Shropshire Magazine August 2023

www.shropshiremagazine.com

ESTABLISHED 1950

Grosvenor House, Central Park, Hollinswood Road, TelfordTF2 9TW

The ShropshireMagazine has acontrolled, selecteddistribution in Shropshiretowns, and is available for sale from many retail outlets and by subscription

EDITOR

Caroline Jones caroline.jones@mnamedia.co.uk

FEATURES EDITOR

Vicki Jones vicki.jones@mnamedia.co.uk

EDITORIAL PRODUCTION

Deborah Clay deborah.clay@mnamedia.co.uk

NEWS EDITOR

Andy Richardson

FEATURE WRITERS

Heather Large heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

Daniel Morris daniel.morris@mnamedia.co.uk

Matthew Panter matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

EDITORIAL AND SOCIAL DIARY heather.large@mnamedia.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER

ClareWeaver clare.weaver@mnamedia.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT SALES

Colette Clark colette.clark@mnamedia.co.uk

01952 241377

Sharon Griffiths sharon.griffiths@mnamedia.co.uk 01952 288844

DISTRIBUTION, SALES &SUBSCRIPTIONS 0800 174064

CONTRIBUTORS

Sue Austin

Ed Thomas

Robert Boutflower

Christina Trevanion

PUBLISHED BY MNA Media, Telford

PRINTED BY Precision Colour Printing, Halesfield, Telford

FEATURES SELECTION

7Friend’s legacy

Matthew Panter chats to a group of pals as they head off on an epic skateboarding adventure in memory of their two friends

11 Charity

Heather Large looks at the work of the Shrewsbury Hospital League of Friends

24 Interiors

Who doesn’t yearn for amore Mediterranean lifestyle every nowand then? Here’show to style up asummer escape

26

Gardening

If the heat is on, check out these good watering practices when the mercury’srising

31 Flowerpower

Confetti farm ShropshirePetals is preparing to open its fields to the public for the first time.

Heather Large takes alook

35 Stately welcome

Heather Large chats to Weston Park’schief executiveahead of Camp Bestival Shropshirewhich is returning this year

Famous tennis mum and coach Judy Murraytalks to Hannah Stephenson about retirement and penning her debut novel 92

Stylish celebrities have sparked metallic mania this season. Here’show to shimmer in the silver trend 110

Bronwen Weatherby explores the attractions in and around Luštica Bay, Montenegro

FRIENDS’ ADVENTURE LEGACYLIVES ON

MATTHEW PANTER CHATS TO AGROUP OF BEST PALS AS THEY HEAD OFF ON AN EPIC SKATEBOARDING ADVENTURE IN MEMORY OF TWO OF THEIR FRIENDS

You get the distinct impression, by talking to their friends, that Wayne Phillips and James Rush would have wholeheartedly approved.

The idea that six of their best mates –Matthew Gilbert, Craig Salisbury,Gavin Rogers, Kyle Harvey,Mark Roberts and Joshua Land –would be skateboarding coast-to-coast from south to north Wales on an 250-mile intrepid journey,soaking up the great outdoors andtaking in the stunning Welsh scenery,would have been given athumbs up.

And so, as the adventurous sextet –they are calling themselves ‘The Unskateables’ –make their way from Barry Island to Anglesey,Wayne and James will never be far from their thoughts, present in both mind and spirit.

Tragically,Wayne and James are no longer with us, having passed away in the last three years, receiving end-of-life care from the team at Nightingale House, which supports families in locations of Shropshire such as Oswestry and

Whitchurch.But as their friends step up preparations for their gruelling mission, the pair will be very much apart of the journey, whichstartsonSeptember 1.

They were, after all, an inspirational duo, full of adventure themselves, and providing the motivation and drive for The Unskateables to ensure they complete the task thatisset before them.

“Wayne and James loved their hiking, walking, canoeing, getting up mountains,” Craig reflects. “They were very kind and considerate people, with great energy and agood aura about them. Being around them was infectious and they made you want to do more and be like them.

“It was terrible losing both ofthem, so all of these adventurous things we do now are in memory of them.”

The challenge will take the team through the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, along the fabulous Welsh coastline and into Eryri NationalPark.

They will be skateboarding day and night.

“It will be tough, beautiful and

inspirational –three strong characteristics of both Wayne and James,” said Gilbert (which he calls himself rather than Matthew).

Gilbert added: “AsCraig says, they were both fantastic people. Wayne, by nature, was one of themost thoughtful, kind and generous people you could meet. He was also atrailblazer in health, wellbeing and fitness –atravellerand a familyman. He treated everybody equally, always listening, givinghis time and his smile.

“Likewise, James hadthis‘go get it’ attitude to life. He was also an adventure enthusiast, always pushing his limits, working and playing in nature. Agood listener,hehad abeautiful calmness and fitted seamlessly into any situation.

“Wemissthem both every single day.”

It seems fitting then that the group have decided on such an adventure to help raise money for charity

The idea itself was born after an action-packed week away.There clearly is no stopping this set of lads from running on adventure and adrenalin.

“The idea came about because our group tend to go off camping and try and stay in nature,” Craig said. “Welike activities, we are very active and we were actually coming back from aweek in Morocco, surfing.

“On theplane back home, we got talking and the idea organically happened.

“Gilbert said ‘let’s try anew challenge and skateboard the length of Wales’ and the whole idea grew legs really quickly from there, to be honest.”

Now the team are in training and, for an active group, it’s not as easy as you’d think. Despite their adventurous personalities, they will be out of their comfort zone. Craig and Gilbert have limited skateboard experience, while the others have none.

“I think Ilast went on askateboard when Iwas akid,” said Gavin. “I’mtrying to get stuck into it now and get some mileage on the board. It’s caused afew niggles and it’s definitely going to be very tough.

“Weare looking to start on the Friday and finish by mid-Sunday but who knows what obstacles we will find along the way? We are all determined though, and ready to do our part, and hopefully the weather will be favourable.”

“Weare the kind of lads who will give anything agobut we are called The Unskateables for areason,” Gilbert adds. “Weare not skaters at all. Craig and Iare very rusty on our skateboards and most of the lads have only just got their skateboards andare learning as

we go along! But we were all keen to do it. There might have been alittle apprehension, but we have justembraced it now.Wewant to pick up the skills and improve along the way,hopefully spreading some joy.

“Wehave got alot of practice to do such as skateboarding at night with our head torches, and we have to get used to busy roads and traffic. It’s been good fun practising. People are loving the videos Craig is producing and sharing on our Facebook group. There have been some comical moments and mis-haps while training. We are getting out there and training and it’s creating anice vibe and we are all proud of what we are doing.”

Gilbert added that the challenge has helped strengthen the bond the group have, one of close friendship and shared sadness at the loss of their mates.

“It is bringing us allcloser together,” he said. “Our team meetings, skate sessions and trips are dominated by discussions of past and present adventures. Old memories have been revisited, where both Wayne and James come into the conversations, keeping their spirit alive within thegroup. We smile

more, laugh more, play more and are inspired by their presence and energy

“We certainly feel, when we are on the journey,as though they will be with us.

“During those hours of darkness, Welsh weather with wind and rain, Iamsure they will be with us and what extra motivation will we need?

“Undoubtedly the super star of The Unskateables adventure will be our driver,Jenny Rawson AKAMaps! The irony of her nickname is that she is shocking with directions and can’t read a map!

“Maps is simply one of the best human beings on planet earth. I’ve known Maps for 15 years and she’s extremely close to my heart. She’spowerful, driven and successful. Butmore importantly she’s kind hearted, generous, thoughtful, passionate, abeautiful soul full of energy, enthusiasm andhappiness.”

From their challenge the team wantto raise much-needed funds for Nightingale House Hospice. It costs more than £4,580,000 each year to runthe hospice. Most of its runningcosts are met through fundraising and other channels of income generation which includes its on-site café and retail outlets that make asignificant contribution towards maintaining services for those with life-limiting illnesses within palliative care.

Services are completely free-of-charge to patients and their families across the catchment area stretching from Wrexham, Flintshire to Oswestry and Whitchurch.

Services are available to everyone in

its catchment area living with alifelimiting illness and so far The Unskateables have brought in more than £2,000 and have set atarget of £10,000

“Raising money Nightingale House the obvious choice, ainer,due to the outstanding work they do, day in day out,” Craig adds.

“The care and support Wayne and James received from thehospice touched every one of us and we want to try and give back.

“Wehave all been touched by the incredible work they do and want to try and support them. So we are determined to take on this challenge. It won’t be easy

“Weare going to need some endurance behind us so we aretryingto keep fitand getting out as much out of training as possible really

“Ultimately,wewant to leavea legacy for the guys.”

n Youcan sponsor thegroup at justgiving.com/page/islandtoisland or search for The Unskateables on Facebook

TEAM WORK AND DEDICATION

HEATHER LARGE LOOKSATTHE WORK OF ROYAL SHREWSBURY HOSPITAL LEAGUE OF FRIENDS

Every year adedicated army of volunteers have raised thousands of pounds to help patients, staff and visitors of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

From hosting coffee mornings and open gardens to staging an annual tennis tournament, the League of Friends work tirelessly to host events in aid of their cause.

And leading the fundraising committee for the past three years has been retired teacher Jane Preece,who has now passed the chairman baton to former community nurse Sue Skinner

More than 20 events are hosted by the team throughout the year and it’s been Jane’s job, with the support of the other committee members and volunteers, to ensure each one goes off without ahitch.

“It’s agreat team with lotsof experience from all walks of life. People are very supportive of our events and there is alot of goodwill towards the hospital,” says Jane, who joined the League of Friends as avolunteer 11 years ago.

Since its formation in 1966,the charity has gifted almost £15 million to the hospital.

In 2022 alone, thegroup purchased vital equipment totalling more than £310,600. This included eight ventilators for the critical care unit, four virus air filters to improve air quality and prevent outbreaks of viruses and communication aids for the frailty clinic.

Helping to generate funds are the four League of Friends shops located within Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Staffed by volunteers, these not only provide an essential service to customers but also provide afriendly face to patients and their visitors when they are often most in need of one.

The charity also receives generous donations and legacies, but akey part of its fundraising are the events thattake place throughoutthe year

Each one requires careful planning down to the last minute to ensure that everything runs like clockwork on the day

“I have lived by lists and pieces of paper by the side of me,” says Jane. “I think Ihavebeen pretty organised. I’ve picked up lotsofknowledge along theway like how many pints of milk we need for acoffee morning and how many slices we can get out of athree-egg cake.”

Jane, who was adeputy headteacher

at Dothill Primary School in Wellington, joined the League of Friends as a volunteer 11 years ago and was appointed chairman of the 22-strong fundraising committee in 2020

“I started off slowly,making acake or two, and gradually became more involved. It’s agreat way to meetlots of local people and it’s very satisfying to know you are raising money to help others,” she says.

She believes one of her biggest achievements has been to introduce new events to the calendar which have run alongside old favourites.

This has included agin tasting night, aFizz &Flowers open garden event and a Christmas wreath-making workshop.

“It’s good to move with the times and offer new events for our supporters

“Wedohave abulkoflong-term supporters who love acoffee morning so we still need to provide that for them too.

“They are incredibly generous. A coffee morning can raise £100 which is a lot of money for acoffee morning,” says Jane.

Sue Skinner,who lives in Shrewsbury, has been avolunteer and amemberofthe fundraisingcommittee since 2008

To enableher to devote her full attention to the League of Friends, she recently stepped down from the NSPCC’s Shrewsbury branch after 30 years of service.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOPLEFT:

Sue Skinner,JanePreece, Stella Challinor and Anne Hasnip in the shop; Jane Preece enjoying the Christmas wreath workshop; Jane Preece and June Whittaker at the open garden event at Marche Manor, Halfway House, Shrewsbury; Debbie Jones, ClareWassall, Sue Skinner and Alex Whittall at acharity evening at Church Preen Manor,Church Stretton. Photo:PhilBlaggPhotography;Jane Preece and Sue Skinner; Shrewsbury League of Friends evening at StanfordFarm, Shrewsbury –The Biscuit Club; Jane Preece and Lt Commander Victoria Graham raisingmoney for SaTH; volunteers Ellie Hancock and Alison Field. Jane Preece and Sue Skinner

“It’s adaunting task –wecan’t get anything wrong when we have alot of people coming to our events –but I’m looking forward to the challenge,” says Sue.

Among her first eventsisthe annual traditionofcooking thousands of bacon butties for the stall holders, exhibitors and staff who are setting up over thetwo days for the Shrewsbury Flower Show

All proceeds made from the sale of the sandwiches go towards buying muchneeded equipment for the hospital.

“It’s hard work and they are always very long days, but we have alot of fun and we’ve raised alot of money from it over the years,” says Sue.

She is looking forward to theannual doubles tennis tournament which takes place next month and will be introducing abridge night and agolf day to the calendar of events.

“Weare always grateful for the support. People are very willing to help the hospital because they know they might need it one day or they have relatives who have been cared for by the hospital,” says Sue.

Both Jane and Sue say they have been grateful for the supportand advice of long-standing member June Whittaker, who for many years has hosted an annual luncheon for the Shropshire Association of the League of Friends at her home, Winsley Hall, Westbury

“She is always thevoice of reason on the committee,” says Jane. “She is very forwardthinkingand always offers good advice. She’s an inspirational lady and a guiding force.”

The League of Friends is always on the look out for new volunteers to join the fundraising committee or give alittle time to help in one of the four hospital shops as well as sponsorsfor its events.

“We’re avery friendly bunch,” says Jane. “Everybody works together and plays to their owns strengths.”

n Formore information, contact Sue Hurdiss at the League of Friends office on 01743261007 or email s.hurdiss@nhs.net

FARMSTEAD WITH HUGE POTENTIAL

Astunning and secluded sixbedroom farmhouse, set in seven and ahalf acres with arange of outbuildings, has been launched to the market by Balfours.

Longswood Farm, is found in the hamlet of its namesake, five miles from the M54 at Telford and 13 miles from Shrewsbury,set in an idyllic slightly elevated location, with far reaching views to the front. The Grade II listed property extends to 5,000 square feet, offers generous sized rooms throughout and has undergone refined renovations which are almost complete, leaving the buyer opportunity to decorate to their taste.

In true farmhouse style there arethree generous reception rooms with fireplaces, the entrance hall intercepts giving access to the main rooms, including the large kitchen which has been fitted with quartz top island and there are Frenchdoors to the terrace. Service roomsinclude autility off the kitchen, cloakroom, boot room and study with feature corner windows.

T Thesigni ificant t mastter suiiteiisontthe first floor equipped with a large dressing room, en-suite with shower and feature bath, plus magnificent views. A second bedroom benefits from en-suite facilities

On the second floor area further four bedrooms, another en-suite, plus afamily bathroom with walk-in shower.From a second staircase to the first floor is aroom currently used as alibrary, but equally providing asecond generous homework or hobby room. Apair of cellarscomplete the main house.

Across the way from the main house is aone-bedroom annex, together with a games room and gym.

Charlie Giffard, Balfours Associate Partner,Country House Sales, comments: “There are asignificantnumber of brick barns and steel frame modern agricultural buildings. The whole provides acanvas from which amultitude of opportunities could arise subject to planning.

“Extensive plans are currently being drawn up to convert some into residential units, however the whole could be repurposed as an equestrian centre, or this would be an excellent site to run any business where both internaland external space is required, particularly with its proxiimiity totthe M M54 and d thenattional l motorway network ”

Balfours are marketing Longswood Farm with a guide price of £2,500,000. For more information call 01743 353511

AQuintessential English CountryEstate comprising 345 Acres(139.62 Ha).

ExcellentLocation, Outbuildings,Farm, Equestrian, One Bedroom Annexe,Sales Farm Cottages,Far-Reaching Views, EPC: D.

An ExcellentOpportunitytoAcquireThree SeparateBlocks of Grazing Land.

Approx 129 Acres, 52.2 Ha, Flexible Versatile Land,Established Agricultural Area, AONB,Well-Drained,Mains Waterand Electricity.

ACharming CountryHouse with Double Garage and Studio set in approximately 2.22 Acres(0.90 Ha).

Idyllic Location, High Specification, Inglenook Fireplaces and Log Burners,Paddocks and Gardens,Potential Annexe, EPC: D.

An ExecutiveStyle Family Home Anchored in the Heartof the Popular Belle VueCommunity.

Good SchoolCatchment, Immaculate Condition, CulduSac, Playroom /Study,Fivebedrooms,Double Garage,EPC: B.

FIVE-BEDROOM BARN CONVERSION

Heritage Barn is an outstanding five-bedroom barn conversion in Ellerdine with over 4,400 sq ft of accommodation offering fantastic flexible modern family living throughout.

It is on the market with Prestige by Mannleys for offers in the region of £950,000 with no upwardchain.

The ground floor features a27ft sitting room, superb open-plan kitchen/ dining/family room, reading room, games

room, study,utility/boot room, laundry room and ground-floor W/C.

The first floor features astunning 23ft main bedroom suite thatenjoys lovely views and has an en-suite bathroom and fitted wardrobes, four furthergood-sized double bedrooms, one with large walk-in dressing area, andafamily bathroom with separate shower

The property has many exceptional features throughout, with over 2,400 sq ft of outbuildings, including

stables, stores and alarge 39ft garage that has hugepotential, extensive gated driveway parking, superb landscaped gardens, oil fired central heating and double glazing.

It is situated in astunning rural location, while still benefitting from superb road links and all with the benefit of no upward chain.

Formore details or to book aviewing of this attractiveproperty contact Prestige by Mannleys.

CROPPINGS

FARM

LIGHTMOOR,TELFORD, TF4 3QQ

OIRO£1,300,000

This fantastic developmentopportunitytopurchase this stunning siteapproximately 1.5 acres thathas reservedmatters planning (ref TWC/2022/0002) forthe developmentof7luxuryexecutivehomes and keeping the existing detached house.The siteissituatedin this highly soughtafter location thathas excellent road links and is only approximately 2miles from the renowned Ironbridge WorldHeritage site.

ROSE VILLA

STATIONROAD, ADMASTON, TF50AW

OIRO£795,000

Astunning,individually designed four bedroom detached home thatoccupies an amazing landscaped plot.Entrancehall,lounge,kitchen/dining room, family room, study,utility, W.C. Principal bedroom with en-suiteand walk-in wardrobe,guest bedroom with en-suite, twofurther bedrooms and family bathroom. Extensivedrivewaywith electric gates, detached double garage with gym/home officewith en-suite. Landscaped gardens to the front, side and rear EPC B

TUDOR HOUSE, LIMEKILN LANE, WELLINGTON,TF1 2JA

OIRO£695,000

Asuperb 4bedroom detached executivehome on agreat plot.Open-plan kitchen/dining room with featureisland,sitting room with log burner,dining room, family/gamesroom, study and utility. Stunning bedroom suitewith en-suiteand dressing room, two bedrooms with en-suites,family bathroom and a further bedroom. Lovely established rear garden with garden room/bar,extensive drivewayparking,integral double garage and no upward chain EPC C

64 DULWICH GRANGE

BRATTON,TF5 0EB

OIRO£550,000

Stunning5bedroom, 3storeydetached property situatedinsemi-rural Bratton. Hall,study/home office, large lounge,conservatory, breakfast kitchen &dining area, utilityroom, gorgeous principal bedroom with balconyand apalatial en-suitebathroom, twoguest bedrooms with en-suites, twofurther double bedrooms and afamily bathroom. Landscaped gardens,garage and extensive driveway EPC C

23a Market Street,Wellington, Telford, TF1 1DT 01952 245064 • prestige@mannleysproperty.co.uk

PERIOD FARMHOUSE

Asuperb rural family home, Ouseley Farm is situated in the quiet valley of the Corvedale. The property at Aston Eyre near Bridgnorth, is on themarket with Savills with aguide price of £1,500,000.

With fenced pastures, a52m x22m equestrian arena, established stabling and set in farmland, there are plenty of opportunities for those searching for an equestrian property

Ouseley Farm is atraditional period

farmhouse which has awealth of original features.

In the glazed extension there is a sitting room with built-in units, glazed French doors and abreakfast/dining area. This area offers open-plan living which incorporates the superbly beamed kitchen where there is atwo-oven Rayburn, fitted units and arange of integrated appliances. There is also asizeable pantry and a versatile utility room.

