Fresh locally grown flowers

Message from Hazel Yates and her daughter Katy.

A new business, LOCALLY GROWN FLOWERS, here at Shotatton,

Rectory Garden Flowers' "Friday Field Flowers" deliveries return next Friday, 6th May.

£10 every week for a delivery of the very best flowers blooming in our Shotatton field.

All grown entirely naturally, without any pesticides and in complete harmony with nature.

Click the link below for more information and to subscribe:

https://www.rectorygardenflowers.co.uk/shop/p/friday-flowers-weekly-subscription

Interested people can also follow Rectory Garden Flowers on Facebook and Instagram and even sign up for their regular newsletters.

May coming events at Booka Bookshop

Message from Booka Bookshop, Oswestry.

Welcome to Mindful May at Booka! As a result of the last couple of years we've been reflecting on our 'purpose' and re-examining who we are and what we do. Experiential bookselling is embedded in the Booka DNA.  We don't rely on algorithms, we are here and present for you –  a physical bookshop with a very human face. We want our customers to enjoy the 'Booka-sperience'  and so all our ideas have come together and we have a multi-sensory programme of events for a 'Mindful May' at Booka. We have events for all ages, we have events to suit everyone.  We have free events, low- cost events and events that are more expensive because they are packaged up with a range of activities that allow our readers to experience books and the bookshop in different ways. Keep reading for our events schedule and click here to read Carrie's full blog post on Mindful May.

Guided Mindful Walk with Rosie Evans Kick-starting our Mindful May at Booka activities, we have partnered with local environmental entrepreneur Rosie Evans – who is encouraging us all to get outside.

Mini Mindful Story Time and Craft Join Imi for a Mini Mindful Story Time and Craft in the bookshop, reading 'Thank you for the Little Things' by Carly Hart.

Bread Therapy Book Retreat Join us for a Book Retreat in the bookshop. The morning will start with a Meditation & Yoga workshop with local Yoga teacher Jess Jones followed by a Bread Therapy workshop and talk with author Pauline Beaumont.

Jam Jar Flower Arranging Workshop with Ragged Botanica  We are encouraging you to get closer to nature. Come and join local flower farm, Ragged Botanica, as Jodie  demonstrates creative ways of bringing nature into our homes.

Magical Mindful Story Time and Craft Join us for a Story Time and Craft, reading the first chapter of The Faraway Tree, on publication day.

An Evening and Cheese Tasting with Angus D. Birditt Join us for an evening with Angus D. Birditt, author of 'Our Isles' as he talks about his new book 'A Portrait of British Cheese', and explore the best of British cheeses through a cheese tasting.

Can you help?

Message from Ros Slowley - I think this refers to a box to encourage Swift birds to nest without searching for mud to build their own house.

Is there someone in the village who could kindly help us put up a swift box under the eaves of our house?  We have long ladders available.

Thank you

Ros

The Old School House

260444

Fire risk on the Cliffe

Message from Trevor Allison, Ruyton XI Towns Parish Council.

To all who enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the Cliffe,

                As we have had a considerable period of weather without any significant rainfall, the surface and the undergrowth on the Cliffe has become very dry and dusty, and there is just a risk that some inconsiderate behaviour might result in a fire. So, can you PLEASE observe the following simple requests; do

NOT light any fire including a portable barbeque or portable stove, do

NOT drop any glass items that might cause a fire by concentrating sunlight, and do

NOT set up any form of overnight camp.

             By observing these simple rules, we can all help to maintain the natural beauty and the wonderful environment of the Cliffe.

    With our sincerest thanks,

    Trevor Allison

    On behalf of Ruyton Parish Council

Sabrina boat trips this weekend

Message from Sabrina Boat Team.

What better way to see our county town than from the Sabrina with one of our 45-minute day trips. Each trip runs on the hour every hour between 11am and 4pm and includes commentary from our lovely skippers. We are expecting it to be extremely busy this weekend and would suggest that anyone wishing to join us book tickets to guaranty a top deck seat. If you have any interested guests, then they can go to our website and book up to two hours before the trip sails or alternatively we are able to take booking up to thirty minutes prior to Sabrina setting off when they call us on 01743 369741 or pop in to the booking office on Roushill Bank.   We also take walk on passengers for those that don't fancy making plans whilst they take in the wonders that Shrewsbury has to offer.   Currently, our prices for a 45 minute river cruise are: Adult: £9.50 Concession: £8.50 (over 65, students, those with disabilities and carers) Child: £5.50 (age 3-15) Under 3's: Free!   We would also love to invite you and your staff to come and experience our river trips so are offering you and your staff free places on a Monday to Friday until the end of April. All you need to do is reply to this email with the date you would like how many people and the time you would like to book on to.   We love working with other all the lovely local businesses within Shropshire and love to forge really strong partnerships with you. We are currently in the process of creating a section on our website to help promote others within the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors and would love to be able to showcase your businesses on there. If you would like to be placed on this, then please do get in touch with us and we can start to get some promotional materials from you to place in there.   If you would like us to provide you with our leaflets, or information for your room packs then please let me know and we can get this over to you.   Kind Regards,  Team Sabrina

Why not join us on our gin tasting cruise. BOOK TICKETS HERE

Gardens open for the National Gardens Scheme this week

Message from the National Gardens Scheme.

