Whittington Music Festival 15-18 May

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WHITTINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL 15 - 18 May - schedule of performances

The Cliffe Garden Club is 50 years old

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Message from Margaret L.

The CLIFFE GARDEN CLUB is 50 years old and the committee are looking for stories about the club

Oswestry Open Studios Art Trail

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OSWESTRY OPEN STUDIOS ART TRAIL 7/8 & 14/15 JUNE

See attached poster

Pradoe Garden Open, West Felton this Sunday

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Message from Andrew Kenyon, Pradoe, West Felton - in case there was anyone who could not open this attachment.

PRADOE GARDEN OPEN FOR PRADOE CHURCH - 11th May

See attached poster for details

Cantiones Choir Summer Concert

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Message from Colleen at West Felton

CANTIONES SUMMER CONCERT - Spirit & Song 28th June at Christ`s Church, Oswestry

LADS summer production In Tents, about families & camping!

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Message from LADS, Llanymynech Amateur Dramatic Society, summer production

IN TENTS - a play about families... and camping!

Buy Tickets A heartfelt, funny, and painfully honest journey through the tangled web of family life, 'In Tents' spans two decades of memories, missteps, and moments of connection. Set against the backdrop of a changing Britain, it follows Charlotte and Paul as they grow up — from childhood squabbles to the bruises of young adulthood — alongside parents who are trying, and often failing, to understand them. Through camping disasters, kitchen table arguments, and tearful confessions, 'In Tents' explores the gap between generations and the courage it takes to be vulnerable. Seamlessly shifting through time, this production blends humor, music, and deeply resonant drama into an unforgettable theatrical experience. First premiered at Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth. Written and Directed by Keith Clarke Performance Dates: Friday 6 June 2025 19:45 Montford Parish Hall Saturday 7 June 2025 19:45 Pant Memorial Hall Friday 13 June 2025 19:45 Llanymynech Village Hall Saturday 14 June 2025 19:45 Llanymynech Village Hall Sunday 15 June 2025 14:30 Oswestry Senior Citizens Club This production contains strong language and adult themes throughout. There are references to a death caused by a road accident and a drug related suicide and depictions of a funeral and domestic violence. Audience discretion is advised. Recommended for audiences aged 14 and up and accompanied by an adult. ?

If you would like information about The LADS' play readings and/or workshops just email ladstheatre@gmail.com and we will update your preferences to make sure you receive the information.

VE Day 8th May event

Dear Blogger

Message from John Guest

WHO'S COMING DOWN TO THE PARK THURSDAY EVENING, TO WATCH THE LIGHTING OF THE VILLAGE, VE DAY BEACON, AT 9:30 PM?!!

Just when you thought the village celebrations were over, there is a full programme of events to mark the actual 80th anniversary of the ceasing of hostilities in Europe, throughout Thursday.

The programme will run along similarlines to the national programme, as follows:-

~ 9a.m. The proclamation is read on the primary school field (nationally this is being undertaken by Town Criers & the VE Day 80 flags are being raised. Ruyton's is already up at the church, for our earlier events).

~ After the proclamation, the school are having a fun run

~ Lunchtime, the pupils are having a fish & chip picnic lunch, with their families, wearing 1940's, or red, white & blue clothing.

~ At 2:30p.m. the church bells of St. John The Baptist Church will ring out (nationally, this is being done at 6:30p.m. but our fabulous local ringers are in great demand at various locations & have had to set themselves a route, to get around everyone!

~ 8:15p.m. Special VE Day Church Service at St. John The Baptist Church, which will end outside, as candles are lit at sunset.

~ 9:30p.m. The lighting of the Lamp Light Of Peace at The Cross ( to honour the animals who served in the war).

Lighting of the village beacon, across the River Perry. To be viewed at the park, or in the churchyard, if you are at the service.

 

*note: If you are wanting to join in with the national eating of fish & chips, why not try The Dog Ruyton? Booking is recommended & subject to availability.

WI at the pub - tonight

Dear Blogger

Message from Margaret Lycett with apologies for late notice

Ruyton XI Towns WI at the Pub night - tonight Wednesday 7th May

West Felton Carnival Saturday 6th July

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Message from Colleen, West Felton

CARNIVAL IN WEST FELTON - one of the Eleven Towns - Sunday 6th July

Always a great event, put the date in your diary, 6th July, and perhaps book a stall.

Carnival fever is setting in here in West Felton. There is still time for more floats, and trading stalls. Only £15 for a stall, with exposure to more than 1,000 visitors if last year is anything to go by!

Everyone welcome - to a great family day out in sunny West Felton – the sun always shines here on Carnival Day (well, nearly always!)

Please pass on the information.

Sponsorship from friends of West Felton Carnival and local businesses greatly appreciated in these days of ever-increasing costs.

Any surplus after the event is distributed to local good causes.