The front door opens into ahallway,

off which is the formal drawing room which has an open working fireplace. The dining room has its original quarry tiled floor and working black leaded grate.

The main staircase rises to the first floor where there is an attractivestainedglass window,whilst theback stairs lead from the kitchen to the playroom and bedroom.

The principalbedroom has built-in wardrobes and an en-suite bathroom. There is afurther large double room and aseparate family bathroom and adoor to the playroom/sitting room.Nextto this is abeamed double bedroom and an ensuite bathroom.

Another staircase leads to the second floor where there is avery spacious fourth bedroom. There is an additional bedroom/office next door,and aseparate bathroom.

Ouseley Farm is accessed by along track, which opens onto alargegravel parking area. As well as lawns, the gardens offer anumber of well-stocked beds. There is an attractive orchard, apretty greenhouse and asmall vegetable garden. The terrace is accessed directly from the kitchen extension.

The outbuildings include agarage/ workshop and atraditional stonebuilding, currently used as two stables, and atack room. There is also athree-bay steelframed portal shed with access directly onto the paddocks.

Pudleston, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6

Guide Price: £5 million

An immaculate Grade II listedcastellatedmansion offering completeprivacy in one of the most un-spoilt counties in England, 5formal reception rooms. 9principal bedroom suites, privatecinema complexindoor swimming pool, beautiful formal gardensand grounds, 48 acres.

Council TaxBand: H

GreatWitley, Worcester,WR6

Guide Price: £1.75 million

Abeautiful Country House with immense charm, overlooking its own2acrelakeand surrounded by maturegardens, woodland and fields, 3reception rooms, secondary accommodation, 7bedrooms, 12.5 acres.

Council TaxBand: H|EPC: D

PeterDaborn

Head of Residential Sales

+44 (0) 1952 239511 peter.daborn@savills.com

Residential Sales +44 (0) 1952 239532 btjones@savills.com

Woodhill, Oswestry,SY10

Guide Price: £4.5 million

Aglorious Georgian house standing in the privacy of amagnificent park and woodland estate, 4formal reception rooms, 14 bedrooms, 5cottages, 156 acres.

Council TaxBand: G|EPC: F

AstonEyre, Bridgnorth, WV16

Guide Price: £1.5 million

An absolutely superb family home with spectacular views,3 reception rooms, 5bedrooms rooms, substantial outbuildings and menage,4.8 acres.

Council TaxBand: G|EPC: E

Residential Sales +44 (0) 1952239 513 ameldrum@savills.com

COURTYARD HOME

This delightful and well appointed Grade II Listed Queen Ann town house is situated in a conservation area in Shrewsbury Number 2Dogpole Court is on the market with Miller Evans with a £1,000,000 pricetag.

The property was built circa 1700 and this attractive town house possesses awealth of charm and character and provides well-planned accommodation with rooms of pleasing dimensions.

On the ground floor,the drawing room has astylish fireplace of fine detail and aFrench sash window,which opens onto araisedterrace

On thelower ground floor is afurther sitting room currently being used as a library/study with French doorsand steps which ascend to the garden.

The dining room is adjacent to the well-appointed kitchen. From the entrance hall, an elegant staircase rises to the first floor with master bedroom and en-suite bathroom, together with a further guest bedroom two with en-suite bathroom.

The staircase continues to the second floor where there is afurther spacious bedroom with en-suite bathroom.

The property is well placed in aquiet, secluded courtyard, in Shrewsbury’s vibrant town centre, adjacent to anumber of dining options, high street shops and

independent boutiques. There are a number of excellent schools nearby Outside, from the terrace, formal steps lead down to adelightful landscaped Italianate rear garden with neatly kept pleasure lawn and awealth of established

shrubs, ornamental trees and rose displays, with afurther circular paved terrace providing additional seating/ entertaining space.

The property benefits from aparking space close by

Kingsland,Shrewsbury

Guide £1,500,000

27 Kennedy Road is asuperior and luxuriously appointed five bedroomfamily residence, which is presentedto an exacting standardthroughoutand has been greatly improved by the currentownerstoprovide well planned accommodation withasuperbopen plan kitchen/dining and family room, tworeception rooms and astudy/ garden room. Theproperty is ideal forboth comfortable daily living andlarge scale entertaining,set in extensive gardens in Shrewsbury’spremier residential locality.

Condover, Shrewsbury

Guide £1,500,000

Woodside is asupremely well appointedand well presented five bedroom countryresidenceset in extensive and stunning landscaped gardenswithunspoilt andunrivalled viewsofthe rollingSouth Shropshire Countryside,occupying asecluded location in the popular village of Condover, close to good local amenities and the nearby town centre.The house has aperfectly symmetrical façade and hasbeen greatly improved by the currentowners to include;superbdiningkitchen, sitting room, dining room, drawing room and garden room. Threecar garage,ample parking and turning space.

If you are looking to sell or let your property/ land, or need advice on arange of professional matters, please call or use the QR code to visit our website

DIPINTO MED-INSPIRED DECOR

STYLE UP ASUMMER ESCAPE AT HOME, SAYS SAM WYLIE-HARRIS

Who doesn’t yearn for a more Mediterranean lifestyle every now and then? Whether or not agetaway isonthe cards this summer however,bringing thosedreamyholiday vibes home with astyleupdate is easier than you might think.

“Pulling together aMediterraneaninspired coastal scheme is all about perfecting an airy,bright feeling through the use of colour and material that harks back to ocean shores,” says Rohan Blacker (left), founder of Pooky

“A palette of cool blues and pared-back neutrals introduces abreath of fresh air into the home, and when paired with natural materials, it works to create this slightly bohemian beachside feeling.”

Consider rustic rattan lamps, paired

with beautiful linen shades in muted seascape tones too, Blacker suggests. Organic raffiapendant designs also make easy additions, which will allow you to incorporate elements of asunny coastal scheme through lighting changes alone.

Helen Pett (right), Arteriors design ambassador,says: “When looking at furniture and lighting design, opt for statement pieces crafted with woven rattan or openweave detailing, materials such as coconut shell or wooden beading.

“Alternatively,a timeless colour choice for any coastal destination-inspired décor scheme introduces apleasant combination of varying blues to mimic asummer sky, and the reflective surfaceofthe sea,” she adds.

Here’s how to get the look…

Seashells jug, £17.95, Annabel James

She sells seashells on the seashore… thisbeautiful bone china jug is worth shelling out for

Abigail Ahern

Elian recycled glass table lamp, £149, Freemans

Contemporary and cool, this clear recycled glass lamp with raffiashade will style up any space.

Hugh 4-seater sofa, £949; large squarefootstool, £399, tarland pattern accent chair, duck egg, £799 (items part of room set), DFS

Asumptuous sofa like this makes awonderful centrepiece, especially styled with mosaic print cushions, ocean blues and rattan accessories, for an airy,breezy aesthetic.

Collection luxe Josie bedframe in wood and cane, from £850, Next Abeautiful base to build around, this carved wood and cane bedframe –especially teamed with ajutecarpet,ocean hues and sheer white curtains –istailor-made for hot, sultry nights.

Indigo seaweed print wall art, from £18 each (unframed), Beach House Art Beachcombers will be drawn to these pretty artwork prints.

Pooky Aphrodite pendants, from £200 (other items part of room set), Pooky

Featuring an artisan woven effect and brass accents, these hanging pendants are right on point.

George wooden lounge chair (top), £99, wooden lounge chair,£99, Direct.asda

These accent chairs with woven rope design or cream straps will style up your suntrap andbring smiles all round.

Maze rope decorativetray, £15, Dunelm

Favourite finds suchasthiswoven tray imbibe thoughts of freshly baked bread at breakfast, topped with exotic fruit platters

Set of 4picnicwaredinner plates, £20, Next Summer salads and slow days call for lightweight tableware, especially eye-catching designs like this, with a shiny finish to look and feel just so.

George blue arc tufted throw,£12, Direct.asda

The finishing touch to dressing the bed à la Med? Atufted blue throw strewn across crisp linen sheets.

Mediterranean 594 EvoraVinyl, from £25 per squaremetre, Carpetright

Suitable for kitchen, dining and bathroom schemes, this modish motif makes areal feature.

LOOKINGAFTER YOUR GARDEN IN AHEATWAVE

So, summer’s still here and many gardeners will no doubt be reaching for the watering can, checking the levels of their water butt and wondering if ahosepipe ban is going to spread to their area.

There has already been aban across Cornwall and parts of Devon, so it’s importanttoknow the best ways to garden to savewater,and which plants may be susceptible.

Experts offer the following dos and don’ts of heatwave gardening.

DON’T water during the heat ofthe day. Early morning when it’s cooler,or evening when the sun has gone down is best, as the plants can hydrate overnight, recommend experts Katie Kingett and Yoko Briggs at The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Rose specialist Philip Harkness, of award-winning Harkness Roses, says watering roses in the early morning, especially if they are in pots, is better,as the plants get the water they need during the day.“If you water in theevening, there’s more humidity overnight, and that is quite an encouragement for fungi such as blackspot and rust to grow.”

DON’T water the top of the plant Watering the leaves canburnplants, which need the moisture in their roots. Kingett and Briggs advise: “Ifyou’re growing cucurbits, or plants in apoly tunnel, dig asmall terracotta pot into the ground beside the plant, so water goes straight to theroot.”

DON’T water plants little and often. This will only encourage roots to come to the surface and then be dried out by the sun, advises Kate Turner,Gardening expert for Miracle-Gro.

DON’T feed your lawn when it’s already scorched. The ground needs to be moist for any feed to work, so unless you have been irrigating your lawn from the start, wait until the autumn to startTLC (tender lawn care). Lawns will nearly always recover during autumn, so it’s more important to look after your plants during this dry season, she adds.

DON’T cut your grassoften.Grass won’t grow as much in the heat, so it shouldn’t need to be cut so much. If you do have to mow your lawn, use ahigher setting, so you do not damage theplant and its roots, say Kingett and Briggs.

DON’T water the whole garden. Established borders shouldn’t need as much watering, because the roots of established plants will go deeper to find moisture.

DON’T plant in aheatwave. Now is not the time to plant anything other than small plants in containers. The soil will be hard and the roots won’t reach down into the soil, so they will need constant watering and will be stressed by the heat. Wait until the autumn when thesoil is still warm, but when there will be a regular supply of rain, Turner suggests.

DON’T water irregularly.“Irregular watering can lead to bitter flavours in fruit and vegetables, and with tomatoes, acondition known as blossom end rot –where thebottomofthe tomato turns black,” says Turner

DO use grey water.Ifyou have a hosepipe ban in your area, you can use ‘grey water’such as washing up water,so long as you have used averysmall amount of environmental dish cleaner, sayKingett and Briggs.

DO protect your plants from thesun in aheatwave. Put them in the shade if the pots are moveable, and in the greenhouse, protect vulnerableplants like seedlings, by either using alime wash over your greenhouse glass to reflect theheat and light, or by draping acotton sheet over the windows, Kingett and Briggssuggest. It can also help lettuces and other vegfrom bolting.

“Ensure you let your plants breathe by opening up your greenhouse and relieving them from the extreme temperatures,” Turner adds.

DO water generously and less frequently.This will encourage roots to stay down in the soil, says Turner

DO keep soil or compost evenly moist. Soaking dry soil can result in some crops –suchastomatoes –splitting and becoming unusable, she suggests.

DO focus on the plants that really need it. Most important are those in containers, sogroup them together and place them in the shade if youneed to. Feed weekly with aliquid feed, while the soil is damp before use, Turner advises.

DO mulch. If you have certain trees or plants with soil you wish to protect, such as fruit trees or fruit bushes, you can weed and water the soil around them and then mulch with apeat-free compost to keep the ground damp and cool. This

helps protect the micro-organisms and mycelial network from being damaged, Kingett and Briggs advise.

DO continue to weed. Weedswill be competing with your plants for water and nutrients, so do continue to get rid of them. If small, hoe the tops off thesoil and leave the roots to be baked in the sun, says Turner

TREKKINGTHE SHROPSHIRE WAY

The times of the year when people might wish to attempt The Shropshire Wayare few. Abehemoth at ahuge 136 miles long, theroute features aseries of loops around many of the best bits of the Shropshire Hills and the rest of the county

With summer upon us,some hardy types will take to the paths to attempt the mammothtrek.

Aspokesperson for the Shropshire Hills Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty said the Shropshire Waywas well suited to walking in sections as an alternative to one big walk.

The Shropshire Wayisn’t the only long-distance path that enjoys peak popularity during the holiday months. Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail is a177-mile linear route between Chepstow and Prestatyn along the borders of England and Wales. About 11 miles of the trail lies within the Shropshire Hills AONB, with some of the best-preserved sections of the Dyke.

The trail, which was opened in the summer of 1971, links Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow on the banks of the Severn estuary with the coastal town of Prestatyn on the shores of the Irish Sea. It passes through no less than eight different counties and crosses the border between England and Wales over 20 times. The trail explores the tranquil Marches (as the border region is known) and passes through the Brecon Beacons National Park on the spectacular Hatterrall Ridge. In addition, it links three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty –the WyeValley,the Shropshire Hills and the Clwydian Range /Dee Valley

The trail passes through many different landscapes. The upland stretches in the Brecon Beacons and Clwydian Range can be hard going in poor weather or visibility.The flattest stretch is the section which largely follows the River Severn and the Montgomeryshire Canal.

Elsewhere it is largely acase of gentle ups and downs.

The National Trail is very well way-marked so following the routeiseasy.But it is always agood idea to take aguidebook or map. Offa’s Dyke Path can be walked right through the year Most people walk between April and October,while spring and

earlysummerare the best times to see the flora along the way A15-mile section from Knighton to Brompton Crossroads is generally reckoned to be the toughest on the trail as it rises and falls through the ShropshireHills. However the views and sense of tranquillity make the effort worthwhile. This section also has some of the best-preserved sections of Offa’s Dyke that can be found on Llanfair Hill at thepoint where the Jack Mytton Way crosses the trail.

Just above Newcastle on Clun, you are at the true midpoint of the trail, with its midway marker –agood photo opportunity for all walkers. At Hergan, where there is what seems anatural break in the Dyke, the Shropshire Wayjoins the trail. This route will be met on anumber of occasions as you head north.

Another trail to cross paths with Offa’s Dyke Path on this section is Wild Edric’s Way, named after aSaxon nobleman who led anumberofguerrilla wars against the Normans in the Middle Marches.

The KerryRidgeway is the next trail to cross paths with the route and from this point on it’s level or downhill all the way to Montgomery,very welcome after all the ups and downs.

THEULTIMATE WOODEN FLOORING SERVICE

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The company offers all clients afull wood floor repair service and design and installation and maintenance programmes which keep your flooring in pristine condition once it has been restored or installed by us.

Company Director Steve Shakespeare said: “Weoffer the finest engineered and solid wooden flooring at an unbeatable price to trade and retail. Our customers have found that we can offer asubstantial saving without compromising thequality and service that we havealways offered. We are able to beat any other like-for-like

quotations and carry out work in both the public and commercial sectors and can accommodate any required specification.

“Not only do we specialise in the restoration of wooden flooring, we also offer an unrivalled service of supplying and installing high quality timber floors. We are able to offer avariety of high quality solid, parquet and engineered wood flooring. With afull range of flooring available in various widths, thicknesses and lengths, you can be sure to find the look you’re after,whether it’s contemporary,traditional orsomething more special. Over the years we have also installed many reclaimed floors and have a large stock of reclaimed parquet blocks in our workshop.

“Wecan bring back to life any existing

floor,from asimple sand and recoat to afullrepairservice. We are specialists in wooden floors –nothing is unachievable!

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“You and your floor are importantto our company,even after we have finished the project. Therefore we will supply all maintenance products and information which will enable you to keep your floor in pristine condition for many years, prolonging your floor’s life.”

Call Woodfloor Resloutions today to discuss your requirements.

FLOWER POWER

FLOWER FARM SHROPSHIRE PETALS IS PREPARING TO OPEN ITS FIELDS TO THEPUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME HEATHER LARGE TAKESALOOK

Summer is always abusy time for the team at ShropshirePetals who are hard at work harvesting flowers for their biodegradable confetti.

And this year they are pulling out all the stops as they prepare to open oneof their colourful fields to visitors for the first time.

They had been planning to offer guests the chance to walk through acres of stunning blooms at their site close to Chetwynd Aston, near Newport, last year

But, sadly,the business was left with no choicebut to cancel its debut event after the flowers did not grow as they had predicted.

This was due to adry springwhich was followed by disease in that particular field, and topped off by extreme temperatures.

Now it’s all systems go as Shropshire Petals has teamed up with Shropshire Festivals toopen their field of flowers for alimited time in August.

Delphiniums, sunflowers, cornflowers, and wildflowers being grown to provide the perfect photo backdrop for visitors of all ages.

Shropshire Petals is afourthgeneration family farm thatgrows British flowers to make biodegradable petal confetti and dried flowers.

All their petals are sustainable, ecof friendly and dye-free, making them a popular choice for weddings worldwide

The flowers bloom during July and

August and they are picked by hand and dried onsite to ensure the highest quality

The team alsocreates dried flower arrangements for home décor,gifting and events.

Formany years, they have received requests from people who were eager to visit the farm and take photos. This prompted staff to create adedicated flower field that visitors would be able to enjoy It will be open daily from Friday,August 4until Sunday, August 13 and tickets are available as morning or afternoon slots, but visitors are more than welcome to stay as long they like.

The field covers just under 30 acres and is filled with arangeofdelphinium colours from white, pinks and blues, along with h sunflowers, cornflowers, a range of wildflowers and calendula

“To get completely immersed in our

stunning fields will be an unforgettable experience for flower lovers and families, and agreat location to capture special memories with loved ones,” says Ashley Evers-Swindell, marketing manager at Shropshire Petals.

“There will be amyriad of bright pink, blue, purple, yellow and white flowers, that will enchant visitors of all ages. You’ll also have theopportunity to buy your own freshly cut flowers.

“The field will make the most stunning location for any photo, so you can take the beauty home with you.”

“We’re excited to give Shropshire the best flower experience it has ever seen,” says Beth Heath from Shropshire Festivals.

“ShropshirePetals are renowned for their exquisitely colourful petal confetti. Once Isaw the flowers in person, Iknew we had to share the unbelievably beautiful visual with our community,whilst adding in our usual dose of festival fun.

“Aswell as being immersed in the gorgeous blooms, families canfollow the ower pathway to the forest of fun they’ll find some characters hiding amongst the trees. We’ll also have acafé, bring apicnic blanket and make aday

ShropshirePetals was started by Michael and Rosemary Bubb over a decade ago, when the dried flower market become less fashionable and they were looking for ways to diversify the farm, JMBubb &Son.

Acustomerrequest for petals from their delphinium bunches led to the lightbulb moment for the couple.

After years of selling the petals on their stems, they realised they could let them fall, as nature intended, to create 100% natural, biodegradable and ecofriendly confetti.

Today,Michael and Rosemary’s two sons, Jonathan and Jim, areatthe helm of the business.

At the moment the flower farm is a hive of activity as the team also cares for blooms destined to become confetti or be used in floral arrangements.

They are being helped by three solar-powered flower ‘robots’ that not only plant seeds but also weed around them too.

Their lighter body weight is better for the soil because it reduces the risk of compaction, and also helps to reduce CO2 emissions

as there’s no need for atractor

Once the flowers have been harvested, they will be air dried before having their petals removed, or vice versa depending on the variety

Then they are ready to be confetti.

Smaller petals like delphiniums and wildflowers will keep for over ayearwhenstored correctly.The flower varieties are chosenbecause they grow well, keep their colour once dried and will not fall to the ground too quickly when thrown.

Couples can chose one of the firm’s tried and tested petal mixes or ‘pick and mix’ their own with packaging options such as confetti pops, personalised confetti cones, wicker baskets, boxes and cannons available.

Over the years

Shropshire Petals has even had some celebrity customers including Hollyoaks actress Sarah Jane Dunn who chose their VintageDaydream

petal mix when she married husband Jonathan Smith in May 2018.

The team also provided the confetti when Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne tied the knot in 2017 and supplied petals for alive wedding on This Morning and aLove Island wedding feature on Good Morning Britain.

