WOMENS INSTITUTE: Second Thursday in the month in the Community CentreSecretary: Mrs Joyce Howard Tel:656389

WHITTINGTON CASTLE PRESERVATION TRUST: Chairman: Jonjo Evans Tel:671300Castle Manager: Ms Sue Ellis Tel:662500

BELL RINGING: Details from Brian Rothera Tel:657778 BROWNIES, GUIDES: 6:00-7:15pm Thursday except in school holidays in the Community Centre Brown Owl: Mrs D. Gough, 2 Newnes Barns, Ellesmere Tel:624390

BEAVER, CUBS & SCOUT INFORMATION:Information from: Brenda Cassidy – Group Scout Leader (Gobowen)2 Heather Bank, Gobowen Tel:658016e.mail: rev@davidcassidy.plus.com

WHITTINGTON UNDER FIVES GROUP: Sessional and extended hours Carer and Toddler SessionsLeaders: Dawn and Mandy Tel:670127Meet in the Community Centre 9:00am – 3:00pm

SENIOR CITIZENS:Monday Whist Drive, Thursday Coffee Morning All meetings in the Senior Citizens HallSecretary: Mrs Gillian Roberts, 28 Boot Street, Whittington Tel:662236

MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE:The Mobile Library will stop in the cul-de-sac by the Three Trees/WhiteLion on alternate Tuesdays between 2:55pm – 3:55pm. This will now be theonly stop in the village.

CHURCH WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.whittingtonchurch.org.uk

SCHOOL WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.whittingtonschool.co.uk

36

SUNDAY SERVICES: 8:00am Holy Communion on 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays

11:00am Holy Communion weekly

6:30pm Holy Communion According to the Book of Common Prayer on 1st Sunday

6:30pm Evensong on the 3rd Sunday

4:00pm Messy Church on the 4th Sunday (Autumn Term) (No Service in August)

WEEKDAYS: 9:30am Holy Communion - Thursday 5:30pm Choir Practice - Alternate Thursdays

RECTOR: Reverend Sarah Burton Tel:238658 e.mail: wwfchurch@gmail.com

CHURCHWARDENS: Mr M Phipps, Wesley Cottage, Babbinswood, Whittington Tel:670940

Mrs G Roberts, 28 Boot Street, Whittington Tel:662236e.mail: gillian28.4dg@gmail.com

VERGER: Mr D. Howard, 16 Yew Tree Avenue, Whittington Tel:656389Deputy: Mr P. Morris, 1 Rosehill Avenue, Whittington Tel:659562 ORGANIST: Mr K. Griffiths, 12 Park Crescent, Park Hall Tel:662116

MAGAZINE: Editor: Miss A Ward, 4 Rosehill Avenue, Whittington Tel:672838

eaw4@btinternet.com

Distribution: Mr & Mrs J Carroll, Rhoswen, Station Road Tel:659385

WHITTINGTON C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL Headteacher: Carl Rogers Tel:662269e.mail: admin@whittington.shropshire.sch.uk

PARISH SERVICESWHITTINGTON ORGANISATIONS

1

May 2017

Celebrating Thirty Years of the Ripple

Thirty years ago this month the Ripple was published for the first time. Over all those years the magazine has celebrated life of the church and special events in the village. The magazine has recorded hundreds of baptisms and weddings and entertained us with funny storiesand gardening hints.

The editor of the first magazine was our very own David North withMarjorie Weston and Sue Dyke making up part a small committee dedicatedto its success.

The first magazine had an article about traffic flows in the village. It reportedjust over two vehicles a minute passing the church in 1988. There was alsoan article about the railway station (closed 1960). A report from the WImentioned that the President, Kath Griffiths, welcomed members and visitorsto the annual bulb show. At the show, Rita Moir made the best ginger cakewith Nora Brunt coming a very creditable second.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the first magazine is the adverts.The Penrhos Arms proudly advertised its award-winning animal park. Therewas an advert from the Three Trees stores and a butcher (M G Jones) onStation Road. Whittington also had a plumber (R E Doogan and Sons) onBoot Street and a garage down the side of the dairy (Jack Hayward).

Our church magazine has faithfully reported the life of both the village andthe church for thirty years. Our thanks must go to everyone who hascontributed to the magazine over all these years. We owe a special debt ofthanks to our present editor, Anne Ward, whose care and creativity ensuresthe excellent standards of our magazine are maintained.

2

CRICKET/BOWLING CLUB SECRETARY:Mr Andy Cawthray - email: WhitCBC@gmail.com Tel:657178

07581 710523 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY:Richard Beaman Tel:659166

CRICKET SECRETARY:Trina Lewis – email: lewisbtkr@aol.com Tel:774406

07968 844341BOWLING SECRETARY:Eileen Sinker Tel:770212

COMMUNITY CENTRE BOOKING SECRETARY:Mrs Kath Griffiths Tel:662116 SHROPSHIRE COUNCILLOR FOR WHITTINGTONAND WEST FELTONMr Stephen Charmley, 3 Glebe Meadows, Whittington SY11 4AG e.mail:Steve.charmley@shropshire.gov.uk –www.stevecharmley.co.uk

Tel:650488 WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCILMrs A. S. Cowley, “Pear Tree” Cottage, Treflach Oswestry(Clerk to the Council) – Held the fourth Tuesday in the month Tel:659496 ascowley.whitpc@sky.comwww.whittingtonpc.wordpress.com

SHROPSHIRE YOUTH SERVICERural Mobile visits the village on Tuesday 6:15pm – 8:00pmBus parks opposite the “Premier” Shop, Whittington.Open to young people between the ages of 13 – 20 yrs.Contact: Wendy Stockton, Shropshire Council Youth Worker. Tel:654175

BAPTISM SECRETARYMrs Margery Mellor, 10 Boot Street, Whittington Tel:681036e.mail: i.mellor@tiscali.co.uk

WEDDING SECRETARY

“THE RIPPLE”(Whittington Parish Church Magazine)

Vol 30 No 1

WHITTINGTON ORGANISATIONS

Mrs Gill Roberts, 28 Boot Street, Whittington Tel:66223635

and architectural surprises and its political legacy provides a fascinatingselection of sights where visitors can rediscover the events and emotions ofits history. Historic buildings have been restored and there is plenty ofnightlife and an increasing amount of cultural events. Traditional Romaniancooking can be savoured alongside international cuisine, and in summerfestive beer gardens and picturesque parks are filled with cheerful crowds.