 

May WI meeting From Fleece to Finish

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Message from Pat Fraser, Ruyton WI

May WI Meeting - From Fleece to  Finish, the story of wool 13th MayBlogger

The Great Derwen College Fete - 14th June - take the dog along

Dear Blogger

Message from Eluned Watson at the Derwen College.

Preparations are underway for Derwen College's most-anticipated day of the year - the Derwen Fete and Dog Show.

The event on Saturday, 14 June, offers fun for all the family with stalls, games, bouncy castles, dog show, duck race, picnic area, barbecue, bar and lots of food and shopping opportunities.

New for 2025, we've also launched new arts and crafts competitions for children and adults.

VE Day church service Thursday 8th May at 8.15pm

Dear Blogger

Message from Lucinda our vicar.

Thursday 8th May at 8.15pm

VE Day service of commemoration at St. John the Baptist Church, Ruyton XI Towns

News about Whittington Music Festival - 15 - 18 May

Dear Blogger

Message from Whittington Music Festival

Nearly There!

Art Exhibition   Two of the festival musicians, Rob Burton and David Edward, who are also talented visual artists, have their work in an exhibition at Oswestry Library. This will start on May 3rd and run until May 15th. Do take a look at the work of these super-talented people. Painting below by Rob Burton Festival Musicians   Trio Archai - Finn Mannion, Ayla Sahin and Mar Valor - will be joining the festival for the first time this year. They won the 72nd Royal Over-Seas League Competition in London, where Sophia Rahman was one of the judges, and recently took part in masterclasses at Prussia Cove with renowned British composer, pianist and conductor Thomas Adès. One of the works they will be playing is Mendelssohn's Piano Trio no.2 in Friday's concert. Those who heard them performing in the masterclass say we are in for a treat! Tickets for this and all the other concerts are are still available - you can book online or buy on the door. Meet the musicians!   Our volunteer drivers say what they really enjoy is the chance to get to know the musicians. We are still looking for drivers to cover 12 trips between Bronygarth and Whittington on Wednesday 14, Friday 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May. As all the journeys involve transporting a cello, if you have a largish car you'll be welcomed with open arms, and even making a single trip will help greatly. Please let me know if you would like to help - email chair@whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk or ring 07980680856. Parking   Remember to pay £2 for parking at the Castle. We are very grateful to the Whittington Castle Trustees that the ticket machines and number plate recognition will be switched off for the duration of the festival and there will be someone to take cash payments. Please let us know if by any chance you do get a parking fine during the festival as the Castle Trust have agreed to waive them. Booking Office Website   We sincerely regret the inconvenience and frustration caused to everyone who has had difficulty booking tickets on the festival box office website. There was a complete overhaul of the system last September during which a coding error occurred in our account. This is now being sorted out so there should be no problems in future. Bring a cushion   Regulars to the festival will know that although the acoustic is wonderful, the pews are hard and uncomfortable. If you don't want discomfort to spoil your enjoyment of the music, do remember to bring a cushion. Supporters Party   There will be a drinks reception after the last concert on Sunday for the musicians and our Friends, Benefactors and Sponsors. This will start at 5 pm in the garden of Church House, just next door to the church - we hope to see you there and let's hope for a fine evening!

VE event is free but refreshments & raffle are cash only

Dear Blogger

Message from Kerry Coldwell, Chairman of Ruyton Parish Council

This is a FREE event however, refreshments and raffle are CASH only so that those attending are aware.

We have received a lot of raffle prizes, Riverside Cabins have donated a 1 night midweek stay including hot tub, and Dairi-Pak have donated a £100.00 voucher for food & drink at the Dog so it is well worth buying tickets on the day.

We have ordered good weather, no rain at least, and hope many will attend and enjoy the day.

Many thanks 

Armed Forces Family Day

Dear Blogger

Message from West Felton Parish Council, forwarded by Colleen - very appropriate at this time of remembering those who never came home 80 years ago.

Dear Colleague

 Shropshire Armed Forces Covenant has asked us to circulate details of a free Armed Forces Family Day event at Shrewsbury Castle on 14^th June.

Best Wishes

Chris

Chris Mellings

Chief Officer – Shropshire Association of Local Councils (SALC)