Petals grown at thefarm have also made their way into bath products made by soap company Lush a and also candles

n To find out more and purchasetickets v visit shropshireflowerfield.co.uk

ASTATELY WELCOME

HEATHER LARGE CHATS TO WESTON PARK’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE AHEAD OF CAMP BESTIVAL SHROPSHIRE WHICH IS RETURNING TO THE ESTATEFOLLOWING ITS DEBUT LAST YEAR

Upand downthe country, tourism andhospitality businesses have worked together to revitalise the industry following unprecedented challenges duringthe pandemic.

Among them is Weston Park which is now looking to build on astrong 2022 and make the historic estate more widely accessible to everyone.

Among its recent success stories has been establishing itself as the second home of the hugely popular Camp Bestival.

The family-friendly festival experience made its debut last summer andthis month around 18,000people descend on the estate for four days of live music, theatre, shows, wellbeing workshops, circus spectacles, sideshow commotions, comedy,food and drink and camping.

Colin Sweeney,chief executive of the Weston Park Foundation, which runs the estate, says the festival is a“significant asset” for theregion, helping to further cement its position in the country’s tourism map.

“Camp Bestival is averywellestablished brand andhas been running successfully for 15 years. They wanted to

have asecond site and our years of doing the VFestival were agreat testament to what we could achieve,” he explains.

Although it was agreed to brand the event as Camp Bestival Shropshire,the estate has worked closely with South Staffordshire Council on the planning and licensing arrangements and Colin believes both counties can benefitfrom the influx of visitors to theregion.

He also hopes it will help to showcase whatthe counties have to offer tourists to people attending the festival who may be unfamiliar with the area.

“It’s agreat example of partnership working. It’s about attracting people to the area and if that benefits bothShropshire and Staffordshire, everybody is happy,” says Colin, who is an active board member for Tourism West Midlands.

The WestonPark estate is the ancestral home of the Earls of Bradford and has been run by the WestonPark Foundation, an independent charity,for nearly 40 years. As well as the stately home, the estate includes a1,000-acre Grade II listed park and three Grade Ilisted buildings.

Camp Bestival is just one of the many events that take place at WestonPark every year but the team is also working hard to

reinforce its position as adestination in its own right.

Since Colin became CEO at Weston Park in 1997,hehas overseen many changes which have increased the number of ways visitors canspend time on the estate.

“We’ve gone through quite ajourney with the house, getting on the map as a venue and taking on somehighprofile events such asthe G8 Leaders’ Summit retreat day in 1998 and the Northern Ireland Peace Talks in July 2001.

“Getting the VFestival was ahuge stepchange for us. It began as amuch smaller event and it grew and grew.Itwas atoe in the water.Wehad never done anything like that before,” says Colin.

He has overseen moves to offer exclusive residential use in the house and been responsible for securing investment to preserve and restore the estate, including oversight of its internationally important collection of 30,000 objects including old master paintings, furniture and ceramics.

Under Colin’s leadership, the estate’s grounds have also been returned to Capability Brown’s original vision and the 1767 Granary building has been restored and is now home to apopular restaurant and stunning art gallery

Four follies have been given anew lease of life as luxury holiday cottages and arolling programme of works has seen keyrooms in the house re-decorated and re-presented.

Weston Park now offers adiverse range of experiences from being avenue for celebrations andweddings, corporate events, short breaks and holidays to being adestination for along walks,lunches and fun days out with thechildren.

The team is keen to showcase the versatility of theestate as adistinctive, inclusive and welcoming place and challenge any misconceptions thepublic might have about what it offers.

“I think the walls [of the estate] underpin that sense that it’s aheritage destination, so it means people understand that, but on the flip side it can be perceived as abarrier for some people.

“It’s quite hard to get acrossthe message that it’s relaxed, informal, you can justdrop in,” says Colin.

He says the team is also committed to ensuring visitors get good value for their money as well as an enjoyable experience,

particularly as many households are continuing to feel asqueeze on their finances due to the cost of living.

An example of this is the Granary restaurant, which caters for everything from light lunches to special occasions and offers an array of homegrown produce.

“Everything is freshly cooked and made here and through our garden, we have our own supply of vegetables, herbs and fruits,” explains Colin.

Earlier this year,Weston Park picked up the gold award for best self-catering accommodation of the year for its holiday cottages the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism and Good Food Awards.

The Granary restaurant also received asilver award for the best casual dining restaurant of the year and Colin was awarded the Graeme Whitehead Award for outstanding contributiontotourism.

He says the accolades are acredit to hishard-working team who pulled together during the challenges of the pandemic.

“I’ve got really good people, some who have been here along time. They love what they’re doing at Weston and they are the glue that makes it all work,” explains Colin.

n Formore information, see weston-park. com

Weston Park will come alive with the sightsand sounds of afabulous Proms Spectacular this September And we are offering you the chance to party in style and enjoy the ultimate night out with afree Proms House Party Package for the stunning event on September 9.

As well as two free tickets for the amazing concert, we haveanovernight stay in the house itself to give away

Youcan arrive from 2pm and check into your luxurious bedroom, enjoy a glass of fizz in The Library and explore the estate.

Your luxury champagne picnic for two, beautifully prepared by Head Chef Anna Moore, will be ready for collection before the short walk to the Proms Concert.

The concert will feature four and

WIN AWESTON PARK PROMSHOUSE PARTYPACKAGE

ahalf hours of the finest music, the magnificent sight of aSpitfire in full flight and acrowd-pleasing fireworks finale.

Getting the excitement under way will be acclaimed swing singer Sam Griffiths, whose first album went to No.1 in the jazz charts.

After a flypast from the Spitfire, the main concert will feature London’s Orion Orchestra –which boasts some of the finest young musicians in thecountry –beforethe event concludes with a spectacular firework display by Meteor Fireworks, fully synchronised to the orchestral score

After the performanceyou can head back to the house, slope down to the cellar and enjoy anightcap before heading off to bed.

AfullEnglish breakfast is served the following morning and theestate is again yours to explore at your leisure.

To enter, just answer the following easy question:

What is the name of the swing singer who will get the concert under way?

Send your entries to Victoria.hodgkins@weston-park.com

Terms and conditions: Entrants must be aged 18 yearsorover. Closing time and date for entries is 12 noon on August 25, 2023. The first correct entry selected at random after the closing date will receive the prize. Prizes arenon-transferable and thereare no cash/prize alternatives. Employees (or immediate relatives) of the MNA group of companies may NOT enter.Winners must be prepared to takepart in any relevant publicity. All data shared in entering this competition will be used for administration only.

CELEBRATETHE GIANTS OF STEAM

The County of Salop Steam Engine Society’s 2023 Rally takes place at Onslow Park, Shrewsbury,onthe August Bank Holiday –Sunday,August 27 and Monday,August 28, when Shrewsbury SteamRally organisers are showcasing over 1,000 exciting exhibits.

The highly-entertaining range of attractions will include the wonderful spectacle of working steam engines and beautifully preserved classic vehicles from yesteryear,todelightvisitors at the popular annual family event.

Throughout each day,spectators can enjoy moving convoys of historic commercial vehicles, including buses and fire engines; vintage cycles; working horses; vintage tractors; pre-and postWorld WarIIcars; classic motorcycles; and perambulators.

The Main Arena is the centrepiece of the event, with the ‘Grand Parade of Steam’, set to nostalgic music and poetry

amemorable highlight of the event.

This year there will be aspecial Land Rover celebration, commemoratingthe heritage of this iconic brand andits 75th anniversary

The rally covers 45 acres of beautiful parkland and hosts avariety of preserved commercial vehicles, that includes lorries, buses, fire enginesand alarge display of military vehicles.

The Olde Time Fair offers lots of fun, with steam-powered rides for all –accompanied by vintage fairground music.

Finally,there are some excellent miniaturesteam engines, ahighly popular craft marquee and six acres of trade stands.

The Golden Age of Victorian Farming proves ever-popular,and pride of place is the Working Field which welcomes both pre-1940 and post-1940 tractors, and a team of beautiful shire horses, harvesting with reaper binders, chaff cutting and threshing box. They steal the show and

people love them. More than 240 tractors of various marques (some static) will be on view on the showground. Visitorscan take astep back in time, explore original farming skills, and literally live and breathe the past.

The family-friendly event provides some enjoyable entertainment with afull arena programme on both days, including the highly-popular and majestic cavalcade of showman’s engines, traction engines, steam rollers and steam cars.

Rally Debut for motorcycles

Mark Bishop, the Motorcycles Section Secretary for the County of Salop Steam Engine Society,has announced this year’s new exhibits.

He said: “Atthisyear’s rally we will once again haveanamazing spectacle of motorcycles to delight visitors. This year’s display will include everything from a 1955 Vincent Comet, and a1939 Rudge Ulster to a1931 Royal Enfield model

976cc V-twin and a1951 Triumph Trophy TR5. This year we have averynice 1948 BSAB31 350cc that was fully restored by its owner James Evans in memory of his late father

“Also attending is asuperb 1923 Ariel 250cc lightweight, a1971 BSARocket 3, aSuzuki RM and aNortonCommando, all as part of the 100-strong range of exhibits …soa real treat for motorbike enthusiasts.

“Last year the rally welcomed a visit from former TopGearpresenter and motorcycling enthusiast, Richard Hammond and he was amazed by the fantastic variety of classic motorcycles on show at the event.”

n Formore information and tickets visit www.shrewsburysteamrally.co.uk, email info@shrewsburysteamrally.co.uk or call 01938 570874. The postal address is COSSES, PO Box 4706, Shrewsbury.

SY5 0WT

Special display for iconic Land Rover

2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the introduction of the Land Rover. The first Series One models rolled off the production line in 1948. The Land Rover soon became the vehicle of choice for use in the British countryside and the furthest most remote reachesof the World. TheLand Roverdominated the market until the late 1970’s/ early 1980’s. It was used by the military all overthe world but predominantly in Commonwealth Countries. The original design was so good it remained in production until 1983, albeit constantly evolving from Series One to Twoand onto Series 3. The moreboxy 90 and 110 were introduced in 1983. The Land RoverDefender,asiteventually became known, ceased production on 29th January 2016.

To Celebrate Land Rover, the COSSES arehavingaspecial display at this year’s rally over August Bank Holiday weekend. Therewill be early models from 1948 up to moremodels registered on or beforeDecember 31, 1989. Entries so far include short and long wheelbase models, civilian and military versions. Therewill be some special versions including models adapted for special uses in agriculture, ambulances and fire engines. The earliest models attending are2 Series One vehicles registered in 1949 during the first year of production. As well as the traditional Land Rover, the original Classic Range Roverwill be well represented. This model, Land Rover’s second production vehicle, went into productionin1970. Variousversions will be on display including an ambulance nowconverted to acamper. Therewill be beautiful restored vehicles as well as some every day working vehicles in worn but well maintained condition. Therewill be aWorld WarIIJEEP on display, the inspiration for the Land Roveraswell as one of the competitor vehicles, the Austin Gipsy, which never achieved the commercial success of the Land Rover. The Land Roverdisplay is being sponsored by Britpart, the Land RoverParts specialist who havetheir headquarters in Craven Arms. They will be providing arolling chassis and working on it overthe course of the weekend.

ATASTE OF COUNTY’S CUISINE

Two years from now,the Ludlow Food Festival will celebrate its 30th anniversary.That will be a remarkable achievement from an event that considersitself the original festival for food and drink lovers.

This year’s event will take place from September 8-10 and will feature more than 100 exhibitors,predominantly from Ludlow and across the Welsh Marches. There will be free talks, demonstrations and tastings acrossLudlow’s main stages, with trails, feasts,masterclasses, workshops, free kids’ activities, andmore.

As the festival looks forward to welcoming 15,000 people to Ludlow, helping to cement its reputation as one of the UK’s foremost towns for food and drink, it’s worth reflecting on the incredible history that has led to this point.

In 1995 members of Ludlow and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce came up with anumber of ideas to help boost the business image of Ludlow and the surrounding area.

The main idea was to create afestival, whichwould both promote the area’s small food and drink producers and encourage visitors to explore Ludlow’s fascinating shops, restaurants and pubs. In 1995 that was anovel idea, which, it was freely admitted, was done “just to see what happened”.

The venue was not aproblem –the castle square with its traditional open-air market and the town’s historic castle, used from the second year onwards, provided the perfect backdrop. That setting was combined with events like the trails, which were designed to encourage visitors to explore Ludlow and its specialist shops,

restaurants,cafes, and pubs. The festival was an immediate success thanks to the response from those same food and drink producers and suppliers –and theband of volunteer helpers who gathered to stage the event. They had no instruction book; nothing like it had ever been tried before. But they were enthusiastic,committed, and imaginative –and willing to work hard.

Equally importantly,they decided from the start that theevent had to be fun as well, both for them and forthose taking part, despite the underlying serious objective of promoting the businesses of the Marches and the area itself

At around the same time, Ludlow attracted top chefs like the Michelinstarred Shaun Hill who established his Merchant House restaurant in the town, David Wilson Lloyd, then at the Salwey Arms, Woofferton, and Ken

Adams, then of The Oaks in Ludlow now of the Waterdine, Llanfairwaterdine, and FrenchmanClaude Bosi, initially at Overton Grange, then at his own restaurant Hibiscus. All were attracted by the abundance of top-quality produce in the area.

Others followed like Olivier Bossut, initially at Dinham Hall, and subsequently at the Roebuck, Brimfield, Peter Gartell, originally at The Clive, Bromfield, Christopher Bradley at Mr Underhill’s, Wayne Vickerage at Overton Grange, Jane Malcolm at The Courtyard, and Jean Bourdeau at DeGreys, now at the Peacock near Tenbury Wells. The change of Hibiscus to La Bécasse welcomed to Ludlow the talented Head Chef,Will Holland, who achieved aMichelin star in 2010.

Those chefs, thetown and its magnificent countryside also began to

attract the attention of the national press and it has become well known, and not just in Britain, as acentre of culinary excellence with alarge collection of restaurantsinand around Ludlow and the wider area of the Welsh borders.

It wasn’t just top-quality restaurants, though. There was also an abundance of good independent food shops, butchers, bakers, farm shops -and, in short, people who took their food seriously

The festival’s famed Sausage Trail became amagnet for 2,000 lovers of the British banger

To that was added competitions for the Pork Pie of the Marches, Cake Competition, the Ludlow Sandwich, the Best New Product and more. There was also an Ale Trail, which attracted over 1,000 real ale drinkers exploring the pubs around the area.

The 1999 event saw visitor numbers

practically double and that happened again in 2000 when more than 12,000 paying customers visited the tented village in the castle. Astaggering record was reached in 2006, with 17,100 entering the castle during the three days, and the magic 20,000 figurewas reached in 2007. Since then thefestivalhas grown with the peak being achieved in 2010 with over 21,000 food lovers enjoying the event. The growth in numbers has created an expansion in the team behind the event with the festivalcurrently employing two members of staff year round to manage the events and the associated admin. The team of volunteers has also grown with over 120 taking part in 2013; withoutthat team the festival simply could not take place so thetown is forever in their debt.

Many festival visitors feel compelled to come back throughout the year to enjoy other aspectsof Ludlow and the Marches and the growth of tourism in thetown has helped maintain the local independent

shops that are loved by tourists and locals alike.

2014 was abrilliant year with ahuge party for the town -takingplace inside Ludlow Castle. There was kids cookery, bouncy castles, live music and of course ahuge birthday cake and it was attended by around 1,000 local people. ASpring Festival had been added to the portfolio and the spring and autumn events were once again ahuge success with both of them growing in size. The Spring Festival had more than 200 beers and the September Festival used spaces that have never been used before inside the castle giving even more activities.

This year promises to be another exciting event with new ideas being focused on to continue to provide visitors with awelcoming and enjoyable experience at the festival.

n Full details are available at: www ludlowfoodfestival.co.uk

SENSATIONAL CHARDONNAYSTO SIP UNDER THESUN

THESE WHITESCAN TURN HEADS AS MUCH AS ABURGUNDY BLONDE, SAYS SAM WYLIE-HARRIS

Burgundy may have built chardonnay’s reputation, but beyond Chablis and Meursault, the world’s most famous white grape remains plentiful, comparatively delicious –and in some cases, substantially cheaper

Eye-catching with its dazzling straw gold highlights, wine lovers appreciate chardonnay for its sheer drinkability –from rich and toasty to ripe and juicy, with aseamofacidity; to those with no oak influence at all.

To championthe charms of chardonnay,we’ve rounded up some top drops –from inexpensive to interesting, to impressive…

ASDA ExtraSpecial Chardonnay 2021, Western Cape, South Africa, £6.50, ASDA

South Africa can turn its hand to most grapes and this value-priced chard proves how the WesternCape is agoldmine for ripe, juicy styles with satisfying weight and fresh acidity.With honeyed, citrus, blossomy aromas and broad flavours, it’s a steal while on special offer.

Specially Selected Australian Chardonnay 2022, Barossa Valley, Australia, £7.79, Aldi

This big name Barossa Valley blonde from one of the world’s most famous winegrowing regions offers textbook varietal notes –juicy citrus,peach and tropical fruits beneath aveil of vanilla –with a fresh, minerally streak keeping everything in check. Chardonnay with lots of charm.

Clos Du Bois Chardonnay 2021, California, £12.50, Ocado

Dependably delicious… when you want a taste of Californian sunshine, this is your label to bring smiles all round. Especially

if you love abuttery,well-judged oaky style with ahint of caramel, bakedapple, and all-important citrusy snap on the finish to keep it fresh and flowing.

AOP Limoux Chardonnay

Languedoc 2021, South of France, £13, Waitrose

AFrench fancy to shine the light on Languedoc lovelies, this artfully named ‘IIIB’Auromon signifies the highest quality of grape juice, with Bfor barrel aged. The result? Alightly oaked nose with expressive tropical fruits and touch of brioche, tasting plump and juicy on the palate, with fine acidity and refreshing finish.

M&S Balfour Chardonnay 2021, Kent, £14, Marks &Spencer

With lots of bright, crisp freshness, gentle floral aromas and flavours of just ripe melon and peach, backed by afresh structure and lively acidity,this unoaked English chardonnay makes for acaptivating glass –and delicious introduction to home-grown still white wines from one the country’s most innovative wineries.

Adnams Chardonnay 2018, Waitaki Valley, North Otago, New Zealand, £20, Adnams

Beautifully aromatic with elegance and concentration,this perfectly poised chardonnay proves how there’s moreto New Zealand’s whites than sauvignon blanc. With abright nose of pineapple, banana and some fresh citrus,joinedby delightful buttery notes and oak blending in, it’s rounded on the creamy,fruity palate with atouchoftoasty brioche, ripe acidity, finishing long and fresh.

TenMinutes by Tractor 10 X Chardonnay 2021, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria,Australia, £30.50, Wine Direct

On apar with some of the best and easy-drinking (if you can afford it), this chardonnay really hits home with its vibrant peach and citrusfruits, tangy, lemony acidity,discreet use of oak and long, refreshing finish showing plenty of energy and verve. Aclassy chard from another one of Australia’s famous wine regions and worth seeking out.

VISIT YOUR LOCAL DELI

THIS MONTH ED THOMAS IS TOURING SHROPSHIRE, MEETING THE OWNERS OF THREE INDEPENDENT SHOPS AND DELICATESSENS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEIR PASSION FOR LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK

First stop on thejourney was the small but perfectly formed Village Pantry in Condover, which only opened in June. The Village Pantry is the brain child of Jane Wilde and the shop serves the community with quality fresh groceries and afurther range of exciting goods including from Shropshire Salumi, Cheese Nibbles and Apostle Coffee. The onsite kitchen means you can also pick up freshly baked pastries, cakes and savoury snacks.

Sitting down with Jane it quickly becomes clear that her passion for the local community and for showcasing great produce is infectious. Jane has been working in hospitality on and off her whole career.Most recently she has been catering at Shrewsbury Golf Club and providing outside catering that takes in private parties and events at locations include Eaton Manor

The realisation of opening the Village Pantry only came about when Janeheard the shop was available to rent, and within afew short months the shelves were full and the door was open. Jane absolutely intends the Village Pantry to be afocal point of the community,complementing what the village already has on offer.

Reliable and dependable locals and visitors from further afield are guaranteed awarm welcome and some great chat while they pick up their provisions.

Moving south, the next stop on the tour was Saxton’s, which can be found in Church Stretton. Tommy Saxton took over the long-standing VanDoesburg’s Deli in 2021, astep that took himback in to the world of food having spent adecade in the corporate world.

