Animal lovers are in for a unique treat this May half term when Park Hall’s farmyard favourites will be joined by a whole host of exotic animal friends. Not only will you be able to take part in in lots of farm activities but from 27-31 May (at differing times) you will have the chance to get closer than ever before to some truly exotic creatures. Corner Exotics will be bringing different creatures each day ranging from mini beasts to scorpions and snakes.
Join Derwen College for the annual Summer Fete which features games, entertainment, shopping, food, and something for all the family. This popular community event brings together students, staff and visitors galore to enjoy a traditional day of summer fun.
Shop at the wide selection of stalls where you can buy produce made by students at Derwen, plants from the Garden Centre and a variety of cards and gifts designed and created by Derwen students. Then take part in a coconut shy or tombola and children’s activities including badge making and face painting.
The food court area includes delicious home-made fare, barbecue and a selection of drinks.
The fete takes place in the college’s commercial outlets offering home-made breads, jams, and chutneys to buy from the Garden Centre shop. Food, including a children’s menu, will be served in the college’s Orangery Restaurant and Garden Café from 11.30am-4pm. Main meals £5.95, children’s portions £4.95.
Other highlights include a performance of ‘Be SmART’ by Creative Arts students, an art exhibition and a grand raffle with a host of fabulous prizes. From 12pm-4pm. For more information go to www.visitderwen.co.uk
A collection of quality local craft and food producers held in Bailey Street and the Bailey Head. In addition gardening will be an important theme with a number of plant stalls, gardening advice and how to support wildlife and healthy eating. 9am until 3pm
To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of D Day (6th June 1944) we are holding a weekend of activities as follows:
Friday 31st May: Play – “Meet Tommy Atkins” at the Church House Welshpool 7.30pm. Adm £10 to include nibbles. Bring your own drink and enjoy the tale of how Tommy returns from the Somme (WW1) his Second World War and into the 1950s.
Saturday 1st June: Corn Exchange (Town Hall) Welshpool 10am – 1pm – D Day Exhibition. This will include Ex service organisation stands, Spitfire fund tombola, Welshpool at war photo display, memorabilia displays, etc. Admission free but donations welcome.
Followed by the Big Screen showing of the Welshpool celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of VEVJ Day in 1995.
Sunday 2nd June 12noon – 5pm OPEN HOUSE & GARDEN at No1 Church Bank Welshpool. As recently featured on S4C. Admission £5 to include tea & cakes.
Do you want to know more about Oswestry? Hear about our history as you wander around the town with one of our local guides, listen to myths and legends as you stroll through the parks and alleyways of our border market town – then come on a guided tour.
Ibiza style party at the Wynnstay Hotel
Cambrian Heritage Railways are delighted to host the Ellesmere Model Railway Club for a large display of Model Railway layouts in the historic grade 2 listed Cambrian Railways Station Building in Oswestry. With Steam Train Rides, the Cambrian Railways Museum and trade stands. Refreshments available.
Mexican evening at Wynnstay Hotel
No sleep for twenty hours. No food for ten. And a ward full of soon-to-be mothers… Welcome to thelife of a midwife. Join Leah Hazard Hard as she talks about her memoir Hard Pushed chronicling life on the frontline of the maternity ward.
Working closely with community supporters The Qube, Oswestry Markets host a charity market on the Bailey Head aimed at raising important funds and awareness for a wide number of local charities. 9am until 3pm
A friendly and relaxed workshop where you will learn how to create a stunning crepe paper peony to take home.
Fun dog show for all the family in aid of Hectors Greyhound rescue. £2 to enter your pet
Oswestry Antique and Collector Fair is situated in the heart of Shropshire at Oswestry Showground which is a 36 acres site with THREE LARGE exhibition halls in a prime position on the A495. You can except to find an array of outdoor and indoor stalls selling an eclectic mix of antiques, vintage, collectables, architectural salvage, mid century or simply that decorative items.
Oswestry Antique & Collectors Fair regularly see’s 200 stalls of experienced dealers from all over the country and has been a regular on BBC’s bargain hunt in the past.
