Shropshire Woman
http://www.shropshirewoman.co.uk/shropshire_woman_features/community---summer-in-shropshire.shtmlCOMMUNITY - Summer in Shropshire
JUNE 2010
Out and about
JUNE 2010
Out and about
Summertime, and the living is...well, whatever takes your fancy. At this time of year there’s so much going on in Shropshire to amuse, entertain and enlighten us that we’re spoiled for choice. You can take your pick from a range of activites and events that cover everything from open-air concerts to living history displays; from steam rallies to flower festivals and everything in between.
Here’s the Review’s selection of just a few ‘out and about’ ideas you can enjoy over the next two months.
Sample some Shakespeare
‘Now in these hot days is the mad blood stirring...’ and Much Wenlock’s biannual town festival is here to celebrate the summer season.
The centrepiece is Shropshire Drama Group’s production of Romeo and Juliet, set in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church and running from 14 to 19 June.
The company consistently draws critical praise for its professional standards and the high calibre of its players, and given the runaway success of past productions this summer’s show will be something to savour.
Shakespeare’s immortal ‘starcross’d lovers’ are played by two 17 year-old students, Michael Tyler and Zoe Vernon, both highly gifted actors who hope to attend drama college in September.
The play, directed by Joanna Purslow and Rosalind Garrard, has been in rehearsal since the begining of the year, and theobvious dramatic chemistry between the two talented leads should make truly unforgettable theatre.
The festival opens on 5 June with a Festival Fair and closes with a Grand Finale hogroast on Windmill Hill on 27 June. In between, expect to enjoy fringe theatre, talks, literary events, concerts, choirs, comedy, art, gardens, film, bands, workshops, children’s entertainment – too much to list, too good to miss, so visit www.muchwenlockfestival.co.uk or pick up a brochure/booking form from the nearest Visitor Information Centre.
Join the jet set
One of the country’s biggest and best airshows takes place at RAF Cosford on 13 June, when an amazing range of vintage and modern aircraft will take to Shropshire’s skies.
This year’s event features the iconic Harrier jump jet and Tornado in action, as well as a synchronised display by a unique Typhoon/Spitfire duo and the spectacular Yakovlevs flying team. Lots more to see, including ground exhibits, stalls, food and drink, military demonstrations, children’s entertainment – all in all, a great day out, and entrance includes admission to the awardwinning RAF Museum on site.
Call 0844 5611897 or go to www.cosfordairshow.co.uk
Watch the birdies
At Wroxeter Roman City visitors can see a spectacular flying display by majestic birds of prey, handled by authentially-costumed Roman falconers.
As well as demonstrating the thrilling arial acrobatics of their highly-trained charges, the falconers will be exploring the history of the sport, showing how valued and respected the birds were in the past. The craft of hawking has its roots in antiquity, and was popular among the better-off citizens of Classical times - a mosaic discovered at Argos, in Greece dating from around 500 AD shows a hawk and its handler hunting ducks. The Roman fowlers’ display at Wroxeter takes place on 26 and 27 June, and provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy a visual treat and a fascinating peep into the past at the same time.
Call 01743 761330 for more information.
Travel through time
Your country needs you! It’s the 1940s and the world is at war, so get along to Bridgnorth’s Severn Valley Railway and do your bit for Blighty. Yes, it’s time for another of the SVR’s hugely popular 1940s weekends, when the trains and stations all along the line to Kidderminster are bustling with soldiers, sailors and airmen, spivs, spies, Yanks, Germans and civilians all dressed in period costume. Vintage vehicles, music and re-enactments all help create a fabulously authentic atmosphere, so use your ingenuity, dress up ’40s style and join in the fun over the weekend of 3 and 4 July. Call 01299 403816 or see www.svr.co.uk
Think about drink
For lovers of Britain’s national brew, Church Stretton is the place to be on 2 and 3 July, when the town will host its annual Ale Trail. Now in its seventh year, the popular event allows participants to enjoy some special brews from local producers and raise money for charity at the same time, and organisers are looking to beat 2009’s impressive total of £1500. Eight local hostelries will be dispensing real ales from the county’s breweries, including Shropshire Lass, Shropshire Lad, Hobson’s Best and proud Salopian.
A minibus service has been arranged to ensure participants can drink sensibly, and all you need to do is purchase a £10 Ale Trail passport from any of the participating pubs or in the town itself. Get this stamped at each of the eight venues – you don’t have to buy a drink in each one – and get a free commemorative glass which is bound to become a rare collector’s item. 07836 542463 or see www.aletrail.org
Back to your roots
There’s still time to get tickets for Shropshire’s biggest musical event, the wonderful Shrewsbury Folk Festival, which runs from Friday 27 to Monday 30 August inclusive.
Over the Bank Holiday weekend the town will be alive with musicians, singers and dancers along with thousands of fans from all over the world who come to enjoy one of the UK’s most significant celebrations of folk, roots and world music.
Based on the West Midlands Showground site, the festival features first-class performers from across a range of genres.
Headline acts include the acclaimed Afro-Celt Sound System, Adrian Edmundson and the Bad Shepherds, Billy Bragg, Bellowhead, Cara Dillon, Belshezzarr’s Feast, Kristina Olsen with Peter Grayling, Genticorum, Michael McGoldrick Big Band, the Wilson family and dozens more. Lots of dancers and dancing, ceilidhs, kid’s amusements, food, real ale and cider, camping – a fabulous four days of funky family-friendly Folk! See www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk