on household costs. INSTALL SMART DEVICES To make it easier to monitor household energy usage, invest in a smart metre and plugs for around the house. Have a look at home-friendly

Checking your loft insulation, batch cooking and a shorter shower are good ways to help cut your costs down

apps where you can turn off and on all the lights by a touch of a button to make it easier than ever to stop wasting energy. BATCH COOKING LUNCHES With the kids back to school, spend Sunday night batch cooking some meals to freeze and use later in the week. This could also be an efficient way to cut the costs of using kitchen appliances over long periods as well as preventing overspending during lunch breaks. GIVE THE RADIATOR SPACE Make sure to keep the sofa and any other household furnishings away from radiators when they’re turned on. Boilers can become overworked if the airflow is blocked, so make sure to rearrange the furniture and keep them at least six inches away from radiators.

USE A WASHING BOWL To prevent constant running water when doing the dishes, simply use a washing bowl as a quick solution to prevent the extra pennies being wasted throughout the week. You could take this a step further by hand-washing certain clothes as a cheaper alternative to the washing machine. INVEST IN A DIGITAL BUDGET PLANNER Get prepared early by allocating spending money ahead of the rise in energy bills. Figure out which expenses can be spared and having the figures laid out in front can help you visualise where you can allow for extra money. CHECK YOUR LOFT INSULATION Have a look in the loft for the insulation conditions before the weather starts to take a turn. With solid in-

sulation, it’ll keep the house warmer throughout the winter and will help reduce the need to turn on the heating as an efficient way to keep the energy costs down. USE LESS HEAT WITH CARPET FITTED ROOMS While it won’t heat up a home automatically, fitted carpets help to retain heat in the room compared to wooden flooring. When you turn on the radiator, you’ll be able to leave it on for a limited time and not have the need to leave it on throughout the day. KEEP ON TOP OF SWITCHING OFF PLUGS Before heading out of the house, quickly spend a minute turning off the switches to ensure devices are fully switched off and won’t burn energy.

Avoid waste and make the most of food you buy The cost-of-living crisis is affecting shopping baskets all over the country. If you wanted to save a bit of money on your weekly shop, it could be worth looking at all the food you throw away. While they might not be the most glamorous of ingredients, they can be cooked up into some tasty dishes…

Fruit skins: Chef Mary-Ellen McTague at Eat Well MCR (eatwellmcr.org) recommends holding on to unwanted fruit skins. “Boil them with sugar to make fruit jelly or cordial,” she says. Shopping has become expensive

Vegetable peel: “Wash or scrub

veg before peeling, so you can use the skins. Roast the peel and add to meat stocks, or make a veggie stock,” says McTague.

Fat off of meat: Avoiding buying a cheaper bit of meat because it has too much fat, or throwing away the fat on the meat you buy? There are easy ways to use it up. “Roast it, and [then] simmer with caramelised onions and roast veg scraps [and water] for a couple of hours to make a broth,” McTague suggests. You can use that as a base for soups, or the chef recommends reducing the stock, adding packet noodles and green veg to make a hearty meal. You

could even make a meaty treat out of any unused fat. “Deep-fry or roast in a very hot oven to make crackling. Salt and eat as a snack,” McTague explains. Bones: McTague says: “I always keep bones and make stock – [it’s] really handy to have in the fridge to make a quick soup.” Simply cook the stock with tinned or dried beans and pulses and a handful of veg – making for “a really quick, easy and healthy lunch”.

Cores and seeds: “Pumpkin and squash seeds are lovely toasted, and apple cores can be boiled for syrup or cordial – like fruit skins.”

FAMILY LIFE 37

Don’t fall for the temptations to spend too much as offers arrive With brands starting to entice shoppers with discounts, deals and offers ahead of Black Friday, the temptation to borrow money or turn to credit may be starting to creep in. Last year, UK shoppers racked up a staggering £4.1bn debt in ‘buy now, pay later’ deals, with many still repaying their 2021 debts as we look ahead to Christmas, according to comparison site, NerdWallet. As the cost of living crisis continues to take its toll on British consumers, it is important that shoppers considering Black Friday purchases only buy what they need, rather than the ones that they’re only tempted by because of a slashed price or a ‘too good to miss’ deal. Brean Horne, personal finance expert at NerdWallet, says a poor credit score and mounting debt as a result of living outside of your means could impact future eligibility of applications, and how you can rebuild your credit score. “It’s vital to fully understand the risks associated before committing yourself to any kind of financial contract or agreement,” Brean says. “Having a low credit score will make it more difficult to successfully apply for new credit such as mortgages, credit cards and bank loans.” For those who do find themselves with a poor credit score, Brean shares what you can do to improve your credit in the short term. Register to vote: Make sure you are on the electoral roll because when you register to vote, your electoral details are recorded on your credit report. This data helps lenders confirm your name and address, so your score will increase as a result. Seek and amend mistakes on your credit report: Even small mistakes like a wrong address or contact number can have a negative impact on your credit score. You need to make sure everything is correct to keep your score as high as possible. You can check your score online for free at sites such as Equifax or Experian. This includes checking for fraud, as if you’ve been the victim of fraud, your score may be lowered unfairly. Meet all of your bill payment deadlines: Paying utility bills from your energy, water and broadband providers on time is vital for maintaining a good credit score. Missed or late bill payments can negatively impact your credit history, and may leave a permanent record on your credit file for up to six years. Pay off outstanding debts: Whilst it is easier said than done in many cases, where possible pay back any loans you have before trying to apply for a mortgage or any bigger agreements. If you are struggling financially, there are steps you can take to manage your finances better include; addressing your debts, working out total income, making a list of monthly outgoings and deducting the total amount spent each month.


38 TR AVEL

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Revamped pub is great base to explore moors of Yorkshire

National Air and Space Museum The Fox & Hounds Everybody needs a little time away – especially with the current economic and political doom and gloom, writes Lisa Salmon. With its spectacular coastline, dense woodlands, beautiful dales and vast expanses of moorland, the North York Moors National Park could be just the ticket for some much-needed peace and quiet. A few miles west of Pickering, on the park’s southern boundary, is the pretty little village of Sinnington, which dates back to Anglo-Saxon times and is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. The focal point of the village for more than 300 years has been its charming 18th century inn, the Fox & Hounds (thefoxandhoundsinn.co.uk), which has just undergone a £1.25m refurbishment and is a prime spot to stay for exploring the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The Grade II listed inn has 14 luxury bedrooms and an AA rosette-accredited restaurant. Our luxury cottage room was named Parr, in homage to the last of King Henry VIII’s wives, Catherine Parr, who once lived in the manor of Sinnington. The menu is mouth-watering – although, unusually in this day and age, there was nothing vegetarian on the menu. Head chef Fabien Hombourger does create a bespoke vegetarian menu for me with a goat’s cheese starter and a vegetable bake, followed by warm Parkin and ice cream for dessert. Happily, the next morning there is a vegetarian cooked breakfast option, which sets me up for our subsequent day of exploring. This comprised a gentle walk round the lovely, quiet village of Sinnington, through which the River Severn meanders. We then drove about 12 miles through nearby Pickering to the bustling Saturday morning market at Malton. Then it was off to the spectacular and immense Castle Howard (castlehoward.co.uk), where both Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton were filmed and learned that the colossal 145room mansion is still home to some of the Howard family more than 300 years after work began on its construction in 1699. n Rooms at the Fox & Hounds start from £120 per night.

Phase 2 of the Wharf development in Washington DC

Capital gains in a US city of spacesuits and speakeasys BY DAVID YOUNG As shafts of fading autumn sun dance through a bank of clouds above the Washington Monument, my eyes are drawn eastward to the Statue of Freedom sitting high atop the Capitol Building.

David, my affable guide from Wisconsin, points to the 19ft bronze female figure that embodies the founding spirit of the United States. “She faces east because the sun sets in the west,” he says. “So as long as she stands there the sun will never set on the face of freedom.” Symbolism pervades the US’s capital city, and no visit is complete without a tour – by foot, bike or bus – of the familiar landmarks that chart the story of a nation through narrative architecture. Most of them are centralised and relatively close together, so you can easily take in all the main monuments in one afternoon. My highlight is standing on the granite steps of the Lincoln Memorial, looking out on the shimmering waters of the Mall’s vast reflective pool. The freshly reopened National Air and Space Museum is a fine example of how the city is attempting to balance its past with its present. The museum is midway through a $1 billion refurbishment and the first completed section has just recently been unveiled to the public. The collection houses some remarkable items, from the Wright brothers’ Flyer, which completed the world’s first manned flight, to the Columbia command module that brought the original lunar astronauts back to earth. Neil Armstrong’s Apollo space suit is also on display. More than half of the 1,200 artefacts in the new section have never been exhibited before, including a full-sized X Wing fighter from the Star Wars franchise. The museum is free, and for that you can thank

The Capitol Building in Washington DC James Smithson, who died in 1829, after bequeathing $500,000 in his will to establish an institute in Washington that would promote the “increase and diffusion of knowledge”. He had one stipulation – that entry would be forever free. As well as the Air and Space Museum, I visit the National Archives – where the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights sit side-by-side – and the National Museum of Natural History, I have the fortune of being able to combine another Smithsonian favourite – the American Art Museum – with a dining experience like no other. One night a year, the museum hosts the Embassy Chef Challenge – a charitable initiative that offers a unique opportunity to sample food from around the world, courtesy of the city’s 175 diplomatic missions. Autside of the Smithsonian Institution, there is the International

Spy Museum gnd The National Geographic Museum’s ‘Beyond King Tut: Immersive Experience’, which marks the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb with a redolent cinematic assault on the senses. During my three-day trip to the city, I stay in the Thompson Washington DC, a highly-rated property close to the National Mall, whose well-appointed rooftop bar offers guests bespoke cocktails and sunset views of the Anacostia River. I could have picked no better spot to watch the celebratory fireworks than my window-side table at the fabulous Japanese restaurant NaRa-Ya. The popular waterside eatery is one of several restaurants that are propelling DC’s advancing reputation for culinary excellence. Tn the northern side of the National Mall is the Peruvian gastro bar Pisco Y Nazca Ceviche which provides a good starting point for

an evening in the speakeasy style bars of 14th Street. Inspired by the Prohibition era, half the fun of checking these out is finding them. The bar at Chicken and Whiskey is accessed through a refrigerator door at the back of a rotisserie diner, while I walked past The Gibson twice before realising an unmarked black door offered a portal to the candlelit cocktail lounge within. On my final day in Washington, I head to the cobbled street neighbourhood of Georgetown, with a bracing walk by the Potomac River and brunch at the excellent Farmers Fishers Bakers. A bit more daunting are the steepling steps at the nearby corner of 36th Street and Prospect Street, where one of the most famous scenes from the grisly 1973 horror movie The Exorcist was shot – it was an enjoyable way to end my break in DC.


HOMES & G ARDENS 39

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Balance is key to rewilding, says top star

Picture of Alan Titchmarsh. Thermal imaging can highlight insulation weakness areas

It is a good idea to check for gaps in loft insulation

Follow these hot tips to keep down household energy bills

BY LISA SALMON

Temperatures are starting to drop and we’re all thinking about putting the heating on.

But with energy charges at an unprecedented high, it’s vital for cash-strapped families to keep heating costs as low as possible, and the best way to do it is to make sure your home is properly insulated, so the heat you’ve paid huge sums of money for isn’t seeping out through the walls, floors and roof. Experts at Insulation Express (insulationexpress.co.uk) warn 25 per cent of the heat in an uninsulated property escapes through the roof, 35 per cent through walls and 10 per cent through floors, and insulating a home can save around £500 a year. “As temperatures drop, a badly insulated home will feel colder much quicker and retain less heat, causing your boiler to work harder and driving up your energy bills,” says Insulation Express property manager Jenny Turner. “It’s vital to check existing insulation, or install it in your property to save on energy bills this winter. The investment in insulation in the roof and walls, and draught-proofing your home now, will pay for itself in a short time, making it worthwhile for both your home and your wallet.” And Jessica Forster, project manager at the Energy Saving Trust (energysavingtrust.org.uk) adds: “Preventing heat loss, particularly as we head into the colder months, will mean you’ll use less energy to heat your home.” Here, the experts offer tips on how to make sure your home’s properly insulated… 1. Check for draughts Forster says simple draught-proofing is one of the most cost-effective ways to save energy and money in your house. “Take yourself around your home to find where the biggest

Insulation Express property manager Jenny Turner

Jessica Forster project manager at the Energy Saving Trust

draughts are, and where you can block unwanted gaps that let cold air in and warm air out,” she advises. At current price cap levels, sealing gaps around windows, doors, floors and skirting boards, could lead to an annual reduction in bills of £125 a year for a typical semi-detached or mid-terrace home, or £70 a year for a mid-floor flat, she says, adding: “Professional draught-proofing is likely to save more energy, because an installer will know which materials will work best.” 2. Look at your loft insulation If you can get into your loft easily, Turner says it’s a good idea to check for gaps in any insulation that’s already in place, explaining: “Insulation should reach every corner of the loft, with no gaps or shallow pockets that could let heat escape, vastly reducing your home’s heating efficiency. She suggests using a tape measure to assess the depth of the existing insulation, and the spacing between the joists, beginning at the mid-point of one joist and measuring to the mid-point of the next. Turner says the distance will usually be either 400mm or 600mm, indicating

the width of any additional insulation you may need. As for the thickness of the insulation, Turner says ideal thickness depends on the type of insulation material, but for loft insulation, the recommended thickness for glass wool insulation is 300mm on new builds, 250mm for rock wool, and 220mm for cellulose. 3. Feel for damp and draughts Simply using your hands to feel whether an external wall feels cold or damp can give a good indication of whether it’s well-insulated or not, explains Turner. “More common in older properties, damp and cold external walls can indicate a lack of insulation and means that heat in this area will dissipate quickly,” she says. “Use your hand to feel along a wall to see if it’s damp.” If your wall does feel cold or damp, you may need to have cavity wall insulation put in. Forster says: “Installing cavity wall insulation could result in an annual saving of around £395 for a £1,200 investment, with a payback time of less than two years.”

4. Check your Energy Performance Certificate All buildings in the UK should have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which outlines the energy efficiency of the building, showing how well your house retains heat on a scale of A to G, explains Turner. “This is beneficial for homeowners, as it highlights possible energy costs, and some certificates even provide suggestions for types of insulation your home would benefit from,” she says. “If your property scores on the lower end of the scale, you’ll know there are improvements to be made in terms of insulation and energy efficiency.” 5. Use thermal imaging Using a thermal imaging camera on a property’s external walls when the heating’s on inside will visually highlight areas where the surface temperature changes from warm to cold, and identify weaknesses in current insulation, says Turner, who points out that this is best done after dark for easier visibility. You can buy a thermal camera from around £220 or more, or pay to have a thermal imaging survey done professionally, for an in-depth analysis of your home’s energy efficiency. 6. Don’t forget the floor Although less heat is lost through floors than through walls and the roof, Forster says insulation is a great way to keep your property warm, although you generally only need to insulate the ground floor, with the exception of floors above unheated spaces, like garages. Turner suggests homeowners check whether any solid or suspended floors have polystyrene insulation boards or thermal floor panels underneath them, and seal any gaps between floorboards and skirting boards to reduce the risk of draughts. But, she adds: “For a cheaper solution, invest in thick rugs that will act as an extra layer of insulation.”

Gardening legend Alan Titchmarsh has warned that the trend towards ‘rewilding’ – letting nature take care of itself to encourage wildlife and biodiversity – should not displace traditional gardening. “Rewilding does not mean letting it lie fallow and doing nothing with it,” he says. “There’s a misconception abroad that the only way to get more wildlife into your garden is to rewild.” Titchmarsh, 73 – TV and radio presenter, chat show host, documentary-maker and bestselling author – reveals his sentiments in his latest book The Gardener’s Almanac, published by Hodder & Stoughton and priced £14.99. He says: “One friend who has done a survey of his wildflower meadow and of his garden found more wildlife in the garden than in the wildflower meadow. It’s a case of balance – there’s room for both – but rewilding is not the answer to making our country a green and pleasant land. There are plenty of places where it is important – headlands and farms, the countryside in general, woodland and riverbanks, roadside verges. It should not and does not need to replace a well cultivated garden which has a wide range of species in it, which is equally as good and in many cases better for wildlife – and it’s beautiful too. “One cannot go on, on one hand saying how important gardens are for mental wellbeing, and then knocking somebody for having stripes on their lawn, because it makes them feel good to have stripes on their lawn. It’s doing them good, and also the blackbirds, the thrushes, the starlings, who can get worms out of lawns but can’t get them out of long grass, and solitary bees, who can burrow into lawns.” Balance is the key, Titchmarsh insists. Rewilding and keeping things looking pretty is a very hard thing to do, he agrees. “I have a wildflower meadow, which we cut in early Septembe. It’s beautiful. But it’s a meadow, not a garden. I. Rewilding has caught on in a way which I feel a bit sad about, if people aren’t being realistic. “What saddens me is that a well cultivated, well tended, well grown garden is getting disparaged – which is a nonsense.”


Friday’s Television

40 T V GUIDE

SUSAN CALMAN’S GRAND DAY OUT

some excitement that she plays a hole at Royal Portrush, one of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the world. Although to be fair, there is little that Calman does do without some excitement. There’s time for a basket-making lesson and a tour of the world’s oldest whiskey distillery for a tasting (or in Susan’s case, a sniffing), but for us the highlight of this leg of her journey is to come next. She gets to flex her artistic streak with an activity called “Drag and Draw” in which, much as the name suggests, artists assemble to capture a drag queen on canvas. That today’s model is none other than Northern Ireland’s own Blu Hydrangea, who was recently crowned champion of RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World, is a real bonus. Regular viewers, though, might recall that Susan is aiming to do one thing that scares her on each of her adventures. This week, it’s a wobbly walk across a 20-metre-long rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede, with a 30-metre drop. Yikes!

Channel 5, 8.00pm

Current events – not to mention the weather – can make the world seem like a pretty grim place at times, but there is one consistent source of sunshine to be found and that is Susan Calman. Her trips around the UK’s many and varied destinations are a joy, and the fact this show is already in its fourth series is a testament to her popularity – as well, of course, to the vast range of fascinating parts of the country that exist and the many things there are to do at them. This week she and Helen (her trusty camper van – named after Helen Mirren, natch) head to Northern Ireland’s dramatic coastline, beginning in Glenariff. Glenariff is the largest of the nine Glens of Antrim, stretching over 270 square miles, and by far the most popular when it comes to tourism. Like the other glens in the area, the dramatic landscape was carved out by huge glaciers during the Ice Age, and today, the valley that has resulted is simply – no pun intended – gorgeous. Calman hails from Glasgow, just a few hours away from Glencoe, so it takes a lot to take her breath away – but Glenariff manages it. Next up there’s a trip to Glenarm Castle and its estate, which is home to one of the island of Ireland’s oldest walled gardens. Our intrepid host also gets a tour of the historic castle itself, before taking a ride around the estate’s roads in a vintage car. Then it’s off to coast to sample a local delicacy – dulse, a red seaweed-like algae also known as sea lettuce – before travelling to nearby Portstewart for a traditional dance recital with a very modern twist. Calman is a keen golfer so it’s not without

Daytime

Editor’s Pick

6pm

7pm

8pm

9pm

AJ314918_v33_18

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live (S). 10.00 Critical Incident (S). 10.45 Dirty Rotten Scammers (S). 11.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.15 Bargain Hunt (S). 1.00 BBC News At One; Weather (S). 1.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 1.45 Doctors (S). 2.15 Money For Nothing (S). 3.00 I Escaped To The Country (S). 3.45 The Repair Shop (S). 4.30 The Travelling Auctioneers (S). 5.15 Pointless (R) (S).

6.00 Take A Hike (R) (S). 6.30 The Repair Shop (R) (S). 7.15 I Escaped To The Country (R) (S). 8.00 Sign Zone: The Repair Shop: A Royal Visit (R) (S). 9.00 BBC News (S). 10.00 Politics UK (S). 10.45 Live Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup France vs Wales. Kick-off is at 11am (S). 1.00 Live Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Scotland vs USA. Kick-off is at 1.30pm (S). 3.30 Mountain Vets (R) (S). 4.30 Murder, Mystery And My Family: Case Closed? (R) (S). 5.15 Flog It! (R) (S).

