Shropshire

A delegation of Chinese development experts will tour Shrewsbury's flax mill to see how it is being turned into a space for businesses.

The following planning decisions were made by Shropshire Council’s Central planning committee at its meeting on Thursday 23 May 2013 in Shrewsbury.

Land at Hereford Road, Shrewsbury – 12/02498/OUT

Outline Application for the erection of a Class A1 foodstore with associated car parking, servicing facilities and replacement of garage workshop to include means of access. 

Decision:

Refused – contrary to the Officer’s recommendations for the following reasons:

There are existing difficulties with traffic movements for all highway users including pedestrians and cyclists in the immediate area around the site and its access on to a busy highway junction arising from the complexity of the local traffic arrangements.

Notwithstanding the proposed alterations to the junction and localised changes to the highways, it is considered that such difficulties with traffic movements in the area of the site would be exacerbated further by the proposed development.

Accordingly, the proposed development would fail to accord with the aims and requirements of adopted policies CS6 and CS7 of the Shropshire Core Strategy and Section 4 of the NPPF, as it would not be safe and accessible to all, and would not maximise opportunities for access by walking, cycling and public transport.

The proposed development would potentially lead to a detrimental impact on the viability of existing nearby local centres and the community facilities associated with them. Accordingly, the proposal would fail to accord with the aims and requirements of adopted Policy CS8 of the Shropshire Core Strategy and Section 8 of the NPPF.

The Gap Site, Raven Meadows Shrewsbury – 12/03258/FUL

The erection of a public multi-storey car park consisting of 9 deck-levels; change of use of existing retail unit to provide pedestrian walkway; ancillary works (amended description). 

Decision: Approved – in accordance with the Officer’s recommendations, subject to the inclusion of an additional condition requiring lighting of the town walls.

The Gap Site, Raven Meadows Shrewsbury – 12/03259/LBC

Alterations to a Grade II Listed Building required in connection with the erection of a multi storey car park (amended description). 

Decision: Approved – in accordance with the officer’s recommendations.

Proposed Residential Development, Land West of The Gables Nesscliffe – 12/04425/OUT

Outline application (all matters reserved) for residential development to include affordable housing (resubmission).

Decision:

Refused – contrary to the Officer’s recommendations for the following reasons:

The proposed access and access junction is inadequate and inappropriate, and this together with the likely proximity of proposed dwellings to existing properties would potentially have a significant detrimental impact on the residential amenity of occupiers of adjoining dwellings. This would be contrary to the aims and requirements of adopted Policy CS6 of the Shropshire Core Strategy and Section 7 of the NPPF.

The application site is outside any settlement currently identified as suitable for accommodating new residential development and accordingly approval of the proposed scheme would be premature in advance of the Council (in consultation with the parish council) determining the preferred sites for residential development in the village through the SAMDev consultation process.

Accordingly the proposal would fail to accord with the aims and requirements of adopted Policy CS5 of the Shropshire Core Strategy.

 Proposed Residential Development, Land off Washford Road, Shrewsbury – 12/04866/OUT

Outline application for the erection of 6no. semi-detached dwellings to include Access. 

Decision:  Approved, subject to S106 agreement to secure the provision of affordable housing – in accordance with the Officer’s recommendations.

Plot 3 (part) Battlefield Road, Shrewsbury – 13/00392/FUL

Erection of public house/restaurant; lodge hotel, hot food takeaway (with drivethrough facilities) and associated works. 

Decision: Consideration deferred to the next meeting to enable further information received on the application to be appraised.

Land Adjacent Oaklands, Holyhead Road, Montford Bridge – 13/00464/OUT

Outline application for the erection of 5 no. detached dwellings and garages (to include access, layout and scale). 

Decision:  Approved, subject to S106 agreement to secure an affordable housing contribution and the extension of the existing footpath to the site – in accordance with the Officer’s recommendations.

8 The Fairways, Condover – 13/00901/FUL

Erection of first floor extension over existing garage and single storey extension. 

Decision: Approved – in accordance with the Officer’s recommendations.

Retail Unit Adjacent Minsterley Garage, Station Road, Minsterley – 13/00987/COU

Change of use from A1 (retail) to A5 (hot food takeaway).

