Bridgnorth Journal - 17-Nov-2022

Est. 1854 | Price £1.20

Thursday, November 17, 2022

SCHEME AIMS TO BOOST BUSINESS

Firms and retailers asked to fund plan to enhance economic vitality of town centre

PAUL JENKINS

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

Bridgnorth retailers and businesses are being invited to a special meeting next week to explore the possibility of the town forming business improvement district (BID).

The meeting, at Castle Hall on Thursday, November 24, at 7pm, has been set up by Bridgnorth Town Council and Love Bridgnorth – although any decision to form a BID will be very much one for the businesses of the town. The meeting will hear from Seb Slater, manager of the Shrewsbury BID, who has offered to speak at the meeting to explain what is involved and what could be the advantages and disadvantages of such a move. Currently, Shrewsbury and Oswestry are the only towns to have BIDs in Shropshire and the Oswestry business community recently voted to renew their BID after a successful initial five years. Town mayor Karen Sawbridge said: “We urge as many businesses as possible – of all sizes, from manufacturers to retailers, professional services to hospitality, to attend.” A BID works by businesses paying a levy against their rateable values. Smaller businesses below a certain threshold would not have to pay the levy. Mrs Sawbridge added: “We are all aware that times are stressful for businesses at the moment. That said, if there are clearly demonstrable benefits, it could really help Bridgnorth and the whole business community.”

Pub is on a roll with its second loo award

Tributes paid on day of remembrance

Bridgnorth boasted a huge turnout for its Remembrance Sunday wreath-laying, with families, service personnel and community leaders gathering to pay their respects. On a mild, sunny morning, the RAF Cosford band marched through the streets of Bridgnorth towards the Castle Grounds for a service led by Royal British Legion chair John Whitty. Mr Whitty said: “I am very proud of all of you on this very important day, Remembrance Sunday. Let us never forget the sacrifices made from 1914 to the present.” This year, tributes were paid to two lifelong members of the Royal British Legion branch who had recently died, one being the last Second World War veteran to have lived in the town. A special mention was also given to the 255 British personnel who died during the Falklands War, in 1982, commemorating its 40th anniversary this year. Prayers were said and a two-minute silence was observed before the laying of the wreaths at the war memorial. Representatives from groups including Shropshire Fire and Rescue, Bridgnorth’s WI, St John Ambulance, Shropshire Council, Bridgnorth Town Council, Army Cadets, the police, Royal Naval Association, RAF Cosford, Royal Marines Association and West Midlands Ambulance Service attended. l Pictures – Page 6

Van crash closes part of town bypass

Flushed with success – Katie Totney and Kirstie Fereday from the Jewel of the Severn, celebrate the pub’s award A Bridgnorth pub has won acclaim for the quality and standards of its toilets – in the Loo of the Year Awards 2022. The Jewel of the Severn on High Street in Bridgnorth has been awarded a platinum rating by inspectors for the second year running. It is well-earned recognition

for the hard work and dedication of staff at the pub who ensure the loos remain a pleasant visiting experience for customers. The awards are aimed at highlighting and improving standards of ‘away from home’ toilet provision across the UK. Loo of the Year Awards inspectors made unan-

nounced visits to thousands of toilets at sites across the UK, in order to judge them. Licensee Becky Jaundrell said: “We are delighted with the award. Staff at the pub ensure the toilets are in excellent condition at all times and it is great that all their hard work has been recognised.”

Police closed part of a road on the outskirts of Bridgnorth after a crash left a van on its side, with motorists being urged to seek alternative routes. The van driver was taken to hospital after firefighters helped him from the vehicle, although they said he had not been trapped in the crash, which happened at about 12.20pm on Monday. The driver was treated for nonlife threatening injuries. Heavy traffic was reported on the A458 bypass outside Bridgnorth after police closed the lane going down the hill.

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Lunchtime slot to feature jazz duo The next lunchtime jazz session at Bridgnorth’s The Black Boy will take place on December 4 – starting as usual at 12.30. The session will feature High Society – Paul Sawtell on piano and Jeff Matthews on clarinet and saxophone. The pair will perform a wide selection of music from old New Orleans favourites, swing tunes and of course, material from the standards song book, with works from Gershwin, Porter and Arlen all represented. Paul Sawtell is one of the UK’s finest jazz keyboard players.

Fire is stopped from spreading Firefighters prevented flames from a blazing digger spreading into a barn, near Bridgnorth. The fire, which destroyed the mechanical digger, spread to the outside of the building at a property at Hilton. Emergency services received 999 calls at about 9.20pm on Friday. Four fire crews from Bridgnorth, Craven Arms and Telford Central were mobilised. A spokesperson said the firefighters were able to get the blaze under control by 10pm.

Police aircraft helps in search A police aircraft was brought in to help search for a missing woman in the Severn Valley. The plane, from the National Police Air Service, could be seen circling the Ironbridge, Madeley, Woodside, Sutton Hill and Brookside area on Friday. Police took to social media to reassure local people about what was happening. The local Safer Neighbourhood team said the National Police Air Service had been helping officers search for the vulnerable female who was eventually found and was safe and well.

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Town centre site to be monitored for pollution

Air to be checked for toxic chemicals that are harmful to health

NICK HUMPHREYS

nick.humphreys@mnamedia.co.uk

Air is to be monitored in Bridgnorth for toxic chemicals.

The follows the earlier publication of a report which found that air in the town centre exceeded national nitrogen dioxide guidelines. Monitoring will also be taking place in Shrewsbury. A Shropshire Council report found high levels of nitrogen dioxide, which is linked to heart disease and cancer, among other conditions, in the two towns. The report also suggests the proposed Shrewsbury North West Relief Road – a project which has drawn widespread criticism over carbon emissions as well as other issues – would actually improve air quality in some areas of the town if it went ahead. The council has air quality management areas (Aqmas) in Castle Foregate in Shrewsbury and Pound Street in Bridgnorth, which are declared for exceeding the annual objective level for nitrogen dioxide. The report, which is awaiting Defra appraisal, said: “Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts. It is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. Additionally, air pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable in society: children, the elderly, and those with existing heart and lung conditions. There is also often a strong correlation with equalities issues because areas with poor air quality are also often less affluent areas. “Bridgnorth Pound Street Aqma is still required as nitrogen dioxide levels exceed the annual average national objective level. 18 residential properties were found to be likely to be exposed to levels of NO2 above the national objective level.” The report was being discussed at today’s Shropshire Council Health and Wellbeing Board meeting

Festive concert for orchestra A chamber orchestra is preparing for its Christmas concert. Bridgnorth Sinfonia will perform at St Mary’s Church on December 17 at 7.30pm. The musical programme includes Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Introduction and Polonaise, Delius’s Sleigh Ride and Anderson’s Christmas Festival Overture. The chamber orchestra is conducted by James Ross and led by Margaret Wright. Tickets cost £12 while under-16s go in free.

Town waits for Christmas lights The countdown is on until the Christmas lights are switched on in Bridgnorth, with a night of festive fun promised for residents. Live music, stilt walkers and Father Christmas himself will entertain guests throughout the town as they wait with anticipation to see the lights. Entertainment will run from 4pm until 8pm on Friday, November 25, with further details to be announced soon. There will also be a food donation point under the town hall for the Bridgnorth Food Bank, to help people struggling with the cost of living. Naomi Hutton, Laura Davies and Richard Fox, ready to begin work on their next production for Bridgnorth Musical Theatre Company

Chance to audition for show Bridgnorth Musical Theatre Company is preparing to launch its comeback production. The company will be staging a concert in March with a combination of show songs and a modern performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s one-act Trial By Jury. There is plenty of scope to get involved with the production so the company is holding a launch and Christmas social evening for all those who have expressed an interest in participating.This will take place at 7.30 pm on Friday, December 9, at Chetton Village Hall.

Auditions for the main singing parts will be held at Chetton Village Hall on Sunday December 11. The production team is: Richard Fox as musical director, Laura Davies, production director for the show songs and Naomi Hutton, production director for the operetta. Rehearsals begin on January 4 on Wednesday evenings and will continue until March. Anyone interested in joining for the production should contact the company by email in the first instance on njh.aspiretuition@gmail. com.

New venue for history lecture The November lecture for the Bridgnorth Historical Society will be held in a different venue from normal. The lecture will be presented next week by Dr Anthony Daniels and is entitled George Bellett – St Leonard’s Rector in Victorian Times. The venue will be Castle Hall in West Castle Street, High Town. The event starts at 7.30pm on the evening of Monday November 21. All visitors are welcome at an admission price of £5.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Clare to start new role as town clerk next month

New town clerk Clare Turner

A new town clerk will take up her post at Bridgnorth Town Council next month. The council has appointed Clare Turner to replace previous incumbent Lee Jakeman, who left the authority in July. Mrs Turner will join the council on December 5, following previous experience as a town clerk at Albrighton Parish and Great Dawley Town councils. Earlier in her career she was responsible for a number of significant projects at Telford & Wrekin Council.

Mrs Turner, who was born in Wellington, attended schools and college in the Telford area. Bridgnorth mayor Councillor Karen Sawbridge said: “Our selection panel was impressed with Clare’s understanding of the importance of engaging with the local community, as well as making sure the council is using its limited resources and income in the most cost effective manner. “We wanted someone who understood the importance of developing a strategic plan for our wonderful

town, as well as being able to efficiently handle more routine but necessary activities and services. “Whilst the current economic conditions are at the forefront of our minds we are convinced that there are opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the service to our residents, as well as enhance business prospects and opportunities, particularly in retail and tourism.” Councillor Sawbridge also paid tribute to the diligent work of the interim town clerk, Ros Williams.

Community rallies round as Jake, 6, faces cancer battle

SUE SMITH

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

A family has been left devastated after their son was found to be suffering from a rare form of childhood cancer.

Jake Knowles, from Neenton, near Bridgnorth, celebrated his sixth birthday last Friday but was taken ill on November 5 while at his home with what was thought to be appendicitis. His mother Sacha Knowles, 28, took him to the Princess Royal Hospital at Telford while his salesman father Kieran, 27, cared for their other two sons, Jayden, aged 11, and two-year-old Tommy. But when doctors checked him over they said they could feel a mass in his body. Jake’s grandfather John Bishop, aged 57, from Bridgnorth, went to the hospital and he said that after a visit to accident and emergency an X-ray was taken and then an ultra-sound scan. He said: “Jake was admitted and they found a bed on a ward and we were told it was cancer.” His grandmother Amanda Bishop, aged 49, said: “He had a CT scan and loads of tests and when doctors

Jake Knowles, who faces radiotherapy, an operation and chemotherapy came round we found he was to be transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. “On the Thursday he had an operation to fit a central line for chemotherapy and we were told he would face radiotherapy, an operation and

then more chemotherapy. “It seems that he has neuroblastoma which is rare in children. We have also been told it could be a rarer form of a fast-growing cancer. “His mother has not come home and will stay with him but Jake

might face as much as a year in hospital. We are not yet sure what will happen and are waiting for more talks with the doctors.” She added: “Well-wishers are now trying to raise funds to help the family financially through a justgiving page. “These include Zoe Thomas, who has helped organise posters and leaflets, and Leanne Biddulph who organised a raffle, and an auction of promises is being planned to be held at the Three Horseshoes at Wheathill on December 3.” The Bridgnorth community has rallied round to support Jake and his family with the Just Giving Page set up by ‘Jake’s Army’ sailing past its £500 target – and currently standing at £2,843. A post on the page said: “We wanted to try and help the family as best we can and come together and try and take some of the financial burden they are likely to face with the raising cost of living and coming Christmas. It going to be a long road for Jake’s mum, dad, brothers and family. But hopefully even if it’s just £1, just to help take the strain off these guys a little and help them focus on the important thing at the moment and that’s Jake.” Those wishing to support the appeal can visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/carla-bow

TALKING POINT

BY COUNCILLOR JULIA BUCKLEY, BRIDGNORTH WEST & TASLEY Over the last week I have been privileged to participate in two Remembrance services. The first was a moving ceremony at Shropshire Council’s Shirehall to commemorate those council employees who gave their lives in the First and Second world wars. The chairman read out each name and many current staff came along to pay their respects. Then on Sunday we had our successful Bridgnorth parade through the High Street and down to Castle Grounds where hundreds of people of all ages, and representing all number of clubs and organisations, gathered to pay their respects for our local fallen heroes, remembered with pride. It was lovely to see more people and groups than ever, with lots of our town’s young people showing patience, respect and community spirit. It is so unusual nowadays for any of us to take a few minutes out of our hectic lives to stop and reflect. I found myself trying to imagine the horrors of war. Nearly every day we hear on the news about an actual, current war being waged in Ukraine and the devastation it is causing. It’s such a strange contradiction that on the one hand we are swamped with detailed information about the destruction caused by war; and yet we are becoming ever more disconnected from what this means. Perhaps we are desensitised to the barbarism because it is so normalised in media culture. Perhaps we hear the words in the news reports but aren’t really paying attention as we are multi-tasking. Perhaps we have no real concept of that pain so the words ring hollow. But at the very least, let’s keep trying. Because while ever we teach our young people to remember the human cost of war, the better chance we all have of avoiding future conflicts.

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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Festive tractor run set to return

Concerns that village medical centre could close in spring

A festive tractor run is returning this year to spread some Christmas cheer and raise money for a children’s hospice. The Bridgnorth Festive Charity Tractor Run is set to take place on Sunday, December 11 from 3pm until 5pm. A convoy of illuminated tractors will set out from Bridgnorth and travel through surrounding areas, including Quatt, Alveley, and Kinver, to get local people into the festive spirit. Last year, the event raised £3,700 for Cancer Research UK and this year, all money will go to Hope House Children’s Hospices. Organiser Tom Wellings, 18, said: “Bridgnorth Festive Charity Tractor Run is back again this year after a very successful event last year. The tractor run raised £3,700 last year and we hope to raise even more for Hope House Children’s Hospices this year.”

Author seeking war book help Bridgnorth local historian Clive Gwilt is compiling a new book detailing Bridgnorth at war – and is appealing for help with pictures. Clive, who has written dozens of books and booklets about aspects of the town’s history, says his latest work will tell the story of Bridgnorth’s Second World War in date order, beginning with preparations in 1939. “I’ve got quite a few photos but could do with some that haven’t been used before,” said Clive. “There must be families who have photos of the air raid wardens, the Home Guard, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, and so on.” He says anyone with material which he could include can email him at clive.gwilt@sky. com or telephone 01746 765988.

Military spending boost for firm Defence giant BAE Systems has enjoyed stronger sales as countries increase military spending amid the Russian war in Ukraine. The FTSE 100-listed company said that many of the countries it operates in have either announced increases in defence spending, or are making plans to lift spending “to address the elevated threat environment”. BAE, which builds ships, submarines and fighter jets, reported £18 billion in orders secured in the first half of the year, and a further £10bn since then. It has a joint venture at Hadley Castle Works in Telford, known as Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), which specialises in land combat vehicles. BAE said it is on track to have a “very strong” year of orders and expects margins to grow into the new year. The strengthening of the dollar against the pound could boost its earnings too.

Cremorne the Bald Eagle has returned after going missing from Halfpenny Green, near Bridgnorth

Eagle has finally landed after flying away Keepers are thanking the public for their help in tracking a bald eagle that went missing from a zoo near Bridgnorth. Cremorne, a 13-year-old bald eagle, was taking part in her daily exercise with keepers at Wild Zoological Park in Halfpenny Green, a week last Friday when she became spooked by crows and flew off course. The keepers launched into action, tracking the bird on foot and calling on social media for people to keep an eye out for the huge bird of prey. Alice Spark, head keeper at Wild

MEGAN JONES

megan.jones@mnamedia.co.uk Zoological Park said: “She did have a GPS tag, which we were tracking for a while but the battery must have been faulty because it died in a couple of hours. “We weren’t too worried, we were pretty certain she wouldn’t go too far. It was just a case of keeping an eye on her, waiting for her to be somewhere it would be easy to retrieve her from.” The public reported several sight-

ings to the zoo, including one over the M54 services in Shifnal. Then on Tuesday last week, a member of the public reported the magnificent bird had been seen perching on St Cuthburt’s Church in Donington, near Albrighton. Keepers rushed to the church, around seven miles from the zoo (as the eagle flies), where Cremorne was still waiting. “As soon as she saw us she came straight down,” Alice added, “She seemed really happy to see us. “We were really relieved and just so grateful for everyone’s help.”

Highley Medical Centre has given notice that it is to end its GP contract in the spring, bringing fears that it could mean the end of a local doctors’ surgery. NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, has reassured local patients and residents that is it urgently looking at all options to keep GP services in the village near Bridgnorth. It says work is already underway to prioritise access to General Practice services for local patients and residents, after formal notification was given to end the GP contract on Tuesday. The body, which commissions and designs GP services across the county, says is it now reviewing options to prioritise access to services for those affected. Claire Parker, director of partnerships and place at NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, said: “I would like to reassure our patients and residents of Highley that extensive work is underway to find a timely and sustainable solution to this situation. “Our work will prioritise access to General Practice services for those people affected by this announcement and try to secure an option which remains in Highley. We will be working closely with the practice, and our partners, to consider all options so we can navigate this situation as best we can. “Under the terms of the GP contract, Highley Medical Centre is required to provide at least three months’ notice, however they will be extending the notice period to the March 31, 2023, giving us more time to find a resolution.”

Urgent action taken to remove ‘appalling’ racist graffiti in town

Councillors have told how they are “appalled” following the discovery of anti-Semitic graffiti on a building in Bridgnorth.

Shropshire Council said it had worked together with Bridgnorth Town Council “to act promptly” in removing the racist graffiti, which it said was in a public area in Bridgnorth. The graffiti was found by Mark Michaels, the Jewish representative on the South Shropshire Inter Faith Forum, while he was walking in the town with his wife. Mr Michaels works closely in conjunction with Shropshire Council on remembrance events with schools in relation to the Holocaust and other events of a genocidal nature. Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health (In-

DOMINIC ROBERTSON

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk tegrated Care System) and communities, said she was appalled by the incident. She said: “I was horrified to hear about this incident of racist and anti-Semitic graffiti, which no-one should have to witness. “We will always act as a council against racism, and we will not condone it, wherever it occurs, and in whatever form. “My officers have my thanks and appreciation, as does Mark Michaels for reporting it to us and Bridgnorth Town Council for help with this.” Mrs Motley added: “We know that it could have been written by anyone passing through the town, and that sadly it could occur anywhere in Shropshire. “Coming as it does just before na-

tional Inter Faith Week, it is a reminder to us all to be vigilantand to work in partnership through our inter faith forums and with each other to increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs. “If anyone ever sees any such incidents of graffiti, could I please urge them to report it to Shropshire Council, so that we can continue to act together against racism and other forms of discrimination.”

Efforts Kirstie Hurst-Knight, local Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth East and Astley Abbotts, and also Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said: “All the Bridgnorth area Shropshire councillors are jointly appalled by this incident of anti-Semitic graffiti in our town.” She added: “While we know that

it could have happened anywhere, it strengthens our resolve and our collaborative efforts to work particularly closely with children and young people in our area, and more widely across the county with other councillors in order to help the children and young people of the county to understand more about what happened in the Holocaust and other genocides, and why the lessons to be learned and the lives that were lost must never be forgotten.” Meanwhile, Mr Michaels thanked the councils for their quick action. He said: “It just shows that, where there is real commitment to combat racism and anti-Semitism, a council really can pull out the stops and make things happen at speed – thank you.” The public can report racist graffiti to Shropshire Council either by ringing Customer Services on 0345 678 9006 or via the council’s website: www.shropshire.gov.uk

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Solar farm go-ahead sets ‘dangerous precedent’

A solar farm big enough to power more than 7,600 homes has been given the green light – but “sets a dangerous precedent” over the loss of farm land, according to a leader. Plans for the 23-megawatt facility on 54.7 hectares of land south of Holyhead Road, Albrighton, were discussed at Shropshire Council’s Southern Planning Committee. Low Carbon Ltd wants to build the solar farm, which an energy consultant said would be a “hugely important step for Shropshire to take towards to meet its own climate change targets”. However, not everyone was on

board, with concerns raised over losing green belt land which is good for farming. Councillor Ed Potter said: “What bothers me is the agricultural land location in this. This part of Shropshire is where the best land is. It is particularly good for growing crops, carrots and salad. It sets a dangerous precedent.” But other councillors felt the benefits of renewable energy outweighed the loss of farmland, and outvoted him seven to one. About 100 representations were received by Shropshire Council, with the vast majority – by 78 to

22 – in support of the Low Carbon Solar Park 16 Ltd. Key opponents included Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard, local councillor Nigel Lumby and Boningale Parish Council representing the village. The parish council said the proposal is “harmful” to green belt land. “The area is very well used by walkers and cyclists and the current landscape setting will be damaged,” a spokesman said. “The proposal includes the parish’s highest point which currently commands views of Shropshire’s highest hills. This vista will be severely compromised.”

However energy consultancy Humbeat backed the proposal, saying the scheme would last for up to 40 years and the site could then be reinstated for agriculture. Councillor Tony Parsons said: “This, like a lot of these major proposals, is quite a difficult balancing decision. On the one hand you have the provision of green energy. On the other you have to protect the loss of good quality agricultural land.” Plans were approved on the condition the applicant funds the restoration of the Grade II Listed Pepperhill Farmhouse.

Town club welcomes junior team into its football family

MEGAN JONES

megan.jones@mnamedia.co.uk

AFC Bridgnorth has welcomed a junior team into its football family in a partnership hoping to strengthen community ties.

The two teams, AFC Bridgnorth and Bridgnorth Town Juniors, have announced a partnership that means the junior team will finally have somewhere to call home. AFC Bridgnorth, based at Crown Meadow, have welcomed the junior team into their club house, providing their facilities free of charge and working together on several projects hoping to cement the bond between the two clubs. Bosses at the club hope the partnership will strengthen the club’s position in the wider footballing community both on and off the pitch. AFC Bridgnorth’s chairman Mark Weale said the partnership, which has recently introduced ball boys and girls to match days, had so far been a ‘joy’. “This has helped us achieve the family atmosphere that we have so long desired,” Mark said. “To see the interaction between the senior and junior players has been a joy.” Zoe Griffiths, Bridgnorth Town Juniors chairwoman said: “Having a base is something that we’ve all aspired to.”

The rare ‘moonbow’ was snapped over Low Town in Bridgnorth by Abby Bristow

‘Moonbow’ spotted in night sky over town A rare ‘moonbow’ was snapped in the sky above Bridgnorth. The unusual phenomenon appeared over Low Town and was photographed by town resident Abby Bristow. Abby noticed the moonbow, or moon rainbow, at 6.55pm last Tuesday from Morfe Road. “I saw it and just thought ‘oh my goodness’,” she said. “It was so beautiful.

Inquest is opened on dead man An inquest has been formally opened and adjourned after a man’s body was found in a Shifnal churchyard. Simon Lee Morris, aged 46, was found dead at St Andrew’s churchyard in his home town of Shifnal on October 31, a coroner heard. Wolverhampton-born Mr Mor-

ris was identified by his driving licence, the hearing at Shirehall, Shrewsbury, heard. Senior Shropshire coroner John Ellery was told that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and he adjourned the full inquest to February 9, 2023.

MEGAN JONES

megan.jones@mnamedia.co.uk “I hope people get as much joy out of seeing it as I did.” A moonbow, also known as a lunar rainbow, is a rainbow that is created by moonlight rather than sunlight. It is produced in much the same way that solar rainbows are, caused by the refraction of

light in water droplets - like spray, fog or mist. Moonbows are much fainter than their solar siblings, due to the smaller amount of light the moon reflects. They are therefore harder to see, while the human eye struggles to discern the colours so they often appear white. They are most often spotted two to three hours before a sunrise, or two to three hours after sunset.

Investigation after blaze wrecks van An investigator was sent after a van was “completely destroyed” in a fire. The blaze happened at The Avenue, Benthall, Broseley, shortly after 10pm on Monday. A Shropshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “At 22.17pm on Monday fire control received a call reporting a fire classified as a car fire in Broseley. “This incident involved one van

which was completely destroyed by fire. “One fire appliance was mobilised from Much Wenlock.” A fire investigation officer was in attendance to examine the cause of the blaze. The spokesman added: “Crews used breathing apparatus, a hose reel jet and a thermal imaging camera to tackle the fire.”

Free Christmas show at church A musical feast to celebrate the Christmas season has been planned in Worfield, near Bridgnorth. Talented singing duo Belaria – made up of Patricia Head (soprano) and John Davidson (tenor) – will be lining up alongside Suzanne Millington, who has performed lead roles in several operatic societies in Shropshire and Worcestershire. The singers will be accompanied on the piano by Catherine Lack. Highley Colliery Brass Band under their conductor Chris Cobon, will be performing a medley of music for the Christmas season. The band promotes and encourages participation in music for both the young and the old. The concert will conclude with the singing of some traditional Christmas carols, accompanied by Oliver Clark on the organ. The free concert will take place at St Peter’s Church, Worfield, on Sunday December 4 at 3pm.

Fashion show makes £5,000 A British Red Cross committee member has spoken of the success of a sell-out fashion show which raised £5,000 for charity. Julia Farrant, who is on the British Red Cross committee for Shropshire, said it was an ‘amazing’ day which was well supported by local people and businesses. The British Red Cross Fashion Show was held at Hencote, Shrewsbury, on Monday afternoon and included lunch, drinks and an array of designer garments. “It was amazing, we sold out. There were 150 people,” Julia said. The British Red Cross set up a Help for Ukraine appeal earlier this year to welcome families who had moved to the country after fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

Three held after armed robbery Three people have been arrested following an armed robbery in Bridgnorth. Two men and a woman were held following an incident about midday on Tuesday in Flood Street, Dudley, where a stolen vehicle rammed into an armed response vehicle and drove at a police motorbike. Two police officers received minor injuries. Response and firearms officers attended the scene involving the pursuit of the stolen vehicle following an armed robbery in Bridgnorth earlier in the morning. A spokesperson from West Midlands Police said: “Two of our police officers received minor injuries. Two men and one woman was arrested and taken into custody. No members of the public were injured. “Our investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information should contact us via Live Chat on our website or 101 quoting incident 1842 of 15 November.”

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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Silence in the town as fallen remembered DAVID TOOLEY

david.tooley@mnamedia.co.uk

Armistice Day silence was impeccably observed in Bridgnorth and across the rest of the county to mark the sacrifice of those killed in the First World War.

Dignitaries and politicians joined ex-servicemen and women in paying their respects at the War Memorial in Bridgnorth Castle Grounds on Friday morning. John Whitty, chairman of the Bridgnorth Royal British Legion said it was a case of “military precision” when the Last Post ended and the bells of St Mary’s Church sounded at the same time as a blast from the steam trains at Severn Valley Railway. “As the Last Post finished the bells started and we had a long blast from the steam railway. After Reveille they sounded again from Severn Valley Railway. It was perfectly timed and in a wonderful setting.” MP Philip Dunne laid a wreath in the presence of Shropshire Council leader Councillor Lezley Picton and the service was led by The Rev Simon Boxall. A Royal British Legion standard was lowered by Josh Warwick in the usual mark of respect as ex-service people looked on and reflected. The crowd was invited to attend the Remembrance Day march and ceremony on Sunday. For many years the Armistice Day ceremony has been held in High Street but a decision was made to hold it at Castle Grounds for safety reasons because of the amount of

MP Philip Dunne formally lays a wreath at the memorial on Armistice Day

Band members on Sunday

Heads bowed in sombre reflection

traffic generated in the town. The Remembrance Service on Sunday began with a formal parade from Whitburn Street. Members of the public were invited to march in memory of a family member or loved one alongside the Royal British Legion contingent.

The band led the parade from the top of Whitburn Street adjacent to the High Street followed by representatives of the Royal Air Force, the Royal British Legion and veterans as well as uniformed and children’s associations. A service was then held at St Mary’s Church.

Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight

Wreaths on Remembrance Day

Josh Warwick with the RBL standard on Friday morning

The scene at the Castle Gardens, Bridgnorth, next to the War Memorial on Armistice Day

Rev Simon Boxall led the service

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Public urged to check wellbeing

Five per cent rise in number of firms classed as struggling

People are being urged to be more aware of what they can do to improve their physical and mental health as part of ‘Self Care Week’. The awareness week is an annual national event which runs until Sunday and the theme is ‘Exercise Self Care for Life’. South Shropshire pharmacist Gareth Harris said: “Self Care Week is a perfect time to think about how we live our lives and maybe make some small changes that will improve our health and wellbeing and that of our family too. “Those changes could mean looking at what we eat or drink, or how much exercise we do or how much sleep we are getting. They could be about our work-life balance, as it’s important to remember that staying connected to our friends and family is also vital to wellbeing. “Knowing what to do and where to go for help is an important part of practising self care for life.”

The number of ‘ailing’ businesses in major West Midlands towns and cities has topped 14,000.

There was a rise of five per cent in the three months to the end of September from the previous quarter, the latest figures from Begbies Traynor’s Red Flag Alert, which monitors the financial health of British companies. The number of struggling businesses in Shropshire reached 3,220 in the third quarter, up five per cent on the quarter and a two per cent rise on the same period in 2021. Particular difficulties are being faced by the real estate and property industry in the region, with the number of businesses in distress up 23 per cent in Walsall, 28 per cent in Dudley, 15 per cent in Wolverhampton and 38 per cent in Birmingham, compared to the same quarter in 2021. Construction businesses are the most affected, with 480 companies in significant financial distress during the past three months. The biggest quarterly gains were seen in the manufacturing sector with a 14 per cent jump in the number of businesses in difficulty. Nationally, the latest Red Flag Alert research for the third quarter of the year recorded almost 610,000 businesses in significant distress with companies faltering in an economically tumultuous period. Representing an eight per cent year-on-year increase and a four per cent quarter on quarter rise, the data paints a worrying picture for UK businesses.

Man, 27, denies Rebecca killing Pupils with the poppies that were ‘planted’ in remembrance on Windmill Hill, Much Wenlock

Pupils’ striking poppy tribute to war dead Pupils at a county school put together a striking tribute as part of this year’s remembrance commemorations. Youngsters from William Brookes School in Much Wenlock ‘planted’ hundreds of hand made poppies on

DOMINIC ROBERTSON

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk Windmill Hill in the town. The poppies, created by pupils, staff and others in the local community, were arranged in a unique

tribute, gathered in a striking line on the hill. The act of remembrance had been organised by the school’s deputy headteacher, Ruth Shaw, with the assistance of fellow members of staff and pupils.

Be our eyes and ears to help protect children, urges expert

County Lines gangs have preyed on vulnerable people in Shropshire for many years – but now a worrying trend is growing of young people coercing others into crime.

A campaign is under way to raise community awareness of signs of the exploitation of young people and ways that concerns can be reported. A special drop-in meeting will be held in Ellesmere’s secondary school, Lakelands Academy, on November 23, when a number of partner agencies will be on hand to offer support and guidance. Leaflets will also be handed out within the town where, experts say, there are emerging concerns about young people. Among those at the event will be Shifnal’s Bright Stars Boxing Club, which works to divert children away from criminal exploitation

SUE AUSTIN

sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk into positive activities. Clare Jervis, the exploitation lead for Shropshire who also manages the Trees team, said new trends are not necessarily connected with the well-known County Lines exploitation, linked to drugs gangs “It is important to recognise the exploitation of children outside the family absolutely does exist within Shropshire,” she said. “Parents and carers have little influence over these contexts, and young people’s experiences of extra-familial harm. “We want our message to be very clear; the only way we can tackle exploitation is to raise awareness among our communities including assisting others to know the signs/ indicators of criminal and sexual exploitation so that children can be protected from harm. “Early identification education and support is crucial to prevent

risks from increasing.” She said that it was vital to ensure that as a community the issues around exploitation are tackled together and to help parents and carers to understand the support that is available for themselves and their children. “The ways in which children are exploited can amount to criminal behaviour by those who are exploiting them and or as a presenting behaviour of a child who is being exploited,” she added. On advice to people in Shropshire, she said: “There may be behaviour that you witness in communities that cause you to be concerned that unknown children are being exploited – such as activity around addresses or locations. “If you have information about anti-social or criminal activity or behaviour – even where you do not know who is at risk or of concern – which indicates that child exploitation may be occurring and you do

not have information about specific children, please ensure you pass this information to West Mercia Police as soon as possible to enable them to prevent and detect crime. “Where you think there is an immediate risk to a person or you witness a crime taking place, phone 999 – or dial 55 if you are unable to talk. Where you have child-specific information that suggests that a child is at risk of or experiencing harm as a result of exploitation, you must follow the Child Exploitation Pathway and pass information related to criminal activity or behaviour posing a risk to West Mercia Police. “Children, their families and/ or other members of the community may be worried about sharing information about crime with the police, but you can encourage them to do so anonymously by signposting them to Crimestoppers, or the Fearless for Young People website at fearless.org”

A man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of a young woman who was hit by a car in Oswestry town centre last month. Rebecca Steer, 22, from Llanymynech, died after being struck by a vehicle in Willow Street, Oswestry, at about 2.50am on October 9. At Stafford Crown Court last Friday Stephen McHugh, 27, from Artillery Road, Park Hall, appeared via video link from prison. He denied the murder of Rebecca Steer and also denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kyle Roberts, who was injured in the same incident. Her Honour Judge K Montgomery KC told the court McHugh’s trial would be listed for April 19, 202. McHugh was remanded in custody.

Tinsel Tuesdays to add sparkle Tinsel Tuesday Christmas gift markets are coming back to a south Shropshire town for the 10th year. Local makers are set to complete a colourful line-up at markets in Ludlow on the three Tuesdays before Christmas on December 6, 13 and 20. The original idea for Tinsel Tuesdays came about to help boost trade in shops on a day when there usually isn’t a market on. Tish Dockerty, member of Ludlow Chamber said: “Most shopkeepers do make a point of saying that the Tuesdays are busier when there is such a great market on. We try and make it as festive as possible, with live music, hot food and garland lights around the stalls.” Vikki Otterwell, who chairs the Chamber, added: “We’re all behind this initiative, it’s the town’s chance to make an additional Christmas shopping offer. We hope to attract many extra customers .”

8 COMMENT & ANALYSIS COMMENT The continual erosion of public services is starting to bite. We have not yet regained the ground lost during the pandemic. If anything, we have slipped further and further behind. The NHS is in a state of constant crisis, propped up by the good will and kind actions of those who work within it. Even their patience, however, is not unlimited. The prospect of industrial action is high, as the wages of those who put their bodies on the line during Covid contract. It is not just our hospitals or our ambulance services that are tangibly falling behind. GP services are also in crisis. Patients are not happy that they are unable to get appointments easily and feel services have deteriorated since Covid. There is, however, a great deal of sympathy for the GPs themselves and also a willingness by many to engage in phone and video call consultations. The issue, as always, is investment. GP surgeries want to provide the services they need but they need investment to ensure they have the staff to help and also the infrastructure to ensure that they can provide effective care. GP surgeries are now increasingly helping to take the load off of hospitals, with services like physiotherapy. But without the right facilities they will always struggle. It is a question of priorities, not only for the GPs and the Government but also for society at large. It is clear that the nation cannot afford to fund public services to the standard required. And so the nation has to choose whether it wishes to pay more into the public purse, through taxation, or whether it is prepared to accept falling standards and failing services. There are trade-offs, the sort that politicians engage in every day, and a stark choice faces Great Britain. In GP services, it is clear that if we get the environment right, provide adequate resources, create a modern infrastructure and ensure adequate staffing, the issues will be resolved. There is a price to pay for that, of course, and it is one that most would be willing to pay. Patients want to love the NHS and back their local GPs, but they also need to see that, post-Covid, they are able to access the services they need. The NHS has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Waiting lists are too high, services are poor and too many people experience poor standards, inadequate treatment and face pain and shortened lives as a consequence. Too many areas of public life are deteriorating, rather than standing still or improving. The nation must make tough decisions on funding public services if it is to stop the rot.

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

NHS waiting lists are remaining on sick list Number waiting for NHS treatment UP from 7 million to 7.1 million

Number waiting more than 12 hours for A&E decision UP 34 %

The problems facing the NHS have been laid bare in a series of numbers – most of them pointing upwards. Waiting list figures for NHS treatment is up to a new all-time high, while a record number of people are enduring long waits in A&E until hospital beds are found, new figures show. Data from NHS England shows the health service struggling to keep up with demand, with people facing long waits for key tests, some cancer checks, and routine and emergency care. The number of people in England waiting to start hospital treatment rose to 7.1 million at the end of September, up from seven million in August and the highest figure since records began in August 2007. Meanwhile, 401,537 people have been waiting longer than a year to start hospital treatment, up from 387,257 at the end of August and equivalent to around one in 18 people on the entire waiting list. Very long waits of more than two years have fallen slightly, while the number of people waiting 18 months for treatment has dropped by almost 60 per cent in one year, NHS England said. The number of patients waiting 78 weeks was reduced by 73,430 from 123,969 compared to September 2021 as staff “clamp down” on the longest waits, it said. But there are serious problems in A&E departments, with the number of people waiting more than 12 hours from a decision to admit them to actually getting a bed rising to a new record high. Some 43,792 people waited longer than 12 hours in October, up 34 per cent from 32,776 in September and the highest number in records going back to August 2010. The number waiting at least four hours from the decision to admit to admission also reached a new peak of 150,922 in October, up from 131,861 the previous month. A total of 69.3 per cent of patients in England were seen within four hours in A&Es last month, the worst performance on record and the first time it has dropped below 70 per cent. The operational standard is that at least 95 per cent of patients attending A&E should be admitted,

Those waiting more than six weeks for tests - UP from 461,400 to 463,930

Cancer diagnoses within 28 days - DOWN to 67.2% from 69.5%

transferred or discharged within four hours, but this has not been met nationally since 2015. Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “This latest set of performance data show that standards are at an unacceptably poor level for both patients and staff with an expectation that this will deteriorate further over the winter months. “Pressures are at unsustainable levels and the results are scant justice for acute care staff who continue to strive to deliver a reasonable quality of care. “Morale for patients and staff is low, with little expectation of shortterm improvement. “All parts of the NHS are unquestionably struggling.” With regard to cancer, the proportion of patients who saw a specialist within two weeks of being referred urgently by their GP has dropped to its lowest level on record, the figures show. Some 251,977 urgent cancer referrals were made by GPs in September, down from 255,055 the previous month but the highest number recorded for the month of September. However, only 72.6 per cent of patients in England had a first consultant appointment within two weeks that month against a 93 per cent target, the worst performance on record. Meanwhile, 67.2 per cent of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days in September, down from 69.5 per cent the previous month and the second-worst performance in records going back to April 2021. The target, set for March 2024, is for 75 per cent of patients to be seen. Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: “Behind today’s numbers are real people affected by cancer and facing unacceptably long waits for diagnosis and treatment during what is already an incredibly anxious time - real people who continue to be promised better by successive health secretaries, but who nonetheless continue to be let down.” The data further showed that

Only 72.6% had a first consultant appointment within two weeks - BELOW a 93% target

nearly 6,000 cancer patients waited more than two months from being referred by their GP to starting treatment in September. Some 15,071 cancer patients started treatment that month after an urgent referral by their GP, but 5,955 of them had to wait longer than two months - the second highest number in records going back to 2009. Some 60.5 per cent of patients began treatment within two months – also the second lowest percentage on record and well below the 85 per cent target. NHS medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “There is no doubt October has been a challenging month for staff, who are now facing a tripledemic of Covid, flu and record pressure on emergency services with more people attending A&E or requiring the most urgent ambulance callout than any other October. “Pressure on emergency services remains high as a result of more than 13,000 beds taken up each day by people who no longer need to be in hospital. “But staff have kept their foot on the accelerator to get the backlog down, with 18-month waiters down by three-fifths on last year. “We have always said the overall waiting list would rise as more patients come forward, and, with pressures on staff set to increase over the winter months, the NHS has a plan – including a new falls service, 24/7 war rooms, and extra beds and call handlers.” Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: “Millions of patients are waiting months and even years for treatment, often in serious pain and discomfort. “In an emergency, patients are left waiting hours for an ambulance or entire days in A&E. For many this means being unable to work and putting their lives on hold.” Fiona Myint, vice president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to commit to a workforce plan to tackle staff vacancies. “The NHS is desperately in need of a full squad to deal with the record waiting list,” she said. The data also showed the number of people in England waiting longer than six weeks for a key diagnostic test has risen to the highest level in two years.