Earlier in his career Tommy spent time working in various hospitality roles, in the kitchen and front of house in some jet set locations including superyachts and boutique hotels. This earlier foodie stage of his career had developed out of apassion for food that was first stirred in childhood. Tommy produced his first independently cooked meal aged seven and hasn’t looked back.

Having grasped the reigns in 2021, Tommy was all to aware that taking over an existing business meant evolution rather than revolution. He wanted

Carrying on down the A49 the finalstop on the deli-tastic tour was the award-winning Broad Bean in Ludlow and achat with Ian Evans.

Ian and his wife Alice took over Broad Bean in 2016 with the shop having originally opened its doors under previous ownership over 40 years ago. The Evans’ knew that Ludlow and Broad Bean were for them as soon as they got out of thecar on the foggy November morning when they first came to view the shop. Straight away Ian knew that he could create a proper old-school deli supplying willing customers with great produce all for consumption off the premises.

Ian is originally from the Rhondda Valley in Wales and Alice from Cambridgeshire. These blow ins, as their regular customers have occasionally called them, have taken to the town and the town to them. Ian is focused on providing the best quality produce he can for the best possible price. Of course, there is a plentiful supply of tasty and unusual items that you would expect in adelicatessen but there are also great value everyday staples such as milk and bread that come from local farms. The milk is sourced locally from Marley Town Farm and a pint comes in at under theprice that you would pay in asupermarket.

to build organically through word of mouth so waited ayeartoput his own name above the door.Now,after almost two years at the helm he has adapted the offering at Saxton’s to his own vision. This vision is one of atraditional continental delicatessen where you will find charcuterie and cheese, which at Saxton’s is sliced in front of you to your specification, alongside home cooked dishes, meals and snacks. Saxton’s customers enjoy the benefits of afull-time kitchen team that produce lunches for hill walkers to take away as well as ready meals for locals to enjoy at home. Saxton’s is also famous for itssandwiches with Tommy instilling a‘fill to the edge’ ethos

with the team that hasgained notoriety with orders coming in for various outdoor events, gatherings and meetings. All this ensures that Tommy is not just reselling produce, he is adding his own flavour and in doing so he showcases fine local and global ingredients.

Community and locality are important to Tommy so he uses the fabulous Mr Bun thebaker and Hough &Sons butchers, both of whichare just ashort walkfrom theshop. The team also visits Church Stretton market to buy fresh produce each week. Even the more exotic ingredients Tommy tries to source through local businesses such as The Olive PressinLudlow.

and produced food around the world.

Ian originally qualified as amarine biologist and later tapped in to his passion for food and retrained as abutcher,a trade which took him to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. It was while working in abutcher’s shop there that Ian had the honour of preparingmeatfor the Royal Family to enjoy during their traditional Christmas stay

Meat, specifically charcuterie, including that from Shropshire Salumi, remains very muchpart of the offer at Broad Bean along with cheeses, wholefoods, sweet treats and other products from all over the world.

Ian explained that this is clear evidence for developing great relationships with suppliers and customers and conducting business in a fair way all round. The farmer gets agood deal, customers get agood deal and the till in Broad Bean keep ticking over.It’s this ethos that has bought Ian into the Slow Food realm. He is now acommittee member of the local branch,Slow Food Ludlow and the Marches, an exciting group which promotes sustainably grown

It’s the opportunity to keep exploring new products thatkeeps Ian excited and keeps the customers coming back. Ian, Alice and their team will be sharing their passion for fine food and drink at agreat pricefor some time to come.

What is clear having met allthese passionate foodisans is that they and their small businesses showcase the many ways that there are to approach purveying fine food to the public while supporting communities.

We are very lucky to have some fantastic food emporiums to visit, buy from and champion right here in Shropshire.

ON THE ROAD TO SANCERRE

Offered aglass of Sancerre, you wouldn’t turn it down, would you? Alongside Châteauneufdu-Pape and Chablis, it is perhaps one of the best-known names in the lexicon of wine.

However,many folk would be hard pushed to place it exactly on themap.

Yes, it’s aFrench wine but… from where exactly?

Students in the wine world, merchantsand sommeliers will all have agoatputting it in the Loire Valley, and many know that it’s actually in the ‘Central Vineyards’ part of that illustrious region, but along way inland, many kilometres from Nantes, Saumur and even Orleans.

In fact, Sancerre nestles an hour due south of Paris, and closer to Chablis than

even the experts would think. That’s where alot of similarities between Sancerre and Chablis start, as is apparent when you visit.

Although Sancerre is aprettytown on top of ahill, and Chablis is apretty town down in the valley,both aresurrounded by their vineyards with ariver running through. If you gaze out from aviewpoint, you’ll see asea of vines marching up and down sloped fields, tracks running from bottom to top as the workers drive to their particular parcel of vines. These vineyards surround you, creating much more of apatchwork than you’d witness in, say, Bordeaux. The slopes and valleys dip maybe 50-100 metres, manyat45degrees. This variation helps to give each location and aspect adifferent feel, contributing to awine’s fingerprint ‘terroir’asagrower will tell you. And both regions produce sublime white wines.

Of course, themain difference between Chablis and Sancerre is the grape variety.InChablis it is Chardonnay, while in Sancerre we are talking about Sauvignon Blanc.Itisthe cool, fresh,

fruity flavours of this grape which has made it ahit all over the world and propelled it to the top of the ‘recognisable’ wine words tree. Sancerre made its name in Paris centuries ago. It was accessible, it had the fruity character we know and love today; gooseberry,passionfruit, elderflower and more, and quaffed easily in the bistros and high society of Parisian life. Never labelled as Sauvignon, that’s more of an Antipodean, ‘New World’ thing, it was actually the sophistication and elegance, the more understated herby side of Sauvignon Blanc that has appealed to so many drinkers and still does. Possibly the finest I’vetried is from Etienne Roger who’s Grand Chemarin 2018 is awine of beauty and grace.

You’ll find Sancerre widely available in the UK, but not all arethe same.While it is not easy to make abad wine these days (faults like cork taint excepted), there are levels of quality that mean acheaper,cooperative made bottle will probably taste inferior to that of a‘Domaine’ grower Then, like many other areas of wine growing in France, Italy and beyond, there

are the better bits and the best bits of particular vineyards, particular slopes.

On arecent visit we managed to taste 12 different Sancerres from three producers, all of which hadanindividual flavour with varying intensity and concentration,depending on where they had been grown.

Most important is the soil make-up; it varies, and hugely influences the taste of each wine. If you could hover above Sancerre you would see ageological fault line that runs north-south straight through thetown of Sancerre. To the west the soil is amixture of limestone and clay,typical of many regions and making balanced but fuller,fruitier wines. To the east of the fault line there is more flint and chalk which imparts acrisper,lemony character with zip and brisk acidity.The flint can even givea ‘gun-flint’ edge as you’d find if you strike a flint with steel to get aspark. Much more obvious in neighbouring Pouilly Fumé, there is however that spark to be found in the ‘silex’ of Sancerre.

We dined well during our visit, and the perfect match, when the heat was at 30C, was agoat’s cheese salad, or asimple goat’s cheese omelette –infact anything cheesy worked brilliantly,even apizza,as did some plain, grilled fish with asqueeze of lemon.

Sancerre is truly ahigh-class summer white with poise and elegance, amust for the Sauvignon lover

We also tried araft of red Pinot Noirs which have become much moreavailable in recent years, andmore delicious to my mind as Sancerre has warmed adegree or so in modern times to give riper,juicier red fruit. With the price of red Burgundy racing away,it’s worth considering these classically made alternatives, particularly from awarmervintage like 2020 or 2022. They are an excellent substitute.

THE DAILY GRIND

COALBROOKDALE’S MUSEUM OF IRON HAS LAUNCHED AN EXHIBITION SHOWCASING THE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE IRONBRIDGE GORGE.

Famed for the part it played in the Industrial Revolution, Shropshire has never been shy of flying the flag for the role thatithas had over the last 250 years in shaping the Britain we know

Aseatofinnovationand ingenuity, our county was astage upon which some of the country’s greatest industrial achievements were showcased to the rest of the world. From miners to porcelain crafters, the workers of our region were aconsummate force in the Industrial Revolution’s success, and the generations that followed in their work continued in this great contribution to Britain’s economic fabric into the modern day. This year,these men and women of two different ages have been rightly honoured with equal applause, and now the public can truly appreciate their story

Currently running atCoalbrookdale Museum of Iron, ‘The Daily Grind: The Industrial Workers of the Ironbridge Gorge’ is an exhibition which shines a spotlight on the lives and voices of the ordinary working people who toiled in the industries of the Gorge from the early days of the 18th century until the end of the First World War.

Drawing on theIronbridge Gorge Museum Trust’sextensive archive collections –including oral histories, diaries, and photographs –The Daily Grind explores who these people were, the work that they did, and the part they played in the area’s world-changing history

“Across our museums there was a general feeling that we should have an

exhibition focusing on the ordinary working people of the Gorge,” said curator Lauren Collier.“The stories of the Industrial Revolution that people tell can focus on big names like Abraham Darby,Thomas Telford and Isambard Brunel. That means that we often end up overlooking the really vital contributions of these ordinary workers who were lower down in society

“The aim of this exhibition was really to shine aspotlight on these people, bring their stories back to life, give them back their own voices, andrecognise their skills and their talents whilst also acknowledging the hardships they faced and the dangers of the industry.”

Lauren and the team at thetrust were,

however,keen that the exhibition did not reflect only the often-harsh realities of the workers’ labours, but also their lives beyond their employment and the important role that religion,hobbies and leisure pursuits played in their identity.

“So that it wasn’t all quite so gloomy, we also wanted to acknowledge that these people weren’t just miners, or iron moulders, or pit girls,” said Lauren. “They were also lay preachers and footballers, they sang in choirs,theyenjoyed going to the pub for apint after work and going for walks on aSunday. These were aspects of their personalities and their identities and their lives that were just as important as the work that they did.”

Through the exhibition the museum trust is showcasing the fascinating stories of particular individuals –one of which being the oft-untold tale of awoman who was able to rise up theVictorian career ladder

“Julia Salmon worked at Coalport and she was amother,but she also had to work,” said Lauren. “She went to work at Coalport, starting out as alabourer which is the lowest-skilled work she could get. Over the next three decades of the census you can see she progresses up the ranks at Coalport –almostwhat we would consider acareer today.She goes from being alabourer to being apottery wheel turner.And then, 10 years later,

she herself is making that pottery on that wheel, which is very skilled work.”

Another tale unearthed by Lauren and the team continues to illuminate the diversity in the localworkforce of the age.

“Probably one of the most interesting stories that we found was the story of John Peters,” Lauren said. “He appears very brieflyinthe 1808diary of awoman called Elizabeth Poole. She was the mother-in-law of William Anstice, who owned the Madeley Wood Company

“John Peters was aminer.But the interesting thing about John Peters is he was black. His story is that he came from America on ashipthat was shipwrecked. He made his way from Liverpool to the

Gorge, where he was employed in one of the local mines.

“Weoften think of miners as being people who were born locally,whose fathers and grandfathers were miners, but the John Peters story shows you this wasn’t necessarily the case.

“So many of the people that worked here had migrated from the Black Country,from Wales, and even, like Peters, from as far afield as America. Not everybody had the same background so it’s areally lovely story showing the diversity of the workers.”

The mining industry was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution, and for many centuries before it, coal had been dug in the region that would become Telford.

Fast-forwarding to the modern day,the 1979closure of Granville Colliery brought an end to 700 years of coal mining in the area. This year the industry’s local legacy has been fittingly commemorated in Telford Town Park.

Unveiled this March, the town park Mining Memorial has been alabour of commitment and love pursued by three former local pit men.

Dubbed ‘The Granville Boys’, Cliff Hewitt, Malcolm Peel andStewart Braddock had been diligently spreading the word about Telford’s mining past among local schools, when their memorial dream finally moved close to fruition.

“Anadvert had been put on social media asking for any ex-miners to come to schools to talk to the children about their heritage, going back to mining in the Victorian period,” said Stewart. “I put my name forward, Cliff Hewitt did the same, and then we introduced Malcolm Peel.

“Wewere all ex-Granville miners. We startedgoing round theschools and we realised that alot of these children

hadn’t got anyidea that there had been coal mines in thearea –some had actually never even seen coal.

“Wehad decided before that we needed amemorial –every other area has got them. We’d applied for lottery funding and they turned us down, so what we started doing was going to other groups to do talks, charging £40-£50 atime to raise money.” Eventually fundraising for the memorial was complete, and thanks to their own work and generous contributions from the public,The Granville Boys could look at bringing the stunning sculpturethat resides in the town park today to life.

“Kath Peel designed the memorial. We bought the featured pit wheel ourselves, and then we had alot of people help us in various ways, including with casting models and making the plaques.”

As far as the memorial’s location, Telford Town Park was recognised as the perfect choice. “The Granville Boys wanted to have amemorial to this reallyimportant partofour heritage,” said Telford &Wrekin Council cabinet member,Carolyn Healy.“They felt the town park would be the best place for it –acentral location where lots of people and

families go and the story can be passed on. They approached us and we were absolutely delighted to be able to support the project and find aplace for the sculpture. We hadareally lovely unveiling ceremony with lots and lots of local people of all ages –itwas really nice to see people come and be interested in what is a really important part of Telford’s story.”

Sadly,Malcolm Peel passed away before he could see the memorial unveiled, yet Stewart and Cliff are certain his pride would mirror their own.

“I feel very proud to have been part of the mining industry,and very proud on behalf of all the families that we have represented with the memorial,” he said. “A lady phoned me up just to saythank you that we had put something up that she could show her grandchildren and relate to her husband, andI feel very proud that we have helped her and others to be able to do that.”

So far,both the Mining Memorial and The Daily Grind have received high praise from locals and visitors alike.

“The feedback from the public on the memorial hasbeenfantastic,” said Councillor Healy.“Ithink it really helps people understand the history of the borough, and it really looks like it was always meant to be there.”

“People are really enjoying visiting the exhibition,” added Lauren. “One of the things we try to do, in particular with this exhibition, is really engage the local community in the stories that we’re telling. We’re trying to help people look at these industrial workers in amore detailed light. The exhibition is about bringing these people back to life, and reminding our visitors that they existed, and so far it’s been overwhelmingly positive.”

In celebrating its proud industrial legacy,Shropshire is once again putting more than just its best foot forward.

n The Daily Grind is running at Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron until November 5. Formore information, visit www.ironbridge.org.uk

GOINGTHE EXTRAMILE

MATTHEW PANTER MEETS AGROUP OF PEOPLE GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP FAMILIES IN WAR-TORN UKRAINE

Half adozen infants were huddled around asmart phone when David Pryce looked over his shoulder.Hewas in Poland, as partofamission to bring donations to support families displaced by Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.

As David sat with some Ukrainian mothers, atelevision theme tune began playing, one familiar to manyparents across the UK and beyond.

“The youngsters were watching Peppa Pig in Russian,”herecalls. “It got to me. I went back to my hotel room andcried.”

It wasamoment of innocence in an otherwise horrificsituation, which has seen an entire nation left devastated by death and destruction.

We have written before about how Shropshire has welcomed people fleeing

Ukraine. Many have started new lives in this county, working and contributing to society,while waiting for peace and the moment they can finally return home.

But Shropshire is also doing its bit to support those who can’t escape from their homeland or refuse to let theRussian armydrive them away

And David, who is Wellington born and bred, is among them. He spent much of 2021 transporting aid and people to and from the Ukrainianborder in Poland after being moved by what he had witnessed on television, while reflectingonhis own life –his grandmother had been evacuated from London to Shropshire during the Second World War.

“I think Ineededsomething to get involved in as we came out of Covid,” recalls David, head of centre at Transportwise, in Telford. “So, in April

last year,Ioffered storage space on a temporary basis to acommunity interest company in Shrewsbury,while they took in donations for the war.They filled the space offered to them in next to no time and, as partofthe arrangement, Isaid if they wanted transport, I’d use my own van to take aload to Poland.

“There was amixture of items taken, anything from medical goods to wet wipes and nappies. Idid two deliveries at the early stages of the evacuation and exodus process. Youare exposed immediately to people in adistressedsituation, a mass build-up of people who had been displaced. Istarted tobecomemore and more aware of theneeds and urgencies of people out there.”

It was while watching the news back home that he suddenly came up with another way of helping. The 59-year-old

was moved by word of the thousands of disabled children in Ukraine’s orphanages. And, as aresult, David, who himself lives with cerebral palsy, purchased 25 used tricycles from around England to take to the country

“I became acutely aware of heightened

media coverage of children being displaced, who were unaccompanied,” he recalls. “I saw aBBC news clip in May last year that focused on the desperation of disabled children in orphanages.

“It deeply affected me. One child in the clip reminded me of myself.Ihave had cerebral palsyfrombirth but Ihave never allowed it to define me,” he adds. “I have been very lucky in that respect.

“And so Ithought ‘I have to do something for these kids’.”

As achild, David found great independence and freedom from riding abike with his friends –“Without independence Iwouldn’t be where Iam today,” he says.

It gave him the idea to deliver trikes to children impacted by the war

“Because of my understanding of the benefits of keeping mobile, Ithought that sending some trikes might enable children and young adults to get abit of therapy, some exercise, and add to their general wellbeing,” he said. “Many of the trikes are specifically adapted for disabilities, with extra straps or support.”

On his first journey,David delivered trikes to Lviv,Ternopil and Chortkiv

“The experience was great and I received so much love,” he said. “That’s an amazing feeling. Ihave got images and video footage of taking the trikes out there and children using them and it’s just beautiful to see, absolutely lovely

“I am so, so proud of the footage. The positive outcome is everything. Having met the children, it makes it apersonal piece of work and fills me full of drive and determination as to what can Idonext?”

He has since launched his Trikes for

Ukraine II campaign, having collected 35 trikes already,as well as 400 blankets with waterproof undersheets for vulnerable people living in ahospice and residential homes for the elderly.He also has 70 soft beds for dogs and was due to deliver them in July

“Before April 2021,I’d never done anything like this,” he says. “I’d throw a tenner here and there on asponsored walk or something, but nothing ever like this.

“But watching loads being put on to the vehicle each time, Ifound myself realising it’s not about the monetary value. It’s about the relief that the items will bring. It’s not much to give someone asecond-hand sleeping bag, but it could save someone’s life.”

Gary Fear and Dave Perryare cut fromthe same cloth as David. Thepair, from Newport and Gnosall, are set for their sixth trip to Ukraine this month

They have raised more than £40,000 to support those impacted by the war and head to Ukraine, where they spend the money once they have an idea of what people have the greatest need for at that particular time.

“On our last visit, we even purchased agenerator for avillage, called Olekadrivka. The people there hadn’t had electricity for ayear,” says Gary

The duo have been all across the country to help people.

“In 2018, Iwent to Ukraine and drove all the way there as partofacharity event,” adds Gary

“Weended up in Chernobyl for the day and Ialso stayed in Kyiv.Iloved the place and the people so when the war began, Igot in touch with residents I

knew to see what we could do to help and that was the start of it.”

Such visits are an emotional rollercoaster but Gary says the pair are driven by making adifference.

“The destruction is dreadful,” Gary continues. “Wevisited one village, Velyka Dymerka, which had been occupied by the Russians before they left. They hadn’t demolished it completely but had used houses for target practice.

“That was the village where our friend and guide Igor Bodnarchuk lived. The houses either side of him had been completely destroyed but his house was still standing with one bullet hole in the top window.Tanks had crushed down fences and we were shown missile pieces in people’s gardens. It is very upsetting, especially when you meet people and they show you around the remnants of their house and it’s just apile of bricks.

“It is areal low point, along with hearing from people who have lost sons, daughters and other family members.

“But what you have to focus on is the other side of it and the reason you are there to help. The pleasure you see on faces when they see you come along.

“When Ilook apictures of the piles of food we have purchased and delivered and see people’s faces, it always makes me grin. And even if we haven’t taken food to acertain location, we can give people ahug and they have been delighted with that because it shows someone seems to care about them.”

On the pair’s third visit, they collected amedal on behalf of asoldier,Jordan Gatley,which they brought home to his family.Jordan, described as ahero by his loving family,left the British Army in March of last year and travelled to Ukraine but, aged just 24, was tragically killed in the battle for the eastern cityof Severodonetsk in June.

Jordan had served as arifleman with the Edinburgh-based third battalion of The Rifles.