Public transport in Bucharest is cheap and generally reliable. The metro isthe best way to get around the centre, it is fast and despite some poorlysigned stations easier to navigate than the bus system. Buses, trolley busesand trams are well integrated and tickets are valid on all three networks, butthey are usually crowded and pickpockets are a problem. There are alsoprivate minibuses that travel along the major thoroughfares and can be hailedanywhere along their route. Taxis in Bucharest are reasonable, but foreignersare more than likely to be overcharged. Hotels or restaurants should knowthe approximate fare, which can then be negotiated and a fixed price agreedbefore getting in. Driving in Bucharest can be harrowing as locals driveerratically, and roads are not well signposted.

34The magazine has helped us appreciate God’s abundant love and care for hisworld as seen in our joyful church life and in a flourishing villagecommunity. May the magazine ever help the church to be placed at thecentre of community life, serving the whole people of God, for the nextthirty years.

On page 10 of the first magazine the quote of the month was; “these are thegood old days you are going to miss in the year 2000”. Well, we certainlystill miss the good old days in 2017 but you must admit that community lifeis still worth celebrating in our village today. And you never know, withthirty years more experience of cooking under her belt, perhaps this yearNora Brunt will make a ginger cake worthy of first prize.

Richard Burton

Whittington Rectory

THY KINGDOM COMESunday 28 May to Saturday 3 June

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have called for a week of prayerleading up to Pentecost. We are called to pray for the renewal of the churchand the flourishing of all. In Whittington church we will be setting up aspecial creative space for prayer in the side chapel. Here you will find aplace to focus your prayers and spend time in silence. The chapel will beopen for prayer all week. There will be a chance to leave a written prayer or

light a candle. Also, from Tuesday to Friday day of the week we will jointogether for Compline at 7:00pm.

3

DIARY

1 MAY DAY HOLIDAY

9:00am Car Boot Sale at Whittington Cricket Club; further details on page 26

12:00noon-4:00pm Open Garden in aid of Save the Children at Garden Croft, Daisy Lane; further details on page 8

2 2:00-3:00pm Praise and Play in church

3 7:30pm Monthly Whist Drive in the Senior Citizens’ Hall£1 including refreshments

4 9:30am Holy Communion

7:00am-10:00pm Shropshire Council Election; Polling station for Whittington is in the Senior Citizens’ Hall

5 10:00am Whittington Senior Citizens’ Coach Trip to Denbigh’s Museum of Memorabilia; further details on page 13

6 08:00am The May Prayer Breakfast to support Hannah Moore, the Schools Christian Project Worker, will be held at Chirk Methodist Church, Chirk; if you would likeattend please telephone Lynn Carroll on 01691 -659385 by Wednesday 3rd May

7 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

11:00am Parish Communion6:30pm Holy Communion according to the Book of

4 Common Prayerstained glass windows, and the floors are covered in rich carpets. The largestroom has a sliding roof wide enough for a helicopter to enter. Tour guidesdelight in recounting tales of the vast amounts of money that went to wastein decorating and re-decorating its rooms.

The National History Museum, housed in the former 1900s Postal ServicesPalace, is one of Bucharest's most important museums. It is spread over fortyone rooms and the exhibits tell of the country’s development from pre-historic times to the 1920s; it also houses a philatelic museum. Interestingly,the museum had to be closed briefly for reconstruction in 2012 when a late-medieval archaeological site was discovered under the building. Thehighlight is the basement National Treasury, which is crammed with adazzling display of gold, jewellery and valuable Neolithic curios.

The tiny but remarkable Stavropoleos Church was built in 1724; designed by a Wallachian prince renowned forhis religious architectural accomplish-ments, it is one of the oldest churches in Bucharest. Built using a combination of Romanian and Byzantine architecture it has a beautiful façade and a delicately carved columned entrance. Surrounded by apeaceful garden, it is an architectural jewel, with beautiful frescoes andreligious icons. Attached to the church is Stravropoleos Monastery whichspecialises in Byzantine music and has an impressive choir and Romania’slargest collection of Byzantine music books. The monastery’s librarycontains more than eight thousand books, including a significant number ofold manuscripts and printed works.

If you want to know more about how the general populace lived then visitthe Village Museum, situated in Herastrau Park. It is a fascinating outdoormuseum with a collection that spans more than three hundred buildingsrepresenting the history and design of Romania’s rural architecture includingpeasant homes, barns, wooden churches and Transylvanian houses from allregions of the country. Traditionally dressed peasant workers portray life

during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries along with everyday tools andaccessories; traditional crafts are also for sale around the site.

Bucharest also offers a number of art galleries, exquisite Orthodox churches 33

BUCHEREST

The Romanian capital Bucharest’s tree-lined boulevards, classical buildingsand extravagant public structures lie in juxtaposition to untidy, congestedstreets, unsightly Stalinist apartment blocks and incomplete constructions. Itis a city that most people either love or hate. Once considered the ‘Paris ofthe East’ for its long leafy avenues and grand buildings together with itsdistinguished social scene enjoyed by the extravagant Romanian aristocracy,the city’s elegance and beauty soon deteriorated under the harsh era ofcommunism. The notorious redevelopment project by Nicolae Ceausescu,leader of the Communist Party in 1965, was to create an imitation ChampsElysee, a Civic Centre and twelve-storey palace for himself together with aparliament building.

The parliament building was designed to be the largest building in the world.It is now known as the Palace of Parliament and is second only in size to thePentagon in the USA. This immense structure took twenty thousand workers,seven hundred architects to build. It has twelve floors, eleven hundredrooms, a three hundred and twenty foot-long (100m) reception and fourunderground levels including an enormous nuclear bunker. Started in 1984 itwas still unfinished when Ceausescu was executed in 1989. To-day theRomanian Parliament occupies only thirty percent of the building and it is aninternational conference centre. Its construction was responsible for thedemolition of a quarter of the city’s historic centre, including twenty sixchurches, and the relocation of forty thousand inhabitants from their homesto new developments on the outskirts.

