Wrekin News 252

son in 1942. 

Airspeed Horsa 

On 9th July John left his base in Tunisia in an Airspeed 

Horsa. This was a glider that ca ried up to 30 men and 

was towed by aircraft. During the journey they met 

with strong winds, anti-aircraft fire and visibility was 

poor. Tragica ly a number of gliders were released too 

early, failed to make land and crashed into the sea. John 

By 

John Churm 

May. 

found at 

for free. 

future. 

legs! 

30 years experience in the design and 

publishing industries. 

You may ask, is launching a book a 

have less s disposable income, but most 

are at home, bored, with plenty of time 

to read, but one thing’s for certain . with 

a l the bad news cu rently surrounding rounding 

us, we ALL need cheering up, and Tristan 

promises that Fat Bernard wil make you 

everyone will be very amused by his odd 

outlook and reactions to life’s everyday 

scenarios. With a bold, care-free nature, 

part of you wil wish you were him, whilst 

Not only has Tristan wri ten the pocketsized 

comedy, being a designer has meant 

he’s also been able to ilustrate it, design 

and typeset the book, a range the print 

and finance it a l himself. 

Fat Bernard is available now on Amazon 

and eBay. 

For your chance to win a copy 

of Fat Bernard please send your 

name, address and daytime 

telephone number via email to 

james@plus2media.co.uk 

Closing date for entries is: 

Wrekin 

News 

May 2020 · Issue 252 

DIGITAL LOCKDOWN ISSUE 

& Magazine 

100 

Pages of content for the 

whole family to enjoy! 

Packed full with 

all of your usual 

favourite 

articles from 

our regular 

contributors 

plus so much 

more.. and lots 

of activities for 

our younger 

readers to do 

too! 

T 

O help keep the kids busy, The Entertainer has 

launched The Boredom Busting Ideas Hub! We 

have uploaded lots of content to keep children 

entertained whilst at home, with recently added 

Star Wars and Disney downloadables. 

Check back regularly for updates and new activity sheets! 

This is free to download and share! 

We have also created a NEW Facebook group where we 

wi l share more ideas, and ask that you share your own 

boredom busting ideas with us! The hub includes: 

● Activity sheets 

● Colouring sheets 

● Mazes 

● Dot-to-dot 

● Spot the difference 

● Word searches 

You can access it here: https://www.thetoyshop.com/ 

/www.thetoyshop.com/ 

boredom-busting-hub 

This is updated frequently and new sheets wi l be available 

to download throughout. 

https://www.thetoyshop.com/boredom-busting-hub 

The Entertainer.indd 1 06/05/2020 01:05 

The 

BIRDS 

must fly on’ with 

daily care routine at 

T 

here’s a brand new book on 

the horizon, titled Fat Bernard 

(Antisocial adventures in a 

humdrum world). It’s a comedy 

nove la from first-time local 

author Tristan King, from We lington, who 

is far more at home ilustrating and printing 

books than writing them, having over 

T 

laugh (between the awkward cringes). 

“We all need a bit of humour in these 

dark times.” Tristan went on to explain the 

lead character: “He’s a bit of an anti-hero 

who experiments, socia ly, pushing the 

boundaries as far as he can. Hopefuly 

he UK may be on lockdown but for the 

falconers at Warwick Castle, life goes 

on with continued duties of dedicated 

care for over 70 birds of prey. 

It’s a busy time for the falconers, 

with daily activities including exercise, flying 

and feeding for over 10 di ferent bird species, 

despite the castle being closed during the 

lockdown period. 

Head Falconer Chris O’Donne lives on site 

and works alongside two others to take care of 

the birds. 

“The castle may be closed for now but our 

work continues,” explains Chris. “We have 

around 70 eagles and vultures, ranging from 

Andean condors, the largest flying bird in the 

world, and downwards. They a l sti l need 

exercise and flying.” 

The birds would usua ly be featured as part 

of the a traction’s latest show, The Falconer’s 

Quest, the largest bird of prey show in the UK. 

“We are sti l flying birds every day,” explains 

Chris. “Nobody has seen it, but life goes on.” 

To support families at home during lockdown, 

Warwick Castle recently developed a range 

of free resources including activities, videos 

and downlodables, a l themed around castles, 

history and even the birds of prey. 

The new History Unlocked section can be 

found at www.warwick-castle.com/historyunlocked 

and is a l available for free. 

Warwick Castle 

Wildlife 

HISTORY UNLOCKED 


found at www.warwick-castle.com/ 

history-unlocked 

and is a l available 

Wonders 

Warwick Castle 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:59 

K 

eeping children occupied in 

the holidays is cha lenging 

enough but add in 

prolonged time at 

home outside of the 

holidays, now that can 

be tough. Why not a low the nature in 

your garden to help by encouraging 

children to step outside into another 

world? It’s healthy, fun and educational 

and can give you just the break you 

need. The experiences children gain now 

wi l develop an ongoing enthusiasm for 

caring for wildlife which benefits everyone. 

Wellington 

HISTORY 

GROUP 

The Entertainer.indd 2 06/05/2020 01:05 

There is so much more to be 

minibeasts using bug 

experienced in the garden, and 

viewers but everyone 

a healthier way to spend family 

benefits from the joy of 

time. It is important to teach 

a child’s reaction to tadpoles with 

our children to enjoy nature and 

develop an interest and respect 

Providing food and nest boxes 

for wildlife ongoing; it is their 

in your garden helps both resident 

birds and give fleeting visitors a 

Sma l hands are a great help 

reason to stay around. Many of 

for sowing vegetable seeds 

our most common garden visitors 

and planting delicate flowers 

are bright, a tractive birds that are 

so encourage the li tle ones to 

hard to ignore and can light the 

share gardening at home. It wi l 

initial spark that fires a lifetime’s 

keep them active and a great 

interest. Make bird feeding part of 

way to improve your garden’s 

your child’s daily routine to check 

a tractivene s to wildlife. Give 

and fi l the feeder – it’s a great way 

them their own tools and an 

to instil responsibility for wildlife. 

area to look after. They wi l find 

CJ Wildlife has a vast a ray of 

it rewarding to see new things 

garden and window feeders for 

appear for a l their hard work. 

ge ting started plus build your own 

Celebrate their e forts during 

kits that enable children to build 

National Children’s Gardening 

and decorate their own creations 

Week this year between 23-31 

and have a personal connection 

with the birds that use them. Or 

Take learning outdoors with 

set them a cha lenge with our 

your own version of a forest 

Peanut Bu ter Mode ling Clay to 

school. If you can include 

make inspired treats that 

insect hotels or simple log piles 

the birds wi love. 

plus a sha low water feature, 

To complement their 

there wi l be opportunities for 

e forts in the garden, there 

seasonal antics to watch. From 

is a great range of books 

wriggly worms, vibrant flu tering 

and guides to capture 

bu terflies or the fascinating work 

their imagination and play 

of po len-laden bumblebees. The 

games to identify birds, 

more adventurous can explore 

bu terflies and bugs. CJ 

Victory in Europe 

T 

75 th Anniversary 

On 8th May, 2020 the nation wi l focus on 

WW2 as we mark 75 years since Victory in 

Europe was announced. 

his is an important anniversary as there 

are sti l a fair number of people who saw 

active service and many others who have 

very vivid memories of growing up and 

living in a country at war. Special events are 

planned, (COVID-19 permi ting) and the bank holiday 

has been moved to Friday 8th, VE Day. We should also 

bear in mind that the war was not over. Those serving 

or imprisoned in the Far East continued to be a the 

cu ting edge of the war until VJ Day, 15th August, 1945. 

Invasion of Sicily 

My appeal in the November I sue of Wrekin News for 

photographs of WW2 soldiers named on the Lychgate 

produced two result straight away, both for men who 

died jus three days apart in the summer of 1943 during 

the invasion of Sicily. 

John was the son of John Churm, a haulage 

contractor, and his wife Martha. In 1939 his parents 

were living on Orleton Lane along with his wife Emily 

whom he had married in 1935. I have not been able to 

find John himself a that time. John and Emily had a 

Wendy Palin 

We lington History Group 

for free.Wildlife 

Encouraging 

kids to enjoy 

their garden and 

the wildlife that 

share it... 

for little 

fingers! 

CJ Wildlife 5pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 2:47 

The new History Unlocked section can be found at 

www.warwick-castle.com/history-unlocked 

WIN A COPY 

OF TRISTAN 

KING’S NEW 

BOOK! 

John served with the 181st Airlanding Field 

Ambulance as part of the Royal Army Medical Corps. 

good idea in the middle of a pandemic 

lockdown? It’s hard to say – people might 

the other part wil be very glad you’re 

not!” 

HOW TO ENTER 

was on one such glider. His body was never found and 

he was presumed drowned, aged 29. He is remembered 

“We all need a bit of humour in these dark times!” 

Friday 29 May 2020 

Good luck! 

Fat Bernard 1 p.in d 1 05/05/2020 2:49 

We lington History Group 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:59 

1 Front Page.indd 1 06/05/2020 02:11



& Magazine 

Published by: Plus Two Media Limited 

Plus2 · PO Box 515 · TELFORD · TF2 2JE 

Tel: (01952) 228973 or 07977 481186 

Editor: James Baylis 


Publisher & Design: James Baylis 

HOW TO ADVERTISE 

Contact James Baylis - 07977 481186 

01952 228973 · james@plus2media.co.uk 

Specialist writers: George Evans, 

Martin Scholes, Chris Owen, Pete Jackson, 

Robert Hudson, Anthony Nicholls, 

Syd Taylor, Donna McGrath, Austin Powell, 

Sarah Griffiths, Toni Sain Williams, 

John Dyson and Wendy Palin. 

Sports News: Jamie Morris & David Ross 

(Wellington CC) 

Front cover picture by Sam Bagnall 

@sambagnallphoto 

To subscribe to Wrekin News please 

call James Baylis on 07977 481186 

Every care is taken over the accuracy of 

material in Wrekin News but the editor 

and publishers cannot be held responsible 

for any errors or omissions. Views and 

opinions of contributors, advertisers and 

interviewees to Wrekin News are not 

necessarily those of the publishers who 

cannot accept responsibility for such 

contributions. 

Hello... 

Welcome to this unique issue of 

the regions favourite free monthly 

magazine Wrekin News. 

Unfortunately due to Coronavirus 

we are unable to bring you the 

usual printed version of the magazine. However 

with the help of all of our wonderful regular 

contributors we have put together this digital 

version for your enjoyment. 

I hope that you enjoy flicking through the pages, 

please do take time to stop and read the features, 

I have tried to include as much varied content as 

possible - hopefully there is something for everyone 

in your family. 

Some of the pages have activities on them, 

hopefully you can download them to your device. 

If not there are plenty of website links to take you 

direct to the content. 

Please note that some of the articles and pictures 

supplied may have been sent for inclusion in the 

magazine before the UK went into lockdown and 

social distancing became the norm. 

Thank you once again to all who have contributed 

to this issue of Wrekin News. Without your time and 

dedication this issue would not be possible. 

I do hope that you enjoy the magazine, hopefully it 

will be back in your hand in print once again very 

soon! 

© Plus Two Media Limited 2020 

All rights reserved. No part of the 

publication may be reproduced in any 

form without the prior consent of the 

publisher. 

Stay safe and well.... 

James 

James Baylis 

Editor, Wrekin News 

Welcome, Contents 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 23:13

DEDICATED 

This issue of Wrekin News is dedicated to everyone working 

selflessly on the frontline supporting our community 

during this time and always... Thank you! 

PRINTED COPIES... 

We are exploring the possibility of producing and mailing printed-ondemand 

copies of this issue of Wrekin News. At the time of publishing 

this issue we do not have all of the details available. 

If you are interested in finding out more about obtaining a printed 

copy of this lockdown issue of Wrekin News please send James an 

email expressing your interest and leaving your contact details. 

Please email - james@plus2media.co.uk or call 01952 228973 

Join our digital mailing list... 

If you would like to receive further updates about future digital issues of Wrekin News please join our digital mailing 

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By subscribing to our email newsletter, you agree to receive emails from us relating to Plus Two Media Limited and Wrekin News. 

You can unsubscribe from these at any time. Your information is never shared with any organisation outside of Plus Two Media Limited. 

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send your story, memories, pictures or poems to James - james@plus2media.co.uk for more information call 

James on 07977 481186. 

@WrekinNews1 

@wrekinnews 

Welcome, Contents 2pp.indd 2 06/05/2020 02:12

A Wellington restaurant 

is coming to the rescue of 

people unable to get out 

during the current crisis 

The Walnut, in Tan Bank, Wellington, is 

delivering grocery boxes to local residents 

who are self isolating. 

“There are many people, especially the 

elderly and vulnerable, who have been 

told to stay inside for 12 weeks and who 

are not comfortable with ordering their essential food 

online – also many supermarkets have no delivery slots 

available,” explained Karen Lee, owner of The Walnut, 

which opened last year. 

“We are a very community-minded restaurant and 

always try to get involved in helping local people 

so decided to start delivering grocery boxes around 

Wellington and further afield to those unable to leave the 

house. 

“Telford and Wrekin Council have identified some 

people who need assistance in this time of crisis and we 

are also dealing directly with customers. 

“These boxes contain a lovely range of fruit and veg, 

eggs, milk and bread for £20 and we do not charge for 

delivery. 

“We are more than happy to source other items for 

people who are in need of help and are offering this 

service free of charge in the TF1 area,” she said. 

The Walnut specialises in modern British 

cuisine and has a comprehensive menu featuring 

main courses, small plates, brunches, salads 

and sandwiches. It also offers a selection of 

ready meals for £3. 

“This ready meal range is also available for 

free delivery for vulnerable people,” Karen 

added. 

Paola Armstrong of the Love Wellington 

initiative commented: “what a great service 

– we are so pleased that community-minded 

businesses such as The Walnut are going the 

extra mile in this time of crisis.” 

Shop Local 

at Ken Francis 

Butchers 

Ken Francis Butchers remain open and have 

a small selection of Catherine’s Bakery 

bread, and Leslie’s Larder products available 

until the market re-opens. 

Supporting the 

Let’s Get Local 

campaign at Ken 

Francis Butchers 

are Lee Milburn, 

Tony Nicholls, 

Lizzie Francis and 

Laura Hyde. 

Karen Lee, owner of The 

Walnut Restaurant, is 

pictured with head chef 

Kiri Pope and some of 

the grocery boxes. 

Local News 4pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:52

Pictured: Scarlett Mulvihill gets dressed up and in the mood.. 

Virtual VE Day planned by 

Wellington Town Council 

Wellington Town Council had really pushed 

the boat out with their plans to host a 

fabulous outdoor tea party for Wellington 

residents, complete with cakes scones 

and entertainment, to celebrate 75 years since Victory 

in Europe was declared on 8th May 1945. The teaparty 

and celebrations looked set to neatly coincide with a 

visit from residents and dignitaries from Wellington’s 

twin town of 

Châtenay-Malabry, 

near Paris, who 

were set to join in 

the celebrations 

which would span 

three days of 

the bank holiday 

weekend and 

included a popular 

‘Help for Heroes’ 

event at the Plough 

Pub. 

Faced with 

having to cancel 

the planned Market 

Square Street 

Party due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the Town Council 

is now urging residents and businesses to mark the 

VE Celebrations on Friday 8 May with their very own 

‘Picnic In Your Garden’ and a ‘Red, White and Blue’ 

themed decorate your home competition. 

Caroline Farrell, events organiser at Wellington 

Town Council said, “We encourage local residents to 

join in from your homes and gardens, whilst staying 

safe and protecting others, in celebrating this very 

special bank holiday. We would love to see people 

getting involved by decorating their homes in festive 

patriotic colours - and in the true spirit of ‘make do 

and mend’ we’re advising everyone to get resourceful 

and recycle things they already have.” 

Photo Entries 

● Photographic entries for the ‘Decorate Your Home’ 

competition should be sent to caroline.farrell@telford. 

gov.uk closing date Wednesday 13 May - there will be 

cash prizes for the top three which will be payable via 

bacs. 

Great Dawley 

Town Council and 

Madeley Town 

Council supports 

local campaign 

Great Dawley Town Council 

and Madeley Town 

Council are supporting 

the #Kindle Kindness 

campaign with a £2,000 

grant from each Town 

Council to help towards the purchase of 

Kindle-type or similar devices, complete 

with free library access, to help ease 

isolation and loneliness for their older and 

vulnerable residents. 

The #KindleKindness is a Telford and 

Wrekin fundraising drive launched to ease 

loneliness during the Coronavirus crisis 

and are asking residents and businesses to 

come together and rally to raise £25,000 

to buy enough Kindles, or similar Android 

tablets, to be handed out to the Women’s 

and Children’s Centre at The Princess Royal 

Hospital and residential care homes across 

the borough. 

Great Dawley Town Council have 

diverted funds already earmarked for 

improvements to the computer suite at 

Dawley & Malinslee Community Library 

to show their support during this difficult 

time of isolation and loneliness, where it will 

have an immediate impact to those in need 

within the community. 

Councillor Stefan Heighway, Mayor of 

Great Dawley said ‘The Town Council are 

really proud to support this and the kindles 

purchased with the monies will provide 

access to so many in our community that 

haven’t seen family or friends for some 

time. It is so important for those venerable 

and lonely to be provided with access to the 

library services at this time’. 