Decision:  Consideration deferred to the next meeting for clarification on whether planning permission 09/00156/COU granted on 21st May 2009 for retail use of the premises had been implemented. 

For further information relating to each of the decisions go to our online planning register and search for an application by using the appropriate reference number or keyword.

People who attend a day service for adults with learning disabilities have opened a showroom to sell their products directly to the public.

Maesbury Metals is a metal workshop near Oswestry where people with learning disabilities produce a variety of handmade products, such as garden gates and bird tables.

The people who attend the centre are so proud of their work that rather than just displaying it, they want to sell it.

So they decided to open a showroom, which will be open to the public, at the workshop unit on Maes y Clawdd Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Oswestry.

As well as showing off their impressive work, the showroom is intended to be one of the ways the centre will attract revenue to mitigate the continuing financial pressures that councils are facing due to reduced Government funding.

Peter Phillips, who attends Maesbury Metals and will run the showroom, said:

“We want to change people’s perceptions of what adults with learning disabilities can do.  We think people will be amazed when they see what we make here, and we are so proud of what we can achieve we want to make sure people know about it.”

A grand opening was held on Friday 24 May 2013, when North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson, the Government’s Environment Secretary, officially cut the ribbon.

Councillor Tim Barker, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, said:

“The most impressive thing about this project is that it has come from the people who go to Maesbury Metals themselves.  The whole idea came from them – they have led it from the start and will run the showroom themselves.  I have been impressed at the obvious pride and enthusiasm felt for the unit and this new venture, and I wish it every success.”

Council leader, Keith Barrow, who is councillor for Oswestry South, added:

“Maesbury Metals is a fantastic facility which really improves the quality of life of the people who attend.  I would urge everyone to come along and visit the showroom to see the quality products that are on offer.”

Maesbury Metals can be found at Enterprise Units 21 to 23, Maes y Clawdd Industrial Estate, just off the A483 at Oswestry.  The showroom is open from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday.

(Pictured is Owen Paterson MP, with Michael Burton and Gavin Ryan who attend Maesbury Metals, with a wrought iron boot stand.)

Whitchurch Party in the Park is taking place on Saturday 1 June 2013 from 1pm until 7pm in Jubilee Park, Whitchurch.

This free community event – organised by Whitchurch Chamber of Trade, Whitchurch Town Council and Shropshire Council – will provide an afternoon of local entertainment and music for all ages, arts and crafts and plenty of local produce to eat and drink.

Whitchurch Community Alcohol Partnership (WH-CAP) have provided funding for a 9ft climbing wall for attendees to use and will be on hand to offer advice and guidance on underage drinking to young people and parents alike.  WH-CAP is supporting the countywide Shrop-CAP campaign – an initiative to help tackle underage drinking in the county.

Alongside WH-CAP will be a graffiti artist offering an opportunity to be imaginative and create an original piece of street art to be displayed in Whitchurch.

Big Reds House will be hosting an arts and crafts marquee and launching the ‘Big Reds Big Picture’, funded by the Meres and Mosses Landscape Partnership.  Also in the marquee will be demonstrations from craft producers and cottage industries on how they make their products.

Whitchurch Photographic Society will also be attending and provide a gallery celebrating the wealth of local independent traders.

The annual party is hosting local musical talent on the bandstand, including Jigsmith, Top Bananas and an Adele tribute act.  Other performances will come from Whitchurch community groups, including cheerleading and zumba.

For more information contact Nicki Young, community action officer on 01939 237429.

Shropshire Council’s community arts and festivals team has been part of a successful application by the West Midlands Boys Dance Alliance, in securing funding from the Arts Council West Midlands. 

The funding goes towards the fourth year of the Boys Dancing Project, which develops and celebrates dance for boys and young men, providing them with the challenge, exhilaration, discipline and fun of making and sharing dance. 

Young men and boys from across Shropshire will be performing together as part of the project at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm on Saturday 6 July 2013. 

‘Manitou’, a site-specific promenade dance event, exploring the concept of avoidance, has been choreographed by professional dance artists in partnership with the participating boys. 

During the evening the audience will have the opportunity to move around the traditional 19th century farm and watch the action happen among them.  The event will culminate in a finale performance, showcasing the talent of male dancers from youth dance companies based in Birmingham, Shropshire, and Telford and Wrekin. 