Built and furnished exclusively fromRomanian materials, the buildingreflects the work of the country’s best artisans. A guided takes visitors through a small section of dazzling rooms, huge halls and quarters used

by the Senate (when not in session). The interior is a luxurious display of crystal chandeliers, mosaics, oak panelling and marble, gold leaf and 329 2:00-3:00pm Praise and Play in church

6:30pm Annual Parish Meeting in the Senior Citizens’ Hall

11 9:30am Holy Communion

7:00pm Whittington Women’s Institute meets in the Community Centre; Speakers: Marion Young and Sandy Wilson Topic: Mocktails

12 9:00am Car Boot Sale at Whittington Cricket Club; further details on Page 26

14 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – ST MATTHIAS

8:00am Holy Communion11:00am Parish Communion

2:00pm Open-Air Launch Event at Chirk Castle for the Whittington International Music Festival ‘Beethovenin the Borders’; the event is FREE, but non-members of the National Trust will have to pay for access to the grounds; further details on page 9

15 LAST DAY for magazine material for the June edition of the “Ripple” all material to Anne Ward, 4 Rosehill Avenue, Whittington – eaw4@btinternet.com

16 2:00-3:00pm Praise and Play in church

6:30pm Annual Parish Meeting in the Senior Citizens’ Hall

7:30pm Concert 1 Whittington International Music Festival

17 7:30pm Concert 2 Whittington International Music Festival

18 9:30am Holy Communion

TRAVELLER’S TALES

10:00am-12:00noon Coffee Morning in the Senior Citizens’ Hall in aid of Christian Aid; further details on page 12

7:30pm Concert 3 Whittington International Music Festival5

19 7:30pm Concert 4 Whittington International Music Festival

20 7:30pm Concert 5 Whittington International Music Festival

21 SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

11:00am Music Festival Service – all welcome

7:30pm Concert 6 Whittington International Music Festival

23 2:00-3:00pm Praise and Play in church

12:00 noon Senior Citizens Monthly Lunch at the White Lion; further details on page 13

25 ASCENSION DAY

10:30am A special Holy Communion in Haughton church forAscension Day with coffee to follow

26 Whittington School breaks for Half Term

28 SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

8:00am Holy Communion11:00am Parish Communion4:00pm Messy Church

29 MAY BANK HOLIDAY

9:00am Car Boot Sale at Whittington Cricket Club; further details on Page 26

30 7.00pm Compline - Thy Kingdom Come

31 7.00pm Compline – Thy Kingdom Come

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~What the Bible really means.... A father was approached by his small sonwho told him proudly, ‘I finally figured out what the Bible means!’ Hisfather smiled and replied, ‘What, then?’ The son replied, ‘It stands for “BasicInformation Before Leaving Earth”.’ 6play area. The Clerk was requested to write to the Housing Association onthe matter.

The Chairman read out an email from a Babbinswood resident relating to anumber of issues, from speeding, to obstruction of pavements, dog mess andthe Cricket Club.

Date and time of the next meeting: The next Parish Council Meeting willbe at 7:30pm on Tuesday 25th April 2017 in the Senior Citizens’ Hall.

The Annual Parish Meeting will be at 6:30pm in the Senior Citizen’s Hall on9th May 2017.

Paul Thompson-Lawrence(This article is a brief outline of the main discussion points for theWhittington Parish Council meeting and does not represent a formal record.For an official copy of the minutes please contact the Parish Clerk or look onthe Parish Website - www.whittingtonpc.wordpress.com)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Whittington Parish Street Lighting: Whittington Parish Council owns andmaintains one hundred and ninety six street lights. The maintenance andenergy cost for these lights is the largest single item in the Councils budget. Following consultation with Shropshire Council and other Town/ParishCouncils, a policy has been agreed to review these lights. This review willlook at cutting the energy/maintenance costs; reduce the carbon footprint;replace unsafe lights; change the lamps to low energy and remove any lightswhich are no longer considered necessary. This policy puts us in line withwhat Shropshire Council and other local Parishes/Towns are already doing.

The first part of the review is part-night lighting. This is currently beingrolled out through the residential areas of the Parish (dusk till midnight and5:30am till dawn) except where safety is a concern. This has been agreedwith the local policing unit. The second stage will be to change out the lights

which are on all night, and replace with LED heads. This will be done in astaged programme as finance permits.

This will not affect any maintenance issues, and if you are aware of a lightthat has an issue please report it to the Clerk or any member of the ParishCouncil.

Jill Whitby - Parish Council (Chair of Lighting Committee)31

Planning Permission granted - 17/00697/TCA– 4 Morton Villas, StationRoad, Whittington – Removal of Leylandi.

16/04778/FUL - Land off Daisy Lane, Whittington – Erection of a singledwelling and formation of vehicular access, new parking and turningareas.

Donation Requests (LGA Sect.137): Donation request received towards theproduction of a booklet on William Walshaw How, and his identification ofrare flowers in Whittington Parish. Further information will be requested andthis item will be discussed in more detail at next month’s meeting. Neighbourhood Fund Payment (for the Benefit of the Community): TheClerk advised members that this Council will be receiving an amount of£6,321.15 for the coming year.

Parish and Town Council Elections – May: The Clerk informed membersthat she had handed in eleven applications, as the trusted person, andmembers present said they had received acknowledgment of receipt.

Footway Lighting: The Clerk reported that the street-lighting conversion topart-night lighting has caused a problem in Yew Tree Drive; the lights wereflashing on and off causing concern for residents. Our contact at Highlinewas aware of the situation and would try to sort out what was causing theproblem. He would also speak to the photo-cells manufacturer and willreport back to this Council. A number of outages were reported to the Clerk.

Whittington Cemetery: It was reported that new concrete plinth has beeninstalled ready for the chair.

Areas of Concern/Parish Matters: The Clerk reported that she hadreceived a complaint regarding the bus-stop opposite the hospital being used

as a smoking shelter. Members were of the opinion that since the hospitalhas removed all the smoking shelters the bus shelters, close to the hospital,were being used. The Clerk was requested to write to the hospital on thematter; meanwhile she will check the law relating to smoking in bus shelters.

Wingate Way: The Clerk had received complaints regarding a goal postbeing erected on the strip of grass between Park Meadow and Wingate Way.The grass strip had also been mowed by someone making it easier to use as a30Extracts from the Parish Registersfor the month of March 2017

HOLY BAPTISM

“We welcome you into the Lord’s Family”

19th March 2017 Lily May Morrisof Oaklands Drive

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

“May the Souls of the Faithful Departed Rest in Peace”

5th March 2017 Ivor John William Tomkinsaged 86 of Meadowbrook Court, Gobowen

18th March 2017 Ethel LawrenceAged 80 of Daisy Lane

23rd March 2017 Beryl Wyn JonesAged 81 of Felton Park, West Felton

Communicants for the month……...…199Attendance for the month……….........225

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Rector and Trustees of the Friends of St John the Baptist acknowledgethe following donations:-

A donation of £35.00 Anon~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EASTER FLOWERS

Many thanks to everyone who gave so generously towards the cost of flowers to decorate our church forEaster; as usual the ladies worked very hard to provide

a beautiful display. The donations amounted to a total of £205.00; awonderful amount. Thank you so much. Barbara Phipps 7

ADVANCE NOTICE - NEW SERVICE TIME

Whittington Church Parochial Church Council have decided that thestart time of the Sunday morning Holy Communion Service will bebrought forward half an hour. This will not take effect until the firstSunday of July. So from Sunday 2 July the main morning service willstart at 10:30 am. This will cheer up the larks among us but dismay theowls.