Madeley Town Council Councillors 

were unanimous in their support for 

this campaign, this funding will increase 

the number of devices and will support 

residents who are isolated or lonely, at this 

very difficult time. 

Councillor Arnold England, Mayor of 

Madeley Town Council said ‘This is such a 

valuable campaign and the Town Council 

are very proud to support this initiative for 

all of our residents and will be widely used 

within our community’. 

Should anyone wish to donate to the 

fund and support the most vulnerable in 

the community can donate to the fund 

now by visiting www.gofundme.com/ 

kindlekindness 

#KindleKindness 


Cheering Heroes! 

Wellington resident Helen Grant has been busy organising a heroes street project in 

New Church Road. Friends, family members and neighbours have all joined in and 

created this fantastic display that has been the focal point of their Thursday night 

8pm clapping in support for the NHS and frontline workers. 

Teacher Helen told us that the project had brought the street together and that 

she has really enjoyed organising the project and will continue to do so. 

This week Helen has decided to put a bit of a twist on the ‘heroes’ theme. They 

will be dropping the two e’s in ‘heroes’ and adding in two new letters to make a 

new word/phrase related to the pandemic.. Can you guess what it will be? 



Thank 

you key 

workers 

and NHS 

staff... 

Thank you messages have been 

printed on roads and grass 

verges around the borough to 

show appreciation to all key 

workers and NHS staff who are 

working tirelessly to look after 

residents during the pandemic. 

Thank you to council contractors Balfour 

Beatty, WJ Road Markings and Thermmark, 

Idverde and Rigby Taylor who have all 

completed the printing at no cost to the 

council. 

Messages can be spotted all around town 

near to local supermarkets or shops where 

people will be visiting for essential goods. 

Locations include: 

l Newport High Street 

l Wellington (near Morrisons) 

l Madeley (near Tesco) 

l Two x Bridge Retail Park 

l Donnington (near Asda) 

l Old Park roundabout 

l Malinsgate roundabout 

l Naird roundabout 

l Limekiln roundabout 

Councillor Lee Carter, Telford & 

Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for 

Neighbourhood Services, said: “We are 

delighted to be able to say thank you to all 

the key workers in our community who are 

working tirelessly looking after our residents 

during this pandemic. 

“We hope the road markings around the 

borough remind everyone to stop and think 

about the bravery of all key workers and NHS 

staff. 

“I would also like to thank all contractors 

and partners for doing a fantastic job with 

the markings.” 

Pictures by Sam Bagnall 


Telford & Wrekin Council 12pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:56


News from Telford & Wrekin 

Household 

Recycling 

Centres to 

reopen for 

essential use 

Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) 

will be reopened in Telford and Wrekin 

from Tuesday 5 May, but with strict 

rules in place to ensure the safety of 

the public and members of staff. 

Based on its UK-wide experience 

operating HRC sites, and following Government and 

industry guidance, Veolia has worked closely with 

Telford & Wrekin Council to agree a carefully managed 

approach to ensuring visitor and staff safety during the 

COVID 19 pandemic. 

Rules in place will include: 

l Anyone who is self-isolating or has COVID-19 

symptoms MUST NOT visit an HRC site 

l A strict limit to the number of vehicles allowed on site 

at any one time 

l Only one person per vehicle (exceptions will be made 

in certain circumstances e.g. for single parents and 

people with disabilities, however only one person will 

be allowed to step out of the vehicle to unload) 

l Only cars will be admitted. No trailers or vans of any 

sort will be allowed 

l Waste permits will not be accepted 

l One visit will be allowed per day 

l No trade or commercial waste will be accepted 

l Asbestos, oils, chemicals and paints will not be 

accepted. They will need to be stored safely at home 

until we are able to safely process them. We will 

publicise when we are able to accept these materials 

l The public must respect the strict two-metre rule 

both from staff and other site users 

l Veolia staff will be unable to assist with unloading 

vehicles 

l Pedestrians walking in with waste will not be 

permitted 

l Use of the sites is limited to residents of Telford and 

Wrekin only 

Residents are advised to check the Council’s website 

and social media channels @TelfordWrekin before 

they travel as rules may be subject to change. Note 

also that priority access will be given to Telford and 

Wrekin residents, so you may be asked to show proof of 

address when visiting the site. 

It is expected that both the Hortonwood and 

Halesfield HRCs will be extremely busy, so please be 

prepared to queue for long periods of time to gain 

access to the sites and please be patient. 

To try and ease delays, traffic management is in 

place to manage queues and maintain access for other 

businesses nearby. Sites will therefore only be accessible 

from one direction with road closures in place. These 

routes will be signposted and staff will be on hand at all 

times to monitor routes and direct traffic. 

Thank you to PPE donat 

We wanted to take a moment to send out a thank you to all the people, 

clubs, businesses and charities that have supported us with donations 

of PPE over the past six weeks. 

The call to arms mustered donations of surgical masks, gloves, aprons, visors, 

goggles full body suits, cleaning equipment and 2000 Easter eggs the latter 

going out to our young people and care agencies over the Easter weekend. 

This donated stock was a life saver and enabled us to meet demand and 

keep the borough’s care workers and support staff safe whilst we established a new 

supply chain to help us meet the demand, we couldn’t have done it without you so 

thank you again. 

We have been supporting our Care Homes, Dom Care Providers, GPs, Funeral 

Directors, Hospice, volunteers and council social care staff with PPE and as of today 

we have issued over 104,000 PPE items and 258 litres of sanitiser. 

l Surgical Masks 20000 

l Aprons 38500 

l Pair Gloves 38000 

l Goggles/Visors 8000 

l Hand Sanitiser 220 litres 

l Surface Sanitiser 38 litres 

l Full body suits 276 

This is only the start of the new world we will be living in and the demand for all of 

these items is going to be with us for some time no doubt. 

We also want to thank all those people and businesses that have diversified to 

manufacture or help source PPE. We have worked closely with over 100 suppliers 

and Conformance colleagues to enable us to get the right stock at the right time. 

As part of the Thursday night clap for carers at 8pm, NHS staff and key workers, we 

also ask that people clap for our PPE donators and manufacturers – thank you! 

Think of others, don't 

burn your waste 

Residents across the borough are being asked to think of 

others and to not burn waste during the current Coronavirus 

pandemic lockdown. 

Our Environmental Health team, 

which is responsible for pollution 

control in the borough, has received 

an increased number of complaints 

about fires in gardens since the 

lockdown began. 

The effects of such fires at this 

time are likely to be much more 

serious and have a bigger impact. The 

Coronavirus is known to cause serious 

respiratory problems, which could be 

made much worse if the sufferer is 

exposed to smoke from bonfires. 

It is important to be especially 

considerate at this time, when people 

are confined to their home and 

unable to escape unpleasant fumes. 

Bonfires can also become out of 

control or cause accidents, creating 

extra pressure on the already busy 

emergency services. 

Councillor Richard Overton, Telford 

& Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member 

for Enforcement, said: “Our recycling 

and green collection services are 

operating as normal at the moment so 

please continue to use your waste and 

recycling containers until they are full 

and think of others. 

“Compost your garden waste 

where possible, and stack or bag up 

additional green and recycling waste, 

rather than burn it. We also request 

that allotment holders dispose 

of green waste from their plot by 

composting as much as possible and 

avoid bonfires. 

“If you are experiencing problems 

with neighbours having bonfires 

during this time please report it to us. 

“The Council will take enforcement 

action against any persistent 

offenders where fires cause an impact 

on neighbours.” 


nators and manufacturers 

Council supports 

businesses with £30m 

in rate relief 

Telford & Wrekin Council has awarded 

exemptions totalling nearly £30m in 

discounted business rates to nearly 900 

retail businesses across the borough to 

help them cope with the devastating 

effects of the lockdown caused by the 

coronavirus pandemic. 

The discount means that 883 retail 

businesses will not need to pay any 

business rates for 2020/21. 

This discount is given to those 

businesses in the retail, leisure and 

hospitality sector subject to Government 

criteria. 

Properties that benefit from the relief 

will be occupied properties including 

shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking 

establishment, cinemas, live music venues, 

assembly and leisure venues, hotels, guest 

and boarding premises and self-catered 

accommodation. 

The largest beneficiary will save £1.1m 

in business rates for the financial year 

2020/21. 

Additionally, the council has exempted 

£276,000 in discount to 27 nurseries across 

the borough, meaning they will also not 

have to pay business rates this year. 

This applies to properties which are 

occupied by providers on Ofsted’s Early 

Years Register and are used for the 

provision of the Early Years Foundation 

Stage. 

To date, the council has also awarded 

2146 Business Support Grants totalling over 

£25m. 

The council has contacted all businesses 

which it believes will qualify for the grant. 

In total, 60 per cent of all businesses 

across the borough will benefit from a 

total exemption from their full liability for 

business rates during 2020/2021. 

Councillor Rae Evans, Telford & Wrekin 

Council’s cabinet member for Council 

Finance and Governance, said: “We are 

committed to being a business supporting 

and business winning council and that 

applies in times of crisis as well as times of 

success. 

“We know that businesses are struggling 

with the effects of the lockdown and so 

any way in which we can help them survive, 

we will seek to do and we are actively 

lobbying the Government for additional 

scope to be able to assist those businesses 

that are falling between the cracks of 

existing support schemes.” 


Extra 

support 

for local 

domestic 

abuse 

service 

West Mercia Women’s Aid online chat 

service is set to extend its opening hours 

after a grant of £5,750 from Telford & 

Wrekin Council. 

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, 

social distancing measures may 

be used as a tool of coercive 

and controlling behaviour by 

perpetrators, as they attempt to shut down 

victim’s routes to safety and support. 

The online chat service gives people 

experiencing domestic abuse a silent way to 

reach out for help. 

Thanks to additional funding – the online 

chat will be available 12 hours a day Monday 

to Friday between 9am and 9pm from the 

May 1. 

West Mercia Women’s Aid online chat 

service can be accessed on their website: 

http://www.westmerciawomensaid.org/ 

People experiencing domestic abuse 

can still call West Mercia Women’s Aid 24/7 

Domestic Abuse Helpline, which is operating 

as usual: 0800 7831359. 

Cllr Rae Evans, cabinet lead for the 

prevention of domestic abuse, said: “We 

are expecting to see a rise in the number of 

people experiencing domestic abuse during 

this pandemic. 

“Reaching out for help can be incredibly 

difficult normally, but during a pandemic 

where we are asking people to stay at home 

it will be even harder. 

“By helping to fund this online chat 

service we are increasing the ways that 

people can reach out for help.” 

Sue Coleman, Chief Executive of West 

Mercia Womens Aid, said: “Our trained and 

experienced support staff are a vital life-line 

for survivors and now they’re just a click 

away. 

“We need those living with abuse to 

know that they are not alone. Trust your 

instincts and seek help – either by calling 

our Helpline if it is safe to do so, or by using 

LiveChat – just go to our website and click. 

It’s easy to use when you have a little privacy 

– in the bathroom or the bedroom, maybe. 

Women’s Aid are still here to help.” 

l Local support in Telford and Wrekin is 

also available through the Shropshire 

Domestic Abuse Service, call 0300 303 

1191 or email: sdas@shropsdas.org.uk 







First batch of 

#KindleKindness 

devices to be 

delivered to PRH 

to ease loneliness 

The next stage of the #KindleKindness 

campaign to help ease loneliness is 

underway. Donations have flooded in 

for the first 20 devices to be delivered 

to the Women’s and Children’s Centre at 

The Princess Royal Hospital today. 

Councillors Paul Watling and Raj Mehta 

delivered the devices to staff at the hospital. 

Residents of Telford and Wrekin have been 

donating to raise funds to deliver a number of 

Kindles or similar devices, which will have free 

library access, to help ease isolation and loneliness 

for those in care homes across the borough and 

women and children who are in hospital. 

Through our #KindleKindness campaign, we 

are asking residents and businesses to come 

together and rally to raise £25,000 to buy enough 

Kindles, or similar devices. 

You can donate to the fund now by visiting 

www.gofundme.com/kindlekindness to help us 

make these difficult times a little bit easier. 

With so many of our residents unable to see 

loved ones or have visitors, it is vital that they can 

access the latest news, read books, play games 

and keep in touch with family and friends. 

Councillor Paul Watling, Cabinet Member 

for Cooperative Communities, Engagement 

and Partnerships, said: “The #KindleKindness 

campaign has seen a fantastic start where we 

were able to deliver the first 20 devices to women 

and children at The Princess Royal Hospital. 

“These devices will help patients who are 

struggling with loneliness and isolation to connect 

with their family and friends. 

“If we can raise £25,000 to buy these devices 

it would be an incredible achievement and help 

bring us even closer together as a borough. 

“If you can donate visit www.gofundme.com/ 

kindlekindness.” 

NHS is still 

here for you 

If you need medical help, the NHS is still here for you and it’s important that 

you continue to access NHS services for conditions that are not related to 

coronavirus. 

Get in touch with your GP practice and continue to attend medical 

appointments, unless you have been told not to by your GP or healthcare 

professional. 

If you need medical help, you should contact your GP practice either 

online or by phone, to be assessed. 

If you need urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service, or if you 

cannot get help online, call 111. If it’s a serious life-threatening emergency, 

call 999. 

Extra support for businesses slipping through funding net 

Telford & Wrekin Council’s leader has welcomed 

the Government’s announcement that it will 

provide further support for businesses who 

cannot access the national Small Business Grants 

Fund after writing to Government last month 

lobbying for this on behalf of local businesses. 

The Council has to date paid out almost £27 

million to around 2,230 businesses in grants. 

However, the Council last month wrote to 

Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Business Secretary 

Alok Sharma urging them to do more to help 

business slipping through the net who did not 

qualify for this grant. 

The Government has said it will give councils 

in total £617 million more although it has yet to 

confirm how much each authority will get. 

Government says the new funding is aimed at 

small businesses with ongoing fixed propertyrelated 

costs, such as businesses in shared 

spaces who have been excluded for the initial 

funding. 

The Council is now waiting details from 

Government before it can determine how to 

allocate the funding to borough businesses. 

The Council is committed to revisiting the 

almost 500 applications from businesses 

previously rejected because these didn’t meet 

Government criteria for the scheme’s initial 

stage. 

Council leader Shaun Davies said: “I welcome 

that the Government has listened to the case 

that we made for the many borough businesses 

who, through no fault of their own, were slipping 

through the net. 

“We will automatically revisit those 

unsuccessful applications we have already 

received to help us develop a local scheme. We 

will make the process as easy as possible but may 

require further additional information from them 

depending on the Government’s guidance. 

“While any extra help for businesses 

is welcome, if the amount we receive is 

proportionate to a council’s size, we can expect 

around £1.6 million. 

“As soon as we have more detail from 

Government we will develop a local scheme 

and do all we can to get the extra funding out to 

businesses as quickly as possible.” 









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Poems for Hope... 

by Sarah Griffiths 

We are all in 

this together 

Together we are stronger, 

New ways of living we discover, 

A global population, 

Looking after one another. 

Thank you to the NHS, 

For all the work you do, 

With your love and dedication, 

Our nation will pull through. 

To all the doctors and the nurses, 

Your purpose is to heal, 

Taking care of others, 

Your sacrifice we feel. 

To all the shop assistants and employees, 

That show up everyday, 

Putting yourselves at risk for us, 

So that we can eat today. 

To all the police and armed forces, 

Our key workers we salute you, 

We thank you each and every person, 

For the vital work you do. 

To the teachers and assistants, 

The ones behind the scenes, 

This time we will remember, 

We pulled together as a team. 

To all the families at home, 

Working and homeschooling, 

We’ve come together in our millions, 

Through the restrictions and the rulings. 

But what is really evident, 

Is that together we are stronger, 

When this situation is all over, 

We won’t feel separate any longer. 

Thank you 

Thank you for my life, 

For the air I breathe each day, 

For the beauty of the sky, 

And for the words I get to say... 

Thank you for my sight, 

That I have eyes to see, 

Thank you for the life I have, 

Thank you that I’m me. 

Thank you for my hearing, 

I delight in nature’s song 

Thank you for the birds that sing, 

I could listen all day long. 

Thank you for my feelings, 

For love, for joy, for laughter, 

Thank you for the days that pass, 

And for the life that will come after. 

Thank you for my sense of touch, 

Holding loved ones, oh so tight 

Feeling they are there with me, 

Makes everything alright. 

Thank you for my sense of taste, 

For the savoury and the sweet 

Thank you for hot cups of tea 

And for all the food we eat. 

Thank you for my sense of smell, 

To breathe in the fresh air, 

Thank you for the sun and sea, 

And for the planet that we share. 

Thank you for this day today, 

And for all that I have done. 

Thank you for this moment now, 

And all that is to come. 

Free to be me 

I am free to laugh, Free to breathe, 

Free to be right here. 

I am free to talk, free to walk, 

Free to feel so clear... 

I am free to dance, free to sing, 

Free to enjoy my day, 

The only thing that stops my freedom, 

Is that I choose to feel that way. 