Tickets are being sold from the Theatre Severn Box Office, tel 01743 281281, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 8FT.

Shropshire Council’s leisure development team is running a club development information evening that will take place on Wednesday 29 May 2013 at Shirehall, Shrewsbury, starting at 7pm..                     

Representatives from sports clubs throughout the county are invited to attend.  The evening is aimed at enhancing the contact between leisure development staff and local sports clubs, as well as providing up-to-date help and information useful to clubs, coaches and volunteers.  

Items under discussion will include: 

• Funding update – the latest on available grant aid in sport
• Sportivate and changes
• Changes to school funding 
• School club links
• Support for your coaches and volunteers
• Group discussion. 

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, libraries and culture, said:

“These evenings are a great way for clubs across Shropshire to find out about local and national programmes.  Clubs will have the chance to speak to officers about their clubs’ issues and concerns.  Many clubs have benefitted from these evenings in the past as they are able to share best practice, and it is a great networking opportunity.”

Pre-booking is required and places will be limited, although more than one club representative is welcome.  Anyone interested in attending one of these meetings can reserve a place directly by calling a member of the leisure development team on 01743 255071 or email leisure@shropshire.gov.uk.

A delegation from China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is to visit Shrewsbury’s historic Flax Mill Maltings next week to learn more about the history of the site, and see the world’s first iron-framed building.

On Wednesday 29 May 2013 a party of 23 senior regional development experts from the NDRC – which studies and formulates economic and social development policies on behalf of the Chinese government – is visiting the West Midlands.

They are visiting the region to mark the start of the third year of the European Union’s Chinese European Training on Regional Policy (CETREGIO) programme. The programme aims to offer Chinese regional experts a source of reference when setting their own regional development policies, to share examples of best practice, and to strengthen links between European and Chinese regions.

After a visit to the new i54 business park near Wolverhampton, the Chinese delegates will head to Shrewsbury, where they will be given a tour of the Flax Mill Maltings site.

The internationally-important Flax Mill Maltings site reflects a time when Britain led the way in engineering innovation.  It comprises seven listed buildings, including the Main Mill, which was built in 1797 and is the world’s first iron-framed building and the forerunner of the modern skyscraper.

Work to restore and bring back into use the Main Mill, the Kiln, the Dye and Stove House and the Office and Stables is due to begin in September 2013, if funding bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £12.8m and European Regional Development Fund for £6.6m are successful.

Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for built environment, said:

“I’m really pleased that this delegation from China will be visiting Shrewsbury next week to find out about the Flax Mill Maltings and the history of the site.  The Flax Mill Maltings is an internationally-important collection of buildings so it’s great that they are attracting interest from as far afield as China. We’re looking forward to showing our visitors around and telling them about our future plans for the site.”

Alan Mosley, Chairman of the Friends of the Flax Mill Maltings, said:

“We are delighted to be welcoming the Chinese guests for a very exciting visit.  From i54’s current cutting edge development they will be coming to our site which was a world leader 225 years ago.  They will learn how we will regenerate it to become an innovative centre for business, learning and community uses for the next 100 years.”

About the Chinese European Training on Regional Policy (CETREGIO) programme

Since 2010, over 100 Chinese decision makers from all 33 provincial level regions have been able to share experiences and to visit examples of best practice in more than 40 regions of 13 European Union member states, with experts from several EU member states visiting China.

The information and training sessions have covered a wide range of regional development issues including: regional policy legislation; statistical information systems; innovation and clusters; territorial cohesion; urban-rural linkages; and sustainable urban development.

A Shropshire NHS Trust changes its policies after a man died because medical staff failed to notice that his throat had been torn during surgery.

Children and adults will get the chance to find out more about the items on display at the new Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, when two special learning programmes begin in early 2014. 

The schools programme will reflect the strengths of Shrewsbury’s history, with primary-aged children finding out how Charles Darwin’s insatiable curiosity for the natural world as a boy led him to publish his theory on the evolution of man as an adult. 

As part of their ‘Darwin day’ they will study dinosaurs, undertake experiments and spend time with Shropshire Wildlife Trust.  Further sessions will be on offer to help pupils understand more about life during the Tudor period through studying the portraits and everyday objects in the museum. 

