Qube Oswestry, June newsletter

Dear Blogger

Message from Qube, Oswestry.

Latest news and updates from Qube Hello from us all at Qube... It's been really nice to see so many visitors over the past month, both in Qube and around Oswestry supporting local businesses. Thank you to everyone who has come to see us. Our social groups have also made a welcome return to the building over the past month. The groups are smaller than usual for now but every one of our members has the opportunity to come along. Our members are still receiving regular phone calls from us and fortnightly activity packs in the post. Free transport is still available for anyone struggling to get to vaccine appointments. Call Dial-a-Ride on 01691 671571 or email info@qube-oca.org.uk for details and bookings. Don't forget, you need a second vaccine to get the full protection. We have lots of arts activities coming up over the next few months. We have half term workshops this week, led by the very talented Claire Somerville and online filmmaking workshops with Piece of String Media. There's a few more days left to get entries in for the Qube Arts Open and, later in June, we will be hosting meetups and an exhibition for women who love to be creative. Please feel free to call or email us if we can help you or someone you know. You can contact us on 01691 656882 or email info@qube-oca.org.uk. Here is some of our latest news and services... FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES: Qube Arts Open Our annual Arts Open Competition returns for 2021 with a brand new theme, 'Shape & Colour'. Any medium is welcome, 2D, 3D or digital. There is a cash prize for the Best in Show and exhibition space in 2022 for the People's Choice winner. Deadline: 5th June 2021. Click here for full details... Half Term Workshops for Ages 11-17 Looking for half term activities? We have two exciting workshops for ages 11-17 next week led by local artist, Claire Somerville. Watercolour Painting - 2nd June, 10am to 12noon Ink and Stick - 4th June, 10am to 12noon. Just £2 each. Spaces limited. Book online here... New Online Filmmaking and Editing Workshops We have three new courses online if you're looking at creating videos to help promote yourself or your work. Introduction to Shotcut - Mon 7th June, £20 Introduction to iMovie - Weds 16th June, £20 Intermediate Filmmaking (two part workshop), Starts 29th June, £35. Click here for full details of all courses... Oswestry Charity Market The Charity Market returns to the Bailey Head, Oswestry on Friday 4th June, from 9am to 2pm. Our Social Prescribing Officer, Sara, will be there if you would like to find out more about Qube. You can also meet volunteers from lots of other charities to find out about all the incredible work they do in the local community.  Thinking of volunteering? Our Volunteer Centre can help you find a voluntary role to match your needs. There are many varied roles available now. We also provide free advertising for organisations who need volunteers. Full details can be found here... Image: Open Space Studios CIC Exhibitions Online and in the Gallery There are a couple of weeks left to see exhibitions by Photographer Clive Edwards and Arts Open People's Choice winner Colin Singleton in the gallery. Can't come in and see us yet? You can see Colin's exhibition and many others online here... Image: Colin Singleton Social Group for Women who Love to Create! Work in Progress is a social group where women can get together and be creative in a non-judgmental space. Due to the pandemic the groups were temporarily suspended. However, daily meetups are due to resume in June 2021 alongside a two week exhibition in the main gallery and online. Click here for full details... Gallery Shop We're slowly reopening our little gallery shop and will be adding works by new artists and makers over the next few weeks. New this month are these beautiful wooden pots, vessels and dishes by Mike Haigh. If you would like your work on display with us get in touch for further details and availability. Lateral Flow Tests Did you know you can pick up Lateral Flow Tests from Qube? You don't need to have symptoms or a particular reason to pick up a testing kit. Testing just a couple of times a week can help to ensure people are not spreading the virus asymptomatically. Ask at reception for your kit. Full instructions are provided.

Charity Market representing many Oswestry charities

Dear Blogger

Message forwarded by Ingrid Knowles of Oswestry Net.

Oswestry's Charity Market is Back!

From 9 am on Friday 4th June on the Bailey Head there will be representatives from many fabulous local charities including MusicMOB, one of the town's newest charities.

Although our activities were curtailed over lockdown we used the time wisely to collect instrumental and financial donations.  This has resulted in our being able to offer free vocal and instrumental tuition, along with the instruments, books and equipment required, to two local Primary Schools from September. 

Please drop by the stall (and the many others who will be there) to find out about us and how we plan to provide more music to children in a growing number of local State Primary Schools.  You may be able to help ... or perhaps just register your interest in receiving information about our activities.

Oswestry U3A - meet new friends with similar interests

Dear Blogger

Message from Janet Davies,  Oswestry U3A - If you are looking to meet up with new friends with the same interests as you, what better than joining the University of the 3rd Age

Oswestry Borders u3a brings local people together to enjoy their 'leisure 3rd age' years, post full-time work and raising families.

It offers a means to stay active, meet new people, develop interests, learn new skills and have fun.

 The u3a promotes lifelong learning through interest groups, covering a wide range of topics and activities, chosen by members. It's a collaborative approach with peers learning from each other. There's no distinction between learners and teachers – everyone takes a turn at being both if they wish.  Members are not working towards qualifications, but learning purely for pleasure.  u3a is local, social, friendly, low-cost and open to all.