I am free to cry, free to shout, 

Free to feel frustrated, 

I am free to feel all of my emotions, 

I’m even free to feel hatred. 

So what my freedom teaches me, 

Is that I have a choice, 

I can stop the minds endless chatter, 

There lies my inner voice. 

It connects to me, through stillness, 

The mind is free, at peace, 

Uplifting me to freedom, 

This feeling will now increase. 

When I take the time to breathe, 

And let thoughts pass away, 

I am free to follow my true self, 

It is the enlightened way... 

I am free to love my life, 

I am free to know my worth, 

I am free to love humanity, 

And our beautiful planet Earth. 

Every person on our planet, 

We have our part to play, 

United in our love for life, 

And this is our new way. 

The day will come in time, 

When all of this shall pass, 

Humanity is reunited, 

And forever may it last. 

Poems for Hope.... 

Thank you for reading Sarah’s poems for hope, we hope that you have 

enjoyed them, hopefully they have put a smile on your face and brightened 

up your day during these diffi cult times. Maybe they have inspired you 

to write your own poems? If they have and you would like to share your 

poems or thoughts with our community please do send them to me via 

email to: james@plus2media.co.uk and we will include them in our next 

issue of Wrekin News. 

Sarah Griffiths 3pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:55

Book Club 

Finding stones 

for Grandma 

A magical story 

This is a magical story about the bond between a child 

and her Grandmother. With Lisa Williams’ beautiful 

illustrations the love and wisdom in the story shines 

through the pages. One night, Grandma comes to 

stay and helps Eva overcome the challenges she is 

facing. Grandma soothes Eva with her words and helps her to 

visualise things going well. 

“The more we practise good feeling thoughts, 

And being the best that we can be, 

It’s all in our perception, 

The way we choose to see!” 

This heart-warming tale teaches children how 

to support their happiness and have a positive 

focus using the practice of visualisation and 

meditation. 

About Finding Stones 

for Grandma 

The grandparent/grandchild 

relationship can be one of the 

first and deepest bonds a child 

develops. Sarah wonderfully 

captures not only the power of 

that relationship, but also the 

power of meditation, visualisation 

and the beauty of nature within 

Finding Stones for Grandma. This 

rhyming book, aimed at primary school 

children but loved by readers of all 

ages, uses the metaphor of seeking the 

most beautiful stone on the beach to teach 

an appreciation of finding the best in every 

situation, and using positive thinking and controlled 

breathing to find balance in life. 

Sarah says: “This is a beautiful story about the bond between 

grandparent and grandchild, which teaches children how to 

have a positive focus using the practice of visualisation and 

meditation. It is based on my gran, who used to give me a hug 

and squeeze me so tight that it made everything alright. My Gran 

(Mary Kennedy) lived in Southsea in Portsmouth and we would 

visit her twice a year. We spent many wonderful holidays on the 

beach collecting stones for Gran and sharing precious times 

together. When I visited her, she would give me the biggest hug 

and squeeze me so tight and make everything feel wonderful. 

My Gran had a kindness and wisdom about her and she would tell 

the most amazing stories about her life and ones that she would 

make up herself. This book is a tribute to her, the love we shared 

together and the wisdom that she shared with the world. For the 

last few years of her life my Gran suffered with dementia and 

passed away in early 2017. 

The story also includes my daughter Eva – I wanted her to be a 

part of it as she is one of the main reasons why I feel so driven to 

support children’s futures.” 

Local author Sarah Griffiths 

talks to Wrekin News about 

her forthcoming book Finding 

Stones for Grandma and the 

other wonderful stories in 

the already popular series 

Written by Harriet Ernstsons-Evans 

from Zen Communications 

Picture of Sarah by 

Steve Elliott Imaging 

Finding Stones for Grandma is the third in an inspiring series of 

books which are boosting the wellbeing of children across the UK 

and beyond. Each book is connected to an impactive workshop, and 

Sarah travels far and wide delivering those workshops to Key Stage 2 

pupils. 

The first book, Sophie’s Spectacles, tells the story of a seven- 

“I wrote the story to 

remind us of the powerful 

connection we have to each 

other and our beautiful 

planet. The stones in the 

story are a metaphor for 

the beauty we choose to 

see in every day.” 

Lisa Williams 

Illustrator 

The book features superb 

illustrations by Lisa Williams. She 

said: “As early as primary school, I 

had decided I wanted to be an artist 

and illustrator. Having completed my 

degree in Graphic Design and Illustration at 

De Montfort University, I had several exhibitions 

and fortunately managed to find an agent before 

graduation. 

“I can’t believe where the last 25 years has gone. I thrive on 

variety and adapting to the needs of each client. Projects include 

many magazines and educational books, murals, and packaging for 

Thornton’s; however, my favourite work is illustrating books for young 

children, adapting my style to suit the authors involved.” 

● Visit www.facebook.com/lisawilliamsillustration for more 

information about Lisa. 

Previous stories in the series 


More books by 

Sarah Griffiths... 

year-old who has little faith in her own 

abilities. With the help of a teacher and 

some magical glasses, she is able to see 

herself as others do. This book focuses 

on unlocking children’s potential and 

inspiring self-belief, reminding readers 

that the ability to connect with others 

is a true gift. 

Children undeniably feel pressure 

from a young age to conform to the 

expectations of their families, peers 

and society. In the second book, Jack 

and the Genie, Jack is transported 

to his own future by the genie and 

is able to see that following those 

expectations rather than reaching for 

his own dreams and goals really doesn’t 

make him happy as an adult. This 

wonderful story teaches children about 

following their own inner guidance, and 

finding true happiness. 

Sarah’s other books include George 

and Maude – a wonderful tale about 

the friendship between Maude and her 

pet parrot George. When an intruder 

WIN A COPY OF 

FINDING STONES 

FOR GRANDMA 

Sarah will be launching ‘Finding Stones 

for Grandma’ next week - 7 th May at 

11am on her SarahGriffithsAuthor 

Facebook page. Sarah will be 

performing the story LIVE and there 

will be a competition to win a 

signed copy of the book. 

in the night startles George, he must 

work out how to keep his beloved 

Maude safe. And Douglas’s Trousers – a 

magical story about Douglas, whose 

ordinary day turns into a magical flying 

adventure with a special message: to 

stand up for what is important and 

believe in yourself. 

She says: “My work is inclusive; it 

embraces every child, letting children 

be who they are. When we are at our 

very best, together the human race 

can make incredible things happen. 

This ethos unites us all, embraces our 

diversity and we stand together, living in 

harmony.” 

How to contact Sarah and find out more... 

Website: sarahgriffithsauthor.co.uk 

Facebook: facebook.com/SarahGriffithsAuthor 

Twitter: twitter.com/SarahGriffithsA 

Douglas’s Trousers 

Children of all ages will love this 

magical tale of a little boy called 

Douglas, that flies to extraordinary 

heights to help save his school. An 

ordinary day turns into a magical 

flying adventure: 

“Upon the floor the trousers 

moved, 

Turned a little and then they 

zoomed.” 

The flying boy captures the attention of the local news: 

“Today,” the local newsreader began, 

“A boy has flown like Peter Pan!” 

Follow Douglas in this exciting adventure that has a special 

message; to stand up for what is important and believe in 

yourself. 

jack and the genie 

An enchanting story about a little 

boy called Jack who carries his 

sketch book wherever he goes. 

One day while reading his favourite 

story, a genie appears and Jack 

is magically transported into the 

future: 

“There from out of the pages, 

A cloud of smoke appeared, 

And as the smoke, it drifted, 

A genie it revealed!” 

When Jack meets his older self, he sees the sadness in his 

eyes. Jack realises that he needs to follow his own instincts 

and desires. This is a wonderful rhyming tale that teaches 

children to follow their own inner guidance, as this is the key 

to reaching their dreams and finding true happiness. 

Sophie’s Spectacles 

An extraordinary story about a 

7-year-old little girl called Sophie, 

who just can’t seem to see the good 

in herself. With the help of a teacher 

and some magic spectacles, Sophie 

gains true insight to her inner-self. 

Sophie sees the amazing connection 

we have to one another and that we 

all have a gift that makes us shine! 

“Sophie looked into the window, 

And what she saw in her reflection, 

Was the beauty from within, 

That shone back in the projection!” 

Sophie regains her self-esteem and can see that she has the 

power to reach her dreams! The compelling message in this 

story is that we are all magnificent and can do anything that 

we desire, if we can just change the way we think! 


George Evans 

The Wrekin’s favourite columnist! 

The Wrekin Forest Part III 

What should we 

do about it? 

We who live near The Wrekin and love our little mountain; we, 

All Friends Round The Wrekin, have a very big problem. 

Over the centuries 

our ancestors 

have treated our 

forest very badly. 

They have killed 

off native trees, dug great ugly 

holes in the rocks, plastered 

concrete and tarmac, killing the 

helpful micro-organisms in the 

rich soil and poisoned the air. 

We are near to the point where 

the climate has been changed 

enough to start killing us and our 

descendents off. Yet if you walk 

in the forest and fields, especially 

in spring, you can see how 

Nature is trying, with its own 

special magic, to regrow beauty 

where we have killed it. 

‘Bag muck’ 

Old fashioned farming 

methods, like my grandfather’s, 

where the farmer kept the 

land productive for his sons, 

have given way to killing off 

a lot of soil with ‘bag muck’ 

for short term gain. See it on 

the Weald Moors. Enlightened 

forest owners like the present 

owners of Raby and Orleton 

estates won’t kill the forest soil 

like organic farmers. It’s said 

that if you neglect your garden 

for 50 years it’ll be an Area of 

Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

“The Man Upstairs” is a better 

gardener than anybody on the 

telly. 

The big view 

If you read a book called Gaia 

by the brilliant ecologist James 

Lovelock you will be impressed 

by his hypothesis that the 

living organisms from whales 

to germs work together to 

arrange that the whole Earth’s 

environment will suit most 

of its inhabitants. That’s the 

Big View; my first two 

paragraphs represent 

the local 

aspect. David 

Attenborough 

and the many 

young folk 

who support 

him are right. I 

am sure they are 

right, though they 

all need advice 

and help from the 

Universities. We 

need local, national 

and international 

action. Picking litter 

from The Wrekin Forest 

is needed as well as 

Please note - The views expressed in Wrekin News by individual contributors do not necessarily represent the views of the editor of Wrekin News nor the publishers, Plus Two Media Limited. 

George Evans 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:51

The Wrekin Forest a map for thoughtful walkers 

clearing the enormous floating 

islands of plastic in the oceans. 

Some of the things that need 

doing are best tackled locally 

but others will cost billions 

and need international action. 

Here I am trying to recruit local 

people, which should start with 

a small group of enthusiasts 

prepared to spend time and 

energy and capable of forming 

an organisation to deal with local 

issues and spreading the message 

further afield. They should be 

loosely associated with Council, 

National Government and 

international bodies, official (UN) 

and unofficial. Let’s not wait for 

someone else to do it. My excuse 

for not leading locally is that I’m 

far too old, but I can write a bit 

and will if asked. 

Serious problems 

Young people with ambitions 

for saving the World are not in 

short supply, though leadership 

isn’t everybody’s forte. The Earth 

really is in a mess and we really 

are going to have to do something 

about it before our kind of 

mammal is as endangered as the 

dodo. 

I have scarcely mentioned one 

of the most serious problems – 

atmospheric pollution – though it 

is frequently in the news. Surely 

even the toughest Australian 

realises that his country has a 

serious climate problem and the 

poor folks who have recently 

been flooded out in Shropshire 

must be coming to believe that 

our climate is changing for the 

worse. 

Power planning 

Buildwas power station was the 

worst polluter in Europe; hurrah, 

it’s been demolished but I am 

frankly afraid of the new nuclear 

one that is being built. Nobody 

has a safe way of ending it. As a 

nation we have been thoughtless 

in our power planning, using coal 

when we should have used gas, 

gas when it should have been 

water and late in introducing 

wind (of which we have too 

much) and solar power when 

new houses are built. All round 

our coast there are opportunities 

for tidal power being neglected. 

Missed chances 

The smartest chap in my road 

has solar generators and doesn’t 

have a power bill; the rest of us 

have to pay because we missed 

a chance with Government 

grants. One Welsh farmer 

installed a generator in a stream 

that ran through his property; 

the Government charged him 

so heavily to use ‘their’ water 

in his river that he has had 

to abandon the scheme. How 

daft can politicians get? Our 

neighbours Belgium, Netherlands 

and Germany have much better 

policies. We could do with 

learning from them. Telford has 

missed chances by not insisting 

that new buildings should have 

enough ‘clean’ generating power 

to pay for their own use and to 

spare into the grid. 

Dire trouble 

For our own sakes we must 

help poorer countries, who will 

be unable to put progressive 

works into action, though we 

must find a way of seeing the 

grants are properly used. Arguing 

about little things like Brexit, 

football and politics is a waste; 

the Earth is really in dire trouble; 

I worry about it because of my 

great grandchildren. Joining the 

Greens, WWF, or shouting at 

politicians is not anyway near to 

solving the problems. We must 

be as active as we possibly can. 

We have been polluting the sky, 

the seas and the Earth for far too 

long. Never mind whose fault 

it is, the important question we 

must ask is, “What are we going 

to do about it?” 

Good folk 

Nationally we need a 

Government which understands 

the need for big action and will 

spend billions of our money 

on the right projects. They 

need guidance from all the 

environmental scientists but 

must work with all the other 

Governments in the World. 

Locally we already have good folk 

who are working on the problem; 

they need the help of those who 

are so far uncommitted. 

What shall I do? 

Please don’t assume that ‘they’, 

the authority figures currently 

in power, will get it all done, 

thinking you can safely leave it 

to Boris or Jeremy while they fix 

things. Without our help they 

can’t. 

Go for a walk in the Backwoods 

away from crowds and think, 

“What shall I do?” Do this in 

Spring when nature’s wonderful 

magic is at its most obvious. 

Thanks. 

George Evans 2pp.indd 2 05/05/2020 22:51

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Chris Owen 

World War Two series 


VE Day 8th May 1945 

This year marks the 75th 

anniversary of the ending 

of the war in Europe which 

had lasted a gruelling six 

calendar years commencing 

in September 1939. 

On that fateful day in May 

1945, the Germans were 

obliged to sign yet another surrender document 

drawn up by the Allies to mark the ending of 

another futile war. Once again the guns fell 

silent across a devastated Europe and the world 

could draw breath, recover and consolidate in 

the aftermath of this global conflict. There was 

only the Japanese left to defeat and thereby 

secure an Allied victory in the far east and they 

were on the retreat – no longer a threat to world 

peace. 

This was a time to begin the healing process 

amidst the wreckage of warfare. The British 

people could now begin to think about the: 

‘broad sunny uplands of peace’ as described by 

UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill in one of 

his many epic wartime speeches. 

In London on the day, amidst one gigantic 

street party, the king and the royal family came 

out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace 

to receive an ecstatic populace which was 

cheering, waving and pressing up against the 

gates. Winston Churchill joined them and waved 

to both the crowds assembled below and also 

the nation courtesy of the film cameras present to record 

the occasion. 

In Wellington the bunting was out and in the same 

tradition of the Great War, a children’s party was hastily 

arranged by the traders and held in the town’s Covered 

market. 

In Ironbridge the civic representatives and the church 

gave thanks for deliverance from adversity at a short 

public ceremony held at the war memorial alongside the 

famous metal bridge. 

St Luke’s church’s external clock face was illuminated in 

memory of those who died in WW2. 

New series 

coming soon! 

In response to readers requests for the WW2 companion 

books to my WW1 series about Shropshire towns I am 

exclusively reporting in the pages of the Wrekin News that 

to commemorate this landmark occasion in our island 

history, the first book to be launched in the series will 

feature, Ironbridge town. 

Chris Owen 1pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:45

WELLINGTON TOWN COUNCIL PRESENTS 

75 th 

Anniversary 

Celebrations 

LOVE 

STAY AT HOME PARTY 

TO COMMEMORATE 

THE END OF WW2 

Friday 

8 th May 

2020 

DECORATE YOUR HOUSE RED, WHITE AND BLUE 

AND ENJOY A PICNIC IN YOUR BACK GARDEN 

(With a Wellington theme if possible) 

MAKE DO AND MEND 

(Please don’t leave your home unnecessarily - use what you 

can find at home to decorate ) 

3 Prizes 

of £30 to be 

won for the 3 

best dressed 

homes! 

Please send in your photos of your decorated houses and 

windows so that they can be published on Love Wellington 

and Wellington Town Council social media. 

Email your pictures to: Caroline.Farrell@telford.gov.uk 

www.facebook.com/ 

WellingtonTCShropshire 

twitter.com/WellingtonTCI 

WTC VE Day Poster 2.indd 1 30/04/2020 11:39

Wellington 

HISTORY GROUP 


75 th Anniversary 

On 8th May, 2020 the nation will focus on 

WW2 as we mark 75 years since Victory in 

Europe was announced. 

By 

Wendy Palin 

Wellington History Group 

This is an important anniversary as there 

are still a fair number of people who saw 

active service and many others who have 

very vivid memories of growing up and 

living in a country at war. Special events are 

planned, (COVID-19 permitting) and the bank holiday 

has been moved to Friday 8th, VE Day. We should also 

bear in mind that the war was not over. Those serving 

or imprisoned in the Far East continued to be at the 

cutting edge of the war until VJ Day, 15th August, 1945. 