They will also visit Shrewsbury Castle and Shropshire Archives, dress up in replica costume and take part in short cameo performances throughout the town.  Because the art gallery is such an important part of the new museum complex, there will ‘sketchbook’ days spent in the galleries, learning how to draw and create pieces of art, based on the collections and spaces within the newly-restored building. 

Adults will have an equally exciting menu of practical workshops, short and long courses, lectures and study days to choose from, all based on the collections. 

The choice of subjects will range from archaeology to geology, painting and drawing, local history, social history, fashion, textiles and contemporary art.  Afternoon tea lectures, gallery tours, lunchtime gallery talks and finds days run by the Portable Antiquities Scheme will ensure that there really is something on offer for everyone. 

A series of gallery tours led by experienced members of Shropshire Council’s museum team will open the learning programme next year.  These free tours will give the public a chance to see the collections with an expert, and discover what further learning opportunities are planned for the following period. 

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, libraries and culture, said:

“Work to complete the new Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery is continuing, but with the scaffolding down and the walls being plastered we’re now eagerly awaiting its opening, and the launch of these fantastic learning programmes.  This exciting series of interactive study packages will give people of all ages a great opportunity to discover more about the artefacts and specimens on display in the themed galleries.” 

Volunteers will be playing an important role in the new learning programme at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, acting as meeting hosts for the school and adult sessions, and also offering drop-in themed activities for visiting families during the school holidays.  

If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering opportunities, please contact sarah.griffiths@shropshire.gov.uk for further information.

More than £150,000 is needed to repair a crumbling Victorian church spire in Shropshire.

Local people are encouraged to attend the first meeting of the for the new financial year St Oswald and Llanymynech Local Joint Committee, to be held on 11 June at Llanymynech Village Hall, starting at 7pm..

As well as having a dedicated budget to spend on local community projects, the LJC offers an opportunity for people to raise issues that matter to them and their area.

The committee has an annual budget of £15,500 to spend on community projects within the area covering the parishes of Oswestry Rural, Llanyblodwel, Llanymynech and Pant, Melverley, Kinnerley and Knockin.

The meeting will involve an update on the consultations over proposed sites for building developments – known as SAMDev (Site Allocations and Management of Development Plan). Locals are encouraged to get involved in consultations as they can help shape their communities and register objections or support for development proposals in the area.

There will also be a presentation from the new Police Inspector for the area, Rik Klair, on changes involving West Mercia Police and an update on local crime related issues. Shropshire Fire and Rescue will also be outlining local initiatives currently being by run by their service.

The new northern area commissioner at Shropshire Council, Tim Smith, will be talking about upcoming changes and his future role within the local authority. Alongside this there will be an update on all important issues for the area including the National Grid Consultation and the Connecting Shropshire broadband project.

All meetings have a regular item on the agenda, allowing all members of the community opportunity to raise any questions or concerns that they may have for the area in which they live. This can be a very local item or may relate to specific questions around safety or crime for example.

The meetings are overseen by a panel of councillors from local town and parish councils and Shropshire Council.

Shropshire Councillor Arthur Walpole, Chairman of the St Oswald and Llanymynech LJC said:

“These meetings provide a chance for people to tell councillors their views on local issues and services and to allow us to use our budget to benefit the local community. There are some key items suggested for our next meeting which will be of interest to this area, in particular we will receive an update on the next stages of SAMDev consultations around site allocations and will receive introductions from the new West Mercia Police Inspector covering the North of Shropshire; this will be a key opportunity for local people to raise any questions or concerns they have around these two very important issues. We will also receive an update on the National Grid Consultation and local action taking place around this. We hope that local people will come along to hear more. This is a great opportunity for the community to feed their comments to us as local members and parish councillors.”

 

All local people from the area are welcome to attend.

For more information about the committee meetings, or advice about how to apply for funding, please contact Corrie Davies, Shropshire Council’s community action officer, on 01691 677306.

 You can also visit shropshire.gov.uk/communityworking.nsf.

Shrewsbury striker Tom Bradshaw agrees a new deal at Greenhous Meadow, despite failing to score this season.

