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Thursday, October 20, 2022
PLEA TO SUPPORT TOWN ARTS EVENT Community urged to get behind festival which will offer a host of free activities
MEGAN HOWE
newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk
Organisers of the Drayton Arts Festival have urged people to show their support for the host of activities they have laid on next week.
A Market Drayton woman who went for a night-time drive after a boozy afternoon tea on the day of the Queen’s funeral has been banned from driving for 17 months. Abigail Sylvester, aged 32, was stopped by police while driving a Nissan Juke, in Maer Lane, Market Drayton, at about 12.30am on September 20 and found to have nearly twice the legal limit of alcohol in her breath. Joanne Fox, prosecuting, said Sylvester had no convictions, was of previous good character and admitted the offence at an early stage. Ms Fox said Sylvester had been seen with no headlights and had nearly collided with a kerb. Police reported that she had “glazed eyes and slurred speech”. She recorded a level of 67 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35. Sylvester who represented herself at Telford Magistrates Court on Tuesday, apologised to the court for her behaviour. “I didn’t feel like I was still drunk, but I was and I am sorry,” she said. She said had been at a friend’s house on the day of the Queen’s funeral for an “afternoon tea”. She said: “I have done what I shouldn’t have done and have accepted that.” Magistrates fined Sylvester £120, and ordered her to pay a £48 victims’ surcharge and costs of £135. She was banned for 17 months.
It’s the great British scare-off contest
Garden to show off stunning autumn colours A popular tourist spot in North Shropshire will be showcasing its autumnal colours at an open day this weekend. The Dorothy Clive Garden, near Market Drayton, will throw open its doors to visitors as part of the National Garden Scheme. Under the scheme, more than
3,500 gardens across the UK open to visitors to raise money for a range of charities. In 2021, more than £3 million was raised for beneficiaries including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Parkinsons UK, Carers Trust and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.
The site has a number of places to explore including The Quarry Garden, The Viewpoint and The Waterfall which are all part of the Heritage walk. Entry to the event is £5 for adults and £2 for children aged five to 17. The gardens will be open from 10am to 4pm.
People living in Market Drayton have been encouraged to get baking for an upcoming Halloween Scary Bake competition. The team at Market Drayton Library has encouraged the local community to come up with ideas for spooky Halloween bakes, including biscuits and cupcakes. Winners of the competition will be announced at the library’s Halloween party on October 29. Cakes must be dropped into the library by 11am that day for judging between noon and 12.30pm.
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Gardener Adrian Corry prepares Dorothy Clive Garden, near Market Drayton, for its open weekend
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The festival will return to venues across Market Drayton for the ninth time with some 40 events lined up for the community. Organisers say they have endeavoured to keep most activities free due to the cost-of-living crisis. A scaled-down festival took place last year – the first since Covid – with the remaining funds being put towards the installation of a memorial sculpture in the town for victims of the pandemic. Suzanne Edwards, organiser of the Drayton Arts Festival, said the event this year would run with a full programme — and all donations would be greatly appreciated. Suzanne said: “We have tried to keep our costs down this year in respect of the rising cost of living. “We are excited about the range of different events with a limited budget and we hope people will come and children will have a fantastic day on the Saturday – there’s everything they would want.” Suzanne said highlights for this year included a family puppet show on Monday, October 24, at Market Drayton Library. Saturday week will be a dedicated children’s day with events on in the town hall and at the Grove School. There will also be an artisan market for the first time on October 29. Details at draytonartsfest.org
Boozy afternoon tea leads to driving ban for woman, 32
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