PHILIP DUNNE MP Outbreaks of avian influenza in both kept and wild birds are occurring at an unprecedented scale across Europe and the UK, with cases confirmed this autumn as the second year of an outbreak for the first time. In Shropshire, thankfully no cases have yet been found this autumn in poultry farms or smallscale bird keepers’ flocks. The outbreak in recent weeks has been primarily driven by wild birds, in particular geese. Bird flu is devastating for affected poultry farmers, who produce over half of the meat we eat in the UK. The Government are taking what steps they can to mitigate the costs farmers face and slow the spread of the outbreak, with a compensation scheme introduced in October to encourage early culling of diseased flocks. In England, the Rural Payments Agency are also providing a support payment scheme to support those farmers most in need. With Christmas around the corner, many people will soon be looking to secure their turkeys and will understandably be concerned over availability and safety of consuming poultry while bird flu is rife. I have been assured by Government Ministers that there is no immediate threat to the food supply chain as a result of the current outbreak. The UK Health Security Agency have advised that the strain of bird flu in circulation, H5N1, poses very low risk to public health while the Food Standards Agency has confirmed that there is no food safety risk for UK consumers. An easement has also been made relating to marketing rules to allow farmers who supply turkeys, geese, ducks and capons for consumption to slaughter, freeze and defrost birds to sell during December, which will further ease the strain on producers. We produce 11 million turkeys a year in the UK, of which over half are sold frozen, which will also help to mitigate concerns. This week, I spoke to local butchers to discuss any concerns, and was pleased to lean that currently none have experienced supply problems. Last week, additional housing measures came into force across England, requiring bird keepers to take a range of biosecurity measures, including keeping birds indoors, whether commercial flocks, pet birds or simply a few chickens in the back garden. I urge all bird keepers to familiarise themselves with these legal requirements and comply with biosecurity measures to help manage this virulent animal health disease.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Remedies to fix broken system for immigration The wonderful people of Shropshire who have opened their welcoming arms and even their homes to hundreds of Ukrainian refugees and to many others before that, deserve better. They have clearly indicated that they want to help people who are driven to leave their home country in fear of their lives. But the rhetoric we are all being subjected to by the Home Secretary on the subject of migration is at least inflammatory, deliberately misleading and not worthy of a Secretary of State, designed as it is to deliberately obscure: the truth, the cause of the current situation, where blame should lie and what the remedies are. Here are some facts, mostly taken from Government statistics and freely available online. l In the first months of 2022, more than 100 million individuals were displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. l There is no such thing as an ‘illegal’ asylum seeker. Under international law, anyone has the right to apply for asylum in any country that has signed the 1951 Convention, which Britain has, and to remain there until the authorities have assessed their claim. l 85% of refugees are being hosted in developing countries l In the year to March 2022, Germany received 164,925 applications for asylum, France received 112,860 applications and there were 55,146 applications in the UK l The number of people seeking asylum in the UK peaked in the early 2000s with 84,130 applications in 2003, (50% more than this year) l Around 75% of applications for asylum in the UK are proved, by the Home Office. This means that the applicant has proved, after very close scrutiny, sometimes lasting months and often years, that they have a legitimate claim, i.e. that they were indeed facing serious threats to their life or freedom. There are very good reasons why people seek asylum in the UK: many have family here, many choose the UK because they speak some English, some arrive here because the traffickers send them here and yet others don’t even know that they are coming to the UK.

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE

FA M I LY L AW Providing expert advice when you need it most Please meet our Family Law Specialists, Ian Yates and Samantha Hoyle. Ian and Samantha have more than 55 combined years’ experience and specialise in all areas of family law, including pre and post nuptial agreements; the separation and/or divorce of married couples; cohabitation agreements; disputes arising between cohabiting parties; the dissolution of civil partnerships and all aspects of the law surrounding arrangements for children. For the remainder of 2022 of this year, Ian and Samantha will be offering an initial 60 minute consultation without charge, for anyone who may need advice in this particular area of law. Please do not hesitate to make an appointment by calling 01746 761000. The staff of Woolworths at Bridgnorth pictured in June, 1957. The picture was loaned by Mary Lloyd, who used to work on the confectionary counter, when she was Mary Dyke. She is middle row, fifth from left. It is believed the manager was Charles Aldridge. The very government that was voted in on a manifesto that said they would “fix” the immigration system, now presides over a scheme that they themselves openly admit is ‘broken. The remedy is: l Provide legal routes for people to claim asylum l Fund increased capacity at the Home Office to decide the outcome of applications quickly, currently only 4% have been settled of the 2021 applications l Allow asylum seekers to work, many have excellent skills, and to pay their way l Ditch the multi-million pound Rwanda scheme Heather Thomas, Shifnal

Planners ignore parking issue I had a doctor’s appointment today at 3pm at Priorslee Medical Practice and could I park on the car park? The adjoining roads and car park were clogged with cars, collecting pupils from the nearby school. It was a good job I was early for my appointment and eventually found the only space to park! What is the matter with parents and kids nowadays,

why don’t they walk/cycle to and from schools nowadays, like I used to? Of course, more housing in Telford and Shifnal, where I live, is exacerbating this problem which planners seem to ignore! I realise that this traffic gridlocking is only at school start and finish times and lasts only for an hour or two, but it is so infuriating. Perhaps town planners should try living by schools? Peter Hassall, Shifnal

‘Nul points’ to litter droppers When I was growing up in the fifties and sixties street food didn’t exist and neither did litter. People these days seem to find disposal of litter a little hard to achieve so I have come up with a rewards points system which may help. In the bin is worth ten points, on the floor right next to the bin is a four and throwing the litter in the street or someone’s garden is a definite ‘nul points’. Points do make prizes. Neil Hancock, Bridgnorth

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

BY RUTH SMITH, MEMBER OF BRIDGNORTH BAPTIST CHURCH As autumn draws to an end the nights are getting longer. Many say that they find the darkness of winter a difficult time. And this year some of us have increased fears for the future. It’s good to know we don’t have to face these challenges alone. The Bible encourages us to be a light in the darkness, showing God’s love to others. Bridgnorth is an amazing community, with initiatives like Bridgnorth Food Bank and Together at Christmas which share hope to those who are struggling. And we can all play our part. Each of us can be a small candle of hope in our little corner. Let us never underestimate what one small word or act of kindness can do! “Father God, in these times of uncertainty help us to be the light. “Give us the opportunity to reach out to others and bring your light and love into the darkness. Amen.”

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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Music legends Madness head for forest Madness will be appearing at a major outdoor event in the West Midlands next summer. Suggs and the rest of the Nutty Boys have been lined up to headline the Cannock Chase Forest Live festival for 2023. The band, famous for hits including Baggy Trousers, Our House, House Of Fun and It Must Be Love, will be among the top draws for music fans snapping up tickets for the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty site in Staffordshire. Following on from sold-out forest shows earlier this year the band which has its roots in ska

and pop have announced dates as part of the annual concert series presented by Forestry England. Madness will be performing at Cannock Chase with support from Hollie Cook on June 8 and at Delamere Forest in Cheshire in June 15.

Studio With a career spanning more than four decades the band are renowned for their live shows. They formed in London’s Camden Town in 1976 and became front runners of the ska revival

Apprentice Will, 16, Building of parcel joins accountants site is set to start Accountancy firm Turas Accountants has appointed a new apprentice to its team. William Morgans-Sharples, 16, of Shifnal, has joined the Telford-based company straight from Idsall School in Shifnal as part of an accountancy apprenticeship. Over the next 12 months he will be studying for the Association of Accounting Technicians level two qualification and then hopes to go on to study for further qualifications. Will said that he was keen to move into an apprenticeship straight from school to gain hands on experience and to start earning a living.

Construction of a huge distribution site for a major parcel business is to begin – and is expected to be completed next summer. Work on the DHL site, at Hortonwood, in Telford, will be carried out by Trebor Developments. The site was purchased through the Telford Land Deal to create the 62,284 sq ft development for DHL’s parcel business operation. Construction should be completed by summer 2023. Trebor development director James Drew said: “We are delighted to have agreed another lease agreement with DHL and to be delivering further employment space in Telford.”

which followed punk rock. Along with the Beat and the Selecter, they signed to Jerry Dammers’ record label 2 Tone. They have since enjoyed no fewer than 15 top ten chart single hits. The band are currently in the studio recording their first new album in six years. Forest Live is a major outdoor live music series that introduces new audiences to woodland arenas around the country. The concerts generate support for conservation projects and tree planting. Tickets go on sale at 9am tomorrow.

Award for weight loss consultant

A Telford-based consultant has been recognised for her work in providing one-to-one support to help guide people through weight loss and maintenance. Hayley White was recognised in her role for The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan at its annual convention. She was presented with the Champion Award, which acknowledges consultants who have achieved sales over a certain level and grown their team, supporting further consultants and slimmers to achieve their weight loss or business goals. The annual celebration brings together consultants from across the UK, Ireland and Germany.

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Across the fields to Ragleth at a previous event

Return of festival for walking and running next year

DAVID TOOLEY

david.tooley@mnamedia.co.uk

A mega walking and running festival will be back next year, the organisers have announced.

The famous Shropshire Way 80K Festival will feature no fewer than five running and walking routes ranging from a gentle 10KM right through to the brand new How Welsh Dare You Go? at a whopping 86 miles. Run by the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, in Craven Arms, the event will be held on April 1. Entrants can also choose from the Half-Mammothon (13 miles), Mammothon (26 miles) or SW80K (50 Miles). “You’ll be looked after for the duration of the event,” said a spokesman for the discovery centre. “The routes are designed to showcase the very finest of Shropshire’s hidden treasures and take participants over Iron Age hillforts, ancient drovers’ roads, picturesque river valleys and the majestic summits of Stiperstones and Pole Bank, offering visitors that unique Shropshire experience.” The event is also well known for the delicious local food provided to sustain the runners and walkers on route and

pizzas will be available the night before. Event organiser Grant Wilson said: “Our charity, Grow Cook Learn, aims to connect people to the food, history and landscape of this fascinating and beautiful area, so as well as some cracking trails, we make sure everyone gets a real flavour of Shropshire, with Fidget pies, local cheeses, sausages and our homemade Bara Brith. “The highlight is a local beef stew which is served in a barn high in the hills – always a welcome sight for hungry walkers. If you don’t eat meat or have any other dietary needs, we’re happy to accommodate these too.” The event is an important fundraiser for Grow Cook Learn with all surpluses from the entry fees being used to support the charity’s educational programme and maintain its 12 hectares of meadowland for the benefit of wildlife and visitors. The event provides a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for anyone wanting to take on a new challenge, and with a range of distances on offer, the event is suitable for everyone from novice walkers making their first foray into the countryside through to experienced trail runners looking for a personal best. Call 01588 676060 or visit shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk for further details.

Beth takes ‘game changer’ accolade

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The British Chambers of Commerce have crowned Shropshire Festivals’ founder and creative director, Beth Heath, the game changer entrepreneur of the year. She outshone hundreds of nominees to win the award at the 2022 Chamber Business Awards, sponsored by Meta. Shropshire Chamber of Commerce nominated Beth for the accolade. Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Huge congratulations to

Beth Heath at Shropshire Festivals, one of just eight national winners of our Chamber Business Awards 2022. “You have transformed your idea in to a successful, sustainable business by understanding your market’s key challenges, customers and competitive landscape.” Beth is the brains behind several top events taking place in Shropshire, including Shrewsbury Food Festival, Shropshire Oktoberfest, Shropshire Tasty Trail, and Shropshire Kids Festival.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Climate change steps theme for farm networking session JOHN CORSER

john.corser@mnamedia.co.uk

Steps being taken to reduce climate change in South Staffordshire and the Shropshire/Staffordshire border were discussed at an event hosted by landowner Bradford Estates.

The event run with South Staffordshire Council saw about 100 people representing businesses, local authorities, residents group and environmental campaigners attend a half day networking session at Woodlands Farm, Weston under Lizard to explore ways of cutting environmental impact. It was organised by Bradford Estates as part of its 100-year plan to play a leading role on sustainability in the local area. The landed estates business organised a line-up of speakers with South Staffordshire Council to give attendees the chance to hear about a range of local steps being taken to protect the environment. The event highlighted how the council, Bradford Estates and their

partners are working to protect local ecology. Councillor Len Bates, the cabinet member for community services, provided an overview on the measures the council is taking to support local businesses, backed by leading representatives from the local authority. Ryan Taylor, performance and en-

virocrime manager and climate lead at the council, updated the audience on the council’s drive to achieve net zero, its electric vehicle strategy, the local nature recovery plan and work with schools to engage young people on the environment. The council’s enterprise team manager Wayne Dutton reported on the progress made with local

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businesses on reducing carbon impact and assisting on energy usage during the current utility cost crisis, before representatives from the South Staffordshire Council Aspire Group explained the local authority’s drive to reduce its own footprint. Bradford Estates managing director Alexander Newport gave an overview of the steps being taken by his business as a long-term landowner in the area, responsible for 12,000 acres on the Shropshire and Staffordshire borders. A full range of environmental and agricultural projects being delivered on the estates was outlined by farms director, Oliver Scott, including efforts to increase biodiversity, work to conserve water and steps being taken to use alternative energy sources. Mr Newport said the event had been a success. He said: “It was a pleasure to host such a positive morning where attendees could hear about the practical work being carried out in the local community, both by the public sector bodies and leading local businesses. Councillor Bates said he was pleased with the progress made at the networking event.

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We are calling on all parents/guardians with children aged 10 years old and under to send in a festive photo of their little ones.

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Get into the Christmas spirit early and send in a picture of your child in a festive costume or outfit, it could be Santa, a Little Elf or Reindeer the choice is yours!!

5 17th April Eastbourne 24th April York,CastleHoward&HeartbeatCountry 5

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Entries are open until Sunday, November 27 2022. For more details and to submit your photo go to: santaslittlehelpers.shropshirestar.com

PHOTO SUPPLEMENT All the photos submitted by the closing date, will be showcased in Santa’s Little Helpers photo special which will be printed in the Shropshire Star on Wednesday, December 7 2022. NOTE: A photo taken on your iPhone or Android phone should be of sufficient quality.

PRIZE DRAW All children who appear in the Santa’s Little Helper photo special, will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five £50 Smyths Toys Gift Cards. Good luck!!!

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TRYSULL & SEISDON W.I Our president, Sue Cotterell, welcomed everyone to the November meeting by saying what a lovely outing we had to St Bartholomew’s Church at Tong, writes Diane Birks. The weather was kind to us, and we began our visit by walking with our guide, John Hallett, through the graveyard. He told us that every grave apart from one faces the same way. No-one has ever found out why this is. The most famous grave there is that of Little Nell, who is, of course, a fictitious character in The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. It is believed that Dickens based the village where Nell died on Tong. In about 1910 the verger made a false grave for her and it’s reputed that he charged a shilling to visitors wishing to see it! Also in the graveyard is a medieval standing stone cross, and on the outside wall of the church a series of crosses can be seen. These are thought to have been scratched into the stone by soldiers going to the Crusades. The November meeting was a demonstration of Christmas wreath making by Pauline and Linda. Next month’s meeting will be our Christmas party held at the Village Hall, Trysull on Thursday December 8 at the earlier time of 6.45pm. There will be a hot buffet.

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Office hours HORTONWOOD - Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. BRIDGNORTH - Monday to Friday 9:30 am – 14:30 pm All offices closed Saturday and Sunday

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12 NE WS

Train operators under fire after delays continue Train operators have been criticised for continuing to run reduced timetables four days after planned strikes were called off. Many services started later than normal on Tuesday last week, with some companies operating fewer trains than usual throughout the day. Operators produced emergency timetables after rail unions announced strikes on Saturday November 5, Monday November 7 and Wednesday November 9 in a long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions. The walkouts were called off a day before the first one was due to take place, but several companies have been unable to run normal services over the period, citing staffing difficulties and rolling stock being in the wrong place. Many operators ran their first trains at about 7am on Tuesday, which is approximately two hours later than normal. Transport writer Christian Wolmar told the PA news agency: “They should have paid the planners a bit of overtime and got people in and had a bit of wartime spirit about it. “Instead, it’s kind of ‘Oh, it’s all too difficult’.” Mr Wolmar, a former Labour parliamentary candidate, claimed there is a “lack of can-do spirit” around Britain’s railways. He went on: “It’s become a nobody-gives-a-damn railway. There’s nobody in charge.”

Thousands of Gorge tickets are snapped up Thousands of free tickets have been snapped up in four hours by people keen to visit Telford museums this weekend. The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust launched the initiative last Wednesdayand saw all 4,000 free tickets taken in just four hours. The trust invited families and local residents with a TF postcode to visit any of the Gorge museums for free on Saturday, November 19 to Sunday, November 20. Its aim was to offer local residents the chance to find out more about the area in which they live, as well as its important history, without the cost of entry. Abbie King, chief operating officer at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, said: “Having gone on sale earlier this week our free tickets for TF postcodes proved incredibly popular, with all of the 4,000 tickets selling out in just four hours. “Engaging with our local community is a huge part of what we do as a trust and, after the success of the offer last year, we felt that it was a fantastic way to engage with the communities that are right on our doorstep, especially at what is a particularly tough time financially for a lot of families.”

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Music stars tribute acts festival off for next year

A Duran Duran tribute act performs at this year’s event in Shrewsbury

A festival of tribute acts to giants of the music world will not be returning to a county park next year due to financial challenges facing organisers. The Fake Festival in Shrewsbury’s Quarry has been cancelled for 2023 as organisers need to slash its number of shows. Oasis, Duran Duran and Depeche Mode tribute acts were among those to rock the Quarry in April at this year’s festival. But officials at Shrewsbury Town Council have confirmed it

won’t be back in 2023. It is hoped organisers will bring the festival back in 2024. Mike Cox, outdoor recreation and asset manager, told a council meeting: “The Fake Festival won’t be attending next year for financial reasons.

Tours “They are having to reduce their number of tour shows by 50 per cent.” Mr Cox added: “Unfortunately we are missing out in 2023.

They are hoping to make a return in 2024.” Councillor Phil Gillam asked whether the authority should be charging event organisers more money to hold shows in the 29-acre riverside park. Mr Cox said the authority “doesn’t charge as much” as some venues might because in return they negotiate favourable terms such as keeping the gates open so revellers can come and go – meaning a knock-on boost for town centre shops, pubs and cafes.

Council holds onto its coveted Armed Forces champion status DAVID TOOLEY

david.tooley@mnamedia.co.uk

Shropshire Council has held on to its status as a gold standard employer under the Armed Forces Covenant scheme.

The council says it’s the only organisation in the West Midlands to have the award re-validated this year, and is one of only 36 Gold Award re-validations made nationally. The Armed Forces Covenant sees organisations pledge to supporting the military and veteran communities and their families. Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards are awarded to those that employ and support those who serve, veterans and their families. Councillor Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s deputy leader and Armed Forces Covenant champion, said: “As one of Shropshire’s largest employers, we have a duty to support regular and reserve units as well as the veterans who are trying to find their way in civilian life. “Shropshire has a large Armed Forces community, including serving members – regulars and reserves – veterans and their families. “The revalidation of the Gold Award is thoroughly deserved and testament to all of the fantastic work being done.” Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight, deputy Armed Forces Covenant scheme champion, added: “I am immensely proud of the council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, and of our small team and the volunteers who commit so much time across our county.”

Krazy Races will not be back in Shrewsbury ‘for the foreseeable’, organisers of the charity event have said

Brakes put on charity Krazy Races event A council boss said the Krazy Races event won’t be held next year because organisers wanted the authority to help fund it. Sarah Belcher Events, the team behind the soapbox derby, recently said it had pulled the plug on the Shrewsbury event next year due to “lack of support” from stakeholders. But Shrewsbury Town Council’s Mike Cox said he had never given council money to event organisers and doesn’t plan to in the future as it would “set a precedent” for

NICK HUMPHREYS

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk other events. Mr Cox, the authority’s outdoor recreation and asset manager, told a council meeting: “If we start putting funding into this event it may set a precedent for other events. It is a charity event that is put on to raise money for charity. I don’t think we should be paying money to the individual to then give out to local charities.” Krazy Races was launched in

Shrewsbury in 2019 and returned this year in May following a break due to the Covid pandemic and lockdown rules. Sarah Belcher Events have taken the event to other towns and had success, but announced last month that it will not be back in Shrewsbury “for the foreseeable”. An event spokesman said: “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.”

Landowner’s decision on Dana footpath ‘due before the end of the year’

A leader has said a society criticised over “standing in the way” of a “vital” footpath being built will be deciding on it before the end of the year. Shropshire Horticultural Society’s Michael Burton said the group has not got round to deciding its stance on a new Dana footpath in Shrewsbury due to volunteers dealing with difficulties to do with

the Shrewsbury Flower Show this year. It comes ahead of Shrewsbury Town Council leader Alan Mosley tabling a motion criticising the society for “thwarting” attempts to build the path. The authority has wanted to build a path from The Dana around the wall of the Grade I-listed Shrewsbury Castle to improve

accessibility for old people, wheelchair users and mums with prams. The society owns the land so the council needs it to be on board. Mr Burton said: “I have been in discussions and have had meetings on site. It was due to go before our committee in February this year, but unfortunately it coincided with us getting into the staging of a very challenging show. We were discov-

ering exhibitors were no longer in business. We have a small team of volunteers and the flower show takes a lot of organising. “The timing of Councillor Mosley’s motion is unfortunate. We’re getting it back on the agenda to make a decision by the end of the year.” He added: “Speaking for myself and not for the society as a whole, I can see the merits.”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Host of top acts lined up to play at festival in grounds of stately home next summer

Council ecology team recognised for guidance on livestock units

mark.andrews@mnamedia.co.uk

A project by Shropshire Council to monitor and reduce ammonia in the air caused by intensive farming practices has been shortlisted for a national award. The Digital Leaders Net Zero 50 List highlights the top individuals, organisations, products and initiatives helping in the climate battle. Shropshire Council’s ecology team has been recognised for developing county-specific guidance on how planning applications for intensive livestock units will be assessed for their impacts upon the natural environment as a result of ammonia emissions. The ecology team has been listed under the Net Zero public sector category. Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said: “It is a tremendous result for our team involved in this project. By examining emissions and overall air quality at specific sites, the team is able to assess and recognise practices that may cumulatively result in excessive amounts of ammonia. They are looking at the information available as a wholea which gives a more accurate picture of what is going on. “I am delighted for Shropshire that they have been recognised in the inaugural Net Zero 50 list, and I will be casting my vote to support them in the People’s Choice Award.”

MARK ANDREWS

Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder, chart-toppers Sophie Ellis-Bextor and East 17, and former Spice Girl Melanie C will join rock legends Primal Scream at a family music festival next year. Synth-pop superstars The Human League and drum–and-bass band Rudimental will also be appearing at Camp Bestival Shropshire, at Weston Park, near Shifnal, when it returns in August next year. About 17,000 revellers flocked to the venue for the West Midlands’ first Camp Bestival in August this year.

Comedy As well as the music, the festival will involve comedy, children’s entertainment and wellbeing events. The event, running from August 17-20, is organised by former Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank and his wife Josie. Rob said he was delighted with this year’s event, and hoped this year’s event would build on that success. “We couldn’t have been happier with the site, the weather, the crowd, and the vibes,” he said. “We’re back for 2023 hoping to ramp up the levels even more from introducing a brand-new fancy dress parade, raft building and loads of cool new little pop-ups to

Plant a sapling and help boost environment People in Bridgnorth are being urged to take up the offer of free trees to plant in the coming season. Shropshire Council is committed to planting 345,000 trees by 2050, though it says it is hoping to bring the target forward. This year there will be 21,000 free trees available to residents and landowners for the planting season. Shropshire Council secured funding worth £500,000 as part of a joint project led by the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Tree Council, called Trees Outside Woodland, in 2020, and is one of five councils involved in the project, which will run until March 2023. Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for climate change, natural assets and the green economy, said: “Shropshire Council is focusing on planting groups of native trees and shrubs as copses and small areas of woodland, to maximise the benefits for landscape and wildlife around the county.” To find out more, email tree. scheme@shropshire.gov.uk

Thousands of families are expected to the attend Bestival at Weston Park mega pop stars and indie giants on the main stage. Scottish rock band Primal Scream, fronted by Bobby Gillespie, will lead the 2023 music lineup, supported by Sheffield synthpop pioneers The Human League. Ryder’s song Space Man stormed to second place in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, while .singer-songwriter Ella Henderson will

entertain crowds with her huge pop hits. There will also be West Midland acts at the event, with death metal pioneers Napalm Death and Stourbridge alternative rock band Pop Will Eat Itself adding to the variety. Other events include Cosmic Kids Yoga, children’s favourites Mr Tumble and The Cuban Brothers, Dick and Dom, Mister Maker, and

Horrible Histories. There will also be extreme bike battles, roller discos, mega skate ramps and a display by the Red Devils parachute team. Cirque Bijou will be putting on a circus show with a difference, and there will also be activities organised in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature. Tickets, starting at £70, went on sale today (Thursday).

Surprise in store for those going to the panto this year MATTHEW PANTER

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matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

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The director of this year’s pantomime in Telford says the audience with be able to enjoy some “spectacular moments” when the show hits the stage next month.

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs will run at the Telford Theatre from December 8 to January 2 and features EastEnders favourite Sam Attwater as The Prince and 90s pop star Lolly as The Wicked Queen. It also features Carl Dutfield as Muddles, Chloe Barlow as Snow White, Sophie Jane Walters, playing Fairy Fortune, along with Ian Smith, who stars as Dame Dolly as well as directing the show. “I think Telford is in for a treat this year,” Ian said. “There are some really big moments. “There’s one particular scene in act one – I won’t give anything away – where we have something spectacular planned that Telford has never seen before. Every year we try to up the production value and this year is no different. It’s really exciting.”

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Stars Carl Dutfield as Muddles, Chloe Barlow as Snow White and Ian Smith as Dame Dolly

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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

County trusts prepare to face industrial action The ballot by the Royal College of Nursing means two of the county’s NHS trusts will now be preparing for industrial action. Nursing staff at both the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital near Oswestry, and Shropshire Community Health Trust voted to take strike action. Bosses at Shropshire’s two emergency hospitals, Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal at Telford, have escaped the headache of having to prepare contingency plans, after the RCN revealed Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust was not on the list of confirmed striking trusts. No date has been set for the strike action, although the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said it is expected before the end of the year – with the vote giving the union a mandate to organise strikes runs until early May 2023. Patricia Davies, chief executive, Shropshire Community Health Trust said: “While pay is a matter for Government and the trade unions, we value our staff and want to see a resolution as soon as possible.” The RCN said the ballot came after NHS Agenda for Change pay announcements earlier this year, “left experienced nurses 20 per cent worse off in real terms compared to 10 years earlier”. Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, said he was saddened that industrial action had been approved and feared for the effect on patients.

Strike action to cause postcode lottery for NHS Patients face a postcode lottery when nurses go on strike later this year. While staff will walk out at some hospitals and surgeries in Shropshire, others are expected to be operating as normal. It comes as the numbers voting for strike action failed to reach the legal threshold at a number of NHS trusts. A list produced by the Royal College of Nursing of trusts voting for strike action leaves off many major hospitals in the Midlands. While nurses at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Shropshire Community Health Trust, and Powys Teaching Health Board voted for strike action, it appears not enough voted to make a strike legally binding at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital. It means bosses at the hospitals escape the headache of having to plan for the action, which is expected to take place before the end of the year. Stacey Keegan, chief executive of the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, said: “We value our staff and want to see a resolution as soon as possible.”

Councillors call on Minister to rethink Future Fit A&E proposals

A&E medic Dr Ed Rysdale says the county health service can’t go on as it is

Consultant throws weight behind Future Fit A senior A&E medic has backed major plans to re-organise the county’s emergency hospitals. Dr Ed Rysdale, consultant in emergency medicine at Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), said that Future Fit plans for both Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) are vital for patients and staff. Future Fit has been hit by delays, but crossed a major hurdle earlier this year when the government and the NHS approved the strategic outline case for the proposal.

DOMINIC ROBERTSON

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk Dr Rysdale has now spoken out to describe the potential benefits, saying the planned changes would bring together specialist teams so that patients are seen faster, leading to a quicker diagnosis and shorter hospital stays. He said: “These improvements will benefit all of our patients and enable us to provide the high-quality care that our patients need. “We can’t continue as we are. Our

patients regularly experience delays in accessing the right specialist teams and it is vital that our facilities support modern healthcare practices.” Dr Rysdale said that the plans will result in “better quality care and fewer delays for treatment”. He added: “This represents a fantastic opportunity to optimise the delivery of our services across two thriving hospital sites. These changes will help us to make sure that everyone has access to the right care, at the right time, from the right clinicians when they need it most.”

Health secretary Steve Barclay will be asked to review the Future Fit proposals for Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital Telford. Telford & Wrekin councillors want an urgent review and reversal of the approval of the strategic outline case for reconfiguration of the county’s hospitals, saying the government’s plan will downgrade the borough’s health and social care services. They say the government needs to provide the necessary resources to ensure Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire has the health and social care services that its residents deserve. Councillor Andy Burford’s motion was passed at last week’s full council meeting. The Future Fit proposals would see RSH become the base for the county’s only 24-hour A&E department – currently both RSH and PRH offer the service. The PRH will have what has been described as an ‘A&E Local,’ while consultant-led women and children’s services move from Telford to Shrewsbury, with the Telford site becoming the centre for planned care. Mr Burford said the “shambolic” plans to downgrade Telford’s 24/7 A&E to an “A&E Local” had been discredited by a number of clinical bodies. “Telford would be the largest and growing town in England without a fully functional A&E,” he said. “The government also still plans to move our consultant led Women and Children Unit from Telford, which flies in the face of recognised clinical need.”

Woman’s 15-hour A&E wait after injuring her face in fall

A 72-year-old woman spent approximately 15 hours in A&E after collapsing in a car park, suffering a broken nose as well as cuts and bruises to her face.

June Jones, from Telford, said she arrived at the Princess Royal Hospital at about 8.50pm on Tuesday, November 1 after collapsing in Wellington, but did not leave until about midday on November 2. She was initially seen after about four hours, but was not discharged until the following day. Accompanied by her husband John, who drove her to the accident and emergency department, June said she spent the night throwing up clots of blood. The couple had been helping a friend move into her new home, when June said she started to feel ‘violently hot’ and told her husband

MEGAN HOWE

Community News Reporter she was going to pass out. “I remember pulling the window down (of the car) and John came back and I was face down in the car park – and I fell on tarmac,” June said. June suffered cuts and bruising to her face after collapsing, as well as a broken nose and said she was ‘completely out of it’ when the pair reached the hospital. “I knew I just didn’t feel right and there was blood everywhere – there was blood all over me. “At this point I’m freezing cold, I’m shivering and I couldn’t keep my limbs still,” June added. June said she was first seen by a triage nurse at about 1am when she was called in for a head scan. But said she did not leave until the following day, after being told she might possibly have a urine infection and was asked to do a sample.

June has an appointment booked with an ENT doctor (ear, nose and throat) about her broken nose. She went on to say that it was the longest experience she had ever had in A&E. “I am still having headaches and all of my skin that’s come off has become infected,” she said. “I felt that self-conscious it was unreal and I just felt like I was a non-entity, like I didn’t exist.”

Busy

June said she feels sorry for her grandchildren. She added that Shrewsbury and Telford A&E departments could cope any more. Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) said that A&E departments are exceptionally busy at the moment and that patients are seen according to clinical priority. Sara Biffen, acting chief operating officer at SaTH, said: “Due to patient confidentiality, we are unable to comment on individual cir-

June Jones with cuts and bruises cumstances. Our A&E departments are exceptionally busy. However, we see all patients according to their clinical priority. “We would encourage anyone with concerns relating to their care to contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Three quarters of patients believe GP services have deteriorated post-Covid

Three quarters of patients in Shropshire believe GP services have deteriorated since the Covid pandemic. And around seven in 10 say they find it difficult to make an appointment with their doctor. More than 1,500 people took part in a shropshirestar.com survey on the state of GP services across the county. And while there is clearly sympathy for the difficulties facing the GPs themselves, the message

given is one of frustration at not always being able to access help from their surgery. Almost nine in 10 people said they would like to see evening and weekend appointments introduced. And a third of those questioned said they had opted to call 111 after failing to get hold of their own GP. However, nearly half of those surveyed (45 per cent) said they would be willing to have a consultation

remotely by phone or Zoom, and 46 per cent said they would be willing to pay more in taxes to improve GP services. The survey comes as the NHS Confederation says the crisis in general practice must be acknowledged and addressed. However, 89 per cent of people say they don’t believe they have a good personal relationship with their doctor, and almost eight in 10 say they don’t believe their GP is there

for them in a time of need. The survey comes as a report raises concerns at the gap between the number of GPs per patient in richer and poorer parts of England. Analysis by Cambridge University saw “stark inequalities” in GPs’ distribution, with parts of the West Midlands hit. Earlier this year, public satisfaction with GP care fell to its lowest level since the survey began in 1983.

We are working ourselves to bone and need investment

DOMINIC ROBERTSON

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

A GP has warned investment is the only way to improve access to primary care, with doctors “at full capacity” and “working themselves to the bone” to meet demand.

Dr Jess Harvey is a GP at Much Wenlock and Cressage Medical Practice, as well as the clinical director for the South East Shropshire Primary Care Network. As pandemic lockdown restrictions have been wound down, doctors’ surgeries across the country have found themselves inundated with increased demand. The reality has seen practices providing more appointments than at any stage in history, but as a survey carried out by the Journal’s sister paper, the Shropshire Star, shows, the public still feel they face difficulties in securing appointments. Dr Harvey has spoken of the challenges facing the sector as it tries to cope with the number of people requiring help – and the need for understanding and respect between GPs and patients.

The scale of the demand on GP services has been shown by new figures that show more than 37,000 patients in the county waited more than two weeks to see a doctor in September. The patients made up 15.7 per cent of all GP appointments in the Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin CCG area, up from the 9.2 per cent of patients who waited more than two weeks to see their doctor in January. North Shropshire’s Lib Dem MP, Helen Morgan said the “worrying figures” show that patients are being let down by the government. It comes as the Liberal Democrats set out plans for patients to have a right to see their GP within a week, or within 24 hours if in urgent need. The policy would enshrine the right in the NHS Constitution, putting a duty on the government and health service to make sure it happens. The Lib Dems said it would be achieved by increasing the number of GPs, fixing pension rules to prevent doctors retiring early, and increasing the number of nurses and pharmacists fully qualified to prescribe medicines. Mrs Morgan said: “Doctors are working hard but are being swamped by demand.”

Health bosses in pledge to work on appointments

Investment

She said that a combination of investment in general practice, both buildings and staffing, as well as more use of other sources for patients – such as Allied Health Professionals (AHP), are needed to help provide the service the public wants and expects. She has also warned of the impact of criticism and aggression towards staff. She said: “I think there has been a chronic underinvestment in the NHS over the past decade and if we want the NHS to function at a level patients deem to be acceptable then we need to be willing to invest in that, because the people in there are working at full capacity – they cannot work any harder. The NHS is saturated, and once you reach that point you just need to invest.” Dr Harvey said there was no doubt that practices were seeing more demand, and from people who are living longer and with more complex issues – but that was reflected in practices delivering more

37,000 patients had two-week waits in month

Dr Jess Harvey says staff are working incredibly hard and the work of a GP practice has expanded to offer more appointments. She said: “Essentially what we know is the demand for appointments has gone up, so if we look at appointments we are offering now compared to pre-pandemic, now we are offering millions more than pre-pandemic. “However, demand has definitely gone up, I don’t think any GP would deny that.” She said more allied health professionals, including physiotherapists and occupational therapists, have been recruited by surgeries to help patients “In general practice we are aware of that and are trying our best to accommodate that. That is why we are recruiting more allied health professionals to help us. It would be nice to have more doctors, but it is having the funds to pay them and fund them, so what we have found is recruiting others can be just as ef-

fective. They can offer specialist to patients and sometimes it is as good as a doctors.” Dr Harvey also outlined how for some practices it is not even as simple as getting more doctors – with limited space for them to actually see patients and little option to expand. She said: “The other constraint is GP practices themselves – the buildings. My practice only has so many rooms and sometimes there is someone in every room and if we had another GP there would be nowhere for them to actually see patients. That is why we need the NHS to provide more facilities. It limits the services we can provide.” She said GPs needed to be understanding of patients, but the public needed to consider the pressures on staff. “We could not work any harder. Your GP on average works

between 10 and 13 hour days to get through everything – to see all the patients, to do all the admin. They are working themselves to the bone. I am surrounded by colleagues who are constantly sacrificing their own wellbeing for that of our patients.” She added: “I feel as a profession, and primary care as a whole we have been on the end of some incredibly negative and unfair criticism – I think pre-pandemic, but it has certainly become heightened during the pandemic and since. “Morale has done its best to keep up but when people tell you you’re bad at your job enough it does have an effect The level of aggression reception get particularly is incredibly unfair. If you are faced with that you have to decide if you want to continue. It is unfair because we are people who are going above and beyond to keep general practice going.”

County health bosses have said they are working to address concerns over access to GP appointments. Responding to the findings of a primary care survey, Emma Pyrah, associate director of primary care at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said they were re-assured by positive feedback from those taking part – and outlined efforts to deal with areas of concern – such as longer waits to see a doctor. She has spoken of a number of initiatives intended to improve people’s experience – and highlighted current measures such as evening and weekend appointments. She said: “General Practice continues to work tirelessly in response to increasing demand. More appointments than ever before are being delivered, face-to-face appointments have been increasing since the pandemic (seven in 10 patients are now seen in-person), and access to GP services continues to be available at evenings and weekends. “We acknowledge that some patients are experiencing long waits due to these huge increases in demand and a backlog of elective appointments. We are working with practices to find sustainable solutions and providing a number of initiatives to support recruitment and retention.” “As part of this, General Practice teams have grown over recent years with specific roles available to support the needs of patients.”