The fair is affordable, dog friendly with free parking and free entry for children. This is a great day out for all the family to be enjoyed whatever the weather!
The BVA holds a series of exhibitions every year.
The major event is in June, this year Open Studios 2019 features 29 artists with studios open over 2 weekends
SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase all five sessions (March to July) and save £5!
The Hermon welcomes back Kate Allan who offers an informal approach to singing in the comforting setting of the chapel space with its amazing acoustics. Come and join us for a joyful gathering of vocal fun and experimentation every second Saturday of the month from March to July!
‘Enjoy the freedom and satisfaction of creating music in the moment beyond ideas of right and wrongdoing. No experience needed. Everybody is musical and there are no wrong notes in music.’ – Kate Allan
Kate is a freelance singer songwriter who works in Arts and Health and established Wild Singing, a weekly, leaderless singing group that meets in wild places in and around Oswestry to share songs and stories.
Just bring your voice and an open mind – the rest will take care of itself!
PLEASE NOTE: Prior booking helps us with the planning, so please register and purchase tickets for this series of events as early as you can! Many thanks.
GIFT VOUCHERS: Gift vouchers are available only for the Five Session Ticket, not for individual sessions. Vouchers can only be purchased over the phone on 01691 662196 and can be picked up in person at the venue. For delivery by mail, postage & packaging costs of £1 apply.
All Spring/Summer 2019 Dates:
Saturday, 9th March 2019
Saturday, 13th April 2019
Saturday, 11th May 2019
Saturday, 8th June 2019
Saturday, 13th July 2019
Join us for a Evening Spectacular at the British Ironworks Centre in a Picnic Proms in the Park concert. The Orchestra are headling the evening with special guests. The delightful concert programme includes popular and favourite songs, classical masterpieces, music from blockbuster films and a finale of the traditional proms songs complete with fireworks.
Free music 2pm to 4pm
The BVA holds a series of exhibitions every year.
The major event is in June, this year Open Studios 2019 features 29 artists with studios open over 2 weekends
Toy Fair and Model Railway Exhibition. Entry £3 (accompanied children under 16 free). Refreshement available. Disable access. Free parking. Trade stalls and great layouts. Come along and find out about this exciting hobby and meet other enthusiasts.
Understories’ is a brush with the new folklore of Shropshire, featuring award-winning musicians and poet Whalebone and Jean Atkin. Here are urban – and rural – myths, and tales just out of living memory. They are the common uncommon.
Discover Shropshire’s last wolves and cloggers, its haunted roundabouts, pigs, railway lines and oak trees, not to mention the boy who burrowed under a church.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Collection of fantastic food and craft producers
The Oswestry Round Challenge is a 33 or 17 mile walking event, fully supported, which raises money for Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and Cancer Research UK. The route combines sections of Offa’s Dyke Path and the Shropshire Union Canal to form a complete circuit of Oswestry. To register go to website below.
The OSWESTRY ROUND CHALLENGE is a 33-mile sponsored walking event based on the guide book of the same name. Combining Offa’s Dyke Path and the Montgomery & Llangollen canals, the route forms a circular walk around the border town of Oswestry starting and finishing at the Lion Quays Resort.
The Challenge was devised by Dave Andrews and is described in the guide book he has authored.
The BVA holds a series of exhibitions every year.
The major event is in June, this year Open Studios 2019 features 29 artists with studios open over 2 weekends
Clwyd Veteran and Vintage Machinery Society Ltd are pleased to announce that THE ANNUAL VINTAGE VEHICLE AND MACHINERY RALLY AND CRAFT SHOW will once again take place on SATURDAY 15th and SUNDAY 16th JUNE 2019 at the Oswestry Showground, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 4TB.
Sections including Steam Engines; Vintage Commercial Vehicles, Fire Engines, Buses and Campervans; Stationary Engines; Horses; Vintage Tractors and Horticultural machinery; Vintage Caravans; Outdoor Displays and Collections; Organs; Classic, Vintage and Veteran Cars; Vintage Pedal Cycles, Vintage Motor Cycles. Spectators will be able to see many of these vehicles in motion in the Ring. There is also a Model Hall, Craft Hall, Trade and Auto Jumble Stands.
