1. Our church in Ruyton XI Towns

Dear Blogger

The story of St. John the Baptist Church 1.

RUYTON CHURCH OR CASTLE - WHICH CAME FIRST?

We have no record of when Ruyton Castle (a pile of stones to you and me) was built but as Hamo le Strange built the castle at Knockin, it is highly likely that his brother John, who took over as Lord of the newly amalgamated manors of Ruyton, Wykey and Felton in 1156-60, and had already built Myddle Castle, also built the one at Ruyton.

At the base of the churchyard wall north of the castle can be seen the original fortifications which protected the inner bailey area of the castle.  This open space within the wall would have included the strongly built keep, a wooden structure of three, four or even 5 stories, perhaps as high as the present church tower, these were the living quarters of the Lord and his family.

The inner bailey also encompassed a chapel which, by 1148 was under the jurisdiction  of the mother church of Baschurch, was probably for the use of the occupants of the castle.

So there you are, once you have a Lord of the Manor in a castle, his family needed somewhere to pray and receive the sacrament.

An extract from my book `Ruyton XI Towns - Unusual Name, Unusual History`.

More on our church in the next bulletin

Have your say - Oswestry Local Transport Plan Consultation

Dear Blogger

Message forwarded by Ingrid, Oswestry.net

Dear citizens of Oswestry,

OSWESTRY TRANSPORT PLAN

I had a chat with Shropshire Council officers at the library last Saturday. They seem to really want to make a change.

I would call this a TRAFFIC or MOVEMENT plan as it is supposed to include everyone, especially pedestrians.

It takes a maximum of 30mins to fill in the questionnaire.

Shropshire Council is inviting residents, communities, organisations and stakeholders to have their say on the draft Shropshire Local Transport Plan.

This is your opportunity to help shape how people travel around Shropshire over the next ten years, including how the county supports safer, more sustainable and more accessible journeys.

We want to hear what matters most to you, your organisation and the communities you work with so the Local Transport Plan reflects the different needs, priorities and experiences of people across Shropshire.

What are we consulting on?

The Local Transport Plan is a long term strategy that will help guide how people travel around the county and inform future investment in the transport network for the next ten years (2027 to 2037).

 The consultation asks for your views on the draft Local Transport Plan, including its vision, objectives and proposed actions to support safer, more sustainable and accessible travel across the county.

All responses received during the consultation will be carefully considered and analysed alongside previous engagement feedback to

help inform the final Local Transport Plan.

 How can I take part?

Taking part is quick and straightforward. You can read about the draft Local Transport Plan, watch a video, complete the online questionnaire, or attend one of our consultation events to tell us what matters most to you and the communities you represent.

• Review the draft Local Transport Plan and supporting documents: https://getinvolved.shropshire.gov.uk/consultations/shropshire-local-transport-plan/
• Attend one of our online or in-person public consultation events, details of which can be found on the consultation webpage.
• Share your views with us:
  • Complete our online questionnaire: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DraftLocalTransportPlan
  • Post a hard copy of the questionnaire to: Shropshire Council, Highways and Transport, PO Box 4826, Shrewsbury, SY1 9LJ
  • Scan and email the questionnaire to: ShropshireLTP@shropshire.gov.uk

 

Encourage Your Communities to Get Involved

As one of our key stakeholders your support can help ensure that people across the county know about the consultation and understand how they can take part. We have attached supporting materials you can use to share the consultation with your networks and encourage as many people as possible to have their say. This is an important opportunity for people across Shropshire to help shape the future of transport in the county, and we want to hear from as many residents and stakeholders as possible.

 Whether you have ideas for improving walking, cycling and public transport, concerns about safety or views about access to the services you need, we want to hear what matters most to you.

 Please take part by completing the questionnaire and, if you are able to, share the consultation with your networks so more people can have their say on the future of travel in Shropshire.

 

Kind regards, 

Shropshire LTP Project Team 

 

 

Ruyton XI Towns WI Pub night is Wednesday 21st October

Dear Blogger

Message from Katina, Ruyton XI Towns WI

WI SIP & SOCIALISE at WI Pub Night - Wednesday 21st October 2026

The poster is incorrect

Whittington Music Festival - An Autumn Feast of Music

Dear Blogger

Message from

WHITTINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL

An Autumn Feast of Music

Autumn Fundraising Concert    Our much-loved Whittington in Winter fundraising concerts begin this Sunday afternoon 18th October with a recital by harpist Bethan Conway. Her programme includes both classical and traditional pieces from Bach, Dussek , Albeniz, Faure and Nino Rota through to Welsh composers Grace Williams, Gareth Glyn and John Thomas.  Please note the change of venue to Christ Church Oswestry, with a start time of 3.15pm. Tickets are £15 on the door, to include tea/coffee and homemade scones.    Search for a Treasurer   Next summer our brilliant treasurer Rachel will be standing down after five years of keeping Whittington Music Festival very much on the road. We are indebted to Rachel for her skill, professionalism and good humour, and wish her well.  Without a Treasurer we cannot operate, and so the search is on for someone to take over the reins from next July. If you know of anyone who may be interested please do ask them to contact one of us (see advertisement below) to find out more.  Dates for your Diary    Our second fundraiser will be given by The Scholars and Gentlemen choir. Musical Director Mike Donkin has put together a lovely programme of Renaissance music for Advent and Christmas. This concert will take place at St Oswald's church Oswestry on Saturday 28th November at 3.30pm. Tickets £15 on the door, to include a glass of wine.     Finally, on Saturday 6th February 2027 at 2pm we invite you to join us for a delightful afternoon of music performed by Whittington Music Festival's vocal soloists Samantha Lewis (mezzo-soprano), Kizzy Lumley-Edwards (soprano) with Christopher Symons (piano), Sylvie Reverdy (cello) and talented local young musicians who have all performed in the Saturday Masterclasses and our Family concerts.  This concert will be held in the wonderful new Grove Performing Arts Centre at Oswestry School. If you haven't yet visited, you are definitely in for a treat!  Tickets for this concert will be available on our website from November 2026, and are sure to sell out quickly. Do keep an eye out for further details, and book early so that you can select your seats.

Church Coffee Morning, 24th October in Victoria Room

Dear Blogger

Message from Pat Paddock

CHURCH COFFEE MORNING in the Victoria Room Saturday 24th October

WI Pub Night

Dear Blogger

Message from Katina, Ruyton XI Towns WI

WI SIP & SOCIALISE at WI Pub Night - 21st October 2026

See attached poster for details

New parking plans for Baschurch Surgery - PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY

Dear Blogger

Important message from Baschurch Newsletter regarding ridiculous new plans for Prescott Surgery parking.

The Planning Application for 155 houses off Perryfield Road has been amended and no longer includes land for a new GP surgery.  Instead they propose offering 45 car parking spaces as part of the development, around 250m from the existing surgery - see attached plan. You may have already seen the Facebook canvassing local views and I would urge as many people as possible to complete this survey before the planning consultation closes next Wednesday 21^st October.

This has to be the most outrageous  suggestion ever from a developer -

To ask people who are unwell to walk 250m from their car to the see the doctor or the nurse, crossing the busy B5067 twice when no safe crossing is provided.  See attached plan.

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SURVEY WITH YOUR OPINION ON THE SUGGESTION.

GP Car Parking Survey                                                                                     October 13, 2026

A quick online survey:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdq5u3zTXx6XH5M0ws5h18SLlJgH9naGDfVtq1pFrxv0m87Qg/viewform