Philip Dunne is pictured with Ludlow postman Tom Wall during his visit to the sorting office
MP’s praise for posties
PHILIP DUNNE MP DROPPED IN to Royal Mail’s sorting office at Ludlow’s business park in the build up to Christmas to thank local postmen and women for the doorstep service they provide.
Mr Dunne said: “December is the busiest month for those who deliver our post. Last year it was also one of the most treacherous times for getting about through the severe weather. Many of our posties made extra efforts to deliver the post last year, despite the weather and instructions not to take unnecessary risks on icy roads. I wanted to thank and encourage them – for some people the postie is the only person they meet all day, so delivering Christmas cards to the frail can offer help beyond the mail itself.”
Mr Dunne learned that although letter volumes are declining, increasing internet shopping and home working means parcel deliveries are becoming even more significant for Royal Mail, especially in the runup to the festive season.
Challenging new chapter at library
Nina Davies
COMMUNITY LEADERS IN BRIDGNORTH HAVE started a new chapter in their campaign to raise the profile of the town’s library and boost much-needed funds.
The Friends of Bridgnorth Library, which has raised thousands of pounds to buy equipment in the past 10 years, has issued a warning to the public to “use it or risk losing it”.
The team are renewing their efforts in the light of budget constraints in the current economic climate and building on a successful visit to Bridgnorth by author Joanne Harris.
John Hurst-Knight is pictured with team librarian Emma Spenser
Around 220 tickets were sold for an audience with the awardwinning writer, best known for her novel ‘Chocolat’, who was in town promoting her latest book ‘Runelight’.
Councillor John Hurst-Knight, who heads up the library support group, said they had not anticipated such a strong turnout and were delighted with the response.
He said they had been working to get a famous author to visit the town for many years and thanks to long-term member and former headteacher John Tuer they had succeeded.
“There is a lot of potential support out there from the public and in everything we do we are trying to encourage people to use the library.
“We settled on printing 220 tickets not really expecting to sell every one but we did and the turnout was fantastic,” Councillor Hurst-Knight added.
The response has given the group renewed hope and determination to promote the library and the valuable role it plays in the community, to a wider audience.
“Times change and we have got to cater for the modern day.
The library is not just where you can go to borrow books. It is a reference point with a suite of computers available.
“We’re extremely fortunate to have such a facility at our disposal in Bridgnorth and it is up to us to sell it to the public and increase the number of visitors we have or it may be lost.
The Friends of Bridgnorth Library have raised much-needed funds in its 10 year history to buy furniture and extra equipment.
“We bought some special chairs for our more mature visitors which is just one example of how we try to accommodate all users of the library,” he said.
The Friends are now looking to encourage younger visitors with an activity day for children and school-based competitions.
They are also now in talks over plans to secure a visit from another well-known author next year with the possibility of inviting along English Literature students for a question and answer session.
Historic homes in spotlight
HISTORIC RUINS OR PERIOD PROPERTIES in Bridgnorth could soon be featured in a new BBC television series.
The makers of Restoration Home want to hear from owners of old buildings looking to transform derelict properties into their dream abodes.
Producers say, if you have an idyllic, ruinous gem in the countryside, an industrial building, a mill or something of architectural interest, they want to hear from you.
“We would like to follow the restoration process, bringing to light the difficult decisions that have to be faced about what should be saved and what should be sacrificed to make way for a 21st century home,” a spokesman said. “Our social historian will look into who has lived in the building, what happened there, who built it and why.
“Our architectural historian will investigate how the structure fits into the wider context of British architecture. At the end of it all, we hope to see an important historical property saved from dereliction and brought back to life,” they added.
For more information call 0333 577 7740 or email homes@endemoluk.com with your name, contact number and a few details about the property.
Cave find applauded
THE ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY OF A new sandstone cave in Bridgnorth has been hailed as a great historic find.
Developers unearthed the cave at the top of Cartway while working on a new housing development.
Council chiefs have now visited the site and officers are in talks with the planning department to ensure the remains of the cave are retained and recorded.
Cabinet member for conservation and development management, Councillor Malcolm Price, described the discovery as a “great find” for Bridgnorth and Shropshire.
“I am sure local residents will be intrigued to find out more about this fascinating excavation,” he said.