Preach - Having preached for half an hour, the old Scots minister paused fordramatic effect: ‘And what shall I say more?’ A voice from the back called: ‘Say Amen, and sit down.’8In the event of a Police emergency ring 999 for urgent attention or ring 101.The Police mobile numbers above will only be answered if the Officer is onduty. If your call is not answered please leave your name, number and a briefmessage. The Officer will respond at their earliest convenience when theyare next on duty.

PLANNING: The Council will consider any application received prior tothis meeting not recorded above

17/00696/FUL – Erection of part single storey part two storey extensionto side/front elevation – 23Fitzgwarine Drive, Whittington – Noobservation.17/00996/OUT – Proposed dwelling SE of Henelle Farm Hindford,Whittington – Outline application for the erection of 1 dwelling,detached garage and all associated works – Observation – The Councilwas unanimous in the decision that this dwelling does not fit in with thecurrent planning policy for rural areas. The property is oversized and out ofcharacter and not suitable for local needs.17/01009/TCA – 2 Jasmine Cottage, Station Road, Whittington,Oswestry – To trim one Wych Elm by up to approx. 5m on both sides ofboundary – No observation.17/01028/OUT – Outline application (all matters reserved) for theconversion of detached external garage intone dwelling – Top HouseFarm, Rhosygadfa, Gobowen, Oswestry – No observation.

Get in touch - 101 to talk to your local SNT or report a crime oswestryrn.snt @westmercia.pnn.police.uk www.westmercia.police.uk

/ @Oscops - Only call 999 in an emergency, when a crime is in progress or life is in danger.

SAVE THE CHILDREN

PLANT SALE & OPEN GARDEN

MONDAY 1st MAY

12:00noon – 4:00pmGarden Croft, Daisy Lane,

SY11 4EA A garden of 1/3 acre, two herbaceous borders, roses, a north-facing border for winter interest, young trees in a mini-wild flower meadow, fruit and veg area all surrounded by typical mixed Shropshire hedges.

AND

The Haslington Folk ‘Hawkestra’

Proceeds to: Save the Children, Donation welcomeRefreshments available, proceeds to Whittington Church

Parking area - Dogs on leads welcome

Contact: 01691 650711

Reg. Charity no: 213890

For information only – not a formal consultation - 17/01054/CPL –Application for Lawful Development Certificate for the proposederection of a dormer extension to rear roof space.

Planning Permission refused - 16/05810/FUL – Proposed developmentland to the East of Drenewydd, Park Hall – Change of use of land forthe provision of up to 3 Gypsy Travelling Show People Plots.

29Burglary (Non-Dwelling): Two incidents – One at Hindford of a break-intoa shed and one at the Venue, Park Hall of an attempted break-in, disturbedby alarm.

Assault: One incident in Fitzalan Close.

Burglary (Dwelling): One incident in Fitzalan Close.

Criminal Damage: Seven incidents – One in Park Hall (outside entrance tothe travellers’ camp), UK person has thrown a stone at a passing car andpassenger side window marked; one on the A495 near Park Hall of UKknown person having thrown a stone at a passing car; damage to windscreen;one in Park Green when two windows of a car smashed; one in Castle Street(x3) of damage to vehicles (scratches). All these incidents are linked. One inStation Road of damage to vehicle (scratched); one in Fitzalan Close ofdamage to vehicle (wing mirrors knocked off) and one at Hindford ofdamage to road signs (spray paint).

Theft: Three incidents – one at Oswestry Show Ground of the theft of apressure washer; one at Iron Mills, Gobowen of the theft of mushroom topsand one at Hindford of the theft of three saddle stones.

Your team & Contact numbers:Local Police Officer - PC 3718 Kate Le’Clere – 07792 774 024

Police community Support Officers - PCSO 6412 Dave Hughes - 07816172 510 and PCSO 40279 Pete Roberts- 07792774047

About your team: Safer Neighbourhood Teams work with local people andpartners to identify, tackle and solve issues that matter to the communitywhere you live. Making neighbourhoods safer by cutting day to day crimeand anti-social behaviour is at the heart of keeping people in West Mercia safe. Thanks to an investment in mobile tablet style computers, these willenable officers to spend more time on patrol on the street and inneighbourhoods. Officers will continue to come to people when they needthem and provide a high quality service however you contact us - in person(on the street, at community bases and at partners and communities together[PACT] meetings), on the phone or online.

28

Music Festival this month

“Beethoven in the Borders”, Whittington’s fifthchamber music festival, runs from 16th-21st May andattracts an audience from far and wide, but it’sprimarily for us locals! After all, why shouldn’t aShropshire village have the best music and the best

musicians to themselves for a week? If you haven’t experienced aWhittington concert yet, pop into the Three Trees Post Office and getyourself a ticket. All the details are in the enclosed Festival brochure.

Or if you want a taster first, go along to the free open-air concert at ChirkCastle on Sunday 14th at 2:00pm (non-members of the National Trust willhave to pay for access to the grounds), and meet the famous Elias Quartetwho will be with us for ten days. Many of our 15 resident artists havealready made friends in the village, and they would love to share theirpassion for this glorious music with you too.

Magazine Subscription

Next month you will see an envelope stapled to the front of your magazine. This will be for your magazine subscription money. Return your envelope to the person deliveringyour magazine by the end of June please, to take advantage of the special subscription rate of still just £5.50

Indecision is the key to flexibility. Anon

If your troubles are deep-seated or long-standing, try kneeling. Anon

And don’t forget, if you’re lucky enough to be aged between 8 and 25,you can get into any of the six concerts completely free!

Lawrence Mortimer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~“How About A Lesson in German?”

Would you like to learn a new language? Why not try a taster session of anhour’s tuition in German? Whether for a holiday or just general interest youcan have a one hour free lesson to see if you would like it. Call me on01691-239619 or 0751 9806 271 afternoons or evenings to discuss a date;lady teacher, resident in Whittington.

Janet Norwood9

The president Sandy Wilson welcomed everyone to the meeting. Sandythanked Ruth Haile for deputising on her behalf at the last meeting and wasdelighted so many members had entered in the Spring Show. Jerusalem wassung followed by an update of a range of WI opportunities and informationfrom the National WI Federation, which included a National WI raffle (£1.00per ticket) with an incredible £10,000 main prize. Resolutions for theNational Conference were briefly considered, but will be more fullydiscussed in the May meeting as will be the outcome of Whittington’s WIquestionnaire. Stewards for the Shrewsbury Flower Show are required andnames should be given to Joyce for forwarding to the co-ordinators. TheGreat Get Together has been widely promoted and the committee will have apack ready to share at the May meeting. There is more information on theGreat Get Together website and local events will be listed.

On May 5th a national campaign supporting strangers will be launched toprovide people/children with a simple flower or a posy in places where theymay sit or meet up within the village. The committee will make up flowerson May 4th after the business meeting. Open days for the National Federationwere promoted as was the information on the Supermarket Waste Manifestowhich will be launched locally on 19th -21st May. The Carers WelcomeCampaign will be live online until May 1st and gives any carer a chance tocomplete a survey which explores the issues carers face and will beconfidential.

Western Rhyn WI will be holding a plant sale on Saturday 13 th May and willbe serving refreshments from 10:30am at the Institute. Money for the WellDressing Visit must be brought to the next meeting. Glenis reported on ameeting she had attended which focussed on what ideas each WI inShropshire could think of in preparation for Shropshire’s 100th celebrationsin 2019. Oswestry Show will need members to volunteer for the Tea Tentand a rota is available for members to add their names. The Bee Box wascollected from Shrewsbury and resembles a birdfeeder! It has a designatedplace on one of the church walls and just needs publicity co-ordinating witha date to be agreed to fix it.

Barbara Molesworth explained about a small booklet she and other churchmembers plus WI members have put together for church funds and Save the 10

There were ten Parish Councillors, the Clerk and one member of the public at the meeting.

Public Participation: Mr Ian Johnson spoke about the August Bank HolidayExtravaganza. Mr Charles Lillis who will be installed as High Sherriff ofShropshire on 31st March is to be asked to open the fete. The Chairman ofthe Parish Council was asked if he could attend the event. A decision will bemade after the May Elections whether to appoint a member of the ParishCouncil to attend in an official capacity.

Matters Arising:1. The Clerk reported that she had spoken to two residentsfrom Fitzgwarine who have offered to put top soil and some grass seed onthe area that had been churned up by vehicles. Council Members agreed thiswas a fair compromise; however the area will be monitored in the future.2. The Clerk had been in touch with a Company who provides defibrillatorsand they will be providing an estimate for members to consider. Thefunding and siting of the defibrillator will be the main consideration for thisCouncil.

Community Police Incident Report 1 st -31 st January 2017: PCSO PeteRoberts was in attendance and said that there had not been many crimes inthe parish during the month. He spoke about a purge on mobile phone users

Whittington Parish Council News,Meeting held on 27th March 2017

WHITTINGTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

in moving vehicles; if caught, and six points were accrued in two years,drivers will be disqualified and have to re-sit the driving test

He clarified the situation regarding parking on the pavements; parking is nota crime unless they are causing an obstruction. Parking at the school at drop-off and pick-up times is still causing a problem and the Castle has offered theCastle car park as a solution to the problem; the situation is being monitored.The Chairman thanked PCSO Roberts for his attendance.

Anti-Social Behaviour and Nuisance: Five incidents – One in Top Streetregarding a parking issue; one in Penybryn Avenue of a dispute betweenneighbours; one at Park Hall (x2) of children/youths using off-road quadbikes in the area; one in Park Hall of a gang of youths being aggressive andone in Fitzwarine Drive of threats of violence (children).

27

CAR BOOT SALE

Car Boot Sales in aid of the Cricket and Bowling Club this month –

MONDAY 1st MAYFRIDAY 12th MAY

MONDAY 29th MAY

GATES OPEN 9:00am

SALES FROM 9:30am – 1:00pm

PITCH FEE £6:00

Entrance is FREE – Refreshments available from the Club HouseAll proceeds towards the upkeep of the Club

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Help at Home

Help @ Home is a service offered throughout Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin by Age UK STW, to anyone over 50. People often need help andassistance to remain independent and ensure a good quality of life.

We offer help with shopping, walking the dog or light domestic dutiesaround your home, including laundry, ironing and gardening.

After an initial visit from one of our co-ordinators to discuss the help yourequire, and the cost, we offer a trained support worker who will start visitson a regular basis.

To discuss your needs with a member of our staff call: 01743 23378826Children. Each booklet describes species of rare, wild and more commonplants first identified by the Rector, William Walsham How. The booklethas been thoroughly researched and includes original sources. Donations tocover the cost of printing would be welcomed.

The speaker for the evening was Gill Castle, who described the life ofwomen and girls in Uganda. Women are usually responsible for the runningof the home, gardening for food to eat, all aspects of childcare and lookingafter relatives. Often the workload prevents girls from having theopportunity to go to school or, if they do, as a result of being tired, they getmuch poorer results. In recent times children have been encouraged to boardat school, especially if they have to walk a considerable distance to get toschool and are vulnerable on isolated dirt tracks. Girls are encouraged tostay at school in order to avoid the problem of being married too young andhaving children whilst they are just teenagers. In rural areas, feudal practicesstill occur with a Bride Price, money given to the prospective father-in-law.Men are able to have more than one wife which can lead to societal problemsespecially if the first wife is made to leave the marital home with fewchoices of where to go or what to do. Gill described the challenges thewomen and girls face; domestic violence is common, HIV too. Men are thedecision makers and can enforce embargos on their wife/daughter, such asnot allowing them to visit friends or family. However, change is happeningand women and girls can now eat meat and eggs, previously only the

province of men. They can also wear trousers, gain professionalqualifications and have aspirations for their futures. Marian Young provideda reflective vote of thanks which emphasised how much the charity Gillbelonged to had influenced and made women and girls’ lives better.

The competition for the evening was a favourite jug and Margaret Hulsonwon first prize, Joyce Howard was second and Libby Morris third. FabulousEaster refreshments were made by Ruth Haile and Jan Stokes, and everyoneappreciated the eggs and the table decorations.

The next WI meeting will be at 7:00pm on May 11th in the CommunityCentre at which we will spend time making Mocktails! Everyone is verywelcome to attend the meeting, new members are especially welcomed.

