Booka event - an evening with Dominic Gregory `Lifeboat at end of the world`

Dear Blogger

Message from Booka Bookshop, Oswestry

Join us in either Bridgnorth (Tues 7th April) or Oswestry (Wed 8th April) for an evening with Dominic Gregory, a volunteer on the Dungeness Lifeboat, as he talks about his wonderful new book Lifeboat at the End of the World. On the empty shingle beach of Dungeness, the volunteer crew of the lifeboat await her next launch. It might come in another week. Or it might even happen in the next few seconds… For two hundred years, the Dungeness lifeboat has launched in storms and heavy seas to frigates and barques, trawlers and dinghies. Like all lifeboat stations in the British Isles, it is led by a coxswain and staffed entirely by volunteers. Dominic Gregory volunteers as part of her crew. Dungeness is itself a place apart. An ever-shifting expanse of shingle jutting into the English Channel, it is overshadowed by its nuclear power station and made famous by Derek Jarman's flotsam garden. Dungeness is also where millions of migrating birds and insects first make landfall in the British Isles. A small place perhaps, but one that finds itself now at the centre of one of the biggest political stories of modern times. At the heart of this wonderful book is the lifeboat crew with whom Dominic Gregory serves, many of them from families who have crewed the lifeboat for generations. These are remarkable yet ordinary men and women – who serve as shore crew, or boat crew, or who keep the records and brew the tea. All, in their different ways, give up their time, livelihoods and safety to brave wind, tide and storms, not to mention the peril of navigating between the vast floating skyscrapers that make up so much of modern shipping. Then there is coxswain Stuart Adams whose quiet, competent leadership ensures he acts as the still point in a spinning world. Lifeboat at the End of the World is the first book to depict the experience of what it is like to volunteer on a lifeboat; the smells of the station, the emotions when the call to 'a shout' comes, how the crew is trained, the teamwork and trust, the ethos of the service. And incident aplenty – terrifying rescues both past and present, often to overladen inflatable small craft and their desperate passengers. Gregory's book is non-fiction writing of extraordinary power and immediacy. While most of us will never serve in a lifeboat, we might well find ourselves thankful for their unquestioning and dauntless assistance at sea. Further Information 01691 662244 | hello@bookabookshop.co.uk | Message via social media

Easter at Park Hall Countryside Experience

Dear Blogger

Several people did not receive this message so I have now sent it as an attachment.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT PARK HALL

Easter Eggstravaganza at Park Hall Countryside Experience

Dear Blogger

Message from Farmer Richard at Park Hall Countryside Experience

Egg-cited for Easter! We're lining up an egg-xtra special event for the Easter holidays. Park Hall will be open daily from 28th March - 12th April.

Meet the baby rabbits, have a photo with the Easter bunny, walk through our new Egg Lane, and hunt for the Golden Egg around the farm. If you're a winner on the day, you will receive an extra-large chocolate egg!

Back by popular demand this Easter - The Great Egg Hunt in the Hay! If you find a coloured ball in the hay, you can swap it for a chocolate treat.  This activity costs an additional £1 per child.

There will be lots of Easter fun around the farm, including meet and greets with the Easter Bunny, plus the farm team will be dressing up for the daily bunny run.

Get creative in the role-play village, watch pigs racing, challenge yourself to the demon drop slide, take a tractor ride, ride the barrel train, or explore the WWI trenches.  There is so much to enjoy here, you'll be hard pushed to fit it into one visit! Tickets are £14.95 in advance online, or £16.95 on the door. Under 2s go free.

Buy Tickets

We're open daily from 28th March to 12th April. After the Easter holidays, we'll be open Wednesday - Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday only), until the next half term. See you on the farm very soon, From Farmer Richard, the farm team and all the animals ??????????????????

Ruyton`s Zebra crossing to be changed to a Puffin crossing

Dear Blogger

People might be interested in the planned

REPLACING THE ZEBRA CROSSING IN RUYTON - Church Street, between the school and The Dog

Replace zebra crossing with Puffin Crossing?

in Church Street, between the school and The Dog

 

Any comments to Shropshire Council about whether the zebra crossing should be replaced with Puffin ((Pedestrian User-Friendly Intelligent) Crossing must be made by 25 March 2026.