The weather forecasts are good for next weekend with only a slight chance of rain and sunny spells.  Why not visit a beautiful garden (or two) and help us raise funds for some worthy charities. RUTHALL MANOR, Ditton Priors, WV16 6TN.  7 m SW of Bridgnorth.  At Ditton Prior Church take road signed Bridgnorth, then 2nd L.  Garden 1 m.  Open Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd May 12.30 to 5 pm.  £5 adults.  Pre-booking preferred for this garden please.  Visit www.ngs.org.uk for information and booking. Ruthall Manor sits beautifully within the stunning Shropshire countryside. Set against the Clee, the 1- acre garden is defined by an unusual and mature collection of architectural trees, which subtly divide the garden into intimate sections. These areas are carefully linked by winding paths and creative use of colour combinations. Shape and texture are further balanced with delicate planting schemes and rare or distinctive plants.  The traditional front lawn is flanked by striking, mature borders and leads onto a low-maintenance, gravel, art garden and ha-ha; while the stumpery and woodland gardens reveal rare specimen trees, curious artifacts and many hidden treasures. Clematis and roses scramble through an eclectic collection of wrought-iron work, unique pottery and secluded seating, climaxing in vibrant candelabra primulas, iris and bog plants which frame the old horse pond and offset the tranquillity and beauty of the willows. New this year is a view point for Medieval Village. Dovecote in the orchard.  Wheelchair access to most areas. A donation to the NGS willl be made from the sale of the home made teas.

MILLICHOPE PARK, Munslow SY7 9HA.  8 m NE of Craven Arms, off B4368 to Bridgnorth, Nr Munslow then follow yellow signs.  Open Sunday 1st May 1 - 6 pm.  £6 adults. Historic landscape gardens covering 14 acres with lakes and cascades dating from C18, woodland walks and wildflowers. The pleasure grounds feature many specimen trees and views into the surrounding parkland and the Clee Hill.  Bluebells and daffodils feature in May, and Autumn colours in October. The Walled Garden - home of Wildegoose Nursery and restored 19C glasshouses - will also be open. Refreshments will be available in the Nursery's tea rooms in the walled garden in aid of Severn Hospice, Lingen Davies and Midlands Air Ambulance.

THE BRAMLEYS, Condover, Shrewsbury SY5 7BH. Through the village of Condover towards Dorrington.  Pass junction by village hall, follow road across the bridge.  Drive on L in approx. 100 metres.  Open Sunday 1st May 11 am - 5 pm.  Adults £5. A large country garden extending to 2 acres with a variety of trees and shrubs, herbaceous borders and a woodland with the Cound Brook flowing through. A courtyard oasis welcomes you as you enter the garden with far reaching views over open countryside Wheel chair access around most of the garden, although not for the woodland area. Home made teas

Children are admitted free to all Shropshire gardens

More dates for your diary: Sunday 8th May the following gardens will be opening: HENLEY HALL, Henley, Ludlow SY8 3HD.  2 miles east of Ludlow. 10 am - 5 pm. Adults £6 Henley Hall offers a mixture of formal and informal gardens. The historic elements include a formal lawn, stone staircase with balustrades and a ha-ha, and a beautiful walled garden created and 'pulmonary' water feature created in 1874. OTELEY, Ellesmere, SY12 0PB.  1 m SE of Ellesmere.  11 am - 4 pm.  Adults £6. 10 acres running down to The Mere. Walled kitchen garden, architectural features, many old interesting trees. Rhododendrons, azaleas, wild woodland walk and views across Mere to Ellesmere. First opened in 1927 when the National Garden Scheme started Wednesday 11th May: GOLDSTONE HALL GARDENS, Goldstone, Market Drayton, TF9 2NA.  5m N of Newport on A41.  12 - 5 pm.  Adults £6.50 NEEN VIEW, Neen Sollars, Cleobury Mortimer, DY14 9AB  3m from the town of Cleobury Mortimer.  12 - 5 pm.  Adults £5. Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May If you missed Ruthall Manor at the beginning of the month, never fear, the garden is open again this weekend.