Jo Goodall

11

Breakable

There was a very gracious lady who was posting an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country... ‘Is there anything breakable in here?’asked the postal clerk.

‘Only the Ten Commandments,’ answered the lady. 12

Sir Arthur Sullivan

Sir Arthur Sullivan was born on the 13th May 1842 (175 years ago) and is best known for his collaboration with W S Gilbert which produced operettas such as H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado andPirates of Penzance.

Ironically, he never wanted to be remembered for the operas; instead, he wrote: “My sacred music is that on which I base my reputation as a composer.”But although he wrote striking oratorios such as The Prodigal Son and The Light of the World, by far his most popular sacredmusic remains the tune for Onward, Christian Soldiers.

The young Arthur Seymour Sullivan – his father an Irish musician and hismother of Italian descent – was a Child (choirboy) of the Chapel Royal andthe first winner of the Mendelssohn Scholarship, which enabled him to studyat the Royal Academy of Music and the Leipzig Conservatory. He becameorganist of St. Michael’s, London, in 1861, and the following year aperformance in London of his incidental music to Shakespeare’s The Tempest made him an overnight celebrity.

THURSDAY 18th MAY

10:00am-12:00noonIn the

SENIOR CITIZENS’ HALL

PLEASE BRING A FRIEND

Entrance: BY DONATIONRAFFLE

Taxpayer: A person who has the whole government on his payroll. Anon

He then became a professional musician, teaching, playing the organ, editingand conducting, as well as composing various classical works, including aballet, a cello concerto, a symphony, choral works, several overtures and aseries of chamber pieces and hymns. His first successful comic opera(without Gilbert) was Box and Cox, but Richard D’Oyly Carte brought the two men together for the immensely popular Trial by Jury.

The rest is history. The G&S collaborations are now known as the SavoyOperas, after the theatre where they were performed from 1882.

Sir Arthur’s relationship with Gilbert – portrayed in the brilliant Mike Leighfilm Topsy-Turvy – was not always calm, but Gilbert’s satire and verbalingenuity were matched beautifully by Sullivan’s technically brillianttunefulness.

Sir Arthur died in London in 1900. Tim Lenton

25ANSWERS TO APRIL’S QUIZ

1. Anode2. Wally3. Butterfly4. Victoria5. Melchester6. Six7. Tom Hanks8. Doe9. Behaviour10. Jersey11. Hands12. Elton John13. Liam Neeson14. Eamonn Holmes15. Ten16. LXXV1117. St Cecilia18. Flock together19. The Taming of the Shrew

20. True Blue21. The brain22. Hummingbird23. Eric Clapton24. Luke25. Italy26. Alderney27. Steven Gerrard28. La Bohème29. Eight30. Gregorian31. Portsmouth32. Seven33. Rome34. Goat

24

The Senior Citizens’ May lunch at the White Lion will be on Tuesday 23rd. Iapologise for repeating but Val Hayward is responsible for looking afterbookings; so if you are not a regular attendee and wish to come along, pleaselet Val know on 01691 662434. Also, if you are a regular at the lunches,please let Val know if you are unable to make it. The cost of the two courseroast lunch is £7.50 per person and includes tea or coffee.

The Annual General Meeting took place immediately after the April lunch. Itwas decided to leave subscriptions at £6 for the year – that is only 50p permonth – why not join us if you are over 50 years of age – or even retired.

We held our Easter Tea on 11th April when twenty five members plus sixcommittee members sat down to sandwiches, cakes, hot cross buns and trifle.Our thanks to the hardworking Magnificent Seven (no Yul Brynner) and thenon 21st April we attended the Castle for a soup lunch.

It’s just notcricket!

It’s really just not cricketHow hard a mother worksTo get her kids to the wicketA job that lacks in perks!

Rising, driving, and makingThe sandwiches and teas;Cleaning, ironing, bakingThe cakes which greatly please!

Mum’s taxi covers the milesSo they can score those fours.She claps and broadly smiles,But she should get applause!

Nigel Beeton

Nine - I was meeting a friend in a restaurant andas I went in, I noticed two pretty girls lookingcarefully at me. ‘Nine,’ I heard one whisper as Ipassed. Feeling pleased with myself, I swaggeredover to my buddy and told him a girl had justrated me a nine out of ten. ‘I don't want to ruin itfor you,’ he said, ‘but when I walked in, theywere speaking German.’

Love - Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I drive by again?

WHITTINGTON SENIOR CITIZENSOver 50’s Club – Recycled Teenagers

I am in shape. Round is a shape. Anon

The monthly whist drives are well supported by people from far and wide. Itis a shame there are not many whist players in Whittington. Everyone iswelcome and the £1.50 charge includes tea or coffee served at half time. Agreat deal of work goes into these evening; putting up the tables and chairs,providing raffle prizes and providing the coffee and biscuits. There is also asmall gathering on Monday afternoons at 2:00 pm. Come along and give it atry; Rita, Jan and company will give you a warm welcome and if you arenew to the game they will show you the ropes.

The Thursday morning coffee gatherings are enjoyed by the valiant few, whoenjoy getting together and having a chat over coffee and biscuits. Everyoneis welcome so please join us when you can.

Line Dancing classes are held on Thursday afternoons from 1:30pm untilapproximately 3:15pm. The cost is £4 per session and a small raffle is held,the receipts from which go towards club funds, which is a registered charity.Please come along and give it a go, all ages are welcome.

It has been decided to serve coffee/tea between 10:00am – 4:00pm on 13

Thursday 4th May, Polling Day, so why not stop and have a coffee and abiscuit when you cast your vote - £1 will buy a cup of tea or coffee with abiscuit.

We have some dates for your diary for the forthcoming months; please makea note of them.

Friday 5th May 10:00am first pick-up for a trip to the Denbigh Museum of 50’s, 60, and 70’s Memorabilia. The cost for the trip is £10 for members, this covers coach and entrance to museum and tea or coffee. We will then proceed to the Tweedmill where lunch can be obtained. We will probably return about 4:00pm. Please contact Val on 662434 or Gill 662236

Tuesday 6th June 10:00am first pick-up for a trip to Bridgemere (free coach for members and £5 for non-members). We will return about 2:00pm. Once again contact Val or Gill

Tuesday 4th July 9:30am first pick-up for a trip to The National Arboretum - cost £10 for members and £15 for non- members. Please contact Val on 662434.

These trips are open to everyone, but the cost is slightly more if not amember of the club. It is well worth joining the club for £6 per annum as thecost is soon recuperated if you join us on the trips.