Telford boss Liam Watson signs AFC Fylde winger Sean Cooke as he prepares for life in the Blue Square Bet North.

Young people in and around Oswestry are in for a real treat this May half term (2013) at a special fun-filled event at Cae Glas Park, Oswestry.

The CAP-Fest event will take place on Friday 31 May 2013 from 1.30pm to 4.30pm where teenagers can take part in a host of activities from music workshops to sports activities, including free ramp sessions by Ramped.  The new Oswestry-based social enterprise is an exciting skatepark project which brings alternative sports like BMX, skateboarding, rollerblading and scootering to young people across the area.

Young people will also get to meet other youth organisations and get to find out about opportunities available to them in Oswestry.

The winners of the Oswestry Creative Writing competition will also be announced at the event.  So far over 100 entries have been submitted.

Vince Hunt, local Shropshire Councillor for Oswestry West and chair of Os-CAP, said:

“I am delighted that Ramped have agreed to come along.  Having them taking part in the event will help us attract more young people to Cae Glas Park. The team that deliver the project put on quite a show, and will be on hand to help skaters and bikers learn new techniques and encourage new users to have a go.

 “Our CAP-Fest event is a great opportunity for young people to get involved and take part in activities offered by the wide range of clubs and groups in the town.  It is an open event and we will be delighted to hear from any other groups who would like to take part.”

CAP-Fest, organised by Oswestry Community Alcohol Partnership (OsCAP), is being supported by Shropshire Council and its library service, Oswestry Town Council and Fusion Arts Oswestry.  OsCAP is a partnership project aiming to reduce the incidents of underage drinking, raise awareness of the dangers, and support initiatives that help to explore alternative activities and allow young people to flourish in the town. The group is also supporting the countywide Shrop-CAP project to help tackle underage drinking in Shropshire.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member and Chair of Shrop-CAP said:

“Events like CAP-Fest are a great way to get young people active and engaged in their local community.  I encourage young people to come along, get involved and have some fun.”

For more information about the event or to get involved, contact Steve White, community engagement officer on 01691 677287 or email steve.white@shropshire.gov.uk.

Further information

Os-CAP partners include local councillors, schools, policing teams, public protection, community organisations, pubs and off sales retailers.  

Ramped provides a fun and challenging experience, with participants able to have a say in the shape of the area they are to ride, whilst developing skills from experienced and enthusiastic riders.  Staff are keen riders and are able to point out some of the tricks and pitfalls achievable whilst using ramps, are able to point out how riders can keep themselves safer.

News from our partners Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

People are being advised to be prepared and take care when enjoying themselves during the Bank Holiday weekend. 

Doing simple things like making sure you have all the medicine you will need, storing key telephone numbers on your phone, and looking out for vulnerable neighbours, are just some of the things you can do to help be prepared for the three-day break. 

If you do require medical assistance, then it is also important that you choose the right place for help when you need it.  For example, Accident and Emergency centres and the ambulance service should only be used for life-threatening and critical situations, and can be much busier during the Bank Holiday periods. 

Emergency Medicine Consultant Dr Subramanian Kumaran, from Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said:

“Bank Holiday weekends can be busy times for Accident and Emergency departments, so we would urge people to take extra care while enjoying themselves over the coming weekend. 

“These extended weekends tend to see more people carrying out DIY at home, enjoying more outdoor activities and having barbecues, especially when the weather is good.  So we would urge people to take extra caution during the coming Bank Holiday weekend, and also to keep a check on how much alcohol they are consuming. 

“It is also important for people to keep an eye on elderly and vulnerable neighbours, especially if the weather is hot, and make sure they have enough medicine to last them over the Bank Holiday periods.

“If anyone does need medical help or advice they should only go to A&E or call an ambulance if it is a life-threatening or critical situation.  There are other options open to the public, like walk-in centres, minor injury units, or Shropdoc.”