Gary and Dave collected amedal on behalf of Jordan’s parents, Dean and Sally, after heading to the country with more food and supplies.

“Wewere honoured to be able to collect amedal –which Ibelieve is

Ukraine’s highest military award –for Jordan and bring it home to his parents,” said Gary,who has since been back to Ukraine with Jordan’s father Dean.

“It was avery poignant thing that we were very proud to do for his family and was no trouble for us. We placed stickers on our vehicle in Ukraine with Jordan’s picture –chosenbyhis family –tomark the fact the trip was in his memory.”

Gary and Dave will now head out again on August 24 and Gary adds: “You do still shed tears when you go. But it’s been so rewarding and fulfilling to go out to Ukraine to try to make adifference.

“The visits we have done so far are among the proudest things Ihave done in my whole life.”

RETREATINTO HOLISTICBLISS

Find ajob you love and you will never have to work aday in your life”, goes the well-known saying.

And it’s certainly rings true for Gail Cooper who stepped away from asuccessful career in the house building industry to follow anew path

After more than 25 years working in avery stressful and target driven

environment, she knew it was time to make achange.

Embracing her love of holistic therapies, she decided to qualify as a coach, yoga and meditation teacher,crystal healer and journal therapist.

Three years ago, she set up her crystal shop, Meridian Life in Newport Indoor Market and has also recently opened her

own wellness studio, The Wellbeing Pod.

“Although Iloved my job, Ifound I was being called along adifferent path in life, that path being to help others on aone-to-one basis through my love of all things holistic,” says Gail, who held anumberof sales and marketing management roles in the house building industry

“I was practicing yoga and meditation on adaily basis myself,along with using crystals to help with my health and I found that the combination was doing wonders for my wellbeing,” she explains.

After experiencing the benefits first-hand, Gail decided to take the leap by changing career –and says she hasn’t looked back since.

“It really changed my life and Itook the step from having acorporatecareer to running my own business as aholistic therapist. It was definitely the right decision,” she explains.

Since then herbusiness has gone from strength to strength and she continues to run her healing crystal and holistic gift shop at the indoor market on Fridays and Saturdays, advising people of the benefits of using crystals for healing and your overall wellbeing.

Alongside this, Gail offers bi-monthly

retreat days as well as yoga and meditation workshops. She also works closely with several businesses delivering yoga sessions and corporate wellbeing events.

The unique purple Wellbeing Podis designed around working with clients on aone-to-onebasis with therapies such as crystal healing, reiki, yoga, meditation, mindfulness and coaching, helping clients to rebalance and feel better in themselves on aphysical, mental, emotional and spiritual level.

Situated in her tranquil garden, Gail says the aim was to create the perfect spot where people could indulge in alittle time of their own, enjoy achancetoescape and get away and leave feeling rejuvenated and at one with themselves.

“I have spent many months looking

for the right place to open astudio and all the time it was right under my nose –our beautiful garden.

“I wanted to create alittle havenfor clients to come andtotally relax, and Ifeel that Ihave achieved justthat,” explains the volunteer for Cats Protection.

Gail offers half and full day one-toone retreats which will be bespoke to each individual client and could include treatments alongwith relaxation time in the established garden or aguided canal walk in the surrounding countryside.

The Wellbeing Podwas officially opened by Karen Woodcock in her capacity as chairperson of Newport Chamber of Commerce and All About Newport Ltd.

As well as supporting others to achieve

‘I wanted to create alittlehaven for clients to come and totally relax, and I feel that Ihaveachievedjust that’

their goals in avariety of areas from health and wellbeing to setting up new business ventures to increase self-confidence, Gail is also constantly working towards turning her own ambitions into reality

This has included trekking Mount Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains, The Inca Trail in Peru and walking 600 miles in a year.

Gail, who trained with the BritishSchool of Meditation, also enjoys developing her skills and is currently working towards the advanced 300-hour yoga teacher training certificationtoextend her knowledge.

Her courses include a five-week introduction to meditation, a six-week coaching course and an eight-week beginners yoga.

She believes more people are choosing to proactively take steps to improvetheir health and wellbeing, especially in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

“I think people are opening up more about their mental health and turning to alternative therapies.

“I’ve certainly seen more people become interested in the benefits of crystal healing over the past three years.

“I think more people are taking anholistic approach to wellbeing,” explains Gail.

She is looking forward to welcoming morecustomers to her Wellbeing Podand says seeing the difference holistic therapies can make to people’s livesis very rewarding.

“I enjoy every aspect of what Ido, I’ve created something that Ilove, from start to finish. Even the mundane tasks still bring me joy,there isn’t apart Idon’t like, Ilove doing it all. It’s not really a job for me,” Gail tells Weekend.

n Anyone who would like to find out more about Gail’s Wellbeing Pod, can call 07917 787617, email gail.meridianlife@ gmail.com or visit www.meridianlife.co.uk

UP,UP AND AWAY

More than 20 hot air balloons of all colours andshapes will taking to the skies during the Oswestry Balloon Carnival.

There will be lots of entertainment for all ages during thetwo-day family fun charity event which takes placeonAugust 19 and 20 in the award-winning Cae Glas Park in theheartofthe town.

The annual fundraiser in aid of Nightingale House Hospice is organised in association with Oswestry Town Council, Spirit Operations andis supported by Oswestry BID.

On both carnival days, there will be abusy programme of live music and local entertainment as well as, weather permitting, fly-outs and balloon demonstrations.

One of the highlights of the event is the famous Saturday evening Night Glow, organised by Spirit Operations.

This year’s carnival MC will be Regan Tetlow who hails from Canada and is a world-renowned professional skydiver

and TV presenter with an extensive background in air sports.

He has also worked as theMCfor the Qatar balloon festival and been the presenter for the Hot Air Balloon World Championship.

Entry to the carnival is free, however, organisers will be promoting an optional £1 donation to Nightingale House Hospice.

Since 2018, the donations from Oswestry Balloon Carnival has raised over £100,000 for the charity

Last year’s event raised more than £34,000 for patient care at thehospice in Wrexham, whichprovidesspecialist palliative care services for those with lifelimiting illnesses.

Nightingale House Hospice fundraiser,Fay Lewis, said: “Weare incredibly grateful for the amazing generosity of past Balloon carnival attendees.

“With the support of our spectators, sponsors, and Oswestry Balloon Carnival Committee, we have been able to continue this special event in the hospice calendar

“Asone of our largest fundraising events, we are confident that it will thrive for years to come, providing much-needed funds for our hospice and contributing to the refurbishment of our new Inpatient Unit.

“Thank you to everyone involvedyour support is truly invaluable.

“Wecan’t wait to see everybody on August 19 –20when, fingers crossed, the weather will be kind to us.”

n Formore information, visit www oswestryballooncarnival.info

AWORLD IN MINIATURE

It’s abug’s life for Pete Burford –and he is lovingit.

Pete, from Shrewsbury, developed the ‘bug’ for macro photography during lockdown and has gone on to win awards for his incredible images of insects.

And he has hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram and TikTok with the handle @pbmacro. Macro photography is extreme close-up photography of small subjects.

His photograph of amating pair of golden-tabbed robber flies, which he named It Takes Two, was named overall winner in the Royal Entomological Society Insect Week competition.The competition attracted over 700 entries from 34 different countries, with 24 images receiving commendations.

The 28-year-old said he was thrilled with the award.

“I got into macro photography through lockdown in 2020 after seeing macro photography accounts on Instagram,” he said.

“A clip-on lens for my mobile phone let me test the water alittle. Ithen bought my first camera later on that year and throughout the winter,taught myself about the technicalities and techniques within photography in general which I then applied to macro photography.” He uses an EM1 MK2 mirrorless camera paired with the OM 60mm macro lens.

He said: “I enjoy macro photography because I find it interesting to see the details up close that you wouldn’t be able to see with your naked eye.

“Being able to see these creatures at eye level really gives adifferent

perspective and character whichcan make people see these small insects as a live animal with apurpose, and not just something smaller than them.

“A lot of people compare them to aliens. Ialsolike the challenge of finding the subjects.”

Pete visits most of thenature reserves in and around Shropshire and said those that have bodies of water like ponds or streams seem to have more insects.

“I will start to venture out more down south of the country soon because the more down south you go, the more diversity of insects you will find. But Istill have alot of insects to check off here in Shropshire first!

“Ionlyphotograph live insects and learnt thatinsects are cold blooded, so

they need the warmth of the sun to be able to move. This means at night they stay very still which allows me to get really close. If Iwent out to photograph insects in the middle of the day,itwould be too hot and they would flyaway.”

He added: “If people are interested in macro photography all Iwill say is you don’t have to spend thousands on gear

“I startedwith alens that clipped on to theback of my phone camera, which allowed me to get close and just get a feeling for it and see if it is something that Iwould enjoy

“If you are already into photography and have acamera and macro lens, then I would suggest agood flash and diffuser to really bring your photos to the next level and get all the intricate details –ifyou are after one then Ican recommend the Cygnustech diffuser.”

‘I find it interesting to see the details up close that you wouldn’t be able to see with your naked eye’

PAINTING ABRIGHT FUTURE

Between 1750 and 1850 there was arevolution in British art. This 100-year period became known as the ‘Golden Age’ of English watercolour.Led by names such as JMW Turner and John Constable, this became amedium in which the Britishexcelled.

Thanks to new advancements in the manufacture of watercolour paints andpigments,artists were able to travel to the remotest parts of the BritishIsles with brush in hand, and paint outdoors with ease for the first time.

Under the influences of theromantic poets, artists such as David Cox, Peter de Wint and John Varley were able to lead atransformation in watercolourpainting,using spontaneous

brushstrokes, rich colours, dramatic skylines and romanticised representations of shadow and light. They represented the British landscape in amanner never explored before.

Interestingly on the art market, watercolour has been struggling in recent years, but arecent auction atHalls Fine Art buckedthe trend with aspectacular watercolourcollection selling in excess of £40,000,provingthat collectors arestillwilling to bid high to secure quality examples by Golden Age artists.

Crucial considerations when valuing watercolourpaintings at auction are condition and provenance. Watercolour is prone to colour fading, so naturally those paintings that have stood the test of time with colours still bright and well preserved will attract more interest than those which have become more muted. Experts will usually look for the colour blue to ascertain how much apiece has faded as blue is one of the colours most affected by sun and light damage.

Provenanceisone of the most important attributes of any painting, not just watercolour,and hasa huge influence over auction value. The background of an artwork canhelp lend authenticity.Ifthere is aprovable direct link backtothe artist, if it has been housed in aprestigious collection, or has been sold by areputable gallery or dealer for example, it will boost its potential. The more complete and trustworthy the provenance, the more confidence buyers have when bidding on an item.

The importance of provenance and condition played a fundamental role in achieving theoutstandingresults seen at Halls on June 21.The 40 watercolours came from the collection of the late Shrewsbury collector Peter Roberts, who had avery keen eye, and had bought works by some of the most celebrated names of the Golden Age including Paul Sandby,Peter de Wint, John Varley and David Cox. Roberts had retained all his original purchase records and had carefully chosen pieces with good provenance, depicting recognisable locations in NorthWales and Shropshire.

The quality of the collection attracted interest locally and worldwide with fierce bidding competition. An exceptional painting of Buildwas Abbey by Michael Angelo Rooker was hotly contested and sold for £3,200

The highlights of the watercolour collectionwere two outstanding examples by Peter de Wint,depicting Lincoln Cathedral, and arural scene of awoman riding adonkey, which flew over their estimates to sell for £5,200 and £4,000 respectively

n Halls Specialist Abigail Molenaar is already consigning works ready for the next Fine Artauction in September.Ifyou would like valuation advice on apainting, please get in touch at fineart@ hallsgb.com

UNIQUE AUCTION AT STATELY HOME

Asa business we have embraced and adapted to the monumental shiftthat the auction industry has seen over the last few years.

The Covid 19 Pandemic acted as a catalyst for theonlinemarket and we have seen ahuge shift to onlinebuying. Arecent report states thatnow 78% of collectors buy online compared to 38% only afew years ago. And so for me, it has been joyous to get away from a screen and get ‘backtobasics’ over the last few months and offer to the market the contents of Tushingham Hallina traditional format, yet with the modern convenience and global exposure you would expect from aprogressive business operating in 2023.

We felt very strongly that the essence of acountry house sale lies in the location as much as inthe provenance, so when we found awonderful collection of painted Georgian furniture at TushinghamHall which had luckily escaped the 1980s stripping tanks, it was important that we allowed people to view it as it had been found, similarly with the garden statuary and paintings.

The Hall itself has been in the same family for more than two centuries, passing from the Kenyonfamily to the Vawdrey family via the female line and on to the current residents, the Moore Duttons.Every generation of the family added to the extensive collections of furniture, art, militaria, natural history and ephemera in the house, creating aunique home almost bursting at the seams with interesting and valuable objects.

The sheer variety of pieces offered for sale at theauction wasreflectedinthe top selling lots on auction day,highlights of which included alarge 18th century spice cupboard which sold for £6,000 and had been used to house artefacts in the Hall’s very own ‘museum room’. An utterly charming early 19th century oil on copper portrait of the three Vawdrey children with their pet rabbitssold for £5,500, an Indian matchlock musket or toredar sold for £5,500, and a17th century polychrome decorated and carved arched panel depicting abiblical scene and reputedly from the ‘olde’ Greenwich Palace before the fire in the 17th century, sold for £5,500.

All of these wonderful pieces were woven into the rich tapestry that was the contents of Tushingham and the people

that added them to the collection.

The auction offered an extraordinary variety of interesting pieces. Our buyers had the rare opportunity to buy everything and anything from awalrus skull (sold for £2,800) to an early nut cracker (sold for £3,200), and whilst we are honoured to have been given the opportunity to conduct this auction, we are equally delighted that our clients and customers hadthe opportunity to view the hall itself for one last time prior to its sale.

Whilst we couldn’t go as far as putting amarquee on the lawn, we do feel that this nostalgic way of presenting an auction and the unique viewing experience we provided really added to the overall results on the day

Trevanion Auctioneers will be holding their next Fine Art &Antique Auction on Wednesday,September 13, with entries invited for the auction until August 18.

If you havepiecesyou are looking at selling or are curious to find out what your items could be worth, you canbook afreenoobligation auction valuation appointment on 01948 800202 or email info@trevanion.com

GLOBAL STAGE FORGIRLS’ SCHOOLHEAD

Earlier this summer,Shrewsbury High School’s Junior Headteacher Kate Millichamp headed to Cleveland Ohio to present to the annual International Coalition of Girls’ School conference on

the power of play to grow successful and happy young people.

She was joined by Head of RPE and PSHE at Shrewsbury High, Carla Tonks, who presented her research on strengthening resilienceto change in Year 9girls. Shrewsbury High School is afounding member of the ICGS and this year more than 500representatives of girls’ schools from 15 countries representing acommunity of over 300,000 female students across theglobe came together to shareresearch, connect and collaborate globally with individuals and schools who are dedicated to educating and empowering girls.

This was the second year in arow that Shrewsbury High had been asked to present at the conference and having aglobal stage to share valuable girls’ research, especially with ajunior focus washugely important to Kate,asaJunior Headteacher who is passionate about the power of play to transform young lives: “Schools thatvalue, promote, and celebrate play are schools that grow successful and happy young people

because they understand the very real power it has to transform young lives. Rooted in research and sprinkled with examples from our GDST schools, Iwas delighted to present alongside fellow GDST Junior Head Emily Hair of Northampton High School to demonstrate the influential role of play in achild’s physical and emotional development and well-being and enable participants to experience first-hand the power of play.”

Year 9students and the research into Anicca.

Carla Tonks researched the impact of embracing the Buddhist teaching of Anicca –Impermanence, on the development of positive thinking patterns and optimistic attitudes in Year 9girls: “Teenage girls can find change unsettling During the pandemic, we all experienced aprofound transformation in the normal rhythms of life. On returning to the classroom many students reported that this uncertainty negatively influenced their mental wellbeing. My research question asked: ‘How does the teaching of Buddhist thought in Year 9Religious Studies strengthen girls’resilience when dealing with change?’”

Kate continues: “AtShrewsbury High School we are guided by one simple principle –nothing shouldhold agirl back, least of all herself,and we can harness thepower of this global network by taking part in annual research projects with the sole purpose of better understanding how girls best learn and thrive. By coming together with over 300 girls’ schools from across theworld, and sharing our expertise, we can find global solutions and innovations to better support our girls at home.”

Shrewsbury High School’snext whole school open day takes place on Saturday, September 30. To registeror find out more about the opportunities for your daughter,visit www.shrewsburyhigh.gdst. net

Expert, girl-centred pastoral care to give every pupil asense of belonging. Join us at our Open Day to find out how we educate girls for aworld without limits.

Open Day Saturday 30th September

All through, all girl ages 4-18 Girls first. Always.

Arrange your visit at shrewsburyhigh.gdst.net or scan the QR code

Herefordshire College

Easily commutable from Ludlow, HerefordshireCollege is close to the town centreand transportlinks. It offers awide range of education and training options, from foundation studies through to degree levelcourses, apprenticeships, work-based training and more.

North Shropshire College

Our Oswestry-based college has agreat choice of vocational coursesdelivered in professional environments with top-of-therange facilities including aprofessional teaching restaurant, hair and beauty salons and more. We’llbeopening new plumbing and electrical workshops, beauty salons and ascience lab later this year

AN OUTSTANDING INSPECTION REPORT

Moreton Hall is celebrating this month with the publication of their latest school report. The ISI (the Independent Schools equivalent of OFSTED) has awarded the Shropshire Independent Boarding and Day School top grades having fully met allofthe requirements within its recent compliance inspection.

The inspectors were particularly impressed with the academic, pastoral care and extracurricular provision.

The report highlighted the ‘outstanding’ quality of education in the Early Years Foundation provision “ensuring all children have excellent learning opportunities, are extremely happy and well cared for”.

The report identifies how all aspects are fully met including the quality of education, leadership and management, welfare of pupils, social and cultural development.

Sarah Davis, Interim Principal, said: “This latest report reinforces the wonderful school Moreton Hall is, placing it among the best in the country

This report is aringing endorsement of the relationships between staff,pupils and parents and thecontinual hardwork, dedication and commitment of all. This is truly ateam effort.

“The school is in avery strong position as we welcome the new Principal, Michael Brewer,from September

“Moreton Hall is aschool which never rests upon its laurels and we look forward to continuing our celebrations with our 110-year anniversary next academic year.”

n The full report is available on the Moreton Hall website by visiting moretonhall.org/inspection-reports

BUSINESS AWARDS

Telford

Home safety specialist Aico won the Company of the Year title on anight of celebration at the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce awards.

The Oswestry-based company, known for its market-leading rangeofalarms, was the biggest winner at the 2023 ShropshireChamber Business Awards, held in front of nearly 600 people at Telford International Centre.

The company not only retained the Company of the Year title it previously won in 2020 and 2022, but made it adoublesuccess on the night by picking up the Trailblazer awardfor innovation.

Guests were entertained by celebrity singer and comedy impressionist DebraStephenson, who has worked on Spitting Image, and TV shows with the likes of Rory Bremner and John Culshaw.

Ruth Ross, ShropshireChamber of Commerce’s chief executive, said: “Our awards night is nowinits 23rd year.Itisalways afantastic opportunity to showcase our brilliant business community –and this year was no exception. Once again, we were amazed and delighted by the volume and quality of entries, including very strong interest in our new categories.

It was fantastic to see alot of new names among our finalists this year,and agood mixtureofChamber members, and non-members too.”

