Shropshire Review

Plug is pulled on Children’s Festival

Organisers of Bridgnorth Children’s Festival have decided to put the popular annual event on hold for 2010.

The festival was launched four years ago, and last August Bank Holiday saw record crowds flocking to the Oldbury Wells school site to enjoy a fun-filled weekend. Most of the entertainment was free; the aim was to provide families with an affordable day out without straining their budgets, and the news will come as a real shock to the festival’s fans.

Stephen Derges, centre, at last year’s event with, left, Anna Turner High Sheriff of Shropshire and, right, her husband Jonathan.

Chairman Stephen Derges and his wife Rosalyn came up with the idea of a children’s festival in 2005. After seeing their plans come to fruition so successfully the decision to take time out for a year was a difficult one.

“Over the past couple of months it has become apparent that we are not in a position to organise a festival this year for a variety of reasons,” Stephen told the Review.

                                                                        Evaluate

“We have decided to take stock and evaluate what we have managed to achieve over the last four years before we think about potential future plans.”
Festival co-ordinator Mark Gibbons paid tribute to the army of helpers who supported the event in so many ways, including compere and entertainer Disco Daddy.

“We are so grateful to the many people who have made each festival possible, especially the scores of volunteers who gave up their time freely to help out,” Mark commented.

However, all may not be lost.

“We know our decision to take a year out will disappoint many families, but we’re confident this is not the end of the Children’s Festival,” Stephen Derges added. “We have been approached to assist with other events in the area, and we will consider these. And we’re looking at possibilities for a relaunch in 2011.”

The committee is looking to strengthen the organising team, and would love to hear from anyone wanting to get involved in helping to plan for the future. See www.childrens-festival.co.uk for contact details.

Bus on the road to success

The two woman team heading up Shropshire’s Friendly Bus service is proving to be a driving force after a busy few months with the organisation.
Project manager Marie Monk-Hawksworth and Julie Brazier, project co-ordinatior, were appointed last summer to continue to develop the vital lifeline for the communities of Broseley, Much Wenlock and the surrounding areas.

Julie Brazier, left, and her colleague Marie Monk-Hawksworth: the driving force behind Shropshire’s Friendly Bus.

Established in 2002, former co-ordinator Liz Mars has now retired but prior to her departure she and the group’s committee secured funding from the National Lottery to ensure the service’s future.

In addition to running two mini buses daily the pair co-ordinates the voluntary community cars scheme.

The Friendly Bus provides transport for many elderly and disabled people, enabling them to attend hospital appointments, day care, clinics, to go shopping and integrate into local groups and activities.

“We have been fortunate to increase our volunteer base of car and mini bus drivers and have spent time planning and providing training opportunities including basic first aid,” said Marie.

Marie and Julie are now working towards increasing the support and personal development of the volunteers. They also continue to recruit drivers and management committee members, particularly in Much Wenlock.

To find out more about the organisation phone 01952 881145 or call into the office at 57 High Street, Broseley, between the hours on 9am and 1pm weekdays.

MP adds support to fight over rural fuel

Rural communities could soon be running out of fuel as hundreds of local independent petrol stations face closure.

Under new government proposals, business rates will soar by up to 450 per cent, which will force many smaller retailers to close or stop selling fuel altogether. This will hit country people particularly hard according to Ludlow MP Philip Dunne, who is urging minister Barbara Follett to think again.

“It is quite clear from the wide range of evidence I have received from all over the country that this revaluation will cause many filling stations to suffer increases in rateable value far higher than is reasonable,” Philip Dunne said.

“Hundreds will see their business rates bills more than double over the next few years; many of these will cease selling fuel or close.
“This is yet another blow to small businesses. It will particularly hit rural people, who are so reliant on their cars, and the independent filling stations which provide their fuel.”

Around 500 independent filling stations have closed each year since 2005 and the remaining 2,200 in rural areas are threatened with closure.

“We’ve seen a 250 per cent increase in the rateable value of our premises, which is absolutely horrendous at a time when sales and margins are in the teeth of the economic recession,” John Corbo of Ford Service Station, Much Wenlock, said. “I am very grateful for the support of our local MP for pursuing this so tenaciously.”

Philip Dunne has also sponsored an early day motion in Parliament, which attracted cross-party support. This calls on the government to postpone the business rates revaluation for petrol filling stations.

Wenlock taking a turn for the verse

In a major cultural boost for the arts in Shropshire, some of the country’s leading poets, including Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Roger McGough and Gillian Clark, will be appearing at Much Wenlock Poetry Festival in April.

This nationally acclaimed event is the inspiration of Anna Dreda, owner of independent shop Wenlock Books. The idea came about last year following
a reading given in the town by Carol Ann Duffy, who joins former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion and National Poet for Wales Gillian Clarke as a patron of the festival.

“Much Wenlock is the perfect place for a poetry festival; a friendly town in the heart of Houseman country, with lovely pubs, fantastic walks, good accommodation and a marvellous independent bookshop, “ said Carol Ann Duffy.

There is a diverse programme of entertainment on offer, including readings, performance, poetry and creative writing workshops, street events, music, film, children’s activities and a poetry slam. Among artists featured will be Shropshire Libraries Poetry Champion Sally Richards, former Shropshire Review columnist John Gorman, Paul Henry, Imtiaz Dharker, Linda Marlow, Roz Goddard, Peter Diamond, Polly Bolton and Friends, Paul Francis, TS Elliot prizewinner Philip Gross and lots more.

“The Wenlock Poetry Festival will appeal to two audiences; both committed readers of contemporary poetry and the ‘open-mindedly curious’ - those willing to allow their natural reservations about poetry to be overcome,” Anna Dreda commented.

The Festival runs from 9 to 11 April. For full details, booking etc, see the website www.wenlockpoetryfestival.org