Oswestry Borders u3a interest groups enjoy more than 20 different subjects from walking to talking (Amblers ….French and Spanish), from reading to weeding (two Book groups ….Garden), from keeping fit to a day's trip (Anti-Ageing Aerobics, Bowls, World & Barn Dancing ….. Travel), from Arts treats to eats  (Art, Art Appreciation, Singing, Poetry Appreciation, Aspiring Music Makers…Coffee, Sunday Lunch) from finding a word to Drama Absurd (Scrabble… Play Reading, Film Goers), from searching the past to networks so vast (Local History, Archaeology, Civilisations .. ICT).

As well as the interest groups, all members meet regularly at monthly Speaker meetings with guest speakers on a wide range of subjects, plus monthly Member meetings.

Since starting in the UK nearly 40 years ago, the movement has grown to more than 400,000 members in more than 1,000 u3as. Like all u3as, Oswestry Borders is self-help and self-managed.  It is the second of its kind in the town. The first, Oswestry u3a, formed nearly 30 years ago and, because of the growing demand, Oswestry Borders u3a was formed eight years ago.

Annual membership is just £6 for 2021.  For more details about interest groups and start up dates post lockdown for Speaker and Member meetings, please check our website www.oswestrybordersu3a.wordpress.com or Oswestry Borders u3a Facebook Page. Enquiries oswestrybordersu3afb@gmail.com

 

Derwen College Safe Place at Walled Garden Cafe

Dear Blogger

Message from Elund Watson at Derwen College - see attached press release for more details.

Derwen College, in Gobowen, near Oswestry, is proud to display a new 'Safe Place' sticker on the college's newly refurbished Walled Garden Café.

Derwen College is a designated Safe Place where vulnerable or at risk people can come to if they need support, feel frightened, anxious or at risk. Trained staff will support anyone who is feeling vulnerable, offer them a seat and a drink in the café, and will contact their family or carers

The Walled Garden Café has recently reopened after lockdown with a bright new look and tasty new menu.

The college's Garden Centre and Gift Shop and new The Vintage Advantage charity shop are also open to the public.

 

Automatic Traffic ounters in Ruyton XI Towns

Dear Blogger

Message from David Shearan.

A message from the Safer Roads Group  Have you noticed the traffic counters?  They are the pairs of rubber tubes laid across the road and linked to streetlight columns and there are three of them in Ruyton XI Towns (on Brownhill, Church Street and Olden Lane).    The equipment is being used to measure the speeds and weights of vehicles going through the village and is part of the work being done to make best use of the Community Infrastructure Levy money that was awarded by Shropshire Council.

Home Help wanted - Can you help

Can you help?

New arrivals in the village are looking for a
HOME HELP to do cleaning and various other jobs, including dog walking.

Please contact Diana, dhm.carmichael@gmail.com
 

Brownhill House Garden Open - and the forecast is GOOD!

SORRY, FORGOT TO SAY, Visitors should pre-book an arrival time slot to this garden: https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/8581

Dear Blogger

The weather is looking a lot better tomorrow, at last it is

IT`S DRY AND WARMER

So do break the monotony of this rainy month and visit

BROWNHILL HOUSE GARDEN on the Brownhill.

We are open from 10am to 5pm, the kettle will be boiling and a selection of                                                                           Yoland`s famous muffins to go with your tea or coffee.

The National Gardens Scheme supports so many great charities, thanks to the entrance fee to the garden, tea money and plant and garden brochure sales.

We do hope you can come and enjoy the garden and the view tomorrow

Brownhill House Garden Open - and the forecast is GOOD!

Dear Blogger

The weather is looking a lot better tomorrow, at last it is

IT`S DRY AND WARMER

So do break the monotony of this rainy month and visit

BROWNHILL HOUSE GARDEN on the Brownhill.

We are open from 10am to 5pm, the kettle will be boiling and a selection of                                                                           Yoland`s famous muffins to go with your tea or coffee.

The National Gardens Scheme supports so many great charities, thanks to the entrance fee to the garden, tea money and plant and garden brochure sales.

We do hope you can come and enjoy the garden and the view tomorrow

Job advert - minibus driver at Packiwood school

Dear Blogger

Messge from Natalie Shaw, Packwood school Burser.

We are currently looking for a minibus driver at Packwood, it could be a shared role and if anyone is interested please do follow the links on the attached advert or contact me directly to discuss further.

 Natalie Shaw, Bursar

Packwood Haugh School, Ruyton XI Towns, SY4 1HX

Tel:     01939 260120

Email: ns@packwood-haugh.co.uk

 Visit our website at http://www.packwood-haugh.co.uk

English Tourism week - loads of information

Dear Blogger

English Tourism Week starts tomorrow.

We are lucky enough to live in such a historic, beautiful and generally wonderful area so do get out and enjoy it and count your blessings.