Photos: Jamie Ricketts

FIZZ &FLOWERS EVENING

Church Stretton

Morethan 120 guests gathered for aFizz &Flowers evening in aid of The League of Friends of Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The event was hosted by James and Katy Tanner of Church Preen Manor,Church Stretton, and raised just over£3,000. All proceeds will be put towards funding specialised software hospital equipment to help with the treatment of cancer

The League of Friends is always looking for new volunteers to join the fundraising committee or givea little time to help in one of its four hospital shops. Anyone interested can contact Sue Hurdiss at the League of Friends office on 01743 261007 or email s.hurdiss@nhs.net

HIGH SHERIFF’S DIARY

MandyThorn MBEDL

One of the truly wonderful things about being High Sheriff is the way it brings me into contact with so many amazing people and the work they aredoing for our community, writes High Sheriff Mandy Thorn MBE DL. This month, for example, Ihad the opportunity to chat to the inspirational Shropshire-based Atlantic rowerKelda Wood who founded the charity, Climbing Out. The charity helps people who havebeen through lifechanging mental or physical trauma or illness. Climbing Out is an incredible charity and it is always such apleasuretosee Kelda and learn moreabout her plans for the next year

I’ve also met some of the county’sbest businesses and heardtheir fantastic stories at the two county launches of the King’sAwards for Enterprise, opened awonderfulnew co-working space in Bridgnorth, spent some time with the team at the world-renowned Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital at Gobowenand visited those who serveussowonderfully at West Mercia Police, ShropshireRed Cross, West Mercia Search and Rescue and ShropshireMental Health Support. Every day has brought awonderful new opportunity to meet people going the extramile to help makeShropshirethe best place in the world to live. And none moresothan Hope House children’s hospice, which Ivisited towards the start of the month. Nowherebetter sums up the Shropshire spirit than this remarkable place and the people who makeitsospecial They havemydeepest gratitude –and that of the whole county too.

CHARITYOPEN GARDENS DAY

Glazeley

The stunning garden at Woodlands Hall and the Dairy House at Glazeley, near Bridgnorth, opened to the public to raisemoney for charity. It is ownedbyRoger Gabb, and his son Caspar,a successful landscape and garden designer,who is apreviousgold medal winner at the Chelsea FlowerShowand has also won top awards at Shrewsbury FlowerShow. Each year theopening of the gardens raises around £3,000 for both Chelmarsh and Glazeley Churches, as well as Kidney Research UK. Kidney Research is acharity particularly close to the family’shearts with Caspar having received akidney from his father Roger,who was78atthe time, five years ago. Visitors to the house, which dates back to 1763, received amap and were able to walk freely throughout the gardens in the courtyard, around the hall itself and at the front of the house. New for this year was aVictorian woodland walk, which was restored last October.The Chelmarsh Plant Fair also took place on the estate and therewas also achildren’s trail.

SUMMER BALL Oswestry

Morethan 200 guests had awild night at Hope House Children’s Hospice’s summer ball, raising an incredible £36,000. Dressed to impress in tuxedos and glitter and sipping on themed cocktails, supporters enjoyedanight of fundraising fun at the Lion Quays Hotel, near Oswestry. Guests were invited to enjoya“NightonSafari” with Drape Your Space helping to transport everyone into the wild. The evening, which was sponsored by Select ASkip UK Ltd and GS &PAReeves of WemLtd,began with ajunglejuice drinks receptioninthe walled gardens followedbyadelicious three-course dinner,auction raffleand liveentertainment from Radio Invaders. Mum Vikki also spoketothe guests about her daughter Nia –who was cared for at Hope House for 12 years–and introduced a five-minute pledge moment which raised aremarkable £12,000. Fundraiser Cat Dowdeswell said: “Weare so grateful to all our wonderful guests for coming along to our ball which raised such amagnificent amount of money. Iwould also liketosay aheartfelt thank you to Vikki for sharing Nia’smoving story.”

If you would liketo find outhow you can raise money for Hope House Children’s Hospices then visit www.hopehouse.org.uk

Photos: Jamie Ricketts

HOLIDAY HYGIENE:

SUMMER RISKSTOAVOID, FROM FLYINGTOHOTELS

Nobody likes getting sick, and illness on holiday is even worse –who wants to waste their vacation days lying in bed when they could be out having fun?

Unfortunately,the chances of catching abug canbehigh when you’re travelling.

From airports and planes crammed with passengers to hotel rooms and restaurants with questionable cleanliness (even if it’s not visible to thenaked eye), no wonder so many of us end up with the lurgy abroad.

Here, health experts discuss the major health risks that occur on summer holidays and how to avoid them.

Airports

“Airports often become crowded and therefore they present multiple hygiene risks,” suggests Dr Donald Grant(right) fromThe Independent Pharmacy.“Touching

surfaces, using airport bathrooms and being in close proximity to others can cause bacteria to spread.”

Plus, having to hand your passport, boarding pass and luggage to different staff members increases the number of touchpoints throughout your journey

Dr Angela Rai(left), GP from the London General Practice recommends regularly washing your hands or applying hand sanitiser as you make your way through the airport. She says: “Washing your hands or using

hand sanitiser helps reduce the risk of transmission of lots of different infections, including viral infections, coughs and colds and potentially gastrointestinal infections as well.”

Flying

“If someone is sitting next to you on aplane and they have acold, you might catch one,” saysDrPreethi Daniel (right), deputy medical director at London Doctors Clinic. “There are hundreds of viruses that causeillness andthe factthat you are mixing with people from all over the world means exposure to viruses and bugs your body may not be used to.”

It’s not only airborne bugs that you have to worryabout, says Grant: “Wash or sanitise your hands frequently during your flight, especially before eating or drinking, after using thebathroom, or if you’ve touched your armrest, tray table or TV screen.”

Hotel rooms

“While all hotel rooms should be thoroughly cleaned between each guest’s stay,you can never be fully sure that your room is bacteria-free,” says Grant.

“Take some disinfectant wipes and give the surfaces agood wipe down when you arrive –and don’t forget the TV remote.”

Food and drink

When eating and drinking abroad, Daniel’s advice is to “check for cleanliness even in established restaurants; paying particular attention to the state of tablecloths, cutlery,glasses and whether the tables are wiped down properly”.

Look out for flies on food as well, she warns: “They are often loaded with pathogens as they do not discriminate between feeding on food or faeces. E. coli, salmonella or shigella are some of the most common causesofgastrointestinal infections. Hepatitis Aand typhoid are other infections you cancontract from contaminated food or water.”

Never drink tapwater unless you know it’s safe, and be careful with ice as it might have been made with tap water

Swimwear and towels

“Odours and growth of bacteria aresome of the risks of poor hygiene when it comes to swimwear and beach towels,” says Daniel. “They trap moisture”, which could leave you vulnerable to “getting infections”. Grant says: “Change or wash your towel at least every other day.”

And unless you’ve got adifferent swimsuit for every day of the holiday, you’ll need to give it awash.

Haven’t got access to awashing machine on holiday? Raisays: “Just gently hand wash your swimwear every time you use it with warm soapy water then hang it up to dry.”

JUDY MURRAY: ‘I STILL GET NERVOUS WATCHING MY BOYS PLAY’

Inthe run-up to Wimbledon, Judy Murray,mother of tennis stars Andy and Jamie, knew exactly how she’d feel when she took her place in the players’ box to watch her sons.

“I get terribly nervous,” she confesses. “I tend to not watch on TV andIdon’t go so often now.Ifyou go to agrand slam, you’ll be there aweekbefore the tournament to prepare. And if they get to the end of agrand slam, you’re there for three weeks. It’s emotionally exhausting.

“I tell people it’s like severe nausea andaseries of mini heart attacks going on at the same time. I’m honestly surprised I’m still alive after what they’ve put me through after all these years.”

These days Judy,63, wholives in Perthshire, only watches matches Andy and Jamie arein. “I go in, watchthe match and leave. Idon’t hang around and meet friends.”

She admits she’s looking forward to the day she can go to Wimbledon and her boys are no longer competing, and is anticipating finding anewfound freedom.

“It’s been our life for such along time, but it would be nice to have the peace and quiet and the calmness, and not the worry and anxiety over how well they are doing, whether they are injured, all of these things, just to have abit more of anormal life.

“Having said that, it’s been the most incredible journey and privilege to

be part of that toptier that Ilove, and to watch your kids doing great things,” Judy adds.

The Scottish coachisenjoying new challenges –including writing her debut novel The Wild Card, which she was encouraged by her former Strictly Come Dancing partner andfellow novelist Anton du Beke to write. It focuses on awoman who has the chance of a Wimbledon title at age 36, after along break to bring up her child.

“All the experiences that Ihad and things I’veseen, places I’ve been and people I’ve met, there was an opportunity to create awork of fiction to share some of that,” Judy explains.

Getting achancelater in life is also something she can relate to.

“I’ve realised it’s never too late to change course, to try new things –life is so much about second chances and it’s about being braveenough to take those steps, having people who open doors for you and create the opportunities for you.”

She can also relate second chances to her son Andy’s career –hewas on the verge of retirement in 2019 due to ahip injury,only to make an emotional return to grand slam action following surgery But her stress levels were higher when he was at the top, she remembers.

“When he had to stop because of ahip injury andhave surgery,hewas number one in the world, playing the best tennis of his career.Whenthe hipstarted to bother him and you saw him walking

with quite alimp, that was really difficult because you knew he was in alot of pain but desperately wanting to carry on.

“Now,it’sanother one of those second chance things. How many people

with ametal hipare playing at the top end of asport? Life is about second chances.”

She has no intentions on giving up coaching –and is planning to open a tennis centre in Scotland in 2025 –but says thepandemic made her reassess what she wanted to do with her life.

“Covid gave alot of us aglimpse of what it’s like to slow down or retire and I thought I’d hate it, but for the firstthree months,Iabsolutely loved it. Ididn’t have to packacase or go to the airport.

“I discovered my bike through Covid, which only used to get arare outing, but during Covid Iwentout on it alot.”

She’s also taken up golf,which she says is less frenetic than tennis.

“One of the things Ilove about golf is that you can go outand practice and play on your own, you don’t need somebody to play with. Igotoalittle nine-hole golf coursethathas adriving range and practice facilities,” she shares.

“I love that peace and quiet, beautiful countryside, and Ican go out with my clubs and potter aroundonmyown and work it out for myself.I’m not very good, but I’mdetermined to get good enough to be able to go around the golf course with my sons, without them abusing me the whole way around.

“They play golf and when they retire,

it’s something we can all do. So I’ve got to get good enough to be able to play with them!”

She’s also taken up pickleball, anew craze which has taken off in the US.

“It’s amix of table tennis, badminton and tennis, played on abadminton court, where you use agianttable tennis bat and aplastic ball, and because it’s played on a smaller court it’s ideal for someone like me. I find the tennis court really big now It’s agreat way out of tennis.”

She’s already trained to become apickleball coach and acardio tennis instructor,combining tennis with fitness classes.

She also loves spending time with her wider family.“Ihave five grandchildren and agreat set of friends, so I’ll be able to fill my time very nicely.I’m not one for sitting still.”

And Judy is only ashort flight away from her sons and grandchildren, she adds.

“I think pretty much all grandparents say,‘It’s great to be able to go down and wind them up and then hand them back’.”

Does she worry about ageing?

“I didn’t think that Iwould. The age thing hadnever worried me, and when I hit 60, Ithought: when Iwas young, 60 was always the age that women retired –and suddenly Iwas 60. Iwas thinking, oh my goodness!

“But I’m very fortunate because I’ve always been active and kept myself in good shape, I’vegot abig circle of friends and because Iwork alot with young people, that keeps me young,” says Judy “And Ihave my grandchildren, soI’ve increased my stretching routines to ensure Iremain supple enough to chase after them.”

n The Wild Card by Judy Murray is published by Orion, priced £14.99

SEVEN FOODS THATCOULD HELP YOUGET BETTER SLEEP

Wondering whether certain foods can affect your sleep patterns –orif eating certain things could actually help improve your sleep?

The relationship between diet, sleep and overall health is two-sided, says Gabi Zaromskyte, registered nutritionist and founder of Honestly Nutrition. “Meaning what we eat and drink affects our sleep, but also, the quality and duration of sleep can affect our food choices,” Gabi explains.

“Scientificresearch has increasingly shed light on the significant impact of dietary choices on cognitive function, mood, and overall physical andmental health,” she adds.

Certain dietary patterns and specific nutrients have been found to influence the sleep-wake cycle, sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep),and sleep architecture(the different stages of sleep), notes Gabi.

She continues: “And the quality and timing of our food and beverage intake can impact the production of sleepregulating hormones, such as melatonin, which plays acritical role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle.”

However,asDrMaja Schaedel (left), co-founder of The Good Sleep Clinic points out, it’s important to understand that most research done so far shows that even though certain foods may be higher in melatonin, that does not necessarily equate to falling asleep quicker

“You may have higherlevels of melatonin, but if you’ve got stuck in abad habit of tossing and turning for twohours before drifting off,orwaking at 3am and not being able to return to sleep, foods high in melatonin are not going to solve your problem,” says Maja.

She suggests that generally,it’sbestto eat your evening meal at least two hours before bed, to avoid any indigestion, spikes in blood sugar and increase in

body temperature that can occur while digesting.

“If you tend to get peckish later in the evening, then plan asnack an hour or two before bed,” Maja adds. “It’s best to have something high in protein, like Greek yoghurt or nuts,and low in complex carbohydrates to avoid any spikes and falls in blood sugar.”

Also, it mightbewise to avoid the usual culpritswhich cantrigger discomfort. “Fatty and spicy foods can cause heartburn and indigestion which can hinder good sleep, as well as alcohol, caffeine and tobacco,”

1. Cheese

“Cheese gets abad reputation as it’scommonly believed to giveus nightmares, but actually it’sthe opposite,” says Lisa. “Cheese, and other dairy products, contain tryptophan, an amino acid which helps us to nod off moreeasily, and calcium which helps to reduce stress.”

Expertssharetheir go-to foodsfor supporting healthy sleep…

3. Lowsugar cereals

“Cereal can also help us to sleep –but we must be mindful of the type of cereal,” says Lisa. “Thereare lots of sugary options on the market, so try to avoid these.”

She says complex carbohydraterich foods increase the availability of tryptophan in the bloodstream which, in turn, may help us to nod off

Bananas areanexcellent source of magnesium, potassium and tryptophan, says Lisa. In other words, agreat choice when it comes to supporting sleep. “While bananas havelots of great qualities for sleep, all fruit contains sugar too, so be mindful of this in the run up to bedtime,” she notes. “Try blending one banana with one cup of milk or soya milk to makeanideal evening drink.”

6. Magnesium rich foods

Magnesium, an essential mineral, has been found to play acrucial role in sleep regulation –and can influence sleep quality and duration, says Gabi.

“It acts as aco-factor in morethan 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including those involved in the production and regulation of neurotransmitters and hormones that impact sleep.”

Some magnesium-rich foods cited to help improve sleep quality include pumpkin seeds, spinach, almonds and dark chocolate (which is packed with health-enhancing antioxidants too).

7. Omega-3 rich foods

Although research is limited, some evidence suggests foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may promote better,longer sleep, says Gabi.

“For example, walnuts area source of melatonin and other sleep-regulating compounds, such as an amino acid tryptophan and omega-3 fatty acids,” she says. “Other omega-3-rich foods include oily fish, likesalmon, trout, mackerel and sardines, chia seeds and flaxseeds.”

To find out if foods with naturally occurring melatonin makea difference for you, Lisa suggests giving cherries ago– particularly tart cherries, which havebeen found to naturally boost the production of melatonin.

Gabi says several studies haveshown significant improvements in sleep quality and duration when consuming Montmorency cherries or tart cherry juice, wherethe concentration of naturally occurring melatonin and phytochemicals is higher compared to whole cherries.

Almonds

“Almonds area brilliant source of calcium and magnesium, which promotes both sleep and muscle relaxation,” says Lisa. “Magnesium also helps to regulate melatonin levels and keep blood sugar levels stable overnight.”

Ladydeniedsliceofsaleproceeds byfamilydespiteherefforts increasingvalueoflandby£8.7m

IntherecentcaseofMatevMate2023, JulieMatebroughtaclaimagainsther mother,Shirleyandtwobrothers,Andrew andRobertforfailingtogiveherany ofthesaleproceedsoffamilyfarmland soldtoadeveloperfor£9m.Juliespent considerabletimeandeffort,withthe assistanceofaplanningconsultant,Mr Hartley,tosecuretheremovaloftheland fromtheGreenBeltanditsallocation forhousing.Julie’scasewasthatShirley promisedher(withherbrother’s knowledge)a1/6shareofthesale proceeds

WhatwereJulie’soptions?

Juliebroughtaclaimtoenforceher mother’spromise,knownasproprietary estoppel.Julieneededtoshowthata promisewasmadetoherandshereliedon thatpromisetoherdetriment

However,therecanbecircumstances whereyoucanclaimevenifapromise wasnotmadeifonepartywas“unjustly enriched”bytheotherandthatwasJulie’s alternativeclaim.

WhatdidtheCourtsay?

Julie’sproprietaryestoppelclaimfailed. TheJudgeconcludedthatJuliehadfailed toestablishthatasufficientlyclear promisewasmadetoher.Whilstthe

JudgeacceptedthatShirleymayhave madecommentsthatJuliewouldbenefit fromthesaletheJudgeconcludedthatit wasneverspecifiedwhatthatsharemay be.TheJudgealsodidnotacceptShirley intendedthepromisestobindAndrew andRobertorthattheywereawareofthe promises.

Julie’sunjustenrichmentclaimsucceeded. TheJudgeacceptedthattherewasno doubtthatShirley,AndrewandRoberthad beenenrichedatJulie’sexpense.Juliehad, withassistance,achievedthesuccessful removaloftheGreenBelt.TheJudgealso concludedthatthedefendantswereaware thatJuliewasnotactinggratuitously andexpectedtobecompensatedforher efforts.

TheJudgesoughttocompensateJuliefor whatareasonablepersonwouldhave paidforprofessionalservicesakintowhat JulieandMrHartleyprovided.TheJudge arrivedatafeeof7.5%.Juliewasentitled tobepaid£652,500fromthedefendants, being7.5%of£8.7million(theamountof theupliftinthemarketvalueoftheland from£300,000to£9million). Couldtheoutcomehavebeendifferent? IfJuliewasabletoevidenceclearpromises fromhermotherthatshewouldhave receiveda1/6thshareofthesaleproceeds

thenJuliemayhavebeenawardedupto £1.45mbytheCourt.Thisshowshow riskyitcanbetorelyonverbalpromises. Seekingassistanceandadvicefroma solicitorspecialisinginthisareacould makeasubstantialdifference.

GOINGSOBER: THE KEYTO FITNESS SUCCESS?

WANT TO FEEL HEALTHIER AND HAVE LOADS MORE ENERGY? GIVING UP BOOZE COULD TRANSFORM YOUR TRAINING GOALS

Despite having ambitious fitness goals, or a desire to create a change in our lives, many of us are reluctant to give up alcohol Surely it cannot affect our fitness routines and progress that much, just to enjoy a glass of wine, or a few beers at the pub?

But, as Drinkaware explains, alcohol has a negative impact on physical performance, motor skills and brain function

So, what could going sober allow us to achieve health and fitness-wise?

“Since going sober two years ago, my training performance, energy levels and mental clarity have skyrocketed,” says personal trainer Josh Davies (left), from Aimee Victoria Long personal training

So, how does it impact your fitness?

Poor sleep and hydration

Alcohol has plenty of detrimental impacts on our bodies that hinder our fitness performance

“Firstly, alcohol causes dehydration

We all know the importance of being hydrated when it comes to bodily function,” says Davies.

“Secondly, alcohol has a huge effect on the quality of your sleep Alcohol prevents the body from getting into deep and REM sleep – the part of your sleep that helps with recovery and restoration

“If you ’ re not getting adequate amounts of this type of sleep, you won’t recover between sessions and are unable to perform when working out ”

Motivation and emotions

A terrible hangover or consistent fuzzy feeling is not the best if you want to get up and go when it comes to fitness, and the result-restriction caused by drinking could be holding you back

“If you ’ re not seeing progression in training and you ’ re feeling tired from the effects of alcohol, your motivation levels are likely to wane, ” says Davies.

Similarly, its mood-lowering effects can make you want to do anything but workout

“Whenever I used to drink too much, I used to wake up the next day and feel awful. It would leave me not being the best version of myself and stop me from pushing myself to my limits with fitness I’d feel low, depressed and all I’d want to do is stay in bed,” says Lauren White (left), addiction coach and former PT

“Alcohol would always make me depressed, I would isolate and want to be alone I was always into fitness at a young age and knew I was good at it, but when I started getting into drinking too much, I stopped looking after my body and forgot myself and my identity,” she

explains

Aids with weight loss

Weight loss is not, nor should it be, the only goal of a fitness boost, but if it is for you, giving up drinking may help

Nick Mitchell, CEO and founder of Ultimate Performance, says: “The problem with alcohol calories is they take priority as fuel in the body over other fuel sources, as the by-product of alcohol, acetaldehyde, is toxic and converts to acetate

“This means your body won’t start

burning fat again until you burn those alcohol calories off

“In fact, alcohol consumption can be one of the major reasons that you are selfsabotaging your fitness goals

“Cracking open a can of beer or two to relieve stress – although it may seem a good idea at the time – will come back to bite you It slashes testosterone levels in men and impairs muscle growth

“Beer, in particular, is terrible for

anyone seeking to lose body fat, due to its high count of calories and its estrogenic effects This latter point can’t be underestimated – hops are estrogenic and, as such, are the prime causes of many men, not just for beer bellies, but also for man boobs,” he explains Moretime and money

Quitting drinking will give you more time and money to focus that energy on

goals such as strength training or distance running

“You could take up new hobbies and do things that stimulate your mind and give you that serotonin release that you feel from drinking.