SPECIAL OFFER: PURCHASE ALL FOUR SESSIONS (April to July) AND SAVE £4!
GIFT VOUCHERS: Gift vouchers are available only for the Four Session Ticket, not for individual sessions! Vouchers can only be purchased over the phone on 01691 662196 and can be picked up in person at the venue. For delivery by mail, postage & packaging costs of £1 apply.
By popular request experienced musician and tutor Rick Wilson will be back at The Hermon for the spring and summer season 2019 to share his exceptional skills on hand drums and percussion instruments in a series of on-going monthly group workshops on 20th April, 18th May, 15th June and 20th July.
Explore in a focused manner Indian, African and South American styles of drumming in a friendly and relaxed environment! No prior experience is needed, bring a drum if you have one but, if not, instruments will be at hand.
Come and join this eager group that brings together beginners, intermediate and advanced players to discover all things rhythmic and develop their skills jointly!
Prior booking helps us with the planning, so please register and purchase tickets for this series of events as early as you can! Thank you.
More about Rick that’s well-worth a read: www.eastorywilsound.co.uk/rick.htm
Real Ale Train
6.30pm departure from Llangollen Station
Step on board and soak up the atmosphere whilst enjoying the Real Ales on offer at our well stocked bar.
Double return journey – arrive back approximately 9.30pm.
£18 Advanced ticket price includes a free Llangollen Railway pint glass.
REAL ALE – £3 per pint, Wines and Soft Drink also available
Food will be available to purchase from The Station Cafe + Bar on the evening, along with a BBQ on the platform.
Reserved seating will be provided for parties of eight or more.
It is not advised that children attend this event.
Advanced tickets – £18 per person with a FREE Llangollen Railway Pint Glass
Tickets purchased on the evening – £20 per person
Due to the terms of our premise licence – Passengers are NOT permitted to bring their own alcohol on board the Real Ale Train. Any alcohol brought will be removed from the customer for the duration of the event, the railway reserves the right to refuse admittance if the request is not complied with. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
The BVA holds a series of exhibitions every year.
The major event is in June, this year Open Studios 2019 features 29 artists with studios open over 2 weekends
It’s Father’s Day on 16th June, and at Derwen College we’re convinced that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
The college is offering a special three-course set menu at the Orangery Restaurant on Sunday 16th with a choice of soup or pate starter, three mains – Beef in a Red Wine Sauce, Roast Pork and crackling or a Nut Roast – and four delicious desserts. All for £14.95, including tea or coffee.
If casual dining is more dad’s taste, then visit the Garden Café for a scrumptious burger, potato wedges, salad and a beer for just £7.45.
From 10th-16th June the Garden Centre will be offering 10% off all vegetable plants throughout the week. The Garden Centre shop is the perfect place to buy gifts, hand-printed cards and home-made jams, chutneys and cakes which will make Dad’s day.
For information or to make a restaurant booking, telephone 01691 661234 or email bookings@derwen.ac.uk.
www.visitderwen.co.uk
Hermon Jazz invites you to a special Father’s Day Night Out with a live performance of the amazing Mike Fletcher Jazz Orchestra! With a stellar line-up of twelve excellent U.K. Jazz players, graced with a powerful sax section consisting of Mike Fletcher and John O’Gallagher on alto joined by George Crowley on tenor sax and bass clarinet, the audience is in for a night of the mind-blowing kind!
Mike Fletcher is a woodwind multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger whose work spans jazz, contemporary classical and world music. Whether it is as instrumentalist or composer – or more commonly both at once – Mike’s approach to making music prioritises interactive dialogue between performers, therefore creating a platform for ideas to emerge and develop collectively. Constantly seeking to open up new alleys for further development, his new Arts Council funded project ‘Picasso(s) – Interactions’ sets interesting challenges for himself and his players aimed at exploring the interplay between composition and improvisation.