Wednesday 19th July A visit by members of The Vulnerable PeopleAssociation regarding safety in the home 9:00am – 2:00pm

We are considering a visit to Rhyl/Colwyn Bay at the beginning ofSeptember. Please let us know if you are interested.

Gill Roberts - 01691 662236~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What God is like - A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, ‘Boys and girls, what do we know about God?’

A hand went up. ‘He is an artist!’ said a little boy. Startled, the teacher asked him why he thought that. ‘You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven...’14in winter, the presentation from Admiral Barnaby of the small silver hammerhas been a great help in order to break the ice that slowly forms across the surface as the service proceeds.

In future, as you and your own candidates luxuriate in this heated baptismal spa, do spare a thought for those of us who maintain the true faith.

Your loving uncle, Eustace

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~May at Whittington Castle

30th April-1st May 10:00am – 4:00pm Travel throughMedieval Britain in our Living History Weekend. Entrance £2 per Adult and £1 per Child.

14th May 10:00am-4:00pm House of the BlackStar – Medieval Living History Day - FREE entrance (just £1 to park)

28th May Car Boot Sale - £5 per car – free entrance to public – sorry no trade stands

28th May 7:00pm The Festival Players present Outdoor Shakespeare at the Castle “The Merry Wives of Windsor”. Tickets available from Whittington Castle. Please bring a chair with you and picnic. This is a fast paced comedy with all male cast.

Sue Ellis, Castle Manager – Telephone 01691 662500E-mail: info @whittingtoncastle.co.uk

Website: ww.whittingtoncastle.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Deadline for cashing in your old £1 coins

Dig into the pockets of your coats, rummage down the backs of your chairsand couch, empty your piggy bank, look in your car – do whatever it takes,but FIND all those old £1 coins that may lurk around your house – before itis too late. The face side of the new £1 coin features the Queen, while the tailside features four emblems: the English rose, the leek for Wales, the Scottishthistle and the shamrock for Northern Ireland – all emerging from a singlestem within a crown. The old coin’s validity expires at midnight on Sunday15th October 2017. 23

On the perils of BaptismsThe Rectory

St. James the Least of All

My dear Nephew Darren

Your new thermostatically controlled, underwaterilluminated baptismal tank with wave simulation,

for total immersions, sounds rather intimidating. I am slightly surprised youdon’t have computer-generated doves flying overhead, in order to add thatfinal touch of authenticity. I would imagine that to perform baptisms in yourtank, you need a degree in electrical engineering as much as one in theology.

I do, however, agree with your Vicar’s decision to stop the practice of youperforming these rituals in the river Mersey. It is one thing for your newlybaptised to emerge from the waters filled with the Holy Spirit, and quiteanother to emerge filled with typhoid. Better to give them a baptismal

certificate, rather than a free ride to the hospital for a stomach pump. Theriver Jordan may have been all very well for John the Baptist, but I expect that even he would hesitate at the river Mersey.

Had I baptised dear Miss Pemberton in the Mersey last month – at 93 years, taking the decision a little late in life (I did not attempt to hold her in one arm) – being a lady of such proportions, I suspect she would have constituteda shipping hazard.

I appreciate your suggestion that such procedures would look charming onthe banks of our local Cotswold stream, but irrespective of our differingtheologies, I would not want to be seen by parishioners in my bathingcostume. Such apparel may be all very well when I am on holidaysomewhere where I am totally unknown, but it hardly seems fitting for an honorary Canon in his parish.

I do concede that baptisms in medieval fonts can have their own particular problems. The plug in our own has never fitted properly, and so after filling it, I know I have precisely 16 minutes and 45 seconds to come to the actual baptism, otherwise the water has disappeared entirely. As I have discovered over the years, it is impossible to look dignified disappearing into the vestry half way through the Service in order to fetch a second bucket. For baptisms 22

WHITTINGTON GARDENS COMPETITION 2017

The competition is open to any garden within the Whittington Parishboundary and prizes will be presented to the winners at the Village Fete atWhittington Castle on Monday 28th August 2017.

CLASSES AND PRIZES

Class 1 Best large garden - Dovaston Perpetual SalverClass 2 Best small garden - Flower Guild Rose BowlClass 3 Best senior citizens’ garden - Castle CupClass 4 Best in flower clematis - Community Centre CupClass 5 Best vegetable garden - Mayor’s CupClass 6 Best hanging basket - Morhys of Rosehill CupSpecial Class Most fragrant rose in all the gardens visited - Pam Kup Cup

NB: To avoid confusion with judging please enter only one garden in either section 1, 2 or 3. Entrants’ gardens will be judged towards the end of July 2017. Entrants will be notified of the exact date in advance.

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: THURSDAY 20 th JULY 2017

The judge’s decision will be final, but join in the competition and enjoy it!No entries accepted after the closing date.

For further information please contact the organiser,Libby Morris on 01691-659566

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Entry Form for Whittington Gardens Competition 2017

Please complete, detach and return to:-

Libby Morris, 7 Rosehill Close, Whittington. SY11 4DYEntry Fee: £1 per class Please tick all relevant boxes

1 wish to enter: Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

Class 4 Class 5 Class 6 Special Class

Name: .................................................................... Tel: ...................................

Address: ........................................................................................................15

Sunday 28 May, Whittington Church

Messy Church

Stories Jesus Told

The Mustard Seed We begin with crafts and activities at 4:00pm At 4:30pm we gather for a short act of worship

with songs and a story. We end with sandwiches, cakes and drinks.

Please contact Sarah (sarahburton7@gmail.com – or 01691 238658) for more information.

All ages welcome~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DESERT ISLAND DISCS - 5

I was born in Drogheda, Ireland, moved to Englandat a young age and was brought up on a farm near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. I was educated at

Ampleforth College near York and read classics at Christ Church, Oxford.

On coming down from Oxford, I worked in the City for over 30 years,initially joining S. G. Warburg & Co. I had a varied career in finance, whichincluded advising central banks of emerging countries on debt restructuring,raising equity capital for British and foreign companies, and finally runningan open-ended fund management business.

I now act as an independent adviser to industrial and financial enterprises onraising finance, and am also active in the charitable sector as a trustee forvarious charities, both in Shropshire (Shropshire Rural Community Council,Ellesmere College) and in London (Westminster Almshouses Foundation).From April 2017 I will be High Sheriff of Shropshire for one year.16

This is one of Slimming World’s most popular and versatile dishes and is agreat healthy meal for all the family. You can try swapping diet orange for atasty change.