“Furthermore, you can save a bucket load of money, ” says Davies “Alcohol is expensive and when you ’ re intoxicated, you lose clarity and can end up spending more and more money ”

Party dresses

Fora sensational late-summer party look, you can’t go wrong with asassy silver dress.

Formaximum impact, take a leaf out of the Paris Hilton playbook (who can forget the chainmail Julien Macdonald number she wore on her 21st birthday?) with asparklymini dress.

To reallynail the Beyonce look, add matching heels and handbag, or let your dress do the talking and team it with neutral accessories.

SHINE IN THE SILVER TREND

STYLISH CELEBRITIES HAVE SPARKED METALLIC MANIA THIS SEASON

Silver was amajor trend on the summer 2023 catwalks, with models at Michael Kors, Dolce &Gabbana and Gucci sashaying down the runway in dazzling eveningwear looks.

From glittering, diamante-encrusted maxi skirts to mirror-like metallic gowns and shiny shoes, designers seem to think silver is the colour of the season.

Then, in May,Beyonce commenced her long-awaited Renaissance World Tour and the disco-inspired craze really went into overdrive.

Queen Bey wore aseriesof silver looks on the opening night –including holographic and diamante bodysuits –and hascontinued to introduce moreshimmering looks at later concerts.

Fans have been getting in on the action too, with fashion resale platform Depop reporting searches for ‘mirror’going up by 65% and ‘silver’ spiking by 21% when the tour hit theUK.

Celebrities have also embraced the look, with actors Sarah Michelle Gellar,Halle Bailey and Jamie Lee Curtis all rocking glittering ensembles on the red carpet.

Kim Kardashian sent out aseries of silver looks when she art directed the Dolce & Gabbana SS23 show,and wore apair of gleaming gowns from thebrand herself

But you don’t have to don a floor-length gown to get the disco diva look.

From party frocks to everyday shoes, here’s how to wear the silver trend this summer…

Flashy flats dash of disco into your ywardrobe with apair of flats.

Bring a d everyday metallic Silve even the shiny night

er trainers or ballet flats elevate esimplest of outfits, while sandals are agreat day-totoption on holiday

Metallic bags

In previous years, asilverbag would only be an after-dark accessory, but this season it’s adaytime staple.

ANoughties-style metallic shoulder bag is the perfect partner for baggy jeans, relaxed tailoring or preppy skirts.

Shiny separates

Fora slightly more laidback take on the trend, silver separates can be dressed up or down.

Aswishy sequinned coord set is the ultimate cool-girl party outfit, while metallic shorts or trousers arethe ontrend alternative to denim.

without apair of metallic high heels for dancing the night away

This season the high street is awash with 70s style ankle-strapheels perfect for teaming with your summer party dresses.

SLIP INTO SANDAL STYLE

COMPLETE YOUR LOOK WITH THESE PERFECT PAIRS, SAYS KATIE WRIGHT

It’s all about retro vibes in the footwear department this season, with Nineties and Noughties trends getting a new lease of life

And whether you want comfy slides for walking, high heels for partying or something in between, there’s a sandal for every occasion

From chunky to dainty, here are the latest styles to accessorise your summer outfits

DAWN FRENCH: IDON’T DO PERFECT

She is unarguably one of our most beloved comedians, and not just because she’s funny.Dawn French occupies aspecial place in the national psyche because we sense, for all her talent and success, that she’s one of us.

Her new show invites us to revel in the most excruciating gaffes and howlers of a40-year career as acomedian and actor.The 2022 leg of this hilarious one-woman show was met with critical acclaim and sold-out houses across the UK.

Now,a further 38 dates have been scheduled for this year,kicking off in the autumn and coming to Birmingham Hippodrome on October 5to6and Stoke’s Victoria Hall on November 17.

This show is acelebration of our gloriously messy common humanity

Dawn French likes alaugh, and she likes it best of all when the laugh is on her

“The people Ilove are flawed,” she says, “hilariously flawed and Ican relate to that. If you think of the best laughs you have with people it’s when you say,‘Oh my God, you’ll never guess what Idid today?’ When you unzip and admit you’ve been afool.”

As you’d expect, this is afunny show,but it is so muchmore than straightforward stand-up. It digs deeper into our human fallibility and the message has never been more timely

Dawn explains: “Weliveinatime when we’re told we’ve got to be perfect, and we’ve got filters and selfies and all we ever present is the good part.

“That doesn’t appeal to me at all. I can’t relate to that because Iknow Ican’t achieve it. Ican’t look like that; Ican’t be like that. Ihaven’t got that aspirational perfect life and I’ve got no time for it either.Mymum used to say,‘we don’t do perfect’ and she’s absolutely right. Don’t even aspire to it.

“Go on your journey knowing you’ll never get there.

“And even when you do make progress, the mistakes arewhat make people so endearing. What Iwant is for people to leave the show feeling like mighty,gloriousidiots!”

Dawn French’s willingness to lay bare her imperfections is not new.Her last one woman show, Thirty Million Minutes, was astriking piece of theatre which explored the ups and downs of her life off-camera. Abeautifully crafted two-hour exploration of her personal life, it went to theheartofher triumphs and tragedies.

Fewartists reveal themselves so vulnerably.Her gift for comedy was very much in evidence, but so too were moments of pathos so heart-stopping that audiences were reaching for their tissues.

Like us, Dawn has lived. Unlike us, she’s had to fightbattles that only those in the public eye can understand, but Dawn

French won’t nameany names. Well, she might.

Michael Grandage, thedirector of both Thirty Million Minutes andthe current tour,explainspart of Dawn’s appeal: “Nobody punctures themyth of celebrity better than Dawn.

“She’s very willing to show that she’s actually aperson just like us, and one way she does that is by showing that she can make mistakes.” Grandage is what might be referred to as aman of substance. Possibly the most important theatre director working in Britain today,heis not the obvious choice for acomedian, but Dawn was adamant that she wanted to create something more than laugh-aminute knockabout comedy

She needed adirector who could bring muscle and real shape to her work and create anarrative arcfrom the landmarks of her life.

“Dawn wanted to create apiece of visual theatre, more like aplay,not just turn up and stand in front of amike. The stories that Dawn is telling are personal but the way they’re dealt with is universal.

“This is about the common experience; the absolute best of what theatre should be.”

And what acommon experience. It is atruismthat whilst we might admire people for their accomplishments, we tend to love them for their weaknesses and at the heart of the current tour is an enveloping compassion for the human condition, for all the things we get wrong “This new show is all about the factthat we are allidiots sometimes,” says Michael, “so can we please, a) own up to it, and b) even celebrate it and not make it abig deal, and by owning up to it make the world aslightly better place?”

Dawn’s new show is like being at a dinner party with abunchofmates all collapsing with laughter as the hostess, a woman of stature and some achievement, reveals her true inglorious self

There is thestory of how Dawn fell in love with an actor for 24 hours, a story that will chime with any of us who have experienced blinding, delusional infatuation for someone entirely unsuitable. Which of us hasn’t looked back at apassion and mused, ‘What was I thinking?!’

As anation we love silliness and Dawn mines that peculiarly British, almost patriotic appetitefor the totally daft in just the same way her idol, Eric Morecombe used to.

It stems from apractically child-like state of being completely unguarded and as audiences we can’t getenough. The new show is like being let into ahuge

secret, seeing behind the scenes rather than the polished product.

Dawn has experienced buttockclenching humiliation in the company of Dustin Hoffman, Ben Elton and countless royals. It is gossiping around the water cooler at its most delicious. Among the funny stories are moreserious moments from Dawn’s career and one which audiences will relate to is that curious phenomenon where suddenly, without notice, apartofour life just dies.

She tells the story: “I was filming at the BBCand there was one sketch that went abit wrong.

“Lots of the choices were wrong but still, to this day,Idon’t know what happened in my head but as Igot in my car that night to drive home, Idecided Icould no longer do comedy sketches. Ihad to call Jen(JenniferSaunders, Dawn’s long-term comedy partner) and say,‘Ican’t do it anymore, I’mout of love with it.’

“It was nobody’s fault, but there was something that went wrong, and Inever wanted to experience that again.’” It takes courage to call time on such ahugely successful and popular formula as French andSaunders, but the decision turned out to be the right one for Dawn.

She has goneontoenjoy success as an actress and four-time novelist as well as revelling in the domesticityofher life in Cornwall with her second husband, Mark.

Michael Grandage has no doubt that Dawn’s new show is atimely reckoner “The world is in abit more of amess than it’s ever been.

“We’re very vulnerable after Covid and not quite sure of anything anymore.

“This knocked everybody for six and has created an existential debate at least,

if not acrisis and at the heart of it is ‘Who are we?’ Ithink this newshowgoes to the very centre of that.”

Examining life’s more serious issues through comedy is not new,but Dawn adds adelightful twist by making herself the butt of the jokes.

Rolling in the aisles aside, there is avery serious side to Dawn French; apractical,sturdy sensibility which belies her comic work. She is serious about family,about friendship, about motherhood, aboutthe things that actually matter most to all of us. And we sense this in her

“AsIget older,I’m much more introspective. It doesn’t mean you lose the fun and froth –Ilove silliness –but Ialso don’t want to be pointless. I honestly can’tbebothered to get in the car andtrail all around the country if I can’t say something Ireally mean. But equally Idon’t want to be worthy,so it’s striking the balance between laughter sincerity.And that is where Michael Grandage is so important to the process. I need Michael to challenge me.

“My life now is about being true to myself and living in my own skin.I’m 64 now and Iknowmyself.For the most part Ilike myself and Ican do this tour at this stage of my career because I’m very happy to tell you all these idiotic things that I’ve thought and done.

“This show is about mistakes and how you learn from them. How you process the humiliation of those moments and admit your mistakes. I’d go further and say enjoy them and ultimately wear them asyour badges instead of hiding them.”

Dawn’s lack of starriness was informed in no small part by her downto-earth upbringing. She has spoken in the past of how she carriesher late parents inside her and listens to their voices. “You don’t forget what you’ve been taught and who you are.

“My brother for example, is very loving and supportive but he’s not at all showbiz and he’s very levelling and wouldn’t stand for any pretentious nonsense from me and nor would my parents. If ever any of that puffed up showbizzy stuff starts happening Ifeel revolted because Ihear those voices.”

If Dawn was blessed with afamily that kept her feet on the ground, she now extends the favour to us and invites us to stop taking ourselves so seriously

She reminds us of just what is at stake if we don’t: “Human frailty and the understanding of our shortcomings, because in our shortcomings are all our delights.”

FOUR WS SUDOKU

REMEMBER WHEN

THE FOLLOWING EVENTS ALL OCCURRED IN AYEAR IN LIVING MEMORY.CAN YOUGUESS WHICH ONE? 1 2 3 4 5 6

WHO… played the title character in the 1960s television drama series Strange Report?

WHAT… is an autopista?

WHERE… was FrederickAloysius Weld the Prime Minister from 1864-65?

WHEN… did Alan Hollinghurst win the Man Booker Prize?

WHO… wrote the novels Tales Of The City?

WHAT… is the Norse equivalent of the German Götterdämmerung?

WHERE… is the main campus of Indiana University?

WHEN… was the nine-day General Strike in Britain?

WHO… starred as David Lightman in the 1983 film WarGames?

WHAT… operetta saw the first collaboration between Gilbert and Sullivan in 1871?

WHERE… was Anibal Acevedo Vila the Governor 2005-09?

WHEN… did Marvin PentzGay Sr., the father of singer Marvin Gaye, die?

WHO… played Prospero in the 1979 film The Tempest?

WHAT… author and playwright was made aFreeman of the city of Leeds in May 2006?

WHERE… is the nudist resort of Cap d’Agde?

WHEN… was the Oscar-nominated English actress Samantha Morton born?

WHO… is the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland?

WHAT… novel by Charles Dickens features the character Abel Magwitch?

WHERE… was Pope Benedict XVI born?

WHEN… was the political party Mebyon Kernow founded?

1 2 3 4 5 6

WHO… played Gladys Presleyinthe 1979 TV movie Elvis?

WHAT… are the three official languages of Burundi?

WHERE… were the 2004 Olympic Games held?

WHEN… was the University of North Dakota founded?

WORDWISE

1. FALCATE

A Curved like asickle. B Fall on one’s knees. C Like abird of prey

2. GADSMAN

A Flighty person. B Boss-like ornament on ashield. C Onewho drives horses at the plough.

3. HYETAL

A Elevated land. B Pertaining to rain. C Science of preserving health.

4. INDAGATE

A Inquire into. B Buried deeply C Mark out.

5. JEMIMA

A Type of pancake. B Safe-cracking tool. C Elastic-sided boot.

6. KETCH

A Sauce made with shrimp paste.

B Small two-masted boat. C Type of falcon

CROSSWORD

QUICK CLUES

Across

1. Inflexible (4,3,4)

9. Tense(7)

10. Laconic (5)

11. Counterfeit (5)

12. Alleviate (7)

13. Sail (6)

15. Vinegary (6)

18. Hug (7)

20. Of birth (5)

22. Stop (5)

23. Unity (7)

24. Abstainer (11)

Down

2. Player (5)

3. Deviate (7)

4. Character (6)

5. Lethal (5)

6. Snake (7)

7. Adequacy (11)

8. Unprotected (11)

14. Offence (7)

16. Hide (7)

17. Pious (6)

19. Ward off (5)

21. Subject (5)

CRYPTIC CLUES

Across

1. One to provide noted backing(11)

9. It controls the locks for this kind of bend (7)

10. Negotiate for aspecial outing (5)

11. We hear acombination of words becomes ragged (5)

12. Even ground that has been flooded will produce it (3-4)

13. Shows uncertainty when the breakers envelop the redhead (6)

15. Polar topping for the cake? (3-3)

18. The return of ill-feeling (7)

20. Refuse a fight (5)

22. It’s absolutely right for former spouse to take part (5)

23. Waste time making atasty dish (7)

24. She’s very good at spelling! (11)

Down

2. Crockery used for tea round at home (5)

3. He’s not in favourof work with an artist’s model (7)

4. Ashort name in Pennsylvania for another part of the continent (6)

5. Made arecordfamous (5)

6. Resinous substance he will put in a container (7)

7. Move the employee who operates at different times (5-6)

8. National press providing government documents (5-6)

14. Miscreant gets in at the back of the house (7)

16. Eric has become abank employee (7)

17. Deprive one of sound sense (6)

19. This may surface the playing area (5)

21. Artillerymen fixed up the charges (5)

1 2 3

Afootballer,Iwas born in Macclesfield in 1981. Ihave played for Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Spurs and Stoke City,among others, and Iended my career at Burnley Iwas the subject of press attention after doing arobotic dance during amatch between England and Hungary

Afolk singer,Iwas born in Barnsley in 1973. Iwas nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 1999 and have won four BBCRadio 2 Folk Awards. My first album was entitled Hourglass. Iperformed aduet with Ronan Keating on the song All Over Again.

WHAT’SMY NAME?

Awriter, Iwas born in Pennsylvania, USA in 1932 and Ipassed away in January 2009. Iworked as a contributor for The New Yorker during the 1950s. My novels include The Centaur and The Witches Of Eastwick, although Iambestknown for my Pulitzer Prize-winning Rabbit novels, which include Rabbit Is Rich and Rabbit At Rest.

4 5

Aguitarist, Iwas born in New Jersey in 1959.Mysolo albums include Stranger In This Town and Undiscovered Soul. Iambest known for being the lead guitarist of the rock group Bon Jovi. Imarried actress Heather Locklear in 1994 but have since divorced.

An actress, Iwas born in Beaumont, France in 1976. Already an established actress in France, I shot to worldwide fame in 2001 after my appearance in Amélie, a film by director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Ihave since starred alongside TomHanks in The Da Vinci Code and as Coco Chanel in the film Coco Before Chanel.

WORDSPIRALS IMPOSSIPUZZLES

STARTING FROM 1, FILL IN THE GRID IN ACLOCKWISE DIRECTION WITH FOUR-LETTER WORDS. THE LAST LETTER OF EACH WORD BECOMES THE FIRST LETTER OF THE NEXT WORD. IF YOUHAVECORRECTLYFILLED IN THE GRID THERE SHOULD BE ASEVEN-LETTER KEYWORD READING ACROSS FROM 8.

1. Nought 2. Gemstone 3. Noisy 4. Beloved 5. Housetop

6. Coal, say 7. Luxuriant 8. Chop wildly 9. Picturecard

10. Equipment 11. Wetweather 12. Signals agreement

13. Thick slice of cake 14. The two 15. Fifty per cent 16. Flippers

Key word clue: Parliamentary term

1. Talon 2. Stinging insect 3. Entreaty 4. Parched with heat

5. Curved roof 6. Direction 7. Short-term worker 8. Gasp

9. Tryout 10. Rip 11. Harvest 12. Rich savoury paste

13. Cheese type 14. Untidy state 15. Cleansing agent

16. Pool of still water

Key word clue: Mythological woman

“What’s the price of this?” Tomasked. “I left my glasses at home.”

Bill looked, and thought amoment. “The pennies are two thirds the number of pounds, Dad,” he replied. “If the pounds were pennies and the pennies pounds it would be just under three pounds less.”

What was theprice?

The boy undid the wrapping on the present. “A goldfish, Dad,” he exclaimed. “It must have cost alot.” Dad smiled. “Not too much. If the fish had been apound more it would have cost three times as much as the bowl. If the bowl had been fifty pennies less it would have been aquarter the price of the goldfish.”

What hadbeen the total cost?

Fred looked up from his book. “Listen to this, Susan,” he said, and started to read. “That Christmas was amerryone for the farm hands and their families, ahundred souls all told. One hundred pounds did Ben Burbank distribute among them, ten pounds to each man, 50 pence each woman, and ten pennies each child.”

Thegood old days? Well, how many children must there have been?

1 2 3 4

“There you are, 41 new decorations for the tree,” said John, putting acardboard box on the table. “Just £6.13 for the lot.”

Mary shook her head. “Why now? It’s ages to Christmas.”

“A sudden urge, and old Sam was having asale,” her husband replied. “And it’s odd about the prices. Igot three sorts, as many of each as the price in pencefor that sort.”

What were the prices?

1. Body powder 2. Series of spiral loops 3. Breathingorgan

4. DNA unit 5. Therefore 6. Burden 7. Difficulty, disadvantage 8. Adhesive 9. Muslim ruler 10. Destroy

11. Inert gas 12. Not any 13. Heroic 14. Ship’s company

15. Shed tears 16 Cooking vessels

Key word clue: Medicinal plant

ANSWERS ON PAGE 104

1&2Chamberlain’s Men invite for the timeless and classic love story,Romeo and Juliet, at Shrewsbury Castle.

With ahistory stretching back to Shakespeare himself,they present this great playashe first saw it, in the open air,with an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.

Twoyouths from Verona –Romeo and Juliet –meet by chance and instantly fall in love. Members of two warring families, the Montagues and Capulets, they realise they cannot be together But driven by love they risk everything and marry in secret. No sooner are they married thanmisfortune intervenes and, despiteefforts to outrun it, their families’ ancient feud catches up with them and brings about their tragic end.

Packed with memorable poetry, devastating twists and turns, and burning passion, this is without doubt the greatest love storyever told. Aplay about the power of true love, theextraordinary sacrifices we make for it andthe futility and devastating consequences of entrenched conflict.

Bring achair and apicnic and prepare to be entertained and transported.

Tickets cost £20. Formore information visit www.theatresevern. co.uk

3&4Members of Get Your Wigle

On’s summer musical experience, aged from eight to 18, will join forces to stage one of the most popular modern musicals.

