Shropshire Review

Royal appointment For Bridgnorth Man

THE new-appointed High Sherif of Shropshire, Bridgnorth businessman Hugh Trevor-Jones, says he is honoured and proud to be taking on the prestigious role and is looking forward to his year in office.

The father of four, who runs an international manufacturing company, says his main focus will be on law and order and particularly in relation to young people.

“Law and order is a subject which affects everyone in the country and perhaps even more so in the current economic climate,” he said. “It is important that young people are given a sense of purpose which will help them to stay away from trouble.”

“I am looking forward to meeting all those who work in this area and many volunteers who help them and contribute so much to our community.”

Mr Trevor-Jones, who succeeds Anna Turner, was installed as the county’s latest High Sheriff earlier this month.

The 52 year-old is married to Carolyn, who is known as Roly, and the couple’s four children are Harry, 23, Guy, 21, Edward, 18, and Emma, 16. After many years living in Much Wenlock with their young family they moved to Oldbury, near Bridgnorth.

Educated at Abberley Hall in Worcestershire and at Harrow School in London, Mr Trevor-Jones then went on to read engineering at Southampton University.

He is chairman of the Lowe & Fletcher Group of companies, which design and manufacture locking systems for industry, and employ 800 people worldwide.

The group’s head office is in Bridgnorth and one of its UK factories is based in Telford.

Mr Trevor-Jones is the fifth generation of his family to lead the business, which is now 120 years old, and he is always keen to promote the contribution that long-term family enterprises make to the country’s economy.

He is currently a governor of Shrewsbury School and is a past governor of Packwood Haugh prep school in north Shropshire, where he chaired the successful new theatre appeal.

He and his wife are keen supporters of the Much Wenlock Festival, which is staged over three weeks every two years in the historic market town.

The couple have also been involved in raising funds for Hope House Children’s Hospice.

Mr Trevor-Jones was commissioned as Deputy Lieutenant for Shropshire in September 2009.

His interests include skiing, sailing, motoring and photography and he and his family enjoy walking their dogs in the Shropshire countryside.

In a bid to promote a better understanding of the role, Mr Trevor-Jones has created a website www.highsheriffofshropshire.co.uk

Alien Invasion!

The iconic sounds of the Daleks could add a chilling note to this year’s Bridgnorth Music and Arts Festival. Dalek Caan from the original sixties series is to attend a book signing at Bridgnorth’s WH Smiths store with author Nigel Goodall to promote his latest biography of actor David Tennant who played the Doctor until earlier this year.

Now festival organisers are looking for a Doctor Who fan who would be prepared to sponsor the Dalek to appear at the event which runs from 27 August to September 5. 

Festival spokesperson Simon Golding said Cobra Events, who own the Dalek, had offered Caan’s services for free with organisers only having to foot the bill for travel expenses to and from Brighton, which amounts to £60 plus overnight accommodation for Caan and his driver.

In a bid to prevent seeing their plans exterminated, festival stalwarts are appealing to residents to raise funds for the project.

Anyone able to help should email organisers at bridgnorthmusicfest.com for more information.

Rector returns to roots

The new rector of Bridgnorth and Morville, who takes on the role at the end of June, says his family are thrilled about the appointment.

The Rev Simon Cawdell, the current rural dean of Bridgnorth and vicar of Claverley and Tuck Hill, said he was returning to his roots as, born in Bridgnorth, he spent his early years in the area. His wife Sarah is also ordained and the couple have three children.

Prior to entering the church Rev Cawdell worked as an investment analyst in London.

Following his ordination, he worked as a curate in an ecumenical church in south west London before moving to Claverley 12 years ago.

Join the friendly club

Bridgnorth 55+ Club is a friendly organisation which was formed 15 years ago, but is now in danger of closing due to lack of new members. The club is also in desperate need of a treasurer, and is looking for a volunteer to help out.

“It’s a great place to meet new people, even if you’re on your own,” said chairman Jean Ashworth.

“We have some really good guest speakers, outings and meals, but we need more members to keep it viable.

We meet every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm, and everyone is welcome to come along for tea and biscuits and see what we’re all about.”

For more details contact Jean on 01746 762846

Try something new in May

Shropshire residents are being ofered the opportunity to try something new as part of Adult Learners’ Week, which this year runs from 15 to 21 May.

The scheme is designed to give a taste of the wide variety of activities on offer at various locations across the county, and many of these are taking place in the south-western section. They include such diverse delights as computing, arts and crafts, history, gardening, literature, jewellery making, photography and lots more, giving people a chance to discover new interests or learn new skills.

The Southern Shropshire Partnership has provided funding for the scheme, and further information may be found on www.alw.org.uk/across-the-uk/west-midlands

Leaflets are available at libraries and Broadplaces throughout the region.

Call to get in step for charity

The annual Bridgnorth Walk will take place on Spring Bank Holiday Monday 31 May and organisers are urging prospective participants to submit their entries while places are still available.

The walk has been a muchloved part of Bridgnorth’s community life ever since it began in 1967 as a modest fund-raising event to net cash for repairs to St. Leonards’s church tower.

Since then, charities and local organisations have benefited to the tune of over one million pounds as hundreds of enthusiastic teams and individuals tackle the trek to the Clee Hill and back.

Although the walk is itself sponsored by a varity of local businesses, it remains a fully independent entitity, administered by a small but dedicated committee under the chairmanship of Derek Moorhouse. The other members are Peter Davison, Barbara Atkinson, June Cowell, Owen Fisher, Phil Rutter, Roger Seedhouse, Louise Braybrooke and Vicky Morris, who between them manage the complex logistics of organising every last detail of a major fundraising event involving up to 1,200 competitors and an army of volunteers and supporters.

The walk starts from Bridgnorth High Street and proceeds along the Ludlow Road to the summit of Brown Clee Hill before returning to town, a total distance of 22 miles.

Most people walk for fun and to raise money, but there is a competitive category for the seriously fit. There is also a seven mile Junior Walk, for ages 10 to 13 inclusive.

Entries close on 21 May. Full details are on www.2shrop.net/bridgnorthsponsoredwalk, e-mail: bridgnorthwalk@btinternet.com