DIET COKE CHICKEN (for 4)

Low calorie cooking spray1 onion, finely chopped1 red, 1 yellow and 1 green pepper, chopped into chunks2 garlic cloves, finely chopped4 skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

4 tbsp tomato purée8 tbsp passata with onions and garlic1 tbsp dark soy sauce1 tsp dried mixed herbs330ml can diet coke200 ml chicken stock200 g sugar-snap peas

Place a large pan sprayed with low calorie cooking oil over a high heat.Add the chicken, peppers and onion and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, or untillightly browned.Add the diet coke, stock, passata, tomato purée, garlic, Worcestershire sauce,soy sauce and dried mixed herbs and stir well.Bring to the boil, cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 12-15 minutes.Add the sugar-snap peas, stir and increase the heat to medium-high.Cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through andthe vegetables are tender. (Freezer friendly)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Who’s been good? - A father of five young children won a toy at a raffle. Back home, he called his children together to let them determine which one should have the present. ‘Who is the most obedient?’ he asked. ‘Who never talks back to Mother? Who does every-thing she says?’

Five small voices answered in unison: ‘You do, Daddy!’ 21QUIZ – WHAT DO YOU CALL A COLLECTION OF?

1. Elephants - Herd2. Owls3. Pigs4. Porcupines5. Rats6. Pups7. Monkeys8. Swallows9. Hounds10. Hyenas11. Hedgehogs

12. Hippopotami13. Tigers14. Cod15. Barracudas16. Rattlesnakes17. Worms18. Unicorns19. Hamsters20. Clams21. Sardines22. Flamingos23. Seagulls24. Hens25. Buzzards26. Cockroaches27. Iguanas28. Perch29. Wombats30. Lambs31. Greyhounds32. Woodpeckers33. Guillemots34. Pekingese35. Caterpillars36. Eels

Hint: NO ANSWER IS REPEATED – SO 36 DIFFERENT NAMES!20My wife Veronica was born and brought up on a family farm near BishopsCastle in South Shropshire. We moved to Shropshire 22 years ago, settlingjust outside Whittington. We have a daughter aged 28 and a son aged 25.

Discs:1. Beatles: Here comes the Sun - I first heard this when I was 16/17 yearsold at school. I was studying for A Levels and I loved the optimism in it.2. Rolling Stones: My Sweet Lady Jane - This came out at about the sametime as Here Comes the Sun. It is a wonderful lyrical love song.3. Neil Young: Southern Man - I was a great Crosby Stills Nash & Youngfan while up at Oxford. This came out early on in my time there and remainsone of my favourite records, especially the 13 minute version

Just pretend… Although the marriedcouple enjoyed their new fishing boattogether, it was the husband whoalways took the wheel. But then hebecame concerned about what mighthappen in an emergency. So one dayout on the lake he said to his wife,‘Please take the wheel, dear. Pretendthat I am having a heart attack. Youmust get the boat safely to shore anddock it.’ So she drove the boat to shore.

Later that evening, the wife walked intothe living room where her husband was watching television. She sat down next to him, switched the TV channel, and said to him, ‘Please go into the kitchen, dear. Pretend I’m having a heart attack and set the table, cook dinner and wash

First things first

A Sunday School teacher had justconcluded her lesson on the Atonement.‘So, can anyone tell me what you mustdo before you can obtain forgiveness ofsin?”

There was a short pause and then, fromthe back of the room, a small boy putup his hand. ‘Sin?’ he said.

4. Edith Piaf: Milord - From the age of 12 I spent my summer schoolholidays with various cousins in France. I am very keen on Edith Piaf, andthis is one of my favourite of her songs.5. Beethoven: Piano Concerto in E-flat major (Emperor) - This is a verybeautiful and evocative piece of music that I greatly enjoy playing in the carat full volume!6. Pierre Moutouari: Saile – I love anything by this artist, but have chosento take this one. I used to work in the Congo, which probably produces thebest West African music, and Pierre Moutouari is I think one of the best of agood bunch. 7. Eminem: Stan - He was one of the first rap artists that I listened to. Thelyrics are of course outrageous but they make me laugh.8. Mumford & Sons: Tompkins Square Park - I like the way that thisband’s music is evolving, and this is one of their best recent songs.

The disc I would rescue - it would have to be the Beethoven piano concerto.

Book - The Aeneid by Virgil, in the original Latin. It will be very good forthe brain and a lesson in perseverance to keep me going on the island until Iam rescued.

Luxury - A (very) large box of Romeo y Julieta Churchill cigars, which Itrust I would have plenty of time to enjoy.

I will hopefully have trees on my island so will build a fire, live off fish + local berries etc. I shall hope to avoid wee beasties if necessary climbing up thetree(s) if they are big! I would try to build a shelter out of drift wood and eaves. Charles Lillis, High Sheriff of Shropshire 17

“William Walsham How’s Journal of Wild Flowers”

Recently some papers have come to light concerningthe Revd William Walsham How who was Rector ofWhittington from 1851-1879 and who later became thefirst Bishop of Wakefield.

Among these papers was a list of rare and more unusualflowers which he saw growing as e went on is daily

rounds visit his Whittington parishioners.

In copperplate handwriting it is of such an interesting parochial and botanicalimportance that it has been decided to publish it in a small booklet. Thebooklet will include both the botanical and English plant names. Both ofwhich will be listed in the index along with the location they were found.

Marjorie Blamey, the well known botanical illustrator, has most generously given her permission for her paintings to be used in the booklet, free of charge.

The Castle Fields in Whittington were full of the nativedaffodil – Narcissus Pseudonarcissus – along with Autumn Crocus which were abundant in meadows and such varieties as Grass of Parnassus are mentioned.

We hope to publish the booklet through Paperwrite in Oswestry and it is tobe titled “William Walsham How’s Journal of Wild Flowers”.

We are looking for some sponsorship and wondering if you would like tosupport us by becoming a sponsor. All sponsors will be named in thebooklet.

Barbara Molesworth – 01691 650711

Marjorie Blamey - was born in 1919 and her career as an artist began whenshe was invited to show her floral works at the Spring Flower Show of theCornwall Garden Society. Her first commission was from CornishHorticulturist Neil Treseder, to illustrate a book of magnolias; she has builtup an archive of more than 10,000 paintings of flowers and plants. Marjoriehas variously been described as “the finest living botanical illustrator”, “thebest contemporary botanical illustrator” and “the top illustrator in Europe”.18

CHILDREN’S PAGE

19