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S). 9.00 Lorraine (S). 10.00 This Morning (S). 12.30 Loose Women (S). 1.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.55 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 2.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal (S). 3.00 Riddiculous (S). 3.59 ITV Regional Weather (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (S). 5.00 The Chase (S).

6.00 BBC News At Six; Weather (S). 6.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S).

6.00 Richard Osman’s House Of Games (S). 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two Rylan is on hand with more exclusives (S).

6.00 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 6.30 ITV News; Weather (S).

7.00 The One Show Alex Jones and Ronan Keating present the live magazine show (S). 7.30 We Are England (S).

7.00 Iolo’s Anglesey (S). 7.30 Emmerdale Dawn is 7.30 Match Of The suspicious and Matty is Day Live: The FA concerned (S). Cup Hereford vs Portsmouth. Kick-off is at 7.55pm (S).

8.00 MasterChef: The Professionals The strongest chefs from the first two heats return for the opening quarter-final (S).

8.00 Coronation Street Summer’s deceit fuels Billy’s fears for her health (S).

9.00 Have I Got News For You (S). 9.30 Peter Kay’s Stand-Up Comedy Shuffle (R) (S).

9.00 DNA Journey Actors Larry Lamb and Alison Steadman investigate their family histories. Last in the series (S).

Bridgnorth&TelfordJournalSeries

Your weekly newspaper in association with

10pm HistoricYork&theDales_E.pdf

11pm

SCARBOROUGH

HISTORIC YORK

Departing Mon 20 Feb ‘23

Departing Mon 27 Feb ‘23

Scarborough is the perfect destination for our five-day getaway, beloved for its pretty beaches, fabulous attractions, and classic charm! On this delightful break we enjoy a full excursion programme, which includes visits to the seaside town of Whitby and visit the historic city of York.

Join us on this lovely short break to beautiful Yorkshire, where we combine the rolling hills, panoramic landscapes and charming towns of the Yorkshire Dales with the historic city of York. Don’t miss out optional trips to Knaresborough and Harrogate to complete our delightfully scenic getaway.

WHITBY & HISTORIC YORK

Your break includes

& THE DALES

Your break includes

 2 for 1 bar (6pm-9pm) on selected drinks  Entertainment every evening  Excursions to Goathland, Whitby & York

dinner & breakfast  2 for 1 bar (6pm-9pm) on selected drinks  Excursions to York, Skipton Market & Grassington

Optional excursion to Beverley (£7pp)

5 Days by Coach only £ Single Supplement £60

149

 Return coach travel from Bridgnorth  4 nights at a selected hotel in the Leeds area with

Optional excursion to Knaresborough & Harrogate (£11pp)

5 Days by Coach only £ Single Supplement £60

149

Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

For more information or to book, please call: or visit online at:

03332 342 529

justgoholidays.com/WOL

Quote

10.00 Mock The Week Last 10.10 ITV News At Ten; ever episode of the Weather (S). topical comedy panel 10.45 ITV Regional News; show, hosted by Dara O Weather (S). Briain. (S). 10.55 The NFL Show (S). 10.30 Newsnight (S).

11.30 RuPaul’s Drag Race UK The return of the much-loved makeover challenge (R) (S).

11.05 Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (R) (S). 11.35 FILM: The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas (2008) (S).

11.50 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Celebrity Special With Jo Brand and Dan Walker (R) (S).

12.45 BBC News (S).

1.05 Sign Zone: Disaster Deniers: Hunting The Trolls – Panorama (R) (S). 1.35 Sign Zone: Our Dementia Choir Sings Again With Vicky McClure (R) (S). 2.35 This Is BBC Two (S).

12.40 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 3.15 Live Women’s World Cup Rugby Union (S). 5.45 Unwind With ITV (S).

Late

 Return coach travel from Bridgnorth  4 nights at a selected hotel in Scarborough with dinner & breakfast

10.00 BBC News At Ten (S). 10.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 10.40 The Graham Norton Show (S).

WOL

033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

Film Choices THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS (BBC2, 11.35pm)

Bruno, a boy in Nazi Germany, moves to the country when his father is placed in charge of a concentration camp. While exploring the woods close to the facility’s boundary, he spots a Jewish youngster being held there, and the two become friends – but Bruno remains innocently oblivious to the camp’s true purpose. Drama, starring David Thewlis and Asa Butterfield (pictured).

BOOKSMART

(BBC3, 9.30pm)

On the eve of their high-school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends realise they should have worked less and

played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night. Comedy directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams, Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow and Will Forte.


November 4

FRIDAY 41

Sport 6.05 Countdown (R) (S). 6.45 Cheers (R) (S). 7.10 Cheers (R) (S). 7.35 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.00 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.25 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.55 Frasier (R) (S). 9.30 Frasier (R) (S). 10.00 Frasier (R) (S). 10.30 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA (R) (S). 11.25 Channel 4 News Summary (S). 11.30 Chateau DIY (R) (S). 12.30 Steph’s Packed Lunch (S). 2.10 Countdown (S). 3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) (S). 4.00 Sun, Sea And Selling Houses (R) (S). 5.00 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 5.30 Come Dine With Me (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine (S). 12.45 Shoplifters & Scammers: At War With The Law (R) (S). 1.40 5 News At Lunchtime (S). 1.45 Home And Away (R) (S). 2.15 FILM: Every Christmas Has A Story (Ron Oliver 2016) Festive romantic comedy, starring Lori Loughlin (S). 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) (S). 5.00 5 News At 5 (S).

6.00 The Early Rundown (R). 6.30 The Early Rundown (R). 7.00 Sky News Breakfast (R). 7.30 Sky News Breakfast (R). 8.00 Beth Rigby Interviews (R). 8.30 Road Wars (R) (S). 9.00 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 9.30 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 10.00 Supergirl (R) (S). 11.00 NCIS: Los Angeles (R) (S). 12.00 NCIS: Los Angeles (R) (S). 1.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 2.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 3.00 Wild Pacific Rescue (R) (S). 4.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 4.30 The Simpsons (R). 5.00 The Simpsons (R). 5.30 Futurama (R) (S).

6.00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 7.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 8.00 Secret Crush (S). 9.00 Secret Crush (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 1.00 Family Fortunes (S). 2.00 Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow (S). 3.05 One Tree Hill (S). 4.00 One Tree Hill (S). 5.00 Hart Of Dixie (S).

6.00 Classic Coronation Street (S). 6.35 Classic Coronation Street (S). 7.45 Classic Emmerdale (S). 8.15 Bless This House (S). 8.50 Bless This House (S). 9.20 Upstairs, Downstairs (S). 10.30 Upstairs, Downstairs (S). 11.40 Heartbeat (S). 12.45 Heartbeat (S). 1.45 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.20 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.55 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.25 Classic Coronation Street (S). 4.00 Midsomer Murders (S). 5.55 Martin Clunes: My Travels And Other Animals (S).

8.55 Kirstie’s House Of Craft (S). 9.15 A Place In The Sun (S). 10.05 A Place In The Sun (S). 11.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 12.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 1.10 Heir Hunters (S). 2.10 Four In A Bed (S). 2.40 Four In A Bed (S). 3.15 Four In A Bed (S). 3.50 Four In A Bed (S). 4.20 Four In A Bed (S). 4.50 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 5.55 Car S.O.S (S).

6.00 The Simpsons A selfdriving car company arrives in Springfield (S). 6.30 Hollyoaks (R) (S).

6.00 Parking Hell (S). 6.30 Eggheads The Dead Parrots take on the regular quiz experts (S). 6.55 5 News Update (S).

6.00 Futurama The gang accidentally freezes Santa (R) (S). 6.30 The Simpsons The family is brainwashed (R).

6.00 Celebrity Catchphrase Stephen Mulhern hosts the second of two special World Cup editions (S).

6.30 ITV Racing: Breeders’ Cup Live Coverage of day one (S).

6.55 Escape To The Chateau: DIY Couple Tim and Krys race to get their chateau ready for the first paying guests (S).

7.00 Channel 4 News (S). 7.30 Unreported World Sahar Zand examines the darker side of sumo wrestling (S).

7.00 Aldi: Secrets Of The Billion Dollar Discounter (R) (S). 7.55 5 News Update (S).

7.00 Top Of The Pops Performances from the show first broadcast on 21 October 1993 (S). 7.30 Top Of The Pops (S).

7.00 The Simpsons Krusty spices up his act (R). 7.30 The Simpsons Homer helps Moe defraud his insurance company (R) (S).

7.00 Dress To Impress Archie, Callum and Destiny choose outfits for Tabitha (S).

8.00 The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice Joe Wilkinson, Judi Love and Maisie Adam discuss Pastry Week (S).

8.00 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out The presenter heads to the coast of Northern Ireland (S).

8.00 Top Of The Pops With ABC, Donna Summer, Elton John, Status Quo and Madness (S). 8.30 Top Of The Pops (S).

8.00 Jamie And Harry’s World Cup Challenge: Got, Got, Need A challenge to meet as many World Cup stars as possible (R).

8.00 Bob’s Burgers Bob and Louise host a screening of a Hawk & Chick movie (S). 8.30 Bob’s Burgers (S).

9.00 Gogglebox The households’ opinions on recent television (S).

9.00 Building The Impossible Rob Bell journeys along the length of the Panama Canal (S).

9.00 Don McLean And Friends In Concert Don McLean performs in his first television special from 1979 (S).

9.00 Resident Alien Harry and Asta find out about the origins of Goliath.

9.00 FILM: Ride Along 2 (2016) Comedy sequel, starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart (S).

10.00 I Literally Just Told You Game show, hosted by Jimmy Carr (S).

10.00 Elvis: The Man That Rocked The World Profile of Elvis Presley (R) (S).

10.00 Classic Albums: American Pie – Don McLean A celebration of the singersongwriter’s 1971 release (S).

10.00 Fantasy Football League With Jennifer Saunders and Roman Kemp (R). 10.35 Late Late Show Best Of The Week

11.00 Sounds For Saturday – Don McLean (S). 11.30 Can You Feel It – How Dance Music Conquered The World (S).

11.35 Never Mind The Buzzcocks With Johnny Borrell, Michelle De Swarte and Krept & Konan (R) (S).

11.05 Family Guy Peter is grounded by Lois (S). 11.35 Family Guy Peter and his friends film their own horror movie (S).

12.30 Can You Feel It – How Dance Music Conquered The World (S). 1.30 Can You Feel It – How Dance Music Conquered The World (S). 2.30 FILM: Ibiza: The Silent Movie (Julien Temple 2019) (S). 4.05 Close

12.20 The Russell Howard Hour (R). 1.05 Sex And The City (R) (S). 1.35 Sex And The City (R) (S). 2.05 Caught On Dashcam (R) (S). 3.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 4.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 5.00 Motorway Patrol (R) (S). 5.30 Motorway Patrol (R) (S).

12.00 American Dad! (S). 12.30 American Dad! (S). 12.55 Bob’s Burgers (S). 1.25 Bob’s Burgers (S). 1.50 The Masked Singer (S). 2.35 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 3.00 Teleshopping

11.05 Father Ted Bishop Brennan faces his worst fear (R) (S). 11.40 Father Ted (R) (S).

12.10 Father Ted (R) (S). 12.40 Father Ted (R) (S). 1.10 FILM: The Festival (Iain Morris 2018) (S). 2.50 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA (R) (S). 3.35 Come Dine With Me (R) (S). 5.45 Drawers Off: The Big Naked Painting Challenge (R) (S).

12.05 70s Greatest Heart-Throbs (R) (S). 12.55 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 1.00 The LeoVegas Live Casino Show (S). 3.00 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 3.05 Diet Secrets & How To Lose Weight (R) (S). 3.55 The Hotel Inspector (R) (S). 4.40 House Doctor (R) (S).

BBC RADIO 1

6.33am Radio 1’s Best New Pop. 6.57 Newsbeat. 7.00 Radio 1 Breakfast With Greg James. 10.00 Radio 1 Anthems. 10.30 Newsbeat. 10.32 Radio 1 Anthems. 11.02 Katie Thistleton. 12.45pm Newsbeat. 1.00 Matt And Mollie. 3.00 Radio 1’s Party Anthems. 4.00 The Official Chart On Radio 1 With Jack Saunders. 5.45 Newsbeat. 6.00 Radio 1’s Dance Party With Danny Howard. 8.00 Radio 1’s Future Dance With Sarah Story. 10.00 Pete Tong. 12mdn’t Radio 1’s Essential Mix. 2.00 Radio 1 Dance Presents. 3.00 Danny Howard. 4.00 Radio 1’s Wind Down Presents. 5.00 Radio 1 Relax.

BBC RADIO 2

6.30am The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. 9.30 Ken Bruce. 12noon Jeremy Vine. 2.00 Scott Mills. 4.00 Sara Cox. 7.00 Michelle Visage. 8.30 Michelle Visage’s Handbag Hits. 9.00 The Good Groove With DJ Spoony. 11.00 The Rock Show With Johnnie Walker. 12mdn’t Romesh Ranganathan: For The Love Of Hip-Hop. 1.00 TBA. 3.00 Radio 2 Unwinds With Angela Griffin. 4.00 Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco. 5.00 Radio 2 In Concert.

READING V PRESTON NORTH END

Sky Sports Main Event, 7.30pm Live coverage of the Championship encounter at Madejski Stadium.

BBC RADIO 3

6.30am Breakfast. 9.00 Essential Classics. 12noon Composer Of The Week: Coleridge-Taylor. 1.00 Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert. 2.00 Afternoon Concert. 4.30 The Listening Service. 5.00 In Tune. 7.00 In Tune Mixtape. 7.30 Radio 3 In Concert. 10.00 The Verb. 10.45 The Essay: Renewing The Past – The BBC And Early Music. 11.00 Late Junction. 1am Tearjerker. 2.00 Downtime Symphony. 3.00 Through The Night.

BBC RADIO 4

6am Today. 8.31 (LW) Yesterday In Parliament. 9.00 Desert Island Discs. 9.45 (LW) Daily Service. 9.45 (FM) Disaster Trolls. 10.00 Woman’s Hour. 11.00 Fallout: Living In The Shadow Of The Bomb. 11.30 Beta Female. 12noon News. 12.01 (LW) Shipping Forecast. 12.04 Archive On 4: Our Archive Century. 12.57 Weather. 1.00 The World At One. 1.45 The Threat To US Democracy. 2.00 The Archers. 2.15 Drama: Harland. 2.45 Why Do We Do That? 3.00 Gardeners’ Question Time. 3.45 Short Works. 4.00 Last Word. 4.30 Feedback. 5.00 PM. 5.54 (LW) Shipping Forecast. 5.57 Weather. 6.00 Six O’Clock News. 6.30 The Now Show. 7.00 The Archers.

9.00 Astrid: Murder In Paris A palaeontologist described as an oddball by colleagues is found dead (S). 10.15 Foyle’s War The detective’s son becomes a murder suspect (S).

Radio

7.15 Add To Playlist. 8.00 Any Questions? 8.50 A Point Of View. 9.00 Journey Of A Lifetime. 9.30 The Truth About Tourette’s. 10.00 The World Tonight. 10.45 Book At Bedtime: Demon Copperhead. 11.00 Americast. 11.30 Today In Parliament. 12mdn’t News And Weather. 12.30 Disaster Trolls. 12.48 Shipping Forecast. 1.00 As BBC World Service. 5.20 Shipping Forecast. 5.30 News Briefing. 5.43 Prayer For The Day. 5.45 One To One.

BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA

7.55 Grand Designs A former blacksmith devises his own way of building a house (S).

6am Lord Peter Wimsey – Have His Carcase. 6.30 Brother Cadfael: Dead Man’s Ransom. 7.00 The Quanderhorn Xperimentations. 7.30 Now You’re Asking With Marian Keyes And Tara Flynn. 8.00 Share And Share Alike. 8.30 A Very Private Man. 9.00 The Museum Of Curiosity. 9.30 Sharing Fatman. 10.00 The Personal History Of David Copperfield. 11.00 Podcast Radio Hour. 12noon Share And Share Alike. 12.30 A Very Private Man. 1.00 Lord Peter Wimsey – Have His Carcase. 1.30 Brother Cadfael: Dead Man’s Ransom. 2.00 Buzz. 2.15 Five Fever Tales. 2.30 The Business Of Film With Mark Kermode. 3.00 The Personal History Of David Copperfield. 4.00 The Museum Of Curiosity. 4.30 Sharing Fatman. 5.00 The Quanderhorn

11.15 24 Hours In A&E A 30-year-old sustains a potentially lifethreatening wound during a game (S). 12.25 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 1.35 Bless This House (S). 2.05 Unwind With ITV (S). 2.30 Teleshopping

Xperimentations. 5.30 Now You’re Asking With Marian Keyes And Tara Flynn. 6.00 The Day Of The Triffids. 6.30 Musical Genes. 7.00 Share And Share Alike. 7.30 A Very Private Man. 8.00 Lord Peter Wimsey – Have His Carcase. 8.30 Brother Cadfael: Dead Man’s Ransom. 9.00 Podcast Radio Hour. 10.00 Comedy Club. 10.00 Comedy Club: Now You’re Asking With Marian Keyes And Tara Flynn. 10.30 Comedy Club: Knowing Me, Knowing You. 11.00 Comedy Club: Mark Thomas: The Manifesto. 11.30 Comedy Club: James Acaster’s Perfect Sounds. 12mdn’t The Day Of The Triffids. 12.30 Musical Genes. 1.00 Lord Peter Wimsey – Have His Carcase. 1.30 Brother Cadfael: Dead Man’s Ransom. 2.00 Buzz. 2.15 Five Fever Tales. 2.30 The Business Of Film With Mark Kermode. 3.00 The Personal History Of David Copperfield. 4.00 The Museum Of Curiosity. 4.30 Sharing Fatman. 5.00 The Quanderhorn Xperimentations. 5.30 Now You’re Asking With Marian Keyes And Tara Flynn.

BBC 5 LIVE

10.05 24 Hours In A&E A woman is airlifted to hospital after being involved in a road traffic collision (S).

6am 5 Live Breakfast. 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 11.00 Chiles On Friday. 1pm Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast. 1.30 The Footballers’ Football Podcast. 2.00 Elis James And John Robins. 4.00 5 Live Drive. 7.00

12.15 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 1.15 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 2.20 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.20 Food Unwrapped Investigates (S). 3.50 Close

5 Live Sport: The Friday Football Social. 9.00 5 Live Sport. 10.00 Stephen Nolan. 1am Hayley Hassall. 5.00 5 Live Boxing.

BBC 6 MUSIC

7.30am Lauren Laverne. 10.30 Mary Anne Hobbs. 1pm Craig Charles. 4.00 Steve Lamacq. 7.00 The People’s Party With Afrodeutsche. 9.00 Tom Ravenscroft. 11.00 The Ravers Hour. 12mdn’t 6 Music’s Indie Forever. 1.00 6 Music’s Emo Forever. 2.00 Focus Beats. 4.00 Ambient Focus.

CLASSIC FM

6am More Music Breakfast. 9.00 Alexander Armstrong. 12noon Anne-Marie Minhall. Including Classic FM Requests from 12pm to 2pm. 5.00 Pet Classics. 9.00 Smooth Classics. 1am Katie Breathwick. 4.00 Sam Pittis.

ABSOLUTE RADIO

6am Dave Berry. 10.00 Leona Graham. 1pm Ben Burrell. 4.00 Bush And Richie. 7.00 Absolute 80s Greatest Hits With Claire Sturgess. 10.00 Sophie K. 4am Ross Buchanan.