The National Garden Scheme has been supporting Marie Curie since 1996, raising over £9.5 million in that time, making us the single largest funder of their work. In 2021 despite continuing challenges and restrictions caused by the pandemic, we donated £525,000 to help Marie Curie continue caring for people living with a terminal illness, and their families. This donation includes a one-off, extra payment of £25,000 to help launch the NGS Nightingale Challenge.

Cliffe Garden Club May Meeting

Message from Margaret Lycett, Cliffe Garden Club.

May meeting of the Cliffe Garden Club on 5th May

Talk, ` A walk through Time, Seasonal Plants` - see attached flyer

Please help with wrongly delivered parcel

Found outside our back door at Brownhill House. A parcel addressed to

Scott                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ______

Smith

Brownhill, Ruyton XI Towns, SY4 1LR

from ASICS, Europe`s No 1 Running Brand

I am afraid I have never heard of Scott Smith, who certainly does not live at Brownhill House, and the delivery person obviously does not know there are 35 of us on the Brownhill with the same post code!

Yoland

Art Workshops, Courses & Talks at Qube

Message forwarded by Ingrid Knowles, Oswestry.net

ART Workshops, Courses & Talks at Qube, Oswestry

Easter Holiday Workshop - Friday 22nd April, 10am to 2pm

We have one workshop remaining this Easter! Join us at Eastern Oswestry Community Centre for circus skills and arts and crafts, with hot lunch provided too. For ages 4 to 12.

Hardanger Embroidery - Wednesday 27th April 2022, 10am to 3pm

Enjoy a day learning to create a lovely piece of Hardanger with Mixed Media Textile Artist Sylvia Stead. Sylvia will guide you through some short exercises before starting your lovely lavender sachet. £45.

Beginners Art Class - every Friday, 10am to 12noon

Sign up to one of our new Friday Art classes. Using a range of media, including watercolour, acrylics and pastels, create vibrant and exciting images based on a photo or picture of your choice. £23.

Pottery 'Coiling with Clay' - Six week course starting Friday 29th April, 1-3pm.

This workshop is ideal for beginners who want to learn the basics of pottery using the coiling technique. You will be taught how to hand build and decorate your own shaped vase for fresh or dried flowers. Only a few places left. £80.

Claude Cahun Evening Talk - Thursday 5th May, 7 to 9pm

This May, Qube are delighted to welcome the touring exhibition Claude Cahun: Beneath the Mask from Hayward Touring at the Southbank Centre, London. Join Sarah Gathercole as she gives a fascinating and insightful talk into the life and work of Claude Cahun in this one-off evening talk. £10.

Sign Language - 6 week course starts Friday 6th May, 1-3pm

Join us for this new 6 week British Sign Language taster course. Learn some everyday signs that will help you communicate with a deaf person. £80 for 6 weeks.

Beginners Embroidery - Tuesday 17th May, 10am to 1pm

Create your own bluebell embroidery with designer and teacher Elaine Tulley. This workshop is an ideal introduction to hand embroidery, an absorbing and rewarding skill. £25

Women Artists Evening Talk - Thursday 9th June, 7 to 9pm

This evening talk, with Sarah Gathercole, looks at women artists from many cultures, who reflect the time in which they live, women who use their own bodies in extraordinary ways to express ideas of culture and religion. Using art to form an identity. £10.

Drawing Faces and Portraits - 4 week course starting 8th June, 10am to 12noon

Join us for this four week course with David Bannister. You will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of drawing a portrait. Understanding proportion, modelling the head and how to see and draw the features of the face. £60.

Displaced Artists Evening Talk - Thursday 14th July, 7 to 9pm

This evening talk with Sarah Gathercole looks at how the artists religion affects where they can live, what they can do, how being a woman in Iran and Iraq has many consequences, how you do not have to be removed from the country to be displaced, indigenous peoples from Australia and Canada art using art to re-establish a cultural identity. It will also look at how refugees are using art to express themselves. £10.

Watercolour Workshop - Friday 17th June, 10am to 4pm

Create your own watercolour hare picture with artist Elise Hendry. Elise will guide you through some short exercises to develop your technique and learn some of the finer details, before starting on your own painting. £60.

Advanced booking needed. For full details or to book online click here...

You can also book over the phone on 01691 656882.

Qube, Oswald Road, Oswestry, SY11 1RB | 01691 656882 | art@qube-oca.org.uk | www.qube-oca.org.uk

Follow us on Facebook: Qube Oswestry, Twitter: @qubeoca, Instagram: @qubeoca, Youtube: Qube Oswestry