More handy tips issued by the local NHS for Bank Holiday health include:

• Make sure you have enough medicine to last you over the Bank Holiday periods.  During these holidays pharmacists are only open at certain times, and your local pharmacy may not be open at all. 
• Call the Shropdoc the out-of-hours GP service on 0844 406 8888 if you do need medical advice or you need to speak to a GP out of normal office hours, when your normal GP practice is closed. 
• Accident and Emergency centres (A&E) and the ambulance service should only be used for life-threatening and critical situations, and can be much busier during the Bank Holiday periods.  Please only go to A&E of call an ambulance if it is a life-threatening or critical situation.  There are other options open to public, like the Walk-In Centres in Shrewsbury and Telford, or the local minor injury units in Oswestry, Bridgnorth, and Ludlow.  More information about other these and other local health services is available from: www.shropshireccg.nhs.uk , www.telford.nhs.uk/Telford-and-Wrekin-CCG , www.sath.nhs.uk and www.powysthb.wales.nhs.uk.  
• Keep safe over the Bank Holiday and follow safety advice to avoid injuries from DIY and leisure pursuits.

News from our partners Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust

Injuries from tools and machinery account for nearly 40% of all injuries of DIY enthusiasts turning up at hospital every year (RoSPA, 2010), and with another Bank Holiday coming up this week, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust is reminding Shropshire patients what their options are if they need care for a minor injury. 

People across the county are being reminded that a local Minor Injury Unit (MIU) in either Oswestry, Ludlow or Bridgnorth can provide them with an alternative to travelling to an A&E department, if they need treatment for a minor injury over the May Bank Holiday period. 

By making use of the more local service, patients may not have to wait so long to be seen, and they will also be helping to keep main hospital A&E departments free for those with the most serious or life-threatening conditions. 

The MIUs are open across the weekend and Bank Holiday (except Whitchurch MIU, which is temporarily suspended at the weekend and Bank Holiday, and will reopen from 9am till 5pm on weekdays from Tuesday 28 May 2013) and treat a range of conditions, including:

• cuts and lacerations
• soft tissue injuries, for example, sprains and bruises
• bites
• wound infections
• foreign bodies in the eyes, nose or ears
• head injuries (with no loss of consciousness)
• fractures that require plaster only
• burns and scalds. 

Gilly Scott, Clinical Lead for the MIU service at Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, said:

“The MIUs are staffed by experienced nurses and specifically-trained emergency nurse practitioners.  They are trained to be able to treat a range of different conditions which means that local people can get local care. 

“Bank Holiday is often a time when people like dust down their tools and to do some DIY, and we often see people come to the MIU with cuts, sprains or other DIY-related problems.  Most of these can be treated quickly by one of the county’s MIU teams, rather than having to go to an A&E department.” 

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA, 2010) highlights that the top ten of DIY injuries are: 

• Knives and scalpels (21,300 accidents in the UK each year)
• Saws (15,100)
• Grinders (6,400)
• Hammers (5,800)
• Chisels (3,900)
• Screwdrivers (3,400)
• Power Drills (3,000)
• Axes (2,200)
• Planes (2,100)
• Welding Equipment (2,000). 

Gilly Scott continues:

“If we are not able to treat a specific condition, we will provide advice on the best place to go – this may be to a pharmacy, A&E department, or may be a phone call to their doctors when they reopen after the Bank Holiday.” 

The MIU at Oswestry Health Centre is open 8.30am until 1pm everyday, weekend and on Bank Holiday Monday.  Normal weekday opening hours are 8.30am until 6pm. 

The MIU at Bridgnorth Hospital is open 8am until 9.30pm everyday (including Bank Holiday Monday). 

The MIU at the Ludlow Hospital is open 8am until 8pm everyday, including Bank Holiday Monday. 

Local people in Whitchurch and surrounding areas are being reminded that the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Whitchurch Hospital is temporarily suspended over weekends and this includes Bank Holiday Monday, but will reopen from 9am till 5pm on weekdays from Tuesday 28 May. 

Patients that have chest pains, major head injuries or who face life threatening health conditions should not come to the MIU; they should call for an ambulance on 999. 

When the MIU is closed, medical cover will be provided by Shropdoc (which can be called on 08444 06 88 88), but anyone who has chest pains, difficulty breathing or faces a life-threatening situation should call for an ambulance on 999. 

Further information 

Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust is the NHS organisation responsible for providing community health services to the people of Shropshire, and Telford and Wrekin. It has brought together and directly provides the health services previously provided by Shropshire County PCT and NHS Telford and Wrekin. 

