





An exhibition for LGBT History Month 2019. Exploring the life and work of author, artist and photographer Samuel Butler.
Butler is most known for his satirical novels ‘Erewhon’ (published anonymously in 1872) and ‘The Way of All Flesh’ (published posthumously in 1903), a semi-autobiographical novel which attacks Victorian family values.
Butler had strong connections to Shrewsbury; his grandfather (also Samuel) was headteacher at the Shrewsbury School, he himself was a pupil, he owned a prominent mansion house in the town (Whitehall in Cherry Orchard) and named four streets in the area, including Alfred Street after his clerk Alfred Cathie.
Samuel Butler’s father Thomas was a noted local botanist and donated over 220 plant specimens to the museum. Samuel Butler also had a long correspondence with naturalist, geologist and biologist Charles Darwin, who was born and grew up in Shrewsbury.
Members of the local LGBT community and Museum volunteers have been working together to plan, research, interpret and design the exhibition.
It will include items on loan from St Johns College Cambridge and items from SM&AG and Shropshire Archives. These include photographs of people and places around Shrewsbury taken by Samuel Butler.
The exhibition has been part funded by the West Midlands Museums Development Trust Small Grants Programme.






An exhibition in association with The Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute featuring recent paintings of Greenland by Andrew Lansley prior to his trip to Antarctica as Artist in Residence 2019 for The Friends of the SPRI. Plus, work by previous Artists in Residence, Nicholas Jones and Shelly Perkins.
Also exhibiting gallery artists: Mike McGowan ceramic sculptures, Ruth Brownlee paintings and Sarah Jenkins ceramics, all of whom are fascinated by weather, erosion and the natural world.






Come and learn about British wildlife, have fun joining in activities and playing games, at our half term wildlife party! Suitable for primary school aged children. Fairy cakes and drinks included for just £4 per child, tickets must be purchased in advance from fundraisingcwr@gmail.com or call Tina on 07712658259. Parents must stay for the session, teas and coffees will be on sale. Session finishes at 12 noon.






Telford Repair Cafe forms part of our popular Junk to Jewel event
Confirmed repairers:
Sewing, woodwork, IT and logistical challenges.
Keep up to-date with others that join the repair cafe by liking this event:
This event is part of Junk to Jewel – tackling environmental issues we will also have a table top and flea market.
The Telford Repair Cafe is at Forge at The Wakes on the last Saturday of every month. At our January Telford Cafe we will have people who can look at helping repair fabric, wood, bikes, sharpening and that logistical problem.
If you have a skill to bring to the Telford Repair Cafe then let us know, together we can make such a difference






This first Tablet Academy Annual Convention brings together like-minded individuals from the fields of Education and Technology to participate in joint hands-on workshops and networking activities.
£100 (+VAT) per person to attend.
Maximum of 2 people per organisation.
Opportunity to claim a free device worth £400*.
Suitable for school leaders, IT leads and classroom teachers (KS2 – KS5).
The convention has been designed to be a little different to your standard conference and exhibition so prepare to be guided, alongside your colleagues, through a series of short, 30 minute activities delivered by industry and Tablet Academy experts nestled amongst the historical Royal Air Force Museum exhibits.
Don’t worry, plenty of time has also been allocated to allow delegates to explore and network, including during afternoon tea and following the summary presentation.






Wedding Open Day at Goldstone Hall Hotel open to all future Brides, Grooms and their family and friends. The event is free of charge to attend and includes the opportunity to browse around the award winning hotel and garden including the Marquee, Oak Pavilion, 12 bedrooms and walled garden.
The special occasion’s team, who head up the wedding and events at the hotel, will be there to show guests around and to ask any questions they may have. All those who attend will receive a complimentary glass of fizz plus canapés designed by Head Chef, Liam Philbin.
Those interested are asked to reserve an appointment by calling 01630 661 202 or emailing enquiries@goldstonehall.com






Two locations linked by two unusual beasts depicted by Church Stretton artist Diana Nuttall. Painted mainly in acrylics,her bold and colourful style will make you smile or laugh. Affordable prices!
There will also be cards, prints,coasters, placemats and a few cushions of other artwork by Diana. NB Exhibition open Fri, Sat, Sun & Mondays in April






After a year off, free music festival The Big Busk is returning to the streets of Shrewsbury to celebrate what would have been the 50th birthday of the man in whose memory the event is held.
The Big Busk will take place in and around Shrewsbury Town Centre on Saturday 6 April 2019, the day talented musician and poet Ben Bebbington would have turned 50.
The Busk was first held in 2013 in memory of Ben, who died after an unprovoked attack by two men in September 2012. The event raises money for, and awareness of, Shrewsbury Ark, a centre for vulnerable and homeless people in Shrewsbury which meant a lot to Ben.
In 2017 the Busk raised more than £8,500, but organisers took a break this year to manage some of the challenges which arise from the Big Busk getting bigger each year. The small core organising team also had many personal milestones, including a wedding, new babies, house moves and new jobs!
Planning is now underway for the 2019 event.
Karen Higgins, Ben’s sister and one of the founders of The Big Busk, said: “We said when we announced in 2017 that we were taking a break that it would only be for one year and we are very excited to be bringing The Big Busk back to Shrewsbury in 2019.
“It is especially poignant that the event should fall on the very day that Ben would have turned 50 and we will making sure that there is a real party atmosphere that Ben would have been very proud of.
“We are in the very early stages of planning, but our basic philosophy will remain the same – you will be able to experience many styles of music all day on 6 April and everything will be free – we only ask that people donate whatever they can afford to support the fantastic work that Shrewsbury Ark does for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“Everybody who makes this wonderful day possible – from the musicians to the volunteers in the lead up and on the day – gifts their time and talent to ensure all proceeds go to the Ark and I can’t thank them enough.”