Saturday’s Television

42 T V GUIDE

Editor’s Pick ITV, 8.30pm

As anyone who has watched any of the various iterations of RuPaul’s Drag Race will know, drag is its own art form – and there’s a lot more to it than simply dressing up. If you’re still not sure just what it involves, then Queens for the Night could prove to be the perfect introduction as a group of celebrities unleash their inner divas for one-night only. The famous faces taking the plunge are Coronation Street favourite Simon Gregson, fitness icon Mr Motivator, Love Island star and TV presenter Chris Hughes, Union J’s George Shelley, EastEnders legend Adam Woodyatt and England rugby star Joe Marler. Although they all have experience of being in the spotlight, they are new to drag, so they will be given mentors along with a makeover. Some of the most successful drag queens in the business, including Blu Hydrangea, Kitty Scott-Claus, La Voix, Myra DuBois, Asttina Mandella and Margo Marshall, are on hand to show them the ropes – and the wigs. The celebs will not only have to get comfortable with wearing very high heels and creating their own character, they must also get to grips with one distinct discipline which will form a key part of their act. So, they’ll need to master either singing, dancing, lip syncing, impressions, comedy or dragic (which is drag magic in case you were wondering). They then get to showcase their acts in a cabaret-style performance in front of a studio audience – and a panel of judges made up of one-time Spice Girl Melanie C, comedian Rob Beckett, drag royalty Courtney Act and musical theatre star Layton Williams. Although it takes a certain amount of bravery to take part in this show, it seems the celebs shouldn’t expect the judges to go too easy on them.

Courtney says: “This is going to be a fabulous show. The celebrities might be new to this, but I won’t hold back with my critique. They might all be experts in their own fields but they’re stepping into my domain now and I want to see some exceptional performances. The bar is high so they need to bring their ‘A’ game.” Although if they do too well, it seems at least one of the judges might be tempted to join them on stage. Rob adds: “I know just how hard this is after attempting drag myself with my mate Romesh. I love drag I think it’s such an underappreciated art-form. The celebrities will find out that it’s more than just putting on makeup and heels, there is such a skill to it and when done right is such a joy to watch. Will I be tempted to pop on the heels one more time? Who knows….maybe!” Meanwhile, the job of hosting it goes to daytime icon and drag superfan Lorraine Kelly, who says: “I’m so excited to be hosting this show. I am a huge fan of drag and cannot wait to see a host of well-known stars embrace this uniquely wonderful and uplifting skill.” However, arguably the hardest job falls to the studio audience who will have to decide the winner.

6.00 Breakfast (S). 10.00 Saturday Kitchen Live (S). 11.30 BBC News; Weather (S). 11.45 Match Of The Day Live: The FA Cup South Shields vs Forest Green Rovers. Kick-off is at 12pm (S). 2.05 Live Men’s Rugby League World Cup Coverage of the second quarter-final. Kick-off is at 2.30pm (S). 4.30 Final Score (S). 5.10 BBC News (S). 5.20 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 5.30 Celebrity Mastermind (S).

6.40 Love Monster (R) (S). 6.45 Go Jetters (R) (S). 7.00 Go Jetters (R) (S). 7.10 Hey Duggee (R) (S). 7.20 Hey Duggee (R) (S). 7.30 Shaun The Sheep (R) (S). 7.35 Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed! (R) (S). 7.50 Ninja Express (R) (S). 8.00 The Deep (R) (S). 8.25 Odd Squad (R) (S). 8.35 One Zoo Three (R) (S). 9.00 Newsround (S). 9.05 Nova Jones (R) (S). 9.30 Blue Peter (R) (S). 10.00 Deadly Pole To Pole (R) (S). 10.30 Women Of Steel (R) (S). 11.30 Live Women’s Rugby League World Cup England vs Canada. Kick-off is at 12pm (S). 2.05 Gymnastics World Championships Coverage of the apparatus finals (S). 5.45 Flog It!

6.00 Live Women’s World Cup Rugby Union The second semifinal. Kick-off is at 6.30am (S). 9.00 James Martin’s American Adventure (R) (S). 9.20 ITV News (S). 9.25 James Martin’s Saturday Morning (S). 11.35 Ainsley’s World Cup Flavours (S). 12.40 James Martin’s Great British Adventure (R) (S). 1.05 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.10 FILM: Rio 2 (Carlos Saldanha 2014) Animated comedy sequel, with the voice of Jesse Eisenberg (S). 3.10 FILM: Spider-Man 2 (Sam Raimi 2004) Comic-book adventure sequel, starring Tobey Maguire (S). 5.40 Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals (R) (S).

(R) (S).

6pm

6.00 Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel The comedian hosts the game show (S).

6.05 ITV News; Weather (S). 6.20 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 6.30 Celebrity Lingo With Sally Dynevor, Jennie McAlpine, Claire

7pm

7.00 Strictly Come Dancing 6.30 Dad’s Army The series hits the Mainwaring decides the halfway point (S). platoon needs a mascot for a big parade (R) (S).

Daytime

QUEENS FOR THE NIGHT

8pm

9pm

10pm

EVERY MONDAY

11pm

Richards, H, Zoe Williams and Josie Gibson (S).

8.35 Blankety Blank With 7.30 The Chase Celebrity 7.00 Live Men’s Rugby Motsi Mabuse, Saffron Special With Cheryl League World Cup The Barker, Sophie Duker, Baker, Laura Tobin, third quarter-final. KickJimmy Carr, Matt Baker Jason Bell and Mark off is at 7.30pm (S). and Bez (S). Steel (S). 9.10 I Can See Your Voice With guest panellist Lulu (S).

8.30 Queens For The 9.30 Arctic Monkeys At Night Celebrities are Later... With Jools transformed into drag Holland A special queens (S). edition dedicated to the Sheffield band. Last in the series (S).

10.10 BBC News; Weather (S). 10.30 Match Of The Day Highlights of the latest matches (S).

10.15 The Hacienda – The Club That Shook Britain The history of the Manchester nightclub and music venue (S).

10.10 The Jonathan Ross Show With Rita Ora, Harry and Jamie Redknapp, Luke Evans and Paolo Nutini (S).

11.45 FILM: The Keeper (2018) Biopic of Bert Trautmann, starring David Kross (S).

11.15 Radio 1 Ibiza Prom: BBC Proms Classics A selection of Ibiza classics at the Royal Albert Hall (R) (S).

11.10 ITV News; Weather (S). 11.30 English Football League Highlights Action from the latest fixtures (S).

1.40 BBC News (S).

12.50 FILM: Manchester By The Sea (Kenneth Lonergan 2016) Drama, starring Casey Affleck (S). 3.00 This Is BBC Two (S).

12.50 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 4.15 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh (R) (S).

Late

Film Choices SPIDER-MAN 2 (ITV, 3.10pm)

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Director Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man film was a revelation, but the second one manages to top it, skilfully mixing comic-book fun with moments of genuine emotion. Tobey Maguire returns as Peter Parker, who is struggling juggle to his crime-fighting with his studies, job and secret love for rising actress Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst). Something has to give – and he decides it should be his Spider-Man alter ego. Unfortunately, scientist Otto Octavius (the excellent Alfred Molina) has just been transformed into the villainous Doc Ock, putting New York at risk.

MINORITY REPORT (Channel 4, 11.50pm)

Leading man Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg prove to be a blockbusting combination in this sci-fi thriller. In 2054, cop John Anderton (Cruise) heads

up Washington DC’s ‘pre-crime’ division, arresting people before they have a chance to offend based on the predictions of three psychics, known as pre-cogs. Unfortunately, he ends up with more than just his career on the line when one of the pre-cogs predicts that Anderton is going to commit a murder.


November 5

SATURDAY 43

Sport 6.10 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 6.35 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 7.00 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 7.25 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 7.50 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.15 The Simpsons (R) (S). 8.40 The Simpsons (R) (S). 9.10 The Simpsons (R) (S). 9.40 The Simpsons (R) (S). 10.05 The Simpsons (R) (S). 10.35 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 11.10 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 11.40 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 12.10 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 12.40 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 1.15 FILM: The Karate Kid Part II (John G Avildsen 1986) (S). 3.25 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces (R) (S). 4.30 Huge Homes (R) (S). 5.30 Channel 4 News (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 10.00 The Smurfs (R) (S). 10.10 SpongeBob SquarePants (S). 10.25 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 10.40 Friends (R) (S). 11.10 Friends (R) (S). 11.40 Friends (R) (S). 12.10 Friends (R) (S). 12.40 FILM: Christmas In London (Justin G Dyck 2020) Romantic drama, starring Laura Vandervoort (S). 2.30 FILM: Christmas In The Highlands (Ryan Alexander Dewar 2019) Romantic comedy, starring Dan Jeannotte (S). 4.20 FILM: A Nutcracker Christmas (Michael Lembeck 2016) Festive drama, starring Amy Acker (S).

6.00 Grand Designs Kevin McCloud revisits a couple who built a new family home in rural East Sussex (R) (S).

6.05 5 News Weekend (S). 6.10 FILM: Godzilla (2014) Monster thriller remake, starring Aaron TaylorJohnson (S).

7.00 Tutankhamun: Secrets Of The Tomb Part two of two. Ella Al-Shamahi investigates the strange deaths connected to the tomb (R) (S). 8.00 Charles: Our New King Part two of two. The impact of Princess Diana’s death on the future monarch (S).

8.35 Morecambe & Wise: 30 Funniest Moments The comedy duo’s most memorable sketches (R) (S).

9.00 FILM: Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) Comedy adventure, starring Taron Egerton (S). 10.35 When TV Stars Go Horribly Wrong Richard Bacon narrates a compilation of disasters (R) (S). 11.50 FILM: Minority Report (2002) Sci-fi thriller, starring Tom Cruise (S).

2.20 Ramsay’s Hotel Hell (R) (S). 3.10 The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice (R) (S). 4.05 Jamie’s Comfort Food (R) (S). 4.20 Hollyoaks Omnibus (R) (S).

1.30 The LeoVegas Live Casino Show (S). 3.30 Sex On The Breadline: Adults Only! (R) (S). 4.20 The Hotel Inspector (R) (S). 5.10 House Doctor (R) (S). 5.35 Peppa Pig (R) (S). 5.40 Paw Patrol (R) (S). 5.50 Pip And Posy (R) (S).

BBC RADIO 1

6am Radio 1 Happy. 7.00 Adele Roberts. 10.00 Radio 1 Anthems. 10.30 Newsbeat. 10.32 Radio 1 Anthems. 11.02 Katie Thistleton. 1pm Matt And Mollie. 4.00 Radio 1’s Dance Anthems. 5.00 Radio 1’s Dance Anthems. 6.00 Radio 1’s Dance Anthems. 7.00 Radio 1’s Soundsystem Party With Jeremiah Asiamah. 9.00 Annie Nightingale Presents. 10.00 Annie Nightingale Presents. 11.00 Annie Nightingale Presents. 12mdn’t Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show. 1.00 Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Mix. 1.30 Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Mix. 2.00 Radio 1’s Classic Essential Mix. 4.00 Future Dance Mix With Sarah Story. 4.30 Pete Tong’s Hot Mix. 5.00 Radio 1 Relax.

BBC RADIO 2

6am Sounds Of The 60s With Tony Blackburn. 8.00 Dermot O’Leary. 10.00 Claudia Winkleman. 12.30pm Claudia’s Strictly Playlist. 1.00 Pick Of The Pops. 2.00 Pick Of The Pops. 3.00 Rylan On Saturday. 6.00 Liza Tarbuck. 8.00 Sounds Of The 80s With Gary Davies. Andrew Ridgeley shares his proudest career highs of the decade on My 80s Moments. 10.00 Sounds Of The 90s With Fearne Cotton. A nostalgia-drenched

LIVE: SNF

Sky Sports Main Event, 5pm Everton v Leicester City (Kickoff 5.30pm). Live coverage of the top-flight clash from Goodison Park.

6.00 Amazing Animal Friends (R) (S). 7.00 Amazing Animal Friends (R) (S). 8.00 Amazing Animal Friends (R) (S). 9.00 Futurama (R) (S). 9.30 Futurama (R) (S). 10.00 Futurama (R) (S). 10.30 Soccer AM With John Fendley and Jimmy Bullard. 12.00 The Slow Mo Guys’ Big Adventures (R). 12.30 The Simpsons (R). 1.00 FILM: Monster Family 2 (Holger Tappe 2021) Animated comedy, with the voice of Jason Isaacs (R) (S). 3.00 Gillette Labs Soccer Saturday Stay up to speed with the afternoon’s football up and down the country (R). 5.00 Legends Of The Pharaohs (R).

6.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 6.20 Coronation Street Omnibus (S). 9.00 Secret Crush (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.05 Dress To Impress (S). 12.05 Ninja Warrior UK: Race For Glory (S). 1.05 In For A Penny (S). 1.35 I’m A Celebrity: Legends Of The Jungle (S). 2.40 Celebrity Catchphrase (S). 3.40 FILM: The Addams Family (Greg Tiernan, Conrad Vernon 2019) Animated family comedy, with the voices of Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron (S). 5.25 FILM: Hotel Transylvania 2 (Genndy Tartakovsky 2015) Animated comedy, with the voice of Adam Sandler (S).

6.00 Britain’s Secret Islands A tour along England’s south coast (R).

7.00 Expedition Volcano Part two of two. The team takes a helicopter to an active volcano (S).

7.00 The 00s: Cinema’s Greatest Decade Alex Zane examines the merits of films from the 2000s (R) (S).

8.00 Treasures Of Ancient Egypt How the decline of the Egyptian Empire ran parallel with a creative revival. Last in the series (S).

8.00 Rob & Romesh vs Country Music The comedians meet Shania Twain (R) (S).

9.00 Wisting Part three of four. Wisting and Maggie travel across the Swedish border (S). 9.45 Wisting (S).

9.00 FILM: Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy (2004) Newsroom comedy, starring Will Ferrell (R) (S).

10.30 Timewatch: The Gunpowder Plot Investigation into the Gunpowder Plot (S).

10.45 Jamie And Harry’s World Cup Challenge: Got, Got, Need A challenge to meet as many World Cup stars as possible (R).

11.20 To The Manor Born Audrey learns the art of housekeeping (S). 11.50 Ever Decreasing Circles Martin reopens a public footpath (S).

11.45 Resident Alien Harry and Asta find out about the origins of Goliath (R).

11.05 Family Guy Stewie’s serene future life is interrupted by Brian (S). 11.30 Family Guy Peter causes a fight between Lois’s parents (S).

12.20 The Young Ones (S). 12.50 Pubs, Ponds And Power: The Story Of The Village (S). 1.20 Expedition Volcano (S). 2.20 Treasures Of Ancient Egypt (S). 3.20 Close

12.45 Fantasy Football League (R). 1.20 The Russell Howard Hour (R). 2.05 Road Wars (R) (S). 3.00 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 3.30 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 4.00 Nothing To Declare (R). 4.30 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 5.00 Nothing To Declare (R). 5.30 Nothing To Declare (R).

12.00 American Dad! (S). 12.25 American Dad! (S). 12.55 All American (S). 1.45 All American (S). 2.35 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 3.00 Teleshopping

celebration of the best music and pop culture from the decade. 11.00 Sounds Of The 90s With Fearne Cotton. A nostalgia-drenched celebration of the best music and pop culture from the decade. 12mdn’t Ricky Wilson’s Rock And Roll Classics. 1.00 Dance Sounds Of The 90s With Vernon Kay. 2.00 CMA Country Music Festival 2022. 3.00 Friends Will Be Friends. 4.00 Radio 2 In Concert: Prefab Sprout. 5.00 Tracks Of My Years.

BBC RADIO 3

7am Breakfast. 9.00 Record Review. 11.45 Music Matters. 12.30pm This Classical Life. 1.00 Inside Music. 3.00 Sound Of Gaming. 4.00 Music Planet. 5.00 J To Z. 6.30 Opera On 3. 10.00 New Music Show. Featuring a concert by the Third Orchestra. 12mdn’t Freeness. 1.00 Through The Night.

BBC RADIO 4

6am News And Papers. 6.07 Open Country. 6.30 Farming Today This Week. 6.57 Weather. 7.00 Today. 9.00 Saturday Live. 10.30 The Kitchen Cabinet. 11.00 The Week In Westminster. 11.30 From Our Own Correspondent. 12noon News. 12.01 (LW) Shipping Forecast. 12.04 Money Box. 12.30 The Now Show. 12.57 Weather. 1.00 News. 1.10 Any

Radio

6.00 Bless This House (S). 6.35 Foyle’s War (S). 8.40 Foyle’s War (S). 10.50 Midsomer Murders (S). 12.50 Midsomer Murders (S). 2.50 Midsomer Murders (S). 4.50 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 Food Unwrapped Investigates (S). 9.30 A Place In The Sun (S). 10.25 A Place In The Sun (S). 11.25 A Place In The Sun (S). 12.30 Location, Location, Location (S). 1.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 3.10 Come Dine With Me (S). 3.40 Come Dine With Me (S). 4.15 Four In A Bed (S). 4.45 Four In A Bed (S). 5.20 Four In A Bed (S). 5.50 Four In A Bed (S).

6.45 Snooker: Champion Of Champions Live Coverage of the second semi-final (S).

6.20 Four In A Bed The B&B owners meet up to settle some scores (S). 6.55 Matt Baker: Our Farm In The Dales (S).

7.10 FILM: Evan Almighty (2007) Comedy sequel, starring Steve Carell (S).

8.00 Secrets Of Egypt’s Valley Of The Kings The mysteries of one of Egypt’s greatest female pharaohs (S). 9.00 24 Hours In A&E A long-distance lorry driver is sent for an urgent CT scan (S).

9.00 FILM: Bad Neighbours (2014) Comedy, starring Seth Rogen and Zac Efron (S).

10.15 Agatha Christie’s Poirot An actress’s estranged husband is murdered (S).

Questions? Alex Forsyth presents political debate from East Midlands Airport. 2.00 Any Answers? 2.45 39 Ways To Save The Planet. 3.00 Drama: Exit Game. Drama-documentary exploring the men’s professional football youth system. 4.00 Weekend Woman’s Hour. Anita Rani presents highlights from the week. 5.00 Saturday PM. 5.30 Political Thinking With Nick Robinson. 5.54 Shipping Forecast. 5.57 Weather. 6.00 Six O’Clock News. 6.15 Loose Ends. With Richard Herring, Thaddea Graham, Simon Garfield and Dominic Dromgoole. 7.00 Profile. The personality and motivation of a person making the headlines. 7.15 This Cultural Life. John Wilson talks to leading cultural figures. Last in the series. 8.00 Archive On 4: Our Archive Century. Robert Winston and Maggie Aderin-Pocock present a showcase of science. 9.00 No Place But The Water. By Linda Marshall Griffiths. Last in the series. 9.45 Life At Absolute Zero. Accept No Substitute by Lynne Truss. Last in the series. 10.00 News. 10.15 Behind The Crime. A man who pleaded guilty to indecent exposure. Last in the series. 11.00 Brain Of Britain. Russell Davies hosts the second semi-final. 11.30 John Burnside: From The Other Side. The poet and novelist’s exploration of his near death experience. 12mdn’t Midnight News. 12.15 Bhopal.

11.10 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown With Sean Lock, Claudia Winkleman, Jon Richardson and Henning Wehn (S). 12.30 Bless This House (S). 1.00 Bless This House (S). 1.35 Bless This House (S). 2.10 Unwind With ITV (S). 2.30 Teleshopping

12.30 Short Works. 12.48 Shipping Forecast. 1.00 As BBC World Service. 5.20 Shipping Forecast. 5.30 News Briefing. 5.43 Bells On Sunday. 5.45 Profile.

BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA

6am Black Narcissus. 7.30 Great Lives. 8.00 Booked. 8.30 Ayres On The Air. 9.00 Listening To Les Dawson. 12noon The Jack Benny Program. 12.30 In And Out Of The Kitchen. 1.00 Voice In The Machine. 2.00 Sorry About Last Night. 2.30 I’ve Never Seen Star Wars. 3.00 Alun Cochrane’s Fun House. 3.30 Electric Ink. 4.00 Black Narcissus. 5.30 Great Lives. 6.00 Ghosts Of Albion – Legacy. 7.00 Listening To Les Dawson. 10.00 Comedy Club. 10.00 Comedy Club: Rob Newman’s Total Eclipse Of Descartes. 10.30 Comedy Club: Chain Reaction. 11.00 Comedy Club: Laura Solon: Talking And Not Talking. 11.30 Comedy Club: Old Harry’s Game. 12mdn’t Ghosts Of Albion – Legacy. 1.00 Voice In The Machine. 2.00 Sorry About Last Night. 2.30 I’ve Never Seen Star Wars. 3.00 Alun Cochrane’s Fun House. 3.30 Electric Ink. 4.00 Black Narcissus. 5.30 Great Lives.