Invasion of Sicily 

My appeal in the November Issue of Wrekin News for 

photographs of WW2 soldiers named on the Lychgate 

produced two results straight away, both for men who 

died just three days apart in the summer of 1943 during 

the invasion of Sicily. 

John was the son of John Churm, a haulage 

contractor, and his wife Martha. In 1939 his parents 

were living on Orleton Lane along with his wife Emily 

whom he had married in 1935. I have not been able to 

find John himself at that time. John and Emily had a 

son in 1942. 

Airspeed Horsa 

John served with the 181st Airlanding Field 

Ambulance as part of the Royal Army Medical Corps. 

On 9th July John left his base in Tunisia in an Airspeed 

Horsa. This was a glider that carried up to 30 men and 

was towed by aircraft. During the journey they met 

with strong winds, anti-aircraft fire and visibility was 

poor. Tragically a number of gliders were released too 

early, failed to make land and crashed into the sea. John 

was on one such glider. His body was never found and 

he was presumed drowned, aged 29. He is remembered 

John Churm 

Wellington History Group 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:59

Harry Frederick and Joan Phyllis Davies 

on the Cassino Memorial which is located between 

Naples and Rome. 

Wrong location 

Harry Frederick was the son of Ernest and Lucy 

Pursall of Regent Street. Early in 1941 he married 

Joan Phyllis Davies. 

Harry served with the 6th battalion, Durham Light 

Infantry which formed part of the assault brigade for 

the allied invasion of Sicily. The poor weather caused 

them to land late and in the wrong location. 

Touching inscription 

Initially they met light resistance and were able to 

head inland. On 12th July the battalion came under 

attack from the 54th (Napoli) Division and Harry 

was killed, aged 25. After a temporary burial he 

was finally laid to rest on 18th November, 1943 at 

Syracruse War Cemetery. The touching inscription on 

his grave reads, 

“Only a grave but it needs care for the one I loved 

is sleeping there”. 

I am grateful to John Churm (John’s son) and to 

Denise Martin, (Harry’s niece) for sharing photos of 

their family. 

If anyone else has photos for those listed on the 

Lychgate please contact me via Wellington History 

Group. 

You are also invited to the History Group’s next 

talk but please bear in mind that if the situation with 

the COVID-19 virus is still restricting public meetings 

it will be cancelled. Up to date information will be 

posted on Facebook. 

Harry Frederick Pursall 

Wellington History Group 2pp.indd 2 05/05/2020 22:59

NATIONAL MILITARY 

SERVICE MUSEUMS 

JOIN FORCES TO BRING 

NATION TOGETHER 

● Tri-service museums host Virtual VE Day 75 

Festival from 7-9 May 2020 

● Joint Command? Debunking the myths 

behind the Navy, Army and Air Force roles as 

they vied for victory 75 years ago 

● Free virtual events bring WW2 to life, for the 

nation at home 

(AT HOME) 

IN VIRTUAL 

VE DAY 75 

FESTIVAL 

The three historical institutions of 

the British Armed Forces invite the 

public to ‘stand with your services’ to 

celebrate 75 years since VE Day on 

Friday 8 May. The National Museum 

of the Royal Navy, National Army Museum and 

Royal Air Force Museum are hosting their first 

tri-service celebration with the Virtual VE Day 75 

Festival taking place online from Thursday 7 May 

to Saturday 9 May 2020, inclusive. 

Important Anniversary 

In a way that the British do so well, the three 

museums of the Armed Forces will keep calm 

and carry on with their Virtual VE Day 75 Festival 

to replace individual pre-Covid ambitions 

for marking this important anniversary. The 

service museums encourage members of 

the public to come together, while staying at 

home, in conjunction with the government’s 

communications to ‘stay home and save lives’. 

The virtual programme kicks off on Thursday 

7 May, the date of Germany’s unconditional 

surrender, with ‘Vying for Victory: Britain’s 

Navy, Army and Air Force in Myth and Memory’. 

Chaired by historian and broadcaster, James 

Holland, this will see each museum fight their 

corner, discussing the Royal Navy, Army and 

Royal Air Force’s respective roles during the 

closing stages of the Second World War. This 

free event will be broadcast on YouTube at 5pm 

on Thursday 7 May, followed by a live Q&A on 

CrowdCast at 7pm. 

Joint operations and command 

The Second World War was the first major 

conflict which saw the implementation of a truly 

joint operations and command. This involved 

three different services with three different 

sets of traditions, cultures and experiences. 

Leading military historians, Matthew Sheldon 

(National Museum of the Royal Navy); Dr Peter 

Johnson (National Army Museum) and Dr Harry 

Raffal (Royal Air Force Museum); will explore 

how each of the services has cemented its 

own contribution in myth, tradition and popular 

#StandWithYourServices 

Army Museums 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:42

culture and question the accuracy of that representation via the 

highs and lows of this unique working relationship. 

Dig for victory 

On Friday 8 May, members of the public are invited to get their 

gardens and homes decorated and prepare for a VE Day party. 

Enjoy learning about life on the Home Front, get thrifty with a 

Make Do and Mend session, and learn how to dig for victory. 

Discover some of the experiences of Women in War with 

poignant stories from the each of the museums’ archives. Such 

as that from Dorrie Thomas, who served as a Telegraphist in the 

Women’s Royal Navy Service and sent news of peace in Europe 

to members of the British Naval Fleet. 

Historian and author, James Holland will speak to the National 

Army Museum’s Dr Peter Johnston at 2pm in a live webinar 

discussing ‘Why the Allies Won’, just before the nation tunes into 

the BBC to hear Churchill’s famous VE Day broadcast at 3pm. 

Victory celebrations commence at 4pm with a live Swing Dance 

Class followed by a sing-along concert with the Bluebird Belles. 

Saturday 9 May brings living history to living rooms with 

reenactors sharing stories from real service personnel during 

the Second World War. Dr Peter Johnston takes a live webinar 

with historian Dr Jonathan Fennell on ‘Fighting the People’s 

War’, and an immersive walk-through of HMS Alliance will provide 

an insight into the extraordinary self-isolation experience of 

submariners as the rest of Europe celebrated. 

Innovative virtual festival 

Defence Minister Baroness Goldie said, “As plans for VE Day 

75 have been forced to change hugely due to the pandemic, this 

imaginative and innovative virtual festival will provide a muchneeded 

distraction in these uncertain times. This is a chance 

to rediscover the Second World War and will be a poignant 

reminder for us all of the sacrifice our Armed Forces made in 

honour of King and country. 

“The cooperation of these three historic institutions is a 

fantastic achievement and will ensure that all generations are 

aware of the importance of VE Day and the unforgettable 

impact of events which took place 75 years ago.” 

The museums are encouraging those joining to 

share pictures on social media with the hashtag 

#StandWithYourServices. 

#StandWithYourServices 

Army Museums 2pp.indd 2 05/05/2020 22:42

YOUR WELLINGTON 

The 

latest news and 

events from Wellington 

Town Council 

WTC WEST 

team news 

The Wellington Environmental Services 

Team (WEST) have continued to 

remain very busy with an amount of 

environmental service work within the 

Wellington Parish area. Residents may 

well have seen the Team within the parish 

and they are receiving many positive 

comments for the work that they have 

completed including footpath clearance 

in the Aston Drive area and they have 

recently undertaken various works within 

the Shawbirch area mainly around the 

pools in the Glade Way area. 

The effects of the Coronavirus 

pandemic have involved them in 

continuing their work in accordance with 

the current Government guidelines with 

then keeping safe at all times. They have 

also been involved in the securing of the 

play areas located in the Bowring Park, 

Severn Drive play area at Dothill and the 

play area located at the rear of Arleston 

Community Centre. 

If any Wellington resident is aware of 

any such environmental maintenance 

work that the WEST team could 

undertake, then please do not hesitate 

to contact Wellington Town Council 

either by telephoning 01952 567691 

or by emailing the Town Council at 

wellingtontowncouncil@telford.gov.uk 

Cllr Frank Burns 

The death of Councillor Frank 

Burns has come at a sad time for 

the people of Wellington. Frank 

was a dedicated Councillor 

for Haygate Ward, a school 

governor and was twice Mayor 

of Wellington. He represented 

Haygate for many years and was 

involved in projects to improve and 

upgrade the area. 

Frank was a founder member 

of Wellington Regeneration Board 

and was positive and supportive of 

everything that would enhance the 

town of which he was so proud. 

Wellington has lost a dedicated and 

loyal Councillor who worked hard to 

promote the town for residents and 

businesses. He was a special person 

with a vision for Wellington that will be 

sadly missed. 

We send our deepest sympathy to 

his wife and his loving family. 


Events update 

The below scheduled WTC events have 

unfortunately been cancelled: 

● Mayors Charity Dinner 

● Bayley Mile 

● Wellington Festival 

● VE Day 

The following events will be subject to 

ongoing government guidelines: 

● Six week family fun days in the Bowring 

Park 

● Remembrance Parade 

● Christmas Light Switch on 

WELLINGTON TOWN COUNCIL 

Follow us on Twitter - twitter.com/WellingtonTCl 

Facebook - www.facebook.com/WellingtonTCShropshire 

Civic Offices, Larkin Way, Tan Bank, 

Wellington TF1 1LX 

Telephone - 01952 567696 

Office Hours: 

Monday to Friday 10.30am – 3.30pm 

www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk 

Wellington Town Council Advert 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 23:01

and 

ngton 

il 

Councillors lend their 

support to the effort 

These are unprecedented times and those 

Wellington Town Councillors who are physically able 

to are working to help the community during the 

Coronavirus crisis in different ways... 

Cllr Karen Tomlinson and Cllr Anthony Lowe have 

been helping Shawbirch resident Debbie Farley 

set up a Covid-19 Mutual Aid group in Shawbirch, 

Bratton, Admaston, Wrockwardine and Dothill with 

photocopying provided by Wellington Town Council. 

Karen and Anthony have helped by joining the flyer distribution 

volunteers offering help to vulnerable and isolated people. The 

group now has over 500 members on Facebook. 

In South Wellington the Friends of Bowring Park have set 

up a Covid-19 Facebook community help page initiated and 

administered by local resident Julia Fletcher. Again Wellington 

Town Council have helped with photocopying of A5 leaflets. 

Mayor Anthony Lowe said, "I've volunteered for that group 

- distributing leaflets and shopping for Oakwood Care Home 

residents who have asked for support. These two groups are doing 

splendid work helping in the areas that they have agreed to cover 

and their reach seems to be extending day by day, according to 

demand, covering shopping, dog walking, fetching prescriptions 

etc. I cannot praise the many volunteers who have stepped in 

highly enough." 

Cllr Angela McCements said, "I'm currently ringing a group of 

vulnerable residents in my ward of Arleston everyday, to chat, 

make sure they have everything they need and that they are 

supported. We also have an Arleston Community Facebook page 

which I update with local and national information and help." 

Cllr Lisa Jinks in Dothill has been helping out various residents 

who have found themselves in isolation with prescription and 

food collections or just a chat to break their boredom, “One elderly 

resident said all he wanted was a pie from a certain butchers in the 

market but didn't want anyone to be 'put out' just for a bit of pie. I 

bought the pie and popped it by his front door. He telephoned me 

later to say it had made his day." 

In College ward Cllr Lee Carter is, together with Angela 

McClements, exploring setting up a 'Fit & Fed' Holiday Activity 

Programme for youngsters - working with local sports clubs and 

Community Centres. Lee Carter went on to explain, "during 

the Coronavirus outbreak I have been working with the local 

community including dealing with a sensitive issue around burials, 

arranging for Veolia to collect waste from a more convenient 

location for residents and have been promoting the various 

helplines that Telford & Wrekin have made available to support the 

local Community. This has included providing signposting for local 

Businesses and vulnerable residents.” 

Helpline numbers 

The helpline number for Shawbirch, Bratton, Admaston, 

Wrockwardine and Dothill residents and volunteers is: 

01952 780466 

Cllr Angela McCements has been ringing 

vulnerable residents in her Arleston ward 

Facebook 

updates 

The Love Wellington and 


Facebook pages are being 

constantly updated with helpful 

information from Telford & 

Wrekin Council which outlines 

how businesses and residents 

can access support. 

A positive 

note... 

Here's a positive note – from 

Cllr Lisa Jinks; "Every day is 

one day further towards us 

returning to normal. The lesson 

I've learnt is never take life for 

granted. Smile, laugh and love 

because you just never know 

what's around the corner." 

Helpline numbers 

For those in South Wellington around the Bowring Park vicinity the 

helpline number is: 

07484 890022 

www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk 

Wellington Town Council Advert 2pp.indd 2 05/05/2020 23:01


01952 567697 

Important Numbers 1pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:51

A fun exercise 

for children... 

and bored adults too! 

by D.A. McGrath 

D.A. McGrath is a children’s book author. She is 

currently writing the sixth book in the “Full Moon” 

series about a young girl who discovers she’s a 

shapeshifter. Learn more about D.A. McGrath at 

damcgrathauthor.com. The “Full Moon” series is 

available for download from all good digital retailers 

and is also available in paperback from: 

Amazon.co.uk. 

Are you running out of things 

to keep the kids occupied? 

Unable to get 

them to focus on 

anything for more 

than half an hour 

at a time? Well, 

here’s a fun exercise that 

should keep them occupied 

for a while with minimum 

supervision required. It’s an 

exercise authors use when 

going into schools to do 

sessions (but you don’t have 

to tell the kids that!). 

In fact, why let the kids 

have all the fun? I’m sure 

Step One 

Create an imaginary 

character that has a special 

power of some kind. 

● What is their name? 

● How old are they? 

● Where do they live (or what 

do they live in)? 

● How tall are they? What 

colour are their eyes and 

hair? 

Describe the special power 

● What can they do? 

● How did they get the 

special power? 

● Is there only a specific 

there are lots of grown-ups 

around, right now, that have 

more time on their hands 

than they know what to 

do with or are desperately 

looking for ways to ‘shut 

out’ high levels of anxiety, or 

stress, for a few minutes. So 

here goes. Switch off the TV, 

shut down the tablet (after 

you’ve finished reading this 

magazine, of course). Get 

yourself a piece of paper and 

a pen, or pencil, and give this 

a go. 

event, or time of the day, 

when they can use their 

powers (e.g. under a full 

moon, or when they’re 

angry)? 

● Is there anything that 

stops the special power 

from working (e.g. 

Kryptonite)? 

Step Two 

Write a short story about 

your special character. Draw 

some pictures to go with it, 

if you like. Consider: 

● Are their powers a secret, 

or are they a famous 

superhero? 

● Do they have a costume? 

● Are there bad guys, or 

other characters in the 

story, that also have 

special powers? 

There is no limit to how long or short the story should be. It will, 

naturally, vary according to age and ability but, hopefully, your kids 

will come up with some really imaginative ideas and storylines. 

That’s it. Simple. And when you’re done, why not share the 

stories with friends and family via email or social media. Be 

proud of what they (or you!) have achieved – with a little more 

practice, maybe they/you can be the next James Patterson or J. 

K. Rowling! 

Keep on staying safe, folks! 

Share your 

story with 

our readers! 

When you have finished 

your story we would 

love to read it at Wrekin 

News and share it with 

our community in the 

next issue.. 

Please send your story 

and any pictures of your 

character with their 

special power via 

email to: james@ 

plus2media.co.uk 

D.A. McGrath 

Donna McGrath 1pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:48

Spotlight on the Love 

Wellington movement by 

Jocelyne Fildes and Sally 

Themans 

Let's Get Local 

campaign 

launches in 

Wellington 

The Love Wellington initiative is behind the 

movement, which is encouraging residents 

to support businesses in the area. 

“This is a very important initiative, 

especially in such difficult times,” stressed 

Sally Themans of Love Wellington. 

“People want to help their community and one of 

the best ways they can do this is by getting behind the 

local businesses which are still operating, even though 

they may not be visible. 

“We're all aware that using small, independent 

shops, as well as chains who employ local people, 

really helps the community during this crisis, with 

goods being delivered to customers, safe distances 

being kept and retailers collaborating to offer a wider 

range of products.” 

However, Sally said that the Let’s Get Local message 

covered a wider range of professionals. 

“it's all about keeping the local economy going and 

investing in the community,” she explained. 

“Many people will be sitting at home thinking it’s 

time they got on with outstanding jobs - such as 

redesigning their garden, decorating, 

having new curtains made, rewriting 

their will, renegotiating their mortgage 

or having a new website built. 

“There are so many people who are 

still able to provide these services at a 

safe distance or from home and Love 

Wellington is urging them to network 

on our Facebook page so everyone 

can see who's out there. 

“We hope residents will use a local firm and support 

another resident and member of our community to 

stay afloat. 

“So we want all local business people, such as 

solicitors, PR consultants, website designers and 

financial advisors to let us know that they are out 

there and what service they can provide to their 

neighbours. 

“And we urge the community to support this wealth 

of local specialists. We will come out of this crisis a 

better community - more aware of what our friends, 

neighbours and acquaintances actually do.” 

