Fun and fundraising on offer with group
Nina Davies
A Bridgnorth group has issued an urgent appeal for new members to secure its future and expand its annual programme of community and charity work.
Officials from Bridgnorth Round Table say they are desperate to attract fresh faces to boost the town’s branch, which is struggling due to dwindling numbers.
The six-strong male group is hoping the appeal will encourage locals, looking for new challenges and a different way to spend their time, to sign up.
Traditionally Round Table clubs organise their own community events each year, which range from carnivals to bonfires, fun runs and parties.
Chairman of the Bridgnorth branch Aaron Vowles said: “We could desperately do with some new members as we are now at six members - however all of us are young, in our late 20s, early 30s.
“We do local charity work throughout the year, mostly providing sponsorship where we can, and also the Santa Sleigh at Christmas where all the money raised is distributed in the form of food vouchers to the elderly locally.
“However, raising money is often incidental to the fact we are getting involved in our local communities, putting something back and making a difference.
“There is no obligation to commit a certain amount of time.”
A particular highlight of the group is the opportunity to try new activities and to enjoy social occasions, described as the lifeblood of Round Table.
“We are not a solely charitable organisation. The social aspect is tremendous; the group activities are fun and include everything from go-kart racing to clay pigeon shooting, curry nights, pool evenings, football, cricket and paintballing.
“What’s more a number of members are planning a trip to Barcelona to experience the culture of a different country and have a good time.
“We would welcome anyonewho is interested in joining the Round Table to come along to one of our meetings and see what it’s all about,” added Aaron.
The group meets twice a month, usually on the first and last Tuesday, and is keen to hear from men aged under 45. To find our more, including how to join, email join@roundtable.org.uk.
Festival seeks volunteers
Organisers are promising to make this year’s Bridgnorth Music and Arts Festival the biggest yet – but need help to make it happen.
Following the tremendous success of the sixth festival last summer, this year’s will take place on 24 August – 2 September.
Simon Golding, one of the directors and organisers, said: “The festival is growing in stature every year and constantly expanding and evolving.
“Some new events have already established themselves like the comedy night and the animation festival, plus plenty of other great arts and music events, and workshops.
“Although we have a great support network we are always looking for new volunteers. As the 10-day festival becomes more prestigious and popular so does our growing need for helpers in all areas.
“We are especially looking for volunteers who have had any experience in fundraising and possibly a press secretary, or someone who has had any previous experience writing press releases.
“We are also interested in expanding the help on the arts side – such as events organiser.
Again everyone is welcome and there are many areas of expertise required when running a festival of this magnitude.”
Anyone interested in getting involved and who can offer any amount of time in the build-up to the festival, or who could marshal an event, can get in touch via the website www.bridgnorthmusicfest.com or call 07401 348797.
New way to recycle
Six new cardboard recycling banks have been installed across South Shropshire following a controversial decision to scrap kerbside collections.
Veolia, which is responsible for collecting rubbish on behalf of Shropshire Council, stopped the pick-ups at the end of November in line with new national regulations.
The decision led to complaints from residents, with one petition recently calling for the return of weekly bin collections.
Another 1,000-strong signature petition has been submitted urging the council to reinstate the collections.
The six cardboard banks in Bridgnorth, Ludlow and the surrounding area are among a total of 16 which have been put in place across Shropshire.
They are sited at Innage Lane car park in Bridgnorth; The Severn Centre in Highley; Aston Street car park in Shifnal; Lacon Childe School in Cleobury Mortimer; Coder Road Recycling Point and Smithfield car park in Ludlow.
Shropshire Council said it hoped the recycling banks would help the situation and that it was looking to trial a new scheme for kerbside cardboard collections with Veolia later in the year.
Jazz event to go ahead
Bridgnorth Jazz Festival will go ahead this autumn despite a drop in audience numbers and it making a loss for the first time last year.
Preparations are already under way for a three-day event to mark the festival’s 10th anniversary in October.
It is hoped a new jazz train on the Severn Valley Railway will boost interest and attract more visitors to the festival, which will run from 26-28 October.
Organiser Tim Lord said the loss of a number of grants had put future events in jeopardy and said they would be appealing to councils again for funding.
Anyone who is able to help out with sponsorship should call Mr Lord on (01746) 765737.
Town hall needs repairs
Major repairs look set to be carried out on Bridgnorth’s historic town hall after a huge crack appeared on the building just before Christmas.
An investigation has now been launched to explore the best way to repair damage to the 17th century building in the High Street.
Contractors were putting up the festive lights when they reported hearing a cracking noise, which is now known to have been caused by part of the structure being rotten.