BBC 5 LIVE

10.00 24 Hours In A&E A 20-year-old is rushed in after a motorcycle accident (S).

6am Saturday Breakfast. 9.00 Patrick Kielty. 11.00

12.15 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 1.15 24 Hours In A&E (S). 2.20 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.25 Food Unwrapped Investigates (S). 3.55 Close

Fighting Talk. 12noon 5 Live Sport. 3.00 5 Live Sport. 5.00 Sports Report. 5.30 5 Live Sport. 7.30 6-0-6. 9.00 Stephen Nolan. 12mdn’t Newscast. 1.00 Laura McGhie. 5.00 Sports Desk. 5.30 5 Live Sport.

BBC 6 MUSIC

6am Amy Lamé. 8.00 Radcliffe And Maconie. 10.00 The Huey Show. 1pm Jamz Supernova On 6. 3.00 Gilles Peterson. 6.00 The Craig Charles Funk And Soul Show. 9.00 The Blessed Madonna. 12mdn’t Lose Yourself With. 1.00 Lose Yourself With. 2.00 Late In The Day. 4.00 The Morning After Mix.

CLASSIC FM

7am Alan Titchmarsh. 10.00 Aled Jones. 1pm Alexander Armstrong. 5.00 Pet Classics. 9.00 David Mellor’s Melodies. 10.00 Smooth Classics. 1am Katie Breathwick. 4.00 Sam Pittis.

ABSOLUTE RADIO

8am Frank Skinner. 11.00 Sarah Champion. 2pm Rock ’n’ Roll Football With Matt Forde. 5.00 Andy Bush’s Indie Disco. 7.00 Absolute Classic Rock Party With Claire Sturgess. 10.00 Sophie K. 4am Ross Buchanan.


Sunday’s Television

44 T V GUIDE

I’M A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE! ITV, 9pm

Even a pandemic couldn’t stop one of Britain’s most popular reality shows – but it could keep it a little closer to home. In 2020, it was announced that instead of taking a group of famous faces to the Australian jungle, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! would instead be putting them up in a Welsh castle. The following year, Ant and Dec returned to Gwrych Castle amid continuing uncertainty around travel restrictions. (As it turned out, Covid wasn’t the only threat to the production – Storm Arwen led to the campers being removed from the historic building and episodes being cancelled amid safety fears and technical difficulties.) However, this year, the show is once again free to go jet-setting – and it’s making up for lost time. Not only is the current run heading back to Australia for the first time in two years, but in September, Ant and Dec took to Twitter to reveal they were in South Africa to film an All-Star version of the show. That’s set to air early next year and will be a reminder of just how many memorable characters have graced I’m a Celebrity since it first aired all the way back in 2002. Although that initial series was a hit with viewers, few people who tuned in to see Tony Blackburn being crowned the first King of the Jungle would have expected it to still be going strong – and winning National TV awards – 20 years later. For a start, some people may have thought that watching famous faces dealing with meagre rations and bickering fellow campers, not to mention those infamous Bushtucker Trials, might have put other stars off signing up. Yet even in its 22nd series, it seems there are still plenty of celebs who are willing to risk eating bugs or being dangled from great heights in the name of reality TV.

DJ Chris Moyles, who has long been tipped as a contestant, was spotted arriving in Australia recently, and told reporters: “I have absolutely no idea what my family and friends would think of me doing a show like I’m A Celebrity. I have never asked them. But I think they would be much more nervous about me doing Antiques Roadshow.” Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner has also been noticed at Brisbane airport, along with Coronation Street’s Sue Cleaver and reality star Olivia Attwood. Culture Club singer Boy George is also widely expected to take part – there have even been claims that he’s set to become the highest-paid contestant in the show’s history. Meanwhile, if the rumours are true that former England rugby player Mike Tindall (aka the husband of Princess Anne’s daughter Zara) is heading Down Under, we could be in for our first king of the jungle with genuine royal connections. We’ll get to see just who the celebs are tonight, as Ant and Dec officially introduce the line-up and find out how they settle in during their first night in the camp.

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Daytime

Editor’s Pick

6pm

7pm

8pm

6.00 Breakfast (S). 7.45 Match Of The Day (R) (S). 9.00 Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg (S). 10.00 Politics England (S). 10.30 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 11.30 Bargain Hunt (R) (S). 12.10 Points Of View (S). 12.25 Songs Of Praise (S). 1.00 BBC News; Weather (S). 1.15 Gymnastics World Championships Live coverage of the apparatus finals (S). 4.35 Blue Planet Revisited (R) (S). 5.35 BBC News (S). 5.50 BBC Regional News; Weather (S).

6.20 Countryfile (R) (S). 7.15 Landward (S). 7.45 Beechgrove Gardens In Winter (S). 8.15 This Farming Life (R) (S). 9.15 Trawlermen: Hunting The Catch (R) (S). 10.15 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites (S). 11.45 Live Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup England vs Spain. Kick-off is at 12pm (S). 2.00 Live Men’s Rugby League World Cup The fourth quarter-final. Kick-off is at 2.30pm (S). 4.35 Gymnastics World Championships Further live coverage of the apparatus finals (S). 5.45 Match Of The Day: The FA Cup (S).

6.00 Countryfile Ramble For BBC Children In Need 2022 The team showcase this year’s Big Ramble for Children in Need (S).

6.00 ITV News; Weather (S). 6.15 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 6.30 Family Fortunes (S).

7.30 The Masked Singer: 7.15 Strictly Come Dancing: 7.15 Stanley Tucci: I’m A Celebrity Special The Results Featuring Searching For Italy The Four famous faces a musical performance American actor heads compete undercover in from Luke Evans (S). to Sardinia (S). elaborate costumes (S). 8.00 Top Gear Chris Harris, Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness hit the German autobahn (S).

9.00 I’m A Celebrity… 8.00 Antiques Roadshow Get Me Out Of Here! Fiona Bruce presents New series. Ant and from Christchurch Park Dec head back to in Ipswich (R) (S). Australia as the survival challenge returns (S).

9pm

9.00 SAS Rogue Heroes 9.00 Amazing Hotels: Life Stirling’s disastrous Beyond The Lobby parachute jump leaves Giles Coren and him unable to walk (S). Monica Galetti work in the Lanesborough in Knightsbridge (R) (S).

10pm

10.00 BBC News; Weather (S). 10.25 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 10.30 Match Of The Day 2 (S).

11pm

6.00 You’ve Been Framed! Gold (R) (S). 6.25 Tipping Point (R) (S). 7.30 The Chase (R) (S). 8.25 Love Your Garden (R) (S). 9.25 ITV News (S). 9.30 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh (S). 11.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 11.45 Live FA Cup Football Wrexham vs Oldham Athletic. Kick-off is at 12.30pm (S). 2.40 Live FA Cup Football Torquay United vs Derby County. Kick-off is at 3pm (S). 5.30 Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals (R) (S).

10.00 The Ranganation (S). 10.45 FILM: Sweetheart (2021) Premiere. Romantic comedy drama, starring Nell Barlow (S).

11.55 The Women’s Football Show Highlights of the weekend’s games in the Super League (S).

12.40 Reported Missing (R) (S). 1.45 BBC News (S).

Late

10.45 ITV News; Weather (S).

11.05 FILM: Spider-Man 3 (2007) Superhero sequel, starring Tobey Maguire (S).

12.30 FILM: Bulldozer (S). 12.45 Sign Zone: Question Time (R) (S). 1.45 Sign Zone: Road Rage: Cars vs Bikes – Panorama (R) (S). 2.15 Sign Zone: Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy (R) (S).

1.40 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 Motorsport UK (R) (S). 3.50 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 Ainsley’s World Cup Flavours (R) (S).

Film Choices THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Channel 4, 3.45pm)

Barry Sonnenfeld directs the fun comedy based on the cult 1960s TV series and the original cartoons by Charles Addams. Morticia (Anjelica Huston), Gomez (Raul Julia) and their children Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) are happy in their own strange, morbid way, but their unconventional existence is threatened when they open their spooky home to man claiming to be Gomez’s long-lost brother Fester (Christopher Lloyd). The plot feels like something of an afterthought, but there are plenty of gags.

SPIDER-MAN 3 (ITV, 11.05pm)

A sinister alien parasite brings out the webslinging hero’s darker side, filling him with thoughts of revenge on his uncle’s murderer, the shape-shifting

Sandman. Meanwhile, he also has to contend with the challenge of his best friend following in his father’s villainous footsteps - and a jealous rival developing superpowers of his own. Superhero sequel, with Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco.


November 6

SUNDAY 45

Sport 6.25 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 6.50 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 7.10 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 7.35 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.00 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.25 Frasier (R) (S). 9.00 Frasier (R) (S). 9.30 Sunday Brunch (S). 12.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 1.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 1.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.30 The Great British Bake Off (R) (S). 3.45 FILM: The Addams Family (Barry Sonnenfeld 1991) Black comedy, starring Anjelica Huston (S). 5.45 Channel 4 News (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 10.00 The Smurfs (R) (S). 10.10 SpongeBob SquarePants (S). 10.25 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 10.30 NFL End Zone (S). 11.00 Friends (R) (S). 11.30 Friends (R) (S). 12.00 Friends (R) (S). 12.30 Friends (R) (S). 1.00 Friends (R) (S). 1.30 FILM: When Hope Calls Christmas (Bradley Walsh 2021) Premiere. Festive drama, starring Morgan Kohan (S). 3.20 FILM: Christmas At Castle Hart (Rick Garman 2021) Premiere. Festive romance, starring Lacey Chabert and Stuart Townsend (S). 5.10 I’m A Celebrity: All Time Funniest Moments (R) (S).

6.15 The Andrew Neil Show (S).

6.55 5 News Weekend (S).

7.00 World’s Greatest Train Journeys From Above This episode follows the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (S).

7.00 UK’s Strongest Man Action from the Group B semi-final (S).

7.00 Play School An October 1976 edition of the children’s programme (S). 7.25 Grange Hill (S). 7.50 Jackanory (S).

8.00 Escape To The Chateau Dick and Angel are preparing to welcome guests once more (S).

8.00 Happy Campers: The Caravan Park Staff try to reunite a lost dog with its owners (S).

8.00 The Day Of The Sardine: The Read A creative performance reading of The Day of the Sardine by Sid Chaplin (S).

9.00 The Handmaid’s Tale June and Moira join a rebel outpost (S).

9.00 Wendy Craig: All The Laughs & More A celebration of the life and career of the actress (S).

9.00 Imagine – The Triumphs And Laments Of William Kentridge Alan Yentob talks to South African artist William Kentridge (S).

9.00 Kingdom Of Dreams Bernard Arnault’s LVMH empire launches a hostile takeover of Gucci.

9.00 Family Guy Homages to Game of Thrones, Succession and Big Little Lies (S). 9.30 Family Guy (S).

9.00 The Savoy Staff prepare for the reopening of the hotel’s American bar (S).

9.00 999: On The Front Line Paramedics treat a woman who has hit her head collapsing in a bus shelter (S).

10.00 Gogglebox The households’ opinions on recent television (R) (S). 10.55 Gogglebox (R) (S).

10.30 When TV Double Acts Fall Out A look at how entertainment partnerships have succumbed to the pressure (R) (S).

10.05 Imagine Shorts (S). 10.25 Screengrabbed Too: BBC Introducing Arts Huw Stephens presents (S).

10.00 Libby, Are You Home Yet? An investigation of the murder of student Libby Squire (R) (S).

10.00 Family Guy Stewie tries to create a machine that will help him remain clever for ever (S). 10.30 Family Guy (S).

10.00 Vera A social worker is murdered (S).

10.00 24 Hours In A&E An 80-year-old patient is admitted suffering from pain in her chest, arm and jaw (S).

11.25 Inside America’s Treasure House: The Met The story of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s closure during the pandemic (S).

11.00 Never Mind The Buzzcocks (R). 11.45 Saturday Night Live The late-night comedy showcase (R).

11.00 Family Guy Quagmire decides to open a cat cafe (S). 11.30 American Dad! (S).

11.50 Agatha Christie’s Poirot The quest to find a missing maid leads to a very personal showdown (S).

11.05 Emergency Helicopter Medics An accident with a bonfire leaves a man with serious burns (S).

12.25 A Very British History: The Jews Of Leeds (S). 1.25 Nolan: Australia’s Maverick Artist (S). 2.25 Imagine – The Triumphs And Laments Of William Kentridge (S). 3.30 Close

1.15 Caught On Dashcam (R) (S). 2.10 Road Wars (R) (S). 3.05 Nothing To Declare (R). 3.30 Nothing To Declare (R). 4.00 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 4.30 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 5.00 The Early Rundown (R). 5.30 The Early Rundown (R).

12.00 American Dad! (S). 12.25 All American (S). 1.20 All American (S). 2.15 Iain Stirling’s CelebAbility (S). 2.55 Unwind With ITV (S). 3.00 Teleshopping

1.55 Bless This House (S). 2.30 Bless This House (S). 3.05 Emmerdale Omnibus (S). 5.40 Unwind With ITV (S).

12.10 999: On The Front Line (S). 1.15 24 Hours In A&E (S). 2.20 Emergency Helicopter Medics (S). 3.25 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.55 Close

11.55 Ramsay’s Hotel Hell Gordon Ramsay checks in at the Monticello Hotel in Longview, Washington (R) (S). 12.45 FILM: Brightburn (David Yarovesky 2019) Superhero horror, starring Elizabeth Banks (S). 2.20 Somewhere Boy (R) (S). 2.45 Somewhere Boy (R) (S). 3.10 Taskmaster (R) (S). 4.05 Couples Come Dine With Me (R) (S). 4.55 George Clarke’s Old House, New Home (R) (S).

12.50 Most Shocking TV Interviews (R) (S). 1.15 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 1.20 The LeoVegas Live Casino Show (S). 3.20 Things We Love About Christmas (R) (S). 4.05 More Things We Love About Christmas (R) (S). 4.55 The Hotel Inspector (R) (S).

BBC RADIO 1

6am Radio 1’s Chillout Anthems. 7.00 Adele Roberts. 10.00 Radio 1 Anthems. 10.30 Newsbeat. 10.32 Radio 1 Anthems. 11.02 Radio 1 00s With Nat O’Leary. 1pm Matt And Mollie. 4.00 Radio 1’s Life Hacks. 6.00 The Official Chart: First Look On Radio 1. 7.00 Radio 1’s Chillest Show. 9.00 Radio 1’s Indie Show With Nels Hylton. 11.00 BBC Introducing On Radio 1. 2am Radio 1’s Decompression Session. 3.00 Radio 1’s Chill Mix. 3.30 Radio 1’s Motivate Me Mix. 4.00 Radio 1 Dance. 5.00 Radio 1 Early Breakfast With Arielle Free.

BBC RADIO 2

6am Good Morning Sunday. 9.00 Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs. 11.00 The Michael Ball Show. 1pm Elaine Paige On Sunday. 3.00 Sounds Of The 70s With Johnnie Walker. 5.00 Rob Beckett. 7.00 Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour. 8.00 CMA Music Festival Highlights 2022. 10.00 Radio 2 Unwinds With Angela Griffin. 11.00 Radio 2 Unwinds With Angela Griffin. 12mdn’t OJ Borg. 2.30 One Hit Wonders With OJ Borg. 3.00 Alternative Sounds Of The 90s With Dermot O’Leary. 4.00 Early Breakfast Show.

LIVE SUPER SUNDAY

Sky Sports Main Event, 4pm Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool (Kick-off 4.30pm).

BBC RADIO 3

7am Breakfast. 9.00 Sunday Morning. 12noon Private Passions. 1.00 Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert. 2.00 The Early Music Show. 3.00 Choral Evensong. 4.00 Jazz Record Requests. 5.00 The Listening Service. 5.30 Words And Music. 6.45 Between The Ears: A Life Refracted. 7.15 Sunday Feature: Chasing The Dream. 7.30 Drama On 3: Churchill Versus Reith. 9.00 Record Review Extra. 11.00 Opera, The Art Of Emotions. 12mdn’t Classical Fix. 12.30 Through The Night.

BBC RADIO 4

6am News Headlines. 6.05 Something Understood. 6.35 On Your Farm. 6.57 Weather. 7.00 News; Sunday Papers. 7.10 Sunday. 7.54 Radio 4 Appeal. 7.57 Weather. 8.00 News; Sunday Papers. 8.10 Sunday Worship. 8.48 A Point Of View. 8.58 Tweet Of The Day. 9.00 Broadcasting House. 10.00 The Archers. 11.15 Desert Island Discs. 12noon News. 12.01 (LW) Shipping Forecast. 12.04 It’s A Fair Cop. 12.30 The Food Programme. 12.57 Weather. 1.00 The World This Weekend. 1.30 The Coming Storm. 2.00 Gardeners’ Question Time. 2.45 What Really Happened In The Nineties? 3.00 Drama: Working Titles: Working. 4.00

6.00 Madagascar: A Little Wild (R) (S). 6.50 Madagascar: A Little Wild (R) (S). 7.15 Madagascar: A Little Wild (R) (S). 7.40 Madagascar: A Little Wild (R) (S). 8.05 The Slow Mo Guys’ Big Adventures 8.35 Amazing Animal Friends (R) (S). 9.30 David Attenborough’s Wild City (R) (S). 10.30 Modern Family (R) (S). 1.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 3.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 3.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 4.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 4.30 The 00s: Cinema’s Greatest Decade (R) (S). 5.30 Patrick Aryee’s Wild World

6.00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Secret Crush (S). 7.35 Secret Crush (S). 8.25 Dress To Impress (S). 9.25 Dress To Impress (S). 10.25 Dress To Impress (S). 11.25 Take Me Out (S). 12.55 Celebrity Catchphrase (S). 2.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Jungle Fever (S). 3.05 FILM: Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (Tim Burton, Mike Johnson 2005) Stop-motion animated fantasy, with the voice of Johnny Depp (S). 4.50 FILM: Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation (Genndy Tartakovsky 2018) Animated sequel, featuring the voice of Adam Sandler (S).

6.30 Live WSL Manchester United vs Chelsea. Kick-off is at 6.45pm (R).

6.45 FILM: Shanghai Knights (2003) Martial arts comedy sequel, starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson (S).

6.00 Bless This House (S). 6.40 Emmerdale Omnibus (S). 9.30 Bless This House (S). 10.00 Bless This House (S). 10.30 Foyle’s War (S). 12.40 Foyle’s War (S). 2.50 Foyle’s War (S). 5.00 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 George Clarke’s Amazing Homes On Wheels (S). 9.55 Ugly House To Lovely House With George Clarke (S). 11.00 George Clarke’s Old House, New Home (S). 12.00 Come Dine With Me (S). 12.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 1.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 1.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.40 Four In A Bed (S). 3.10 Four In A Bed (S). 3.40 Four In A Bed (S). 4.15 Four In A Bed (S). 4.50 Four In A Bed (S). 5.20 Come Dine With Me (S). 5.50 Come Dine With Me (S).

6.25 Come Dine With Me Mobile hairdresser Ben plans a gourmet night in Peterborough (S). 6.55 Come Dine With Me (S). 7.00 Lewis A housewife is found hanged (S).

7.25 Come Dine With Me Fiery Brazilian Rosie hosts the final meal in Peterborough (S).

8.00 Emergency Helicopter Medics A teenager falls from a coastal cliff (S).

Radio

Bookclub. 4.30 The Language Exchange. 5.00 File On 4. 5.40 Profile. 5.54 Shipping Forecast. 5.57 Weather. 6.00 Six O’Clock News. 6.15 Pick Of The Week. 7.00 The Archers. 7.15 Now You’re Asking With Marian Keyes And Tara Flynn. 7.45 Voices In The Valley. 8.00 Feedback. 8.30 Last Word. 9.00 Money Box. 9.25 Radio 4 Appeal. 9.30 The Name’s DeSantis. 10.00 The Westminster Hour. 11.00 Loose Ends. 11.30 Something Understood. 12mdn’t News And Weather. 12.15 Sideways. 12.45 Bells On Sunday. 12.48 Shipping Forecast. 1.00 As BBC World Service. 5.20 Shipping Forecast. 5.30 News Briefing. 5.43 Prayer For The Day. 5.45 Farming Today. 5.58 Tweet Of The Day.

BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA

6am Buzz Omnibus. 7.10 Inheritance Tracks. 7.20 Five Fever Tales Omnibus. 8.30 The Enchanting World Of Hinge And Bracket. 9.00 The Inimitable Jeeves. 9.30 Coming Alive. 10.00 Desert Island Discs. 10.30 The Spike Milligan Show. 11.00 The Moth Radio Hour. 11.50 Inheritance Tracks. 12noon Poetry Extra. 12.30 Angstrom. 1.00 Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years Omnibus – Part Two. 2.10 Inheritance Tracks. 2.20 A Raging Calm Omnibus – Part One. 3.30 Tom

Ravenscroft’s One Man Band. 4.00 Conversation From The Engine Room. 5.00 Poetry Extra. 5.30 Angstrom. 6.00 Futures. 6.30 Ancient Sorceries. 7.00 The Moth Radio Hour. 7.50 Inheritance Tracks. 8.00 Conversation From The Engine Room. 9.00 Desert Island Discs. 9.30 The Spike Milligan Show. 10.00 Comedy Club. 10.00 Comedy Club: Angstrom. 10.30 Comedy Club: Can’t Tell Nathan Caton Nothing. 10.45 Comedy Club: Elastic Planet. 11.00 Comedy Club: The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy: The Primary Phase. 11.30 Comedy Club: Elis James’ Pantheon Of Heroes. 12mdn’t Futures. 12.30 Ancient Sorceries. 1.00 Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years Omnibus – Part Two. 2.10 Inheritance Tracks. 2.20 A Raging Calm Omnibus – Part One. 3.30 Tom Ravenscroft’s One Man Band. 4.00 Conversation From The Engine Room. 5.00 Poetry Extra. 5.30 Angstrom.

BBC 5 LIVE

6am 5 Live Science. 7.00 Sunday Breakfast. 10.00 Helen Skelton. 12noon 5 Live Sport. 2.00 5 Live Sport. 4.00 5 Live Sport. 4.30 5 Live Sport. 6.30 6-0-6. 8.00 Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast. 8.30 Different With Nicky Campbell. 9.00 Stephen Nolan. 12mdn’t Moment Of Truth. 12.45 If Blackburn Signed

Zidane. 12.55 5 Minutes On. 1.00 Dotun Adebayo. 5.00 Wake Up To Money.

BBC 6 MUSIC

6am Amy Lamé. 8.00 Radcliffe And Maconie. 10.00 Cerys Matthews. 1pm BBC Vaults. 2.00 Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour. 4.00 Iggy Pop. 6.00 Now Playing @6Music. 8.00 Stuart Maconie’s Freak Zone. 10.00 Don Letts’ Culture Clash Radio. 12mdn’t Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour. 2.00 6 Music’s Jukebox. 3.00 6 Music’s Rave Forever. 4.00 The BBC Introducing Mixtape.

CLASSIC FM

7am Aled Jones. 10.00 John Brunning. 1pm Catherine Bott. 4.00 John Humphrys. 7.00 Smooth Classics At Seven. 9.00 Moira Stuart Meets – Lynda La Plante. 10.00 Smooth Classics. 1am Sam Pittis. 4.00 Early Breakfast.

ABSOLUTE RADIO

8am Jason Manford. 11.00 Sarah Champion. 2pm Rock ’n’ Roll Football With Jay Lawrence. 6.00 Request Show With Claire Sturgess. 8.00 Sunday Night Music Club. 12mdn’t Dan Noble.


Monday’s Television

46 T V GUIDE

THE PACT BBC1, 9pm

The first series of The Pact had millions of viewers on the edge of their seats in 2021. And despite it being a brand-new story with a different cast, this second run has been just as compelling. It follows social worker Christine, played by awardwinning actress Rakie Ayola. Along with her sons Will (Lloyd Everitt) and Jamie (Aaron Anthony), and daughter Megan (Mali Ann Rees), they are trying to get on with their lives following the tragic death of their brother Liam. They’re all looking forward to Megan’s wedding, but when stranger Connor (Jordan Wilks) arrives in town, their lives are thrown into turmoil once again. In tonight’s third episode, tensions are sky high as the wedding day finally arrives. However, what should be a joyous occasion ends in chaos as the Rees family are thrust into another shocking series of events. Connor turns up uninvited, armed with some damning information, and while Christine does her best to keep it together, no-one can predict what Connor’s next move will be. Ayola, who is also an executive producer of the show, explains how Christine’s relationship with her children is the driving force behind the show. “I would describe it as quietly overbearing,” she says. “I think she has managed to stunt their development accidentally. They don’t realise quite how dependent they are on their mother and how led they are by her. “From the outside Christine is the perfect mother. She has done amazing things as a single parent. “From the inside, she has held on to a bit too tight and for a bit too long.” And obviously Connor’s appearance has changed everything for the Reeses. “She instantly sees him as a threat,” Rakie adds. “And he does look like Liam. There is no getting away from that. So, she knows this is really bad. It’s interesting

that her instinct isn’t to care for him. All she sees is the threat.” Also tonight, Beth (Lisa Palfrey) is still adamant that the children’s long-lost father is the key to settling Connor’s claims, but despite her best efforts, Christine continues to shut her down. Attempts to get information out of Kate (Elizabeth Berrington) prove to be just as futile. Meanwhile, after the recent revelations about Connor, Jamie decides he no longer wants him in their lives. The wedding night goes from bad to worse after Connor tries to confront him and mend their relationship, forcing Christine to step in and to make sure no one else finds out about Connor’s secrets. Aaron Anthony, who plays Jamie, thinks that the show’s overriding message is that life and family are complicated. He says: “Unfortunately we all have trauma, and tragic, seismic events in our lives – it’s how we get through those together. “Those are some of my favourite moments in the story, when they are able to connect with each other no matter how fractious their relationships are.”

Daytime

Editor’s Pick

6pm

7pm

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Newspapers

Magazines

6.00 Take A Hike (R) (S). 6.30 The Repair Shop (R) (S). 7.15 The Travelling Auctioneers (R) (S). 8.00 Sign Zone: Antiques Roadshow (R) (S). 9.00 BBC News (S). 10.00 BBC News (S). 12.15 Politics Live (S). 1.00 Flipping Profit (R) (S). 1.45 Eggheads (R) (S). 2.15 Wanted: A Simple Life (R) (S). 3.00 Armchair Britain (R) (S). 3.30 Mountain Vets (R) (S). 4.30 Women At War: 100 Years Of Service (R) (S). 5.15 Flog It! (S).

6.00 BBC News At Six; Weather (S). 6.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S).

6.00 Richard Osman’s 6.00 ITV Regional News; House Of Games (S). Weather (S). 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two 6.30 ITV News; Weather (S). Rylan chats to the latest couple to be eliminated (S).

7.00 The One Show The first 7.00 MOTD: FA Cup 2nd 7.30 Emmerdale Moira is visit of the week to the heartbroken, and Cain Round Draw (S). One Show studio (S). 7.20 Live Wheelchair Rugby feels helpless (S). 7.30 EastEnders Suki League World Cup decides to stand by Wales vs USA. Kick-off Nish (S). is at 7.30pm (S).

8pm

9pm

9.00 The Pact Tensions are sky high at Megan’s wedding when Connor turns up uninvited (S).

9.30 Why Ships Crash The 9.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get inside story of the Me Out Of Here! The accident that blocked famous faces settle into the Suez Canal (R) (S). their new home (S).

10.30 Newsnight (S).

10pm

10.00 BBC News At Ten (S). 10.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 10.40 Imagine: Sonia Boyce – Finding Her Voice (S).

11pm

11.45 Have I Got A Bit 11.15 Mock The Week: The 11.00 ITV Regional News; More News For You History Of.. (R) (S). Weather (S). Gary Neville hosts an 11.45 First Contact: An Alien 11.15 Charles: Our New King extended episode of Encounter DramaDocumentary exploring the current affairs quiz. documentary (R) (S). the life and times of Last in the series (S). King Charles III (R) (S). 12.35 The Graham Norton Show (R) (S). 1.30 BBC News (S).

Websites This content is protected under copyright law

8.00 Coronation Street Fiz and Tyrone are incensed that Hope has been named in the Stape book (S).

8.00 Trump: The Return? Current affairs report (S). 8.30 We Are England (S).

UK publishers invest

£1 BILLION

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S). 9.00 Lorraine (S). 10.00 This Morning (S). 12.30 Loose Women (S). 1.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.55 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 2.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal (S). 3.00 Riddiculous (S). 3.59 ITV Regional Weather (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (S). 5.00 The Chase (S).

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live (S). 10.00 Critical Incident (S). 10.45 Dirty Rotten Scammers (S). 11.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.15 Bargain Hunt (S). 1.00 BBC News At One; Weather (S). 1.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 1.45 Doctors (S). 2.15 Money For Nothing (S). 3.00 Escape To The Country (S). 3.45 The Repair Shop (S). 4.30 The Travelling Auctioneers (S). 5.15 Pointless (R) (S).

Late

10.30 ITV News; Weather (S).

1.15 Sign Zone: Countryfile (R) 12.25 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 On (S). 2.10 Sign Zone: Unbreakable Assignment (R) (S). 3.30 Jimmy (R) (S). 3.10 This Is BBC Two (S). Akingbola Handle With Care (R) (S). 4.20 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.35 For The Love Of Britain (R) (S).

Film Choices

If your organisation...

SPY ...sends articles via email... ...uses press cuttings...

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...you need a licence from NLA media access

(Film4, 11.25pm)

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Suave secret agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law) completes some of the CIA’s most dangerous missions thanks to the quick-thinking and hi-tech gadgetry of deskbound analyst Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy). When Bradley and other agents, including British bruiser Rick Ford (a very funny Jason Statham, gamely sending up his hard-man image), are compromised, Susan puts herself forward for active duty to infiltrate the inner circle of arms-dealer Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne). Spy is a terrifically entertaining comedy caper and McCarthy throws herself into her role with gusto.

THE FAVOURITE

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Supporting journalism

Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) is removed from the machinations of government, allowing her secret lover Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) to effectively

control 18th-century Britain. While Sarah has the monarch’s ear, Robert Harley (Nicholas Hoult) challenges her authority from his seat of power in Westminster. At the height of this battle of wits, Sarah’s lowly cousin Abigail Hill (Emma Stone) arrives at court and is employed as a scullery maid.


November 7

MONDAY 47

Sport 6.05 Countdown (R) (S). 6.45 Cheers (R) (S). 7.10 Cheers (R) (S). 7.40 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.05 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.30 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 9.00 Frasier (R) (S). 9.30 Frasier (R) (S). 10.00 Frasier (R) (S). 10.30 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA (R) (S). 11.25 Channel 4 News Summary (S). 11.30 Chateau DIY (R) (S). 12.30 Steph’s Packed Lunch (S). 2.10 Countdown (S). 3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) (S). 4.00 Sun, Sea And Selling Houses (R) (S). 5.00 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 5.30 Come Dine With Me (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine (S). 12.45 Shoplifters & Scammers: At War With The Law (R) (S). 1.40 5 News At Lunchtime (S). 1.45 Home And Away (R) (S). 2.15 FILM: A Picture Perfect Christmas (JE Logan 2021) Premiere. Festive drama, starring Tatyana Ali (S). 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) (S). 5.00 5 News At 5 (S).

6.00 The Early Rundown (R). 6.30 The Early Rundown (R). 7.00 Kay Burley (R). 7.30 Kay Burley (R). 8.00 New Kids In The Wild (R) (S). 9.00 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 9.30 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 10.00 Supergirl (R) (S). 11.00 NCIS: Los Angeles (R) (S). 12.00 NCIS: Los Angeles (R) (S). 1.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 2.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 3.00 Wild Pacific Rescue (R) (S). 4.00 Wild Pacific Rescue (R) (S). 5.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 5.30 Futurama (R) (S).

6.00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 6.35 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 7.00 The Cabins (S). 8.00 Secret Crush (S). 9.00 Secret Crush (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S). 1.50 Supermarket Sweep (S). 2.45 One Tree Hill (S). 3.45 Hart Of Dixie (S). 4.45 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S).

6.00 Classic Coronation Street (S). 6.35 Classic Coronation Street (S). 7.00 Classic Emmerdale (S). 7.35 Classic Emmerdale (S). 8.05 Bless This House (S). 8.40 Bless This House (S). 9.10 Upstairs, Downstairs (S). 10.25 Upstairs, Downstairs (S). 11.35 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 1.40 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.15 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.50 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.25 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.55 Midsomer Murders (S).

8.55 Kirstie’s House Of Craft (S). 9.15 A Place In The Sun (S). 10.05 A Place In The Sun (S). 11.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 12.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It (S). 1.10 Heir Hunters (S). 2.10 Four In A Bed (S). 2.40 Four In A Bed (S). 3.15 Four In A Bed (S). 3.50 Four In A Bed (S). 4.20 Four In A Bed (S). 4.50 Kirstie And Phil’s Love It Or List It (S). 5.55 Escape To The Chateau: DIY (S).

6.00 The Simpsons (S). 6.30 Hollyoaks Maxine, Theresa, Verity and Zoe head to Liverpool for a night out (R) (S).

6.00 Parking Hell Documentary following the daily battles across Britain for parking spaces (S). 6.30 Eggheads (S).

6.00 Futurama Leela is named Orphan of the Year (R) (S). 6.30 The Simpsons Homer becomes a submarine captain (R) (S).

6.30 In For A Penny Stephen Mulhern sets challenges to members of the public in Birmingham (S).

6.00 Heartbeat Debbie Bellamy becomes a murder suspect (S).

6.55 Escape To The Chateau A British family moves to a French chateau (S).

7.00 Channel 4 News (S).

7.00 Police Interceptors The firearms squad approach a man suspected of having a loaded crossbow in his flat (R) (S).

7.00 Great American Railroad Journeys (S). 7.30 Egyptian Journeys With Dan Cruickshank The culture of the ancient Egyptians (S).

7.00 The Simpsons Homer goes undercover for the government (R) (S). 7.30 The Simpsons Bart and Lisa co-host a kids’ news programme (R)

7.00 Dress To Impress Connor, Jamie and Tim compete for the affections of Lacey (S).

7.00 Heartbeat An old friend of Miller’s turns up (S).

7.55 Grand Designs A couple transforming 5,000 square feet of derelict basement (S).

8.00 Food Unwrapped (S). 8.30 Trapped, Disabled & Abused: Dispatches Sophie Morgan reports on domestic abuse (S).

8.00 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders PC Ian Cosgrove attends a serious crash on the M6 (S).

8.00 Immortal Egypt With Joann Fletcher The civil war that fractured Egypt in the wake of the “Pyramid Age” (S).

8.00 The 00s: Cinema’s Greatest Decade Alex Zane examines the merits of films from the 2000s (R) (S).

8.00 Bob’s Burgers The gas goes out on Thanksgiving (S). 8.30 Bob’s Burgers (S).

8.00 Midsomer Murders A land feud leads to murder (S).

9.00 Italia 90: When Football Changed Forever Undercover British police officers are tasked with keeping the peace off the pitch

9.00 Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts There are no available beds in Barnsley Hospital’s A&E department (S).

9.00 Egypt’s Lost Cities The potential existence of buildings beneath the sands of Egypt (S).

9.00 The Great Debate Trevor Phillips host the weekly live discussion programme.

9.00 Family Guy Meg becomes a getaway driver (S). 9.30 American Dad! Stan becomes infatuated with a doll (S).

10.00 Made In The 80s: The Decade That Shaped Our World Britain’s influence on technology in the 1980s. Last in the series (S).

10.00 999: Critical Condition A 22-year-old arrives at the emergency department after crashing his motorbike at speed (R) (S).

10.30 70 Million Animal Mummies: Egypt’s Dark Secret Modern technology is used to scan Egyptian animal mummies (S).

10.00 Royal Mob Docudrama about Queen Victoria’s favourite granddaughters.

10.00 Family Guy Peter is told by his boss to work from home due to his excessive sweating (S). 10.30 Family Guy (S).

11.05 Nine Perfect Strangers Masha reveals her unique treatment goals for the Marconi family (S).

11.05 Police: Hour Of Duty A man has facial wounds following an assault (R) (S).

11.30 Nature And Us: A History Through Art The history of the human race’s relationship with nature through art (S).

11.00 Last Week Tonight With John Oliver A satirical look at news and pop culture (R). 11.40 Fantasy Football League (R).

11.00 Family Guy The Griffins recount their own versions of three famous love stories (S). 11.30 American Dad! (S). 11.55 Bob’s Burgers (S).

12.20 Walter Presents: They Were Ten (S). 1.15 Night Coppers (R) (S). 2.10 Iris Prize Best British Shorts: Queer Youth (S). 3.25 Unreported World (R) (S). 3.50 Ramsay’s Hotel Hell (R) (S). 4.35 Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker (R) (S).

12.00 Police Interceptors (R) (S). 12.50 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 1.00 Live NFL: Monday Night Football (S). 4.30 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 4.40 House Doctor (R) (S). 5.10 House Doctor (R) (S). 5.35 Peppa Pig (R) (S). 5.40 Paw Patrol (R) (S). 5.50 Pip And Posy (R) (S).

12.30 A Very British History: Ugandan Asians (S). 1.30 Great American Railroad Journeys (S). 2.00 Egyptian Journeys With Dan Cruickshank (S). 2.30 Immortal Egypt With Joann Fletcher (S). 3.30 Close

12.15 The Russell Howard Hour (R). 1.00 Caught On Dashcam (R) (S). 2.00 NCIS: Los Angeles (R) (S). 3.00 Hawaii Five-0 (R) (S). 4.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 5.00 The Early Rundown (R). 5.30 The Early Rundown (R).

12.25 Bob’s Burgers (S). 12.55 The Emily Atack Show (S). 1.40 CelebAbility (S). 2.25 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (S). 2.55 Unwind With ITV (S). 3.00 Teleshopping

BBC RADIO 1

6.57am Newsbeat. 7.00 Radio 1 Breakfast With Greg James. 10.30 Newsbeat. 10.32 Rickie, Melvin And Charlie. 12.45pm Newsbeat. 1.00 Dean And Vicky. 3.30 Newsbeat. 3.32 Going Home With Vick And Katie. 5.45 Newsbeat. 6.00 Radio 1’s Future Sounds With Clara Amfo. 7.00 Radio 1’s Hottest Records Of The Week. 8.00 Radio 1’s Future Artists With Jack Saunders. 10.00 Radio 1’s Power Down Playlist With Sian Eleri. 11.00 Rock Show With Daniel P Carter. 1am BBC Introducing Rock On Radio 1 With Alyx Holcombe. 2.00 Radio 1’s Future Alternative. 3.00 Radio 1’s Workout Anthems. 4.00 Radio 1 Dance. 5.00 Radio 1 Early Breakfast With Arielle Free.

BBC RADIO 2

6.30am The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. 9.30 Ken Bruce. 12noon Jeremy Vine. 2.00 Scott Mills. 4.00 Sara Cox. 6.30 Sara Cox’s Half Wower. 7.00 Jo Whiley’s Shiny Happy Playlist. Jo plays her favourite album tracks and musical gems rarely heard on Radio 2. 7.30 Jo Whiley. Music and chat. 9.00 The Blues Show With Cerys Matthews. New and classic blues tracks. 10.00 Trevor Nelson’s Magnificent 7. 10.30 Trevor Nelson’s

LIVE NFL

Sky Sports Main Event, 1am New Orleans Saints v Baltimore Ravens (Kick-off 1.15am). Live coverage of the week nine match at Caesars Superdome.