Contact & Follow 

Facebook @LoveWellington 

Twitter @LoveWellington1 

Instagram lovewellington2019 

● On the Love Wellington admin team are: Sally 

Themans, Jocelyne Fildes, Caroline Farrell, Kath 

Howard, Claire Dowdall, Paola Armstrong, Tania and 

Peter Jones, Sarah Chard, Hanna Leeson, Stuart Tyrer, 

Paul Kalinauckas, Kevin Tanner, Gareth Bellamy and 

Naomi Wrighton. 



Wrekin News and Love Wellington have joined 

forces to work together to promote #Wellington 

- look out for our regular monthly Love Wellington 

column and social media posts! 

#LoveWellington / #LoveWellington / #LoveWellington / #LoveWellington 

Love Wellington 4pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:53


Spotlight on the Love 

Wellington movement by 

Jocelyne Fildes and Sally 

Themans 

"These unprecedented times lead 

to all sorts of creative ideas and 

local entertainer Corri Lee is going 

to start a new social writing project 

for Wellington which records how 

people coped with, and what 

they did during the Coronavirus 

Lockdown of 2020" 

Corri launches Wellington 

social writing project 

Corri says, "In the days before I 

ran away and joined the circus, I 

wrote and self-published several 

women’s fiction novels. Not only 

did I learn how to be a lean, 

mean, one-woman publishing machine, I 

also learned that writing can be incredibly 

therapeutic.” 

Corri's aim is to create a book that 

encompasses as many people’s 'life memories' 

during the pandemic from in and around the 

Wellington area, and also help to alleviate 

the strain on mental health by suggesting a 

healthy creative outlet. 

So this is where we all get involved folks.... 

Corri is asking people to submit their funny 

or interesting memories/anecdotes based on 

the following areas of their past lives; 

Their current views/experiences of the 

Coronavirus… 

Their current situation.... 

Greatest challenges, greatest hopes for the 

future.... 

"These are just suggestions — you are 

welcome to write your COVID-19 story 

however you please… By writing at all, you 

are already doing wonders for your mental 

health by verbalising your feelings in a 

healthy, non-destructive way, and not bottling 

up your feelings during this time. You may 

also not have realised yet that writing is ‘your 

thing’ and that you could write a book of 

your own! This could be your stepping stone 

to a new career, or just a constructive way to 

use up half an hour. 

Either way, you’ll have contributed to 

a worthy cause and will forever have 

bragging rights to being ‘a published writer’. 

Everyone’s a winner!” 

Corri does not want to impose any kind of 

word limit, but stories up to 500 words will 

work best. You are also welcome to provide a 

photograph or artwork with your story! 

Then over time Corri will go through them 

all to build up a rich picture of 'anecdotes in 

your own words' of Wellington during the 

Coronavirus outbreak. If there is enough 

stories, they will be broken down into 

separate books for age groups. 

Please note that sending in any information 

to the email, participants are agreeing to 

its possible use in this future book. Corri is 

doing her very best to guarantee that ALL 

of the memories sent in will be used. She 

also aims to help the community by asking 

for a minimum £1 donation per story - all 

proceeds from this will be donated back into 

local charities working to support us during 

these hard times. 

Email your story to Corri: corrilee.variety@gmail.com 

Follow Corri on Facebook for the full story, updates and further information at www.facebook.com/corrilee.variety 


#LoveWellington 

Contact & Follow 

Facebook @LoveWellington 

Twitter @LoveWellington1 

Instagram lovewellington2019 

#LoveWellington 


Wellington 

ORBIT 

interacting on the web! 

Like all other cinemas, Wellington Orbit 

is now shut for the immediate future 

with an uncertain reopening date.... 

Director Fiona Hunter has told us that the 

organisation cannot for the time being 

trade from its trading premises; however 

the ethos of providing arts and cultural 

facilities for the benefit of the community 

remains and this temporary closure only serves to 

demonstrate the need for these facilities in the town. 

The Wellington Orbit team have been organising 

quizzes and crosswords and information is available 

through the web site www. 

wellingtonorbit.co.uk or on 

our Facebook and Twitter 

pages. Wellington Orbit in your 

search engine will find us. We 

are looking at providing talks 

online, similar to those we had 

already begun to host at the 

Wellington Orbit premises. We 

will let you know through the 

web site if and when a talk is 

scheduled. We’re sorry but you 

will have to provide your own 

coffee! 

As we are sure you are aware, 

we cannot continue to function as a cinema or an arts facility 

without your support and financial contribution. At present 

this is of course limited to any donation you may be prepared 

to make during the close down. You can do this by taking up 

our share option and becoming a member for life. £10 or 

more will do this – and details can be obtained by emailing: 

ray@wellingtonorbit.co.uk 

You can also help by nominating Wellington Orbit as your 

chosen charity in the Telford and Wrekin Community Lottery 

(Twincl). Tickets are only £1 and you could win up to £25,000. 

In addition, Telford & Wrekin Council are providing further 

novel prizes during the crisis. You can find further details at 

www.twincl.co.uk 

Gift 

Vouchers 

Gift 

Vouchers 

You can buy gift vouchers on line at 

www.wellingtonorbit.co.uk 

gift vouchers to be spent when we are all able to 

‘meet again’ in the future. 

Finally, you can buy gift vouchers on line at 

www.wellingtonorbit.co.uk 

gift vouchers to be spent when we are all able to 

‘meet again’ in the future. 

Win a pair of 

Golden Tickets to 

Wellington Orbit 

The doors of Wellington Orbit maybe closed for now but 

we hope they will be open soon and in readiness for that 

Wrekin News has teamed up with Wellington Orbit once 

again to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of 

Golden Tickets. 

The Golden Tickets entitle admission for two people to 

see a film screening. It can be an adult + child, or two adults, 

or two children! 

All you have to do to enter the prize draw is name the 

four films on the page opposite and send your answers 

along with your name, address and daytime telephone 

number to - james@plus2media.co.uk or post your entry 

to: Plus2, PO Box 515, Telford TF2 2JE. 

Closing date for entries is Friday 5 June 2020, good luck! 

The Orbit 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:58

1 

2 3 

4 

The Orbit 2pp.indd 2 05/05/2020 22:58

MARTIN 

SCHOLES 

Yes, we are living 

through difficult times. 

If you can help please 

visit this site (it’s part 

of the Royal Voluntary 

Service) and they need help. Please 

visit https://www.goodsamapp.org/ 

NHS to learn how. 

But now on to other matters. 

Here are a series of images of the 

area in former times. They are all 

of a series of various entertainment 

venues in Wellington. 

We only have a photograph 

of the sign for the Morris Hall 

in Wellington, which was off 

Church Street. Does anyone have 

a photograph of The Morris Hall? 

If so, please send it in to us at the 

Wrekin News. 

Other venues are The Grand 

Cinema, The Town Hall, Terry 

Heath’s, The Majestic, The YMCA 

and The Clifton Cinema. 

Talking of cinemas, does anyone 

remember the Cosy Cinema? I was 

told how, whenever Mor-isis ice 

creams won an award they would 

give free ice creams to children 

attending a Saturday matinee 

showing at the nearby Cosy Cinema. 

According to this website 

http://cinematreasures.org/ 

theaters/41404 “The Cosy Cinema 

was Located in Dawley, near Telford, 

Shropshire. The Cosy Cinema was 

opened in 1921. It has a facade 

decorated in a Tudor Revival style, 

and the auditorium was made of 

corrugated iron, with a tin roof. 

The Cosy Cinema was always 

independently operated and was 

still open in 1966. It had closed 

by 1980, and has since been 

demolished.” 

I really think the website has its 

information about The Cosy Cinema 

wrong. Can any Dawleyites please 

put them right? 

Please email all contributions to 

The Wrekin News, details elsewhere 

in this digital edition. 

ENTERTAINMENT VENUES IN 

WELLINGTON 

What about a quiz? OK, here we go:- 

Q1) Where was the switch for the light on the Wrekin, originally? 

Q2) In which street in Wellington was the Union Workhouse which later 

became a brewery? 

Q3) In which street is the Crown Inn, Dawley? 

Q4) What is the difference between a hamlet and a village? 

Q5) Which Telford business makes chocolate Easter eggs? 

Q6) What local Telford band put out the song Make Believe which got to 

number 28 in the Radio Luxembourg chart 50 years ago? 

Q7) Where was the Granville Arms pub? 

Q8) In which street would you have found The Sun Inn, Wellington? 

Q9) What type of industry was undertaken in Tentree Croft, Wellington? 

Q10) In which village near to Wellington was famous for its spa waters? 

Q11) Which local village was famed the world over for its cranes? 

Q12) Which pub in Telford is named for a famous local ironmaster? 

Q13) What method was widely used to raise barges up to a higher level 

without the use of a canal? 

Q14) In which town was Captain Webb born? 

Q15) It is now called The Old Orleton. What was it previously called? 

Q16) What was the nickname of the Wellington Town Football Club? 

Q17) What is the nickname of AFC Telford United? 

Q18) What two Parliamentary seats cover the Wrekin News area? 

Q19) What was the name of the two cinemas in Dawley? 

Martin Scholes 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:54

KEEP FLICKING 

THROUGH THE 

MAGAZINE PAGES 

TO FIND THE 

ANSWERS TO 

MARTIN'S QUIZ... 

Martin Scholes 2pp.indd 2 05/05/2020 22:54

Pete 

Jackson 

Cinderloo 

heritage 

You probably have heard of Waterloo - the famous battle that the Duke of 

Wellington fought and won against Napoleon in 1815. You may have heard of the 

Battle of Peterloo that occurred at St Peter’s Fields, Manchester in 1819 when 

cavalry charged into a crowd of about 70,000 people who had gathered to 

demand the reform of parliamentary representation, but do you know about The 

Battle of Cinderloo that took place here in Telford? 

It occurred at Old Park on 2 

February 1821, after colliers and 

ironworkers went on strike and 

marched throughout the area 

against a significant cut in their 

wages. Local Yeomanry were called in 

to disperse the men, by which time the 

crowd had grown to about 3,000 local 

men, women and children. The Yeomanry 

confronted the crowd who had heard of 

their imminent arrival and had retreated 

to the slag mounds at Old Park. 

When the crowd refused to disperse, 

the soldiers opened fire and two colliers, 

William Bird and Thomas Gittins died as 

a result of their injuries sustained that 

day. Another, Tom Palin, deemed the 

ringleader, was hung in April 1821 for 

felonious riot. In addition, eight other 

men were sent to trial. One, Samuel 

Haywood, was due to be hung along with 

Palin, but received a last-minute reprieve, 

with instead a sentence of transportation, 

which pardoned the following year. The 

other men received nine months in jail 

with hard labour. Their names were: 

Christopher North, John Grainger, Joseph 

Eccleshall, John Payne, Robert Wheeler, 

John Amies and John Wilcox. 

As members of the Cinderloo 1821 

Project and keen family historians, three 

of us decided to try to research the family 

history of these men. We wanted to give 

them the recognition they deserved for 

trying to stand up for their rights to a fair 

wage, in order to stave off the inevitable 

hardships and deprivations which would 

occur if their already low pay was to be 

cut again by the industrialists. 

We feel these men’s lives should be 

remembered and celebrated for standing 

up for their rights. We have made some 

progress tracing information on them 

and their families, despite the paucity of 

records available prior to the census years. 

Where possible, we have found details of 

their families, what happened to them, 

and where they were likely to have lived 

and worked. 

Could YOU be related to one of them? 

Would YOU like to find out more, or 

explore a possible family connection? 

Then why not start your own family tree? 

There are many avenues of study open to 

you and your family: free records available 

online (1) ; free access to records from some 

of the companies like Ancestry from your 

local library; free online study courses & 

newsletters (2) ; magazines to purchase 

(3); and best of all, the friendly members 

of your Local Family History Societies and 

Local History Societies (4) . 

Would YOU like to 

find out more, or 

explore a possible 

family connection? 

Then why not start 

your own family 

tree? 

(1) https://www.familysearch.org/search/family-trees; https://www.freeukgenealogy.org.uk/freebmd; 

https://familyhistorydaily.com/free-genealogy-resources/free-family-tree-lesson-plans/; 

(2) https://familyhistorydaily.com/genealogy-resources/7-places-to-find-free-genealogy-courses-and-webinars-online/; https://www.lostcousins.com 

(3) Selection of Family History Magazines: https://www.thoughtco.com/top-genealogy-magazines-for-family-history-1422150 

(4) Shropshire Family History Society: http://www.sfhs.org.uk; Wrekin Local Studies Forum: http://www.wlsf.org.uk 

www.cinderloo.com 

Cinderloo Pete Jackson 1pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:46

WIN A COPY 

OF TRISTAN 

KING’S NEW 

BOOK! 

There’s a brand new book on 

the horizon, titled Fat Bernard 

(Antisocial adventures in a 

humdrum world). It’s a comedy 

novella from first-time local 

author Tristan King, from Wellington, who 

is far more at home illustrating and printing 

books than writing them, having over 

30 years experience in the design and 

publishing industries. 

You may ask, is launching a book a 

good idea in the middle of a pandemic 

lockdown? It’s hard to say – people might 

have less disposable income, but most 

are at home, bored, with plenty of time 

to read, but one thing’s for certain... with 

all the bad news currently surrounding 

us, we ALL need cheering up, and Tristan 

promises that Fat Bernard will make you 

laugh (between the awkward cringes). 

“We all need a bit of humour in these 

dark times.” Tristan went on to explain the 

lead character: “He’s a bit of an anti-hero 

who experiments, socially, pushing the 

boundaries as far as he can. Hopefully 

everyone will be very amused by his odd 

outlook and reactions to life’s everyday 

scenarios. With a bold, care-free nature, 

part of you will wish you were him, whilst 

the other part will be very glad you’re 

not!” 

Not only has Tristan written the pocketsized 

comedy, being a designer has meant 

he’s also been able to illustrate it, design 

and typeset the book, arrange the print 

and finance it all himself. 

Fat Bernard is available now on Amazon 

and eBay. 

HOW TO ENTER 

For your chance to win a copy 

of Fat Bernard please send your 

name, address and daytime 

telephone number via email to 


Closing date for entries is: 

Friday 29 May 2020 

Good luck! 

“We all need a bit of humour in these dark times!” 

Fat Bernard 1pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:49

OUT 

NOW 

A beautiful rhyming 

children’s story 

dedicated to our key 

worker heroes... 

Author and illustrator 

Toni Sian Williams has 

been inspired by the 

heroic efforts of our 

key workers across the 

country. During the 

COVID-19 lockdown she has been 

busy creating a magical story that 

depicts our key workers through the 

eyes of a child, and what they see 

are their parents, auntie’s, uncles 

and grandparents going about their 

daily work as usual, but not as normal 

people do, but as superheroes! 

The story has a different rhyme on 

every page which compliments each 

key worker’s superpower. Covering 

many different job roles such as 

NHS staff, ambulance drivers, police 

officers, delivery workers and more. 

Inspired 

Toni comments: “I really have been 

inspired by the sheer strength and 

commitment of our key workers. 

During this difficult time, they have 

persisted to carry on doing their 

daily jobs in spite of risking their very 

own safety. In my eyes they truly 

are superheroes and deserve to be 

celebrated. I also know that many 

young children may be confused at 

the moment, as to why their parents 

may be working but they themselves 

are not at school. So, to shine some 

light on the situation I wanted to 

create a story that would let children’s 

imaginations run wild with the idea 

that their very own family member is in 

fact a hero!” 

Now Released 

‘Who Can Be A Superhero?’ is now 

released and is available currently on 

Amazon. Toni will also be donating part 

of the proceeds of the book to the 

NHS in due course as a thank you for 

all their hard work during this difficult 

time. 

You can purchase the book as a 

paperback from amazon and or as an 

ebook to download. 

● Toni Sian Williams with 

a copy of her new book 

● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToniSianWilliams 

● Twitter: https://twitter.com/Toni_S_Williams 

● Website: www.tonisianwilliams.co.uk 

Toni Sian Williams 3pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:58


Facebook: 

www.facebook.com/ToniSianWilliams 

Twitter: 

twitter.com/Toni_S_Williams 

Website: 

www.tonisianwilliams.co.uk 


cott 

Songs 

for our 

Frontline 

Heroes 

A collaboration of artists from all over Shropshire and 

Telford has been put together into a 17 track album of 

original music with all funds raised going to NHS Charities 

Together. 

Shrewsbury based organiser Mark Fielden said, “We are very 

grateful to all the artists who have donated their original 

tracks to our album: Davy Lewis, Robbie Jones Music, CC 

Smugglers, Abi Foster Music, Cooper & Davies, Andy Mills 

Acoustic, The Ronaldos, Michaela Wylde Music, Rob Cooper, 

Jake Nelson Music, Eoin J Doyle, Camy Myles, Austin Berkley, 

Simon Davies, Darren Pritchard, The John Cubbin Band, Graham Clews - 

Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist. 

Many thanks to Jellen Art for the fantastic artwork, we think it captures 

what we are trying to achieve superbly. A huge thank you to Shaun and 

the team at Alpha Duplication for their super fast service.” 