After a very successful recent debut of ‘Picasso(s) – Interactions’ at Birmingham’s MAC, Mike Fletcher now brings his new suite of music written for large ensemble to The Hermon before heading with the orchestra into the sound studio for a recording of the project. The orchestral version is the logical continuation of Mike’s fourth album ‘Picasso(s)’, an hour-long work for solo saxophone, which he incidentally performed at The Hermon in 2018. Both, the solo as well as the orchestral piece, are based on Pablo Picasso’s cycle of 58 paintings ‘Las Meninas’ and a solo piece by Coleman Hawkins entitled ‘Picasso’.
To provide an opportunity to learn more about the underlying ideas of Mike’s solo and orchestral project, the concert will be opened with a pre-concert talk with members of the orchestra followed by a Q&A session.
A rare opportunity to catch one of the only two UK-performances of this project! EARLY BIRD TICKETS available now!
More about the project & Mike’s approach:
http://www.londonjazznews.com/2019/04/previewfeature-band-leader-mike.html
https://mikefletchermusic.wordpress.com/
www.mikefletchermusic.com
More about The Mike Fletcher Jazz Orchestra:
The Mike Fletcher Jazz Orchestra began life in Birmingham in 2006 as a group of young musicians with a shared love of the long and varied tradition of big band music from Count Basie and Duke Ellington to Thad Jones and beyond. Since this time the focus of the project has evolved along with Mike’s interest in more experimental large ensemble composition, although still retaining a clear link to the music’s rich history. The 12-piece line-up is slightly reduced from the more traditional ’16 men swinging’, and makes for a more nimble formation that nevertheless retains the power of a full big band.
As well as performing Mike’s original music, the ensemble regularly collaborates with visiting soloists and composers. In 2013 they performed with acclaimed New York saxophonist Andrew D’Angelo and drummer Dan Weiss. In 2016 they performed a piece by contemporary classical composer Anna Meredith that was specially commissioned for the orchestra by Symphony Hall Birmingham.
Mike Fletcher – alto sax, composition & direction
John O’Gallagher – alto sax
George Crowley – tenor sax/bass clarinet
Sean Gibbs, Percy Pursglove & Aaron Diaz – trumpet
Kieran McLeod & Richard Foote – trombone
Andy Johnson – tuba
Tom Ford – guitar
Chris Mapp – bass
Jonathan Silk – drums
Join Victoria Hislop, the bestselling author of The Island, The Sunrise, and Cartes Postales from Greece as she talks about her captivating new novel Those Who Are Loved.
Join journalist, broadcaster and writer Kirsty Wark as she talks about her highly anticipated second novel The House by the Loch.
In 2016, Katherine Rundell, prize-winning author of five novels for children – found her understanding of the world she lived in upturned: by Brexit, Trump, a sweep across Europe towards nationalism and insularity, terrorist attacks. Literary fiction did not help her understanding, so instead she turned to old narratives, told for the benefit of children and adults and anyone who would listen.
This Independent Bookshop Week, join Katherine Rundell and Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times Children’s Book Editor, for an inspiring conversation about how children’s books ignite, and can re-ignite, the imagination; how children’s fiction, with its unabashed emotion and playfulness, can awaken old hungers and create new perspectives on the world. Capturing this, Katherine has written a delightful persuasive essay ‘Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise’. All those attending will receive a copy.
Katherine Rundell is the bestselling author of five children’s novels, for which she has won the Costa Children’s Book Award, the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize amongst many others. She spent her childhood in Africa and Europe before taking her degree at the University of Oxford and becoming a Fellow of All Souls College. As well as writing, she studies Renaissance literature; and is learning, as a direct result of writing her new stunning adventure story The Good Thieves (June ‘19), to fly on the flying trapeze.
Tickets: £6 (Includes a signed copy of Why You Should Read Children’s Books). Tickets available from the bookshop, or purchase online (with booking fee).
Join bestselling spy novelist Mick Herron as he talks about his new book Joe Country, the latest instalment in his highly acclaimed Slough House series starring Jackson Lamb.
