Shropshire Review

Garden party date for jazz lovers

Lady Hamiliton and 3 in a Bar at last year's party

Lady Hamilton is once again hosting her annual jazz garden party at her home, Harrington Hall, on Friday 3 July.
The popular event will feature music by local bands 3 in a Bar and the Jim Wynn Trio, and guests are invited to bring along picnics to make the most of what promises to be a relaxed musical event.
“The garden party is in aid of Stockton Church funds, and we are hoping lots of people will come along and enjoy the atmosphere,” Lady Hamilton said. “Guests are welcome to bring their gazebos and set them up in the grounds from 6pm, and following last year’s enthusiastic response, we’re looking forward to another fabulous evening.”
Harrington Hall is between Beckbury and Sutton Maddock, off the B4176. The concert runs from 6.30pm to 10.30pm and advance tickets cost £10 or £12 on the door. Under-sixteens are admitted free, but no dogs are allowed.
For details call 07929 122051, or e-mail jazz.harrington@apleyestate.com

Daring design gets government approval

A controversial application for four contemporary homes near one of Bridgnorth’s most historic buildings has been granted following a ruling by the Planning Inspectorate.
The proposed development is at the rear of Bishop Percy’s House in Cartway, a Grade I Listed building dating from
1580 which has been empty for five years.
Planning permission has been granted toconvert the former boys’ club into three luxury apartments, but the now defunct Bridgnorth District Council turned down an application for four ultra-modern homes on the site of the club’s gymnasium.
However, both the government’s planning inspectorate and English Heritage backed the development, which was designed by award-winning architects Johnson Design Partnership. Vic Johnson of the Partnership said that he was delighted that the council’s ruling had been overturned. “The gymnasium is an eyesore and the decision to block the development was nothing more than nostalgia getting in the way of common sense” he commented.

New games shop is a family affair

A new computer games shop run by brother- and sister-in-law team Rebecca and Gareth Butler has opened in Whitburn St, Bridgnorth.
Severn Valley Games stocks all major consoles, including the Nintendo Wii and DS, Sony Playstation 3 and PSP and the Microsoft XBOX 360, with all versions of the consoles available.
The venture is a real family affair, as Stuart Butler, who is Gareth’s brother and is married to Rebecca, provides technical and industry insight gained from his specialist knowledge in this field.
“We offer a genuinely personal service, with competitive prices and
comprehensive, up-to-date stocks,” Rebecca said. “Console deals can be tailored to customers’ requirements, and game pre-orders are available on all upcoming releases.”
For further details, call 01746 769697.

‘New’ from old

Bridgnorth’s Oxfam will be undergoing an image change this summer when a limited collection of recycled garments hits the rails.
The one-off eco-friendly pieces will be created from donated clothing and scrap materials, which have been transformed into eye-catching new items.
Following in the footsteps of Oxfam’s London Boutique where a large range of reconstructed clothing is sold, Bridgnorth will be showcasing the ethically sourced fashion at the end of August.
The unique range is being created by local art student Chelsea Selkirk, who was inspired to create environmentally friendly fashions whilst working for the charity.
Her experiences at the arts-based SCARF recycling facility in Wolverhampton also influenced her vision.Oxfam will be showcasing the ‘green’ designs at their High Street store.

Ken’s wonderful Wenlock welcome

Much Wenlock author and artist Ken Milner has produced a book of poems, drawings, historical writings and literary snippets to raise funds for the town’s Holy Trinity Church.
The book, ‘Owd Blossom Welcomes People to Much Wenlock on Olympian Day,’ is an endearingly rambling pot-pourri of information, fantasy, poetry, pictures and prose. Ken is a keen historian, having worked as a stonemason for English Heritage on various restoration sites, including Wenlock Priory, and his affection for this magnificent building, and indeed the whole of the town, is apparent throughout. For many years Ken struggled with literacy, finally overcoming this crippling handicap at the age of 35 thanks to local teacher Eiral Williams. The removal of this obstacle to creativity allowed him to find expression in his artwork and writing, and ‘Owd Blossom’ is a testament to the considerable talents of this born-and-bred Wenlockian. Some drawings have a Tolkienesque quality, fantastical and quirky, others showcase Ken’s clever draughtsmanship. There are “contributions’ from Shakespeare, Mary Webb, Henry James – an avid fan of the town – and all sorts of other engaging, sometimes surreal oddments, including reproductions from The Architectural Review of the 1890s. The book is available in the church and costs £5.

Full steam ahead for the Rally in the Valley

Steam across the bridge

Bridgnorth’s Trevithick 200 rally, held to commemorate the achievements of locomotive pioneer Richard Trevithick, was so successful that it has evolved into a major annual celebration of steam.
The original event marked the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger-carrying locomotive, Catch-Me-Who-Can, which was built at Hazeldine’s Foundry in the town.
This year, the Rally in the Valley will feature steam engines, vintage tractors and machinery, heavy horses, classic cars and a host of other attractions for all the family, with a fairground, brass bands, crafts, morris dancing and food and drink. It will take place, appropriately, on Severn Park, very near the estimated site of Hazeldine’s works on the banks of the river.
The Rally runs over the weekend of 18–19 July, and admission costs just £5 per adult, £3 concessions. On Saturday evening there is a fun concert by ‘The Last Victorian Pub Pianist’ the celebrated Dr. Busker, whose witty face and tile painting, disco, tombola, raffles and crafts, along with many other attractions, including a real fire engine.
The fun day runs from 1pm to 4pm, admission is free, and all are welcome.
Further details from Denise on 01952 882435.

Playgroup Celebrations

Broseley Pre-School Playgroup is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an open day and lots of activities to mark this important milestone.
The fun will begin on 11 July, when events on the Dark Lane School campus will include a bouncy castle, barbecue, face and tile painting, disco, tombola, raffles and crafts, along with many other attractions, including a real fire engine.
The fun day runs from 1pm to 4pm, admission is free, and all are welcome. Further details from Denise on 01952
882435.

Steam power helps Air Ambulance

Two groups of historic vehicle enthusiasts got together ecently to raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance.
Members of the County of Salop Steam Engine and Vintage Vehicle Society, along with the Sentinel Drivers Club, enjoyed a ‘Steam Party’ at the ome of Alison and Russell Cook in Bridgnorth.
The ‘Noggin and Natter’ provided an opportunity for enthusiasts to enjoy a private preview of restored vehicles nd steam engines, and following the event a cheque for £425 was presented to Helen Hitchman, area fundraising anager for the Midlands Air Ambulance.

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