Stacey’s legacy lives on to help children
Nina Davies reveals how one Bridgnorth teenager’s tragic death has inspired her mother to set up a bereavement support group for youngsters
Children who lose a loved one are now being offered special support thanks to a family run charity set up following the death of a Bridgnorth teenager.
Mother-of-five Karen Burton set up Stacey’s Trust after losing her daughter aged just 13 in a tragic accident at home seven years ago.
It was several months on as she watched Stacey’s siblings struggling to come to terms with her death that she decided to form the child bereavement support group.
And now her dedication is paying off with around 20 youngsters, aged 13 to 18, having benefited from the Trust’s programme.
“Bereavement support is not something you think about until it becomes something you need,” she says.
“Following the death of our daughter Stacey, it became clear that there was a lack of support for young people in Shropshire.
“There were a number in surrounding areas like Birmingham but travelling that distance is not an option for everyone.
“Stacey’s Trust was set up to help young people in this area who have lost someone special in their lives through bereavement,” explains Karen.
What’s more they have received positive feedback from those who have sought the support of the trust and, through word of mouth, its reputation is growing.
“We are here for any youngster experiencing any bereavement, whether they have lost a parent, grandparent or sibling.
Stacey's Trust was set up to help young people in this area who have lost someone special in their lives through bereavement
“We do have a structure that we follow depending on the child but that is very flexible and we tailor the support to their needs in a friendly and informal atmosphere,” adds Karen.
The trust offers youngsters time and space, the opportunity to talk and be listened to, support and advice, fun and laughter but the understanding that it is OK to be sad too.
“Above all, it gives them the time to meet others who have also lost someone special and are going through similar experiences and feelings,” says Karen.
Volunteers including Stacey’s siblings, Kerri, Sarah and Andrew also help out at the trust where youngsters can create memory jars, friendship bracelets and release balloons.
It has been a journey of discovery for the family who spent months researching the best way of setting up the trust, which has become Stacey’s legacy.
Family and friends continue to tirelessly campaign to raise money in support of Stacey’s Trust through charity events including quiz nights, horseracing and sponsored events.
This year would have been Stacey’s 21st birthday; an occasion which they wanted to mark with a special event which saw them stage a masked ball at Castle Hall last month.
Asked what she thought Stacey would make of the work of the trust, Karen replied:
“Cool. She would think it was cool.”
For more information or to contact the trust, run by Karen and friend Michelle Cartwright, visit www.staceystrust.co.uk
Santas cut a dash
Father Christmas was out in force recently when Bridgnorth staged its first Santa dash.
The fundraising event was staged on Severn park and will help boost the coffers of Cancer Research UK.
Canine companions are top dogs
A pair of canines from Bridgnorth, one of which came from a rescue centre, have walked off with two national awards.
Dog lover Caroline Murphy says she needs a trophy cabinet after both her pooches were singled out in separate competitions.
taffordshire bull terrier Jazz has just beaten hundreds of others to be named Online Dog of the Year.
It comes just a few months after his canine companion Yoda was honoured at a Gay Pride contest in London.
Yoda took the title of Dandiest Dog at the London’s Pride Pooch awards and earned the right of a place at the head of the Pride London gay parade.
Caroline, from Highley, said:
“Jazz is a rescue dog we got from the Dogs Trust about two years ago. He won a lovely rosette and so has at least matched Yoda in the competition stakes.”
Caroline emailed a photograph of three-year-old Jazz to Kennel Club organizers of the Online Dog of the Year contest and entrants from fellow Companion Dog Club members were whittled down to five finalists.
They were judged at the Discover Dogs show that was staged by the Kennel Club at Earls Court in London recently.
Weigh-in
Bridgnorth Rotary Club’s annual sponsored slim for charity will this year be supporting Hope House Children’s Hospice.
The first weigh-in session will take place at Bridgnorth Leisure Centre from 10am to 4pm on January 7, with the final weighout scheduled between the same hours on February 25.
Cheques for charity
Several local good causes are celebrating after receiving donations from Sainsbury’s Bridgnorth store during their annual charity evening held recently.
A total of £1,650 has been donated by the supermarket. Representatives from 13 charities benefited financially with representatives from each one presented with cheques ranging from £25 to £800.
Ann Greenall, store manager said: “Sainsbury’s Bridgnorth is very much part of the = local community and we are very happy to support our local charities and, in turn, our local community.”
“We are very proud of our close relationship with our local schools and charities and of their achievements and we look forward to continuing to support them and working with them in the future”.
