The County's New Lifestyle Magazine

You, your family and your world

Summer seems to have arrived at last, and this issue of Shropshire Woman is here to let
the sunshine in.   

Despite the progressive tightening of belts, rising fuel costs and the credit crunch, we’re going to celebrate the season, with a fabulous mix of fashion, features and fun. And we’re looking at ways to beat the economic gloom and get themost out of life for less!

For example, our makeover and cover girl features Shropshire’s own dressage champion Zoë Taylor, and we’ve used hire dresses and inexpensive jewellery to a stunning effect, proving you don’t need a big budget to look beautiful.

Our beauty section has recipe ideas for inexpensive beauty products and shop-smart tips for getting the most out of products. Our sizzling swimwear fashions feature looks at good-looking items from inexpensive retailers and we’ve joined together with West Bromwich Building Society to give readers a guide to successful budgeting. Check out our food news too, where supplier Goodbehere Organics claims that box schemes can be more cost effective than the supermarket alternatives.

Elsewhere, this month’s special report looks at childhood obesity in the county, where figures just released show truly depressing statistics. On the positive side, we follow this up with tips on how to keep your child active, and provide some fuss-free, healthy, child-friendly recipes.

Definitely not having trouble keeping active are Jo Yapp and Lucy Gould, two truly sporty Salopian ladies who have represented their country in splendid style, and still on a sporting theme we look at the work of Shropshire’s Olympic representative Rosemary Smith.

We are very keen to encourage feedback, and welcome all your letters and e-mails, positive or otherwise! This month Ruby Gurr of Bridgnorth wins the star prize of a fabulous box of hand-made chocolates from local company Chokolit of Bridgnorth. Ruby has highlighted the lack of public transport in the county after 7pm, so if you have a view on this or any other topic we’d love to hear from you. We also have our website up and running, so please visit us! www.shropshirewoman.co.uk

Finally, we take a lighthearted look at getting children – especially teenagers - to help around the house, and our very own Token Male Peter Wooldridge defends his sex against accusations of inactivity.

The magazine is all about living sunnyside up, and gives you all the events, walks and
refreshment ideas you need to get the very most out of the Shropshire summer. We hope you enjoy it.

Sally Themans
Editor