Karen has a heap of tourism leaflets in Cafe Eleven - just the thing to read with a cup of something warm and a piece of cake.

Also, do look at this video about our bit of the border country, from Llanymynech to Oswestry.

https://www.itv.com/walesprogrammes/articles/wonders-of-the-border-episode-5

Lots more information can be obtained from Oswestry Borderland Visitor Informatiom Centre in Arthur Street, opposite the entrance to the castle or www.visitoswestry.co.uk

And information on what to see and do in Shropshire, www.visitshropshire.co.uk

Warning of scam - ignore it, Report it

Dear Blogger

Message from Wendy Lowdon.

There is an EE scam going around which says customers will be cut off because there has been a problem in processing their payments! Ignore it. Report it. 

Brownhill House Garden open for N.G.S. BOOK NOW

Dear Blogger

Message from Allison Walter, National Gardens Scheme Shropshire publicity.

View this email in your browser

Tickets available for this weekend & mid-week specials coming up! We continue with a very busy programme of open gardens in Shropshire, with so much support for our nursing charities, thanks to everyone who has been braving the weather!  There are tickets available for this weekend's gardens and we have some mid-week "specials" open next week!  Let's hope the weather cheers up soon!   Allison Walter, County Organiser, NGS Shropshire Upper Shelderton House, Clungunford, open Saturday 22nd May & Sunday 23rd May (1.30-5pm); refreshments; visitors can book tickets in advance or pay on the gate: https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/32796 5 Church Street, Ruyton XI Towns, open Sunday 23rd May (12-6pm); (pictured below) refreshments & plants; visitors should pre-book an arrival time slot to this garden: BOOK NOW: https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/35833 Preen Manor: Church Preen, open Sunday 23rd May (2-6pm); refreshments & plants; visitors can book tickets in advance or pay on the gate: https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/7758 Stanley Hall Gardens: Bridgnorth, open Sunday 23rd May; (2-5.30pm); refreshments; visitors can book tickets in advance or pay on the gate: https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/3926 Mid-Week Specials Coming Up! Brownhill House, Ruyton XI Towns, open Tuesday 25th May (10-4pm) (pictured below); unique hillside garden on many levels overlooking the River Perry; plenty of places to sit and have tea and admire the views without negotiating steps.  Visitors should pre-book an arrival time slot to this garden: https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/8581 Goldstone Hall: nr Market Drayton, open on Wednesday 26th May (12-5pm); delightful country garden packed with interest including double herbaceous border and huge productive garden.  Lovely teas served in the oak pavilion or outside. Visitors can purchase tickets in advance or pay on the gate: https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/25351 Bishops Castle Bonanza! Over the May Bank Holiday weekend, we have three gardens open in the Bishops Castle area, so why not plan your visit to this lovely area of Shropshire: Sunday 30th May: The Mount, Bishops Castle: https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/35831  Sunday 30th May:  The Old Vicarage, Bishops Castle: (pictured below)  https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/37068 Sunday 30th & Monday 31st May: Walcot Hall, Lydbury North (3 miles from Bishops Castle): https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/9487 Tickets to these gardens are all available separately, either in advance via the NGS website or pay on the gate on the day. More gardens open over May Bank Holiday weekend Beaufort, Telford, open Saturday 29th May (10-5pm): (pictured below) a unique garden for the National Garden Scheme!  If carnivorous plants are your thing, then come and visit our National Collection of Sarracenia (pitcher plants); also over 100 different Venus flytrap clones (Dionaea muscipula), Sundews (Drosera) and Butterworts (Pinguicula.) - over 6000 plants in total. Large greenhouses at Telford's first carbon negative house; a great place to visit - kids will love it!  Visitors should pre-book an arrival time slot to this garden: https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/35996 The Gardener's Lodge, Wellington, open on Sunday 30th May (9.30-4.30pm); beautifully designed urban garden in the heart of Wellington; gorgeous colours throughout with different themed areas:  Mediterranean, Cottage, Indian etc but, seamlessly, each section merges and leads into the next developing idea.  Winner of the mature gardens category at Shropshire Virtual Show 2020.  Visitors should pre-book an arrival time slot to this garden: https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/36193 Group Visits Many of our Shropshire gardens, INCLUDING BROWNHILL HOUSE, are open for group visits now, so just click on the left to see all the gardens offering group visits, then just contact the owner directly to make your arrangements - all proceeds to NGS charities. Cancelled Gardens We're sorry to say that the following gardens, which appear in our leaflet and in the Yellow Book, will be unable to open this year: Little Hogstow: Wed 9th June Stottesdon Village: Sun 27th June Kingslow Hall, Sun 4th July The National Garden Scheme raises money for caring and nursing charities including Macmillan, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Parkinson's UK, The Queens Nursing Institute, Horatio's Garden, Maggie's Centres, The Carers' Trust and MIND, the mental health charity.  The National Garden Scheme also supports gardening apprenticeships and community garden schemes https://www.ngs.org.uk/who-we-are/beneficiaries