Rhythm Nation. 12mdn’t OJ Borg. 3.00 Pick Of The Pops. 4.00 Early Breakfast Show.

BBC RADIO 3

6.30am Breakfast. 9.00 Essential Classics. 12noon Composer Of The Week: Verdi. 1.00 Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert. 2.00 Afternoon Concert. 4.30 New Generation Artists. 5.00 In Tune. 7.00 In Tune Mixtape. An eclectic non-stop mix of music. 7.30 Radio 3 In Concert. Ensemble Pygmalion perform Brahms’s A German Requiem. 9.00 Ultimate Calm. A selection of meditative music for long reflective walks. 10.00 Music Matters. 10.45 The Essay: Mug Shots. 11.00 Night Tracks. 12.30am Through The Night.

BBC RADIO 4

6am Today. 9.00 Start The Week. 9.45 (LW) Daily Service. 9.45 (FM) Disaster Trolls. 10.00 Woman’s Hour. 11.00 The Untold. 11.30 The Name’s DeSantis. 12noon News. 12.01 (LW) Shipping Forecast. 12.04 You And Yours. 12.57 Weather. 1.00 The World At One. 1.45 Understand: The Economy. 2.00 The Archers. 2.15 This Cultural Life. 3.00 Brain Of Britain. 3.30 The Food Programme. 4.00 Hold On Tight: The Women Of The Waste Land. 4.30 The Digital Human. 5.00 PM.

Radio

5.54 (LW) Shipping Forecast. 5.57 Weather. 6.00 Six O’Clock News. 6.30 It’s A Fair Cop. Comedic tales from the police front line. Last in the series. 7.00 The Archers. Lynda is channeling the past, and Emma needs a hand. 7.15 Front Row. Arts programme. 8.00 Uncaged. Emily Knight explores the tangled history and uncertain future of zoos. Last in the series. 8.30 Analysis. The future of economic growth. 9.00 A Walk On The Supply Side. Duncan Weldon discusses the origins of supply-side economics. 9.30 Start The Week. A discussion on the authentic taste of Britain. 10.00 The World Tonight. 10.45 Book At Bedtime: Demon Copperhead. 11.00 The Witch Farm. 11.30 Today In Parliament. 12mdn’t News And Weather. 12.30 Disaster Trolls. 12.48 Shipping Forecast. 1.00 As BBC World Service. 5.20 Shipping Forecast. 5.30 News Briefing. 5.43 Prayer For The Day. 5.45 Farming Today. 5.58 Tweet Of The Day.

BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA

6am Dalziel & Pascoe – Exit Lines. 6.30 Back Home. 7.00 In And Out Of The Kitchen. 7.30 It’s A Fair Cop. 8.00 Round The Horne. 8.30 Anything Legal. 9.00 Dilemma. 9.30 Double Income, No Kids Yet. 10.00 The Personal History Of David Copperfield. 11.00

9.00 Tony Robinson’s Museum Of Us The team meet the residents of Calvert Street in Norwich. Last in the series (S). 10.00 Foyle’s War A farmer is murdered (S).

11.05 24 Hours In A&E A young man is treated after coming off his motorbike and colliding with two cars (S). 12.10 Agatha Christie’s Marple (S). 2.10 Unwind With ITV (S). 2.30 Teleshopping

TED Radio Hour. 11.50 Inheritance Tracks. 12noon Round The Horne. 12.30 Anything Legal. 1.00 Dalziel & Pascoe – Exit Lines. 1.30 Back Home. 2.00 Auntie’s War. 2.15 The Citadel. 2.30 In Search Of Richard Yates. 3.00 The Personal History Of David Copperfield. 4.00 Dilemma. 4.30 Double Income, No Kids Yet. 5.00 In And Out Of The Kitchen. 5.30 It’s A Fair Cop. 6.00 The Day Of The Triffids. 6.30 A Good Read. 7.00 Round The Horne. 7.30 Anything Legal. 8.00 Dalziel & Pascoe – Exit Lines. 8.30 Back Home. 9.00 TED Radio Hour. 9.50 Inheritance Tracks. 10.00 Comedy Club. 10.00 Comedy Club: It’s A Fair Cop. 10.30 Comedy Club: Twenty Players. 10.45 Comedy Club: Family. 11.00 Comedy Club: The Now Show. 11.30 Comedy Club: Sorry About Last Night. 12mdn’t The Day Of The Triffids. 12.30 A Good Read. 1.00 Dalziel & Pascoe – Exit Lines. 1.30 Back Home. 2.00 Auntie’s War. 2.15 The Citadel. 2.30 In Search Of Richard Yates. 3.00 The Personal History Of David Copperfield. 4.00 Dilemma. 4.30 Double Income, No Kids Yet. 5.00 In And Out Of The Kitchen. 5.30 It’s A Fair Cop.

BBC 5 LIVE

10.00 24 Hours In Police Custody The police interview a suspect who killed a man with a single punch (S).

6am 5 Live Breakfast. 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 11.00 Naga Munchetty. 1pm Nihal Arthanayake. 4.00 5 Live

12.05 Two Sisters, One Body (S). 1.10 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 2.15 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.20 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.50 Close

Drive. 7.00 5 Live Sport. 9.00 5 Live Sport: 5 Live Cricket. 10.00 Colin Murray. 1am Dotun Adebayo. 5.00 Wake Up To Money.

BBC 6 MUSIC

7.30am Lauren Laverne. 10.30 Mary Anne Hobbs. 1pm Craig Charles. 4.00 Steve Lamacq. 7.00 Marc Riley. 9.00 Gideon Coe. 12mdn’t The First Time With John Cale. 1.00 Andy Warhol’s Factory Friends. 2.00 The Velvet Underground Live. 4.00 The Velvet Underground Playlist. 5.00 Chris Hawkins.

CLASSIC FM

6am More Music Breakfast. 9.00 Alexander Armstrong. 12noon Charlotte Hawkins. 4.00 John Brunning. 7.00 Smooth Classics At Seven. 10.00 Smooth Classics. 1am Sam Pittis. 4.00 Early Breakfast.

ABSOLUTE RADIO

6am Dave Berry. 10.00 Leona Graham. 1pm Ben Burrell. 4.00 Bush And Richie. 7.00 Danielle Perry. 10.00 Jay Lawrence. 1am Dan Noble.


Aerials

TVArerials

Call Your Local Trusted Tradesman

Fast – Low Cost – Local

07723 874 796 0163 041 4432

AAS Systems TV Aerials Extra TV points Repairs Same day service and free quotes A genuine local family business built on recommendation

01952 812931

To advertise in Local Specialists and reach thousands of potential customers call 01952 288813

FOCUS OF THE WEEK TRENT LANDSCAPES

Double Glazing

Blinds Now manufacturers of

Local Family Run Business

• Verticals • Rollers • Wooden Venetian Blinds • Faux Wood Blinds

PERFECT FIT BLINDS

No dril ing! No screwing! Child safe Available in a huge range of Easi ly removable fabric colours and designs We are now doing pleated bifold doors for cleaning Call Phil on 01952 240 222 • email sales@telford-blinds.co.uk • www.telford-blinds.co.uk • Venetian Blinds • Vision Blinds • Remote Control Roller Blinds

Bathrooms

Decorating

GROUTFIX

TERRY BROADHURST

& PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Your local trusted Specialist • We Clean • Re-grout • Re-seal Showers, Bathrooms etc • Jet washing • Gardening • Locks • Refit Misted or UPVC Windows • Deep cleaning

07982 304399 www.groutfix.co.uk

Painting & Decorating City & Guilds Qualified Interior & Exterior Fully Insured FREE QUOTES

Clean & Reliable Service

Telephone

01952 610681 Mobile 07742 453541 42 Stafford Street, St Georges, Telford

Trent

Driveways & Patios

FREE QUOTES

Freephone 0800 048 4138 01952 426042/07553 930047 LOCAL & FRIENDLY SERVICE www.masterdrivesconstructionltd.co.uk

✓ Double Glazing Installers ✓ Repairs ✓ Replacement Windows & Doors 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE!

We offer a friendly and professional service to all our customer’s, our aim is for 100% customer satisfaction.

07754 947875 dazadcock21@hotmail.com

Property Maintenance

their project. You can view photos of the project’s we have completed and customer reviews on our website We cover the whole of Shropshire offering all of your driveway and landscaping needs including: Resin, Tarmac, Block paving, slabs, concrete, car parks etc Landscaping - walls, astro turf, turf, fencing etc

MILLS BUILDERS

NO JOB TOO SMALL • GUARANTEED WORK • FREE QUOTES • Home Extensions • Bathrooms • Wood Flooring • Kitchen Installations • Fencing • Tiling • Plastering • Plumbing • Flat Roofs • Window Fitting

Please call for further information or to discuss booking a quote on 01952 897 607

All building work undertaken

Telford 01952 614421 Mobile 07533 656914

We take pride in providing an excellent service to all our customer’s, that’s why we ask our them to leave feedback on the project’s we have completed. Their review will tell you how experienced we are and how we preformed on

or email trentlandscapes@gmail.com or you can visit our website to find out more and look at our images and reviews www.trentlandscapes.co.uk

Double Glazing Services

Driveways

Block Paving, Paving, Slabbing, Tarmacadam, Brickwork Turfing, Fencing, Landscaping

We started our family business in 2006. Many of our customer’s have used our service’s repeatedly over the years.

• Fencing • Turfing • Landscaping • Block Paving • Indian Stone Patios • Tarmacadam • Drainage Systems • Aggregates & Chipping

Free Written Quotation

01952 897 607 Mob: 07708 332 005 www.trentlandscapes.co.uk

WINDOW REPAIRS

Sealed units, hinges, handles and total replacements

Call Lion Home Improvements:

01952 796927 07771 415 628

Suppliers and Installers - Composite Doors - Aluminium Bi-folds - Aluminium Bi-folds - Plastic Windows & Doors - Plastic Windows & Doors - Glass Repairs - Window / Door Locks - Residential Installer

01952 541119 07545 396661 Town and Country Shropshire

Email: Townandcountryshropshire@yahoo.com

Plumbing

Installation and maintenance of: • Showers • Bathrooms • Kitchens and Tiling • Power flushing • Heating systems • Landlord certificates from £55+VAT • Boiler installs from £1300 And all your plumbing needs Over 20 years experience

Call Ryan on 07733 778 960

J Price Roofing Ltd SCOTTS WINDOW AND DOOR REPAIRS

BEFORE

FASCIAS & GUTTERS All aspects of property maintenance NOT JUST ROOFS! Check our Website Now Offering Insurance Back Gaurantees

Landline: 01952 324300 Free: 0800 5353596 Mob: 07735 559 134 www.jpricecontractors.com

TELFORD ROOFING & GUTTERING Is your roof leaking?

Specialists in: • Re-roofing • Tiling • Slating • Flat Roofs • Gutters & Fascias • OAP Discount • FREE Quotes

We will beat any written quote

• Misty units • Broken locks • Door repairs • Conservatory leaks & repairs LOCAL RELIABLE SERVICE 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE

AFTER

15%

discount with this advert

01952 271370 • 07791 190642

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

CONSERVATORY ROOF LEAKING? Call us today, before it gets worse!

Free quotes: 07973 848 438 / 0800 0340 344

Double glazing giving you

MISTY WINDOWS?

LET THE SPECIALISTS Call Matheson and Brown TAKE CARE OF IT... for more information Windows and Doors, Double glazing Installations & repairs including leaks, squeaks and locks

07539 216 615 Freephone 0800 956 2453

TRADE LOCALLY

from

£25.00

*

Reach

80,000

potential customers

SELL YOUR CAR QUICK WITH A PIC! CHEAPER THAN

Shropshire maintenance services

Window Specialists

Roofing

BUY, SELL & TRADE LOCALLY 24/7 ONLINE

Wes from es Wes Landscap said “I am pleased with the quality calls I have been receiving from my advert” To advertise your business in Local Specialists call 01952 288813

DATE

/

/

TIME

£9.99

Only

Price includes 6 nights in print and online *Cheaper than Ebay / checked 2017. Private advertisers only

SELL YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS from £9.99

*

TRADE LOCAL: 01952 288844 SELL LOCAL: 01952 244244 BOOK ONLINE: bookanad.shropshirestar.co.uk


49

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Family Homes & Services Jobs Motoring Property Pets TO ADVERTISE TELEPHONE 01952 244244

Index

1

Family

2

Leisure Time

3

Home & Services

4

Pets & Animals

5

Business & Farming

6

Property

7

Jobs

8

Motoring

9

Public Notices

10

Personal

Deaths

VISIT: BOOKANAD.SHROPSHIRESTAR.CO.UK Acknowledgements

Patricia Ann (Pat) On October 15, 2022, peacefully in Hospital at Telford, in the presence of her Family, following a very short illness, Pat Gittins, of Eardington, Nr. Bridgnorth, formerly of Upper Farmcote, Nr. Bridgnorth, aged 82 years.

Items For Sale

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Any Age or Condition ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Immediate collection ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

BUMPA 10 METER TILE LOADER Robin engine, good working order. £400 ono. 01691 831009.

All Caravans Wanted

GITTINS

Robert Gibbons Florence Griffiths Ronald Griffiths Aiden MacGinley Melvin Warwick

Call Bill on 07825 325 913

OLDER CARAVAN WANTED for project and makeover, any size, make or condition, happy to collect as long as it will tow, anything considered. Call 07903 093535.

Much loved, Pat will be sadly missed by all her Family and Friends.

Car Boot Sales

Fa m i l y f l o w e r s o n l y by request please, but donations for West Mercia Search and Rescue are being gratefully received, for which purpose a collection box will be provided at the Church, or online at www.perryand phillipsfunerals.com All inquiries to Mr. C.C. Adams

★

BEST SATURDAY

★

6am Onwards

Northwood & Sons

‘Your wishes always carried out in a quietly dignified manner’ Independent Family Business Our funeral plans can be tailored to your exact needs A professional service covering the whole of Shropshire

Call Andrew Woodhouse on 01952 727248 northwoodfunerals.co.uk

Diamond Anniversaries

House Clearances

Now B4176 Rabbit Run, by T.F.M Between Dudley and Telford, WV15 5LS

★ 07890

ABSOLUTE BEST CASH PRICE PAID

HOUSE CLEARANCES & BEREAVEMENT ALSO GARAGES, SHEDS & GARDENS FREE QUOTES, CARRIERS LICENSE

Aerials

AERIAL/SKY SPECIALIST

PLACE YOUR ITEM FOR FREE UP TO £250 Visit: bookanad. shropshirestar.co.uk

Simply press the free advert icon. Sorry, no pets, guns or livestock. Private advertisers only.

WILLIAMS Rose Of Buildwas and formerly of Bridgnorth. Passed away peacefully at The Lady Forester Nursing Home, Much Wenlock on October 28, 2022, aged 87 years. Beloved Wife of the late Bob, Mom to Robert, Te r r y a n d K a r e n , a devoted Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. Fu n e r a l S e r v i c e a n d Interment 10.30am Monday, November 14 at Holy Trinity Church, Buildwas. Fa m i l y f l o w e r s o n l y b y request but if desired donations for Hope House Children’s Hospice would be appreciated.

2

267041 ★

3

HOME & SERVICES

07850 330251

All inquiries please to

01952 244244

Top quality vertical blinds, Roller blinds, Senses roller blinds, Venetian blinds, Wooden blinds, Faux Wood blinds, Vision blinds Available in a huge range of fabric colours and designs NOW MANUFACTURERS OF PERFECT FIT BLINDS.

We are now doing pleated bifold doors

01952 240 222

email sales@telford-blinds.co.uk www.telford-blinds.co.uk

Gardening Services

Desktop, tablet & mobile bookanad.shropshirestar.co.uk

Family

ANNOUNCEMENTS OUR TEAM ARE HERE TO HELP…01952 242424

TREE SURGEON & LANDSCAPING REGULAR GARDEN MAINTENANCE WEEKLY, FORTNIGHTLY & MONTHLY Tree felling, pruning, shaping, fencing, driveways, slabbing, turfing, stump removal, hedge trimming, lawn mowing, Call Josh for a free quote

07825 588284

JCGardenServices@yahoo.com

www.jc-gardenservices.co.uk

WESTWOOD SIT ON MOWER Excellent condition, as new. £2,200 ono. Telephone 07756 946660.

QUALITY USED

WANTED Air Guns, Shot Guns, Antique Guns Etc, Vintage Animal Traps & Taxidermy 07968 624202

FOR SALE

OLD POCKET and wrist watches wanted, all conditions, also watch menders clearances, parts, etc. 01746 765278. 07773 345218.

Caravans Urgently Wanted Top Prices Paid! 01952 740899

www.cmleisure.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY all Classic vehicles wanted from 1940 to 1994, any condition, cash paid. 07973 798488.

Maintenance

25% off

with this advert!

SPECIALISTS IN ALL TYPES OF ROOFING & EXTERIOR PAINT WORK

• Firestone Rubber Cover • Flat Roofs • Leaking Roofs • UPVC Fascias, Soffits & Cladding • Chimney Repairs

Fully Registered Company A name you can trust. We are a Family run business

FREE 01952 899148 office@jonesspropertymaintenance.co.uk quotes 07867 842091 www.jonesspropertymaintenance.co.uk

ALL TRADERS

Claim your FREE ADVERT Now! Call Claire Smith: 01902 319661 claire.smith@expressandstar.co.uk

SAYCE’S

Saleable Items Collected Free Call Debbie on 01952 610337 or 07966 432751

BURLINGTON ARROW 2 seater sports car, 1967, F reg, based on a Triumph Herald, engine, transmission, chassis, running gear etc, historic vehicle, MoT/Tax exempt, once belonged to a TV celebrity, iconic British classic, superb. £7,995 01902 219156 / 07896 482219.

Jones’s Property

OAKENGATES ALL FRIDGES, FREEZERS, FURNITURE, BEDS AND GARDEN ITEMS, ETC

HOUSE CLEARANCES

Classic Cars

Roofing

Garden Services

Items Wanted

CARAVANS

8.30am - 5.30pm Mon - Fri. Closed Sat/Sun and Bank Holidays

JC

MOTORING

Blinds

A FULL GARDENING SERVICE All jobs covered and undertaken. Call Alan on 07754 569378.

LEISURE TIME Caravans/ Motorhomes

8

ANY TV REPAIRS Digital Aerials Fitted Sky & TV Wall Mounts

In Your Garden COOPER Hazel and Leon November 3, 1962. Wishing my Wife Hazel a happy Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Love always, Leon. XXX

07852 172641 / 07710 360327 01902 534021

Free Quotes. 7 days

BOOT SALE

Funeral Directors

GUTTER REPLACEMENT / Repairs, Exterior Painting, Jet washing, Fencing, Turfing, Garden Clearance & Gardening 07967 720740

*CASH * WAITING*

The dearly loved Mother of James, Mother-in-law of Nicky and Grandmother of Connor.

Fu n e r a l S e r v i c e a n d Interment at The Parish Church of All Saints, C l a v e r l e y, o n S a t u r d a y, November 5, at 1pm.

Property Maintenance

Caravans Wanted

(T&Cs Apply)


50 MOTORING

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Scrap Vehicles

5

BUSINESS

WANTED Cars, Vans & 4x4s

Scrap Damage,Faulty Vehicles & MoT failures Min. £130 to £5,000 (T&C Applies)

INSTANT PAYMENT

Too Good to Scrap Minimum Paid £200 to £5,000 Top Prices Paid for Quality Used Vehicles ANY AREA - ANY TIME

01743 620618 Free ring back service

07506 110313

salop vehicleremovals@gmail.com 1 hour collection service Unwanted Vehicles Removed FREE

CHEAP CARS FOR SALE

Vehicle Recovery Service from £30

Cars Over £1500

FORD KA 1.3 58 reg, 55,000 genuine miles, 12 months MoT, PAS, e/w, CL, CD, silver, excellent condition, drives superb. £1,875 ono 01743 440556 / 07783 431565.