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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

MP is celebrating as Wrekin name saved in boundary revamp

Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, has expressed his delight that the constituency’s historic name is likely to be retained under a proposed shake-up of parliamentary boundaries.

The Boundary Commission had proposed renaming the seat Newport and Wellington to reflect the two largest towns in the area, but this was met with fierce opposition. The seat will be enlarged to take in the wards of Hodnet and Cheswardine, which at the moment come under the North Shropshire constituency, if the plans are adopted. The revised constituency map was published yesterday as part of a final consultation before final proposals are presented to Parliament next year. Constituents have until December 5 to have their say on the plans. The changes will not take place until after the next General Election, which must be held by January

2025 at the latest. Mr Pritchard said: “I am thrilled that this campaign has ended in victory and that the historic and unique name of The Wrekin will be kept for current and future generations when they cast their vote.” Earlier this year, Mr Pritchard launched his ‘Save the Wrekin’ campaign, writing to all town and parish councils in the constituency, as well as to the leaders of Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire Councils. He also gave evidence at a public hearing in March, arguing that the name of the Wrekin hill was internationally recognised, iconic in prose and literature, and symbolised the whole constituency, which covered both urban areas of Telford and rural Shropshire. He also argued that the name Newport and Wellington would create confusion, given that there are a dozen Newports in the UK – including the Welsh city served by

four constituencies using the name – and at least another three towns called Wellington. Ludlow constituency will be renamed South Shropshire under the proposals, partly reflecting its expansion north to include the Burnell and Severn Valley wards, which at present form part of Shrewsbury & Atcham. The commission had previously planned to rename the constituency Ludlow and Bridgnorth, but this was met with opposition by constituents. The proposals will increase the constituency by some 100 square miles, taking in an extra 7,500 voters to increase the population to just over 75,000. Mr Dunne said he was saddened to see the passing of the Ludlow name but added: “I think it now makes sense to rename the constituency South Shropshire, which better reflects the proposed geography.” “These proposals will increase the geographic scale of the constituency to some 700 square miles. It already stretches from some 35 miles

Delighted with the parliamentary boundary revamp, Mark Pritchard MP along the Welsh Border to the west and as far east as to within six miles of Wolverhampton city centre. The South Shropshire constituency will now reach as far north as the edge of Shrewsbury by including Burnell and Severn Valley wards. The

BOUNDARY CHANGES SOUTH SHROPSHIRE

The new seat effectively replaces the existing Ludlow constituency, but has been expanded northwards to take in part of the Shrewsbury & Atcham seat. Previous proposals, to call the seat Ludlow & Bridgnorth were dropped after complaints it would exclude the other towns that formed part of the constituency. The new seat will take in the Burnell and Severn Valley wards which at the moment come under Shrewsbury & Atcham. It will retain the following wards: Alveley and Claverley, Bishop’s Castle, Bridgnorth East and Astley Abbots, Bridgnorth West and Tasley, Broseley, Brown Clee, Chirbury and Worthen, Church Stretton and Craven Arms, Clee, Cleobury Mortimer, Clun, Corvedale, Highley, Ludlow East, Ludlow North, Ludlow South, Much Wenlock and Worfield. SHREWSBURY

The name Atcham is dropped from the existing Shrewsbury & Atcham constituency, which loses the Burnell and Severn Valley seats to the new South Shropshire seat. It retains the following Shropshire Council wards: Abbey, Bagley, Battlefield, Bayston Hill, Column and Sutton, Belle Vue, Bowbrook, Castlefields and Ditherington, Copthorne, Harlescott, Longden, Loton, Meole, Monkmoor, Porthill, Quarry and Coton Hill, Radbrook, Rea Valley, Sundorne and Tern.

TELFORD The Telford constituency sees little change, despite calls from council leader Councillor Shaun Davies to remove Priorslee, and replace it with Hadley and Leegomery. The proposed constituency will be made up of the following wards: Brookside, Dawley & Aqueduct, Horsehay & Lightmoor, Ironbridge Gorge, Ketley & Overdale, Madeley & Sutton Hill, Malinslee & Dawley Bank, Oakengates & Ketley Bank, Priorslee, St George’s, The Nedge, Woodside, and Wrockwardine Wood & Trench. THE WREKIN The Boundaries Commission has been persuaded to retain the constituency’s name following a campaign led by its MP Mark Pritchard. A previous proposal would have seen it renamed Newport & Wellington, in line with the commission’s policy of using the name of the main population centres where possible. The constituency, which is spread across both the Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire Council areas, will be expanded to take in the Cheswardine and Hodnet wards from the existing North Shropshire seat. Otherwise, it will retain the existing Shropshire Council wards of Albrighton, Shifnal North, and Shifnal South and Cosford. It will also continue to include the following Telford & Wrekin Council wards: Admaston & Bratton, Apley Cas-

tle, Arleston, Church Aston & Lilleshall, College, Donnington, Dothill, Edgmond & Ercall Magna, Ercall, and Hadley & Leegomery. NORTH SHROPSHIRE The North Shropshire seat, which was won by Liberal Democrat Helen Morgan following a high-profile by-election in December last year, loses two wards to bring its population down to 77,052. Hodnet and Cheswardine wards are transferred into The Wrekin, but it is otherwise unchanged, being made up of the following wards: Ellesmere Urban, Gobowen, Selattyn and Weston Rhyn, Llanymynech, Market Drayton East, Market Drayton West, Oswestry East, Oswestry South, Oswestry West, Prees, Ruyton and Baschurch, Shawbury, St. Martin’s, St Oswald, The Meres, Wem, Whitchurch North and Whitchurch South. STAFFORDSHIRE Probably the most controversial change is likely to be the merger of South Staffordshire with part of the existing Dudley South seat, to form a new Kingswinford and South Staffordshire constituency. The constituency will gain the Dudley borough wards of Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, Kingswinford South and Wordsley, but lose its northern wards, Brewood & Coven, Cheslyn Hay North & Saredon, Essington, Featherstone and Shareshill, Great Wyrley Landywood, Great Wyrley Town and Huntingdon and

Hatherton. These will all be moved into a new Stone and Great Wyrley constituency, joining Milwich, Walton and St Michael’s & Stonefield which will be carried over from the previous Stone constituency. The three Penkridge wards will also come under Great Wyrley and Stone, along with Wheaton Aston, Bishopswood and Lapley. Stafford constituency gains Loggerheads, Maer & Whitmore, Doxey & Castletown, Eccleshall, and Gnosall & Woodseaves. It loses Milford, but retains Baswich, Common, Coton, Forebridge, Holmcroft and Littleworth. Highfields & Western Downs, Manor, Penkside, Rowley, Seighford & Church Eaton and Weeping Cross & Wildwood are all carried over from the existing constituency. Lichfield retains part of the Whittington & Streethay seat, effectively keeping Streethay but losing Whittington. This follows extensive lobbying from sitting MP Michael Fabricant, and a 500-signature petition from Streethay villagers. It loses All Saints and Kings Bromley wards. The Cannock Chase seat is unchanged. WORCESTERSHIRE The Wyre Forest seat is unchanged under the shake-up. MONTGOMERYSHIRE A separate review by the Boundary Commission for Wales recommends extending the existing Montgomeryshire seat to include extra wards.

southern boundary with Worcestershire and Herefordshire will remain undisturbed. “South Shropshire is a more suitable name with which everyone can identify within the new constituency.”

Residents have been ‘ignored’ The Boundary Commission has been accused of “ignoring local people” after announcing plans that will see a Dudley parliamentary constituency scrapped. Under revised proposals Dudley South will be axed, with parts of it pushed into a new Kingswinford & South Staffordshire seat and other wards transferred into either the adjoining Dudley North or Stourbridge constituencies. It comes after a two-stage public consultation which was launched last year in a bid to even up the number of voters in each of the UK’s parliamentary constituencies. Mike Wood, Conservative MP for Dudley South, said the plans for his constituency had ignored the views of residents. He said: “It’s extremely disappointing that the Boundary Commission has chosen not to listen to the many local people who told them that the new Kingswinford & South Staffordshire seat ignores local community boundaries. “Areas like Kingswinford, Pensnett and Brierley Hill – which have a lot in common – have been split three ways, while places like Wordsley and Codsall have been shoved together. It will make it harder for the new MP to represent the whole area effectively, and will mean long journeys for many people who need to go to see their MP.”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Families will see £324 going into bank accounts to cover costs Around 800,000 families in the West Midlands will start to receive payments of £324 into bank accounts as part of the Government’s cost of living support. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will start making the payments directly into eligible people’s bank accounts. There is no need for people to apply or do anything to receive it – so people should watch out for texts or emails from scammers inviting them to make applications. Figures released this week reveal that 792,000 families across the West Midlands will receive a payment. Payments will go to 426,000 families in Wales. The payments form the second part of a £650 sum being paid out to people receiving benefits such as universal credit, income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), income-related employment and support allowance (ESA), income support, pension credit, child tax credit and working tax credit. Payments of £326 have previously been made by the DWP and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). DWP claimants will generally receive their second cost of living payments by Wednesday next week. Eligible households receiving tax credits, and no other means-tested benefits, will get their second costof-living payment from Wednesday next week and should receive it by November 30. The DWP said that in a small minority of complex circumstances, it may pay some households after Wednesday next week.

3m tall street hubs thrown out as ‘too large’

The Tenbury Tigers team show off their brand new yellow shirts thanks to new sponsor CJN Insurance

Wraps off new kit for delighted under-7s Young footballers have received an early Christmas gift from a local company after they signed up to be a shirt sponsor. The Tenbury Tigers football team, which was formed this season for under-7s, has been given a new kit for matches and training, after gaining sponsorship from CJN Insurance.

MEGAN HOWE

Community News Reporter The team, which is part of Tenbury United’s 350-strong youth section based at Palmers Meadows, has drawn keen young players aged six and seven from local primary schools including Tenbury, Burford

and Orleton. Club secretary and coach Mark Benbow said: “This is wonderful support from CJN Insurance at a time when getting sponsorship is tough for local organisations due to the economic climate. “The Tigers now have striking yellow strips and blue training kits which are great quality.”

Council announces £2.1m of help for low-income homes

A new £2.1 million package of measures has been created to support vulnerable and low-income households in Shropshire.

Shropshire Council received the Household Support Grant funding from the government to cover the winter period to the end of March. It is being used to provide targeted help to a range of households likely to be most impacted by the rising cost of living with one-off payments, meal vouchers for children in the holidays and help with energy costs among the initiatives. The council says there will be a one-off, £180 payment to around 5,250 households on low incomes in receipt of housing benefit, who have not previously received support through the council’s Household Support Fund. A further set of criteria has been drawn up to identify where the help

SUE AUSTIN

sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk will be targeted. Only those not in receipt of council tax support, those on legacy benefits in receipt of council tax support or housing benefit and working families in receipt of council tax support will receive the payment. Councillor Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for finance and corporate resources, and who is overseeing the council’s response to the cost of living crisis, said: “This payment will be issued directly to those who meet the criteria by the council where we hold bank details. Other identified households will be invited to apply. “We aim to have paid or contacted all eligible residents before Christmas.” This will account for just over £1 million of the fund. Children in receipt of benefits-related free school meals in Shropshire will continue to receive

support, usually through meal vouchers, during the school holidays until the end of the spring term. This would benefit around 7,500 children, who will get an equivalent to £15 a week of support during the four weeks of school holidays, including Christmas. This will account for around £450,000 of the fund. Councillor Butler said: “If you’re on a low income and you think you could be eligible for free school meals, go online to shropshire.gov. uk/free-school-meals.” The Welfare Support Fund will receive £300,000 to provide support to low income households who are most in need of help with food, energy and water bills, and with other wider essential costs. To find out how to apply for the council’s Local Welfare Support Fund visit shropshire.gov.uk/ shropshire-council/welfare-support-team-local-welfare-provision. There will also be £220,000 for

a Keeping Warm at Home fund – a range of initiatives to help low-income households in debt with energy costs and grants to help reduce energy costs and a further £75,000 will help to support a range of hardship grants. Councillor Butler said: “We’re making sure this latest Household Support Funding is targeted to households on low incomes most in need, and in particular those who have yet to receive other support as part of our cost of living help. “The council and a range of partners are doing a huge amount to help Shropshire residents with practical measures and support, which can be seen at our cost of living support pages. For example, the council and partners have come together to create Shropshire’s Warm Welcome at more than 50 locations, where people worried about staying in a cold home can find a warm and friendly place to be during the day over the winter.”

Plans for six three-metre high BT ‘street hubs’ in a town centre have been rejected. Shropshire Council’s northern planning committee rejected a total of 12 separate applications from the communications giant for prominent locations around Shrewsbury. The hubs would have had 75-inch LCD screens to display adverts, and would also have included ultra-fast Wi-Fi, USB ports for rapid charging, free phone calls, a direct 999 call button, as well as an interactive tablet to access local council services, support charities, the phone book, weather, and maps. BT said they would also boost 4G and 5G in the area. The proposal had been to have the hubs, which would have been 2.96 metres high, 1.23 metres wide, 0.35 metres deep, based at Claremont Bank, the junction between Smithfield Road and Chester Street, St Mary’s Street, Castle Street, The Square, and near the market entrance in Shoplatch. Under the plan phone boxes would also be removed from Castle Street, Market Street and Shoplatch. Shropshire Council planning officer Jane Raymond, who presented the application to the committee, said that the hubs would be taller than the phone boxes they replaced. The plans were recommended for refusal by planning officers.

Support service in place to aid the vulnerable Shropshire Council has commissioned a Winter Support Service to help residents who are vulnerable, or at risk of becoming vulnerable during the coming months. The service has been reconfigured for a third year in order to support people to avoid a health and care crisis situation. It will be run by Shropshire Council in partnership with the British Red Cross, Shropshire Mental Health Support, Age UK Shropshire Telford and Wrekin, Oswestry Qube, The Mayfair Centre, and The Royal Voluntary Service. There will be signposting to a range of support that will help residents to remain well and independent within their own home, and will also ensure safe and effective discharges home from hospital. This includes transport returning home from hospital; settling people in at home following discharge from hospital; simple aids and equipment following hospital discharge; collecting and delivering medications, and shopping and delivery. It also includes wellbeing home visits; companionship for isolated or lonely people; cost of living advice and support; connectivity into the wider offer of support from across the voluntary and community sector. It is part of the council’s commitment to support people to remain both physically and mentally well in particularly during the winter months.

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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Alveley Primary School – Reception Beech Class

Worfield Endowed Primary School – Reception Clee Class

Beckbury C.E Primary School – Year One,Malvern Class

Albrighton Primary School – Reception Rangers

Cleobury Mortimer Primary School – Fox Class St Mary’s Bluecoat Primary School – Reception

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Claverley CE Primary School – Green Class

Castlefields Primary School – Year 1 Class (Oak)

Morville C.E Primary – Reception, Oak Tree Class

Beckbury C.E Primary School – Reception Wrekin Class

St John’s Roman Catholic Primary School – Reception

Castlefields Primary School – Reception

Kinlet C of E Primary School – Acorn Class

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BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Old lampposts being replaced

Council puts plan in place for new authority-funded transport service

Old lampposts have been replaced and others are being monitored after a child was hit by one that fell down, a Shropshire Council meeting has heard. The accident was one of 645 recorded in a Health and Safety report to the council in the last year as incidents went up 50 per cent from 431 the year before, a report to the council’s cabinet was told. The authority referred eight incidents to the Health and Safety Executive which shows the main causes of accidents were slips, trips and falls, as well as violence in schools. One of the incidents referred to the HSE was a schoolboy breaking his leg when he was hit by a falling lamppost in Shrewsbury. The incident happened in Kingston Drive in November last year. Several other lampposts were taken down as a precaution while Shropshire Council investigated.

House prices fall but rents up The average price tag on a home fell by more than £4,000 in November compared with the previous month. Across Britain, the average price of a newly marketed home in November is £366,999, Rightmove said. The £4,159 drop in the average asking price compared with October equates to a 1.1 per cent month-on-month fall. This is in line with the typical 1.1 per cent drop recorded in the month of November during the pre-pandemic years of 2015 to 2019, with sellers often pricing properties more competitively at this time of year. The website said that the first-time buyer sector continues to be the most affected by falling demand. There are also signs that more sellers are willing to reduce asking prices.

Church hosting winter festival St Laurence’s Church is hosting a number of events as part of the inaugural Ludlow Winter Festival. Events in the parish church run from 5-9pm on November 25 and 10am until 2pm on the Saturday. Kate Garrett-Nield from the church said: “After last year’s terrible loss of the Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre, the town has pulled together, with the Town Council at the helm, to create a Winter Festival. “A range of events will take place between November 25-27 at Ludlow Castle, Market Square, the Women’s Centre, Ludlow Brewery, and of course, here at St Laurence’s. “The ‘Festive Friday’ evening in St Laurence’s will be on November 25 from 5-9pm, and will feature a bar run by members of our clergy team, as well as pizza from the Pizza Girls, and a poetry and music open mic in the Lady Chapel between 7-9pm.”

The Global Day of Action protesters in Ironbridge

Climate change alarm raised by protesters Campaigners marched through Ironbridge as part of a nationwide sounding of the alarm against climate change. People young and old joined the decentralised Global Day of Action to coincide with Cop27 in Egypt. They responded to a call from Global Justice Coalition to join in a day of action with groups around the world, in an event organised by Extinction Rebellion Groups across Shropshire. Beating everything from drums to pots and pans they walked from

SUE AUSTIN

sue.austin@mnamedia.co.uk Dale End to the Iron Bridge, led by a Samba group. At noon the group “sounded the alarm” before hearing from speakers. “Together we are demanding an end to climate and other injustices, and an urgent response from governments and leaders to climate and other multiple linked crises,” Juliet Soria a spokesperson for the

organisers said. “Our UK presidency of Cop26 has ended in failure. Carbon emissions continue to rise.” She said fracking was back on the agenda and hundreds of new oil field licences were planned. Water companies continue to use rivers as open sewers and the destruction of wildlife habitat was increasing. “We wanted to create a wall of sound and send a message to the delegates of Cop27 in a family-orientated event.”

Officials have confirmed a number of new council-funded bus services are one step closer to becoming finalised, with a predicted launch as early as Christmas. Telford & Wrekin Council has announced bus services will return to rural areas, with new transport links to places of work and a £2 price cap for adult single journeys. Decisions have been informed through a resident survey which was carried out in summer 2021 and have been put in place to make services more affordable during the cost of living crisis. Councillor Richard Overton, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, enforcement and transport, said: “We are gripped by a national cost of living crisis and while there are problems we can’t fix, there are things like helping bus services work in a way to help people make the most out of every penny in their pocket. “We’re excited to get these services going. Residents have been calling for change – more affordable and frequent services – and we are delivering it by taking control of the routes, investing to get them going and if all goes well, it’s just the start of an affordable and reliable service in Telford.” The new routes will provide cheaper transport to schools, workplaces, the Princes Royal Hospital and other rural areas, the council has said. More details around the exact routes are soon to be announced with the first of the services launched before Christmas and the others early in the New Year.

Inspectors set crunch planning meeting date for the new year

A date has been set early in the new year for a crunch meeting of planning inspectors that could be key in whether major green-belt housing plans go ahead.

Shropshire Council has been told that inspectors will hold the latest stage of the examination of the authority’s local plan on January 17 – with a reserve day set aside for January 18. The meeting will discuss whether the authority has fulfilled its ‘duty to co-operate’ with other councils – and will be key to the future of a controversial rejected proposal from the Bradford Estates to build 3,000 homes and business land north of Junction Three of the M54, and west of the village of Tong, near Shifnal. Shropshire Council’s local plan is considered one of the most im-

DOMINIC ROBERTSON

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk portant documents prepared by the authority, setting out where homes and businesses can be built in every town and village in the county in future years. The plan sets out a framework for where more than 30,000 homes will be built up until 2038. When drawing up the plan Shropshire Council chose not to include the Bradford Estates site in its proposal. The ‘duty to co-operate’ is a legal requirement for councils to help neighbouring authorities when they do not have enough space to meet their own housing needs. As part of its local plan Shropshire Council had included 1,500 homes, which it said would count towards towards a shortfall of space in the Black Country. The Association of Black Country Authorities (ABCA) – made up

of Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton, and Sandwell councils – had challenged the offer. In a letter to planning inspectors, Walsall Council specifically called for the Tong plans from the Bradford Estates, to be allowed to go ahead. Representatives from the Bradford Estates also challenged the council’s position. The issue has been complicated by a disagreement between the four Black Country councils, which fell out over their own Black Country Local Plan last month.

Complicated

The proposal has been shelved after Dudley Council, which wished to remove two controversial sites from the plan, withdrew. The authority said it would create its own plan, with its leader Patrick Harley, saying he could not allow public feedback to be ignored. The move led to the three re-

maining councils all confirming they would create their own local plans. The planning inspectors presiding over the Shropshire Council local plan have confirmed that the collapse of the neighbouring plan will be discussed, along with it potential implications for Shropshire’s duty to co-operate with the other local authorities. Other issues to be explored during the hearing will be whether Shropshire has met its ‘duty to co-operate’ for both housing, and job growth and employment land across the county. Inspectors are also gearing up to inquire about plans for landfill, describing further capacity in Shropshire as “very limited”. They will ask: “Has there been any discussion with neighbouring authorities about potentially accommodating waste needing disposal after existing landfill capacity has been exhausted?”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Pensioners who took plunge at pool to prove age is no barrier

Pietro Drago-Ferrante, of Il Brigantino restaurant, ready with sandbags

Bridgnorth golf professional Paul Hinton struggles with the weather

Shock for Blair as hospital protest hijacks visit to floods

HEATHER LARGE

heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

In 2000, residents living on the banks of the River Severn were bearing the full brunt of the worst floods in more than 50 years.

Some families were forced to flee their homes while other householders tried to limit the damage as rivers continued to rise to near record levels. Businesses in Bridgnorth, such as Lawson Mardon Star and Kwik Save supermarket, offered stricken householders a hand by delivering pallets. Residents moved what property they could upstairs and they were using the pallets to stand furniture on so they could minimise flood damage. Donald Boddy, whose Bridge Street office was on the riverbank, was making preparations along with business neighbour Pietro Drago-Ferrante, from the Il Brigantino restaurant. Mr Boddy said at the time: “I have lived here for 20 years and they are saying that the river will be the highest it has been for a long time.” Shropshire Fire and Rescue’s incident command unit was on duty in Bridgnorth along with the service’s rescue boat. Bridgnorth Golf Club professional Paul Hinton was struggling to sink his putts because he could not see the hole as parts of the course, on the banks of the river, were completely submerged. Further downstream at Bewdley, Territorial Army volunteers were helping emergency services carry out rescues. They ferried between 30 and 40 people to dry land, mainly from flooded homes in Severnside North and Severnside South. Others were rescued from the Lickhill Caravan Park in Stourport. Dozens of schools remained closed, including Bewdley High

Prime Minister Tony Blair with Environment Minister Elliot Morley, left, MP David Lock and EA director David King School, part of which was flooded. Police urged people to stay away from flooded areas, which were heavily congested, not to travel unless absolutely necessary, and to use public transport where possible. Emergency services spent two hours searching the flooded Severn at Bewdley after an upturned canoe was spotted in the water near Northwood Lane. Fears that someone had been swept away intensified when a thermal imaging camera on board the West Mercia Police helicopter identified a heat source in the water. But it turned out to be a manhole cover. Kidderminster fire station sub officer Mick Rowlands said the rescuers concluded that the canoe had been abandoned. A huge clean-up operation swung into action further upstream in

Shrewsbury where a heavy pumping unit was shipped in from Holland to help in the massive mop-up. Prime Minister Tony Blair announced a visit to Shrewsbury and Bewdley to see for himself the havoc and misery caused by the worst flooding. But his visit to Bewdley had to be cut short as townsfolk made a spontaneous protest against the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital. Many of the crowd decided to use what might be their only chance to see the Prime Minister in person to make their feelings known. The protests were not part of the organised Save the Hospital Campaign and angered a minority of residents, who wanted the focus of the visit to remain firmly on the devastation caused by the flood. Gillian Holland, of Beales Cor-

ner, chatted face-to-face with Mr Blair and told him the floods were a temporary tragedy that would pass, but the hospital was a permanent and more important issue. Mr Blair briefly met with Wyre Forest Council chairman John Gordon and Chief Inspector Mark Williams, of Kidderminster police, before leaving the town after just 20 minutes. He was headed for York where the River Ouse had caused similar damage. But there was some good news as the floods failed to wash out the Severn Valley Railway. Marketing manager John Leach said: “The engineers who built our line back in the 1860s had the wisdom to construct the railway through Bewdley about 100ft above the level of the River Severn with the aid of two big viaducts.”

Terry and Rita Charnell at Codsall pool with Chillington Divers instructors Martin Hammond and Jane Jordan In 2004, a retired couple shocked family and friends by taking the plunge for a new hobby, proving that age is no barrier to having fun. Rita and Terry Charnell, from Codsall, had taken up scuba diving as they prepared to swim among tropical fish in oceans of the world. The youthful couple joined Chillington Divers scuba and snorkel club, based at Codsall Leisure Centre, and said diving had opened up a whole new world for them. Terry Charnell, aged 65, had retired during the previous year as a technical manager for a light engineering company and had long enjoyed snorkelling, but his wife, aged 66, did not. “I always used to go snorkelling but my wife wouldn’t even entertain the idea despite being able to swim better than me,” he told the Star in 2004. “But when we found we could train at the swimming pool my wife was very keen and did courses in snorkelling and scuba diving.” The couple were enjoying their new hobby so much that they had passed their indoor exams and moved on to outdoor diving, which included two visits to Stoneycove outdoor pool in Leicester. They were gearing up for a visit to Malta, followed by dives in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Mr Charnell added: “When you are under water you feel like you are in a different world and the fish are absolutely lovely to see close up. “My old friends at work and my family were quite surprised. “They think its not something you might take up when you retire but it is absolutely lovely and we can do this together.” Mrs Charnell said: “When I first started with the tanks and suits I was a bit panicked but after that I was okay. “We have had a whole new world opened up to us, I love getting under water. We can do this together and it is fantastic. We really do enjoy every minute.” Training officer Martin Hammond, who took part in an overnight diveathon in aid of a Heart FM children’s appeal in 2000, said the couple were an inspiration to younger members.

22 FARMING MARK E T REPORT BRIDGNORTH LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT – TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15, There were 80 cattle penned today: an improved number forward this morning met a sharp trade, with any cattle with meat very well rewarded. More cattle could have easily sold today to a premium, with buyers looking to secure stocks as numbers remain tight. A small sample of steers lacked any best types, but sold to 274p/kg or £1675 in the lump. More steers are needed each week. Our heifer show was exceptional, with even some leaner types selling above expectation. Best butchers’ animals topped at 335p/kg with 17 heifers selling to 300p/kg or above! Heavy females sold to a high of £1918 in the lump. Bull trade was good, and whilst not keeping up with the clean trade, it was well in line with competition locally. Continentals sold to 264p/ kg at 27 months or £1948 in the lump. Friesian bulls sold to 227p/kg. Two cows sold to a high of 146p/kg for a lean 566kg Limmie. There were 1,200 lambs. A respectable overall average of 245p/kg, a little easier than last week, but that was always going to the case following an exceptional trade. Best lambs topped at 290p/ kg 39.5kg Beltex lambs from Pete Morris and 60kg Texels from Stuart Moss to just shy of £160. As almost every week, butchers are keen to purchase quality and prepared to pay. Leaner, underfinished lambs remain hard work and would be much better presented in the store sale. As we approach the winter months it is important to mention that lambs which are presented clean and dry are selling to a premium, as opposed to wet, dirty sheep. Lambs over 48kg were attracting interest, with lambs under 40kg selling to 255p/kg. Ewes (450). A very smaller trade to last week with all of the meated stronger ewes attracting interest and plainer, ordinary ewes a selective trade. No pure Continental ewes this week with cross-bred ewes to £153 for not the biggest, but quite shapey ewes, from Richie Morgan. Suffolk x Mules to £128 from Paul Taylor and a much better entry of North Country Mules sold to £110. Large-framed, leaner ewes as dear as they have been for some weeks, with lean Continental X ewes £120 and Suffolks £100. Smaller, lean Mules £70 and hill ewes £50 for Scotch Blackface and £40 for Welsh. Texel Rams sold to £121 and Cheviot Rams to £120. A tribe of goats sold to £65 for small Boers and £35 for a menagerie of lean, small, old Golden Guernseys and billy-goat gruffs.

A fresh era for machinery group Farm machinery business Rea Valley Tractors has began a new era in its 38-year trading history as it embarks on new franchise agreements and an extended territory. Becoming one of the biggest agricultural machinery dealers in the country, RVT is opening three new branches in Cheshire, Lancashire and North Wales. This is in addition to existing branches in Welshpool, Sudbury, Newport and Shrewsbury. This means RVT will now more than double its trading area for its new franchise New Holland, and enhance the coverage for JCB and Kuhn Farm Machinery and many other premium agricultural brands it already supplies. Its Sudbury depot moves forward as a JCB Centre of Excellence and has also been able to secure an enhancement to its current Kuhn portfolio as a dedicated Kuhn Baler Centre. The changes have created more than 60 job opportunities throughout the company, whilst retaining 95 per cent of its current highly experienced workforce, who bring many years of knowledge in the agricultural sector.

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Safety statistics put in spotlight at machinery show

Farming’s alarming safety record was tackled during this week’s Midlands Machinery Show with practical emergency first aid demonstrations on each day of the event. “Someone dies on a UK farm every 10 days, which is both absolutely tragic and shameful,” said show organiser Elizabeth Halsall. “It’s high time that we do more as an industry to tackle our serious health and safety issues. “That’s why we have been hosting practical first aid demonstrations alongside a drop-in nurse clinic offering blood pressure and health checks, and mental health

and other support from the Farming Community Network.” The practical demos were staged by safety and first aid specialist Singleton Training Services and the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC). NAAC chairman James Bannister has a personal reason for supporting the initiative, having lost his left arm in a farm incident. He said: “It was 10.30am on Thursday, August 6, 1998. I remember standing alongside the potato harvester I was about to clean down between fields, chatting with a trailer driver workmate. My next memory is being dragged into the

machine by the left arm, fighting for my life. “As the elevator was just biting into my neck, the other driver stopped my tractor. “Despite massive blood loss, I remained conscious throughout. “It took more than two hours for fire and rescue, and ambulance crews to get me out, with a surgeon alongside ready to amputate. “I’d been operating that harvester for five years and knew full well what I should do before cleaning down. But I’d become blasé, complacent, taking my own safety for granted.” When workplace injuries do oc-

cur, they don’t come with an advance warning, emphasised Singleton Training Services principal Nigel Singleton. He said: “The better trained and prepared you are, the less likely you are to be injured yourself, and the more capable you’ll be if needed to help an injured colleague.” The live reconstructions were based on emergency service procedures to illustrate the order of priority for someone who discovers a seriously injured colleague. Mr Singleton said: “First, call 999. Before approaching the casualty, check the area carefully for your own safety.”

Firm appointed to legal panel for fourth time in succession

DAVID BANNER

ler has strength and depth of expertise in both farming and non- agricultural issues and it’s excellent that they are on hand to offer such a service. NFU members also get an attractive discount if they use a panel firm.” “Farmer and grower members who speak with NFU CallFirst for legal advice and are referred to their local Lanyon Bowdler office can feel reassured that their case will be in safe hands. I’d like to congratulate them on their reappointment.”

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

A Shropshire law firm has confirmed its status as a leading agricultural specialist by being appointed to the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) legal panel for the fourth time in succession.

Lanyon Bowdler has been a member of the NFU panel since 2008 and will now continue to provide specialist advice to members in Shropshire, Staffordshire and Herefordshire for the next three years. The NFU panel focuses on the quality of legal services, fee structures and commitment to the NFU as well as its members. It also takes into account feedback from NFU members and staff. Brian Evans, managing partner at Lanyon Bowdler, said the agricultural team was looking forward to continuing to help NFU members with their legal issues. He said: “Our agricultural clients are hugely important to us, so we are delighted to have retained our position on the NFU legal panel following a comprehensive review. “Agriculture has long formed the backbone of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Staffordshire and we are proud to assist hard-working farmers and rural businesses with the

Pivotal

Brian Evans, managing partner at Lanyon Bowdler best advice and support available. “Lanyon Bowdler is passionately committed to the agricultural sector and has a large team of talented experts who have a wealth of experience in providing specialist advice which enables our farmers to run a successful business.” The legal panel offers a discount to NFU members on hourly rates as well as providing fixed fee and

other packages for its services. It also provides the best legal minds in non-farming areas such as probate, tax, diversification, family law and conveyancing. Robert Newbery, NFU West Midlands regional director, said Lanyon Bowdler had been reappointed as the firm offers a sound and professional service to farmer and grower members. He said: “Lanyon Bowd-

His words were echoed by South Shropshire livestock farmer Nick Hamer, from Ludlow, who has a pivotal officeholder role within the NFU as chairman of the union’s legal board. The third-generation tenant farmer said: “I am pleased to see Lanyon Bowdler continue in their role as NFU legal panel firm for Herefordshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire and would urge members to make use of the excellent service they offer. “We are all facing spiralling onfarm costs and other challenges so it’s essential we have the right firms in place on our legal panel with strong agricultural and rural teams, to provide necessary and much needed support.”

Company tells of growing interest in new ‘tempering’ grain technique

Farmers struggling to mill over-dry grain for livestock feed this winter now have access to a treatment which is more typically used by the feed processing industry. The technique of ‘tempering’ grain is said to be particularly relevant this year, after much of this summer’s harvest recorded low moisture contents. Feed preservation specialists, Kelvin Cave Ltd, said it is increasingly hearing reports from farmers that dry grain is shattering and turning to dust in the mill. This has numerous dis-

advantages, ranging from difficult working conditions for operators to poor rumen health in the livestock fed over-processed grain. As a result, the company has reported a surge in interest in methods of adding moisture to grain before rolling, which also allow the processed product to be preserved and stored over winter. The company said increasing numbers are turning to ‘tempering’, a process which is widely used in hotter climates, most notably Australia and New Zealand.

The firm said the process involves applying Proflake NC, a product comprising a mixture of surfactants and preservatives, to the grain, and soaking with a known volume of water. This causes the grain to swell, increases its feed value and makes it easy and dust-free to roll. Michael Carpenter, Kelvin Cave’s technical director says: “Milling dry cereals and pulses can be a dusty business as any farmer who rolls grain of 14 per cent moisture or less will know. It not only results

in wastage, but the effects of the dust are detrimental to the operator of the mill. The over-processed grain also has knock-on effects in livestock, whose rumen health and performance will deteriorate, potentially leading to acidosis.” By treating the grain with Proflake NC, it can be rolled and stored for up to three months. “The fact that the product contains non-corrosive organic acids also increases the energy content of the feed,” Michael Carpenter, Kelvin Cave’s technical director, said.

FARMING 23

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

A fresh era as machinery group doubles its

Farm machinery business Rea Valley Tractors has began a new era in its 38-year trading history as it embarks on new franchise agreements and an extended territory. Becoming one of the biggest agricultural machinery dealers in the country, RVT is opening three new branches in Cheshire, Lancashire and North Wales. This is in

addition to existing branches in Welshpool, Sudbury, Newport and Shrewsbury. This means RVT will now more than double its trading area for its new franchise New Holland, and enhance the coverage for JCB and Kuhn Farm Machinery and many other premium agricultural brands it already supplies.

Its Sudbury depot moves forward as a JCB Centre of Excellence and has also been able to secure an enhancement to its current Kuhn portfolio as a dedicated Kuhn Baler Centre. The changes have created more than 60 job opportunities throughout the company, whilst retaining 95 per cent of its current highly experienced workforce.

RVT will continue to service and provide parts for its customers existing machines for years to come. Steve Petford, RVT’s managing director, said: “New relationships will take time to build, but in a relatively short time, RVT’s aim is to provide all customers with a much more enhanced service than ever would have been possible before.”

Planning team is expanded to meet growing demand

DAVID BANNER

newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk

The planning and development department at a Shropshire-based company is expanding due to demand for its professional services for residential, commercial, agricultural and leisure developments.

Halls manages the complete process, starting with identifying and promoting potential development land, advising of options and then preparing plans and submitting planning applications. Should a client wish, the company can manage the sale of letting of land or commercial or residential property. The department handles numerous planning applications across the Midlands and Mid Wales. It is also managing option and promotion agreements for residential and commercial development sites of up to 200 acres across the West Midlands and working with landowners across England and Wales. These agreements allow large development companies to use their expertise and finance to engage in long-term promotion of land through the Local Development Plan process, taking between two and 15 years. Halls which has nine offices covering Shropshire, Worcestershire, Mid Wales, the West Midlands and

Halls director Shaun Jones, centre, with Paul Watson, left, and architectural technician Dave Haughton neighbouring counties, has responded to the increased demand for professional service by promoting Paul Watson to senior planning consultant based at headquarters in Shrewsbury. The multi-disciplined company is also recruiting an assistant planner and expects to grow the planning department further over the coming months.

Director Shaun Jones said: “As our geographical footprint has grown, we have secured a lot more planning and development work, not just from within our core area but also from clients across England and Wales.” Mr Jones added: “Planning applications have become much more complex in recent years, and we are

able to call upon vast professional knowledge and experience from within our company. “The staycationing boom has created greater demand for leisure type developments in rural areas and we expect residential and commercial development work to continue increasing in the coming years.”

Organic sector set to be celebrated with awards

Excellence will be celebrated at this year’s Best Of Organic Market (BOOM) Awards, organisers have said. The awards are being run by Soil Association Certification and entry is open now until the end of the month. The BOOMs honour the farms, brands, businesses and people behind the UK’s organic industry and entry is open to all certified organic businesses. A spokesperson said: “Now in their 10th year the bi-annual BOOM Awards are a celebration of excellence across organic farming, beauty and wellbeing, fashion

and textiles and food and drink, reflecting the fantastic range of organic-certified businesses working to restore nature, health and a safe climate.” Entry is free for any small Soil Association-certified businesses, in recognition of these challenging times and with generous support from sponsors Huboo, CH&Co, Clearspring, Diversified Communications, English Tea Shop, Natracare, Norlo, Ooooby, Rachel’s Organic, RB Organic Ltd, Robin Appel Ltd. and Yarrah. Alex Cullen, commercial & marketing director for Soil Association Certification, said: “We are

delighted to launch the BOOM Awards 2023. These are the first and only organic awards recognising the fantastic products, services and practitioners of organic in the UK. “The organic market has exploded since 2019, and despite the current challenging times it continues to show great resilience. We are confident that the market will grow from strength to strength as more consumers choose sustainable and planet friendly products. The organic standard offers people the reassurance that food has been produced in a way that works with nature to protect soil, encourage

wildlife and help tackle the climate crisis. The organic brands, retailers and businesses of today demonstrate amazing innovation, even in the face of huge disruptions and challenges. “The BOOM Awards are an opportunity for organic farm and businesses to showcase their products and new initiatives, celebrate success, generate media coverage and increase sales and listings. Entry is open for just a month until December 1 and we have made entry even simpler.” For more information about the awards, visit soilassociation.org/ boomawards

FARMING SCENE

BY RICHARD YATES I regularly trot out the mantra, ‘there is no such thing as bad weather – just inappropriate clothing’. Waterproofs have definitely been required this week at Manor Farm as our land’s become rather squelchy. Of course the serious water deficit needs redressing and it has been pleasing to see our two brooks fully operational again. Thankfully, the balmy weekend weather allowed Dave to conclude our autumn crop spraying. This expensive operation has taken on greater importance in the last five years, since neonicotinoid cereal and oil seed dressings were banned in the UK. These widely used pesticides were believed to be detrimental to bees, however they are still administered in most of North America and China. As a grower, the adoption of neonics was an essential part of our armoury. The relatively cheap seed dressing greatly reduced the need to apply post-emergence chemicals to control aphids, which could, at worst, obliterate our oil seed rape, wheat and barley crops. This year, the aphid risk is immense. Many growers have drilled their cereals early, fearing an autumn deluge like we experienced in 2020. Not only has there been a greater window for aphids to do their damage, the extremely mild weather has been excellent for promoting aphid activity, with no frosts to knock them over. On one occasion I can recall barley yellow dwarf virus halving our cereal yield, before we adopted aphid control. Therefore I was keen to get the sprayer out of the shed again, as was our diligent agronomist. It is frustrating we’re unable to adopt chemistry that we know works, particularly when our global competitors are applying it. Now, the options are to a) use older, less efficient pyrethroids, b) adopt unproven biological silicon stimulants, or c) do nothing and cross one’s fingers. Of course, we have no desire to use any pesticide that has a deleterious effect on the environment. Healthy bees are integral to viable food production. Likewise no sane farmer desires to alienate their consumers by associating with potentially harmful products. I would feel happier if our government banned any imports that were produced using neonics. At least there should be differentiation between, for example, treated and untreated Canadian wheat destined for top quality bread. For too long it feels as if we have been farming with one arm tied behind our backs. This is an opportunity for our government to flex its muscles and take back control, as we were led to believe would happen post-Brexit.