To purchase please visit 

https://www.facebook.com/ 

110221520641954/posts/ 

122999292697510/ 

#songsforourfrontlineheroes 

Songs for Heroes 1p.indd 1 05/05/2020 23:20

Wildlife 

K 

Wonders 

eeping children occupied in 

the holidays is challenging 

enough but add in 

prolonged time at 

home outside of the 

holidays, now that can 

be tough. Why not allow the nature in 

your garden to help by encouraging 

children to step outside into another 

world? It’s healthy, fun and educational 

and can give you just the break you 

need. The experiences children gain now 

will develop an ongoing enthusiasm for 

caring for wildlife which benefits everyone. 

Encouraging 

kids to enjoy 

their garden and 

the wildlife that 

share it... 

for little 

fingers! 

There is so much more to be 

experienced in the garden, and 

a healthier way to spend family 

time. It is important to teach 

our children to enjoy nature and 

develop an interest and respect 

for wildlife ongoing; it is their 

future. 

Small hands are a great help 

for sowing vegetable seeds 

and planting delicate flowers 

so encourage the little ones to 

share gardening at home. It will 

keep them active and a great 

way to improve your garden’s 

attractiveness to wildlife. Give 

them their own tools and an 

area to look after. They will find 

it rewarding to see new things 

appear for all their hard work. 

Celebrate their efforts during 

National Children’s Gardening 

Week this year between 23-31 

May. 

Take learning outdoors with 

your own version of a forest 

school. If you can include 

insect hotels or simple log piles 

plus a shallow water feature, 

there will be opportunities for 

seasonal antics to watch. From 

wriggly worms, vibrant fluttering 

butterflies or the fascinating work 

of pollen-laden bumblebees. The 

more adventurous can explore 

minibeasts using bug 

viewers but everyone 

benefits from the joy of 

a child’s reaction to tadpoles with 

legs! 

Providing food and nest boxes 

in your garden helps both resident 

birds and give fleeting visitors a 

reason to stay around. Many of 

our most common garden visitors 

are bright, attractive birds that are 

hard to ignore and can light the 

initial spark that fires a lifetime’s 

interest. Make bird feeding part of 

your child’s daily routine to check 

and fill the feeder – it’s a great way 

to instil responsibility for wildlife. 

CJ Wildlife has a vast array of 

garden and window feeders for 

getting started plus build your own 

kits that enable children to build 

and decorate their own creations 

and have a personal connection 

with the birds that use them. Or 

set them a challenge with our 

Peanut Butter Modelling Clay to 

make inspired treats that 

the birds will love. 

To complement their 

efforts in the garden, there 

is a great range of books 

and guides to capture 

their imagination and play 

games to identify birds, 

butterflies and bugs. CJ 

CJ Wildlife 5pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:47

THE DEN 

CJ Wildlife website has a special 

kids section known as The Den 

(www.birdfood.co.uk/the-den) 

which has lots of great ideas 

and free resources for creative 

colouring and wildlife activities 

to keep them occupied in 

the fresh air. 

Wildlife website has a special kids section 

known as The Den (www.birdfood.co.uk/theden) 

which has lots of great ideas and free 

resources for creative colouring and wildlife 

activities to keep them occupied in the fresh 

air. 

And then when the sun goes down or if 

you just need a little quiet time follow the 

bird families of the CJ Wildlife live nest box 

webcams (www.birdfood.co.uk/webcams). 

Providing a fun and educational approach 

to ‘screen time’ these 24/7 cameras give 

children an egg-citing insight into the family 

routines of some special birds like owls, 

kestrels, peregrins and more. There is so 

much to see; with peregrine falcon chicks 

and white stork chicks visible on the webcams 

right now! 

CJ Wildlife are keen to share their 

enthusiasm with all generations, and offer a 

range of products specifically for children, 

to encourage more wildlife into gardens and 

take pleasure in wildlife in 

general. Everyday can be 

a nature day with wildlife 

books, games, gifts, 

toys and activities – all 

available from CJ Wildlife 

at www.birdfood.co.uk or 

freephone 0800 731 2820. 


DOWNLOAD THE PDF PRINT THIS PAGE AND COLOUR IN! 


DOWNLOAD THE PDF PRINT THIS PAGE AND COLOUR IN! 


↓ 

↓ 


Home & 

Garden 

Easy maintenance - your 

all year around garden 

Many of our customers ask for an easy maintenance garden and for this 

we always advise a shrub garden, this avoids the necessity of planting 

lots of annuals, and herbaceous. 

The garden at 

Lilyhurst is 

often praised 

for its colour all 

year around. 

This is achieved not by 

filling the area with high 

maintenance flowers 

but by simply planting 

a few flowering shrubs 

throughout the garden. This 

means that the plant with 

flowers will be the feature 

at that time and can then 

fade into the background 

for the rest of the year. 

Accompany this with large 

percentage of evergreens, 

preferably with coloured leaves, and 

this will soon give you an all year-round 

garden. The flowering mix must be 

spread out and this is, therefore, when 

time must be taken. When you start a 

garden, the temptation is to rush out and 

simply buy everything that is in flower 

at the first opportunity, usually around 

Easter time, as this is treated as the start 

of the garden season. At all costs resist 

this temptation or you will finish up with 

the, all too regularly seen result, a spring 

garden, only of interest early in the 

year, and with no room for later flowers 

or even winter interest. When buying 

shrubs always ask questions like does it 

do anything else?, has it a second period 

of interest? Recently I saw an article 

on flowering cherries saying they were 

the ultimate spring flower, however this 

Written by 

Robert Hudson 

of Lilyhurst 

Plant Centre 

only tells part of their story, 

many of them also have a 

second period of interest, 

often in the autumn, giving a 

blast of colour as their leaves 

turn, or as with prunus 

kojo nomai winter interest 

with its zig zag growth. We 

are quite used to seeing 

customers come every month 

throughout the year buying, 

on each visit, just one or two 

plants, which are in flower 

at that time, as they create a 

garden with interest all year 

around, 

Probably the most 

overlooked spring flowers 

are the deciduous azaleas. These have 

many benefits firstly most of them have 

flowers very similar to rhododendrons 

and are not nearly as fussy about 

conditions, secondly, they are often 

fragrant, and thirdly in the autumn they 

usually give a rich fiery display with their 

foliage. The mention of azaleas tends 

to elicit the response, ‘you mean those 

funny plants which need special soil I 

think I will avoid them thanks’. This is 

not true, deciduous azaleas will grow on 

most soils they will even tolerate chalky 

soils the only special treatment is the 

need for a mulch each year. 

Always remember we are here to help 

or provide advice on your gardening 

problems and all our plants are grown 

on the nursery to suit the conditions 

found in the area. 

Gardening 1pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:50

WREKIN WRITERS 

www.wrekinwriters.co.uk 

Are you ready to 

step even further 

out of your 

comfort-zone…? 

At this globally difficult time, it’s easy to focus on the negative 

daily articles filling our newspapers and Magazines. Finding 

stories that are un-related to the current challenge we are 

facing, seems a relatively scarce opportunity. It can seem that 

much of what we read is overwhelmingly serious. 

So why not take a chance to step laterally, and WRITE something that 

everyone could appreciate, on anything ‘different’ you decide to share 

with your reader? It might be something based on laughter; intrigue; 

emotion; mystery; or something apparently unbelievable…until YOU write 

it. Hiding inside, it’s waiting for you to create and expose to your own 

group of undiscovered friends. 

So, how do you start to change your world, and reach out to people? 

Well, every year, about now, a competition emerges. Almost anyone 

can enter, and write a short story about anything you like, in your own 

unique style. 

It is called: 

The Doris Gooderson Short Story Competition 

It is hosted by the WREKIN WRITERS group, and it has already opened 

it’s doors for entries for the 2020 competition. It attracts stories from 

international entrants and local enthusiasts, most of whom are not 

Professional writers, but who, just like you, think they have something 

special to create, who have a tale to unfold, which is designed to enthral 

other readers. 

Did I mention the Prizes? Also, at this time of concern, your small 

entry-fee similarly directly supports the Local Hospice. But how can you 

get involved ? 

Here is the link that will tell you everything you need to know, 

including entry form downloads; Rules and how to easily present your 

masterpiece: 

https://wrekinwriters.wordpress.com/doris-gooderson-short-storycompetition/ 

So whilst the whole world is currently preoccupied by something 

‘limiting’… why not create a new world… a realm of your own choosing… 

where the only limitation is your own imagination… and I’m sure that right 

now, you have the time available to try… what’s not to like… ? 

About Wrekin Writers: 

Wrekin Writers group has been in existence 

for many years now … since 1983. Throughout 

that time, it has grown and flourished to 

produce a group of talented writers (well we 

think so anyway!) 

In its early years, the group was fortunate 

enough to have as its President, a local 

Shropshire writer, by the name of Edith 

Pargeter, otherwise known as Ellis Peters, 

author of the Brother Cadfael books. 

Today, we have in our midst, winners of 

national short story competitions, poetry 

competitions, and writers whose work has 

appeared in national magazines. There 

are also authors of local history books and 

poetry collections. Some members have had 

books published by traditional commercial 

publishers, whilst others have gone down the 

self-publishing route, so we have experience 

of both sides of the publishing world. And, 

of course, we also have members who have 

yet to discover the joy of publication, as well 

as those who simply enjoy writing for the 

pleasure it gives them. And why not? 

www.wrekinwriters.co.uk 

COVID-19 

Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, and 

Government instructions not to have any 

social gatherings, all Wrekin Writers meetings 

are cancelled until further notice. 

Members 

To ensure you are kept in touch, please ensure 

that we have your up-to-date email address. 

If you are not getting emails from us, please 

email us using: 

wrekinwriters@gmail.com 

This first step is the start of your journey to…. 

Anywhere you may choose to go. 

https://wrekinwriters.wordpress.com/doris-gooderson-short-story-competition/ 

Wrekin Writers 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 23:01

Mid-morning 

break-time quiz 

by John Dyson 

Q1: Name the AUTHOR of these fictional characters: 

1. Harry Hole 

2. Jack Reacher 

3. Lisbeth Salander 

4. Katniss Everdeen 

5. Harry Bosch 

6. Cormoran Strike 

7. Alex Cross 

8. Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker 

9. Hercule Poirot 

10. Dr Kay Scarpetta 

Q2: Pre 1971, before decimalisation, what slang 

terms were used to describe the coins and notes 

represented by these values: 

1. Four-pence piece 

2. Six pence piece 

3. One Shilling Piece 

4. Two Shilling Piece 

5. Two Shillings and Six pennies piece 

6. One Pound Note 

7. One Pound plus one shilling 

Q3: Where in the human body might you find: 

1. The Pinna 

2. The Islets of Langerhans 

3. A Metatarsal 

4. The Stapes 

5. The Ulna 

6. The Orbicularis Oculi 

7. The Appendix 

8. The Scapula 

9. An Incisor 

10. The Patella 

Q4: Complete the title of these Shakespeare plays: 

1. Titus ------------- 

2. Troilus and ------------ 

3. Timon of ------------ 

4. The Two Noble ------------- 

5. As You------- ------ 

6. The Merry -------- of ------------- 

7. All’s------- that ------- ---------- 

8. Measure --- -------------- 

9. Love’s ----------- --------------- 

10. The ----- Gentlemen of -------------- 

Q5: Which fictional Characters went to these famous 

schools? 

1. Crunchem Hall 

2. Forks High School 

3. Mallory Towers 

4. Rydel High School 

5. Springfield Elementary School 

6. William McKinley High 

7. Greyfriars School 

8. The Lowood Institution 

Keep flicking through the magazine to find the answers to John's quiz... 

Wrekin Writers 2pp.indd 2 05/05/2020 23:01

The 

BIRDS 

must fly on’ with 

daily care routine at 

The UK may be on lockdown but for the 

falconers at Warwick Castle, life goes 

on with continued duties of dedicated 

care for over 70 birds of prey. 

It’s a busy time for the falconers, 

with daily activities including exercise, flying 

and feeding for over 10 different bird species, 

despite the castle being closed during the 

lockdown period. 

Head Falconer Chris O’Donnell lives on site 

and works alongside two others to take care of 

the birds. 

“The castle may be closed for now but our 

work continues,” explains Chris. “We have 

around 70 eagles and vultures, ranging from 

Andean condors, the largest flying bird in the 

world, and downwards. They all still need 

exercise and flying.” 

The birds would usually be featured as part 

of the attraction’s latest show, The Falconer’s 

Quest, the largest bird of prey show in the UK. 

“We are still flying birds every day,” explains 

Chris. “Nobody has seen it, but life goes on.” 

To support families at home during lockdown, 

Warwick Castle recently developed a range 

of free resources including activities, videos 

and downlodables, all themed around castles, 

history and even the birds of prey. 


found at www.warwick-castle.com/historyunlocked 

and is all available for free. 

Warwick Castle 

HISTORY UNLOCKED 


found at www.warwick-castle.com/ 

history-unlocked and is all available 

for free. 

Warwick Castle 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:59

The new History Unlocked section can be found at 

www.warwick-castle.com/history-unlocked 

Warwick Castle 2pp.indd 2 05/05/2020 22:59

TO help keep the kids busy, The Entertainer has 

launched The Boredom Busting Ideas Hub! We 

have uploaded lots of content to keep children 

entertained whilst at home, with recently added 

Star Wars and Disney downloadables. 

Check back regularly for updates and new activity sheets! 

This is free to download and share! 

We have also created a NEW Facebook group where we 

will share more ideas, and ask that you share your own 

boredom busting ideas with us! The hub includes: 

● Activity sheets 

● Colouring sheets 

● Mazes 

● Dot-to-dot 

● Spot the difference 

● Word searches 

You can access it here: https://www.thetoyshop.com/ 

boredom-busting-hub 

This is updated frequently and new sheets will be available 

to download throughout. 


The Entertainer.indd 1 06/05/2020 01:05









with 

Austin 

Powell 

The Everly 

Brothers 

Down In The Bottom - The Country Rock 

Sessions 1966 / 1968 

RPM / Cherry Red - QRPMT550 

The Everly Brothers. Were they "pop"?, were they 

"rock 'n' roll"? Their early records like Bye Bye Love 

or Wake Up Little Suzie were squarely in the rock 'n' 

roll vein, later ones like Walk Right Back, Ebony Eyes 

and Crying In The Rain were certainly "pop" records 

of the highest standard. 

Over and above that, what might not be so obvious was Don 

and Phil's country music roots and as the 1960s progressed 

and their fire power on the charts was becoming dimmed, their 

country music roots re-surfaced and as musical tastes moved on, 

they found themselves as early protagonists of the new "country 

rock" movement that would find its peak with bands like The 

Eagles in the seventies. 

This 3 x CD package contains three albums from the mid-1960s 

by The Everly Brothers which catalogues their progression from 

fading "pop" stars to founder members of the new "country rock" 

scene, but one thing remained from their early "rock 'n' roll" 

days - the brothers' beautiful harmonies, instilled in them by their 

parents who fed them a diet of Appalachian Mountain music, the 

roots of so much in country music over the years. 

Apart from the tracks that were on the Hit Sound Of, Sing and 

Roots albums, RPM Records have searched out unreleased tracks 

that more than ably demonstrate Don and Phil's maturity when it 

came to discovering new songwriters with new things to say. 

With a superb booklet which places everything on the CD into 

context, this is a classy package that deserves a place in anyone's 

collection no matter whether they are Everly Brothers fans or just 

fans of great music. 

The 

Record 

Man 

● Austin Powell spent almost all his working life in the music business beginning in his home area of Mid Wales in the mid-sixties. For some years he managed 

popular Telford pop group Fluff, before moving to London where he worked in record promotion, music publishing and the management of record labels. Over 

the years he’s also managed several successful radio stations. Now retired, his love of music is undimmed and, although now retired, he continues to write regular 

features for ‘Record Collector’ magazine about the music of the sixties and seventies. 

Austin Powell 1pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:43

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, 

by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health 

Promotion at Heart Research UK 

Healthy cooking 

with children.... 

Getting children involved in cooking 

from an early age can help them 

to develop the skills they need 

to plan and cook healthy meals 

throughout their lives as well as 

overcoming picky-eating. With most children 

being schooled at home during the Coronavirus 

pandemic, now could be a good opportunity to 

teach them some healthy cooking skills. With 

fast food outlet closures, it may also be a great 

time to get your child to ditch the junk food and 

start enjoying some nutritious home-cooked 

meals. Below are some tips for involving kids 

in cooking some simple and healthy meals 

at home. It is important that children are 

supervised by an adult, particularly when using 

sharp equipment or heat. 

Meal planning 

Try to involve the kids in planning meals 

by looking through the cupboards, fridge and 

freezer together to plan a healthy main course 

and a dessert. Use recipe books or find recipes 

online to get some inspiration. Encourage your 

child to include a good source of protein 

(e.g. eggs, fish, lean meat, lentils, 

beans or yoghurt), plenty of fruit 

and vegetables and a portion of 

carbohydrate (e.g. rice, pasta, 

bread or potatoes). 

Develop your child’s technical 

skills in the kitchen 

Younger children can safely learn how to use 

basic equipment in the kitchen, such as stirring 

food in a bowl with a wooden spoon or pouring 

ingredients into a bowl. Older children can be 

supervised when weighing out ingredients, 

breaking eggs, chopping up fruit and vegetables 

and using the hob/oven. 