 

Comments in favour or against should be sent to traffic.engineering@shropshire.gov.uk

 

Comments must be in writing or by email.

 

Please remember to send a separate email for each person who wishes to comment. 

 

You can see more details of this and the proposed markings on the road by the school at getinvolved.shropshire.gov.uk/consultations/ruyton-xi-towns-church-street-puffin-crossing/ 

 

Oswestry Maona cinema listings for this week

Dear Blogger

Message from Holly Maries, Oswestry Independent Cinema

Films showing in the next week

Wednesday 25 March

Holy Cow (15), 19.30 (an Oswestry Film Society screening)

 

Thursday 26 March

Folktales (12), 16.30

Blue Velvet (18), 19.30 (40th Anniversary Restoration)

 

Friday 27 March

FolkTales (12), 16.30

Crime 101 (15), 19.30

 

Saturday 28 March

Stitch Head (U), 14.00

Crime 101 (15), 16.30

Amakki (12A), 19.30

 

Sunday 29 March

Stitch Head (U), 12.00

Crime 101 (15), 14.30

 

Wednesday 1 April

I Swear (15), 19.30 (an Oswestry Film Society screening)

 

Thursday 2 April

Stitch Head (U), 14.00

Oswestry Ramblers - wonderful walks for serious walkers

Dear Blogger

Oswestry Ramblers for serious walkers

It's getting warmer and sunnier - an excellent time to come walking with Oswestry Ramblers! You don't have to be a member, you're welcome to try us out (but we do ask that you join once you've been out with us 3 times). We're a friendly group and we like to chat as we go along. Here's where we're off to in the next couple of weeks:

Sunday 22 March
Non-members welcome

A lovely varied and undulating 8.5 mile moderate walk from Ellesmere through the plantation woodland to The Mere and then up to enjoy the extensive views from the trig point and on to Welshampton returning by Colemere, Blakemere and the canal. Some gentle hills across tracks, fields, lanes and towpaths with one stile, it may be muddy. Bring provisions for coffee and lunch stops. For full details see https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/ellesmere-meres-and-canals

Thursday 26 March
Non-members welcome

This is a 5-mile leisurely riverside walk along the North bank of the Severn loop in Shrewsbury. Starting from Frankwell car park, we cross over the river and walk through the scenic Quarry park, passing a suspension bridge, a toll bridge and an iron frame footbridge. We then find the Reabrook and follow the Kingfisher Way upstream through Reabrook valley nature reserve where we can have lunch at picnic tables. Tunnels take us under all major roads and footbridges cross the railways. We return through historical Belle Vue to the Severn on the south side, with an optional short climb up to Shrewsbury school where there are spectacular views of the town and Haughmond Hill in the distance.
Please bring refreshments for coffee and lunch stops. For full details see https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/shrewsbury-saunter-1

Sunday 29 March
Non-members welcome

An 8-mile moderate+ walk with about 1000ft of ascent up The Lawley. Starting from Leebotwood village hall we head east across fields, quiet lanes and bridleways towards The Lawley – a smooth, slender and characterful hill. Not overly technical nor narrow, the free-striding ridge will afford us some far-reaching views (weather permitting.) A short section on the ascent requires a little strenuous effort and a short section of the descent is steep - hence this is a Moderate Plus grade walk. However, the Lawley offers glorious glimpses of the Stretton Hills, the Long Mynd and beyond…and is well worthy of its status as one of Shropshire's best walks. Please bring provisions for X3 main stops – coffee break, short drink break before the ascent and lunch stop just beyond the top-point on the hill, if conditions allow. Optional post-walk refreshments in the Pound Inn opposite the village hall. For full details see https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/lawley-leebotwood
*Don't forget the clocks go forward 1 hour at 1 a.m.*

Thursday 2 April

Non-members welcome

A moderate 4.5 mile walk over undulating fields and woodland, 625ft total ascent. We start off by heading south into the woodland, and gradually ascend through the trees to the top of the ridge (hopefully a good view!). Coffee by the pond. Descending through fields and along bridleways, we take a quiet road north of the village, ascending again, then circumnavigate the Rhallt, where we will have lunch before returning to the village hall. Please bring refreshments for x2 stops - coffee and lunch. For full details see https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/rhydycroesau-1