24 BUSINESS

Top authorities for start-ups Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, has named the top local authorities for start ups across the UK. It is based on the number of start up loans successfully drawn down since 2012 by borrowers in their areas. Wolverhampton was found to be the top local authority for start ups in the West Midlands with 464 loans successfully drawn down since 2012, representing 2.9 in every thousand local adults. Telford & Wrekin was also in the top five local authorities in the West Midlands for start-ups. Wolverhampton’s total is £3.3 million. For Telford & Wrekin it is £2.4m (273 loans - 2.5). Shropshire had 429 loans (£4.2m - 2.3) The release of the figures coincided with the beginning of Business Finance Week 2022, hosted by the British Business Bank and business support partners.

Funerals firm in profits dip Funeral provider Dignity has seen profits fall this year as there has been a reduction in the number of deaths nationally as Covid wanes. The West Midlands-based business is one of the UK’s largest national providers of funeral plans and end of life services. It operates crematoria at Telford, Shrewsbury, Lichfield and Stourport. For the 39 weeks to the end of September underlying revenue was down 14 per cent to £204.7 million and underlying operating profit fell 68 per cent to £14.1m from £43.4m. For the period deaths were down from 483,000 to 469,000. Dignity said that during the third quarter of the year its new strategy continued to deliver early promising signs of increases in market share growth .

JLR sales up and losses down Jaguar Land Rover saw an 11.8 per cent rise in car sales in the second quarter of its financial year. The luxury car maker’s pre-tax loss also reduced to £173 million from £302m a year earlier. JLR, which has its engine manufacturing centre at the i54 near the Shropshire border, saw revenue rise 36 per cent to £5.3 billion. It was up 20 per cent on the first quarter. Retail sales for the quarter were 88,121 vehicles with China up 38 per cent and North America 27 per cent. UK sales fell seven per cent. The improved results reflect strong model mix and pricing with wholesales of 75,000 up 17.6 per cent on the year, but lower than planned as computer chip supply constraints continued. The production ramp-up of New Range Rover and New Range Rover Sport improved with 13,537 units wholesaled in the quarter, up from 5,790 in the first quarter.

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Midlands team’s deals success

The mergers and acquisitions lead advisory team at Deloitte Midlands has reported a successful six months in which it completed eight significant deals across a range of sectors including industrials, manufacturing, and technology. More than half of the transactions involving overseas investors and buyers. The team also com-

pleted a number of deals in the technology sector. It is confident that mid-market deal activity will be robust and has invested in new talent to support and sustain future growth with the appointment of three new team members. An experienced manager and two graduates will join the team of transaction specialists.

Worrying times for the motor trade

A survey has found that 67 per cent of motor trade businesses in the region have already made or face making redundancies before the end of this year. ChoiceQuote, the motor trade insurance provider, surveyed 303 trade professionals across the UK. Factors include rising supply costs and people increasingly putting off car changes due to their squeezed finances. In the West Mid-

lands 86 per cent of the professionals surveyed said that their business is facing serious or very serious issues linked to inflation. Over a third – 38 per cent – expect their company to struggle and almost a quarter (24 per cent) expect trading to remain stagnant. One in six may even close. Derek Henry, managing director of ChoiceQuote, said: “It’s definitely a worrying outlook.”

Pioneering firm scales up for battery exporting success JOHN CORSER

john.corser@mnamedia.co.uk

The boss of renewable energy and battery specialist AceOn says the company is ready to grow so that it can expand its customer base around the world.

Mark Thompson, managing director of Telford-based AceOn Group, is taking part in a special Innovate UK Scale Up programme to position the company for growth as it continues to develop new products and patented solutions to respond to the climate crisis and the growing need for energy storage and non-diesel portable generators. Mark says AceOn is fiercely proud of its role developing and manufacturing environmentally-responsible and sustainable products in the UK, establishing a solid supply chain from which goods are then exported across the globe. With a particular interest in growing its portfolio of innovative intellectual property, the company is currently working with battery cell manufacturer AMTE Power to develop ground-breaking sodium ion batteries, which are more cost effective, safer and sustainable than lithium cells. AceOn is also leading research into developing second life solutions for used electric car batteries and accelerating development work on a portable solar energy storage system.

Joanna De Rycke and Kev Burrows, directors at Iron & Fire Coffee in Shrewsbury

Range expands due to coffee shop boost A Shrewsbury coffee shop and speciality roaster has responded to its customer’s love of great coffee with an extended range of ‘at home’ coffee machines and other peripherals. Located alongside Shrewsbury’s iconic train station, Iron & Fire’s The Hatch has built a loyal customer base since opening 18 months ago and many regulars also subscribe to its coffee at home

JOHN CORSER

john.corser@mnamedia.co.uk

service. It was demand from these customers that led to the decision to stock a range of coffee machines and other accessories. Iron & Fire’s founder, Kev Burrows, said “Our direct-to-consumer subscription coffee business has more than tripled in size since the

start of the pandemic. However, Many of our regulars at The Hatch had asked about the best machines and accessories to use at home, so it made sense to bring them exactly what they want,” he added. “They’ve been available to consumers to buy via our website, but now they can chat to one of the team face to face and complete their purchase there and then.”

Training provider highlights truck driver shortage

One of the UK’s leading training providers has highlighted the shortage of forklift truck drivers – saying it is as big a problem for the logistics industry as the more publicised issue of a scarcity of lorry drivers. Steve Dulson, of Dulson Training, said the shortage meant many warehouses across the country were unable to operate efficiently, putting even more pressure on the nation’s supply chain. Dulson Training delivers a range of training offerings at its centres in Shrewsbury, Telford, Ludlow and Wrexham and at its recently opened site between Telford and

Gailey that caters for Telford and Wolverhampton. The company also provides training at customer locations anywhere in the UK. “There is a big shortage of forklift truck drivers, much like the case with HGVs – so the entire logistics industry is suffering from just about every angle,” said Mr Dulson. “The forklift truck driver shortage is just as big a problem. It is hitting the productivity and efficiency of warehouses and storage facilities all over the country which means delays in getting goods out, producing an even greater strain on the supply chain nationally.

“We are running fully accredited RTITB programmes every week to deliver training and qualifications on all the major forklift types. This training is delivered at our centre at Roden near Telford where we have classrooms and all the facilities necessary. One of Andrei and Dulson Training’s recent success stories has been James Pagan who is on the autistic spectrum. James passed his novice counterbalance course with flying colours. His mum Jeanette said: “James has had such a boost of confidence with the course and Andrei needs special recognition for the way he taught him.”

Forklift driver James Pagan

25

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

PUZZLES 1. Which revelatory TV show was presented by Simon Mayo? A Stars In Their Eyes B Confessions C Heart Of Gold D Dreams Come True

H H H

10. Which British writer created the character Noddy in 1949? A Enid Blyton B A A Milne C Roald Dahl D C S Lewis

2. Which word for a violent criminal is derived from a Hindu sect who murdered travellers? A Kali B Lout C Thug D Yob

H H

11. Which king was Regent during the Regency? A George III B George IV C George V D George VI

3. Which former actor became the 40th president of the United States? A Ronald Reagan B George Bush C James Carter D Richard Nixon

H H H H DOWN

1. Tendency (10)

1. Heathen (5)

7. Correct (5)

2. Hopefulness (8)

4. Differ (4)

11. Prejudice (4)

5. Corresponded (7)

13. Gaudy (6)

6. Marvellous (10)

15. Treat (6)

9. Apothecary (10)

17. Kiln (4)

12. Regal (8)

18. Radio (8)

14. Hold back (7)

21. Menial (7)

16. Shaded (6)

22. Teacher (5)

19. Laud (5)

23. Magazine (10)

20. Cab (4)

7. In Greek mythology what was the winged horse that sprang from the blood of Medusa called?

12. Who wrote A Christmas Carol and The Cricket on the Hearth? A Charles Dickens B William Thackeray C George Eliot D Charles Kingsley 13. What sort of instruments are timpani, tabla and the bodhrán? A Brass B String C Drum D Woodwind

A Unicorn B Phoenix C Pegasus D Manticore 8. Of which region of Italy is Perugia

5. Who made up the other half of the pop duo Wham! alongside George Michael? A Andrew Ridgeley B Simon Ridgeway C Keith Righton D Al Ricino

3. Site (6)

10. Explosive (8)

Julia Sawalha See Question 6.

4. Which Italian artist painted portraits of the Queen and John F Kennedy? A Giorgio de Chirico B Francis Picabia C Joan Miró D Pietro Annigoni

H

8. Coagulated (7)

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.

ACROSS

AN EIGHT- PAGE SPECIAL TO

the capital? A Tuscany B Calabria C Umbria D Liguria 9. What was the usual nom de plume

6. Which 2000 animated film featured Julia Sawalha as the voice of a hen named Ginger? A Ginger Snaps B Chicken Run C The Crate Escape D The Bantam Menace

of Irish novelist and journalist Brian O’Nolan, who also wrote as Myles na Gopaleen? A Edgar O’Brien B Flann O’Brien C Michael O’Brien D Connor O’Brien

14. Which American five-a-side court game was invented by James Naismith? A Basketball B Baseball C Ice hockey D Polo 15. Whose trilogy followed the epic adventure of Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee? A J R R Tolkien B C S Lewis C Mark Twain D Lewis Carroll

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.

N

L M S

Q

F

O C U

P

J

G K

I

D

R

A

V

E

T

W B

X

Y

H

1 CLOG CUSPID FOG GRAB HEXAGON JOCKEY MUCK QUIET TIP WAVED

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXY

Q

K

N W V

C

U M O

B

S

I

G

R

D

L

E

T

A

P

X

F

H

Y

J

2 BROWN DOWN FLICK GUN HEFTY JARGON MOB PATH QUIET SLIM VORTEX

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXY

G

K

F

C

H

Y

O

L

I

N

X

A

B

D

V

M U

T

E

R

J

Q

S W

P

3 BOAT CIDER EQUAL FIND FLAX GOLD HIVE JUBILATE PUMA STAY TALK WEST

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXY

26 PUZ Z L ES

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

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

S T O A T 3 LETTERS BEE EAT EBB FEE HOE SAT SET STY TAB WOK

4 LETTERS ABET AGUE ALOE BODE BORE CURL EASE HALL NOUS OATH

5 LETTERS ABOVE BESET STOAT THEFT

ONCE ORAL PATE PONY SACK TEST THUS TYKE VEST WONT

7 LETTERS CORONER HALTING

General Knowledge Crossword ACROSS

DOWN

3. Biscuit made from a rich dough (9) 8. Songbird of the genus Corvus (4) 9. 1959 Keith Waterhouse novel (5,4) 10. Justus, German chemist who discovered chloroform (6) 11. TV detective played by Telly Savalas (5) 14. Bird of marshes and river banks with a long straight bill (5) 15. Province of Pakistan (4) 16. ‘--- of Athens’, play by Shakespeare (5) 18. Island off the coast of Scotland (4) 20. Classical order of architecture (5) 21. White carbohydrate used as a sweetener (5) 24. Cambodian politician, leader of 11 Down (3,3) 25. Town in Buckinghamshire, England (9) 26. Town in Nevada famous for easy divorce procedure (4) 27. Industrial town in Pennsylvania on the River Conemaugh (9)

1. Former duchy annexed by Prussia in 1864 (9) 2. ‘The ---’, Graham Greene novel set in Haiti (9) 4. Alexander, Ronald Reagan’s secretary of state 1981-2 (4) 5. Viking founder of the duchy of Normandy (5) 6. Maria, operatic soprano who died in 1977 (6) 7. Ronald and Reginald, English criminals (4) 9. Georges, French composer of the opera Carmen (5) 11. --- Rouge, Cambodian communist party (5) 12. 1886 novel by R L Stevenson (9) 13. ‘Sentimental ---’, novel by Gustave Flaubert (9) 17. Leonard, actor/director who played Spock in Star Trek (5) 19. Stables cleaned by Hercules (6) 22. ‘The ---’, 1820 novel by Walter Scott (5) 23. Fixer used in photographic developing (4) 24. The bow of a vessel (4)

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

TRALATITIOUS

SCOPA

A Trivial B Second-hand C Sweet tasting

A Bee’s pollen brush B Kitchen utensil C Out of tune

NINERS

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

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

77212

gives an animal

2

46796

gives a part of the body

ALPINE

FREESTYLE

PISTE

5634772

gives a second animal

1678

gives a part of the body

CARVING

HALFPIPE

POLES

8659

gives animals

8352

gives a part of the body

CHOWDER

JUMPING

POWDER

CROSS-COUNTRY

LIFT

SLALOM

DOWNHILL

MOGUL

SNOW

DRY SLOPE

NORDIC

TELEMARK

V Q V

X

V W L H A

L

F

P

I

1

N E C N F

B V Q C K B Y O L

Z

M O S

Y C M R P M Y

F

I

1

2

E M Z N E

B R E N A I

E

P Y U A

I

T O N P

L C E U P G A D S O V

L

E W S O O Y N P W T D

U

T

E

Z C L

L W

I

O O Y A N

S O L W P W H L

L G

L

L U G O M D C E

P R

Y

N E O R H W Y U Y U E

Y D

K R D K E

L

I

Q F

P

C H A B G G V N L

THINKING SPACE

J

R

3

9

1

5

6

9

I

P

R N

J

A H W E

10

11

E B

12

13 14

15 17

18

19

20 21

22

2

3

4

5

ACROSS

4

8

I

Q S W G S T O S

8

E W R

G P I

7

7

V O R Q M V C A N B R V R H C H L D W G M Z G T

6

A test of knowledge for the sporting enthusiast

F

J

5

SPORTWORD

K R A C W V H L F

4

E

I

S

3

P

B A B U O T

2

23

16

1. Jürgen ....., 2002-11 Austria goalie who played for Sunderland and Chelsea (5) 4. Vladimir ....., 2009-18 Slovakia midfielder formerly at Man City; his father is the current manager for Georgia (5) 7. Home of the F1 Belgian GP (3) 8. Terry ....., Spurs manager 197476 (5) 9. Recently retired defender who was at Brasiliense 2018-2019, formerly at Brazil and Inter (5) 10. The heavier end of a snooker cue (4) 11. Horse racecourse in the Tees Valley (6) 14. Bird on the crest of Norwich City FC (6) 15. Ruud ...., Ajax and Netherlands defender born in 1949 (4) 18. Chanda ....., 1996 Australian Open women’s doubles tennis champion with Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (5) 20 & 23A Wales rugby union winger whose 1987 Test debut was against France (5,5) 21 & 4D Forest defender who scored an own goal in the 1991 FA Cup Final (3,6) 22. The ..... Stadium, home ground of Cambridge United (5) 23. See 20 Across.

6

7

8

9

DOWN 1. See 19 Down. 2. Chris ......., all-time top league goalscorer for Hull City (7) 3. Host city of the 1952 Winter Olympics (4) 4. See 21 Across. 5. Initialism for the world governing body of cricket (3) 6. Fredrik ....., Sweden defender who played for Fulham between 2008-11 (5) 12. Vedran ......., Lokomotiv Moscow defender formerly at Man City and Spurs (7) 13. Horse ridden by Pat Eddery that won the 1975 Epsom Derby (6) 14. Guillermo ....., 2004 French Open singles tennis championship runner-up (5) 16. Type of golf course on, or near to, the coast (5) 17. Dennis ...., former Chelsea captain midfielder and Leeds manager (4) 19 and 1 Down. Huddersfield-born Arsenal defender in their 1971 FA Cup Final win (3,5)

PUZ Z L ES 27

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 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

17

6

8

19

15 30

17

21

12

34

16

21

7

20

36

6

11

15 21

15 13

8 9

27

13

15

4

Strap

21

14

15

15

6

14

17

8

7 13

9

REST

2

TIME Wear out

26

8

12 14

17 13

13

18

12

11

9

12

Heat up

WARP

15

23

13

13

15

15

29

8

TUCK

3 Mouth action

3

15 5

10

Ranch 11 5

13

11

19

9

24

9

13

Travel charge

10

20

8

12

12

8

13

7 9

12

26

28

18

32

7

11

5

20

20

Dismiss an employee

4

5

17

12

20

30

8

11

9

Finest 7

6

19

9

10 15

19

29

11

19

11 29

11

8

11

7 13

31

Dash

15

14

12

6

10

24

3

Idiot

21

13

7

Share of money

10

13

12 5

18

29

DOZE

11

16

15

11

11

4

12

26

1

17

8

19

16

15 18

16

6

4

17

11

6

12

3 10

15

17 16

31

27

2

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

Item of clothing

4 9

22 7

12

6

9

10

Cowardly person

15

Chimney dust Fired

TWO SPEED CROSSWORD Across 1. Complete (6) 4. Obliterated (6) 9. Tell a secret (5,3,5) 10. Exclude (4,3) 11. Tree (5) 12. Light meal (5) 14. Senseless (5) 18. Musical drama (5) 19. Free gift (7) 21. New convict (5,8) 22. Dash (6) 23. Almost (6) Down 1. Put in (6) 2. Discovery method (5,3,5) 3. Instrument (5) 5. Italian stream (7) 6. Debit instruction (8,5) 7. Abandon (6) 8. Snapshot (5) 13. Possession (7) 15. Bathtime accessory (6) 16. Rubbish (5) 17. Violent (6) 20. Relative (5)

Cryptic

Across 1. As a whole where diplomats excel (6) 4. Red Sea wrongly deleted (6) 9. Upset some runners? Let’s hear about it (5,3,5) 10. Exclude a possible cause of faulty measurement (4,3) 11. Badly cared for tree (5) 12. It will be less than the normal fare (5) 14. Silly, but not completely insane (5) 18. Start operating in the theatre (5) 19. Distribute information for the press? (7) 21. Court verdict on Eve? (5,8) 22. Luther is about to dash violently (6) 23. Get a point before time? Not quite (6) Down 1. Introduce rents I adjusted (6) 2. Hit or miss affair indicating a wrongful conviction? (5,3,5)

SHOP

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.

3. Monk’s lodging has nothing for a music-maker (5) 5. The point of no return (7) 6. Rise! And it means the bank will make regular payment (8,5) 7. Barren land that’s rested, perhaps (6) 8. Final result of a snap decision? (5)

THINKING SPACE

13. Possession out of reach at telephone kiosks (7) 15. Cleaning brush, barely used! (6) 16. Husky banter (5) 17. In a way my sort is hardly fair! (6) 20. She’s exact about one point (5)

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.

C A

I

T A

T A

I R D

T A

P A C T S

A

E R A T A T E A S

I

I

A

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

S H A C T

K

F

I

U

N O

W

P

T N

R K

S

U

N

O

O

S

H

I

K I

N

L

Y H

D S

K

B

C

K

S A G A T

28 PUZ Z L ES

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 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

E V S P E R E R A O G E D O R

R U S O I M L G A N C V R N W

N A R N A T X A L L M A E N E

G E G E L R I B M A L F O I A

R R S L L E B L U D B L Y M S

E M U U P I N E D S U A M E L

L E I U Q R I R O R E S O Y D

L R R F E O D G A H N I C A R

L O R O S S F L E U W R I B L

D R P D O O U O C R O R U S A

V O L D E G R V A D R B H K C

B O M E V M U I L E E D A R R

B D O L O L R K T V E N T T Y

Y T R A N U K R O A L R E O P

6 1 8 5

7 3

4 7 1

8

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

3

2

8 1 5

D

The solutions from 1 to 12 are all six-letter words ending with the letter S in the centre. Moving clockwise from 1, the letters in the outer circle will spell out the name of a famous agony aunt. 12

5

10

3

S

4

7. Sheriffs

2. Song words

8. Every time

3. Experts

9. Cedes

4. Pictures

10. Italian city

5. Responds

11. Builds

6. Discerns

12. Monarchs

THINKING SPACE

2 5

4 3 2

3

7

6

2 3

6 9

2 3

8

1

6

8

5

7

7

3

3 9

9 7

4

9 8

6 4

4

8 3

9

6 1

6

3 5

5

1

9

8

1

1

5

4

6

3

7

2

4

7 5

6

3

4 1 2

1 9 8

1 4

9

6 2

7

8

4 9

6 8 8 9

7

1

3 5

6

9

9 9

9

9

6 8

2

7

1

7

4

2

8 3

6

1. Winners

5

9

5

6

2

4

1

5 7

5 2

5

2 8

6

6

8 3 8

3

4

Hard

2

6 1

3

7

4

7

3

1

11

9

8

2

3 4

5

4 8

7 8

CLOCKWORD

6

8 2 1

6 C

4

5 7

5 1

7 9 2 3

5 2

4

1

5

B

3

3

6

6 9

9 1

4

8

9

4

6

9 1 6

4

6

7

3

2

8 3

2

3

Medium

MIRROR IMAGE A

6 2

4

Harry Potter characters S E N A H E S T N G E H W I G

1

Easy

7

PUZ Z L ES 29

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 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.

9 7 Y O Z Q S M 6

Y

2 U T 8 O S W 2 R 7

3 1 Q M

Y 9 L 5

1

6 U N 4 1 6 3 T K Q L 5 R V 1 1 7 Z Y 5 3 6 1 S K Q R 8 M 9 S 5 6 8 1 3 Y T L W P R 4 3 X V 9 N 7 R T V M Y W 6 2 O Z 3 M P Y L S O U Z 9 T Y M 7 Q K Q U R 7 8 N M 2 R O 5 V 8 X K P V N 6 4 K 2 X Z L 3 2 7 T 5 8 Z W V R U X 5 4 8 Q 6 3 P 9

1

4 3 P Z M R 2

1 W Q 2 V 8 U Y 4 7 3 O S 6 T W 9 O 4 5 4 R Z K 3 W Y V R X W M L N 6 S V Y U Z N 4 L L 2 8 T U 7 M L 9 K 9 K 1 T 7 6 X X Q 5 W P S 6 N 8 8 L 9 W U K X 4 1 T Y S X 7 Z R T W 7 N U R 1 Q X 3 Y 6 S 1 Z V 2 M 2 5

X

Z

S V

2 digits: 3 digits: 4 digits: 5 digits: 6 digits: 951217 8 digits:

17 27 31 75 94 99 153 193 229 331 335 351 733 953 2152 2312 3135 5313 5975 7795 39215 71395 373595 375997 575597 595372 712159 75539945 79935525

2

3 5

W

ALPHADOKU

2 digits: 16 18 92 94 3 digits: 119 169 235 296 324 326 327 662 668 843 4 digits: 4945 5425 5698 5945 5 digits: 44463 62979 7 digits: 3248916 3948976 9 digits: 412553594 412653484 413553394 413653684

3

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

Z

U S

W R V X

V T X Y

Z X

U S T U R V W

W THINKING SPACE

U

V

T R

R U W

Y X R Z T S W X R S Z X Y T V Y U

V Z

W

U

2 3 4 5 7 9

digits: digits: digits: digits: digits: digits:

19 28 32 47 67 68 78 99 242 259 282 382 393 928 2413 2545 3063 5093 20104 51448 2786778 2794352 3936528 3937528 582435387 612948347 718629247

30 PUZ Z L ES

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Arrowword

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

Large shrub

A 1. Oprah Winfrey was born

Gwyneth _ (pictured)

Bait

Ordeal

2. Marlon Brando starred in On The Waterfront 3. The 1000th episode of The Archers was broadcast 4. Elvis Presley made his first recording, That’s All Right Mama

Deeds

Lake

Stammers

Not those

Race meeting

Shoreline

Beat

Allow

Virus

Detest

B 1. Actress Kathy Bates was born

2. Alec Guinness starred in Oliver Twist 3. The UK’s railways were nationalised 4. Director Sergei Eisenstein died

Weasel

Cowboy

Lingerie item

Spirited

Compere Thrifty

Instrument Railing

C 1. Humphrey Bogart starred in The Maltese Falcon

Self

2. Pianist and Prime Minister of Poland Ignacy Jan Paderewski died 3. The British government issued a recipe for ‘Blitz Broth’ 4. Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit was premiered in London

Indian instrument

Descends

Sphere

Wet soil

Casserole

Circular scarf

Visitors Total

Water barrier

Harbour

Repeat

Brooch, medallion

Pet

QUICK QUIZ 1.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Levy

Open

Assists

Relating to the moon

Limb

Given to Fly and Spin the Black Circle were among the hits of the 1990s for which US rock band? Which drink often contains spirits, fruit juice, sugar, spice and hot water? To which class of vertebrates do frogs, toads and salamanders belong? Which disease was formerly known as consumption? Which mountain system runs from the Arctic to the Caspian Sea? By what name is the Hebrew Bible more commonly known? Which country does the fictional character, Heidi, come from? In which decade did Prohibition start? Which building material is composed of cement, stone, sand and water? On which instrument are the first and last posts played?

2.

Elk

Number

Toilets

African country

Hands over

List of names Paperfolding art

Texan hat

Plod

Thick, urban haze

Spot

Giant

Chicken

Type of house

Flee

Income

Rebels

Experts

Jason _, pictured

E.g. Skye or Wight

Anger

Verbal

Mountain ridge

Wins

Jewelled headdress

CODEWORD

Foolish

Brawl

Impair

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.

Respond

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

2

3

4

5

6

14

15

16

17

18

19

7

R

20

A

THINKING SPACE

8

9

10

11

12

13

21

22

23

24

25

26

1

2

14

15

U

3

4

5

6

7

16

17

18

19

20

N

8

9

10

11

12

13

21

22

23

24

25

26

1 14

F

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

A

PUZ Z L ES 31

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Giant Crossword '

&

%

$

#

"

!

*

)

'(

&(

''

'&

'%

'$

'#

'"

'!

&'

&%

&$

'*

')

&&

&#

&"

&! &*

&)

%(

%'

%&

%%

%$

%#

%" %!

%*

%)

$(

$'

$&

$%

$" $)

$! #(

#'

#&

#%

#$

$$

$#

$*

##

#"

#!

#* #)

"(

""

"'

"&

"%

"$

"#

"!

"*

")

!(

!'

!&

!%

!$

!#

!" !!

!)

*'

*(

*&

*%

!*

*$

*#

*" *!

**

*)

)(

)'

)&

)%

)$

)#

)"

'((

)) '(&

'(%

'''

'')

''%

'(#

''$

'&(

)*

'(' '($

''&

)!

''#

'("

'(!

''"

'&'

'(*

'()

''!

''(

''*

'&&

'&%

'&$

ACROSS 1 5 8 10 15 17 23 24 25 26 27 29 30

Harass, informally (6) __ Baldwin, US actor (4) Immediately (2,4) Angry speech (8) Begin again (6) Scope (5) Practise (8) Cancels, withdraws (7) Accumulate (5) Aboriginal instrument (10) Shooting stars (7) Bird’s home (4) Star of the UK crime TV drama Luther (5,4)

107 110 111 113 115 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124

Racket sport (9) Elephant tooth (4) Catches fire (7) Adornment (10) Draws close to (5) Quantities (7) Unravel (8) Rodent (5) Most tardy (6) Not any more (2,6) Airships (6) Fling (4) Type of apple (6)

105

Internal organ (7) Bird (4) Perform on stage (3) Cutting instrument (8) Delete (5) Inform (6) Handsome young man (6) To cross (8) Skill (3) Rat __, 2001 comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg (4) Portion, quota (5) Andriy __, former AC Milan and Ukraine striker (10) Prophet (4)

76 77 78 80 82 84 88 90 92 94 96 98 99 100 101 104

Intone (5) Conduct (9) Boat of logs (4) Strong string (5) Underground cell (7) Unkind or cruel (9) Senior nurse (6) Medium (7) Absorbed, understood (5,2) Arrest, informally (3) Pullover (7) Determination (7) Characteristics (6) Ebb (6) Makes amends (6) Of little length (5)

106 108 109 112 114

Otherwise (4) Ridges of drifted sand (5) Picture within another (5) Frozen water (3) __ Hislop, journalist who regularly appears on Have I Got News for You (3) Hand tool (3)

32 33 34 35 37 38 40 41 42 44 47 49 51 54 56

Metallic element (4) Slow down (10) Fibbers (5) Satisfy fully (4) Type of tree (3) Brings to maturity (8) Polite word of request (6) Wards off (6) Floating markers (5) Stammers (8) Generation (3) Discourteous (4) Erudite (7) Onlooker (9) Final permission (8)

58 60 62 63 64 66 68 69 71 72 75 77 79 81

Garden flower (5) Strikingly beautiful (8) Pined (7) Colour (5) Capital of Vietnam (5) Go back on one’s word (6) Topics (6) Solemn pledges (5) Incompetent (5) End up (4,3) Put into use, employ (8) Dim-witted person (5) Salve (8) Beautiful but aloof woman (3,6)

83 85 86 87 89 91 93 95 97 102

19 20 21 22 26 28 31 35 36 37 39 40 42 43

Religious festival (6) Boundary (9) Mexican food item (4) One-roomed flat (6) Frocks (7) Excellent, informally (9) Wonderment (3) Slumbered (5) Paradise (6) Land measure (4) Colloquial language (5) Christmas show (9) Innocent (9) __ Brightman, UK classical singer (5) Made calm (7)

46 48 50 52 53 54 55 57 59 61 65 67 70 73 74

Difficult question (6) Happenings (6) Spire (7) Frantic (9) Crush, subdue (7) Sleeping place (7) Risky (9) Planet (7) Mends (7) Capital of Canada (6) Despise (6) Dutch port (9) Venomous ill will (5) Snub (6) 1965 Bond film starring Sean Connery (11)

103 104

DOWN 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 18

Eternal (7) Afternoon nap (6) On the way (2,5) English city (9) Restrains (5) Blacksmith’s block (5) Birth name of boxing legend Muhammad Ali (7,4) __ Gardner, US actress who died in 1990 (3) Spartan (7) Finish (3) Type of herb (7) European river (5) Mars (6) Had food (3)

THINKING SPACE

45

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32 PUZ Z L ES

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Solutions

Kakuro

1

General Knowledge Quiz

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

Star Seeker Across: 1 Proclivity; 7 Right; 8 Curdled; 10 Dynamite; 11 Bias; 13 Garish; 15 Handle; 17 Oast; 18 Wireless; 21 Servant; 22 Tutor; 23 Periodical. Down: 1 Pagan; 2 Optimism; 3 Locate; 4 Vary; 5 Tallied; 6 Prodigious; 9 Dispensary; 12 Majestic; 14 Reserve; 16 Tinted; 19 Extol; 20 Taxi. Star Name: ANDY MURRAY. 2

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Across: 3 Shortcake; 8 Crow; 9 Billy Liar; 10 Liebig; 11 Kojak; 14 Snipe; 15 Sind; 16 Timon; 18 Iona; 20 Ionic; 21 Sugar; 24 Pol Pot; 25 Aylesbury; 26 Reno; 27 Johnstown. Down: 1 Schleswig; 2 Comedians; 4 Haig; 5 Rollo; 6 Callas; 7 Kray; 9 Bizet; 11 Khmer; 12 Kidnapped; 13 Education; 17 Nimoy; 19 Augean; 22 Abbot; 23 Hypo; 24 Prow.

Fill In

Word Wise:

Hair Accessory: RIBBON

B. Second-hand.

P O N Y A O T H U S E A S E L T S T Y I B O N C E A G U E T R H A L L

A E B O V H E O E S T O E A T

B F E E T

WO R S A A L T W T A B B O D V E

N T Y C K O E R O K N E T R E S S T

Across: 1. Macho; 4. Weiss; 7. Spa; 8. Neill; 9. Lúcio; 10. Butt; 11. Redcar; 14. Canary; 15. Krol; 18. Rubin; 20. Ieuan; 21. Des; 22. Abbey; 23. Evans. Down: 1. McNab; 2. Chilton; 3. Oslo; 4. Walker; 5. ICC; 6. Stoor; 12. Corluka; 13. Grundy; 14. Coria; 16. Links; 17. Wise; 19. Bob.

V B N M V J P T G U Q L N K C

Q A E O O H Y O P I S T E R H

V B C S R L U N L T W O O D A

X U N T Q D A P E E G S R K B

V O F S M W I L W Z S Y H E G

W I B Y V G E C S C S L W I G

L K V C C M M E O L O U Y Q V

H R Q M A Z Z U O L L G U F N

A A C R N G N P Y W W O Y P L

L C K P B T E G N I P M U J A

F W B M R B I A P O W D E R H

P V Y Y V R E D W O H C Y L W

I H O F R E E S T Y L E D R E

P L L I H N W O D A L P I N E

E F Z F C A R V I N G R P J B

Two Speed Crossword

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Across: 1 Intact; 4 Erased; 9 Spill the beans; 10 Rule out; 11 Cedar; 12 Snack; 14 Inane; 18 Opera; 19 Handout; 21 First offender; 22 Hurtle; 23 Nearly. Down: 1 Insert; 2 Trial and error; 3 Cello; 5 Rubicon; 6 Standing order; 7 Desert; 8 Photo; 13 Chattel; 15 Loofah; 16 Chaff; 17 Stormy; 20 Niece.

Split Decision

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Alphamuddle

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Giant Sudoku T O U Z S 3 Y 4 2 K 8 9 6 L R X N V W 5 Q M 7 P 1

8 R 2 Q K L 1 7 U T X M S W V Z O 3 P Y 6 N 9 5 4

1 7 1 2 1 5 9

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Alphadoku U T R S Y Z V X W

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U 1 5 X 2 K 8 6 Y M R Q T V O 7 W 9 L N Z S P 4 3

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Codeword 2 3 1 1 U

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M Y X L N Z T K 8 1 O S V R 3 5 P Q 7 2 4 6 W 9 U

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A. 1954; B. 1948; C. 1941.

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M U M D O O O S G E R E S A O L R A A R L Y

Remember When

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Giant Crossword

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1 Pearl Jam; 2 Punch; 3 Amphibians; 4 Tuberculosis; 5 Ural Mountains; 6 Old Testament; 7 Switzerland; 8 1920s; 9 Concrete; 10 The bugle.

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Quick Quiz

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P A L A C O A S L E T G T S T O A R A H O S O F E N C W E R S O G U E S T D O G T A A B E T M A L A W I R D T S M O G H T R E N E S E M I T G A I N I S A A C S O M E L E U N W I S E

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7 L 1 4 3 O Q N W X P Y Z 5 T 9 6 R 2 M K U V S 8

T L T R A U M E R D E F E A L B G A U C H N L O S I T A R M R M A R I N T E N C E D E S D O T

2 Numberfit

9 5 P N V M 6 Z R 8 K O 4 2 7 U T S 1 Q W Y L 3 X

Arrowword

PAGE 5

PAGE 4

Severus Snape, Hermione Granger, Remus Lupin, Bellatrix Lestrange, Hedwig, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Minerva McGonagall, Albus Dumbledore, Sirius Black, Harry Potter, Lavender Brown, Hagrid, Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum, Luna Lovegood, Professor Quirrell, Lord Voldemort, Dobby.

5 7 5 1 8

9 3

PAGE 4

3. Tuck, Suck, Sock, Sook, Soot, Shot, Shop.

Pathfinder

3 6

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

7 3 9 6 1 4 8 5 2

2. Time, Tire, Fire, Fare, Farm, Warm, Warp.

Mirror Image: B

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

4 2 5 1 3

1 5 8 7 2 9 6 4 3

1. Doze, Dole, Dolt, Bolt, Belt, Best, Rest.

1 Champs, 2 Lyrics, 3 Adepts, 4 Images, 5 Reacts, 6 Espies, 7 Reeves, 8 Always, 9 Yields, 10 Naples, 11 Erects, 12 Rulers. Famous agony aunt: CLAIRE RAYNER.

4

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Word Ladder

Clockword

THINKING SPACE

1 4

8 6 2 7 5

8 3

5 8 1 2 9 7 4 3 6

1. MARIGOLDS: LLAMA, GORILLA, DOGS

Wordsearch

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

2 6

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

4 9 7 5 3 6 1 2 8

Niner

Sportword

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

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

2 6 3 8 4 1 5 9 7

A. Bee’s pollen brush.

2. SKETCHING: THIGH, SHIN, NECK

6 9

Sudoku Easy

General Knowledge Crossword

3

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

Medium

1

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

Hard

Gogen

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PAGE 7

Across: 1 Hassle, 5 Alec, 8 At once, 10 Harangue, 15 Resume, 17 Range, 23 Rehearse, 24 Revokes, 25 Amass, 26 Didgeridoo, 27 Meteors, 29 Nest, 30 Idris Elba, 32 Iron, 33 Decelerate, 34 Liars, 35 Sate, 37 Ash, 38 Develops, 40 Please, 41 Repels, 42 Buoys, 44 Stutters, 47 Age, 49 Rude, 51 Learned, 54 Bystander, 56 Sanction, 58 Aster, 60 Gorgeous, 62 Yearned, 63 Green, 64 Hanoi, 66 Renege, 68 Themes, 69 Oaths, 71 Inept, 72 Turn out, 75 Exercise, 77 Dunce, 79 Ointment, 81 Ice maiden, 83 Stomach, 85 Skua, 86 Act, 87 Scissors, 89 Erase, 91 Notify, 93 Adonis, 95 Traverse, 97 Art, 102 Race, 103 Share, 104 Shevchenko, 105 Seer, 107 Badminton, 110 Tusk, 111 Ignites, 113 Decoration, 115 Nears, 117 Amounts, 118 Untangle, 119 Shrew, 120 Latest, 121 No longer, 122 Blimps, 123 Toss, 124 Russet. Down: 2 Ageless, 3 Siesta, 4 En route, 6 Liverpool, 7 Curbs, 8 Anvil, 9 Cassius Clay, 11 Ava, 12 Austere, 13 End, 14 Oregano, 15 Rhine, 16 Spoils, 18 Ate, 19 Easter, 20 Perimeter, 21 Taco, 22 Bedsit, 26 Dresses, 28 Fantastic, 31 Awe, 35 Slept, 36 Heaven, 37 Acre, 39 Slang, 40 Pantomime, 42 Blameless, 43 Sarah, 45 Soothed, 46 Teaser, 48 Events, 50 Steeple, 52 Desperate, 53 Flatten, 54 Bedroom, 55 Dangerous, 57 Neptune, 59 Repairs, 61 Ottawa, 65 Detest, 67 Rotterdam, 70 Spite, 73 Rebuff, 74 Thunderball, 76 Chant, 77 Demeanour, 78 Raft, 80 Twine, 82 Dungeon, 84 Heartless, 88 Sister, 90 Average, 92 Taken in, 94 Nab, 96 Sweater, 98 Resolve, 99 Traits, 100 Recede, 101 Atones, 104 Short, 106 Else, 108 Dunes, 109 Inset, 112 Ice, 114 Ian, 116 Axe.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Duo’s soap manufacturing venture is scrubbing up well heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

When Karen Blanchfield and Xime Carrillo attended a soap making workshop, little did they know it would be the start of a fragrant new venture.