LANDROVER FREELANDER SPORT LE SD4 2011, 2.2cc, diesel, automatic, white, two keys, tow bar, 101K miles. MoT till April 2023. Excellent condition, £8,800. 07902 027910.

MERCEDES BENZ SL350 3.7 V6 CONVERTIBLE 2005, 84000 miles, Mot Aug 2023, phone for details £4,200 ono 07535 153239.

Cars Under £1500 SUZUKI LIANA Petrol 2001, 120,000 miles MoT until March 2023 Lively little run about £650 07973 721936.

Farm Machinery ALLIS CHALMER with Perkins engine, anything considered. 07365 818314. WANTED 10 or 12 FT Ivor Williams stock trailer, anything considered. Telephone 07365 818314.

9

PUBLIC NOTICES

THE SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL (PROHIBITION AND RESTRICTION OF WAITING AND PARKING PLACES) (CONSOLIDATION) ORDER 2009 (CAPE STREET, BROSELEY) (AMENDMENT) ORDER Shropshire Council proposes to place No Waiting At Any Time parking restrictions on Cape Street in Broseley as follows: Cape Street From a point 16 metres north of the northernmost (Both sides) building line of No. 7 Cape Street (known as Padman House), southwards, to point in line with the front of the footway of its junction with the B4375 Barratt’s Hill and High Street. A set of documents relating to this proposal can be viewed at Broseley Library, Bridgnorth Road, Broseley, and at www.shropshire.gov.uk/traffic. Alternatively, you may request copies by: - E-mailing: traffic.engineering@shropshire.gov.uk - writing to: Traffic Engineering Team, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6ND - or by calling 0345 678 9006. If you wish to raise an objection, express support, or make any other comments about these proposals, please send us an e-mail or letter by 24 November 2022 (contact details as above). You may also ring the above phone number for more information. Please note that, for legal reasons, objections must be made in writing or by e-mail, and should state the grounds on which the objection is made. Objections cannot be accepted over the phone. 3 November 2022 (Data Protection: Please note that representations received may be reproduced, stored, copied and published on-line in connection with the processing of the (proposed) Order and/or any Inquiry. Information will not be used for additional purposes without consent. Representations without a name and address will be treated as anonymous, which may affect their weight in the decision making process. Any details published on-line will exclude individuals email addresses and phone numbers.)

The Hettie and Beckie Charlesworth Trust The above Trust which was created by the Will of Rebecca Charlesworth who died on 21 January 1974 provided (inter alia) for the Trustees to distribute income to poor persons not less than sixty years of age who have been resident in the area of what was Bridgnorth Rural District Council for a period of not less than five years prior to 1 December 2022 Take Notice that the Trustees propose to close the list of application for selection on 30 November 2022 and invite all persons intending to apply for selection to write their names, address, age and details of qualification as set out above to the Trustees at 12, Northgate, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 4ER by 30 November 2022

4

PETS & ANIMALS Pets Corner ASSISTED NEUTERING / SPAYING (DOGS) For more information phone between 10am - 6pm 07553 245566.

Take your next test drive with classifieds Search hundreds of quality new and used cars today!

Visit: classifiedads.shropshireandstar.co.uk

BMW 120d xDrive

Skoda Yeti

Stick to the roads with these top 4WDs TED WELFORD Press Association

Though UK winters generally aren’t severe, the last thing you want to do is find yourself stuck if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

It’s why a four-wheel-drive car might be worth considering, particularly if you live somewhere isolated and prone to snow. Even if you don’t live somewhere remote, you might just want the extra capability that a four-wheel drive brings. A four-wheel-drive doesn’t have to mean a large SUV either, as many shapes and sizes are available. Let’s take a look at some great used options.

Dacia Duster

Skoda Yeti

The Yeti arrived as Skoda’s first SUV in 2009 and was an almost instant hit, with its relatively compact dimensions and incredibly practical interior making it a great choice for families and those that do lots of outdoor pursuits. If you’re looking for a capable winter car, opt for the 4×4 version, which accounts for less than half of Yetis on the road. With used prices starting from around £3,500, this Skoda could be an ideal choice for the colder months.

BMW 120d xDrive BMWs have traditionally come with rear-wheel-drive, and though this makes them more fun in dayto-day driving, when it comes to wintery conditions, they can often be a bit of a nightmare. It’s why the firm has rolled out all-wheel-drive ‘xDrive’ versions on many of its more normal cars, including the 1 Series. Making it much more sure-footed in bad weather, they’re worth choosing over the regular model. Plus, in combination with the 120d diesel engine, BMW claims you could see close to 60mpg. Prices start from £6,000 for a 2013 model.

Subaru Outback

Dacia Duster Dacia’s Duster has developed a fantastic reputation as a cut-price crossover, and when it comes to a capable winter 4x4 on a budget, it’s hard to go wrong. Its utilitarian, no-nonsense looks and interior will appeal to those not fussed about what badge is on the bonnet. The majority of Dusters you’ll see for sale will be front-wheeldrive, so you might have to look a bit harder for the 4×4. But if that greater capability is important, the Duster’s ability when the terrain and conditions get challenging is unlikely to disappoint. Around £4,000 will buy a 2013-registered Duster with 90,000 miles on the clock.

Subaru Outback Subaru is a manufacturer renowned for its cars’ four-wheeldrive ability, with virtually every vehicle the brand has ever sold coming as a ‘4×4’. You can take your pick, but our vote would go for the Outback. Based on the Legacy estate car,

Land Rover Discovery Sport the Outback gets tougher styling, upgraded suspension and underbody protection to enhance its capability. The result is impressive too, with this Subaru of more use in plenty of situations than many SUVs. Used Outback prices start from as little as £2,000, though you might want to spend more for a newer, lower-mileage example.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Land Rover has built up a superb reputation for its cars’ capability off-road, and nearly all its vehicles would be a massive help in winter or when the conditions take a turn for the worse. But our pick is the Discovery Sport – the replacement for the Freelander, introduced in 2014. All but the entry-level diesel (D150) come with four-wheeldrive, and with the firm’s ‘Terrain Response’ system present – which includes a specific Snow setting – this Land Rover will prove fantastic winter wheels. Used Discovery Sports start from around £11,000 for a high-mileage 2015 car.


MOTORING 51

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Tips to help you drive safer in winter

TED WELFORD

may be shaded patches that might not have thawed, which is why you should always remain cautious.

Press Association

As temperatures drop and the nights draw in, winter can pose both a challenge and a danger for drivers.

Have plenty of supplies

Here are some top tips to help you drive more safely this winter…

Check your car Preparation is key and one of the best things you can do is check over your car before winter sets in. Colder weather puts a greater strain on batteries, meaning they’re far more likely to struggle or fail at this time of year. So, if your battery is struggling to turn the car on, it might be time to replace it. Remember to check the fluid levels as well. When it comes to windscreen washer fluid, you shouldn’t use water on its own as this will struggle to clear windows in the winter months – instead, get a dedicated solution with antifreeze in it. Having tyres in good condition is especially important in winter, when the roads tend to be wet and grip levels are lower. Make sure they’re correctly inflated, with no signs of damage. Although 1.6mm is the legal tread minimum, we’d advise having plenty more than this over winter. You could also think about choosing winter tyres.

Turn your lights on If you’ve only driven while the sun’s up in summer, it can be a shock when all of a sudden it’s close to dark by mid-afternoon. Being visible on the road is really important, so for starters it’s a good idea to make sure all lights and indicators are working on the vehicle (including fog lights). But crucially, remember to put your lights on at the start of every journey if it’s going to get darker. Even if your car has automatic lights fitted, don’t presume they’ve turned on. Also, all new cars have daytime running lights (they’re mandatory at the front, but not the rear), so you can falsely think you have your headlights on, even if no

lights are illuminated at the rear. Visibility also extends to making sure your lights are clean – it’s worth wiping them every now and again – while never setting off if your windows are fogged up or still covered in ice or snow.

Keep your distance

Winter brings much less grip on the road, as temperatures fall and tarmac is more likely to be damp, etc. One of the best things you can do to improve your driving – irrespective of season, but particularly in winter – is to keep your distance on the road. Whether you’re on the motorway or around town, always ask yourself if the vehicle in front slams on its brakes, would you be able to stop in

time? The larger the gap you have from the vehicle in front, the more likely you’ll be to stop before hitting it, particularly in winter when braking distances are extended.

Slow down when the temperature drops As soon as the temperature drops to anywhere close to zero, you need to change your driving behaviour. You should avoid any harsh braking or turns of the wheel, as this could cause you to skid and lose control, and make sure you keep your speed down. Even if a road has been gritted, there may be patches that are still icy, so you should still be cautious. And even if the temperature has increased well above zero, there

The last thing any of us would want to happen is to get stranded on the road in winter, either because of snow or an accident or breakdown. That’s why it’s important to make sure you have supplies in the car to help, just in case worst comes to worst. This includes having food and drink, but also warm clothing. It’s a good idea to carry a shovel with you too, to help dig you or a fellow driver out in bad weather. Sprayable de-icer and an ice scraper should be must-haves to carry in your car over winter as well.

Allow plenty of time for your journey

In bad or colder weather, the last thing you want to do is to be in a hurry on the road, as that’s far more likely to lead to a collision. Leave plenty of time for every journey, meaning you’re less likely to have to rush. If you end up in heavy traffic, it will also help. You might want to reconsider your route too, particularly if there’s snow or widespread ice. Try to stick to busier roads however, as these will be the ones most likely to be clear and gritted, as smaller rural roads may be more treacherous and are often not gritted.

Renault 4 revived as an electric SUV Renault has revealed the 4Ever Trophy at the Paris Motor Show – a funky concept car that previews the revival of one of the French brand’s most iconic models. Unveiled 30 years after the 4L was discontinued, the new show car is a bold makeover of the Renault 4, of which more than eight million were produced between 1961 and 1992. To mark its revival, Renault has given the model a makeover, and marks the 25th anniversary of the 4L humanitarian rally. This new model retains many of the Renault 4’s original design features, including the same silhouette and small trapezoidal rearthree-quarter window. The show car gets an adventure-ready body kit, including huge plastic cladding around the arches and lower bumpers, a roof rack equipped with a spare tyre and a shovel and sand ladders located on the boot. Modern changes include a horizontal grille incorporating Matrix LED lights, along with the use of carbon-fibre for the roof, to help bring the weight down. Each wheel also features a compressor that can easily adjust the tyre pressures from inside the car, to help in a variety of terrains. This 4Ever Trophy is far from just a wild concept car, though, as it paves the way for a compact electric SUV production car, albeit one that’s unlikely to retain the rugged styling kit. Set to be built around Renault’s CMF-

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BEV platform, the firm says it will ‘guarantee the best performance in terms of range, acoustics, and on-road behaviour, without compromising on the design’. The revival of the Renault 4 follows on from the Renault 5 Prototype, which is also set to enter production as the French firm looks to play on its heritage as it moves to produce more EVs. Renault says the new 4 will hold a similar position in the line-up as the current Captur crossover. Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault, said: “The 4L is a legend. And legends never die! Today, it is this universal dimension of the 4L, a car that everyone can love, that we want to find through a modern and electric reinterpretation of the Renault 4.”

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52 MOTORING

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Volvo goes all-electric with XC40 SUV

Volvo has gone the Full Monty with their small XC40 leading the electric charge, if you pardon the pun.

The firm has confirmed it will be an electric-only car manufacturer by 2030 and will roll out several additional electric models in the coming years. The stylish Recharge is their first 100 per cent electric SUV, offering the usual Volvo refinement, and depending on the model, a claimed range of 261 miles. They are not cheap, this range starts at £45,750, but Volvo is a premium brand and you do get plenty for your money.

BILL McCARTHY

It is a stylish SUV looking very much like non-electric versions, with smart light clusters to front and rear and a choice of striking alloy wheels. It has a sleeker look and the front lights feature the now familiar ‘Thor’s Hammer’ design. It also features a discrete rear spoiler. Like other electric vehicles, the grille has been blanked out, rendering the car less attractive as a result. The interior is real premium quality and dominated by the nine-inch tablet style touchscreen and a 12-inch TFT display behind the smart multi-function steering wheel.

The central screen controls major functions and now features Google Maps, navigation, infotainment and smartphone connectivity. There are also a number of apps available. It has a real high-end feel with leather-style microtech powered seats, soft-touch finish and a minimalist approach to buttons and and dials. All models are well equipped, and standard kit includes two-zone climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors, electric windows and door mirrors and a host of other goodies. This model adds 20-inch alloys, Sensus Connect with Premium Sound by Harman Kardon with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound, powered boot, power-adjustable and heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree parking camera. Like most electric cars, acceleration is instant and the 231bhp on tap from the electric motor powers the car to 60mph in seven seconds. Pretty much hot-hatch territory. A fairly lengthy road trip put the claimed 256-mile range to the test, as well as recharging availability on the UK roads. On that particular journey, 200 miles might have been achievable. Hook up though, and it can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent capacity in around half an hour using a 150kW fast charger, if you can find one on the services, otherwise a full hit using the 11kW onboard

charger will take eight hours Despite being an SUV, it sits fairly low to the ground and feels stable, cornering well and good feedback from the well-weighted steering. In practical terms, it has plenty to offer with the rear seats folding and tumbling to provide maximum stowage space of 1,295 litres. Safety kit is comprehensive, with City Safety which includes pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection, and front collision warning with fully automatic emergency braking, including at junctions. There is also a host of other tech-

FAC TFIL E VOLVO XC40 RECHARGE PRO Price: £51,750 Mechanical: 231bhp, electric motor with 69 kWh battery driving front wheels via automatic gearbox Max speed: 99mph 0-62mph: 7 seconds Range: 262 miles Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Spectre revealed as Rolls Royce EV

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nologies, like autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian, animal and cyclist detection and front collision warning included on this model. Also standard are a full set of airbags and lane mitigation.

Rolls-Royce has revealed its first electric car with the Spectre – a sleek twodoor coupe that represents ‘the start of a bold new chapter’. Positioned as a spiritual successor to the Phantom Coupe, the Spectre was first announced last year, with RollsRoyce covering more than 1.5 million test miles since then, which the firm says simulates more than 400 years of use for a Rolls-Royce. Described as an ‘ultra-luxury electric super coupe’, the Spectre gets a particularly elegant silhouette, while the grille is the widest ever fitted to a Rolls-Royce, and is also ‘softly illuminated’ with 22 LEDs. Inside, the Spectre is available with ‘Starlight Doors’, which incorporate 4,796 LEDs that aim to give an impression of the night sky. Built around a specific ‘Architecture of Luxury’ platform, the Spectre is unrelated to parent company BMW’s electric cars, with the battery integrated into the structure of the car, enabling it to be 30% stiffer than any previous Rolls-Royce. A clever ‘planar suspension’ has also been developed to deliver the brand’s hallmark ‘magic carpet ride’. This includes decoupling anti-roll bars that help to keep the car stable over bumps, which can then recouple and stiffen the dampers when a corner is identified. Rolls-Royce says full technical details are ‘still being refined’, but the firm is expecting the Spectre to offer

an electric range of 320 miles. The powertrain is also set to deliver 577bhp and 900Nm of torque, allowing for a 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds – figures that are comparable with the brand’s current V12 models. Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: “This incredible motor car, conceived from the very beginning as our first fully electric model, is silent, powerful and demonstrates how perfectly RollsRoyce is suited to electrification. “Spectre’s all-electric powertrain will ensure the marque’s sustained success and relevance while dramatically increasing the definition of each characteristic that makes a RollsRoyce a Rolls-Royce.” The Spectre will be positioned between the Cullinan and Phantom in the Rolls-Royce line-up, with prices starting from around £275,000. Orders are now open, with first deliveries expected by the end of 2023.


SPORT 53

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Shropshire duo earn places in Pears academy Two talented Shropshire cricketers have been awarded places in Worcestershire’s academy, writes Ollie Westbury. Shrewsbury’s Harry Darley and Shifnal’s Jack Home are part of a 10-strong group selected for 202223. It is the first time pace bowler Darley (under-18s) has been selected for the academy, while Home (under-17s) is retained for another year. Elliot Wilson, academy director at Worcestershire, said : “Harry is a Shropshire player who has played on and off for Worcestershire for the past two summers. “He has been on the Shropshire satellite academy that Paul Pridgeon and Dave Manning have run for the past decade and more. “He was originally from Oswestry CC but moved to Shrewsbury CC in 2022. At the end of last winter, Harry tore an intercostal muscle, so his season didn’t really get started until mid-summer. “Harry finished the season strongly, and there are characteristics in him that we are excited about.” Josh Leach (under-16s), Seth Essenhigh (under-15s) and Alfie Higgins (under-14s) are also part of the academy for the first time. And they will join forces with Joe Stanley, Cameron Jones, Ollie Walker, Reeve Evitts and Ben Clarke who have been retained. Three other members of the 2021-2022 group – Olly Cox, Henry Cullen, and Rehaan Edavalath– have all signed rookie contracts for Worcestershire.

Broseley reach the summit with a thumping win

Lacie triumphs for second year in a row A young Shropshire showjumper has enjoyed national success for the second consecutive year, Lacie Williams, aged 11, from Yockleton near Shrewsbury, won both the qualifying class and the Tiny Tots Championship at the

Scope Festival of Show Jumping. Defending her national crown, she won this time aboard the 128cm Boreton Rocketeer, who she rides for Robert Whitaker. Lacie is trained at home by her mother Sarah Williams and looks

after and rides her four competition ponies nearly every day before and after school. The picture shows Lacie enjoying her lap of honour wearing her champion’s sash, with Rocco wearing his prizewinner’s rug.

Allen dedicated his life to sport for over 70 years

An Honorary Townsman of Wem who dedicated his life to sport has died at the age of 84. Allen Evans was a tireless champion of Shropshire Cricket, the Wem Sports and Social Association and Wem Cricket Club – where he had a seven-decade association. His goddaughter Hazel Ruscoe said: “Allen was a true Wemian and family man. He loved his hometown and was passionate about sport. “He spent his life working for local sport and his legacy is clear to see in the town. He was a true champion of Shropshire sport.” Evans grew up in Leek Steet, Wem, and attended Wem Primary School and Wem Secondary Modern School. After school, he joined Wem timber merchants Isherwoods to start a five-year cabinet-maker apprenticeship. He worked building houses in Wem and later joined North Shrop-

OBITUARY

sports@mnamedia.co.uk shire District Council as Clerk of Works, where he remained until retirement, and also taught carpentry skills in the joinery shop at Shrewsbury Tech. Evans was passionate about sport and at the age of 11 he joined Wem Cricket Club, the start of a 70-year association with the club. He was a prolific wicketkeeper and batsman. When his days behind the stumps came to an end, he joined the club’s committee and served as chairman for 14 years, later becoming president. He led fundraising campaigns and was instrumental in the club’s move from the Castlefields Ground to the Kynaston Ground in Soulton Road. He also helped to shape county cricket when he joined the Shropshire Cricket Board and the Shropshire County Cricket Association.

In 2011, he received a special award for his service to cricket when he received a Lifetime Achievement Oscar from the Shropshire Cricket Board. As part of the award, Evans and his wife Jessie enjoyed a special trip to Lord’s for lunch and a tour of the home of cricket. He was also a keen golfer and member of Hawkstone Park, winning many trophies, including the club’s prestigious Masters title when he was awarded the famous Hawkstone Park green jacket His golfing highlights included a hole-in-one and a trip to St Andrews to play in a national foursomes final. Evans played football for Wem and Rubery Owen, Prees. He was on Wem’s Powell Cup Charity Committee for many years and for 50 years, he served on the committee of Wem Sports & Social Club. For his contribution to sport, Allen was recognised by the town he loved when he was made an Honorary Townsman of Wem in 2006.

