Bishops Castle

The four candidates for the seat, left vacant by the resignation of Justin Whittall are: Sandra Garland, Emma Grant, John Morris and John Wakelam .

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT AGM: South Shropshire District Council leader Heather Kidd and county Lib Dem leader counr Peter Phillips both reported to the meeting. Members thanked their long-serving treasurer Philip Neal, who handed over to Barry Palmer.

Tessa Dodd was re-elected chairman, with Peter Phillips secretary. The branch's most senior member, Flossie Jarvis, was re-elected as President.

CHURCH DRAW WINNER: Helen Griffiths was the £25 winner of the December draw at Bishops Castle Parish Church.

FRIDAY MARKET CAKES: Bishops Castle market in the town hall has a new cake stall. Carol Gurney, from Newcastle on Clun is bringing home made cakes and pastries on alternate weeks, with the next date tomorrow (Friday) January. Carol is happy to take orders on 01588 640163. Other regular stall holders are the Amess Brothers with their fruit and vegetables and Sue Averis with her ethnic clothes and crafts.

WINTER WARMER : The Church Barn is the place to enjoy a Winter Warmer evening on Saturday with a programme of local talent lined up. The cost is £3 and the fun begins at 7.30pm.

TOWN COUNCIL DONATIONS: Following applications for financial support, Bishops Castle Town Council has made a number of donations to organisations and charities, under the relevant Local Government Acts. £283 has been given to the South Shropshire Citizens Advice Bureau, £25 to the West Shropshire Talking Newspaper, £25 to Marie Curie Cancer Care, £50 to the Hummingbird Appeal, £50 to Hope House Children's Respite Hospice and £25 to Relate.

SWIMMING THE ATLANTIC: Fund-raising for this year's Michaelmas Fair has already started with the 'Michaelmas Atlantic Challenge 2004'. A group of 30 individuals and teams is getting together to swim the Atlantic Ocean - in local swimming pools. Each has pledged to swim about 54 miles, making a total of 1,600 miles to be covered between now and Michaelmas Day, Wednesday September 29. Pick up a sponsorship form at places in Bishops Castle, including Yarborough House.

GRAND CARNIVAL BALL: More than 100 people attended the 'Nearly Twelfth Night Ball' on January 10, in the public hall. Carnival committee member Miriam Lennox thanked the organisers Joan Grant and Jill Jones for their hard work. "Soul Party provided the music and they had everyone up on the dance floor from their very song," said Miriam. The evening also included an Irish bingo session.

MAINSTONE NEWS: Jean Speake was the December winner of the Mainstone 100 Club draw. Entries for the Mainstone Church Christmas quiz have to be given to Anne Lewis or the Rev Paul Collins by tomorrow (Friday).

STARS AT WENTNOR: Wentnor Star Club is the monthly Sunday School for children between five and 11. It meets on the fourth Sunday of the month and younger children are welcome to come with a parent or carer. The next Stars Sunday meetings are planned for Sunday and February, 22, at 10am, in Wentnor Church. The Stars will make their presentation at the next family service in Norbury Church, at 10am on Sunday February 28. Further details from Sally Ann Jones 01588 650481.

MOTHERS UNION: The Rev Paul Collins celebrated a New Year Eucharist for the Bishops Castle branch on January 14.

Earlier in the month Paul and his wife were guests at the branch Christmas lunch. In December members from Bishops Castle, Bucknell and Churchstoke came to a Christmas Cracker party. The evening was to say farewell to Jacqui Bryan, who had been Deanery President for the Mothers Union.

Her husband the Rev Terence Bryan, entertained members and guests and refreshments were appreciated. The next meeting is due to be held on Wednesday, February 11, at 7.30pm, in the Church Barn with the Rev Maurice Young the speaker.

FAIR TRADE GAMES NIGHT: There will be a special Christian Aid evening in Bishops Castle Methodist Church Hall on Tuesday February 3, at 7.30pm.

The Rev Norman Morris said: "It will be very interactive, as the evening will be spent playing unfair Trade Rules, designed to show what the world is really like for poorer nations.

"We want people of all ages to come along and take part. It really might change your view of the world."

CHURCH BARN: The Save the Church Barn committee is grateful to have received donations in lieu of flowers given at the funeral of Gordon Smith.

The next event is a concert by the Cadenza group on Friday, February 27, in the Church Barn. Dr St John Penney said: "It is hoped to start work on the Church Barn in early May and the committee would be glad to hear of anyone who is willing to help with fund-raising."

OUT ON THE HILLS: Disabled people and those who provide facilities for them will be getting together on Tuesday, February 10, to share ideas about the Shropshire Hills and the opportunities they provide.

The day has been organised by Sue Cooper, the community officer from the Craven Arms office of the Shropshire Hills project, who sees it as a way to promote the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the benefit of disabled people in particular.

The Pines Holiday Centre for the Disabled, near Bishops Castle, is the venue for the event which runs from 1.45pm-4.30pm including tea.

Presentations will be given by Ralph Carmichael, chairman of the Pines Trust, David Preshous a trustee, Peter Carty, National Trust manager for the Long Mynd, Tom Wall, English Nature warden for the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve, and Nigel Nixon head of SCC Museums. The cost is £3. If you want to attend, call Maureen Jones on 01588 638234 before Friday January 30.