Passion

Karen and Xime both share a passion for the environment and were keen to make their products as eco-friendly as possible. “Xime is a biologist and has worked in the rainforest. She was worried about all of the chemicals found in regular soap and shampoo and the effect it has on the environment,” explains Karen. Their natural collection range of soaps contains a blend of coconut, olive and sunflower oils which they say nurtures and moisturises the skin. Fragrances come from essential oils such as lemongrass, coconut, metha piperita and tea tree as well as other natural products such as cinnamon leaf. Karen and Xime try to use local ingredients as much as possible and have a range of soaps containing Droitwich Salt, which is sourced from naturally occurring brine springs. The salt is harvested by hand at Churchfields Saltworks in Droitwich Spa where the gentle process of crystallising the natural brine to pure salt is done using renewable energy. The 7Soaps packaging is made from recycled cardboard and is

ANTIQUES

WITH JOHN RIDGWAY OF OLD MILL ANTIQUES CENTRE This week I thought we could continue our theme of collectables and have a look at vintage radios. They are always popular, with the avid radio enthusiasts and also with regular buyers who want them purely for display purposes. Prices depend on make, age, condition and size and there are certain famous names to look out for such as Bush, Roberts, Philips, Grundig and Marconi. Bush started life as Bush Radio in 1932, as part of the Gaumont British Picture Corporation, joining Rank after the Second World War and launching the legendary Bush TR82 transistor radio in 1959. Rank then joined Toshiba and the Bush name vanished from the market until the 1980s when it was bought by the Alba Group. Bush radios can still be found today, together with reproductions of earlier sets and radios designed and made by other companies, including the Philco Cathedral Radio’. Roberts Radios were another company founded in the 1930s,

HEATHER LARGE

They enjoyed their new-found hobby so much that they began gifting surplus bars to family and friends as well as to residents in care homes. The positive response prompted them to take the next step of getting their recipes assessed by a chartered cosmetic chemist, enabling them to sell their products to the community and further afield. Now they have been commissioned to make bespoke items for the Severn Valley Railway. From their homes, they make small batches of soaps using essential oils and other natural ingredients and traditional methods. “We started in 2019 when Xime bought me a gift voucher for a soap making workshop and we learned how to make soaps from products you can find in your kitchen,” says Karen. “I suffer from eczema and have incredibly dry skin so it was nice to use something made from natural ingredients and not have a reaction.” Their business, named 7Soaps after their hometown of Stourport-on-Severn, quickly grew and they are now stocked in 12 shops across Worcestershire as well as online.

FE ATURES 33

Karen Blanchfield of 7Soaps, based at Stourport -on-Severn, who is now making soap for Severn Valley Railway

A Roberts radio

Karen with a soap mould

Karen with a range of her soap products

100% compostable. Their clamshell soap box can double up as a soap dish, meaning it can easily be taken anywhere. To make their small batches of soap, the friends use two different methods; cold process and hot process. The former sees the oils combined with lye at room temperature to cause a chemical reaction called saponification. In hot process, hot oils and lye are combined to begin saponification, and then introduced to heat via a slow cooker to speed up the cure time. “We make all of our soap at home using buckets and a hand mixer. Hot process soaps can be ready to use after 24 hours. Cold process soaps need around six weeks to cure. “Making soap is very therapeutic,” says Karen. “My favourite is our orange and cinnamon bar. I take some cinnamon sticks and crush them in the pestle and mortar. I put this through the soap for gentle exfoliation. It has a lovely aroma when you use it in the shower,” she adds. As well as catering for humans, they also have products for our canine friends too. Their dog shampoo

bars, which contain coconut oil that repel fleas, neem oil to help with itchy scalps and castor oil to reduce any inflammation, are proving very popular with customers. “If the dog has rolled in something nasty, you can wash them with that and know it’s helping them and the environment. When I used to wash my dog before, I would get really itchy hands. It’s nice to pamper my pooch now,” says Karen. They create all of their own recipes, which are assessed by a chemist before they are made available to customers to buy.

Bespoke

“I will say to Xime ‘can we make this?’ and as the biologist she will say ‘yes but to get that you need to put A, B and C in’,” says Karen. Earlier this year, they were commissioned to produce bespoke items for the Severn Valley Railway to sell in its shops. Launched at the Engine House at Highley, they are available in two scents – rosemary and charcoal and lavender and charcoal. The soaps are also made using Droitwich Salt and the packaging

was designed by Sally Chambers at Kidderminster-based Venalicium Creative Marketing. The charcoal is a nod to the coal used in the fireboxes of the locomotives on the line and red clay represents the red rock around Highley. Karen and Xime also have plans to work with Churchfields to create a cosmetic range and will be joining forces with two local beekeepers to create products using bees wax in the near future. They have also come a full circle as they now offer their own soap-making workshops and courses giving people the chance to try their hand at the craft. The pair have been blown away by the response to their creations and say they are delighted by the opportunities that have arisen since starting the business. “We enjoy making our soaps because it’s theraputic and we’re both crafters, so we enjoy creating things. We still can’t believe people keep coming back to buy our soaps. We get lovely feedback from our customers,” says Karen. n Details at:, www.7soaps.co.uk

by Harry Roberts and Leslie Bidmead – Leslie apparently sold his motorcycle to help fund their first factory. They began by making small portable radios at their London base and quickly expanded, gaining royal warrants from both the late Queen and King Charles along the way. If you want your radios to be in working order check them out thoroughly before you buy, although it is possible to get them restored by an expert. You should expect restoration ‘tweaks’ such as replacement transistors and battery converters in vintage radios that work. Check the cases for damage and make sure they are clean, if they do need sprucing up do this carefully, if the condition is poor this work is best left to professional restorers. You also need to be sure that your radios really are vintage, there are some amazing reproduction versions out there that could fool many people! And if you have a vintage radio to sell then do let us know, there is quite a demand just now!

34 FOOD

Vibrant and fruity dessert recipe is just irresistible

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

TV royalty Prue on ageism and making the Queen a cup of tea

LAUREN TAYLOR Press Association

Dame Prue Leith may be TV royalty now, but one thing she says she’ll “take to her grave” is the shame of making the late Queen Elizabeth II a bad cup of tea.

Apricot, almond and clotted cream on English muffin “This is the most divine, indulgent and irresistible pud,” says Prue Leith. “Don’t skimp on the cream or jam. Better forgo it altogether than try to make it healthy! It’s best made with ripe fresh apricots. If using canned fruit, roast them anyway – it will deepen their flavour.” APRICOTS, ALMONDS AND CLOTTED CREAM ON ENGLISH MUFFIN Ingredients: 2 large apricots, or 3 small ones 40g butter, half of it melted 2tsp caster sugar 1 English muffin, split and toasted 2tbsp apricot jam 1tbsp flaked almonds, toasted 1 small pot of clotted cream Method: Get the grill as hot as possible. Halve the apricots, remove the stones and put the halves, stoned side up, on a grill tray. Brush them with the melted butter and sprinkle with the sugar. Grill the apricots, not too close to the elements or gas flame, for eight to 10 minutes until brown round the edges. Meanwhile, butter the toasted muffin halves and put them on warm plates. Spread them with apricot jam and share the apricot halves between them. Sprinkle with the almonds and serve with clotted cream. Tip: You can toast the flaked almonds in the oven under the grill tray at the same time as roasting the apricots, but they burn in a flash, so be careful. Safer, probably, to stand over them while you gently turn them in a frying pan, or toast for three minutes in the microwave, giving them a stir halfway.

“I couldn’t get out of the Palace how she liked her tea, so I ended up with a tray with all these options on it: silver teapots, a jug, bowls of lemon and different sugars, milk and cream – the Palace told me to just bring everything,” says the Great British Bake Off star. It was 1975 at the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in London. The Queen finally reached Leith, who was carrying a rather heavy tray, after greeting a long line of dignitaries. “I said, ‘Black or white Ma’am?’ She said black, so I put a piece of lemon in. She said, ‘No lemon’, so I had to fish the lemon out as I hadn’t got another cup – I didn’t know what to do with the bloody lemon!” the 82-year-old recalls. “Then I topped up her tea with water because most people who have black tea like it quite weak, and she said, ‘I like it strong’. “So the poor woman got weak lemony tea when she likes strong black tea. I’ll go to my grave ashamed of it!” These days of course, South African-born Leith is in her sixth series of Channel Four’s Great British Bake Off – “the best job in the world” – alongside Paul Hollywood, Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding, and has just published her latest cookbook, Bliss On Toast. But the controversy garnered by some of the Bake Off episodes centring on cuisines of other countries, like the recent ‘Mexico week’, has taken her by surprise. “What we’re trying to do is celebrate other people’s cuisines, but we’ve only got three challenges, so obviously we’re not going to cover all the things that any country would want you to cover,” she says.

Bliss On Toast by Prue Leith

Dame Prue Leith has just released a new cook book Describing the popular baking show as “tolerant, inclusive, encouraging and kind”, Leith adds: “I’m just sorry anyone was offended, because that’s not in the spirit of Bake Off. “It does make you think, if [we cook] any foreign food and it’s not regarded as as a sign of appreciation and celebration, and imitation being flattery, then we’re in trouble, because British cooking has always been about taking other countries’ ideas.” On a lighter note, the funniest part of being on the show, she says, is that she never understands the innuendos. “I’m just too old and my companions are like 15-yearold school children. They go into hysterics of laughter – you say the word sausage and they think it’s rude and I start like looking like a complete nana because I didn’t get the joke.”

It was a surprise to Leith – who married her second husband, retired fashion designer John Playfair, in 2006 – to even be considered for the job replacing Mary Berry back in 2017. “I thought, going to Channel Four, they’d want to change everything, but guess what? They found another old lady.” She’d just finished 11 years as a judge on BBC Two’s Great British Menu and at 75 thought perhaps it was time to retire, but she couldn’t resist. Representation of older women on TV is improving, she agrees: “The ageism message must have got through.” When it comes to British food though, nothing quite encapsulates it like a good old plate of toast (and maybe a correctly made cup of tea). For Leith, Sunday night is the best time to enjoy it. “We’ve always had something on a Sunday night because Sunday night is like going

back to school, isn’t it? You need comfort because you’re facing the week. So we’ve always had scrambled eggs and crisp bacon on Sunday nights, or mushrooms on toast, always something on toast – it’s comforting. “If you’re feeling ill and you can’t eat anything, you can always eat a piece of dry toast,” she adds. “And then you get a bit better and you want some butter on it. The next morning it’s got marmalade on it.” Crucially, many are cheap to make. “We’re all very busy and we’re all worried about money and worried about time. Assembling something on toast is easy, stressfree and doesn’t have to be expensive,” Leith says. And in her early Eighties, Leith isn’t slowing down. She’s currently on one-woman tour around the US (coming to the UK next year), sharing her experiences. “People think of me as the woman on telly who eats cake for a living, which is true, but I’ve had a very adventurous life,” she says. “People often say to me, ‘You’re amazing for 82’, and the truth is, I’m quite healthy, I eat well, I sleep well, I have quite a lot of energy. I think I’m just lucky,” says Leith. n Bliss On Toast by Prue Leith is published by Bloomsbury, priced £14.99, available now.

Serving up a spicy midweek meal for curry fans “Chicken tikka has long been one of the UK’s most loved flavours and makes a great sandwich, pitta or wrap,” says Prue Leith. “But this is what it was born for – to eat with hot naan or chapati.” CHICKEN TIKKA WITH YOGHURT ON NAAN Ingredients: 100ml plain yogurt Juice of ½ lemon 1tbsp tikka paste Chicken tikka and yoghurt

4 raw skinless and boneless

chicken thighs

Oil for the tray 2 small naans, or chapatis Butter for spreading ½ mild red chilli, finely chopped A few mint or coriander leaves (or both) Sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper Method: Preheat the oven to 240°C/fan 220°C/Gas Mark 9. Mix the yogurt, lemon juice and

tikka paste together and reserve half of it for later. Turn the chicken thighs in the rest and spread them out on an oiled baking tray. Roast for about 35 minutes until brown and cooked through (a skewer should glide through the flesh easily). Slice each thigh into three. Warm the naans or chapatis briefly in the microwave or toaster and spread with butter. Pile the chicken on to the breads, seasoning with a little salt and pepper. Top with a dollop of the reserved yogurt, the chilli and herbs.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Practice makes perfect with indulgent Christmas recipes ANDY RICHARDSON

ury Tipsy Mincemeat together and add to the mixer. In a separate bowl, measure and sieve out the flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and all the ground spices. Sieve in the flour gradually and stop when the flour is evenly mixed in. Pour the mix into a greased and floured tin and bake for an hour or until a skewer comes out clean. The cake will pull away from the edge of the tin when it is ready. Leave the cake to cool fully before removing from the tin. While waiting to cool, make your icing sugar drip. Place icing sugar, egg white and lemon juice into your mixer. Beat on med-high for around 5-7 minutes until it forms soft peaks and is loose enough to drizzle. Pour over and allow to cool/set. Finish with sliced oranges or frozen festive berries (your preference!).

andy.richardson@mnamedia.co.uk

Christmas is just around the corner, and so it’s time to look ahead to what the festive season will have in store.

A good cook always trials recipes before the big day – so these recipes from Cottage Delight are ones that home cooks can start to test, in order that they’re perfect come the big day. PEAR & MINCEMEAT CRUMBLE CAKE Ingredients: Serves 12 For the pears: 4 firm pears, peeled, cored and cut into small pieces 3tbsp golden caster sugar

MULLED ORANGE & CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

1tsp mixed spice

Ingredients: Serves 12

For the cake recipe:

Biscuit Base:

250g pack salted butter,

300g bourbon Biscuits

softened

150g unsalted Butter

250g golden caster sugar

Cheesecake Filling:

1tsp vanilla extract

600g cream Cheese (full fat)

5 large eggs

Luxury Tipsy Mincemeat Pear and Mincemeat Crumble Cake

75g icing Sugar

100g ground almonds

300g Terry’s Chocolate Orange

7tbsp plain flour

1 x 305g jar Cottage Delight

6tbsp Cottage Delight Luxury

Mulled Orange All Butter Curd

Tipsy Mincemeat

1 orange zest

Method: Put pears into a non-stick frying pan with 2tbsp sugar and 2tbsp water. Cover, then cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes until tender, stirring every so often. There shouldn’t be juice once the pears are cooked. Add the spice; leave to cool. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Butter then line the base and sides of a 20cm round, deep cake tin. Put butter, sugar, vanilla and ¼ tsp salt into a large bowl. Beat with an electric hand whisk until pale and fluffy. Add eggs and flour, beat until smooth, then fold in almonds. Remove 85g batter and put into a small bowl. Add the plain flour and chop into the mix with a cutlery knife to make a soft, crumbly-looking mix. Spoon half the cake mix into the tin, top with half the pears, dot over half the Luxury Tipsy Mincemeat, then dollop the rest of the cake mix on top. Scatter with remaining pears, Luxury Tipsy Mincemeat, then the crumble mix. Sprinkle with final 1 tbsp sugar. Bake for 1½ hours, covering with foil after an hour, until golden, risen and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then cool on a rack.

Decoration: Orange zest Orange slices, thinly sliced 2tbsp crème fraiche

Mulled Orange Cheesecake

MINCE PIE BUNDT CAKE

1tsp ground cinnamon

Ingredients: Serves 10

For decoration:

250g unsalted butter

170g icing sugar

220g golden caster sugar

1 egg white at room temperature

200g light muscovado sugar

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

4 large eggs

Thinly sliced orange or frozen

350g plain yoghurt

berries (preference)

2tsp mixed spice

Method: Preheat the oven to 175ºC/150ºC fan/gas 3. Grease the bundt pan with melted butter and dust with flour. In a stand mixer, mix the butter and sugars until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and mix together. Mix the plain yoghurt and Lux-

1 jar Cottage Delight Luxury Tipsy Mincemeat 320g plain flour 2tsp bicarbonate of soda Tiny pinch of salt

IN SEASON

by Andy Richardson

Brassica with earthy taste is winter staple Autumn is extending more deeply than ever before. With Remembrance Sunday being the hottest on record, we’re finding mild temperatures at a time when we once experienced frosts and colder days and nights. That means there are still plenty of seasonal fruit and vegetables available in local greengrocers, farmers’ markets and more. Cauliflower is a staple for the coming months and has become increasingly popular in recent times as people have turned towards plant-based diets and embraced the earthy vegetable. The versatile brassica adds smoothness in sauces and texture in dishes such as cauliflower cheese, roast cauliflower and cauliflower rice. It can also make a great centrepiece when used as cauliflower steaks or as a roasted, stuffed dish. Roasted, stuffed cauliflower can take centre stage on Christ-

300ml double Cream

200g self-raising flour

Mincemeat Mince Pie Bundt

FOOD 35

Method: For the Biscuit Base: Melt the butter in the microwave on short bursts until fully melted. Blitz the biscuits in a food processor to a small crumb or in a bag with the end of a rolling pin, add the butter, and mix until it is combined well. Tip into a 20cm deep springform tin and press down firmly – chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. For the Cheesecake Filling: Melt the 300g chocolate orange in a bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, stirring gently or microwave in short bursts until fully melted. Mix together the cream cheese and Icing sugar until thick and whip up the double cream in a separate bowl – fold the mixtures together, and then fold through the melted chocolate and 2 heaped tbsp Mulled Orange All Butter Curd. Zest in the orange. Evenly spread six heaped tbsp Mulled Orange All Butter Curd over the chilled biscuit base. Pour the cream cheese mix on to the curd layer, smooth over, cover, and chill in the fridge for six hours, or preferably overnight.

Versatile cauliflower mas Day, with a kale and chestnut filling, plenty of lemon and a good grating of nutmeg. Cauliflower cheese is an aroundthe-world classic that makes a super side dish or works well accompanying a roast chicken. Make sure you top with plenty of seasoned breadcrumbs, or small pieces of pancetta, for extra flavour and texture. A cauliflower and hazelnut carbonara is a fabulous vegetarian main, with double cream, egg and thyme creating a sauce with pasta. Buffalo cauliflower wings show how versatile the ingredient can be, giving vegetarians the opportunity to enjoy a meat-free spicy American classic. Served with a ranch dip, it makes an excellent Friday night sharing treat. Healthy cauliflower popcorn is another great snack. Simply toss florets in chilli and spices and roast until crisp for a savoury snack that’s perfect for sharing, just add your favourite dip for dunking. Customise the cauliflower with your favourite flavours – try smoked paprika and lemon zest or crushed garlic and grated Parmesan. They are delicious with a tangy tomato salsa or cool herby yogurt dip on the side. Cauliflower also lends itself well to a variety of Asian-inspired dishes and curries, including a spiced cauliflower rice pie.

36 FAMILY LIFE

Seven signs that it’s time for a change in your career

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Starting a new job needn’t be such a terrifying experience

IMY BRIGHTY-POTTS Press Association

Is it time to move on? If you’re feeling overburdened and undervalued at work, you might have wondered whether to try and start the new year with a new job. Tony Gregg, chief executive at Anthony Gregg Partnership, an executive search firm, believes there could be some tell-tale signs that it’s time to see what else is out there… 1. The business goes significantly against your morals and values “The way a business operates and treats its employees is very important,” says Gregg. “During an interview, people try to be someone who they think the employer wants them to be, you can’t hide from that, you are yourself and that’s the real quality.” 2. You no longer feel challenged in your role If you’re not feeling challenged enough, this can start to show up in the quality of your work, Gregg adds. Persistent poor work could also come to the company’s attention, meaning some people in this situation may want to jump before they are pushed. 3. There aren’t enough decent opportunities – “When you recognise you are not being challenged or getting enough opportunities, you’ll know you need to move on,” says Gregg. 4. Your health is suffering – Poor mental or physical health as a result of work stresses and strains will not only have an impact on employees themselves, but also on their relationships outside the workplace. “If the job is affecting your health and mental and physical wellbeing, you’re going to get burned out,” says Gregg. “You need to ask yourself, is this really the right role for me?” 5. The role is too demanding – “It might not necessarily be the type of role causing burnout, it could be the type of organisation or, in some cases, the role is not what you expected it to be and the demand is too high,” says Gregg. 6. You are not being paid what you’re worth – Online salary checkers can help you to get an idea of whether you’re being paid your market value. 7. You feel underappreciated – “When you have been working at the same company for a while, you may feel you can become taken for granted, and other employees may rely on you to complete certain tasks, ” adds Gregg.

When you start a new job, the pressure is on to make a good first impression.

Thankfully, holding down the top role in Government isn’t something most of us will have to contend with. But starting any new job can bring a mix of feelings – and it’s natural to be nervous. Perhaps you’re scared of saying or doing the wrong thing, upsetting the status quo, or worries that you aren’t qualified enough are setting in… While those are all totally natural fears, can we do anything to help us handle new-job nerves and use the energy to our advantage? Coach yourself into a positive mindset: Steve Jefferys, a coach at YourShift (makeyourshift.co.uk), says there are exercises you can do to help set positive mindset for yourself. “Imagine how you’ll feel when reflecting on your first month in the role,” he suggests. “What have you achieved? How do you feel? What do your colleagues think – and what simple steps can you take to make this happen? You’ll get motivation and confidence from within, knowing you can do it.” Yes, chances are you’ll have things to learn in your new role – that’s part of the process for everyone. But as Desiree Anderson, a career coach at Crest Coaching and HR, says: “Remember that you were hired for a reason – your strengths and experience have been deemed to be great in order to tackle the priorities ahead. Remember your strengths and what you have accomplished up to this point.” Map out your first week: A bit of prep and planning goes a long way and can really help us feel calm about starting in a new role. “Work with your hiring manager before you arrive to understand how [your first week] works: what meetings you’ll be in, what will you get up

Starting a new job can be daunting

Get to know your new team at work by breaking the ice

to speed on, who you’ll meet, what questions you might ask,” Jeffreys suggests. “Having a practical focus will calm you and give you confidence.” Get to know your new team: The people make up an important part of any job – and breaking the ice with them might help you to get settled. “Suggest meeting for a casual coffee or after-works drink with them a week or so before. Chat to them informally, get to know them,” says Jeffreys. “You’ll have a blanket of psychological safety when you first walk in, and seeing ‘familiar’ faces again will boost your confidence.” Turn to your team for advice: Asking questions is often the best

way to learn. “Reach out to others in your team and use their expertise to enhance the objectives you have. By recognising that you can’t do it all yourself, you will draw closer to those around you who can help,” says Anderson. “This will take the weight off your shoulders, and encourage you to forge relationships with others. Also, you will be drawing from others’ experience and therefore your decisions will be reached from a more discerning perspective. Knowing you can leverage the experience of others will help you keep calm and focus on achieving priorities.” Get to grips with tech and admin quickly: There can be a lot of faff associated with starting a new job, getting to grips with their tech

Have a positive mindset

and filing systems and comms – and you may feel overwhelmed until you’ve mastered it. “Computer logins, server access, door cards, safety instructions, canteen access, meeting the office manager… Get it all done in first couple of days,” says Jeffreys. “The quicker you make the unfamiliar familiar, the calmer and more confident you’ll be.” Have something fun to aim for: Week one in a new job can be challenging – and rewarding yourself is a great way to keep motivation up. “Drinks with your colleagues, a trip away with your partner, a meal out – whatever it is, give yourself a reward,” says Jeffreys. “Positively reinforce the decision you’ve made and reflect on a first week well done.”

Learn to barter and bag yourself the best deals

Bag yourself a bargain

Everyone loves a bargain – but many people could be missing out on snapping one up, by not knowing where to start. Two-fifths (39%) of us admit to feeling too awkward to even try attempting to drive down the price of items in the first place, new research by Gumtree has found. And three in 10 (30%) feel that, as a nation, we don’t know how to get a good bargain through the art of bartering or haggling. To help people hone their bargaining skills, here are some tips from Gumtree’s chief marketing officer, Hannah Rouch… 1. Build a rapport – “When

bartering, remember the person on the other end sees value in their product, just as you do,” sys Rouch. “Focus on the conversation, build a rapport, and don’t lowball them in your initial outreach.” Making eye contact with the person you’re dealing with and being on time if you’ve arranged a collection can also pay off, she suggests. 2. Show the seller that you’re serious – “Make it clear to the seller that you’re serious about your purchase – show a genuine interest in the item and ask lots of questions,” Rouch suggests. “If you’re committed to walking away with an item from the outset, the

seller is more likely to invest the time in making the right deal and see their item go to a new home.” 3. Focus on what you really need – Don’t get carried away just because the seller lowers the price. The deal may still not be right for you. “Don’t be afraid to walk away if the offer, or item, isn’t right,” says Rouch. “When you make a purchase, you want to get the best value for money – not just to make a purchase for the sake of a purchase. Over-consumerism is rife, especially over the festive period, so save your energy for the purchases you really want or need.”

FAMILY LIFE 37

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Why Vitamin C should be on your skin care menu

Fruit and veg are full of Vitamin C

Cited by celebrities including actor Nicole Kidman, model Ashley Graham and Huda Beauty founder Huda Kattan, Skinceuticals C E Ferulic is the gold standard when it comes to Vitamin C serums. At £150 a bottle, the cult classic comes with an A-list price tag too, but you can get your daily dose of Vitamin C without breaking the bank. Why are beauty buffs and famous faces so obsessed with the nutrient we usually consume via fruit and vegetables? We asked experts to explain everything you need to know about Vitamin C and skincare…

n What is Vitamin C? – “Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin which cannot be stored in the body,” says Dr Sarah Brewer, medical director at Healthspan (healthspan.co.uk). “A regular intake is therefore essential and food sources include most fruit and vegetables, especially citrus fruit, berries, blackcurrants, capsicum peppers, kiwi fruit and green leaves.” n What are the benefits of Vitamin C in skincare? – “Adding Vitamin C to your skin care routine will brighten your complexion and also protect against damage caused by harmful environmental

free radicals,” explains Dr Derrick Phillips, consultant dermatologist. The antioxidant effect increases the skin’s resilience to pollution and reduces sun damage, he says: “It also stimulates new collagen formation, which in turn keeps the skin youthful and plump.” n Do some skin types benefit more than others? – “Vitamin C is good for all skin types,” says Shotter, but those with sensitive skin or acne should be careful. “A sensitive skin type might be irritated by a potent Vitamin C formulation – they may use other [formulas] which are slightly gentler and water soluble.”

Take steps to ensure season doesn’t leave you feeling low HEATHER LARGE

heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

During this time of year when the nights draw in earlier, it is common for people to develop and exhibit symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

MAINTAIN YOUR DAILY SCHEDULE The seasons are changing, but that doesn’t mean your schedule has to. If you’re used to going for a morning run, stick to this routine. The weather may be colder, but you can always wrap up. If you’ve gotten into the habit of going into the office more over the summer months, carry this on despite the chillier mornings. Setting yourself goals for

Moving in together can be an exciting step for couples – and with rent, mortgage and living costs going through the roof, it might be something you’ve decided to do a little more quickly than usual. However, as joyful as this move can be, there will be lots to think about – living together brings up new considerations and dynamics to navigate and it’s important you can communicate. So, what should couples talk about before moving in together? 1. Your expectations: Some people will see moving in together as a step towards even more commitment within a relationship, whilst others will see it as something that works for them right now, without looking too far ahead,” says Quinn. “Make sure you’re both on the same page – and don’t assume moving in today means married tomorrow, or even next year.” 2. How you’re going to divide household chores: Quinn says: “There’s a lot that comes with sharing a space – a lot of dirty dishes, piles of laundry and shopping to get. Chat about who is going to be responsible for what before diving in,” she suggests. “Whilst helpful to be organised, it’s also a good exercise to ensure that both parties of the relationship are committed and it’s not one-sided.” 3. Costs and finances: Many of us shy away from talking about money. But it’s really important for couples to be able to discuss this, says Quinn. “With the cost of living crisis dominating headlines, now is a great time to be more candid about your finances with a partner,” she says. “What can you afford? What’s your credit history? What things are worth prioritising? And how are you going to divide up rent and bill payments?”

Martin Preston, Founder and Chief Executive at Delamere, has shared some key tips on how to manage this type of disorder. He says: “Seasonal affective disorder is met with a range of symptoms. These days, you may be sleeping more than usual and therefore finding it hard to wake up. Similarly, you may be experiencing a loss of interest in day-to-day activities and are feeling generally anxious, irritable and low. “As difficult as this time of year may be, it’s important to know that there are plenty of proactive steps you can take to ease your symptoms.” SURROUND YOURSELF WITH DAYLIGHT As we head into the dark winter months, it’s important to make the most of daylight as much as possible. If you work indoors, open any curtains or blinds to let in as much light as possible. Another beneficial thing to do is to work by a window to make you feel a bit more close to nature and the outside world. Sprucing up the environment you’re in will also help. For example, you could invest in houseplants or decorate your home with wall art.

It’s good to talk before taking the next big step of living together

The winter can prove a challenge time for many people but there are things you can do to help

the day will also put you into a more motivated mindset. EXERCISE OFTEN When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which in turn has a positive effect on your mood. So, make it a habit of shaking away those winter blues with regular physical activity. If intensive exercise doesn’t sound like the best thing, perhaps just make it a target of going out for a walk every day – the fresh air will do you wonders! You may also benefit from engaging in mindful practices such as meditation to combat stress levels. EAT WELL Sticking to a healthy, balanced

diet is certainly a positive step you can take to manage your seasonal affective disorder. After all, your brain functions better when you eat well. As the weather gets colder, you could also use this time to make warm, hearty recipes in the kitchen. From pies to spicy curries, be as experimental as you want! Be sure to also drink enough water throughout the day to keep you hydrated and energised. KEEP IN REGULAR WITH LOVED ONES Another common symptom of seasonal affective disorder is finding it hard to stay in touch with friends and family. While it can be quite tempting to stay secluded in your own bubble, it’s important to know that reaching out to loved ones will

make you feel a little less in your head. With this in mind, make it a habit of regularly messaging people and organising catch-ups from time to time. AMP UP YOUR SELF-CARE ROUTINE Finally, for those especially tough days, having the best self-care plan for yourself is essential. In making this, think about what makes you happy. This could be your favourite series or perhaps something as simple as running a bath. Whatever it is, make sure your self-care plan is guaranteed to boost your mood or at least provide you with a sense of comfort. n For more advice, visit delamere.com/addiction-treatment/ mental-health

4. Who else is going to be sharing your space?: You’re setting up a home together – so boundaries around who else is going to be coming and going is definitely something to think about. “Although this may not be an immediate question to ask, it is still a valid point to consider,” agrees Quinn. “Does someone want a pet? Does one of you have a best friend who is always crashing on the couch? Is one of you more sociable and prone to throwing parties than the other? Does someone work from home? These questions will enable you to get clear about how you’re going to use the space and divide it equally,” says Quinn. “Although it will be a shared home, remember that you’re more than entitled to your own quiet sanctuary to revert to when you need.” 5. What’s your emergency plan if it doesn’t work out?: This might sound negative – but it’s actually a healthy sign to be able to talk about these things with care. This might include an action plan, as well as both individuals having an ’emergency savings fund’ should you suddenly need to move out.

38 TR AVEL

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Don’t forget your umbrella in Europe’s wettest cities!

Christmas Market at Wolfgangsee in Austria Bergen is the rainiest city Winter is here and, in many places, it brings the well-known, beautiful “Indian summer” when the sun makes the trees shine in the most beautiful colours. However, there are also downsides: lots of rain and cool temperatures. Holidu, the booking portal for holiday rentals, decided to seek out the cities where it rains the most! The cities were ranked based on their average number of rainy days per month as well as the average daily rainfall. You can be sure of one thing – the generous amount of rain that these places receive does wonders for how these cities look. Lush, green landscapes await you! Bergen, Norway Securing the number one spot as the rainiest city in Europe is Bergen. Topping the table for being both the city with the highest average rain days per month (12.7) as well as the highest average daily rainfall (8.8mm), Bergen is the outright rainiest city in Europe. But don’t let this put you off. Located on the south-western coast of the country, Bergen is nestled among lush green mountains and impressive fjords, making it an ideal location for lovers of the outdoors. Sunderland, UK The second rainiest city in Europe is Sunderland which sits directly on the North Sea. Sunderland has relatively high rainfall all year round, but especially in the winter months of December and January when the average is 15 rainy days per month. According to World Weather Online, the fewest rainy days occur in April (seven per month), so you might even be able to enjoy a day at the beach. If it does rain, you can pass the time in one of the museums, for example. Glasgow, UK Due to its northern location and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Glasgow has a maritime climate characterised by humidity and falling rainfall throughout the year. The most rain falls here in January and December, and the least in April. But Glasgow has plenty to offer even in bad weather. Why not visit an art museum or pass away the (rainy) time with a whisky tasting in a quaint distillery?

Horse-drawn carriage at the Krakow market

Top market picks to visit for a festive city break this winter CHRISTMAS MARKETS

By Sarah Marshall

While lengthy queues in department stores can make Christmas shopping a bore, traditional markets have always been a very different story.

Weaving through wooden cabins, while sipping a glass of mulled wine, the experience is much more than buying gifts. This year, we’ll all be pulling our belts a little tighter, but that doesn’t mean missing out on a Christmas market getaway. These festive trips promise a fun shopping experience, without breaking the bank. Toulouse, France When: Nov 25 to Dec 25 The pink city dazzles in a multitude of multi-coloured lights at Christmas, when the city’s annual market is held in Capitole Square. The town hall provides a backdrop for a Christmas village, with stallholders selling local crafts, regional foods, pottery, jewellery, candles, clothing and leather goods. In between shopping, skate on a 200sq metre ice rink (£4 for 45 minutes, skate hire included), and warm up with aligot aveyronnais, a cheese and potato puree with garlic. n The four-star Le Grand Balcon Hotel (grandbalconhotel.com) is close to the Place du Capitole, and offers a great breakfast buffet with modern rooms. Doubles from £95 per night with breakfast. Eurostar (eurostar.com) from London St Pancras to Toulouse Matabiau via Paris with one-way tickets available from £72. Salzburg, Austria When: Various dates in November and December Multiple markets are held in villages on the shores of Wolfgangsee, in Austria’s Lake District. Each is distinctive: in St Gilgen, the theme is Baroque-style art; in St Wolfgang there’s a focus on lanterns; while Strobl takes great pride in its old-fashioned stalls with wooden

Christmas market in Toulouse, south west France roof tiles. To make the trip a real Christmas cracker, head to Salzburg’s famous market, which is less than an hour’s bus ride away. n The four-star Hotel Seerose has charming views across Lake Fuschl. Inntravel (inntravel.co.uk) offers three nights’ half board from £585pp (two sharing) including flights and transfers. Stratford, UK When: December 8 to 11 Harking back to an historical era of grand banquets and elegant attire, Stratford’s award-winning Victorian-themed market provides visitors with an opportunity to feel like a character in a Charles Dickens novel. Decked out in fine costumes, traders sell gifts and seasonal produce, while a stage in Henley Street hosts a programme of festive performances. A novel way to experience the event is on a canal boat, travelling on a six-hour cruise from Drifters’ boat hire based.

n The 48ft Teddington narrowboat (sleeps four) is available for a four-day weekend break for £572. Fuel charge is based on use, approximately £15-£20 per day. Visit drifters.co.uk Krakow, Poland When: Nov 25 to Dec 26 Spread across the Rynek Glowny central square, Krakow’s Christmas market is the oldest in Poland. If you’ve never tasted pierogi (a type of fried dumpling) before, this is the place to do it – along with sweet treats such as piernik gingerbreads. Clasp a mug of warming grzane (mulled wine) while browsing for handmade decorations and toys, then take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the city to see the Krakow Szopki, a collection of miniature nativity scenes. n The Metropolitan Boutique Hotel (hotelmetropolitan.pl) occupies a renovated 19th century building, perfectly placed between the Old

Town Square and the trendy Kazimierz district. Doubles from £53 per night with breakfast. WizzAir (wizzair.com) flies from London Luton to Krakow from £26. Lisbon, Portugal When: Nov 18 to Jan 6 Portugal’s lively capital is ideal for a festive shopping break in milder temperatures. Wooden chalets are dotted around Rossio Square selling gifts and Portuguese seasonal treats, including salt cod, rabanadas (similar to French toast), porco preto (black pig) sandwiches, dried fruit and mulled wine. A Christmas train provides entertainment, although even bigger rides can be found at Wonderland Lisboa in Parque Eduardo VII. n Find Avani Avenida Liberdade (avanihotels.com/en/lisbon) on the main shopping street. Doubles from £82 per night with breakfast. Flights with easyjet from Gatwick start from around £66 one way.

HOMES & G ARDENS 39

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Why not add an eye-catching rose hip to your winter displays

Dry:Soon Drying Pod, selection of Dry:Soon Heated Airers, Lakeland

5kW Ceramic Black Portable Upright Fan Heater, Russell Hobbs

Top cost-saving gadgets you can use all round the home

SAM WYLIE-HARRIS Press Association

To say we’re all looking for ways to save money this winter is an understatement.