Encourage your child to taste a 

range of foods 

Encouraging children to taste a range of 

different foods in a relaxed and fun environment 

can help overcome picky-eating. Making 

a simple fruit salad with your child, using 

fresh, frozen and/or tinned fruit can provide 

the opportunity for your child to taste small 

amounts of a wide-range of different fruits. For 

older children, this activity can also develop 

their skills in peeling and cutting fruit as well as 

opening tins. 

You can find lots more healthy tips, advice 

and recipes at heartresearch.org.uk 

British Heart Foundation 1pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 23:06

Roa d te st 

WITH THE WREKIN NEWS MOTORING EDITOR SYD TAYLOR 

Wellness 

on wheels 

A philosopher friend holds the view that 

beauty resides not in the eyes of the 

beholder but in the rarefied realm of 

objective truth. His reasoning is convoluted 

and I shall spare you a full exegesis. 

The short version maintains that 

because you can argue about 

beauty there is, therefore, no 

argument against the assertion that 

beauty is not subjective. No. Don’t 

go away scratching your head. This preamble 

serves to establish two key facts: the Audi Q5 

diesel 4wd tiptronic does indeed occupy real 

space in the real world and that it’s assertive 

elegance amounts to pure motoring beauty. 

Anyone who thinks differently is free to enrol 

in my philosopher friends academy and spend 

long winter evenings seeking for the light of 

reason. As for me, I take to the road and allow 

this astonishingly sophisticated SUV to banish 

sophistries. There is no argument. This is one of 

the most impressive motor cars I have driven. 

Because we live in a world of divided opinion 

one can’t help but be aware that motoring 

today has it’s detractors and that SUV’s in 

particular are regarded with suspicion; if 

not in some quarters downright hostility on 

account, perhaps, of their unashamed air of 

entitlement. But the best never comes cheap. 

And what a dull world it would be were hard 

work to be denied due reward.. 

Take local wellness guru Serena Belton. 

Having built up her business from scratch over 

a decade of dedication, Serena has spread 

the gospel of health, efficiency and gladness 

throughout her customer base. In her line 

of work she needs to get about; frequently 

travelling long distances in her zeal to spread 

the ‘wellness’ word. She needs a new car. 

Not just a workhorse but a prestigious vehicle 

commensurate with her status as a successful 

business woman. And why not? She was 

eager to grasp the opportunity of forming an 

acquaintance with the Q5. 

“I like that!” were her first words on seeing 

it. She went on to say why. This was a car that 

radiated confidence. One glance is sufficient 

to tell you it delivers a powerful punch. It sits 

on the road as though resting on a platform of 

poised dexterity, ready to flex the finesse of 

true pedigree and stylish competence once 

the gears are set in motion. It looks big but not 

brutish, classy not flashy, efficient not effusive. 

Motoring 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:55

Powered by the 190 PS 4 cylinder 190 PS diesel 

engine, this 4wd SUV features the advanced 

dual clutch Tiptronic automatic seven speed 

transmission - a feature guaranteed to go 

down well with Serena who admires smooth 

and rapid (Up to 135mph) progress and the 

good economy of around 40 plus mpg overall. 

It’s responsibly engineered and meets 

strict environmental requirements without 

compromising the integrity of the design 

concept. Here is a ‘go anywhere’ large car 

that offers the performance and handling of 

a sporty junior sibling. As drivers will discover 

to their delight, there is no SUV on the 

market that delivers a motoring experience 

so refined and so confidence inspiring as that 

encountered at the wheel of the Q5. You 

will want to do as we did and take the twisty 

road through North Wales simply to relish the 

responsiveness of the sophisticated chassis. 

Yes, you can adjust the car’s dynamics at the 

touch of a button and computerised wizardry 

fine tunes settings according to taste. 

To my shame I discovered Serena was 

more tech savvy than I could ever hope to 

be. Her eyes lit up at the possibilities. She 

loves to exercise control over her own destiny 

so I asked myself ‘Why struggle when I can 

‘serenely go with the flow?’ 

To be brutally self critical the Q5 is so 

advanced that even such as I am relegated to 

the status of uncomprehending caveman. At 

least I convinced myself that my competence 

as a driver was not in question. But then as I 

tackled with vigour a succession of tight bends 

on the road to Ruthin - feeling proud of my 

advanced car control - the thought did strike 

me that it was a matter of debate regarding 

who was doing the driving. When Serena cooed 

that I was a smooth driver my head began to 

swell. But I feared, indeed, that her praise was 

more properly due to the rarefied excellence 

of the Audi Q5. 

Does it go without saying that driver and 

passenger comfort in the cabin belongs to the 

category labelled luxurious with such features 

as heated nappa leather seats? Serena thought 

so. I sensed that she was becoming pensive 

though as we neared the coast. Cruising along 

the sea front at Rhyl we were blessed with 

bright sunlight. Across the water the sentinel 

shape of the wind farm monoliths seemed to 

send a semaphore message of hope. It was 

as though the curtains were drawn back on a 

new tomorrow. We, in the Q5 answering the 

need for responsible motoring - but not at the 

expense of comfort and elegance. They, the 

gaunt windmills of sustainability, turning out 

power but at the expense of a clear view to the 

horizon. The thought was as suggestive as it 

was perplexing. 

We parked and looked for a spot of lunch. 

However, Serena paused in the car park. There 

was a furrow in her brow. She gazed at the Q5. 

“A car like this” she said, “Is not cheap at 

£42,150. But I’ve reached the stage in life 

where I don’t do cheap. As a businesswoman 

in the field of’ ‘wellbeing’ I have brought 

confidence and comfort to people from all 

walks of life. That in itself is reward enough. 

It would be unrealistic, however, to deny that 

money too comes with success. One deserves 

the fruits of ones labour. In short, whatever 

the Q5, costs it’s certainly worth it. And I am 

in the fortunate position of being able to 

pay a premium for a car that expresses my 

philosophy perfectly. 

“How so?” I asked. 

“The Q5 represents for me, nothing less than 

WELLNESS ON WHEELS.” 

Already I was making a note to reserve that 

phrase for future use. After all, I couldn’t put 

it better myself. ‘Wellness on wheels.’ That’s 

the objective truth about this object lesson in 

sophisticated car design. 

Motoring 2pp.indd 2 05/05/2020 22:55

Are you worried about 

your finances during this 

difficult time? 

The team at Age UK 

Shropshire Telford 

& Wrekin are here 

to help. During this 

challenging time 

their highly trained benefits 

advisors are continuing 

to offer information and 

advice on all aspects of 

welfare benefits for those 

of state pension age. 

The charity can maximise 

your income by checking 

your benefit entitlement 

and assist with applications. 

Heather Osborne, 

Chief Executive of Age 

UK Shropshire Telford 

& Wrekin, said: ‘The 

number of enquiries to 

our benefits team have 

dropped massively during 

this pandemic and we are 

really concerned that older 

people are not accessing 

the benefits they are 

entitled to. 

We want to reassure 

older people we are here 

to help, we are able to do 

benefits consultations over 

the telephone. Even if you 

have been turned down for 

benefits in the past, it is 

always worth applying again 

if your circumstances have 

changed and our team can 

help you with that process.’ 

FREE 

SERVICE 

This is a FREE independent and 

confidential service. Please call Age 

UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin on 

01743 233 123. Leave a message with 

your name and telephone number 

for an advisor to call you back to 

book a telephone appointment. 

Age UK 1pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:40

Elite Advert.indd 1 06/05/2020 01:35

Heart 

Research UK 

Healthy 

tip 

Easy 

ways 

Eating five portions of fruit and veg every day can help keep your heart 

healthy and reduce the risk of heart disease. As supermarket shelves 

are emptier than usual, Heart Research UK have some tips to help you 

achieve your 5-a-day during this challenging time. 

What counts as a portion? 

Eighty grams of fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and veg or 30g dried fruit count as one 

portion. For example, one fresh pear or banana, two small plums, or three heaped tablespoons 

of peas. Beans and pulses also count, but you should only count these once as 

they contain fewer nutrients compared to other fruit and veg. 150ml of fruit/vegetable 

juice or smoothie also counts, but you should limit these drinks to no more than one a 

day due to the sugars they contain. 

Top up with lentils 

Lentils are a versatile ingredient and a great source of fibre, which is good for heart 

health. Try replacing some of the meat in your bolognese sauce with a handful of lentils 

or try adding lentils to homemade soups. 

Include tinned, frozen and dried fruit and veg in your meals 

As the population is being encouraged to make fewer trips to the supermarket, you may 

find that you need to rely on the food in your store cupboard and freezer more than 

usual. Try adding dried or frozen fruit to your bowl of breakfast cereal in the morning 

and include a variety of frozen or tinned veg with your evening meals. Tinned fruit with 

yoghurt can also provide you with a healthy dessert. 

to get 

your 

5-aday! 

Enjoy homemade soups for lunch 

Homemade soups are an easy way to increase your veg intake. You can include a variety 

of tinned, fresh and frozen veg in soups. There are lots of healthy vegetable soup recipes 

available online, but here is one to get you started. 

Easy-peasy pea soup 

● 1 tbsp rapeseed oil or vegetable oil 

● 1 onion, chopped 

● 400g frozen peas, defrosted 

● 500ml vegetable stock 

● Salt and pepper 

● Fresh mint, finely chopped (optional) 

Heat the oil over a medium heat 

and stir in the chopped onion. 

Gently fry the onion until soft, 

but not browned. Add the peas 

and stock, bring to the boil and 

simmer for 5 minutes. 

Puree the soup using a blender 

and add salt and pepper to taste. If 

you have fresh mint available, you 

can add this at the end. 

You can find lots more healthy tips, advice 

and recipes at heartresearch.org.uk 

British Heart Foundation 1pp copy.indd 1 05/05/2020 23:06

Theatre 

Review 

with Chris Owen 

Horsehay’s grinning 

Cheshire Cats charms 

Once again Wrekin News theatre reviewer, Chris Owen, 

was pleased to accept the HADS invitation to attend their 

village hall theatre venue on Saturday 29th 2020 to review 

their latest production of Cheshire Cats written by Gail 

Young.. 

This contemporary comedy drama was fist staged by the 

Cast & Crew Theatre Workshop at the War Memorial Hall, 

Canvey Island in 2016. Gail Young, the playwright wanted 

to highlight the modern phenomena of Breast cancer charity 

walks such as the London and Holyrood Park Moonwalks 

mounted by everyday working-class female heroes. Ironically she 

subsequently developed a cancer herself. 

The play is a bitter-sweet comedy satirising the contemporary bent 

for good causes with the story of a literal and poignant rites of passage 

journey of five friends who decide to train for entry into the London 

Moonwalk, (meaning: moonlit or night-time) Breast cancer charity 

marathon event. Some competitors are struggling with their own 

perceived inadequacies and loss associated with relatives through their 

family trials and tribulations with cancer. 

Chris commented, Horsehay Amateur Dramatics Society will tackle 

most dramatic themes and comedy being their forte they made a brave 

stab at a modern piece not traditionally associated with their usual 

remit. HADS were also committed to sponsoring the Walk the Walk 

Breast cancer charity by donating their raffle proceeds for the evening. 

Chris added, although climaxing with some finely tuned farce and 

riotously funny one-liners this set-piece comedy is a tad wordy with 

long monologue scenes written mostly in iambic pentameter. This 

particular drama format brings with it the concomitant bear-traps 

that can hamstring some lesser acting companies. However HADS 

consummate ensemble playing manages through sheer skill and 

determination to create an atmosphere of homespun charm. With its 

interplay between characters and the feel-good factor of wanting these 

ladies to overcome the challenges and triumph over life’s disasters, the 

plot draws the audience in. 

Debut director Lisa Kane welded her cast together throughout 

the myriad changes of location and costume to produce a heartwarming 

empathetic piece that becomes almost elegiac. This theme 

is dramatically underscored throughout, right down to the cod reenactment 

of the Vangelis film score sequence from the ‘Chariots of Fire’ 

film complete with slow-motion action and music. This effect succinctly 

underscored the comic irony of their crossing the finish line together. 

And despite enduring all their trials and tribulations, remaining firm 

friends at the end. 

Chris added, “I do particularly admire and respect this NODA 

award-winning company’s consummately professional approach 

to amateur dramatics with its big regional theatre feel, disciplined 

attitude towards presentation and upwardly aspiring production values 

that consequently does not disappoint their core theatre patrons and 

Horsehay Amateur Dramatics Society’s production of 

Cheshire cats 

A comedy by Gail Young 

Horsehay Village Hall 

Saturday 29th February 2020 

promises much for future 

productions.” 

Enough said this was a 

thoroughly enjoyable theatrical 

treat with some spirited playing 

of the five friends by: Nikki 

McCabe as bossy Hilary, Karen 

Brittle as brassy Vicky, Jen 

Edwards as Maggie, Rachel 

Aitchison as Siobhan and 

Shirley Gladwin as Yvonne. 

These seasoned HADS players 

were ably supported by 

stalwarts: Alex Edwards, Kane 

McCabe, Edward Davies, Ray 

Callister, Annalie Jarvis, Carol 

Jarvis and Emily Walker, Chris 

added. 

Director Lisa Kane 

commented: I would like to 

thank my talented cast for all 

their hard work not forgetting 

the Backstage production crews 

and FOH HADS members and 

of course our wonderful patrons 

without whom this and all of 

our other productions would 

simply not be possible. 

Chris Owen HADS 1pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:46

QUIZ 

ANSWERS 

NO PRIZES THEY WERE JUST FUN, HOW DID YOU DO? 

Martin 

scholes 

Martin’s Local Quiz 

Q1) Where was the switch for the light on the Wrekin, originally? 

RAF Shawbury 

Q2) In which street in Wellington was the Union Workhouse which 

later became a brewery? 

Walker Street 

Q3) In which street is the Crown Inn, Dawley? 

High Street 

Q4) What is the difference between a hamlet and a village? 

A hamlet doesn’t have a church 

Q5) Which Telford business makes chocolate Easter eggs? 

Magna Foods 

Q6) What local Telford band put out the song Make Believe which got 

to number 28 in the Radio Luxembourg chart 50 years ago? 

Fluff 

Q7) Where was the Granville Arms pub? 

Hadley, or, more accurately, New Hadley 

Q8) In which street would you have found The Sun Inn, Wellington? 

In Walker Street 

Q9) What type of industry was undertaken in Tentree Croft, 

Wellington? 

Cloth bleaching (The name was originally tenter croft, as the cloth 

was stretched out on tenterhooks so it could bleach in the sun.) 

Q10) In which village near to Wellington was famous for its spa 

waters? 

Admaston 

Q11) Which local village was famed the world over for its cranes? 

Horsehay 

Q12) Which pub in Telford is named for a famous local ironmaster? 

The Thomas Botfield 

Q13) What method was widely used to raise barges up to a higher 

level without the use of a canal? 

An Incline Plane 

Q14) In which town was Captain Webb born? 

Dawley 

Q15) It is now called The Old Orleton. What was it previously called? 

The Falcon 

Q16) What was the nickname of the Wellington Town Football Club? 

The Lillywhites 

Q17) What is the nickname of AFC Telford United? 

The Bucks 

Q18) What two Parliamentary seats cover the Wrekin News area? 

Telford and The Wrekin 

Q19) What was the name of the two cinemas in Dawley? 

The Royal and The Cosy 

Quiz Answers 1pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 23:52

Mid-morning 

break-time quiz 

by John Dyson 

Q1: Name the AUTHOR of these fictional characters: 

1. Jo Nesbo 

2. Lee Childs 

3. Stieg Larsson 

4. Suzanne Collins 

5. Michael Connolly 

6. Robert Galbraith 

7. James Patterson 

8. John Connolly 

9. Agatha Christie 

10. Patricia Cornwell 

Q2: Pre 1971, before decimalisation, what slang 

terms were used to describe the coins and notes 

represented by these values: 

1. Groat 

2. Sixpence / Tanner 

3. A Bob 

4. Florin / Two Bob 

5. Half-a-crown 

6. A Quid 

7. A Guinea 

Q3: Where in the human body might you find: 

Q4: Complete the title of these Shakespeare plays: 

1. Titus Andronicus 

2. Troilus and Cressida 

3. Timon of Athens 

4. The Two Noble Kinsmen 

5. As You Like It 

6. The Merry Wives of Windsor 

7. All’s Well That Ends Well 

8. Measure For Measure 

9. Love’s Labours Lost 

10. The Two Gentlemen of Verona 

Q5: Who went to these famous schools? 