True Wemian: Allen Evans

Broseley B are the new leaders at the top of the Bridgnorth Snooker League following a 5-0 thrashing of Alveley C. The result never looked in doubt from the start. Alveley’s Norman Jones gave Nick Carson a run for his money in the first frame, but when needing the final three balls, Jones fouled on the blue. Pete Thomson was never challenged by Reg Burton, who knocked in a number of the late colours to make his score look better. The final three frames were virtually whitewashes. In fact, Andy Carson’s win was just that. Carson – who knocked in the match’s highest break of the night, a commendable 36 that could have been more – did not allow Brian Arnold a single red. Mick Brezwyn beat Bryan Oakley, knocking in a modest 29 break in the process. In the final frame, Eddie Mullard never left Chris Jepson a crumb, leaving Jepson to throw in the towel with one red and all the colours still on the table. Broseley B’s move to the top of the table was courtesy of St John’s A’s thumping 4-1 win over the previous leaders Maddocks and Chelmarsh B dropping a point against St John’s B. St John’s A – last season’s runners-up – had been struggling this season, but they put that behind them as Josh Summers got them off to a flying start by convincingly beating Simon Yeats. The next frame was a thriller and it looked like Maddocks’ Paul Harper would make it six wins out of six, but Martin Lippitt – trailing by 22 points – cleared the table with a 25-break to end Harper’s 100 per cent record and give St John’s a 2-0 lead. James Brennan provided Maddocks with their consolation by comfortably beating Tim Steele and it looked likely that Dan Morris would level the match, only for him to succumb to Rob Powell, who snatched the frame by taking the final pink and black. Kevin Hawkins provided the icing on the cake, taking a 40-point lead down to the last red against Tom Maxfield, who threw in the towel. Chelmarsh B remain in second after a 4-1 win against St John’s B thanks to a half-century break from Garry Smith and other frame wins by Simon Thomas, Chris Lewis and Paul Manning. Chelmarsh SC moved up into third, ahead of Maddocks on frames, after a 3-2 victory over Woodfield thanks to Carl Walker, Ian Postans (27 break) and the decider from Matt Judd. Peter Hyland and Callum Drewett replied for Woodfield. And Broseley A recorded their second win of the season by coming from 2-0 down to beat Alveley B 3-2. Martin Coffey Jnr and Ian Stephens put Alveley up, but Matt Smout, Neil Caswell and Ian Stephens hit back.


54 SPORT

Congress back on the agenda for next year The blue riband event of the Shropshire chess calendar will make a return in the new year – three years after it was last held. The 2023 Shropshire Chess Congress will be held at Wrekin Housing Trust’s headquarters in Telford over the weekend of January 6 to 8. It will be the first time the event has been held since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and those behind the tournament will hope to attract a bumper entry, writes Peter Kitchen. First held in 2015, the congress regularly attracted well over 100 entries each year across multiple sections, including some of the nation’s top players. The 2016 open section was shared between three top British grandmasters – Keith Arkell, Danny Gormally and Mark Hebden. But it last took place in January 2020, with the pandemic and ongoing restrictions on large indoor gatherings putting paid to holding such a large-scale chess tournament since – until now. Already a trickle of entries have been received, and it is hoped many more will be received in the run-up to Christmas. There will be five rounds played from the Friday night to the Sunday afternoon at the Colliers Way venue, for all four sections. They include an Open section with a top prize of £300, which will also feature a trophy for the highest-placed Shropshire-based player. The Major will be for players with an ECF grade under 1950, the Intermediate for players graded under 1750 and a minor for those rated under 1500. Players will have one hour and 40 minutes of thinking time to make all of their moves in each game, with an increment of 10 seconds per move. For more details or to fill in the online entry form visit www.shropshirechess. org and follow the links for Shropshire Chess Congress. Meanwhile, Shropshire’s national league team got off to a disastrous start at the opening weekend of the Four Nations Chess League in Daventry. Hit by unavailability, Shropshire and Friends had to default a board in both their division three west matches, incurring further penalties. It included the ignominy of recording a negative score against Chessable White Rose 3, going down 5.5 to minus 0.5. They defaulted two boards against Manchester Manticores on the Sunday, going down 4-0. The Shropshire Chess League season is under way. Reigning champions Maddocks A already lead the way in division one with two wins from their opening two matches, while Shrewsbury A ended a run of four consecutive league defeats away to Oswestry A dating back to early 2018 with a surprise 3.5-1.5 win in their opening fixture.

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Golfers celebrate President’s Cup success at Bridgnorth GC Thirty-seven pairs entered this year’s President’s Cup at Bridgnorth Golf Club. The President’s Cup was given to Bridgnorth Golf Club by then-president Brigadier Goulburn to celebrate his 80th birthday in 1986 and is a four-ball better-ball competition. James Lee & Andy Thompson took home the prize with a score of 65 – on countback over the last six holes from Matt Lunn & John Gidney. The next three places all went round in 66, so again were decided on countback – with George Wall & Harry Broad third, Gavin Caw & Tom Alford fourth and Jonathon Guest & Phillip Murphy fifth. Current president Vivien Catterall held her president’s supper in the evening – the first since Covid.

Arscott Golf Club captain John Morris with trophy winners

Golf returns Arscott: Mixed Stableford. Division One: 1 Allen Humphries (10)

35pts; 2 Mick Cowlishaw (10) 35pts; 3 Daniel Brookfield (10) 34pts. Division Two: 1 Ewan Purslow (13) 38pts; 2 John McKay (15) 36pts;

3 Nick Jones (16) 34pts. Division Three: Paul Lawrie (26) 35pts; 2 Christopher O’Connell (36) 35pts; 3 Kevin Hands (22) 34pts. Ladies Two of Three: 1 P Bull, G Richards & S Whiston (21) 65pts; 2 J Mullineux, C Cooke & M Cumming (19) 63pts; 3 J O’Brien, G Cackett & J Major (16) 62pts. Mixed Texas Scramble: 1 P Mulreid, L Mulreid, D Mulreid & H Mulreid 67-16=51; 2 A Hughes, J Wynne, M Pollard & O Corbett 6413=51; 3 G Palmer, N Jones, P Sinclair & A Cole 65-12=53. Llanymynech: Ladies Autumn 18 Hole Stableford. Division One: 1 Norma Hughes 36pts; 2 Viv Davies 34pts. Division Two: 1 Sue Bonsall 35pts on c/b; 2 Katey Andrew 35pts. Division Three: 1 Ratree Coleman 34pts; 2 Sara Davies 33pts. Nine Hole Stableford: 1 Margaret Ratcliffe 19pts.

Callister and Hales push on to finish one minute clear

DAVID FLETCHER

sports@mnamedia.co.uk

Just three seconds separated first from second as the final medals were resolved in the SB Sports Injuries Series.

Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association ran their third and final Autumn 10 on the Waters Upton-Hodnet course as the season draws to a conclusion. SB Series bronze medallist Dean Callister got the better of series winner Tomos Hales in a tight battle at the top, with a strong effort of 21 minutes exactly. Callister has proven to be Hales’ nemesis in this series, with this his fifth win in a straight out head-tohead battle – although the medals were already decided in the overall standings pre-race. Callister stated: “A great last race of the season – a change in the usual wind conditions on the day. “I went a little too conservative on the way out, but was happy to take the win. “Roll on next season – thanks to Bridgnorth CC for putting on the event and all marshals”. Hales was gracious in his postrace comments, showing that the presence of Callister spurred him on to greater things with his best 10 of the year. The battle between the pair was head and shoulders ahead of the chasing pack, demonstrated by Hales’ 21:03 being exactly a minute ahead of the final podium spot taken by Dylan Roberts of Clwb Beicio’R Bala. He commented: “A good end to the time trial season with my quickest time of the year. “Well done to Dean for the win. It was a tough cross wind to contest

Dean Callister on his way to winning the third SCCA Autumn 10 time trial of the season with – thanks for Bridgnorth for hosting and all that helped out.” In the SB Veterans’ race, Paramount’s Chris Riley pipped Hafren CC’s Bryn Davies by four seconds, proving vital in the race for the remaining silver and bronze medals. Riley posted a fine age-adjusted standard of +4:37, meaning Davies’ +4:33 earned him 18 points to tie with Deb Hutson-Lumb – with Hutson-Lumb taking silver on first count back rule and Davies agonisingly two points off that medal. Riley was pleased with his effort, stating: “Playing the age card for a win: I’ll take that – thanks to the SCCA; and everyone in rounding

off a brilliant season of time trial races.” When told of her silver medal, Hutson-Lumb commented: “Really pleased to win veterans’ silver this year and already planning for 2023.” Hutson-Lumb had already sealed the SB Women’s Championship in round 16, but it was a head-to-head battle for the remaining medals between Hafren CC’s Jan Davies and Oswestry Paragon’s Helen Tudor. Davies took the win by 10 seconds in 26:40 on the day to make sure of the women’s silver, while Tudor took the bronze. This is Davies’ first serious at-

Picture: Rob Jones

tempt at county level events and she came away extremely pleased with her win: “My first full year doing time trials, therefore I’m delighted with my result. “The weather has been kind and I’ve really enjoyed the courses. “Looking forward to 2023 already – thank you to everyone involved, an encouraging and friendly sport.” In the SB Junior Series, North Shropshire Wheelers’ Chester Romei made sure of his silver medal thanks to a solid 23:44 effort, leaving the bronze medal to be resolved on second countback rule and going to team-mate Harry Corney.


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Dawley too sharp as they put Rangers to the sword NICK ELWELL

nick.elwell@mnamedia.co.uk

Salop Leisure League high-fliers Dawley Town proved to be up for the cup with another impressive display of firepower.

The Premier Division pacesetters proved too strong for Division One outfit Ellesmere Rangers Reserves as they eased to a 9-0 victory in the Shropshire Saturday Challenge Cup. George Lees led the way with a hat-trick while Daniel Beddows and Jamie Russell both netted twice. Lewis Mackenzie and Samuel Rigby added the other goals. Fellow Premier Division title hopefuls Church Stretton, Hodnet and Ludlow also booked their places in the next round.

Triumphed

Hodnet made light work of visiting Clee Hill United in what proved to be a one-sided affair. Strikes from Connor Dunne and Marcus Dillon put Hodnet 2-0 inside the opening seven minutes. And it was 7-0 by half-time following a hat-trick from Cameron Dourish, another strike from Dunne and a goal from Lewis Brown. Substitute Kieran Jones wrapped up the scoring with Hodnet’s eighth goal six minutes from the end. Ludlow triumphed 2-0 at Bishops Castle Town thanks to an effort from Ryan Clarke and an own goal. Church Stretton Town eased to a 4-0 win over Herefordshire County League side Ludlow Town Colts. Alexander Ryder netted with just a minute on the clock, with James Hill doubling Stretton’s advantage nine minutes later. A second goal from Hill just af-

Action from Hodnet’s comfortable 8-0 Challenge Cup success against Clee Hill United ter the hour mark and a Sam Jones strike four minutes from time completed the win. An impressive first-half display booked Broseley’s passage through to the next round. All their goals came inside the opening 33 minutes as they saw off Albrighton 4-1. Joseph Morris opened the scoring after two minutes and then Asa Dean added a second two minutes later. Luke Gain made it 3-0 on 23 minutes before Morris bagged his second of the day. Albrighton grabbed a consolation after the break. Morda United also progressed on the back of 3-2 win at home to SAHA FC. Tom Gale struck twice and Jor-

dan Gerrard once for the hosts. Gobowen Celtic hit form on the road at Shrewsbury Juniors Development. Jack Hughes, Lewis Jones, David Hartshorn and Scott Hale were on the mark as Celtic triumphed 4-0. Allscott Heath were also celebrating an away-day success – 3-0 at Wrockwardine Wood. Ben Jones, Ryan Mnasell and Kian Garbett found the net for the visitors. There was just one match in the Salop Leisure League Premier Division and that proved to be an eventful one. Goals from Jason Clare and Marko Chris Ofori appeared to have put hosts Ercall Colts Juniors Evolution in charge against Shrews-

Pictures: Ben Cuerden

bury Up & Comers at the break. But a double blast from Owen Rothwell and an 81st-minute strike from Tyler Smith saw the visitors roar back to take the points. Madeley Sports also hit the comeback trail after falling behind to an effort from Prees United’s Samuel Flory. Shaun Davies levelled the scores before Jon Matthews edged Sports in front. Two goals from Mark Pritchard then sealed a 4-1 win. Luke Mason (two) and Gregory Dakin grabbed the goals that secured a 3-2 win for Wem Town against visiting St Martins. In Division One, title hopefuls AFC Bridgnorth Development Squad won 4-1 at Ercall Colts Juniors Revolution Colts.

Finnigan signs off with a well deserved ‘thank you’

Division One averages winner Lorna Williams gets her reward from Carol Faulkner and Sybil Rhodes

The end of an era for a Shropshire bowling league was celebrated in style. Mabel Finnigan founded the Telford Ladies Afternoon League more than 30 years ago – and has run it ever since as secretary. But she officially handed over the secretarial reins to Carol Faulkner at the league’s presentation lunch at the Sinclair Club in Ketley on Wednesday. “The afternoon went really well and was very well attended by 94 attendees,” said Faulkner, who bowls for Bowring. “A beautiful buffet was done by Mabel and her team of ladies and a raffle made £300. “Mabel was presented with some flowers for her work during her final season as secretary.” League chairperson Sybil Rhodes presented all the prizes, with

bowlers from Sir John Bayley and Chelmarsh in the spotlight Sir John Bayley A were crowned first division champions, with star player Lorna Williams receiving the averages prize after winning all 16 matches. And Chelmarsh won a thrilling second division championship race by pipping Sir John Bayley B, with Sue Conneely of Shifnal B topping the averages. nnnn The prospect of two major Shropshire bowls league running with one organising body in 2023 is drawing ever closer. Joint administration of the SPS Whitchurch and Market Drayton leagues is seen as the only way forward as so few people are now prepared to take on official roles. And without it, the Drayton league may cease to exist next year

as the current officers are not prepared to carry on. Chris Sayers, joint secretary of the Drayton league with husband Graham, confirmed: “Eddy Broad is standing down as chairman, treasurer Brian Allen is in his 80s and is standing down and we said we would do the secretary role for two years. “That two years is nearly up now and nobody has come forward to take up any of the roles and there will be an empty top table. “So the stark reality is that if clubs say no to joint administration at the AGM in January, the Market Drayton League will cease to exist.” Clubs in both leagues have been fully updated at recent meetings about a merger of sorts that will see both leagues retain a separate identity.

SPORT 55

Shifnal strike to secure the derby spoils Two first-half goals ensured the derby bragging rights were with Shifnal Town as they heaped more misery on basement boys Market Drayton Town. Kane Lewis and Kyren Hamilton struck inside 31 minutes for Jamie Haynes’ Shifnal, who climbed to seventh in the Midland League Premier with a fine response to successive defeats. Richard Brown’s Drayton remain rock-bottom following the Friday night home defeat under the lights in the clubs’ fourth meeting of the season, following FA Cup and FA Trophy contests. The teams shared a win in the cups, while Shifnal also won the reverse league clash. Keanu Cooper helped create Lewis’ first on 14 minutes, which was finished via a deflection. Hamilton opened his account for Shifnal just after the half hour mark as his strike from the corner of the box found its way into the corner through a sea of bodies in front of almost 200 fans. The Greenfields hosts were unfortunate not to pull one back through Joel Jones, reacting to ex-Shifnal man Harvey Lewis striking a post, but the offside flag was raised. Ex-AFC Telford youngster Jeremy Abbey went closest for Shifnal of either side after the break, but his 18-yard drive came back off the upright. Elsewhere in the Midland League’s top flight, mid-table Whitchurch Alport fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at high-flying Stourport Swifts. In Division One, AFC Bridgnorth climbed to 15th with an impressive 3-1 home comeback victory over Paget Rangers, who started the day in the top half. The hosts recovered from the worst possible start having fallen behind after two minutes at Crown Meadow. But Connor Parker found a fine equaliser from outside the box barely a minute later. Bridgnorth then led by the half-hour mark. Parker’s pass released Craig Knowles and he kept his cool to finish beyond the onrushing Paget goalkeeper. The second half was tight but Knowles bagged his second of the afternoon in the closing stages to put the contest to bed. The Meadow Men extended the gap between themselves and the relegation zone to five points. Shawbury United are one place and two points further back having taken a point from a 2-2 home draw against struggling Heath Hayes. Jeffrey Agyeman headed a second-half equaliser for Shawbury, who were behind at the break. James Tindall-Bennett had handed Shawbury a fourth-minute opener but Hayes struck back to lead at the break. Haughmond are second-bottom and two points from safety after conceding twice in each half at home to Droitwich Spa.


Up for the cup!

Sport

High-fliers make progress – see P55

COACH KEEN TO SEE A REPEAT SUCCESS NICK ELWELL

nick.elwell@mnamedia.co.uk

Bridgnorth will be under orders to keep things simple again as they bid to follow up their biggest win of the season.

A resounding 50-14 success at Lichfield lifted the All Blacks up to second in the Regional One Midlands standings and set them up nicely for Saturday’s trip to bottomof-the-table Nuneaton. And head coach Bryan Smallman will be looking for a repeat of last Saturday’s away-day display which was simplicity at its best. “I think we found our fifth gear on Saturday for the first time this season, everything seemed to click,” said Smallman. “I watched the game back on Sunday morning and everything looked so simple. “That’s the message we have been trying to get through to the players, to do the simple things and do the basics well. When we do that, we look a different animal.” Connor Nicholls and George Newman shared the headlines as they both touched down three times

Connor Nicholls scores a try and pictured with George Newman, who also bagged a hat-trick Pic: Robert Nicholls Newman added another convert“There was a lot of good strucas Bridgnorth ran in eight tries ed try after the break before two tured stuff and seeing the things in total and built on their impresconverted scores from the hosts you work on in training come off sive comeback the previous week made it 24-14. was really impressive.” against Kenilworth. But Bridgnorth then took control Nicholls set Bridgnorth on the “Our set-piece worked very well with George Bvuma bagging a try, way on Saturday with the opening on Saturday,” added Smallman. again converted, before Nicholls try. “We gained some real dominance completed his hat-trick. Newman then claimed a wellin the scrum and. That put them Jordan Burgess added try numworked score which was converted under a lot of pressure and we ber seven with Newman claiming by Elliot Murphy to make it 12-0 gained penalties and turnovers. his third with the last play of the before Nicholls struck again to see “But it was no fluke it was down game, both of which were convertthe visitors lead 17-0 at the halfto the hard work and effort the lads ed. time whistle. have put in.

Zaman is the main man for Worfield

Worfield batter Basit Zaman

Having won three out of their last four games to ensure Birmingham League Division Two survival, Worfield have wasted no time in beginning preparations for next season. Basit Zaman, who was the third highest run scorer in the whole of the Birmingham League, has committed his future to the club by signing a two-year deal. Skipper Will Cook said: “It took

Award winning Indian & Bangladeshi cuisine

the team a while last season to adjust to the higher standard and different format, including white ball cricket but Basit was superb throughout, averaging 45 and scoring heavily, particularly as we approached the latter stages of the season. He is undoubtedly one of the best batters in the Birmingham League and his signing gives us a platform and is a statement of intent for next season.”

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Zaman scored 909 league runs, his aggressive style illustrated by him hitting 48 sixes and 104 fours. And he is delighted to be staying at Worfield, saying: “The club has always made me welcome and having achieved promotion in 2021 we survived a big test last season. Now we need to look to strengthen with a view to consolidating our position and I hope I can play a major role in that.”

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Bridgnorth aim for a follow up AFC Bridgnorth will be looking to build on their best result of the season when they head to Coventry Copeswood on Saturday. Jason Pike’s side picked up a deserved three points last weekend when they came from a goal down to beat Paget Rangers 3-1 thanks to two goals from Craig Knowles and once from Connor Parker. And secretary Steve Groome was delighted to see the Crown Meadow earn a just reward following some improved performances. “Jason felt that was our best performance of the season,” said Groome. “We went 1-0 down but then took control of the game and were deserved winners. “The lads have been playing well since the Shawbury game at the end of September. Even the games we have lost, we have deserved to get something out of them. “People who don’t come to watch us and just see the result are not getting the true picture because there have been some encouraging signs and performances. “Hopefully we can follow up the Paget win with a win at Coventry on Saturday.” Newcomers Connor Parker and Oscar Searle, both 18 have caught the eye recently. “They have and some more energy to the side and have been playing very well,” added Groome.

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