Meet cartoonists from around the world as they work on big boards drawing cartoons on the theme of animals. Exhibitions, talks and workshops at various venues. Visit the website for more details:- www.shrewsburycartoonfestival.com






Ramble, amble or scramble around the beautiful Shropshire Hills and help us beat blood cancer
Round and About Walks offer adventurous types the chance to ramble, amble or scramble through the Shropshire countryside. Participants can choose from three distinct routes and distances, catering for a wide range of abilities and experience.
Ramble – 23 miles
This beautiful circular walk rambles over the rolling Shropshire hills from and back to Bishops Castle, via Offa’s Dyke, the Shropshire Way, the Walcot Estate and Bury Ditches, with a welcome hot vegetarian lunch provided at Clun.
Scramble – 13 miles
This hill walk leaves Bishops Castle, to climb up to Offa’s Dyke from Mainstone, and enjoys views along the Cefns before dropping down to Clun, past its castle, for lunch and transport back to Bishops Castle.
Amble – 10 miles
Transport is provided to Clun for lunch, before an undulating stroll to Bury Ditches, then through the normally private Walcot Estate, and Oakley Mynd, to Bishops Castle.
The Scramble and Amble follow the same route as the Ramble, which crosses quite remote countryside, some of which is not normally open to the public. It is, however, particularly safe in that we provide clear signage, written instructions and helpful marshals.
Written instructions, refreshments, lunch, transport as needed, and a certificate are all provided.
Please note that we are unable to allow dogs on this walk. This is mostly due to the walk being entirely on agricultural land.
Register online or via postal entry. After 1 April, all entry fees rise to £20.
The impact
By taking part in this event, you’ll help us fund our ground-breaking research which has made such a difference to blood cancer.






The Isle Estate will be hosting a Country House charity car boot sale in aid of the Cavalier Centre.
Christina Trevainion ,a BBC valuer on Bargain Hunt and Flog It, will be there doing valuations!
50+ stalls, a vintage clothes tent and refreshments.
For more infromation or to book a stall please email danny.budd13@gmail.com






Kevin and Paul will be kayaking 34 miles along the River Severn on Saturday 18th May 2019. This is in aid of PSC, Organ Donor Awareness, Donor Families Support Network & memory benches, following Kevins transplant in January this year.
The finish line is The Crown Inn, Coleham. Here we will be hosted a Family Fun Day to raise awareness and funds! Please pop down from 10am to enjoy a day of live entertainment, food, drinks and peruse the stalls.
It is a fabulous riverside venue and it is all set to be a fantastic event!






Our plant fairs at The British Ironwork Centre have raised thousands of pounds for Hope House Children’s Hospices, with the £1.00 entrance fee going to this very deserving cause. Please help us raise more in 2019! There will be a brilliant line-up of top specialist nurseries who will bring a great range of perennials, shrubs, trees, rare species and old heritage varieties. Come for a great day out, find some lovely plants for your garden, get expert advice from the enthusiastic nursery folk.
The British Ironworks Centre not only boasts a working smithy and a showroom featuring the biggest choice of quality British ironware for both indoors and garden use but also the Shropshire Sculpture Park featuring a safari in ironwork that has to be seen to be believed! The venue has lots to see and explore with something for all ages, plus the bonus of a great Plant Hunters’ Fair to enjoy!
Entry to the Plant Fair and all other attractions is £1.00 in aid of Hope House Hospices. Free parking. The plant fair runs from10am-4pm on Saturday 18th May. Refreshments available.
Full details of the nurseries attending at www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk






Take to the skies and make breakthroughs possible! We’ve teamed up with Skydive Tilstock to bring you this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Ever wondered what free falling at 10,000 feet feels like? Well now’s your chance! Tick this off your bucket list and raise vital funds to help Alzheimer’s Research UK make breakthroughs in dementia research. Join us at one of our skydive days running on 8th June and 21st September 2019.
To find out more and for details on how to book your place go to https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/support-us/fundraise/skydive/tilstock-skydive-day/






Summer Ball is back for 2019 at our charity headquarters! Three course sit down meal with catering from the fabulous Get Gourmet Catering, wonderful music from live band The Beautiful Ways and John Davies Disco, bar and promise auction, in a beautiful setting near Wenlock Edge in our marquee. Ticket only event, £40 per ticket includes a welcome drink!






Following the outstanding success of 2018….the 2019 Oswestry Colour Run is back!
Sunday 30th June 2019
– Follow us on TWITTER @OsColourRun for the latest updates!!
– Like the British Ironwork Centre Facebook page too!
Get ready for the happiest 3K you’ll ever walk, dance or run. Can you help us make this years event even more of a success. Last year we raised over £14,500 to support Macmillan’s work in Shropshire.
The colour run is designed to be a happy, enjoyable day for all ages. It celebrates healthiness, happiness, individuality, and giving back to the community while experiencing the uniqueness of the British Ironwork Centre. The Colour Run is a three-kilometre, un-timed race in which participants are doused from head to toe in different colours from various paint stations around the course.
A great opportunity to visit the British Ironwork Centre with all the family with refreshments available on the day.






The one day of the year our wildlife rescue centre opens its doors to the public, come along and see all the birds and animals in our care. There is a fun dog show with lots of classes to enter, BBQ, craft and charity stalls, fire engine, bouncy castle, activities and more! £2 per person, under 16s enter for free. Always a popular event!