VE Day timetable

Dear Blogger

Message from Carol Aspinall

Timetable for VE Day comemoration

Willow Gallery Exhibition and Open Studios

Dear Blogger

WILLOW GALLERY, Oswestry

Borderland Visual Arts Exhibitions starting this Saturday and

Coming Open Studios in June

WILLOW GALLERY Oswestry   Newsletter May 2025 View this email in your browser     JANIE MCLEOD A Wind that shook the beach grass, Oil BORDERLAND VISUAL ARTS Saturday 3 May–Saturday 28 June Showcasing artists from Oswestry and the surrounding area - over 100 works on display BVA OPEN STUDIO WEEKENDS Saturday 7 June & Sunday 8 June, Saturday 14 June & Sunday 15 June Go behind the scenes to see local artists at work in their studios, learn about different creative processes, and buy unique work directly from the artists. A printed leaflet with information about each artist and their location will be available at the gallery. A WAY OF SEEING WITH REG TURRELL NEW LIFE FROM OLD I am always amazed how trees can have limbs and trunks torn away in a storm or through decay - and yet they continue to survive by producing new growth. To emphasise the damage, I used gesso applied thickly with a palette knife to create bold textures. To contrast the vigorous new growths, I applied FW inks through a pipette using vigorous strokes. Granulation medium and lightly sprayed water dispersed some of the pigment before it dried. Green ink was splattered in the foreground. I used the same technique on the top of the tree to indicate the buds starting to open in spring. Art & Craft Workshops at the Gallery   At our artist-led workshops, learn new skills or hone an existing one, try out different art materials and take time out with like-minded people.  Classes consist of small groups, ensuring that everyone receives plenty of individual attention and guidance. PICTURED: Pastel Seascapes workshop with Jaci Hogan See our website for dates, full details and updates Upcoming exhibitions Saturday 5 July–Saturday 30 August An exhibition for established and emerging textile artists working with stitch, fabric and mixed media. This not-for-profit event creates an opportunity to exhibit alongside nationally and internationally renowned textile artists. Exhibitors will be part of a growing movement that is bringing fine-art textiles to a wider audience.   Click here to visit the Stitch by Stitch website for full details regarding submissions. AUTUMN EXHIBITION Saturday 6 September– Saturday 25 October Collections by Georgina Shepherd & Julie Price, Sylvia Stead and Marches Independent Photography Group   Borderland Visual Arts and Cheshire Artists' Network Saturday 1 November– Wednesday 24 December   To find out more about each group, Borderland Visual Arts or Cheshire Artists' Network, click on the links below for more information Borderland Visual Arts Cheshire Artists' Network OUR NEXT CRAFT FAIR Saturday 28 June Quality handmade goods Find extra-special gifts If you would like to participate as a stallholder, please call (01691 657575) or email (willowgalleryoswestry@gmail.com) Other Local Events & Information Enjoy a nostalgic steam or heritage diesel train ride on our local Cambrian Heritage Railway. Starting from Oswestry's Grade II-listed Victorian station building, the 1.75-mile route leads to Weston Wharf's period station and railway artifact display, café, picnic area and children's activity area. Also explore local attractions Stonehouse Brewery and Weston Pools. Back at Oswestry, visit the award-winning Cambrian Railway Museum.   Click here for timetable and here for tickets Repair Café Oswestry & Borders Llanfyllin Public Institute Saturday 10 May, 12-3pm Bin it? No way! A team of skilled volunteer repairers give their time and expertise for free to help people fix items that might otherwise be thrown away. Please book your item in beforehand at osbordersrepaircafe@gmail.com, so organiser Elaine knows which experts to invite and what tools they need to bring. You can also bring your repairs to the Midweek Mend sessions at the Climate Action Hub in Oswestry's Bailey Street (Wednesdays 11am-2pm). Art World Hiroshige: Artist of the Open Road An exhibition of art by Utagawa Hiroshige explores the beauty of the Japanese landscape and the pleasures of urban life At the British Museum until 7 September   The first exhibition on Hiroshige to be held at the British Museum, and the first on the artist in London for more than a quarter of a century, this is a visually stunning portrait of a country about to change forever. Born during an unsettled time in Japan's history, Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) went on to become one of the country's most talented, prolific and popular artists. As Japan confronted the encroaching outside world, Hiroshige's calm artistic vision connected with – and reassured – people at every level of society. Ferry on the Fuji River Colour woodblock print, about 1832 Andy Warhol print accidentally thrown away by Dutch town hall   A Dutch municipality has admitted it 'most likely' threw away dozens of artworks by mistake, including a rare Andy Warhol silkscreen print of Queen Beatrix, during town hall renovations last year. Beatrix was queen of the Netherlands from 1980 until she abdicated in 2013. The piece was part of Warhol's 1985 series, Reigning Queens, two years before his death. The incident occurred in Uden, which merged with neighbouring Landerd in 2022 to form the new Maashorst municipality. Local officials said 46 artworks were put into storage during the building work, but were probably discarded with construction waste. A vibrant, not-for-profit art space packed full of contemporary artworks from local and national artists. We host exhibitions, art classes, craft fairs and other community-focused events - bringing together creative individuals and art lovers from our local communities and beyond. CONTACT US Tel: 01691 657575 email: willowgalleryoswestry@gmail.com Website: willowgalleryoswestry.org Facebook: Willow Address: 56 Willow Street, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 1AD Gallery/Café open Tues-Sat 10am-4pm (3.30pm café last orders) Closed: Sundays/Mondays/Bank Holidays Editor: Hilary Moorcroft May 2025 FORWARD TO A FRIEND     ALISON HOLT Echinacea Machine embroidery