Thanks to soaring energy bills and rising food prices, we’re changing the way we cook and heat our homes – and we’re eyeing up electrical appliances like never before. “We’re all feeling the pinch right now, but we’ve got lots of ideas to help customers save energy, reduce food waste and use the things they buy for longer,” says Wendy Miranda, consumer expert at Lakeland. She says customers are using the information from their ‘Spend smart, live well’ campaign to make informed decisions – and buying products such as air fryers, Dry:Soon airers, and items to aid cooking with the microwave. Elsewhere, Cira Jones, assistant brand manager at Russell Hobbs, says: “We’ve witnessed a huge spike in demand across the board for more energy-efficient appliances.” Here’s what’s hot and selling fast: 1. Homcom Multifunctional Airfryer, £71.99 (9L), Groupon Air fryers are enjoying a moment in the sun – big time. This beauty boasts seven programmable menus, with presets for favourites, such as chips, chicken, shrimp and steak (for days when you’re treating yourself), baking and dehydrator. With a preheat function, it’s said to cook food 50% faster than a conventional oven with a saving of 36% on energy. 2. Good To Go Multi-Cooker, currently £69.99 from £79.99, Russell Hobbs It’s a win-win with this super versatile kitchen kit. There are eight functions to inspire a fusion of global recipes, with options to sear, roast, sous vide, slow cook, steam, rice, boil and keep warm. Better still, when everything’s cooked to perfection, the cast aluminium

Lakeland Microwave Cookware housing pot can be brought straight to the table. 3. Lakeland Microwave Cookware: Soup Mug, £4.99 (690ml); Lidded Saucepan, £7.99 (900ml); Multi-Steamer, £12.99 ( 2.1L); rest of items from a selection, Lakeland Whether you’re heating up a mug of soup or steaming veggies, rice, chicken or fish, this microwave cookware range in racing red is bright and beautiful. 4. Enfinigy Glass Kettle Black, £149, Zwilling The humble kettle may be one of the smallest kitchen appliances, but it’s an energy eater. Typically, an electric kettle consumes between two to three kilowatts (kw) – and the higher the kw, the bigger the bill. Zwilling’s stylish eco glass design outputs 1.5kw, features 10 programme settings, along with six temperature levels. Including

handy markers, so you only boil the exact amount of water you need – and the keep warm function means water stays at the same temperature for 30 minutes without needing to re-boil. 5. Russell Hobbs Ceramic Black Portable Upright Fan Heater, £29.99, Russell Hobbs Cute and compact, this energy-efficient ceramic fan heater can be carried from room to room, so no need to heat the whole house. Lightweight, with built-in adjustable thermostat and two heat settings, it’s suitable for a standard sized room, up to 15m². 6. Duux Threesixty 2 Smart Fan Heater White, £99.99, Duux Available in stylish winter white or piano black, this Threesixty is the supercar of personalised heating – showcasing power and efficiency. With WiFi connectivity, smart app compatibility, adjustable temperature and ventilation set-

tings, it’s said to have the capacity to heat a room 30m² twice as fast as conventional heaters. 7. Dry:Soon Drying Pod, £99.99; Dry:Soon Mini-3Tier Heated Airer, £129.99; rest of items from a selection, Lakeland Designed to hold up to 12 items on hangers, this prized pod flows hot air around your clothes and is cited as costing 34p per hour. While the 3-tier airer holds up to 15kg of washing, costs 7p an hour and can be neatly folded away, so it doesn’t take up lots of space. 8. Bedsure Electric Heated Throw Blanket (130x160cm), £54.99, Amazon When it’s time to snuggle down on the sofa, you can’t beat a heated throw blanket to stay warm and cosy. With six heat settings and a savvy auto off timer, you won’t use too much power and can keep the heating off.

Rosa canina Try to avoid deadheading the last of your roses, because their hips will provide you with red and burnt orange shades through winter. The eye-catching little fruits are actually the seedpods of the flower and can be used to add lustre to Christmas decorations, or even feature in simple festive wreaths for your front door. A lot of roses grown for their hips as well as their flowers are used as hedging, because many tend to be tall and wild in their growth, while ramblers and climbers produce great trusses of flowers, which will all become hips if left alon. If you have repeat-flowering roses, you can deadhead the earlier blooms, but leave the later ones to develop hips. Which roses are best for hips? “Roses from the Rosa moyesii family boast some of the most attractive hips,” suggests Philip Harkness, managing director of rose breeder Harkness Roses. “They are orange to red in colour and shaped like un upturned flagon.” Sarah Squire, chair of Squire’s Garden Centres, adds: “In my garden the best hips are found on sweet briar roses (Rosa rubiginosa), which are in a mixed native hedge we planted with wildlife in mind. Our climbers ‘The Simple Life’ and the ‘The Generous Gardener’ also have a good display.” Ian Limmer, nursery manager at Peter Beales Roses, recommends ‘Scharlachglut’ (‘Scarlet Fire’), a handsome, hardy shrub bearing an abundance of rich, scarlet-crimson single flowers with pronounced golden stamens followed by large hips carried throughout most of winter. He also rates Rosa helenae, a vigorous tree-climbing late flowering rambler, with creamy white flowers followed by masses of orange hips. David Austin Roses recommends ‘Francis E Lester’, a fragrant rambler smothered with bunches of small, blush white blooms, delicately tinted with pale pink at the edges. Meanwhile, the egg-shaped hips of the wild dog rose are a magnet for birds and can also be cooked, producing a tart flavour.

Friday’s Television

40 T V GUIDE

CHILDREN IN NEED

Ramsey and Alex Scott are back on the presenting team, and they’ll be joined by Jason Manford. “I’m absolutely delighted to co-host this year’s Children in Need,” comments the comedian and singer. “Having watched the show for many years, I’m honoured to be following in such illustrious footsteps. “This year’s Positive Relationships campaign is so important – we need to ensure that children have the basic essentials, like a hot meal and a warm home, and the support they need to be the best they can be. The projects that Children in Need support are vital in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. “We know it’s tough out there for everyone at the minute, but if you can, please help us to make sure that no child goes without.” Among the highlights from this year’s programme, which includes the usual skits, sketches and clips revealing how the money is spent, are special editions of The Repair Shop and Blankety Blank. In 2021, the total on the night was a staggering £39million, which eventually grew to £51million. Whether that can be matched or even bettered this time around remains to be seen, but the Beeb are hoping for something similar – and that really would be spotacular!

BBC One, 7.00pm

Be SPOTACULAR. That’s the message from this year’s Children in Need. What that actually means is open for interpretation. While some jolly wag may suggest it’s something to do with teenagers and their skin, more sensible folk might suggest it involves wearing something spotty, taking part in an on-the-spot challenge or even just feeling spotacular. Hopefully, no matter what mood they’re in at the start of the event, by the end of the annual epic fundraising show, viewers will fall into the last category on that list because lots of money will be heading off to worthy causes and we’ll have enjoyed a wonderful evening of entertainment. Although the majority of us probably don’t think about the charity until it comes around every November, its dedicated staff work tirelessly 12 months of the year. Last month, it announced an immediate £3million funding response to help tackle the impact of the cost of living crisis on children, young people and the groups supporting them. “We have spent months listening to the sector, the children and young people we support and our grassroots charities and projects across the UK, and were alarmed by what we were hearing, so I am proud to make this £3million commitment, but am very aware that so much more is needed, and we wish we could do more,” says Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of Children in Need. “Having a safe, warm and secure home, enough food and opportunities to have fun and learn are all fundamental to a happy childhood and healthy mental wellbeing and we need to be there for the children and young people across the UK that so urgently need our support.” Antrobus also claims that there’s a shortfall in funding, which means that this year’s show is perhaps more important than ever. Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc, Chris

Daytime

Editor’s Pick

6pm

7pm

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live (S). 10.00 Expert Witness (S). 10.30 Dirty Rotten Scammers (S). 11.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 12.15 Bargain Hunt: CiN Special (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 (R) (S). 3.45 The Repair Shop (S). 4.30 The Travelling Auctioneers (S). 5.15 Pointless (R) (S).

6.30 The Repair Shop (R) (S). 7.15 The Travelling Auctioneers (R) (S). 8.00 Sign Zone: Trawlermen: Hunting The Catch (R) (S). 9.00 BBC News (S). 10.00 BBC News (S). 12.15 Politics UK (S). 1.00 Live Snooker: UK Championship The opening quarter-finals (S). 5.15 Flog It! (R) (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 is on hand with more Strictly exclusives (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 (R) (S).

7.00 Children In Need 7.00 Live Wheelchair Rugby 7.30 Emmerdale Sam has a 2022 Hosted by Ade League World Cup tough decision to make Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc, The final. Kick-off is at (S). Chris Ramsey, Alex 7.30pm (S). Scott and Jason Manford (S). 8.00 Coronation Street Yasmeen encourages Alya to seize an exciting opportunity (S).

8pm 9.30 Motherland Julia panics about which secondary school catchment area she lives in (R) (S).

9.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Ant and Dec look at highlights from the past 24 hours (S).

10.00 BBC News At Ten (S). 10.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 10.40 Peter Kay’s Stand-Up Comedy Shuffle (R) (S).

10.00 QI Sandi Toksvig takes a look at animals that begin with the letter ’T’ (S). 10.30 Newsnight (S).

10.35 ITV News; Weather (S).

11.10 RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Comedian Aisling Bea, and actor and singer Olly Alexander guest (R) (S).

11.05 Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (R) (S). 11.35 Snooker: UK Championship Action from the quarter-finals (S).

11.05 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). 11.20 The NFL Show Action from Green Bay Packers vs Tennessee Titans (S).

12.15 Blankety Blank (R) (S). 12.50 Celebrity Mastermind (R) (S). 1.25 BBC News (S).

12.25 FILM: My Feral Heart (Jane Gull 2016) (S). 1.40 Sign Zone: Why Is Food So Expensive? – Panorama (R) (S). 2.10 Sign Zone: The Rickshaw Relay Rides Again (R) (S). 3.10 Sign Zone: Tutankhamun’s Secrets: Raiders Of The Lost Past With Janina Ramirez (R) (S).

12.15 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 Children Of Ukraine (R) (S). 4.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 Dickinson’s Real Deal (R) (S).

9pm

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Join us on a hassle-free trip to Folkestone, featuring a fabulous hotel and visits to Broadstairs and Margate; the perfect trip down memory lane! With everything taken care of, this is a wonderful chance to enjoy some sea air and explore Kent in friendly company.

Escape to the seaside and enjoy a relaxing weekend in Bournemouth, a fantastic resort boasting seven miles of golden sands, a historic pier and magnificent gardens. From here we visit Poole with its nautical atmosphere and the traditional resort of Swanage.

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Return coach travel from Bridgnorth 3 nights at a selected hotel in Bournemouth with dinner & breakfast 2 for 1 bar (6pm-9pm) on selected drinks Excursion to Poole & Swanage

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Film Choices MY FERAL HEART (BBC2, 12.25am)

Steven Brandon (picured) delivers a powerful performance in this drama. He plays Luke, a young man with Down’s syndrome, who has been acting as a carer for his mother. Following her death, he is forced to move into a residential home, where he struggles with the loss of both his mum and his independence. He does strike up a friendship with care worker Eve, but it’s when he discovers a mysterious girl in the countryside around the home that Luke really regains a sense of purpose.

BLINDED BY THE LIGHT (BBC3, 9.00pm)

Adapted from Sarfraz Mansoor’s memoir, Blinded by the Light is an uplifting coming-of-age comedy. Sixteen-year-old Javed’s (Viveik Kalra) dreams

of writing full-time must be extinguished to be a dutiful son to his mother Noor and father Malik. When Malik is unexpectedly made redundant, pressure intensifies on Javed to marry and settle down when what he really wants to do is “kiss a girl and get out of this dump”.

November 18

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: A New England Christmas (John Stimpson 2021) Premiere. Comedy drama, starring Katie Leclerc (S). 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) (S). 5.00 5 News At 5 (S).

6.00 The Simpsons Comic Book Guy takes Homer to court (S). 6.30 Hollyoaks (R) (S).

6.00 Winter Road Rescue Documentary following snowplough teams and RAC patrols (R) (S). 6.30 Eggheads (S). 6.55 5 News Update (S).

7.00 Channel 4 News (S).

7.00 Holidaying With Jane McDonald: The Caribbean (R) (S). 7.55 5 News Update (S).

8.00 The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice With guests Stacey Solomon and Stephen Mangan. Last in the series (S).

8.00 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out The presenter and her campervan head back to Yorkshire (S).

9.00 Gogglebox The amateur critics share their thoughts on the week’s telly (S).

9.00 The Dalgliesh Mysteries The detective investigates the murders of Sir Paul Berowne and a homeless man (S).

9.00 Kenny Rogers: All In For The Gambler A star-studded concert honouring the country music legend (S).

10.00 The Last Leg New series. With guests Peter Crouch, AJ Odudu and Rose Ayling-Ellis (S).

10.55 80s Greatest Pop Videos A look at the greatest pop videos of 1985 (R) (S).

10.40 Country Music Awards 2022 Coverage of the 56th Annual Country Music Association Awards.

11.05 The Big Narstie Show With Stephen Graham, Aisling Bea, Paul Mescal and Nella Rose (S). 11.55 Man Down (R) (S). 12.25 Man Down Christmas Special (R) (S). 12.55 Man Down (R) (S). 1.20 Man Down (R) (S). 1.50 MMA: Professional Fighters League Highlights (S). 2.45 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA (R) (S). 3.35 Come Dine With Me (R) (S).

12.40 999: Criminals Caught On Camera (R) (S). 1.05 The LeoVegas Live Casino Show (S). 3.05 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 3.15 Victorian Britain: The Lost Films (R) (S). 4.25 Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railway Journeys (R) (S). 5.10 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 Jamie. 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 TBA. 1.00 World Cup Rewind With Leah Williamson. 2.00 Radio 2 Unwinds With Angela Griffin. 3.00 Ricky Wilson’s Rock And Roll Classics. 4.00 Sophie EllisBextor’s Kitchen Disco. 5.00 Radio 2 In Concert.

PORTSMOUTH V DERBY COUNTY

Sky Sports Main Event, 8.00pm Live coverage of the League One clash from Fratton Park.

7.00 Live Snooker: UK Championship The concluding quarterfinals (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 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 Extreme Animals: One Wild Day (R) (S). 4.00 Extreme Animals: One Wild Day (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). 1.15 Catchphrase (S). 2.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 3.05 One Tree Hill (S). 4.00 Hart Of Dixie (S). 5.00 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 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 10.20 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 11.30 Heartbeat (S). 12.35 Heartbeat (S). 1.40 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.50 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.25 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.55 Agatha Christie’s Marple (S).

8.55 Kirstie’s Vintage Gems (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 Futurama The team travels to a parallel universe (R) (S). 6.30 The Simpsons Homer is humiliated by a wild bear (R).

6.15 Catchphrase Guessing game, hosted by Stephen Mulhern (S).

6.00 Heartbeat A face from the dead returns (S).

6.55 Escape To The Chateau Dick and Angel prepare for winter (S).

7.00 Young Rock Dwayne makes a life-changing decision. 7.30 Gods Of The Game Opera set in the world of football (R).

7.00 Dress To Impress Aidas, Connor and Harees try to win a date with Sophie (S).

7.00 Heartbeat Rosie gets a shock while walking her aunt’s dog (S).

7.55 Grand Designs Creating a home on the Isle of Wight (S).

8.00 Bob’s Burgers Tammy and Tina go head-tohead at school (S). 8.30 Bob’s Burgers (S).

8.00 Grace A body is dredged up from the English Channel (S).

9.00 Brazil 2002 Documentary following the Brazilian national team through the 2002 World Cup (R).

10.00 Foyle’s War Foyle stumbles on an international cover-up (S).

11.40 Kenny Rogers: Cards On The Table Documentary chronicling the country music singer’s career (S).

11.00 Rob & Romesh vs The Three Lions Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan meet the England men’s football team (R).

11.20 Family Guy Bertram goes back in time to kill Leonardo da Vinci (S). 11.50 Family Guy Lois displays unexpected skill as a boxer (S).

12.40 Country Music By Ken Burns (S). 1.30 Country Music By Ken Burns (S). 2.20 Country Music By Ken Burns (S). 3.15 Close

12.00 Fantasy Football League (R). 12.35 Jamie And Harry’s World Cup Challenge: Got, Got, Need (R). 1.35 Resident Alien 2.35 The Russell Howard Hour (R). 3.25 Road Wars (R) (S). 4.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S). 5.00 Motorway Patrol (R) (S). 5.30 Motorway Patrol (R).

12.15 American Dad! (S). 12.40 American Dad! (S). 1.10 Bob’s Burgers (S). 1.35 Bob’s Burgers (S). 2.05 Hey Tracey! (S). 2.50 Unwind With ITV (S). 3.00 Teleshopping

BBC RADIO 3

6.30am Breakfast. 9.00 Essential Classics. 12noon Composer Of The Week: The Harlem Renaissance. 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. London Jazz Festival concert from BBC Concert Orchestra. 10.00 The Verb. 10.45 Between The Ears: Miniatures. 11.00 Late Junction. 1am Tearjerker With Sigrid. 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) Book Of The Week: Colditz: Prisoners Of The Castle. 10.00 Woman’s Hour. 11.00 Britain’s Communist Thread. 11.30 Anna Morris: Kid-Life Crisis. 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 Property Of The BBC. 2.00 The Archers. 2.15 Drama: Harland. 2.45 Why Do We Do That? 3.00 Gardeners’ Question Time. 3.45 From Fact To Fiction. 4.00 Last Word. 4.30 Feedback. 5.00 PM. 5.54 (LW) Shipping Forecast.

9.00 Astrid: Murder In Paris The ceiling collapses in an underground quarry during a party. In French (S).

9.00 FILM: Ted 2 (2015) Comedy sequel, starring Mark Wahlberg (S).

Radio

5.57 Weather. 6.00 Six O’Clock News. 6.30 The Now Show. 7.00 The Archers. 7.15 Add To Playlist. 8.00 Any Questions? 8.50 A Point Of View. 9.00 The Ballads Of Emmett Till. 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 Book Of The Week: Colditz: Prisoners Of The Castle. 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

6am The Christopher Marlowe Mysteries. 6.30 The House. 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 Married. 9.00 The Museum Of Curiosity. 9.30 Bleak Expectations. 10.00 Come To Me. 11.00 The Reunion. 11.45 David Attenborough’s Life Stories. 12noon Share And Share Alike. 12.30 Married. 1.00 The Christopher Marlowe Mysteries. 1.30 The House. 2.00 The Channel. 2.15 Carmen. 2.30 Nightingales Of India. 3.00 Come To Me. 4.00 The Museum Of Curiosity. 4.30 Bleak Expectations. 5.00 The Quanderhorn Xperimentations. 5.30 Now You’re Asking With Marian Keyes And Tara

11.15 24 Hours In A&E Cameras follow a 56-year-old who fell from a ladder at work (S). 12.05 Agatha Christie’s Marple (S). 2.05 Unwind With ITV (S). 2.30 Teleshopping

Flynn. 6.00 Dan Dare: Prisoners Of Space – Part One. 6.30 Musical Genes. 7.00 Share And Share Alike. 7.30 Married. 8.00 The Christopher Marlowe Mysteries. 8.30 The House. 9.00 The Reunion. 9.45 David Attenborough’s Life Stories. 10.00 Comedy Club. 10.00 Comedy Club: Now You’re Asking With Marian Keyes And Tara Flynn. 10.30 Comedy Club: Mitch Benn’s Crimes Against Music. 11.00 Comedy Club: Mark Thomas: The Manifesto. 11.25 Comedy Club: The Comedy Club Interview. 11.30 Comedy Club: James Acaster’s Perfect Sounds. 12mdn’t Dan Dare: Prisoners Of Space – Part One. 12.30 Musical Genes. 1.00 The Christopher Marlowe Mysteries. 1.30 The House. 2.00 The Channel. 2.15 Carmen. 2.30 Nightingales Of India. 3.00 Come To Me. 4.00 The Museum Of Curiosity. 4.30 Bleak Expectations. 5.00 The Quanderhorn Xperimentations. 5.30 Now You’re Asking With Marian Keyes And Tara Flynn.

BBC 5 LIVE

10.15 24 Hours In A&E Cameras focus on people who have faced challenges and transformed their lives (S).

6am 5 Live Breakfast. 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 11.00 Chiles On Friday. 1pm Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast. 1.30 Match Of The Day: Top 10. 2.00 Elis James And John Robins. 4.00 5 Live Drive. 7.00 5 Live Sport: The Friday Football Social. 8.30 Match Of The

12.20 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 1.20 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 2.25 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.25 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.55 Close

Day: Top 10. 9.00 5 Live Boxing. 9.30 5 Live Formula 1. 10.00 Stephen Nolan. 1am Laura McGhie. 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 Tarzsa Williams. 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. 4.00 Sam Pittis. 7.00 Smooth Classics At Seven. 10.00 Smooth Classics. With Margherita Taylor. 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

STRICTLY COME DANCING: BLACKPOOL SPECIAL BBC1, 7.45pm

It may usually be filmed at Elstree Studios, but there’s no doubt that Strictly Come Dancing’s spiritual home is in the Tower Ballroom at Blackpool. The Blackpool episode has become a Strictly tradition – and an important milestone for the contestants. The celebrities often say they want to make it to Halloween, then Blackpool, and then after that, they can truly start thinking about the glitterball trophy. But in 2020 the annual jaunt had to be abandoned. Although that was sad, most viewers were just glad that the Strictly was on at all amid what seemed at the time like ever-changing guidelines around lockdowns. It was a similar story in 2021, but now the good news is that this year Strictly will once again be beside the seaside. The last time they made the trip was in 2019, when Karim Zeroual and Kelvin Fletcher tied at the top of the leader board with a Charleston and a jive respectively, while Michelle Visage left the competition after her Couples Choice to Vogue failed to win over the viewers. But who will be strutting their stuff on the famous sprung dancefloor this week? Well, that might be difficult to predict as we’ve seen some surprising bottom twos so far this series. The first shock came in week three, when the hotly tipped Fleur East found herself in the dance-off against Richie Anderson, who just a week before had scored an impressive 32 for his quickstep, seemingly marking him out as a contender. The following week, it was Kym Marsh’s time to make an unexpected appearance in the bottom two, despite a very respectable samba, which is often acknowledged to be one of the most difficult dances. Fleur and Kym were both saved, as was Molly Rainford, whose Couples Choice to Grange Hill failed to impress the TV voters during an episode dedicated to

celebrating the BBC. That routine also got a lukewarm reception from the judges, but her foxtrot earned her rave reviews and 35 points – and she still ended up in the bottom two again. So, why has the leader board been turned around so many times this year? Some seasoned Strictly fans have questioned whether the show’s enthusiasm for a gimmick has been working against the couples – sambaing while dressed as Timon from the Lion King probably didn’t do Richie any favours. However, there have still been plenty of incredible moments this series, whether it’s Hamza Yassin, who was arguably one of the lower-profile signing this year, pulling off a jaw-dropping salsa, or Tony Adams performing a Full Monty-inspired samba that was memorable for very different reasons. The remaining couples will hope to come up with more show-stopping routines tonight that will impress judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke and, more importantly, the voting public. Then tomorrow, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman reveal who’s made it through and who has to perform again, while there’s also a musical interlude courtesy of Eurovision hero Sam Ryder.

Daytime

Editor’s Pick

6pm

7pm

6.00 Breakfast (S). 10.00 Saturday Kitchen Live (S). 11.30 Strawbridge Over The Drawbridge (R) (S). 12.00 Bargain Hunt (R) (S). 12.30 BBC News; Weather (S). 12.45 Live Women’s Rugby League World Cup The final. Kick-off is at 1.15pm (S). 3.30 Live Men’s Rugby League World Cup The final. Kick-off is at 4pm (S).

6.40 Go Jetters (R) (S). 6.55 Go Jetters (R) (S). 7.05 Hey Duggee (R) (S). 7.15 Hey Duggee (R) (S). 7.25 Shaun The Sheep (R) (S). 7.30 Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed! (R) (S). 7.45 Ninja Express (R) (S). 7.55 The Deep (R) (S). 8.20 Odd Squad (R) (S). 8.30 One Zoo Three (R) (S). 8.55 Newsround (S). 9.00 Nova Jones (R) (S). 9.30 Blue Peter (R) (S). 10.00 Deadly Pole To Pole (R) (S). 10.30 Britain’s Secret Seas (R) (S). 11.30 Mountain Vets (R) (S). 12.00 Top Of The Shop With Tom Kerridge (R) (S). 1.00 Live Snooker: UK Championship (S). 5.00 Flog It! (R) (S). 5.40 Nature’s Misfits: Natural World (R) (S).

6.25 BBC News (S). 6.35 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 6.45 Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel (S).

6.25 Men’s Rugby League 6.10 ITV News; Weather (S). World Cup Reaction to 6.25 ITV Regional News (S). the final (S). 6.40 FILM: Shazam! (2019) Premiere. Comedy adventure, starring Zachary Levi (S).

6.00 CITV 9.25 ITV News (S). 9.30 James Martin’s Saturday Morning (S). 11.40 Ainsley’s World Cup Flavours (S). 12.45 James Martin’s Great British Adventure (R) (S). 1.15 ITV News; Weather (S). 1.30 ITV Racing: Live From Haydock Park Coverage from Haydock Park and Ascot (S). 4.05 The Chase Celebrity Special (R) (S). 5.05 Celebrity Lingo (S).

7.45 Strictly Come Dancing: 7.00 Live Snooker: UK Blackpool Special Championship The The dancers perform second semi-final (S). at Blackpool Tower Ballroom (S).

8pm

9pm

10pm

11pm

9.10 Blankety Blank (S). 9.45 Casualty Stevie tries to prove she has the people skills to advance in her career (S). 10.35 BBC News; Weather (S). 10.55 Messi The Enigma Documentary on Argentina star Lionel Messi (S).

9.10 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Ant and Dec present the celebrity survival challenge (S). 10.00 Adele: The BBC Sessions BBC archive clips of the hugely successful singer (R) (S).

10.10 The Jonathan Ross Show With Craig David, Katherine Ryan and Wet Leg (S).

11.55 MOTD World Cup Top 11.00 FILM: Apocalypse 11.15 ITV News; Weather (S). Now: Final Cut (1979) 11.30 English Football 10: Stars Of 2022 New Vietnam War drama, series. Counting down League Highlights starring Martin Sheen the potential stars of the Action from the latest (S). World Cup (S). fixtures (S). 12.25 DIY SOS: The Big Build For 1.50 The People’s Piazza: A Children In Need (R) (S). 1.35 History Of Covent Garden (R) BBC News (S). (S). 3.20 This Is BBC Two (S).

Late

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

Film Choices APOCALYPSE NOW: FINAL CUT (BBC2, 11.00pm)

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01952 241338

Director Francis Ford Coppola added 30 extra minutes to his Vietnam war epic, and now there’s a chance to see it in all its glory. Martin Sheen (pictured) plays Captain Willard, an assassin assigned to find and kill the renegade Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who is believed to have descended into insanity. Winner of two Oscars, including Best Cinematography, and two Baftas, it has gone on to influence countless movies, from Tropic Thunder and Avatar, to the more recent Ad Astra. Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford and Laurence Fishburne also star.

SHAZAM!

(ITV, 6.40pm)

Premiere. Youngster Billy Batson is chosen by the ancient wizard Shazam as his new champion, and receives various superpowers. Together with his

best friend Freddy Freeman, Billy must come to terms with his new talents in order to stop the evil Dr Thaddeus Sivana. Comedy adventure based on the Captain Marvel and Shazam comics, starring Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer and Djimon Hounsou.

November 19

SATURDAY 43

Sport 6.15 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 6.40 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 7.05 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.20 The Simpsons (R) (S). 8.50 The Simpsons (R) (S). 9.20 The Simpsons (R) (S). 9.50 The Simpsons (R) (S). 10.15 The Simpsons (R) (S). 10.45 Couples Come Dine With Me (R) (S). 11.50 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 12.20 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 12.50 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 1.20 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 1.50 Four In A Bed (R) (S). 2.20 A Place In The Sun (S). 3.05 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces (R) (S). 4.10 Huge Homes With Hugh Dennis (R) (S). 5.10 Channel 4 News (S). 5.40 Grand Designs (R) (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 10.00 The Smurfs (R) (S). 10.10 SpongeBob SquarePants (S). 10.20 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 10.30 Friends (R) (S). 11.00 Friends (R) (S). 11.30 Friends (R) (S). 12.00 FILM: Christmas In Vienna (Maclain Nelson 2020) Romantic drama, starring Sarah Drew (S). 1.50 FILM: 12 Pups Of Christmas (Michael Feifer 2019) Festive romance, starring Charlotte Sullivan and Donny Boaz (S). 3.40 FILM: Puppy Love For Christmas (Tori Garrett 2020) Romantic drama, starring Georgia Flood (S). 5.30 FILM: The Christmas Toy Maker (Jonathan Wright 2021) Festive drama. starring Marisol Nichols (S).

6.00 Hope For Wildlife (R) (S). 7.00 Hope For Wildlife (R) (S). 8.00 Hope For Wildlife (R) (S). 9.00 The F1 Show (R). 10.00 Soccer AM With John Fendley and Jimmy Bullard. 11.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 12.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 12.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 1.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 1.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.00 Live WSL Everton vs Manchester City. Kickoff is at 3pm (R). 5.15 Live WSL Arsenal vs Manchester United. Kick-off is at 5.30pm (R).

EXETER CITY V IPSWICH TOWN

Sky Sports Main Event, 11.30am Live coverage of the League One clash from St. James Park.

6.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 6.20 Coronation Street Omnibus (S). 9.10 Secret Crush (S). 10.10 Dress To Impress (S). 11.10 Dress To Impress (S). 12.10 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 1.45 FILM: Johnny English (Peter Howitt 2003) Spy comedy, starring Rowan Atkinson (S). 3.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (S). 5.00 FILM: Despicable Me 3 (Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin 2017) Animated sequel, with the voice of Steve Carell (S).

6.00 Bless This House (S). 6.35 Agatha Christie’s Marple (S). 8.35 FILM: Dad’s Army (Oliver Parker 2016) Second World War comedy, starring Toby Jones (S). 10.35 Foyle’s War (S). 12.45 Foyle’s War (S). 2.55 Midsomer Murders (S). 4.55 Midsomer Murders (S).

6.50 FILM: The Huntsman: Winter’s War (2016) Fantasy adventure, starring Chris Hemsworth (S).

6.20 Come Dine With Me The first of a week of dinner parties in Co Durham (S). 6.55 Come Dine With Me (S).

6.40 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying Highlights The battle for pole in the final round of the season (S). 7.15 Greatest Christmas Toys Of All Time The must-have toys dominated Britain’s gift lists for the last 50 years (R) (S).

9.10 Naughty Tories: John Major & Edwina Currie The story of the affair between the two politicians (S).

9.00 Señorita 89 New series. Drama exploring dark secrets at the Miss Mexico pageant (S). 9.45 Señorita 89 (S).

9.00 FILM: The Matrix (1999) Sci-fi action thriller, starring Keanu Reeves (R) (S).

10.40 When Celebs Go Horribly Wrong Recollections of sex scandals and televised meltdowns (R) (S).

10.35 To The Manor Born Audrey helps catalogue the Manor’s china (S).

1.25 The LeoVegas Live Casino Show (S). 3.30 999: Critical Condition (R) (S). 4.15 Britain’s Greatest Bridges (R) (S). 5.00 Britain’s Greatest Bridges (R) (S). 5.45 Paw Patrol (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 Jamie. 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 1Xtra’s Rap Show. 11.00 Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show. 12mdn’t Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Mix. 12.30 Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Mix. 1.00 Radio 1’s Classic Essential Mix. 3.00 Future Dance Mix With Sarah Story. 3.30 Pete Tong’s Hot Mix. 4.00 Radio 1’s Dance Anthems. 5.00 Radio 1 Relax.

BBC RADIO 2

7.00 Midsomer Murders Murder strikes at a disused abbey that is believed to be cursed (S). 8.00 Rob & Romesh vs The Three Lions Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan meet the England men’s football team (R).

11.45 FILM: Man On Fire (2004) Action thriller, starring Denzel Washington (S).

2.15 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA (R) (S). 3.05 Couples Come Dine With Me (R) (S). 3.55 Hollyoaks Omnibus (R) (S).

7.00 Raiders Of The Lost Past With Janina Ramirez (S).

8.00 Wild Arabia Exploring the mountains of Dhofar in Oman (S).

8.10 Castle Howard: Through The Seasons Nick Howard and Dave the caretaker prepare to host a classic car show (S). 9.10 FILM: The Equalizer (2014) Action thriller, starring Denzel Washington (S).

8.55 A Place In The Sun (S). 9.55 A Place In The Sun (S). 10.55 A Place In The Sun (S). 11.55 Location, Location, Location (S). 1.00 Come Dine With Me (S). 1.30 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 2.35 Come Dine With Me (S). 3.05 Come Dine With Me (S). 3.40 Four In A Bed (S). 4.10 Four In A Bed (S). 4.40 Four In A Bed (S). 5.15 Four In A Bed (S). 5.50 Four In A Bed (S).

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. Holly Johnson shares his proudest ’80s moments. 10.00 Sounds Of The 90s With Fearne Cotton. A nostalgia-drenched celebration of the best music and pop culture from the decade. 11.00 Sounds Of

7.25 Come Dine With Me Part-time farmer Stephen hosts the third night in Co Durham (S). 7.55 Come Dine With Me (S). 8.30 Come Dine With Me IT manager David hopes to secure the £1,000 prize with his French evening (S).

9.00 FILM: The Heat (2013) Action comedy, starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy (S).

9.00 Midsomer Murders Barnaby and Winter investigate a mysterious club for geniuses (S).

9.00 24 Hours In A&E How individuals adapt and survive in the face of adversity (S).

10.00 24 Hours In A&E David is flown in by air ambulance after falling from a ladder (S).

11.00 Ever Decreasing Circles Martin takes over the local Neighbourhood Watch (S). 11.35 The Young Ones (S).

11.30 Formula 1 The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying session (R).

11.20 Family Guy Bonnie and Lois visit Paris (S). 11.50 Family Guy Brian becomes a best-selling writer (S).

11.05 Jane Austen’s Sanditon Charlotte starts her new job as governess for the enigmatic Alexander Colbourne (S).

11.10 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown Sean Lock and Harriet Kemsley take on Jon Richardson and Chris McCausland (S).

12.05 The Latest Secret Of Hieroglyphs (S). 1.05 Country Music By Ken Burns (S). 1.55 Country Music By Ken Burns (S). 2.50 Country Music By Ken Burns (S). 3.40 Close

1.15 Jamie And Harry’s World Cup Challenge: Got, Got, Need (R). 2.10 Fantasy Football League (R). 2.45 The Russell Howard Hour (R). 3.30 Resident Alien (R). 4.30 Road Wars (R). 5.00 Nothing To Declare (R) (S). 5.30 Nothing To Declare (R) (S).

12.20 American Dad! (S). 12.45 American Dad! (S). 1.15 All American (S). 2.10 All American (S). 3.00 Teleshopping

12.05 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 2.10 Unwind With ITV (S). 2.30 Teleshopping

12.10 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 1.15 24 Hours In A&E (S). 2.15 24 Hours In A&E (S). 3.20 Food Unwrapped (S). 3.50 Close

The 90s With Fearne Cotton. A nostalgia-drenched celebration of the best music and pop culture from the decade. 12mdn’t Radio 2 X DIY SOS: Behind The Big Build. 1.00 Dance Sounds Of The 90s With Vernon Kay. 2.00 Michelle Visage’s Rule Breakers. 3.00 Friends Will Be Friends. 4.00 Radio 2 In Concert: John Martyn. 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 Cinema. 4.00 Music Planet. 5.00 J To Z. 6.30 Opera On 3. 10.00 New Music Show. Tom Service and Hannah Peel present the 20th Ivors Composer Awards. 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. 8.31 (LW) Yesterday In Parliament. 9.00 Saturday Live. 10.30 Soul Music. 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.

Radio

1.10 Any Questions? 2.00 Any Answers? 2.45 Drama: Hot Drafts. 3.30 Being Jackie Wilson. 4.00 Weekend Woman’s Hour. 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 Vicki Pepperdine, Claudia Hammond and Chloe Petts. 7.00 Profile. The personality and motivation of a person making the headlines. 7.15 The Infinite Monkey Cage. A visit to Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 8.00 Archive On 4: Hendrix: Everything But The Guitar. Fans of the singer share their thoughts on aspects of his life. 9.00 No Place But The Water. By Linda Marshall Griffiths. 9.45 Stories From Ukraine. Part two of “The” Ukraine by Artem Chapeye. 10.00 News. 10.15 The Exchange. Two strangers with experiences of adoption share their stories. 11.00 Brain Of Britain. 11.30 The Language Exchange. 12mdn’t Midnight News. 12.15 Bhopal. 12.30 From Fact To Fiction. 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 A View Of The City From Westminster Bridge. 7.30 Great Lives. 8.00 Booked. 8.30 Tickets Please.

9.00 Not The World Cup In Brazil. 11.30 Lenin Of The Rovers. 12noon The Jack Benny Program. 12.30 Bleak Expectations. 1.00 Walking The Wild Mind. 2.00 Bridget Christie Minds The Gap. 2.30 Mitch Benn’s Crimes Against Music. 3.00 Elis James’ Pantheon Of Heroes. 3.30 Cabin Pressure. 4.00 A View Of The City From Westminster Bridge. 5.30 Great Lives. 6.00 Hunger Again. 7.00 Not The World Cup In Brazil. 9.30 Lenin Of The Rovers. 10.00 Comedy Club. 10.00 Comedy Club: Bridget Christie Minds The Gap. 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 Hunger Again. 1.00 Walking The Wild Mind. 2.00 Bridget Christie Minds The Gap. 2.30 Mitch Benn’s Crimes Against Music. 3.00 Elis James’ Pantheon Of Heroes. 3.30 Cabin Pressure. 4.00 A View Of The City From Westminster Bridge. 5.30 Great Lives.

BBC 5 LIVE

6am Saturday Breakfast. 9.00 Patrick Kielty. 11.00 Fighting Talk. 12noon 5 Live Sport. 1.15 Rugby League. 3.00 5 Live Sport. 4.00 Rugby League. 6.30 6-0-6. 8.00 Match Of The Day: Top 10. 8.30 Match Of The Day: Top 10. 9.00 Stephen Nolan. 12mdn’t

Newscast. 1.00 Laura McGhie. 5.00 Sports Desk. 5.30 5 Live Formula 1.

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. 4.00 Moira Stuart’s Hall Of Fame Concert. 7.00 Saturday Night At The Movies. 9.00 David Mellor’s Melodies. David presents his favourite music. 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 Jay Lawrence. 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

MOTD LIVE: FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 BBC One, 3.00pm

While there is usually an element of controversy before a major football tournament, the negativity surrounding this year’s World Cup has been off the scale. Ever since December 2010, when it was announced that the 22nd staging of the quadrennial tournament was going to be held in Qatar, the Gulf state’s human-rights record, its limited football history, and the high financial costs have all been called into question. But now the focus finally shifts to the football pitch, as the under-fire hosts get the first-ever winter World Cup under way against Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. The Qataris will be hoping to justify the controversial awarding of the staging by excelling both on and off the pitch. As hosts, ‘The Maroon’ qualified automatically for the tournament, and fortunately for them, they have been drawn in what, on paper, looks like one of the most favourable pools, with the Netherlands and Senegal (who meet tomorrow) completing Group A. The Qataris’ boss is 46-year-old Catalan Felix Sanchez, who has cemented himself as Qatar’s most successful ever coach with victory in the 2019 Asian Cup. Unsurprisingly, there are no real household names in the Qatar squad with each member plying their trade in the domestic Qatar Stars League. The players, however, have been in a six-month training camp together and will, in theory, be more familiar with each other than other nations. If Qatar are to have any success on home soil, much of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Almoez Ali. The 26-year-old striker, a product of Aspire Academy, has already broken multiple records for the national side and is his country’s record goalscorer. While Qatar are playing in their first World Cup finals, Ecuador’s record is hardly one to fear. The South Americans have only progressed past the group stage on one occasion, when England knocked them out of the 2006 tournament in Germany. While the 32 nations involved in the tournament will all be hoping to get off to a good start (England and Wales

play Iran and the USA respectively, tomorrow), there is also going to be some intense rivalry in the TV studios. Gary Lineker and his BBC colleagues are first up to the plate as they introduce coverage of this opening match. As usual, the Beeb and ITV have split the first round in half, with the Corporation covering two of England’s group games. ITV will cover the Three Lions’ last-16 game, should they progress, while the Beeb then have the pick of the quarterfinals, and ITV the first-choice of the semis. Then, when the final comes around on December 18, it will be a straight battle –both on the pitch and in the studio. Over 30 million people watched Gareth Southgate’s England get edged out by Italy in the Euro 2020 final, and around 80 per cent of those were tuned into BBC One rather than ITV. So which of the broadcasters will triumph this time around? With its host Mark Pougatch and big-name pundits Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Graeme Souness, ITV are sure to put on a bold show. But Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand, Vincent Kompany, Didier Drogba and Jürgen Klinsmann are joining Lineker in the BBC studio, so they will take some beating again in the traditional ‘battle of the box’.