Matilda has astonishing wit,

intelligence and special powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher,the highly loveable Miss Honey.Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however –the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. ButMatilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts,and could be the school pupils’ saving grace. Packed with amazing songs, fabulous characters and afabulous script this show is perfect for the whole family

Venue is the Walker Theatre, Shrewsbury,and tickets cost £17.

Visit www.theatresevern.co.uk

4

Joe Pasquale has been showing off on stage for mostofhis life and now,after four decades of nonsense, he’s dragging out his favourite things for another airing to prove thatnothing has ever been really normal. So, if you have ever asked questions like: can avegetarian get ajob as aBeefeater? If beauty is relative, why are all my relatives ugly? If an Eskimo has ahouse-warming party, will his igloo melt? Why is it that dead people get to ride in such posh cars?If anudistspilt beetroot soup in his lap, would he have astain on his character? And why don’t chicken breasts have nipples? Then this is theshowfor you. Joe will be supported by comedian Lee Carroll.

Venue is Oakengates Theatre, Telford, and tickets cost £26.

Formore details visit www telfordtheatre.com

4-13Tickets are on sale for anew flower fieldexperience in Newport. The announcement coincided with the annual flower fever caused by The RHS Chelsea Flower Show

TwoShropshire businesses are joining forces to deliver theexperience. Biodegradable petal confetti business, Shropshire Petals, is providing acres of stunning flowers to walk through, and the award-winning team at Shropshire Festivals is turning it into amust-visit experience.

The flower field will only be open for alimited time while the flowers are in bloom, giving visitors exclusive access to a field usually reserved for petal confetti production.

Sadly,the debut event last year was cancelled following extreme weather disrupting the crop, but the organisers are full steam ahead for this summer’s event with delphiniums, sunflowers, cornflowers, and wildflowers being grown to provide the perfect photo backdrop.

“We’re excited to give Shropshire the best flower experience it has ever seen,” says Beth Heath from Shropshire Festivals.

“ShropshirePetals are renowned for their exquisitely colourful petal confetti. Once Isaw the flowers in person, Iknew we had to share the unbelievably beautiful visual with our community,whilst adding in our usual dose of festival fun.

“Aswell as being immersed in the gorgeous blooms, families can follow the wildflower pathway to the forest of fun where they’ll find some characters hiding

amongst the trees. We’ll also have acafé, so bring apicnic blanket and make aday of it.”

Ashley Evers-Swindell, marketing manager at Shropshire Petals, says: “To get completely immersed in our stunning fields will be an unforgettable experience for flower lovers and families, and agreat locationtocapture special memories with loved ones.

“There will be amyriad of bright pink, blue, purple, yellow and white flowers that will enchant visitors of all ages. You’ll also have theopportunity to buy your own freshly cut flowers. The field will make the most stunning location for any photo, so you can take the beauty home with you.”

To find out more and to purchase tickets visit shropshireflowerfield.co.uk 6

This latest Behind the Scenes Tour of Weston Park will give visitors a chance to learn some of the royal secrets of the Bradford family,including who was Master of the Horse to Queen Victoria, which royal honeymooned at Weston and whyQueen Mary was such afrequent house guest.

Starting at 2pm the tour will be conducted by Weston’s knowledgeable volunteer guides and will explore areas of the house not normally open to visitors.

Tours cost £20 per person and include admission to the house, park and gardens.

All proceeds from tours go directly to supporting the work of the Weston Park Foundation. Formore details of the tours visit https://weston-park.com/behind-thescenes-tour/

13

Acton Scott Village Cricket Club is holding afun day at its cricket ground all day from 11am.

The fun day is being held to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK in memory of Mike Mole.

There will be alive cricket tournament, barbecue, bar,stalls and much more –fun for all the family

17-20Following hot on the heels of the pioneering Dorset-based event, Camp Bestival Shropshirewill be bringing all the unique and essential elements of the original Camp Bestival to the heart of England.

Creator Rob Da Bank said: “Whoop! The da Bank houseis about to explode with excitement that we can finally announce our first new festival for many years as we unleash Camp Bestival Shropshire!Set in the heart of England, we couldn’t be prouder or more delighted to have finally found asite that’s not only worthy of asecond Camp Bestival, but is also exquisitely beautiful. Weston Park has all the elements we love from magical woodlands and oodles of green fields to lakes and ahistoric stately home backdrop.”

The line-up will feature Primal Scream, Rudimental, The Human League, Groove Armada, Sophie EllisBextor,Confidence Man, Sam Ryder, Melanie C, Sara Cox, Badly Drawn Boy, and more.

Venue is WestonPark, WestonUnder-Lizard, and tickets cost £190 for the weekend. Visit https://shropshire. campbestival.net/tickets/buy-tickets

17-20Shrewsbury Folk Festival is back at the West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury

As part of anexcitingfamily holiday, aplace to make new friends and meet up with old friends, an inclusive friendly atmosphere whether you are an experienced folkie or acomplete newcomer,or whether youcome with friends or on your own.

As far as themusic is concerned, Shrewsbury Folk Festival has areputation for delivering the very finest acts from the UK and around the world, always searching to find new authentic artists as well as providing aplatform for established performers, and never forgetting to add some fun and diversity to the concerts. It brings quality in depth, and recognises the need to give artists and audiences the best stages, in the best marquees, with the best sound and lighting possible.

When you arrive,all of your needs are catered for.A fantastic campsite where you are never more than afew moments from avenue and where you park your vehicles next to your tent or caravan. Organisers saytheyhave the best set of on-site caterers on the folk (or any other) scene, great bars, proper flushing toilets and loads of excellent showers.

This year’s line-up will feature Billy Bragg, Oysterband, Capercaille, Breabach, Eddi Reader,Moya Brennan, O’Hooley and Tidow,Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Scott Doonican, The Dhol Foundation, and more.

Tickets cost £187.Visit https:// shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/

27&28

The County of Salop Steam Engine Society’s 2023 Rally takes place at Onslow Park, Shrewsbury,onthe August Bank

Holiday,where Shrewsbury Steam Rally organisers are delighted to showcase over 1,000 exciting exhibits.

The highly-entertaining rangeof attractions will include the wonderful spectacle of working steam engines and beautifully preserved classic vehicles from yesteryear,todelight visitors at the popular annual family event.

Throughout each day spectators can enjoy moving convoys of historic commercial vehicles, including buses and fire engines; vintage cycles; working horses; vintagetractors; pre-and post-Second World Warcars; classic motorcycles and perambulators.

The main arena is thecentrepiece

of the event, with the ‘GrandParade of Steam’ set to nostalgic music and poetry –amemorable highlight of the two-day event.

This year there will be aspecial Land Rover Celebration, commemorating the heritage of this iconic brand and its 75th anniversary.The rally covers 45 acres of beautiful parkland and hosts avariety of preserved commercial vehicles, that includes lorries, buses, fire engines and a large display of military vehicles.

The Olde Time Fair offers lots of fun, with steam-powered rides for all –accompanied by vintage fairground music.

Finally there are some excellent miniature steam engines, ahighly popular craft marquee and six acres of trade stands.

The Golden Age of Victorian Farming proves ever-popular,and pride of place is

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGES 98-100

REMEMBER WHEN: 1.1934. 2.1974. 3.1937. 4.1961. 5.1967. 6.1943.

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the working field which welcomes both pre-1940 and post-1940 tractors and a team of beautiful shire horses, harvesting with reaper binders, chaff cutting and threshing box.

More than 240 tractors of various marques (some static) will be on view on the showground. Visitors can take astep back in time, explore original farming skills –and literally live and breathe the past. The family-friendly event provides some enjoyable entertainment with afull arena programme on both days, including the highly-popular andmajestic cavalcade of showman’s engines, traction engines, steam rollers and steamcars.

Full information from www shrewsburysteamrally.co.uk and visitors can buy tickets online. Enquiries to info@ shrewsburysteamrally.co.uk or call 01938 570874.

WHAT’S MY NAME?: 1.Peter Crouch. 2.KateRusby 3.John

IMPOSSIPUZZLES: 1.Price

SUMMER SUNSHINE & SOAKINGS

When August rolls around, the summer is in full swing. Schoolchildren are enjoying their time away from the classroom and families are spending time together in thegreat outdoors.

This selection of photos gives a glimpse into daily life around the county during August in past decades.

In 1980,teenagers were making the most of the sunshine during the school holiday by demonstrating their skills at Shrewsbury Skateboard Park.

There were celebrations for the Pengwern Boat Club’s Women Senior Acomposite coxed four in 1987. Following their fifth win of the season they achieved Elite status, the highest class in rowing.

Unfortunately,pleasant weather is not always guaranteed in August. In 1970, visitors to Shrewsbury Flower Show had to brave the downpours with twoinches of rain falling during the two-day event.

Pengwern Boat Club’sWomen Senior Acomposite coxed four joined the elite. With their fifthwin of theseason they achieved Elite status, the highest class in rowing. Coached by former competitiveoarsman Paul Nutley, the four areseenheredisplayingsome of their trophies, from left,Audrey Wedderburn, Karen Hughes, Gill Morris (Ironbridge Rowing Club) and JoyBowesonthe River Severn in 1987.

Taking alook at the new computer, which arrived at the Star Aluminium Co, Bridgnorth, in 1967 areMrJ Molloy, production service manager; Mr HShaw, works manager; Mr AK Windeller,production manager; Mr R Edmead, department manager; Mr NL Brookshaw, assistant to the production manager; and Mr DPeden, accountant.

It was umbrella time for these visitors to the Shrewsbury FlowerShowin1970.

Aplate from HMAS Shropshirewas presented to Shrewsbury Corporation in 1954. Lady Wakeman, president of the ShropshireSociety in London, makes the presentation to Alderman Ellis-Jones, mayor of Shrewsbury. Also pictured is Major-General LordBridgeman.

After alandslip occurredonthe bank at theback of the Royal Salop Infirmary in 1960, thousands of tons of earth and rock were dumped on the bank to makeitsafe and, after atime, it grassed overagain.

HYBRID REFINEMENT ACCOMPLISHED

THE LATEST MERCEDESGLC HAS BEEN EQUIPPED WITH AN ULTRA-EFFICIENT PLUG-INHYBRID SET-UP. JACK EVANS FINDS OUT WHATIT’S LIKE

The Mercedes GLC plays akey role in the firm’s SUV line-up. Effectively its mid-size model, it’s acar which weighs in against rivals like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 in a segment which remains extremely popular with buyers.

The previous-generation GLC was itself areally big hit, so how do you go about taking things up alevel? That’s where this new model comes in and we’ve been behind the wheel to see what it’s like.

Core to the new GLC is the widespread use of hybrid technology. That’s either throughmild -orplug-in hybrid set-ups –the latter of which we’re driving today –bringing added efficiency

and lower emissions in the process. More on that later

Elsewhere, we’ve got an even more upmarket exterior design than before while inside the GLC now benefits from the latest technology Mercedes has to offer,with asuper-large screen that we’ve seen used in avariety of the firm’s latest models.

As we’ve mentioned, there’s hybrid technology running right the way through the new GLC line-up. The plug-in hybrid version we’re driving here –badged GLC300e –combines a2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and alarge (for a plug-in hybrid) 31.2kWh battery.It’s able to deliver up to 80 miles of electric-only

range, while Mercedes quotes acombined consumption figure of 565mpg. That might sound amazing, but you’ll need to be running on battery power alone for most of the time to achieve that

Performance is more than brisk enough, too, with 0-60mph being dispatched in 6.5 seconds. Plus, it’ll take around two and ahalf hours to fully charge that battery when using ahome wallbox.

Of course, that super electric-only range is what you notice most about your first experiences with theGLC. It means you drive it largely like afullEV and because it can be used at speeds of up to 87mph, it isn’t restricted to slower, more local roads –you can flyalonginEV mode on the motorway,too. It’s all very relaxing, helped no end by alack of any squeaks or rattles from the cabin. Selflevelling suspension comes as standard on plug-in hybrids, too, and this helps to make things feel even more refined.

When combined with electric power that 2.0-litre engine works well, too. However,once you’re completely out of charge, thatpetrol engine does feel alittle strained and makes its presence known when you really need to accelerate. It’s definitely best to keep the battery charged up, that’s for sure.

Mercedes has sharpened up the look of the GLC nicely.You’re still able to see the lineage between this car and the one

it replaces, but thingshave been spruced up in all the right areas. The front end appears wider and more in keeping with the rest of the Mercedes range than before, while ‘our’test carinAMG Line Premium specification brought aseries of more dynamic touches including asportier body kit and 20-inchalloy wheels.

The electric charging port has been located in quite atraditional place, too, on the left-hand side where you’d expect to find the usual fuel filler cap. You’ll fill up with petrol on the opposite site

It’s hard to ignore the huge level of technology inside the cabin of the GLC. Things are dominated by the large screen in the centre of the dash, flanked by the full driver’s display ahead. When coupled with afullpackage of ambient lighting it can all get abit distracting –more so at night –tothe pointwhere we had to switch off the interior lighting just to tone things down.

But you can’tfault the passenger space on offer,with good levels of head and legroom available. Boot space, however,is alittle under what you’d expect from acar of this size. At 395 litres, it’s well under the 500 litres you’d get from the nonplug-in hybrid version, so if space is what you’re after you might be better served with a‘regular’GLC.

Prices for the GLC range kick off from £51,855 but hike up to £62,210

for the plug-in hybrid we’re looking at here. AMG Line starts the hybrid’s list of specifications, bringing 19-inch alloys as standard alongside that large 11.9inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch instrument cluster –soeven‘base’ cars get plenty of equipment as standard.

‘Our’AMG Line PremiumPlus car added to this with 20-inch alloy wheels, afullpanoramic glass sunroof,headup displayand apremium Burmester 3D surround sound system. This does, however,whack the price up significantly, with our test car cominginata hefty £72,925.

The plug-in hybrid GLC feels like one of the most accomplished cars of its type on sale today,mainly because of that hugely impressive electric range. It’ll lower fuel bills as aresult, while company car buyers will no doubt be attracted by the GLC’s five per cent benefit-in-kind tax rate.

Formore everyday drivers, we feel that the heavily reduced boot space might prove to be alittle too limiting. That said, the low running costs might be enough to offset this practicalitydrawback for many

FACTFILE GLC300eAMGLine PremiumPlus

Priceastested:£72,925

Engine:20-litreturbocharged petrolenginewithelectricmotorand battery

Power:320bhp

Torque:550Nm

0-60mph:65seconds

Topspeed:135mph

Economy:565mpg

CO2emissions:12g/km

Electric-onlyrange:80miles

MONTENEGRO’S MARINA OASIS

Croatia and Italy are among my top places to visit in the world, and yet despite Montenegro’s close proximity to both countries, I’d never considered it as a holiday destination.

But upon arriving in aerial entry point Tivat andthe BayofKotor,I’m instantly struck by the dramatic landscape of luscious green tree covered mountains –from which Isoon discover the country derives its name.

Once part of Yugoslavia, this small Balkan nation with apopulation of just over 600,000 separated from Serbia in 2006 and has sincebecomeone of Europe’s fastest growing tourism regions.

It’s easy to see why: towering peaks and secluded beaches sit alongside a plethora of historical attractions and quaint fishing villages, where you can find fresh seafood to wash down with local wines. Then there’s the (almost) yearround sun…

But partly responsible for drawing international jetsetters here of late is Luštica Bay,a newly built town nestled on the peaceful shores of Trašte Bay, a30-minute drive from Tivat on the opposite side of the Luštica peninsula.

Overlooking the dazzlingly blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, the town’s marina village slopes naturally up massifs that seem to rise straight from the shoreline.

Built on aformer Yugoslav navalbase, its martial past has all but been erased, replaced by serenely winding roads and higgledy-piggledy houses, built like those seen in traditional Montenegrin fishing villages, with red roofs and foliage-draped walls.

Along promenade drapes around a man-made harbour,where several small yachts are docked, connecting anumber of pebble beaches, seafront eateries and the five-star Chedi Hotel.

On aclear day,you can see the capital of southern Italy’s Puglia region Bari, and with the Mediterranean climate, you could be forgiven for thinking you are in Capri or Cannes –albeit far less crowded.

Farfrom the sterile atmosphere you would expect from arecently completed development, what has been built looks as though it could have stood there for some decades. And that is by design, with developers Orascom and the Montenegrin Government having gone to great lengths to ensure the £1bn project remains in

keeping with the traditionalharbour towns dotted along the coast.

Montenegro has made no secret of not wanting to follow in thefootsteps of other European destinations, where rampant over-development left unchecked for years has led to beautiful coastlines becoming laden with eyesores.

Eventually,Luštica Bay willinclude seven hotels, 500 villas, more than

CLOCKWISE FROM TOPLEFT:

Dusk overthe marina village at Lustica Bay; Mishka and Rushka, two donkeys at the Moric family farm; an olivetreegrowing in the Moric farm; the lighthouse at Lustica Bay; the beach at Chedi Lustica Bay hotel.

1,000 apartments, two marinas, asmall school and medical facilities. An 18-hole golf course designed by South African champion Gary Player is also under way, complete with course-side residences called The Peaks.

Although it sounds alot,only 10% of the 1,700 acres of land available for development will be built upon, in abid to preserve as much of thearea’s wild beauty as possible.

Such is this concern,a decision was

even made not to importpalm trees, as they are not native to theregion.

As word has spread of its offerings, the price of buying aplaceinLušticaBay has risen, with anumberof NBAbasketball players said to have taken up residences there.

Forthe vast majority of us unable to stump up the cash to purchase aproperty, The Chedi, since opening in 2018, is a very satisfying alternative.

With its fresh, comfortable design, generously-sized suites, spa, outdoor infinity pool, private beach, along with restaurants and abar –not to mention their superb in-house pastry chef –The Chedifeels more of aretreatthan ahotel.

Keen to discover more, Ihead to the beautiful Bay of Kotor,often referred to as Boka Bay, which is only ashort drive away.This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been inhabited since antiquity and historic settlements pepper its banks.

Surrounded by asection of the Dinaric Alps, the bay is accessible from the Adriatic via Europe’ssouthernmost fjord –animpressivegeographical feature that allows for cruise ships and superyachts to navigate its waters with ease.

From the picturesque town of Perast, itiswell worth hiring asmall boat to sail out to OurLady of the Rocks to visitthe churchbuiltonthe tiny islet.

Shrouded in both faith and folklore, legend has it that the islet was made over the centuries by seamen who, fulfilling an oath they had made, would lay arock in the bay upon returning from each successful voyage.

FACTFILE

FLIGHTS: easyJet(easyjet.com) fliesdirecttoTivat from Gatwick.Returns from approximately £250

ACCOMMODATION:

DoublesatThe ChediLušticaBay hotel (chedilusticabay.com) start from €219/£187 pernight includingbreakfast.

This mythical element to Boka Bay extends to its namesake, the city of Kotor, whose old town is surrounded by 5km of wall that meets with the steep peaks behind it. Local lore says it was built by three fairies, from the sea, sky and mountains.

But it is believed to havebeen built in the 5th century and, sincethen, the ancient town has endured many invaders, as well as earthquakes.

The Italian influence of the Venetians, who stayed for centuries, can be noted in the town’s architecture, cuisine and dialect.

Iwander around its narrow cobblestone alleyways, gazing at frescoes in St Tryphon’s Cathedral and brave the 1,350 steps to SanGiovanni Fortress to take in panoramic views of the bay

Having built up an appetite, I’m relieved to discover there’s no shortage of excellent places to eat. Galion Restaurant (galion.me; mains around €30/£25), a short walk from the old town’s sea gate, has tables with views of the bay,and is a gastronomic delight.

The following day,Idecideto visit one of the region’s many olive groves. When Iarriveatthe MoricOrganic farm, run by the same family for over 300 years, I’m greeted with abowl of small fried dough balls and homemade honey (a dish known as priganice, traditionally given to guests), before being given atour of the farm and introduced to their donkeys and resident flock of sheep.

Learning how to taste test extra virgin olive to determine its authenticity is areal treat, inspiring me to never settle for poor quality supermarket olive oil again.

Sitting down to dinner in the family’s old mill, Ireflect on how friendly and welcoming the Montenegrin people have been. The country is steeped in tradition and even newer developments and innovations display adeeprespect for the past.

It may have been overshadowed by its glossy neighbours for decades, but sunsoaked Montenegro is more than ready to shine.