It was initially thought a cherry picker being used to secure the lights may have struck the building but this has been found to be not the case.
tills from CCTV cameras confirmed the town hall had not been hit by any vehicle.
Plan reveals vision for town’s future
Residents have had their say on the state of Bridgnorth and how they would like it to develop. Nina Davies digs into the details of the town plan.
A major new action plan designed to shape the future of Bridgnorth is calling for more independent shops and better business opportunities to boost the town’s economy.
The hard-hitting blueprint unveiled to the public this month also highlights the need to increase visitor numbers and secure Bridgnorth’s reputation on the tourist trail.
Campaigns for a new swimming pool and a crackdown on crime are also urged as part of the Bridgnorth Town Plan, which has taken more than two years to complete.
The findings have been compiled following an extensive and detailed survey carried out among 17,000 householders, generating more than 5,000 comments in response.
Ray Gill, chairman of the Town Plan Steering Committee said the simplified version of the 39 key action points was now being sent out to residents but stressed all the issues were of equal importance.
We are very pleased with the blueprint, which we hope will help to secure and improve our town for future generations.
“It really would be pre-empting future discussion to start prioritising at the moment. The current financial restraints will determine what is tackled first,” he added. Bridgnorth and District Business Association welcomed the publication of the plan.
Chairman Peter Bonsall said: “We have long supported the need for companies in the Bridgnorth area to have the benefit of improved facilities to provide for long-term employment and good business health in the area.
“The plan goes a long way in providing for local business needs. We hope the implementation phase is now well managed and successful.”
Council chiefs are being urged to encourage more independently owned shops to open in the town increasing choice and to set up a discussion forum to expand the local traders’ market.
In the centre, there is discontent over so-called “gaudy” shop faces and modern shop fronts which are described as out of character for a market town.
Business leaders are to explore fresh ways of stimulating the economy and promoting new enterprise to combat such devastating events as the closure of Star Aluminium.
Fears over high levels of antisocial behaviour associated with drink, drugs and speeding also need to be tackled with calls for more officers on the streets.
Concerns are raised about the poor maintenance of Riverside, Bridgnorth Steps, dog fouling, poor lighting in Castle Walk and the lack of facilities at Severn Park, all now under review.
However, Castle Grounds was given a glowing report with almost 100 per cent of those responding satisfied with the park. Suggestions here include more benches and events that make use of the bandstand.
Steps are also urged to address the shortage of affordable housing to buy or rent in the town while at the same time maintaining the distinct historic character of Bridgnorth.
Fly-tipping is angering many residents who are also calling for a weekly refuse collection and action to tackle litter problems.
The length of time patients have to wait for a doctors’ appointment to see a designated GP has been criticised along with long surgery waiting times and a “poor out of hours service”, with requests for a local 24 hour A&E as well as more dental practices. Comments on the leisure centre included claims of a conflict between school and community use of the swimming pool, prompting calls for a new all-purpose pool.
Users are unhappy about parking provision on site and say the facilities are out of date and poorly maintained with more time needing to be allocated for daytime adult swim sessions.
Ray Gill, who has been working with the 25-strong committee of local volunteers drawn from a wide selection of the community, paid tribute to all those who had contributed.
A copy of the full town plan can be viewed at Bridgnorth Library in Listley Street, the council offices at Westgate and St Leonard’s Close or online at www.bridgnorthtownplan.com.
Bid to make town a safe nightspot
Volunteers could take to the streets of Bridgnorth as part of a package of measures designed to combat anti-social behaviour and promote the town as a popular nightspot.
Police and council chiefs have teamed up with residents and licensees to form a working group to tackle late night disorder and make people feel safer on an evening out.
Security cameras will soon be in place in Cartway as part of the initiative but consideration is also being given to pastoral care on the pavement to educate and advise young people.
Community action officer for Shropshire Council Tom Brettell said the proposal was just one of many initiatives they were looking to put in place.
“We need to ensure we’re capable of providing the critical mass of volunteers needed to sustain such a scheme so we are looking at a mini pilot to see how it’s received.” Mr Brettell said the team was committed to promoting Bridgnorth as a popular nightspot and was also looking to work towards gaining Purple Flag accreditation for the town.
“The scheme recognises excellence in the management and quality of town and city centres at night and we want Bridgnorth to be a shining example,” Mr Brettell added.
Plans to introduce a taxi rank are also being investigated in a bid to encourage revellers into one area of the town after closing time making it easier for police to monitor behaviour.
Talks are also being held over the possibility of developing a community alcohol awareness project within schools and to educate youngsters about drink and social responsibility.
Youth workers are also looking at using the alcohol-free Bridge Bar in Listley Street as a meeting place to keep bored youngsters off the streets.