If Spook Street is where spies live, Joe Country is where they go to die and as Jackson Lamb’s crew of misfit exiles emerge for the sixth time, it looks likely not all of them will return from the field.
In Slough House memories are stirring, all of them bad. Catherine Standish is buying booze again, Louisa Guy is raking over the ashes of lost love, and new recruit Lech Wicinski, whose sins make him outcast even among the slow horses, is determined to discover who destroyed his career, even if he tears his life apart in the process. Meanwhile, in Regent’s Park, Diana Taverner’s tenure as First Desk is running into difficulties. If she’s going to make the Service fit for purpose, she might have to make deals with a familiar old devil …
And with winter taking its grip Jackson Lamb would sooner be left brooding in peace, but even he can’t ignore the dried blood on his carpets. So when the man responsible breaks cover at last, Lamb sends the slow horses out to even the score. This time, they’re heading into joe country…
Kicking off with 2010’s Slow Horses, Mick Herron’s Slough House series has lit a match under the British spy genre. With its world-wary coterie of misfits and starring the cunning Jackson Lamb, Herron is now at the front rank of espionage fiction . We’re delighted to welcome the spymaster to Booka during Independent Bookshop Week!
Tickets: £5 (redeemable against a signed copy of Joe Country). Includes a glass of wine / soft drink on arrival. Tickets available from the bookshop, or purchase online (with booking fee).
Do you have a story that you’d like to tell? Have you ever thought of becoming an author? Do you have lots of good ideas that you’d like to craft into something a bit more substantial?
Join award-winning author Edward Docx for an hour of insight, advice, encouragement and ten practical tips on how to turn your thoughts into a professional storyline.
Ed has written four novels. He’s been long listed for the Booker Prize and won the Geoffrey Faber. He reviews contemporary fiction for The Guardian and he’s been teaching the Guardian Masterclass for Fiction for the last seven years. He’s also hosted dozens of Arvon residential writing courses and coached lot’s of private pupils – several of whom are now published.
We’re delighted to be hosting this special event with Ed and his publisher Pan Macmillan to celebrate Independent Bookshop Week. So why not come along and get some practical advice, some top quality inspiration and a fascinating insight into the world of creative writing.
All those attending will receive a paperback copy of Ed’s latest novel Let Go My Hand.
Tickets: £12 (Includes ‘How to Write a Book’ session and a copy of Let Go My Hand) Tickets available from the Bookshop or purchase online (with booking fee)
Swings, boogie and humour
£12.50 advance, includes light supper
Cabaret Of Chaos!
A brand new show hosted by professional thespian, RANDOLPH TEMPEST and featuring the wonderful accompanying sounds of CAFE LOLA!
Back at The Hermon by popular demand, comedian Peter Slater ( Ideal , Steven Seagal’s Black Puddings and Where Are the Joneses?) slips once again into the shoes of his character Randolph Tempest presenting an evening of comedy and music alongside special guest Rod Shepherd – Slacktivist + more!
Prepare yourself for a jam packed evening of music! Comedy! Magic! Strange dancing! Poetry!
Prizes! Surprises! And …a raffle!
Please note that there will be an ‘Early Bird’ ticket offer for the first thirty tickets!
How to pay:
👉1. www.hermonchapel.com
👉2. Ticket link 👉 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/652812
👉3. 01691 662 196
👉4.Visit us on Chapel street SY11 1LF
free event in the beautiful park 12pm until 5pm
Whittington Castle Car Boot Sale. £5 per car if you are selling items – free entrance to visitors to the sale. Cars from 8.30am onwards. No need to book just turn up and staff will show you where to set up and collect your fee. Sorry no trade stands. Dogs on leads are welcome. Tearoom will be open selling hot drinks and bacon baps etc.
Free entrance just £1 to park. Join for our Good Living and Green Fair. Stall details to follow – will include conservation Groups, practical demonstrations for children Trade and Gift Stalls. Stall enquiries are welcome phone 01691 662500 or e-mail info@whittingtoncastle.co.uk