Daytime

Editor’s Pick

6pm

7pm

8pm

9pm

10pm

11pm

Late

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.00 Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg (S). 10.00 Politics England (S). 10.30 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 11.00 Children In Need 2022 Best Bits (S). 12.00 BBC News; Weather (S). 12.15 Songs Of Praise (S). 12.50 MOTD Live: Women’s Super League Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur. Kick-off is at 1pm (S). 3.00 MOTD Live: Fifa World Cup 2022 Qatar vs Ecuador. Kick-off is at 4pm (S).

6.05 Countryfile (R) (S). 7.00 Landward (S). 7.30 Beechgrove Gardens In Winter (S). 8.00 Weatherman Walking For Children In Need (S). 9.00 This Farming Life (R) (S). 10.00 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites (S). 11.30 Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets (R) (S). 12.30 Recipes That Made Me: Kashmir (R) (S). 1.00 Live Snooker: UK Championship The opening session of the final (S). 5.15 This Farming Life (S).

6.15 BBC News (S). 6.25 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 6.35 Countryfile (S).

6.15 Golf: World Tour 6.30 ITV News; Weather (S). Championship 6.45 ITV Regional News; Highlights Action from Weather (S). the DP World Tour season-ending event (S).

6.00 CITV 9.25 ITV News (S). 9.30 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh (S). 11.30 English Football League Highlights (R) (S). 12.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 12.45 FILM: Babe (Chris Noonan 1995) Family comedy, starring James Cromwell (S). 2.30 FILM: Despicable Me 2 (Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud 2013) Animated comedy sequel, with the voice of Steve Carell (S). 4.20 Love Your Garden (R) (S). 5.25 Westlife Live At Wembley Stadium (S).

7.20 Strictly Come Dancing: 7.00 Live Snooker: UK The Results The Championship The results of last night’s second session of the performances at final (S). Blackpool (S).

7.00 Family Fortunes The Lloyds go up against the Cheek family (S).

8.00 Top Gear Paddy McGuinness trains a team of young amateur racers (S).

8.00 The Larkins The Larkins do all they can to get Pop out of prison (S).

9.00 SAS Rogue Heroes A daring mission results in a shocking and devastating loss to the team (S).

9.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Ant and Dec present highlights from the past 24 hour (S).

10.00 FILM: Surge (2021) 10.00 BBC News; Weather Premiere. Thriller, (S). starring Ben Whishaw 10.20 BBC Regional News; (S). Weather (S). 10.30 How To Win The World Cup (S).

10.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 10.50 Fifa World Cup 2022 Highlights Qatar vs Ecuador (S).

11.30 The Women’s Football 11.35 FILM: Precious Hair & 11.50 Against The Odds: Beauty (2021) (S). Show Highlights of the Wales – The 64 Year 11.45 Hong Kong’s Fight For weekend’s games in Wait (R) (S). Freedom (R) (S). the Super League (S).

12.20 MOTD World Cup Top 10: Moments Of The 2018 World Cup (S). 12.50 Late Night Football Club (S). 1.35 MOTD: Fifa World Cup Replay 2022 (R) (S). 3.20 BBC News (S).

12.45 Sign Zone: DIY SOS: The Big Build For Children In Need (R) (S). 1.45 Sign Zone: Question Time (R) (S). 2.45 Sign Zone: Ambulance (R) (S). 3.45 This Is BBC Two (S).

12.45 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 SURGE

(BBC2, 10.00pm)

A socially awkward loner loosens the hinges on his fragile mental state and spirals out of control in the thriller Surge. Shot predominantly on whirling handheld cameras that are almost as erratic as the lead character, the feature debut of acclaimed short-film director Aneil Karia is an unnervingly claustrophobic character study that takes a few liberties with realism to tighten the screws on a man at breaking point. Ben Whishaw (pictured) delivers a fearless performance that lurches between upsetting, pitiful and terrifying.

WAR OF THE WORLDS (Channel 4, 10.55pm)

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A divorced father’s rare weekend with his two estranged children descends into horror when alien war machines rise from beneath Earth and begin to

systematically destroy every human being in their path – leaving the man with the dangerous task of getting his kids to safety. Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi thriller, based on HG Wells’ novel, with Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin, Miranda Otto and Tim Robbins.

November 20

SUNDAY 45

Sport 6.00 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 6.25 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 6.50 The King Of Queens (R) (S). 7.15 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 7.40 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.05 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S). 8.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 9.00 The Simpsons (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). 2.25 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.55 The Great British Bake Off (R) (S). 4.15 Channel 4 News (S). 4.45 The Andrew Neil Show (S). 5.30 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Highlights (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 10.00 The Smurfs (R) (S). 10.15 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 FILM: ’Tis The Season To Be Merry (Gary Yates 2021) Premiere. Romantic comedy, starring Rachael Leigh Cook (S). 2.20 FILM: A Kiss Before Christmas (Jeff Beesley 2021) Premiere. Festive fantasy, starring Teri Hatcher and James Denton (S). 4.05 FILM: Christmas In Harmony (Rusty Cundieff 2021) Premiere. Romantic drama, starring Ashleigh Murray and Luke James (S).

LIVE FORMULA 1

Sky Sports Main Event, 12.55pm The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Start-time 1.00pm). Live coverage of the final round of the season.

6.00 5 News Weekend (S). 6.05 Britain’s Favourite Christmas Adverts (R) (S).

7.00 Bagpuss (S). 7.15 Ivor The Engine Ivor receives an unusual item in the post (S). 7.20 Crackerjack (S). 8.00 Escape To The Chateau The family work together to save the fish in the moat (S).

8.00 Inside Aldi At Christmas The inner workings of the supermarket during the festive period (R) (S).

9.00 The Handmaid’s Tale June and Luke make their way into unfamiliar territory (S).

9.00 Why Ships Sink: The Zeebrugge Disaster The errors that led to the capsizing of the Herald of Free Enterprise (S).

10.00 Gogglebox (R) (S). 10.55 FILM: War Of The Worlds (2005) Sci-fi thriller, starring Tom Cruise (S).

10.30 Billion Dollar Cruise Ship: Below Deck (R) (S).

1.05 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA (R) (S). 1.55 Come Dine With Me Paralympics Special (R) (S). 4.05 George Clarke’s Old House, New Home (R) (S). 5.00 Devon And Cornwall (R) (S). 5.50 Kirstie’s Fill Your House For Free (R) (S).

6.00 Unwind With ITV (S). 6.15 Secret Crush (S). 7.15 Secret Crush (S). 8.10 Dress To Impress (S). 9.05 Dress To Impress (S). 10.10 Dress To Impress (S). 11.10 Celebrity Catchphrase (S). 12.10 Family Fortunes (S). 1.15 In For A Penny (S). 1.50 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2.50 FILM: Johnny English Reborn (Oliver Parker 2011) Spy comedy sequel, starring Rowan Atkinson (S). 4.50 FILM: Legally Blonde (Robert Luketic 2001) Comedy, starring Reese Witherspoon (S).

6.00 Bless This House (S). 6.35 Emmerdale Omnibus (S). 9.25 Bless This House (S). 9.55 Foyle’s War (S). 11.55 Foyle’s War (S). 2.00 Foyle’s War (S). 4.00 Agatha Christie’s Marple (S).

8.55 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces (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).

6.15 Formula 1 The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (R).

6.45 FILM: Pitch Perfect 2 (2015) Comedy sequel, starring Anna Kendrick (S).

6.00 Agatha Christie’s Poirot A beautiful thief steals Poirot’s heart (S).

6.25 Come Dine With Me (S). 6.55 Come Dine With Me Student Inzy is the fourth host in Liverpool (S).

7.00 Agatha Christie’s Poirot The sleuth is plunged into the world of global espionage (S).

7.25 Come Dine With Me Property developer Christine plans a Spanish holiday-themed dinner (S).

7.15 FILM: Bobby (2016) Documentary celebrating Bobby Moore (R).

8.00 Emergency Helicopter Medics A woman is trapped in her car on the A66 (S).

8.00 BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022: Final (S).

9.00 Italia 90: Four Weeks That Changed The World The political forces that loomed in the background during the tournament.

9.00 Family Guy Lois becomes addicted to painkillers (S). 9.30 Family Guy Part one of two. Star Wars-themed episode (S).

9.00 Vera An extreme sports fan plunges from a cliff in a ball of flames (S).

9.00 999: On The Front Line Paramedics get a category one call to a child who’s struggling to breathe (S).

10.00 FILM: Barbara Thompson: Playing Against Time (2012) The jazz saxophonist’s battle with Parkinson’s disease (S).

10.00 Rob & Romesh vs The Three Lions Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan meet the England men’s football team (R).

10.00 Family Guy Part two of two. Star Wars-themed episode (S). 10.30 Family Guy (S).

10.50 Agatha Christie’s Marple The sleuth encounters dark magic in the Caribbean (S).

10.00 24 Hours In A&E Cameras follow a woman who has suspected sepsis (S).

11.25 80s Greatest Hits: 1986 Tony Blackburn narrates this study of 1986 pop hits (R) (S).

11.15 Inside America’s Treasure House: The Met Friends and donors rally round to save the Met. Last in the series (S).

11.00 A League Of Their Own All the best pranks, jokes and outtakes that were never meant for the air (R) (S).

11.00 Family Guy Lois befriends a local news presenter (S). 11.30 American Dad! (S).

1.20 The LeoVegas Live Casino Show (S). 3.20 Inside The Tower Of London (R) (S). 4.10 Britain’s Greatest Bridges (R) (S). 4.55 The Funny Thing About Christmas (R) (S). 5.45 Pip And Posy (R) (S). 5.55 Peppa Pig (R) (S).

12.15 Country Music By Ken Burns (S). 1.10 Country Music By Ken Burns (S). 2.00 Country Music By Ken Burns (S). 2.55 Secret Life Of Farm Animals (S). 3.35 Close

12.00 Kingdom Of Dreams (R). 1.00 The Force: North East (R) (S). 2.00 The Force: North East (R) (S). 3.00 Road Wars (R) (S). 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). 12.30 All American (S). 1.25 All American (S). 2.20 CelebAbility (S). 3.00 Teleshopping

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 Jamie. 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 Jack Saunders. 11.00 BBC Introducing On Radio 1. 12mdn’t Radio 1’s Future Soul With Victoria Jane. 1.30 Radio 1’s UK R&B Mix. 2.00 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 Sam And Danni.

BBC RADIO 2

6.00 All Hail King Julien (R) (S). 6.25 All Hail King Julien (R) (S). 6.50 All Hail King Julien (R) (S). 7.15 All Hail King Julien (R) (S). 7.40 All Hail King Julien (R) (S). 8.05 Hope For Wildlife (R) (S). 9.15 Formula 1 (R). 11.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 11.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 12.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 12.30 The Simpsons (R). 1.00 The Simpsons (R). 1.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.00 The Simpsons (R) (S). 2.30 The Simpsons (R) (S). 3.00 David Attenborough’s Conquest Of The Skies (R) (S). 4.05 Legends Of The Pharaohs (R). 5.10 Salvage Kings (R).

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 Sunday Night Is Music Night. 10.00 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.

BBC RADIO 3

7am Breakfast. 9.00 Sunday Morning. 11.00 Radio 3 In Concert: Sibelius The Storyteller. 12noon Private Passions. 1.00 Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert. 2.00 Radio 3 In Concert: Sibelius The Storyteller. 3.00 Choral Evensong. 4.00 Jazz Record Requests. 5.00 The Listening Service. 5.30 Words And Music. 6.45 Sunday Feature: The Most Contrary Region. 7.30 Radio 3 In Concert: Sibelius The Storyteller. 8.35 Record Review Extra. 9.55 Radio 3 In Concert: Sibelius The Storyteller. 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 I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. 12.30 The Food Programme. 12.57 Weather. 1.00 The World This Weekend. 1.30 The Coming

Radio

11.05 Emergency Helicopter Medics A mountain biker has a bad fall in a remote part of a forest (S). 12.50 Bless This House (S). 1.25 Bless This House (S). 1.55 Bless This House (S). 2.30 Bless This House (S). 3.05 Emmerdale Omnibus (S). 5.40 Unwind With ITV (S).

Storm: The Louis Theroux Interview. 2.00 Gardeners’ Question Time. 2.45 What Really Happened In The Nineties? 3.00 Drama: Working Titles: The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin. 4.00 Open Book. 4.30 The Language Exchange. 5.00 How To Win The World Cup. 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 Analysis. 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.

Angstrom. 1.00 Home Fire Omnibus – Part Two. 2.10 Inheritance Tracks. 2.20 Curious Under The Stars. 3.30 The Lost Songs Of Hollywood. 4.00 The Guide. 5.00 Poetry Extra. 5.30 Angstrom. 6.00 The Female Ghost. 6.30 Ancient Sorceries. 7.00 The Moth Radio Hour. 7.50 Inheritance Tracks. 8.00 The Guide. 9.00 Desert Island Discs. 9.30 Two Lumps Of Cleese. 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. 10.55 Comedy Club: The Comedy Club Interview. 11.00 Comedy Club: Detective Sergeant Nick Mohammed. 11.30 Comedy Club: At Home With The Snails. 12mdn’t The Female Ghost. 12.30 Ancient Sorceries. 1.00 Home Fire Omnibus – Part Two. 2.10 Inheritance Tracks. 2.20 Curious Under The Stars. 3.30 The Lost Songs Of Hollywood. 4.00 The Guide. 5.00 Poetry Extra.

BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA

BBC 5 LIVE

6am The Channel – Omnibus. 7.10 Inheritance Tracks. 7.20 Carmen Omnibus. 8.30 The Enchanting World Of Hinge And Bracket. 9.00 Something To Shout About. 9.30 Coming Alive. 10.00 Desert Island Discs. 10.30 Two Lumps Of Cleese. 11.00 The Moth Radio Hour. 11.50 Inheritance Tracks. 12noon Poetry Extra. 12.30

6am 5 Live Science. 7.00 Sunday Breakfast. 10.00 Helen Skelton. 12noon 5 Live Sport. 1.00 5 Live Formula 1. 3.00 5 Live Sport. 4.00 World Cup 2022. 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. 12.30

12.10 FILM: Diego Maradona (Asif Kapadia 2019) Documentary profiling the Argentinean footballer (S). 2.50 999: On The Front Line (S). 3.55 Close

Moment Of Truth. 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 The First Time With Danger Mouse. 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. 5.00 Chris Hawkins.

CLASSIC FM

7am Aled Jones. 10.00 Zeb Soanes. 1pm Catherine Bott. 4.00 John Humphrys. 7.00 Smooth Classics At Seven. 9.00 Moira Stuart Meets – Derren Brown. 10.00 Smooth Classics. 1am Bill Overton. 4.00 Early Breakfast.

ABSOLUTE RADIO

8am Jason Manford. 11.00 Sarah Champion. 2pm Jay Lawrence. 6.00 Claire Sturgess. 8.00 Sunday Night Music Club. 12mdn’t Dan Noble.

Monday’s Television

46 T V GUIDE

Editor’s Pick Channel 4, 9.00pm

Over the past few years, more people than ever have been fighting the good fight against homophobia, disablism, transphobia and, particularly, racism. However, at a time when important and urgent discussions are finally taking place about representation and inclusion, David Baddiel feels that Jews appear to have been neglected from the conversation – and in particular by those who consider themselves progressive. In this one-off documentary, based on his influential 2021 book, the 58-year-old writer and comedian explores why, in his opinion, antisemitism isn’t considered as unacceptable as other forms of discrimination. Indeed, when we talk about antisemitism, many tend to think about Nazis or white supremacists claiming Jews as responsible for all the world’s evil. But Baddiel, who describes himself as a Jewish atheist, has identified a less obvious form of antisemitism, arguing that Jews are often ignored by exactly those people on the progressive left who loudly and proudly support other minority groups. Using examples from popular culture and theatre to football and politics, he asks why, at a time of extreme sensitivity about racism and discrimination, does there appear to be a lack of inclusion towards Jews? He talks candidly about the volume and frequency of anti-Semitic abuse he has personally experienced on social media and expresses the alienation he’s felt – as many Jews have – at the lack of support from what he considers to be his default political home. He also has shocking, surprising, humorous and sometimes awkward conversations with a wide range of voices – including prominent Jewish figures like David Schwimmer, Stephen Fry, Sarah Silverman, Jonathan Safran Foer, Neil Gaiman, Miriam Margolyes, Howard Jacobson and Rachel Riley. And in the end, he will ultimately ask why identity politics seems to have failed one particular identity and why Jews really should count. He says: “I’m very excited to be given the chance to present my polemic about Jews not counting – not counting in the identity politics conversation, not counting

as a real minority who experience real racism – on TV. “My critique is aimed mainly at progressives, at those people who care about minorities and racism – those people who consider themselves on the right side of history – and I think of a lot of those people as Channel 4 viewers. “So let me thank Channel 4 in advance for giving me this opportunity to address, and maybe take apart a bit, their own audience’s self-image.” One man who knows how to make a hard-hitting documentary is Louis Theroux. He is also one of the executive producers of this programme through his company Mindhouse Productions, and adds: “I am delighted to be involved in bringing David Baddiel’s Jews Don’t Count to the screen. “With so much more awareness around the world about the importance of diversity and the reality of all kinds of racial bias, it seems the perfect time to take a thoughtful, challenging, and funny look at why Jewishness has sometimes been left out of the racial reckoning. “This documentary is exactly what we need right now, a provocative and sparkling polemic that will start arguments and get people thinking about identity politics in a different way.”

LEGO OF YOUR UNWANTED TOYS

Sell your unwanted items with classifieds

6.00 Breakfast (S). 9.15 Morning Live (S). 10.00 Expert Witness (S). 10.30 Expert Witness (S). 11.00 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S). 11.30 BBC News; Weather (S). 11.50 BBC Regional News; Weather (S). 12.00 MOTD Live: Fifa World Cup 2022 England vs Iran. Kickoff is at 1pm (S). 3.30 Escape To The Country (R) (S). 4.30 The Repair Shop (R) (S). 5.15 Pointless (R) (S).

6.30 Bargain Hunt: CiN Special (R) (S). 7.15 The Repair Shop (R) (S). 8.00 Sign Zone: MasterChef: The Professionals (R) (S). 9.00 BBC News (S). 10.00 BBC News (S). 11.30 Bargain Hunt (R) (S). 12.15 Politics Live (S). 1.00 Best House In Town (R) (S). 1.45 Eggheads (R) (S). 2.15 Lightning (R) (S). 2.45 Fish Town (R) (S). 3.15 The Great British Sewing Bee (R) (S). 4.15 Nature’s Perfect Partners: Natural World (R) (S). 5.15 Flog It! (S).

6pm

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

6.00 Richard Osman’s 6.05 Fifa World Cup 2022 House Of Games (S). USA vs Wales. Kick-off 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two is at 7pm (S). Rylan chats to the latest couple to be eliminated (S).

7pm

7.00 The One Show (S). 7.30 EastEnders Mick and Janine have their first baby scan (S).

7.00 Iolo’s Anglesey Iolo Williams heads out to sea to look for Risso’s dolphins. Last in the series (S). 7.30 Mastermind (S).

8pm

8.00 Cost Of Living: Can’t Afford My Home – Panorama (S). 8.30 We Are England (S).

8.00 Only Connect The Jillies take on the Morporkians (S). 8.30 University Challenge (S).

9pm

9.00 The Pact Christine must pull off her most masterful show of lies yet (S).

9.00 Hong Kong’s Fight For 9.15 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Freedom Four young Ant and Dec present people who joined the celebrity survival mass protests across challenge (S). the city in 2019 (S).

Daytime

DAVID BADDIEL: JEWS DON’T COUNT

10pm

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 (R) (S). 3.00 Fifa World Cup 2022 Senegal vs Netherlands. Kick-off is at 4pm (S).

10.30 ITV News; Weather (S). 10.00 BBC News At Ten (S). 10.00 Motherland It is 10.30 BBC Regional News; Mother’s Day and Julia Weather (S). is feeling completely 10.40 MOTD: Fifa World Cup ignored (R) (S). 2022 Highlights (S). 10.30 Newsnight (S).

11pm

11.25 The English Eli and Cornelia find an orphaned baby and child (R) (S).

11.15 FILM: Pawn Sacrifice 11.05 ITV Regional News; Weather (S). (2014) Sporting drama, starring Tobey Maguire 11.20 The Jonathan Ross Show With Craig David, (S). Katherine Ryan and Wet Leg (R) (S).

Late

12.15 Have I Got News For You (R) (S). 12.45 Blankety Blank (R) (S). 1.20 MOTD: Fifa World Cup Replay 2022 (S). 3.05 BBC News (S).

1.00 Sign Zone: Countryfile (R) (S). 1.55 Sign Zone: Autumnwatch (R) (S). 3.10 Sign Zone: Unbreakable (R) (S). 4.10 This Is BBC Two (S).

12.25 Kate Garraway’s Life Stories (R) (S). 1.20 Shop: Ideal World 3.00 The Crossing (R) (S). 3.50 Unwind With ITV (S). 5.05 The Cube (R) (S).

Film Choices PAWN SACRIFICE (BBC2, 11.15pm)

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is currently tackling the Second World War in the BBC1 drama SAS Rogue Heroes, but in his screenplay for this drama, he turned his attention to a real-life sporting story which played out during the Cold War. Tobey Maguire (pictured) stars as American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer, who challenges the Soviet’s top player Boris Spassky (Liev Schreiber) to a match which was treated as a showdown between the superpowers as well as clash between the two men.

ROCKY

(ITV4, 10.00pm)

Forget the sequels – the original, Oscar-winning Rocky is a surprisingly sweet, low-key underdog story. Sylvester Stallone wrote himself his best role

as Rocky Balboa, a struggling boxer from workingclass Philadelphia who combines fighting with a day job running errands for a loan shark. His luck changes when reigning heavyweight champion Apollo Creed decides to celebrate America’s bicentennial by giving an unknown a shot at the title.

November 21

MONDAY 47

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). 8.30 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 (R) (S).

6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine (S). 12.30 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) (S). 1.20 5 News At Lunchtime (S). 1.30 FILM: The Christmas Temp (Bill Corcoran 2019) Premiere. Romantic comedy, starring Sara Canning (S). 3.15 FILM: A Christmas For Mary (David DeCoteau 2020) Premiere. Romantic drama, starring Morgan Dixon (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 Hope For Wildlife (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 Extreme Animals: One Wild Day (R) (S). 4.00 Will & Grace (R) (S). 4.30 Will & Grace (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 Love Bites (S). 10.00 Dress To Impress (S). 11.00 Dress To Impress (S). 12.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 1.30 In For A Penny (S). 2.00 Supermarket Sweep (S). 3.05 One Tree Hill (S). 4.00 Hart Of Dixie (S). 5.00 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). 8.05 Bless This House (S). 8.35 Bless This House (S). 9.10 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 10.25 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 11.35 Heartbeat (S). 12.35 Heartbeat (S). 1.40 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.15 Classic Emmerdale (S). 2.50 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.25 Classic Coronation Street (S). 3.50 A Touch Of Frost (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). 3.10 Four In A Bed (S). 3.40 Four In A Bed (S). 4.15 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 Marge takes up kite boarding (S). 6.30 Hollyoaks DeMarcus turns to Zain for some advice (R) (S).

6.00 Eggheads The Scum of the Earth team from Worcestershire take on the regulars (R) (S). 6.30 Eggheads (R) (S). 6.55 5 News Update (S).

6.00 Futurama Fry’s nose is stolen by aliens (R) (S). 6.30 The Simpsons Marge writes a novel (R) (S).

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

6.00 Heartbeat PC Younger’s career is put on the line (S).

6.55 Escape To The Chateau Dick and Angel set up a luxury campsite on the chateau grounds (S).

7.00 Channel 4 News (S). 7.55 The Political Slot The Labour Party’s plans for crime prevention (S).

7.00 Inside Tesco: 24/7 Documentary charting the story of Britain’s biggest retailer (R) (S). 7.55 5 News Update (S).

7.00 Great American Railroad Journeys (S). 7.30 Canal Boat Diaries (S).

7.00 The Simpsons Marge stimulates the children’s interest in history (R) (S). 7.30 The Simpsons (R) (S).

7.00 Dress To Impress Three single women hope to win a date with a model (S).

7.00 Heartbeat A thief is at large in Aidensfield (S).

7.55 Grand Designs Restoring two timberframed barns in Suffolk (S).

8.00 Food Unwrapped: Comfort Foods Special A special episode focusing on comfort food (R) (S).

8.00 Poundland: How Do They Really Do It? Behind the scenes of the chain of retail stores (S).

8.00 Immortal Egypt With Joann Fletcher How Egypt’s enemies exploited its internal strife. Last in the series (S).

8.00 David Attenborough’s Conquest Of The Skies Creatures that glide, including the harlequin tree frog (R) (S).

8.00 Bob’s Burgers Gene gets food poisoning on Thanksgiving day (S). 8.30 Bob’s Burgers (S).

8.00 Vera The detective investigates the ugly truth about a murder victim’s past (S).

9.00 FILM: David Baddiel: Jews Don’t Count Modern attitudes to antisemitism (S).

9.00 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders PC Andy Doran chases thieves on the run from a robbery (S).

9.00 A Very British Romance With Lucy Worsley The historian explores 300 years of love’s rituals (S).

9.00 The Great Debate

9.00 Family Guy Lois’s piano student Alana comes to work for the Griffins (S). 9.30 Family Guy (S).

10.15 Night Coppers PC Jack is called to help a woman who has been spiked in a nightclub (R) (S).

10.00 Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts Hannah takes on her new role of matron (S).

10.00 Leonardo The mystery of the Mona Lisa. Last in the series (S).

10.00 Royal Mob At the turn of the century, Queen Victoria dies (S).

10.00 Family Guy Death tries to show Peter what his life would be like without alcohol (S). 10.30 Family Guy (S).

11.15 Nine Perfect Strangers It’s time for everyone to face their demons. Last in the series (S).

11.05 999: Critical Condition A woman is admitted to after a head-on collision with another car (R) (S).

11.00 Nature And Us: A History Through Art How the art of the last 100 years reflects how nature was swapped for progress (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 Meg offers to look after Joe (S). 11.30 American Dad! (S). 11.55 American Dad! (S).

12.30 Taskmaster (R) (S). 1.25 The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice (R) (S). 2.20 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA (R) (S). 3.10 Couples Come Dine With Me (R) (S). 4.00 Grand Designs: House Of The Year (R) (S). 4.55 Grand Designs (R) (S).

12.05 Police Interceptors (R) (S). 1.00 Live NFL: Monday Night Football (S). 4.30 Entertainment News On 5 (S). 4.40 House Doctor (R) (S). 5.05 House Doctor (R) (S). 5.35 Peppa Pig (R) (S). 5.40 Paw Patrol (R) (S). 5.50 Pip And Posy (R) (S).

12.00 Maggi Hambling: Making Love With The Paint (S). 1.00 Great American Railroad Journeys (S). 1.30 Canal Boat Diaries (S). 2.00 Leonardo (S). 3.00 Immortal Egypt With Joann Fletcher (S). 4.00 Close

12.15 The Russell Howard Hour (R). 1.00 Sex And The City (R) (S). 1.30 Sex And The City (R) (S). 2.00 The Force: North East (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 Bob’s Burgers (S). 1.25 The Emily Atack Show (S). 2.10 Iain Stirling’s CelebAbility (S). 2.50 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 Jordan 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 Zoe Ball. 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. 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 Rhythm Nation. 12mdn’t OJ Borg. 3.00 Pick Of The Pops. 4.00 Early Breakfast Show.

USA V WALES

ITV, 6.05pm Mark Pougatch hosts coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Group B match at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

BBC RADIO 3

6.30am Breakfast. 9.00 Essential Classics. 12noon Composer Of The Week: Doreen Carwithen. 1.00 Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert. 2.00 Afternoon Concert. 4.30 New Generation Artists. 5.00 In Tune. 7.00 In Tune Mixtape. 7.30 Radio 3 In Concert. The Vienna Symphony Orchestra plays Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich. 9.00 Ultimate Calm. 10.00 Music Matters. 10.45 The Essay: Odes To Essex. 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) Book Of The Week: Colditz: Prisoners Of The Castle. 10.00 Woman’s Hour. 11.00 The Untold. 11.30 The Bottom Line. 12noon News. 12.01 (LW) Shipping Forecast. 12.04 You And Yours. 12.57 Weather. 1.00 The World At One. 1.45 Generation Gap. 2.00 The Archers. 2.15 Drama: The Lights. 3.00 Brain Of Britain. 3.30 The Food Programme. 4.00 House, Bridge, Fountain, Gate, Pitcher, Fruit-tree, Window. 4.30 Bad Blood: The Story Of Eugenics. 5.00 PM. 5.54 (LW) Shipping Forecast. 5.57 Weather. 6.00 Six O’Clock News. 6.30 I’m Sorry

Radio

I Haven’t A Clue. 7.00 The Archers. 7.15 Front Row. 8.00 The New Age Of Autarky? 8.30 Analysis. 9.00 A Fishy Phobia. 9.30 Start The Week. 10.00 The World Tonight. 10.45 Book At Bedtime: Beautiful World, Where Are You. 11.00 The Witch Farm. 11.30 Today In Parliament. 12mdn’t News And Weather. 12.30 Book Of The Week: Colditz: Prisoners Of The Castle. 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 High Table, Lower Orders. 6.30 Bulldog Drummond. 7.00 In And Out Of The Kitchen. 7.30 I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. 8.00 Round The Horne. 8.30 Anything Legal. 9.00 Dilemma. 9.30 Double Income, No Kids Yet. 10.00 Phoebe Junior. 11.00 TED Radio Hour. 11.50 Inheritance Tracks. 12noon Round The Horne. 12.30 Anything Legal. 1.00 High Table, Lower Orders. 1.30 Bulldog Drummond. 2.00 Feel Free. 2.15 Maya Angelou: Singin’ And Swingin’ And Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas. 2.30 Gareth Gwynn’s Little Book Of Welsh Rock. 3.00 Phoebe Junior. 4.00 Dilemma. 4.30 Double Income, No Kids Yet. 5.00 In And Out Of

9.00 Christmas At Chatsworth House The aftermath of the pandemic finds the estate keen to win back visitors (S). 10.00 Foyle’s War Racial tensions erupt when a black GI is suspected of murder (S).

11.25 24 Hours In A&E A 40-year-old woman arrives having been knocked over while crossing a road (S). 12.05 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (S). 2.10 Unwind With ITV (S). 2.30 Teleshopping

The Kitchen. 5.30 I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. 6.00 Dan Dare: Prisoners Of Space – Part Two. 6.30 A Good Read. 7.00 Round The Horne. 7.30 Anything Legal. 8.00 High Table, Lower Orders. 8.30 Bulldog Drummond. 9.00 TED Radio Hour. 9.50 Inheritance Tracks. 10.00 Comedy Club. 10.00 Comedy Club: I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. 10.30 Comedy Club: Twenty Players. 10.45 Comedy Club: Self Storage. 10.55 Comedy Club: The Comedy Club Interview. 11.00 Comedy Club: The Now Show. 11.30 Comedy Club: Sorry About Last Night. 12mdn’t Dan Dare: Prisoners Of Space – Part Two. 12.30 A Good Read. 1.00 High Table, Lower Orders. 1.30 Bulldog Drummond. 2.00 Feel Free. 2.15 Maya Angelou: Singin’ And Swingin’ And Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas. 2.30 Gareth Gwynn’s Little Book Of Welsh Rock. 3.00 Phoebe Junior. 4.00 Dilemma. 4.30 Double Income, No Kids Yet. 5.00 In And Out Of The Kitchen. 5.30 I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue.

BBC 5 LIVE

10.00 Catching A Killer: A Bullet Through The Window The investigation into a fatal shooting in Milton Keynes (S).

6am 5 Live Breakfast. 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 11.00 World Cup 2022. 1pm World Cup 2022. 3.00 World Cup 2022. 4.00 World Cup 2022. 6.00 World Cup 2022. 7.00 World Cup 2022. USA vs Wales. Kick-off

12.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (S). 1.35 Christmas At Chatsworth House (S). 2.35 Food Unwrapped Does Christmas 2017 (S). 3.40 Close

is at 7pm. 9.00 World Cup 2022. 10.00 6-0-6. 11.00 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 In Their Own Words: Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On. 1.00 Trouble Man. 2.00 Insight – Marvin Gaye. 3.00 Insight – Marvin Gaye. 4.00 The Marvin Gaye Playlist. 5.00 Chris Hawkins.

CLASSIC FM

6am More Music Breakfast. 9.00 Alexander Armstrong. 12noon Anne-Marie Minhall. 4.00 Sam Pittis. Sam presents old favourites and new discoveries. 7.00 Smooth Classics. 10.00 Smooth Classics. 1am Bill Overton. 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.

To advertise in Local Specialists and reach thousands of potential customers call 01952 288813 and ask for your local branch Aerials

Carpentry

Decorating

AAS Systems Paul Fraser

TVArerials

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

CallYourLocalTrustedTradesman

Fast–LowCost –Local

07723874796 01630414432

01952 812931

Blinds Local Family Run Business

Now manufacturers of

PERFECT FIT BLINDS • Verticals No dril ing! • Rollers • Venetian Blinds • Wooden Venetian Blinds • Vision Blinds • Faux Wood Blinds • Remote Control Roller Blinds No screwing! Child safe Available in a huge range of Easily 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

Carpentry

Full Carpentry Service

l Doors

supplied & fitted l Full maintenance service l Lock replacements l Repairs to uPVC windows & doors, reglazes l 30 years experience Contact Paul

Tel: 01952 525063 (night) Mobile: 07866 377945 (day)

TERRY BROADHURST 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

Property Maintenance

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

Telford 01952 614421 Mobile 07533 656914

& PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

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

Free quotes: 07973 848 438 / 0800 0340 344

Double glazing giving you

MISTY WINDOWS? Call Matheson and Brown

LET THE SPECIALISTS 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

Service

Call Nigel for a FREE quote

Driveways

FREE QUOTES Construction Ltd n Block Paving n Paving n Slabbing n Tarmacadam n Brickwork n Turfing n Fencing n Landscaping

Freephone 0800 048 4138 01952 426042/07553 930047 LOCAL & FRIENDLY SERVICE

www.masterdrivesconstructionltd.co.uk

TELFORD ROOFING & GUTTERING

Call us today, before it gets worse!

PLASTERING

07979 724 506

SCOTTSWINDOWANDDOORREPAIRS

CONSERVATORY ROOF LEAKING?

Professional

www.groutfix.co.uk

07982 304399

Roofing

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

Call Ryan on 07733 778 960

• Plaster repairs • Coving • Damaged walls & ceilings repaired/ over skimmed • Small plastering jobs • Semi retired Over 35 years experience

Window Specialists

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

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

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

Double Glazing Services

WINDOW REPAIRS

Shropshire maintenance services

Plastering

GROUTFIX

MILLS BUILDERS

Plumbing

We will beat any written quote

15%

discount with this advert

01952 271370 • 07791 190642

J Price Roofing Ltd

BEFORE

TRADE LOCALLY

from

£25.00

*

Reach

80,000

potential customers

SELL YOUR CAR QUICK WITH A PIC! CHEAPER THAN

Driveways & Patios

• 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

DATE

/

/

TIME

£9.99

Only

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

Is your roof leaking?

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

Trent

BUY, SELL & TRADE LOCALLY 24/7 ONLINE

AFTER

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

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

SELL YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS from £9.99

*

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

49

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

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

Index

1 2 3

Family Leisure Time Home & Services

4

Pets & Animals

5

Business & Farming

6

Property

7

Jobs

8

Motoring

9

Public Notices

10

Personal

★

Of The Lindens, Shifnal. At the Old Rectory Nursing Home, Albrighton on October 31, 2022. Aged 94 years. Devoted and much loved Husband of Doreen, who will be forever remembered by all his Family and Friends. Funeral Ser vice, 1.30pm, Tuesday, November 29 at St Andrew’s Church, Shifnal followed by a Private Cremation. No flowers by request.

Visit: bookanad. shropshirestar.co.uk

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

01952 244244

8.30am - 5.30pm Mon - Fri. Closed Sat/Sun and Bank Holidays

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

Michael Asser George Beckett Rhys Bowen Muriel Brisbourne Mary Butler Spencer Davies Cheryl Fellows Bob Greenhough George Johnson Olwyn Jones Phyllis Jones Patricia Jones Ron McBride Shirley Moore June Parsons Patricia Parsons Benjamin Reading Iain Robertson Irene Tonry Sarah Toon Malcolm Watson

Call Andrew Woodhouse on 01952 727248 northwoodfunerals.co.uk

Acknowledgements TIPTON Joyce Margaret The Family of the late Joyce Margaret Tipton wish to thank all their Relatives, Friends and Neighbours for supporting them with their attendance at her Funeral and for the many cards, letters and messages of sympathy received at this very sad time. Also for the kind donations for Cancer Research. Special thanks to the Reverend Simon Boxall and the Organist Stephen Lomas for their most comforting Service. Thank you to John Haycox of P Haycox & Son for his dignity and professionalism and to the bearers for completing their duties so thoughtfully. To We b s t e r s F l o r i s t s o f Stourbridge, for the beautiful floral coffin arrangement and other Family wreaths. We would also like to thank the Doctors at Bridgnorth Medical Practice for their care and the staff at The Woodberry Inn for their excellent post Funeral Reception.

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

★ 07890

267041 ★

GUTTER REPLACEMENT / Repairs, Exterior Painting, Jet washing, Fencing, Turfing, Garden Clearance & Gardening 07967 720740

Caravans Wanted

AERIAL/SKY SPECIALIST Free Quotes. 7 days

Caravans/ Motorhomes

QUALITY USED

CARAVANS FOR SALE

www.cmleisure.co.uk

1

FAMILY

3

HOME & SERVICES In Your Garden

Elderly & Disabled ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR Sterling Little Gem, 4 wheel, £300. Telephone 01952 813997 / 07470 029827.

2

LEISURE TIME Bikes

Aerials

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.