1. Matilda 

2. Isabella “Bella” Swan 

3. Darrell Williams (and other Enid Blyton Famous Five 

& Secret Seven Characters) 

4. Characters from ‘Grease’ – Danny, Sandy, Frenchy, 

Kenickie and The Pink Ladies 

5. Bart & Lisa Simpson, Principal Skinner, Groundskeeper 

Willie, Edna Krabappel and Superintendent Chalmers 

6. The cast of ‘GLEE’ 

7. Billy Bunter 

8. Jane Eyre, Mr. Brocklehurst, Miss Temple, Helen Burns 

1. The visible part of the ear 

2. The Pancreas 

3. The Foot 

4. The Middle Ear 

5. The Forearm 

6. The Eyelids / Face 

7. Colon / Large Intestine (Caecum) 

8. Shoulder blade 

9. Tooth / Mouth 

10. Knee-Cap 

Quiz Answers 1pp.indd 2 05/05/2020 23:52

Geoff Norcott 

TAKING LIBERTIES TOUR 2020 

by Brian Donaldson 

He’s been 

around the 

comedy block 

for a number 

of years, but 

Geoff Norcott 

has shifted up 

numerous gears 

from being a stalwart club comic 

to an Edinburgh Fringe draw to a 

touring comedian with a growing 

number of TV and radio credits under 

his belt. 

He’s appeared on the likes of Live 

At The Apollo and Mock The Week, 

and as ‘the voice of conservative 

Britain’, is a regular correspondent 

on The Mash Report, while receiving 

critical acclaim for his documentary, 

How The Middle Class Ruined Britain. 

His Radio 4 special Right Leaning But 

Well Meaning scooped a prize at the 

BBC Radio & Music Awards, and he 

has a diverse range of writing credits 

on his CV such as Have I Got News 

For You, Roast Battle, 8 Out Of 10 

Cats and Judge Romesh. 

Geoff is now an established name 

at the Edinburgh Fringe having 

performed well-received shows there 

such as Conswervative, The Look Of 

Moron and Traditionalism, and he’s 

now heading out on the road for an 

extended tour of Taking Liberties. 

Here he talks about being a rightwing 

comedian in a business that is 

fundamentally left-leaning, why he 

will feel a little bit of pressure on tour, 

and how a previous life as a teacher 

has informed his stand-up career. 

Taking Liberties is your latest show. 

As you take it out on tour, are you 

expecting to rewrite sections given 

how quickly the British political 

landscape shifts around? 

The general election meant that 

there was a whole section that needed 

rewriting which is both annoying 

and exciting. I got to the point with 

Corbyn that he seemed like an easy 

target; it started to feel like bullying a 

pensioner. The Labour leadership race 

and the challenge the Labour Party 

now face is new territory; I always 

like to delight in offering the left 

advice when I’m probably really just 

taking the piss. 

At its heart, the show is about being 

told what to do and being told off, 

and I think a lot of people hate that. 

It’s not a right-left thing, but that 

guides a lot of my political views; we 

all like to imagine our politics to be a 

pure dissertation of the world around 

us, whereas I’ve started thinking that 

it’s more about emotional reactions 

to things. So now, whether it’s people 

telling you what words to use, food to 

eat or where you can fly, I just don’t 

like being told what to do. 

What other topics will you be 

tackling in the show? 

Another thing is about automation 

and how we’ve already outsourced a 

lot of our capabilities to technology. 

Take driverless cars: I like driving and 

I think it’s healthy to be in charge 

of your own safety and location. 

To my son, who’s almost four, my 

ability to be able to drive to places 

without google maps is going to make 

me seem like a wizard. One of the 

other bits in the show is reasserting 

the right to make sweeping 

generalisations about men and 

women. As gender increasingly gets 

portrayed as a construct, I think men 

and women, on the whole, are all 

boringly predictable. On the whole. 

So, yes, I generalise, it’ll make sense 

to some and not to others, but people 

can react by laughing or not laughing. 

There’s no need to get bent out of 

shape about it. 

What are your feelings about 

touring the nation? 

You turn up at a place and you have 

500 people there to watch you: that’s 

a privilege, I always try to remember 

that. There is more pressure definitely, 

especially when I see cars parking up 

and people heading for a pre-show 

Nandos; I think, ‘this is a night out I 

could mess up’. For a certain kind of 

comedian, that would feed their ego 

whereas for me, I’d just be thinking 

‘have they got a hotel room? How 

much did the babysitter cost?’ So, I try 

to make sure I deliver on my end of 

the bargain. 

You’re an outspoken comedian 

of the right. How does it feel to be 

in an industry that is still viewed as 

overwhelmingly left-leaning? 

One of the joys of doing things like 

the Edinburgh Fringe in the past was 

that feeling of being behind enemy 

lines. It was very exciting and it 

did feel risky. When I did my show 

Conswervative, there were nights in 

the room when it was tense, which 

was kind of terrifying. The Mash 

Report recordings are like that to a 

point; the audience is good to me, but 

in the last series particularly around 

Brexit, if I made flippant jokes there 

were one or two tricky moments in 

the studio. I’ve never taken myself 

that seriously, though. I think I have 

good points to make, but I don’t 

make them unless the joke is funny. 

Otherwise, it’s just a bloke preaching. 

One newspaper dubbed you as ‘an 

out and out rebel’. Do you recognise 

that description of yourself? 

I like that but there is this weird 

feature of the age where you can 

be seen as controversial for holding 

views in line with the vast majority 

of people. The thing I love about the 

woke-erati is that they make someone 

like me seem edgy and controversial. 

It’s not that I get up every morning 

feeling anti-woke; I like treating ideas 

on their merit and unfortunately a 

lot of the worst ideas I encounter 

come from that field of discourse. I’m 

not sure you’ll ever get older Labour 

voters from Ashfield to introduce 

themselves with their preferred 

pronouns. 

You started stand-up while you 

were still working as an English 

teacher. Are there any links between 

the two professions? 

Certainly when I was a supply 

teacher there was a quick need to 

establish yourself in front of a room 

full of strangers. The teacher training 

process was very much subject-led 

and practice-led but you can’t really 

do all that until people give a shit 

about what you’re saying in the first 

place. When I started doing the rowdy 

weekend circuit, you could draw a 

huge Venn diagram between the two. 

There generally wasn’t a problem of 

any bleeding between the two things, 

but I did do one gig very late and was 

in school very early the next day, and 

I came very close to doing a putdown 

on this nerdy lad. If he’s reading, I 

apologise, but it’s a long drive back 

from Truro. 

Geoff Norcott Interview 2pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:50

Geoff Norcott’s tour 

date at the Theatre Severn, 

Shrewsbury on March 25th 

has now been rescheduled to 

Saturday 26th September, 

2020 at 8pm 

Picture by Karla Gowlett 

Geoff Norcott Interview 2pp.indd 2 05/05/2020 22:50

Allan Frost 

Virtual pub crawl 

in Wellington 

From Dudley's Arms to Lamb Inn 

In 2014 local historian Allan 

Frost delivered a virtual 

pub crawl presentation at 

one of Wellington History 

Group's monthly talks. 

He was due to deliver the 

second instalment of the history of 

Wellington's pubs in March this year 

before the talk was unfortunately 

cancelled due to the Coronavirus 

outbreak. It was due to be Allan's 

last public talk before his retirement 

at the end of the month. 

For 50 years Allan has devoted a 

lot of time and effort to researching 

the history of Wellington and in that 

time has also published some 40 

books. 

Allan presented a PDF version of his talk 

to Councillor Anthony Lowe, as Mayor of 

Wellington, to be kept in the Town 

Council archives and circulated to all 

interested parties upon request. 

This was also an opportunity 

for Cllr Anthony Lowe to thank 

Allan for all his years of hard work 

researching the history of our town. 

Allan has agreed to accept an 

award from the Council presented 

by Cllr Lowe at the end of his 

Mayoralty, so this will be an 

opportunity, post virus, for the Town 

Council to thank him accordingly. 

Allan is pictured below presenting 

the PDF's to Cllr Anthony Lowe. 

Allan has kindly agreed to let 

Wrekin News publish the slides 

from the talk in this online digital version of the 

magazine. Thank you Allan, and we all wish you a 

very happy retirement! 

© Allan Frost 

Allan is pictured presenting the 

PDF's to Cllr Anthony Lowe. 

All of the material in this feature is the 

copyright of Allan Frost and is intended for 

personal use only, none of content may be 

posted either wholly or in part on any 

social media platform. 

Allan Frost feature 18pp.indd 1 05/05/2020 22:41

IMPORTANT NOTE 

Please bear in mind 

These pages were intended as PowerPoint 

presentation slides for a public talk where the 

text is merely a ‘memory jogger’ for the speaker’s 

customary ‘seat-of-pants’ spontaneous way of 

entertaining the audience. Similarly, some images 

may be a little difficult to understand because all 

would have been revealed using a laser pointer. 

Finally, it’s all free, so don’t expect perfection; 

just read and enjoy! 

Tonight’s Crawl Route 

High Street ‘pimple’ to the end of New Street 

(ignoring side streets) 


1830s 

19. Dudley’s Arms* 

Mentioned in 1828 Directory when Richard Groom was licensee. 

Ceased during the 1830s when buildings were replaced ... 

… and replaced again in the 1960s 

* The pub numbering system will also make sense later … 

High Street to part of New Street 


20. New Inn 

Possibly a brief attempt at an 1830s Beer House Act 

pub (mentioned in 1840 when also a grocer’s and tea 

dealership). Very old, Medieval cruck-style timber 

building. Not known when it was demolished. 

21. (Old) Royal Oak 

Dated to before 1822. Sometimes called Ragman’s 

Rest as well as Old Royal Oak. Closed between 1906 

and 1913. Demolished to clear ground for High Street 

flats and maisonettes c.1960. 


22. Oddfellows Arms 

Odd Fellows was a 

friendly society of 

unrelated and 

scattered people 

who met in a 

central town to 

conduct business. 

Thought to date to 

the C18th. 

Dates to before 1822. Has had 

various owners and tied to 

several breweries and owners 

(Allsopp’s Davenport’s, Admiral 

Taverns, Jim Rollason). 

Red Lion – Dudley’s Arms – New Inn – 

Oddfellows Arms – Royal Oak 


Dates to before 

1812, possibly just 

after the 1805 sea 

battle of Trafalgar. 

23. Nelson 

Became an M&B, then 

a Wrekin Brewery pub. 

Demolished 1960s 

despite being Grade II 

Listed. 

24. Ruskin’s Temperance Hotel 

Owned by 

brushmaker 

Tom Smith. 

Run as a 

Temperance 

Hotel on first 

floor from 1901 

to c.1907. 


25. Collier’s Arms 

Possibly an 1830 Beer House Act pub. 

Known to exist in 1835 and last mentioned in 1841. 

Demolished 1960 (see fireplace, above). 

Pub from 

c.1828 to 

c.1846. 

Sarah 

Braddick’s 

Lodging 

House 1930s- 

1950s. 

26. Duke of York 

1935 


27. Duke’s Head 

Existed in 1822. 

Also Spirit Shop, 

Wine Vaults and 

malt house by 

1840. 

Became a Wrekin 

Brewery (later 

Greenall Whitley) 

pub. Trade killed 

off by Ring Road. 

Pub closed 1974. 

28. Davies’s Temperance Hotel 

1973 

First Temperance 

Hotel in town, 1878 

to c.1884. 

Madame Davy’s 

‘Wardrobe’ shop in 

1920s, turf 

accountants in 

1960s. 

Demolished 1973. 


29. Unicorn 

An 1830 Beer House Act pub, first 

mentioned in the 1840 Tithe 

Apportionment. 

Known as The Stores from about 

1880, it closed c.1916 when its 

licence was withdrawn. 

It later became Hesketh’s Fish & 

Chip shop (using mutton fat, not 

lard or oil), then Case’s, then 

Pritchard’s and is now Seven Stars 

Chinese Takeaway. 

30. Three Tuns 

Mentioned in 1663 when 

it hosted a Herald’s 

Visitation of Shropshire. 

Brewer Trouncer & Co. of 

Shrewsbury bought it in 

1898, and sold it in 1910 

when it probably ceased 

as a pub. 

It was a ‘Fish Saloon’ in 

1920 and later Ivy 

Dickin’s greengrocer’s. 

Demolished c.1970, site 

now part of a terrace 

built by The Old Brewery 

(Shrewsbury) … 

Trouncer’s successor. 


31. Three Crowns 

An 1830 Beer House Act pub, 

first mentioned in 1840. 

Expanded into cottage next 

door. 

A Free House which later had 

various owners: 

Ind Coope, Ansells, 

Pubmaster, Admiral taverns. 

Now converted into 

apartments. 

32. (Old) Queen’s Head (1*) 

* There were a total of 

three Queen’s pubs in 

Wellington. 

Began before 1821 when 

it was run by a cooper. 

It advertised itself as a 

Wine & Spirits Vaults 

during the 1870s. 

Ceased in the 1930s and 

became a ladies’ 

hairdresser’s run by 

Miss E M Stokes. 

It had other business 

uses before becoming a 

private residence. 


Ruskin’s Temperance – Nelson – Colliers Arms – 

Duke of York – Duke’s Head – Davies’s Temperance – 

Unicorn – Three Tuns – Three Crowns – Queen’s Head 

33. Clarion 

Thought to be an hotel in 1805. However, ‘Clarion House’ was a 

refreshments room in the 1900s and had obtained a licence to sell 

beer by 1905. By 1916, was a beer house ‘with off licence attached’. 

Building demolished in 1968 for the ring road. 


34. White Horse 

X 

First mentioned in 1840 (‘X’ marks the approximate spot). 

The pub had a bowling alley as well as the usual stables, brewhouse, 

piggeries and ‘out offices’ in its large rear garden. 

Last known licensee was Thomas Jones, 1888. 

35. Half Moon 

1830s beer house in Dark 

Passage with brew house next 

door. Probably ceased when 

this notorious area was 

demolished in 1887. 


36. Rose & Crown*/Nag’s Head 

Robert Corbett was first 

licensee. He was a tailor 

in 1822 and converted 

part of his shop into a 

beer house around 

1840. 

By 1856, the pub had changed its 

name to the Nag’s Head, possibly to 

avoid confusion with another Rose 

& Crown in Bell Street which had 

opened in the late 1840s. The Nag’s 

Head closed in the 1860s. 

* There were a total of two Rose 

& Crown pubs in Wellington. 

37. George & Dragon 

Dated to before 1816. 

The York family ran it as a pub from c.1844 to 1870s, then 

concentrated on expanding plumbing, decorating, etc., business. 

All properties here were demolished in 1973 to make way for 

characterless modern shops like BHF, Martins newsagent’s, etc. 


1960 

38. Duke of Wellington/ 

William Withering 

2011 

DoW opened c.1814. Had massive stable yard for 150 horses at rear. 

Demolished c.1963 to create Fine Fare supermarket, later Gateway, 

etc. Refurbished to become Wetherspoon’s WW pub in 2011. 

Now like a town museum and popular meeting place in town. 

39. Keay’s/Shakespearea(n) Vaults 

Was a ‘spirit shop’ in 

1840. Shakespearean 

Vaults, aka Keay’s Vaults 

from 1844. Possibly an 

enticing ‘gin palace’. 

After a typically high turnover of licensees, 

it became known as ‘Old Shakespeare 

Restaurant’ aka Hussey’s Temperance Hotel 

by 1913. 

Tranquillo Sidoli acquired the restaurant by 

1916 and continued the business until 2004 

when it became Sofia’s café. 


1920s? 

40. Bull’s Head 

1882 

Oldest pub in Wellington? Large stables, ‘posting house’ (vehicle hire), 

Royal Mail stage coaches, bowling green (after demolition of Talbot Hotel 

in 1849). Rebuilt c.1880. Closed c.1937. Could have been an M&S store. 

Plot now has shops, Town House and Bus Station. 

41. Tally’O 

Occupied premises next to 

Bull’s Head. Existed before 

1828 and was probably 

named after a famous stage 

coach. 

Not mentioned in 

Directories after 1841. 

Mary Heath had her 

‘Rainbow’ café here in 1960, 

next to the family 

bakery/confectionery shop. 


42. Central Temperance Hotel 

Began as Joshua Birch’s 

restaurant in the 1880s 

and became the Central 

Commercial TH when 

J.W. Heath arrived in 

1890. 

Heath opened his PSA 

(Pleasant Sunday 

Afternoon) Recreation 

Hall. Various leisure 

pursuits and excursions 

on offer. 

The hotel aspect of the 

business ceased c.1930. 

43. Bell 

First named 1822. 

Between then until 

1871 (when it ceased 

to be a pub) it called 

itself an hotel and 

wine & spirits vaults. 


44. Fox & Grapes 

Opened after 1830; 

first licensee was 

‘tinman’ (plumber) 

Andrew Shakeshaft. 

Succeeded by his 

widow Ann and 

daughter Ellen. 

Ellen ran the pub with 

combined plumber’s/ 

ironmonger’s/seed 

merchant’s shop (with 

a well in the cellar, still 

there) until c.1868 

when she moved over 

to the Crown Inn and 

this ceased as a pub. 

45. Lamb 

Opened as a pub and butcher’s between 1840 and 1851 (opposite the Fox & 

Grapes). Became a Shropshire Brewery pub in the 1890s and a Butler’s pub after 

the brewery was sold in 1912. Wrekin Brewery acquired the pub in the 1950s. 

It closed and was largely rebuilt in 1960, since when it has accommodated a 

succession of bakery firms (Stanton’s, Baker’s Oven and Gregg’s). 


That 

concludes 

what 

should 

have been 

Allan's 

final 

public 

talk... 

Thank you 

for reading... 




& Magazine 

Thank you for reading... 

We hope you enjoyed this digital 

issue of Wrekin News 

@WrekinNews1 

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