Caravans Urgently Wanted Top Prices Paid! 01952 740899

All inquiries

Northwood & Sons

★

6am Onwards

Donations which will be divided between Cancer Research and The Resident’s Care Fund at the Old Rectory Nursing Home, would be appreciated.

‘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

BEST SATURDAY

BOOT SALE

PRICE Thomas Herbert

Property Maintenance

Car Boot Sales

Deaths

Funeral Directors

PLACE YOUR ITEM FOR FREE UP TO £250

VISIT: BOOKANAD.SHROPSHIRESTAR.CO.UK

JC

Garden Services

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 LOGS ASH Split ready to be seasoned for next year. £70 pick up load. 07877 816100.

Items For Sale HAVE YOU CHECKED your advertisement today? We would respectfully remind advertisers that it is their responsibility to inform the publishers of any mistakes or inaccuracies on the first day of publication.

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

SAYCE’S

OAKENGATES ALL FRIDGES, FREEZERS, FURNITURE, BEDS AND GARDEN ITEMS, ETC

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

PETS & ANIMALS

07850 330251 Blinds 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 A FULL GARDENING SERVICE All jobs covered and undertaken. Call Alan on 07754 569378.

House Clearances

ABSOLUTE BEST CASH PRICE PAID

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

07852 172641 / 07710 360327 01902 534021

Pets Corner NOTICE TO READERS Please be aware that when purchasing a puppy there are some simple guidelines you can follow to ensure that you are not purchasing from a Puppy Farmer: 1. Try to ensure you visit the puppy whilst it is still with its Mother. 2. Do not arrange to collect a puppy from any other location than that of the breeder. 3. Ensure that you are given any KC documentation, if pedigree. Whilst Midland News Association publications take great care to avoid publication of advertisements from Puppy Farmers we cannot accept any liability should readers purchase from this kind of establishment.

Roofing

Jones’s Property 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

PC’s, Laptops & Accessories

COMPUTER TABLE 84cm long x 55cm deep x 78cm high, £60 o.n.o. Computer chair, adjustable height, £35 o.n.o., cash only, buyer to collect. 07724 119112.

4

ANY TV REPAIRS Digital Aerials Fitted Sky & TV Wall Mounts

(T&Cs Apply)

50

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 ALUMINIUM BREEDING CAGE For parrots, 6ft x 3ft x 3ft, 3/4 mesh 16G, sliding trays at bottom and middle door, can make 2 boxes, very good condition £150. 01746 552279 after 4pm. ASSISTED NEUTERING / SPAYING (DOGS) For more information phone between 10am - 6pm 07553 245566.

6

PROPERTY

IT’S FREE IT’S EASY *Advertise any item FREE up to the value of £250, simply fill out the details below or book online at

bookanad.shropshirestar.co.uk

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Advertisers must ensure that they meet all necessary legal requirements for owning and using guns.

5

BUSINESS

INSTANT PAYMENT

Accommodation To Let MODERNISED LISTED COTTAGES TO RENT From £650 per month, quiet, country location on historic estate in South Shropshire. Call 01743 718543 To arrange a viewing. NOTICE TO READERS It is an offence under the Accommodation Agencies Act 1953, for an agency to charge a fee simply for the registration of your requirements and/or supplying particulars of premises to let.

ADVERT DETAILS - (ONE WORD PER BOX, 12 WORDS IN TOTAL) ADVERT 1

Farm Machinery WANTED 10 or 12 FT Ivor Williams stock trailer, anything considered. Telephone 07365 818314.

8

MOTORING

7

ADVERT 2

JOBS

Scrap Damage,Faulty Vehicles & MoT failures Min. £130 to £5,000 (T&C Applies)

KITTEN black with speckles, female, affectionate, house / litter trained, £60. Telephone 07873 532418.

Guns & Dogs

WANTED Cars, Vans & 4x4s

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

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 Under £1500 ADVERTISERS ARE REMINDED that the Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order of 1977 requires that advertisements must clearly differentiate between Private and Trade. LANDROVER FREELANDER 1800S 2002, two owner, blue, 81,000 miles, MOT February 2023, sunroof, alloys, towbar, well maintained. £1,200. 07703 166700.

Scrap Vehicles

ADVERT 3

Full Time General

OUR ADVERTISERS are reminded that it is an offence under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 to buy scrap cars/metal for cash.

51-53 QUEEN STREET, WOLVERHAMPTON WV1 1ES

TEL: 01902 31 31 31

IT’S ABSOLUTELY FREE SENIOR E V ERY DAY

E V ERY W EE K

A L L Y E A R!

Name: _____________________________________ Address: _________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Postcode: _________________________________ Tel No:____________________________________________ Please send to: ClassifiedAds, Express & Star, 51-53 Queen St, Wolverhampton WV1 1ES.

*Private advertisers only, no guns, pets, or livestock. Limited time only Free adverts are published within 7 days of receipt, in-paper and online and are limited to 3 lines maximum

SELL LOCAL: 01952 244244 ONLINE: bookanad.shropshirestar.co.uk

JOURNALISTS

The Midland News Association, publisher of the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, is looking for senior journalists to join its team.

This is the ideal role for ambitious, dedicated and enthusiastic journalists with a proven track record of digging out the best off-diary news stories, features and analysis. As a multi-media journalist, you must be comfortable producing content for all of our print and digital platforms – from in-depth news features for our newspapers, to breaking news articles for our websites, as well as covering stories as they happen on live blogs. The ideal candidates will be able to come up with ideas and deliver compelling stories on a consistent basis. We are looking for NCTJ-trained journalists, able to deliver accurate, entertaining copy to meet strict deadlines. A full, clean driving licence is required. We will also consider NCTJ Diploma trained journalists who are working towards their NQJ. This is a brilliant opportunity to join our newsroom, covering a diverse, vibrant and busy patch. Benefits include a competitive salary, 25 days’ annual holiday and the chance to develop your career at Britain’s largest independent regional news company. If you are interested in this role, please send a copy of your CV and covering letter for the attention of the editor-in-chief, Martin Wright, to: hr@claverleygroup.co.uk Closing date Friday, November 25

RENAULT CLIO DYNAMIQUE 2010, 1.5 DCI, Diesel, 60.4mpg, Colour Beige, £30 road tax. Other Features: alloys, CD player, car mats included. ££1,400 01952 505205

MERCEDES CLS 3.2 TURBO DIESEL AUTO 55 reg., full leather, alloys, air con, too many things to list, excellent condition, smooth and powerful diesel engine, low mileage, MOT. £3,495 o.n.o. Shrewsbury 07767 710999.

VAUXHALL CORSA VAN 1248CC CDTI 2010, 109.000 miles, Light blue (British Gas), Deadlock on rear tailgate, abs, E/W, air bag, air conditioning, Long mot, central locking, power steering, diesel, stereo, CD player, short wheelbase £2,300 ono 0731382066.

Cars Over £1500 HYUNDAI 130 2010, 50,000 miles, very tidy, petrol, owner no longer needs a car. £2,700 ono 07967 649874.

9

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices THE SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL (DISTRICT OF BRIDGNORTH) (SPEED LIMITS) ORDER 2007 (AMENDMENT) ORDER Shropshire Council proposes to place a 40mph speed limit on the following length of road in Weston (Much Wenlock): B4368 From a point 65 metres west of the centre of the access to no. 1 Weston, Much Wenlock, TF13 6QT to a point 172 metres east of the access to New House, Weston, Much Wenlock TF13 6QT. Documents relating to this consultation can be viewed at Much Wenlock Library, The Corn Exchange, 62 High Street, Much Wenlock 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 8 December 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. 17 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.)

MOTORING 51

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Aehra reveals bold new electric SUV

TED WELFORD Press Association

The electric SUV segment is continuing to hotten up, and now there’s a new entry from Milan-based Aehra.

The brand was only launched earlier in the year, but has already revealed the exterior design of its new SUV, which will be launched unnamed. Set to rival the new Lotus Eletre, the new model is based around a specific EV platform. The large SUV boasts a generous three-metre wheelbase, and stands out with its striking styling. There

are Lamborghini-style scissor doors at both the front and rear that open outwards and upwards, a low and aggressive front end and a low roofline. There’s fancy LED lighting at the front and rear to emphasise the model’s key details. The huge windscreen also extends way beyond the front wheel arches, while invisible door handles complement the sleek focus. Conventional door mirrors are also replaced by small cameras. Aehra says it wants to ‘defy modernism mass-market automotive convention’, with its cabin said to ‘effortlessly accommodate four NBA-size players in complete comfort’.

The Italian firm has bold figures in mind for performance and range, with a huge 120kWh battery set to be offered, allowing for an electric range of close to 500 miles. Three electric motors – two on the rear axle and one on the front – also produce up to 794bhp. Filippo Perini, Aehra chief design officer, said: “With the Aehra SUV, we have shunned the conservative constraints that have encumbered all other car manufacturers in their approach to designing EV vehicles

to date. Instead, we have taken a highly courageous approach. And at Aehra, this mindset drives not just the design of our vehicles, but every aspect, including engineering, the layout of the interior, the state-ofthe-art sustainable materials we use and how we are redefining the entire customer journey.” The Aehra SUV will be followed by a saloon model, which will be revealed in February 2023. The firm hopes for both vehicles to be on sale in 2025.

Giulia and Stelvio updated for 2023

Alfa Romeo has unveiled Alfa Romeo Stelvio updated versions of its Giulia saloon and Stelvio SUV, helping bring the products in line with the new Tonale. The Giulia and Stelvio have been on sale since 2016 and 2017 respectively and last received significant changes in early 2020. To ensure the models can remain competitive next to newer premium rivals, they’ve received an update – likely to be their last before the two cars are discontinued in the next the cars’ dynamics, with the only enfew years. gine change being the removal of the The fronts get a new look, taking entry-level petrol engine on the Gistyling cues from the recently introulia. Both models are available with duced Tonale. These include a new a 276bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine, algrille pattern along with the same though the Stelvio is also offered with ‘3+3’ headlights as the Tonale, which a 207bhp 2.0-litre diesel unit. themselves take their inspiration from The current Sprint and Veloce trim classic Alfa Romeo models. The lights levels will remain, with Alfa Romeo have also been upgraded to more effiintroducing a special Competizione cient matrix LEDs, moving away from launch edition as well. Based on the Vethe bi-xenon bulbs used previously. loce grade, these cars come in an excluInside, the Giulia and Stelvio get a sive matt Moonlight Grey colour with fully digital instrument panel for the red brake callipers, while also adding first time – a 12.3-inch TFT display privacy glass, adaptive suspension and that can be configured in three difa Harman Kardon sound system. ferent layouts, including a ‘Heritage’ The updated Alfa Romeo Gulia and display inspired by the brand’s classic Stelvio will go on sale at the start of models. next year, with prices yet to be announced. Alfa Romeo hasn’t messed with

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52 MOTORING

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Show-stopper styling for Lexus BILL McCARTHY

When it comes to dramatic styling, Lexus has few peers and the ES300 embraces elegance with state-of-the-art technology.

Based on the firm’s Global Architecture-K platform, it has what the Japanese firm describes as ‘Provocative Elegance’. The fourth generation self-charging hybrid system couples a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a compact electric motor to deliver 215hp/160kW and combined cycle fuel economy of a claimed 50.4 to 53.2mpg. The latest revisions for 2022 deliver an upgrade to the multimedia system, interior changes and new colours. Cloud-based navigation is now included with the multimedia system, together with improved recognition of voice commands and wireless smartphone integration using Apple CarPlay. Annoyingly for Android users you still need to plug into a USB port. The uprated navigation gives access to real-time road and traffic in-

formation and displays details such as local fuel prices and parking. If cloud connection should be lost, an embedded navigation provided on higher grade models can be used. The upgraded data communications module (DCM) allows the vehicle to communicate with mobile networks and the internet and to access their car remotely using the Lexus Link smartphone app. This can lock or unlock the doors, operate the hazard lights and set the air conditioning before making a journey. Inside, the centre console has been revised, providing two cup holders and USB-A and USB-C ports for playback and device charging respectively. The exterior is still a bit of a showstopper, with a sculpted profile and signature spindle grille, while the F-Sport adds those sporty touches, without detracting from the overall elegance of the car. F-Sport styling includes sports front seats embossed with the F-Sport emblem and striking aluminium trim. The interior has a real premium feel, with high-quality, soft touch trim and a logical layout. The powered heated seats are multi-adjustable and all occupants are shielded

from outside noise with state-ofthe-art noise suppression materials. The console itself features a somewhat fiddly track/pad mouse which controls the major functions through the central eight-inch display screen. Despite the premium price tag, the list of kit represents good value and includes DAB radio, front and rear parking sensors and reversing camera, power-adjustable, heated front seats, power-adjustable steering column, sunroof, rear privacy glass and dual-zone climate control. The list continues with the comprehensive safety kit to gain a Euro NCAP five-star rating which includes 10 airbags, traction and

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stability control and, on this model, blindspot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and new daytime cyclist and night-time pedestrian detection. Space in the long, but shallow boot is only slightly compromised by the battery, but is adequate for the style of car at 454 litres. It is a brilliant motorway cruiser, quiet but with plenty of power for rapid acceleration where needed. The hybrid combo is just a whisper in the background. Handling is also excellent, especially in Sport mode where it dismisses twisting roads and bends with ease. It feels refined, with the advanced suspension soaking up bumps and potholes, and occupants are cosseted in comfort.

FAC TFIL E LEXUS ES300H F-SPORT Price: £47,095 Mechanical: 215bhp, 2,487cc petrol engine/battery hybrid, driving front wheels wheels via CVT gearbox Max speed: 112mph 0-62mph: 8.9 seconds Combined mpg: 52.9 CO2 emissions: 127g/km Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

New Grandland adds to GSe range Vauxhall has widened its new electrified performance GSe line-up with the introduction of the new Grandland GSe. Following the Astra GSe, the Grandland GSe brings a similar theme to the latest entry into Vauxhall’s electrified performance sub-brand. It uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is then combined with two electric motors to bring 296bhp in total, alongside fuel economy of up to 217.3mpg and CO2 emissions of between 29 and 31g/km, depending on specification. Vauxhall claims the Grandland GSe will manage the 0-60mph sprint in just under six seconds before hitting a top speed of 146mph. Vauxhall has also given the Grandland GSe a more performance-orientated suspension setup, alongside a unique steering calibration. It gets firmer springs and dampers over the standard car, as well as Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) which allows the driver to soften off or stiffen up the ride depending on the driving conditions. James Taylor, managing director of Vauxhall, said: “Following the reveal of the new Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe, the Grandland GSe Plugin Hybrid is a fantastic addition to our new electrified performance subbrand, as we work towards offering a fully electric vehicle line-up by 2028.

The new Vauxhall Grandland “With sharper styling, improved handling and an electrified powertrain delivering responsible performance, the new Grandland GSe will offer greater driving pleasure while maintaining the versatility the Grandland is known for.” The GSe also benefits from a range of exterior tweaks. All models get 19inch alloys which take inspiration from Vauxhall’s Manta GSe concept, as well as a rear diffuser and GSe emblem on the boot. There’s the option to add a contrast black bonnet, too, while inside you’ll find sport seats trimmed in Alcantara. Vauxhall says that the Grandland GSe will go on sale ‘towards the start of 2023’ with first customer deliveries set to commence in the spring.

SPORT 53

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Tunks and Thomas see their efforts recognised

Cricket Shropshire has handed out two more Volunteer of the Month awards after our campaign to find the unsung heroes of club cricket in the county this summer. The winners for July and August were Dave Tunks from Hodnet and Peplow CC, and Lindsey Thomas from Willey CC. The awards were launched this season to recognise those who go above and beyond, week in week out, to make sure cricket can be played at clubs all around the County. Lead officer Steve Reese said: “We work closely with all the clubs in Shropshire to continue to develop the game at all levels. “Because of that, we see the huge amount of work that individuals put in all year round to make sure their clubs can survive and thrive in the 21st century. “These people truly are the lifeblood of cricket in Shropshire, and it is time we recognise the contributions they play to ensure players of all ages and abilities can enjoy our wonderful game.”

Lindsey Thomas with Cricket Shropshire chair Adrian Collins

Hodnet & Peplow’s Dave Tunks receives his award from Collins

The nomination for Tunks said: “Dave has been part of Hodnet and Peplow Cricket Club for over 35 years, and his dad before him. “He has been captain and treasurer for more years than we can count, and never tires in his efforts for the club. “In the past few years he has completed his online umpires’ certificate, as well as taking on the Safeguarding Officer role for the

club, involving attending numerous meetings and courses, both online and in person. “He often takes time out of his schedule to do various jobs at the ground to, whether its tidying changing rooms, or rolling pitches. This summer, he went to great personal effort, along with his wife and daughter, to organise catering for the club’s Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.

“In short, he is Mr Hodnet, and I can think of no better way of recognising that than by this award.” The nomination for Thomas said: “Lindsey has been an integral part of Willey CC for over 50 years. He has served as a captain and vice-captain, but his biggest contribution has been as our groundsman for much of his time at the club. “He has spent countless hours preparing quality wickets for our Saturday and Sunday teams and keeping the square in top condition. “Over the last few years we have also been asked to host a number of Shropshire Youth games which adds to the work load but is never a problem. “The work Lindsey puts in now and has done over the many years is the reason that people enjoy playing at Barrow Park. The club is very grateful to Lindsey and the work he puts in as a volunteer.” Both were presented with certificates by Cricket Shropshire chair Adrian Collins.

Davies shines bright as show proves a smash hit

MIKE LOCKLEY

sports@mnamedia.co.uk

Bright Star’s Freddie Davies provided the fireworks and left his opponent seeing stars on the Shifnal club’s sell-out boxing bonanza.

At Telford’s Mercure Hotel, the 16-year-old middle drilled Gabriel Nash with a one-two in the second that sent shockwaves through the Redditch boxer’s body. He valiantly attempted to struggle to his feet, but slumped back to the canvas as the full count tolled. The club’s big men experienced mixed fortunes. Tall 19-year-old Jacob Lloyd’s bout with Ibrahim Muhammed was warming into a free swinging affair before the Fearless Boxing Academy heavyweight wheeled away, indicating an injury to his left ankle. Muhammed protested over the first round stoppage, but the anger was unfounded. He’d been given adequate time to recover by the ref. George Freeman, spurred on by a noisy army of supporters, was picked off by the fast combinations of Wednesbury’s Pacey Timmins on the way to clear points defeat. Freeman bravely pushed forward only to be caught by Timmins’ classy combinations. Rangy feather Ryan Lawrence boxed neatly and employed eye-catching uppercuts to see off the challenge of awkward southpaw Harley Hornby (Pound 4 Pound). Hornby, hands low, had some

Freddie Davies alongside pro boxer Ben Fields success with swinging shots, but 17-year-old Lawrence’s long, accurate punches saw him to a unanimous decision. Jay Sondhi and Burslem’s Tom Tunnicliffe produced one of the bouts of the night. Both blazed back after being caught and swapped leather non-stop in a thrilling last round. Welter Sondhi, 19, took the points decision. Lightweight Tom Elliott applied educated pressure to outpoint Aman Nadim (Wednesbury). The 17-year-old sealed victory with a dominant final round that saw his opponent frequently pinned against the ropes. Tough welter Owen Thornton unravelled in the final session of his

Fight of the night winners Iris Loveland and Thea Diggitt

bout with Martin Ward (Burslem) – and those two minutes cost him the decision. It had been nip-and-tuck until Ward opened the throttle, landing clumping, unanswered head shots. Fifteen-year-old lightweight Iris Loveland and Wednesbury’s Thea Diggitt were rewarded with ‘fight of the night’ trophies after their spirited scrap. Both let the punches go from first bell to last. In a contest that could’ve gone either way, Loveland took the split decision. Isaac Nagra, 14, fell to the heavy hands of tall Rob Swalwell (Anderson). Nagra showed grit to rise from a knockdown in the first, but, with blood spilling from his nose, was always up against it.

Two more standing counts in the third and the fight was halted. Schoolboy Archie Hopton, 12, failed to find an answer to tall Walsall Wood boxer Joseph Quirk’s slide-rule jab and lost on points. Ieaun Shaughnessy, also 12, shone against Freddie Davis (Pleck). Shaughnessy steadily cranked-up the pressure until the fight had been drained from Davis and the bout stopped in the third. In a cracking encounter, Ashton Sankey, 11, showed old fashioned grit to blaze back from a second round standing count and narrowly outpoint George Steele (Warley). James Goulty and Hatton Marshall (Mikey’s) started the evening’s action with an absorbing skills bout.

Malpas Sports take early lead in winter league Reigning champions Malpas Sports have been quickest out of the blocks in the District Invitation Winter League. Just two weeks into the four singles/two doubles bowls competition at the Whitchurch club, they are already top of the pile by a point after beating Wem USC 8-2 (118-92 on aggregate) with Gary Beff and Wayne Rogers 21-7 winners. Bridgewater also made it two wins from two with a 7-3 (102-96) win over Adderley, but Woore are second following a 10-0 (126-84) romp against Elephant & Castle that featured a 21-4 doubles success by Chris Worthington & Jen Rogers. Shropshire Mix enjoyed an 8-2 (113-100) victory over District B, Wayd Pawlowski winning 21-7, while District A were too strong for Archibald Worthington in a 7-3 (112-103) scoreline. The youthful the Mix side will be tested tonight by Malpas Sports with Adderley taking on AWC tomorrow, Bridgewater and District A clashing on Thursday and E & C and District B meeting on Friday. Meanwhile, former leaders Ifton Miners head into Wrexham tonight to take on Bradley B in the Bradley Winter League. Wem USC have climbed to second in the league with a 5-1 win over Bersham last week.

Bad behaviour and lack of refs spark debate The lack of active officials and bad behaviour by bowlers were key talking points at the annual general meeting of the Shropshire Referees Society. Nine of the 10 referees the county currently has attended the meeting at Whitchurch club Bridgewater – and just five years ago the Society boasted 23 paid up members. “The main discussion was on the lack of referees in the county and how this can be rectified,” said Phil Scott, Shropshire’s delegate to the British Referees Society., “Different ideas to try to boost numbers were brought forward by the members and will be actioned in the coming year. “Behaviour issues were also discussed and the news that the British Crown Green Bowling Association are hopefully getting a disciplinary process in place was welcomed.” A rise in the annual fee to £15 per member was accepted – £10 of which goes to the national body – and Christine Sayers and Eddie Broad asked to go onto the junior county list of referees from next year. All officers were re-elected en bloc – chairman, Isobel Jones; vicechair, Mike Potter; secretary & treasurer, Louise Cotton; delegate to Shropshire association, Linda Potter; delegate to British society, Phil Scott.

54 SPORT

B team claim bragging rights and stay top Broseley B are still setting the pace in the race for glory in the Bridgnorth Snooker League. They hung on to top spot following a hard fought 3-2 inhouse win over their A team. The league leaders were behind after three frames played but managed to save the day by taking the final two. Nick Carson had given the B team the lead by convincingly beating Cameron Barden. Then Neil Caswell levelled by beating Owen Hughes. Matt Smout put the A side 2-1 up by out-potting Eddie Mullard. Mick Brezwyn and Andy Carson had the final words, putting Gary Watson and Andy Garbett to the sword to keep Broseley B on top. Chelmarsh B maintained the status-quo by beating Alveley B 3-2. Gary Smith, as always, opened the cuing with his customary win, knocking in a 32-break in the process. Smith’s success was followed by comfortable wins for Chris Lewis and Paul Manning to make it 3-0. But Alveley then took the final two frames through Dave Jones and Martin Coffey Jnr, aided by a 29-break. Chelmarsh Sc and Maddocks closed the gap to the leaders to three points following 4-1 successes. The Chelmarsh boys beat Alveley C, with Carl Walker and Ian Postans virtually rendering their opponents, Chris Jepson and Brian Arnold, as mere spectators. Chris Petford was also unchallenged by Reg Burton. However, the final frame that took an hour to complete with Terry Askew getting the better of Norman Jones, who gave away 23 points in foul strokes. While the four Alveley players already mentioned languished, Steve Coldecott played exceptionally well to beat Beamer Jones to earn his team their third point of the season. Maddocks bounced back to winning ways by beating St. John’s B 4-1. Paul Harper, Dan Morris, Tom Maxfield and James Brennan were on the mark for Maddocks with Maxfield knocking in breaks of 38 and 22 during his win. The result could have been a whitewash had Pete Williams not have beaten Neil Pearson on the black in the final frame. St. John’s A have at last got their mo-jo back as they moved up into the top half of the table. And their 4-1 win over Woodfield resulted in their opponents slipping into the bottom half. Two excellent wins from Martin Lippitt and Rob Powell, who respectively eased past Jason Morris and Peter Hyland, plus victories from Tim Steele and Josh Summers saw them home. Luis Ferraro provided Woodfield with their consolation by beating Kevin Hawkins.

BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Confident Davies fired up and ready for his Euro test

LIAM KEEN

liam.keen@mnamedia.co.uk

Liam Davies is fighting for his family’s future and boxing glory as he takes another step up in his promising career.

Earlier this year the 26-year-old secured the British super-bantamweight title with a win over Marc Leach and at the first opportunity he is stepping up to fight for the European title and the WBC International belt against Ionut Baluta. Telford fighter Davies, who trains at Donnington Boxing Club, insists he is fighting for his future in this latest headline bout on Saturday evening. He said: “I’m now having my hardest fights back-to-back. There’s plenty of people that don’t think I can do it, and they thought the same for the last one, but that only motivates me and makes me want to do it even more to prove people wrong. “I’m mentally strong. I have it all to gain and nothing to lose as I step up again. I’m challenging myself, which you have to do in life, you have to go for it. “I’m confident it will pay off and people will respect me after this. “The British title was always what we aimed for. I said from the start that anything else is a bonus. “This is where you start to get financially stable from the sport and that’s what I’m looking to do. This fight is for my future. “I get married next year, so I want to set up a good life for me and my soon-to-be wife. If I have kids in the future, that is what is motivating me, to secure something good from boxing after all my hard work and dedication. “I’ve been involved in boxing for

Liam Davies will be gunning for European glory on Saturday when he takes on Ionut Baluta in Telford over 15 years and it would be nice to get something out of it. This is where I can set myself up for life.” The title fight is topping the bill of Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotion’s event at the Telford International Centre, marking Davies’ second consecutive title bout in his home town. Davies, who has an undefeated 12-0 record, is facing a seasoned Romanian fighter in Baluta (15-3) who has pedigree at this level. “I put myself under pressure because that’s where I bring the best out of myself. I don’t fold, I rise to the occasion,” Davies added: “I’m the type of fighter that needs the bit between his teeth and this is the motivation I’m using to make sure I’m 100 per cent.

“Pain is temporary but glory is forever. I’m putting in the extra time in the gym and I’m confident. “Baluta is very good. He’s ranked in the top 10 in the world and beat a former world champion in TJ Doheny. He’s been in there with good fighters and he’s been on a good roll. He’ll be full of confidence himself, but these are the fights I need to push me on. “I could have picked an easy defence for my British title but I’m here to step up and keep taking all the challenges I can. “Baluta is my best opponent yet for sure, but when I beat him I hope people remember and respect how good a fighter he is. “He throws a lot of punches and is very game. He’s never been stopped,

so it looks like it’ll be a tough 12-round fight, but I’m prepared for that.” Returning to fight in his home town, Davies is delighted to have the backing of his local fans, but also has lofty ambitions of making a name for himself across the pond. Davies said: “I have to give a big thank you to the local businesses getting behind me and the general public in Telford, who are showing me so much support. I really appreciate it. “It’s massive to be back in Telford again. In years to come I’ll look back on these shows and appreciate them. “But right now, it’s not enough. I want to fight in America and I want these big fights.”

College golfers earn a place in the UK’s top five

Ellesmere College golfers Charlie Ashbrook, Marcus Wildblood and Jonjo Ashbrook have enjoyed another successful year on the fairways

Ellesmere College Golf Academy has been ranked fifth in the national standings after another successful year. The academy has also had a string of team and individual successes this year after they reached the final of the Independent Schools Golf Association (ISGA) National Match Play – and they were also unbeaten in every friendly. The team consisted of Charlie Ashbrook, Marcus Wildblood and Jonjo Ashbrook the latter of whom picked up several individual tournament wins including the ISGT Schools tournament at Blackwell Golf Club and gaining amateur world ranking points for wins at Carden Park and Dundonald Links. The golf academy offers girls and boys of all standards from eight to 18 the opportunity to choose from

a range of programmes designed to enhance each stage of their golfing journey. Rob Ashbrook, PGA advanced professional and head coach of the golf academy, said: “It has been another amazing year for the Academy and our golfers. “The academy continues to go from strength to strength – offering many youngsters the opportunity to play and develop their golfing skills. “To be ranked fifth in the ISGA rankings for Great Britain is a tremendous achievement and a climb of 20 places on where we were just two years ago. “It’s been a great season and congratulations go to all those members of Ellesmere College Golfing Academy for their achievements – we are now eagerly anticipating more success next year.”

SPORT 55

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | BRIDGNORTH JOURNAL

Masoud turns on the style to land a classy victory Shabaz Masoud recorded the best win of his career with a 12-round stoppage of Jack Bateson in Sheffield. The super-bantamweight, who started out at Wellington Boxing Academy in Telford, put on a stunning performance to claim the WBA intercontinental belt, writes Liam Keen. The bout also acted as an eliminator for the British title, which could mean Masoud will soon face Telford’s Liam Davies, who holds the title. Masoud was too slick for the 17-0 unbeaten Bateson as he outclassed the fighter from Leeds in a dominant display, to take his record to 11-0. After a tight opening two rounds, Masoud took control in the third. He worked behind his jab to perfection and walked Bateson on to several dangerous left hooks. Masoud also landed numerous painful body shots and survived a short Bateson revival in round nine, before turning on the style in the latter rounds. He dropped Bateson in the last round with a swift left uppercut, before dropping him again shortly after, which the referee ruled as a slip. Masoud opened up and Bateson was unable to defend himself, which forced referee Howard Foster into stopping the bout with a minute of the fight remaining. Masoud said: “I have been working years for this, there have been struggle but this is just the start. “I believe I am world level, Jack is world level too, but this fight was called at the right time. “There is more to come from me and whatever my team say is next, we will go for. But I will beat the lot of them.”

Ferrington lands record-breaking fifth title triumph

Shropshire County table tennis officials are pictured with session organiser Rod Lewis, right

Table tennis for free at sports village Rod Lewis was delighted with the response to the practice table tennis session he arranged at the Shrewsbury Sports Village, Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury. Players of all ages and abilities were invited to attend this free event, with six tables available and more on the way. Leading Shropshire County table tennis officials were in attend-

ance to help ensure the event ran smoothly. Lewis was responsible for the setting up of the biggest ‘bat and chat’ club in the country at the Tudor Grange Centre, Solihull, which currently has up to 40 regular players. He made his Telford League debut recently for Albrighton Brummies and enjoyed an unbeaten

performance in their 7-3 win over Lilleshall A, with Purdip Shoker also flawless. There was a major shock in Division One, with reigning champions Albrighton Bandits hammered 10-0 by the Albrighton Abbey trio of Ralph Humphries, Samuel Cox and Wayne Richards in one of the biggest ever upsets in the competition’s long history.

Dawley continue to set a relentless pace at the top It was business as usual in the Salop Leisure League as Dawley Town chalked up yet another victory.

The Premier Division pacesetters extend their perfect league record to nine games thanks to a 7-1 triumph at lowly St Martins. Kieran Buckley took top billing for Dawley with a hat-trick while Thomas Messham, Tom Bradley, Jordan Jones and Jeff Watkins all netted once. Jake Cross grabbed a consolation effort for the home side. Fellow title hopefuls Church Stretton Town, Hodnet and Ludlow are still in hot pursuit of the leaders after they all tasted victory. Town eased to a comfortable 5-1 win at home to Madeley Sports to

NICK ELWELL

nick.elwell@mnamedia.co.uk remain two points behind the table-toppers. They also had a hat-trick hero in Matthew Cole. James Hill and Dean Richards added their other goals while Shaun Davies replied for Sports. Free-scoring Hodnet took their league goal tally to 56 in nine games thanks to a 7-1 success on the road at Shrewsbury Up & Comers. Cameron Dourish bagged a double for Hodnet while Adam Heath, Levi Hunter, Harry MacDonald, Jack Swinnerton and Liam Swinnerton all struck once. The hosts replied through Jordan Bailey. The win left third-placed Hodnet five points adrift of Dawley. Josh Bull, Ryan Clarke, Sean Ev-

ans and Sean Evans found the net to secure fourth-placed Ludlow a 4-2 win at home to Wrockwardine Wood. Gobowen Celtic were the day’s biggest winners. They found their shooting boots to put nine without reply past bottom-of-the-table SAHA FC. Lewis Jones led the way with a four-goal blitz during an impressive first-half display. Ed Rogers helped himself to a couple of goals with Luke Dwyer, Tristan Lloyd and Ben Carter completing a resounding win for the home side. A first-half double from Luke Gain and a strike from Daniel James secured Broseley a 3-1 success against visiting Wem Town. Ercall Colts Juniors Evolution edged out Morda United by the odd goal in five.

Wellington Amateurs Development opened up a three-point gap on their nearest rivals in Division One. Unbeaten Wellington won 1-0 at Shrewsbury Juniors Development to make it seven wins from eight games. That victory saw them move three points clear of second-placed AFC Bridgnorth Development, who drew 1-1 away to Ellesmere Rangers Reserves. Goals from Sheikh Rahman, Shaun Taylor and Westley Weston saw Ercall Colts Juniors Revolution Colts to a hard fought 3-2 win at Brown Clee. Llanymynech also triumphed on the road, 3-1 at Ercall Colts Juniors Rangers. Mike Edwards, Liam Holyhead and Matthew Hudson hit the net for the Welsh outfit.

Nigel Ferrington is the chess champion of Shrewsbury for a record-breaking fifth time after coming out on top in a tense four-way play-off, writes Peter Kitchen. Ferrington, who plays for the county town’s Telepost club, defeated tournament surprise package Stephen Priestley of Shrewsbury in his play-off tie, while fellow contenders Matthew Clark (Telepost) and Dan Lockett (Shrewsbury) fought out a draw in the other game. It makes Ferrington comfortably the most successful player in the event’s relatively young history. The tournament was first held in 2010 and Ferrington previously won it in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. Former Shrewsbury player Jamie Hopkins is his nearest challenger with three titles. It marked quite a turnaround for Ferrington, who as the second highest rated player in the county had gone into the tournament as the clear favourite. But he lost to clubmate Clark in round two, and had to win all his remaining games to make up the lost ground and reach the playoff. Clark and Priestley will both wonder what could have been after they drew their final round match, enabling both Ferrington and Lockett to catch them on 4/5 and force the play-off. But it was a fitting end to a fiercely competitive tournament that had a line-up of 20 players and was excellently marshalled by tournament controller Paul Billington. Priestley did have the consolation of being named the competition’s under 1700 ECF champion, while Telepost newcomer Alex Brims was named under 1400 champion after scoring an impressive 3.5/5 for an overall share of fifth place. Meanwhile, Newport A are the early pacesetters in Shropshire Chess League division one with two wins and a draw from their opening three matches, although defending champions Maddocks A are just a point adrift with a 100 per cent record. The two will meet in Oakengates for a juicy-looking tie on November 24. The first county town derby of the season between rivals Shrewsbury A and Telepost A finished all square. Shrewsbury were given a 1-0 headstart thanks to a bottom board default, but John Bashall equalised for the visitors and Shrewsbury were grateful to hang on for a point as they were outgraded on every remaining board. Telepost B have signed promising teenager Daniel HilditchLove from rivals Newport A. Hilditch-Love made his bow against his former side and impressively drew with the county’s top player Nick Rutter. But it wasn’t enough to stop his new side falling to a third straight 4-1 defeat.

Sport

Family fortunes

Davies fighting for his future – P54

SMALLMAN KEEN TO GET TO WORK NICK ELWELL

nick.elwell@mnamedia.co.uk

Bridgnorth head coach Bryan Smallman has welcomed a break in action that will give him chance to do a spot of fine tuning.

The All Blacks suffered a second successive Regional One Midlands defeat when they were edged out 18-14 by Oundle on Saturday. The defeat leaves Bridgnorth sitting fourth in the standings in what is an increasingly tight division that sees just seven points separate second-placed Bromsgrove from eighth-placed Oundle. The All Blacks have a free weekend and Smallman is keen to get out on the training ground and iron out a few problems. “It was a tight game on Saturday and unfortunately we came out on the wrong side,” said Smallman. “There are no bad teams in this division and we are just falling short at the moment. “They deserved the win on Saturday because they were better than us both sides of the ball. “We had opportunities but we didn’t take them and they took theirs. “I don’t think the wheels have come off but they are wobbling a bit and we need to tighten the bolts. “We need to get back to playing some decent rugby because we haven’t done that for a couple of weeks. “The week off gives us a chance to work in training and look at the things we are not happy with. “The group have done some phenomenal things already this season. “We have played some outstanding rugby but at the moment we are not playing how we can or should be.”

Ladies claim the Shropshire spoils

Bridgnorth’s Shropshire Ladies County Golf Association Handicap League winners, from left to right: Vanessa Statham, Angela Hinton, Sally Weaver (captain), Marlyn Radford, Paulette Morris and Suzanne Huxley Bridgnorth Golf Club’s ladies are the pride of Shropshire following an eye-catching success. The team from Bridgnorth have swept their county rivals aside to claim glory in the Shropshire Ladies County Golf Association Handicap League. The winning team of Vanessa Statham, Angela Hinton, captain Sally Weaver, Marlyn Radford, Paulette Morris and Suzanne Huxley

clinched the silverware by beating Hawkstone Park Golf Club in a thrilling final at Mile End Golf Club. The two clubs went toe-to-toe in a tense battle and after four keenly contested matches they were locked together at 2-2, leaving the last pair still playing to determine the win. Morris took her opponent to the 20th hole in a nail-biting finish to seal the victory for Bridgnorth.

The ladies had started their route to glory with victories against The Shropshire and Shrewsbury. They then overcame Arscott in the semi-final to qualify for the final showdown with Hawkstone Park. The Handicap League Shield was first played for in 1971 and since then Bridgnorth Golf Club have only won it four times, the last being in 2007, so this is a great 2022 success story.

Another tough test awaits the Meadow Men AFC Bridgnorth welcome another of the Midland League Division One promotion hopefuls on Saturday when Ashby Ivanhoe roll into town. But they will go into the clash with their confidence boosted following an impressive showing in the 2-1 loss to league leaders Dudley Town last weekend. “It was a really good performance from the lads,” said secretary Steve Groome. “They scored a stunner after a couple of minutes but we contained them for the rest of the first half. We scored a really good goal early in the second half to make it 1-1 and had a good spell but just couldn’t get that second goal. They struck about 10 minutes from time and to be honest we never looked like levelling after that. “But Dudley are the best team we have played this season and we competed with them. The lads should take a huge amount of confidence from that display. “It just goes to show what we can do when we get have a full squad available. “If we had that squad of players turning up week in week out, then we would be mid-table in this division.” Bridgnorth are waiting for an update on Connor Parker, who was taken to hospital on Saturday after suffering a leg injury.

Published by Midland News Association Ltd, 51-53 Queen Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1ES. Registered at the PO as a newspaper. Thursday, November 17, 2022

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