For more information about the Trust contact Mathew James, Communications and Marketing Manager on 01743 277662, or email mathew.james@shropcom.nhs.uk.

News from our partners West Mercia Police

Police in West Mercia will give the public a live insight into how officers patrol town and city centres during the Spring Bank Holiday’s busiest night-time period.

Officers across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Telford and Wrekin and Worcestershire will use twitter to give a running commentary on policing experience between 9pm on Saturday 25 May 2013 and 6am the following morning (Sunday 26 May).

They will be joining police colleagues across the country in a national social media ‘twitterthon’ aimed at raising awareness of alcohol and the impact it has on local communities. 

Tweets will be under the hashtag #alcoholharm.  Follow West Mercia Police’s force-wide account @wmerciapolice for more information about who will be tweeting in each local policing area on the night.

The nine-hour period over the Bank Holiday promises to be one of the busiest weekends of the year, with extra police on duty in main centres to ensure people can enjoy a night out without fear of violence or disorder.

Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Morgan said:

“We are making greater use of social media as a means of engaging with the public.  We recognise it provides an effective and instant form of communication with local people.”

He said the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) was encouraging police forces nationwide to take part in the weekend twitterthon event, following several successful tweeting sessions by individual senior officers in different parts of the country.

The Association highlighted Superintendent James Tozer, West Mercia’s Shropshire commander, as one of those who used twitter to good effect.  He attracted widespread media coverage for a series of tweets while on duty in Shrewsbury town centre on New Year’s Eve. 

One newspaper commented: “What Mr Tozer did in taking the decision to tweet from the streets was not only give people an insight into the work of local bobbies, but also present a human side to policing.  By engaging in social media in such a way, he provided a valuable link to the boys and girls in blue.”

Mr Morgan said it was important to keep people informed, while at the same time giving advice and tips on personal safety. 

“I hope members of the public see it as a positive move and I am sure they will be quick to respond to some of our tweets.  We will be able to convey information on all manner of things, including public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder.”

He stressed the police tweets would be balanced and not just focussing on the negative aspects of alcohol. 

“We hope to explore opportunities to celebrate the successes of the night-time economy while also presenting a balanced impression of the negative impact alcohol misuse can generate.

“Nearly 50 per cent of all violent crime is alcohol-related, and excessive drinking clearly increases a person’s likelihood of committing a crime or becoming a victim of crime.  I hope the weekend’s twitter activity will provide a real insight into the demands on policing and highlight the impact alcohol can have on people’s lives.”

Mr Morgan added:

“We will also be urging our partners to link in and retweet our messages.  At the end of the evening, we hope to have given a snapshot of policing and public activity in a number of town and city centres across West Mercia.

“As always we will undoubtedly face a variety of challenges, but the bottom line is we want local people to be able to enjoy their Bank Holiday night out in safety.  To this end, we will have sufficient officers on duty to deal with any incidents of disorder.”

A bridge near Baschurch will now close on Tuesday 28 May 2013 for essential repair work.

Yeaton Bridge, which carries a minor road over the River Perry between Yeaton and Grafton, was due to be closed this week (20 May) for up to four weeks, but has been delayed by the knock-on effects of a busy spring for the contractors.

The work is to repair the damaged bridge parapet that will need to be taken down and rebuilt after it was hit by a vehicle.

The work will be carried out by Ringway on behalf of Shropshire Council.

Unfortunately for the work to be carried out safely and due to the narrow width of the road over the bridge, it is not possible to keep the bridge open for vehicles to use while the repairs are carried out.

However, access will be maintained for pedestrians, cyclists and horses to pass while the bridge is closed to traffic.

When the road is closed there will be a signed diversion route taking traffic through Walford Heath and Leaton Heath.

Matty McGinn, Chester team-mate Wes Baynes and Skelmersdale's Mike Phenix are signed by new Telford boss Liam Watson.

Left to right: Dan Wrench, Joshua Lewis, Amanda Crane, Riley-Cole Holloway, Ian Horton, Chris Huss (head teacher), Kayla Dixon, Lennon Griffiths.

Shrewsbury pupils and teachers are beginning to see the fruit of their labour as their latest project to enhance their school’s outdoor environment takes shape.

Students and staff from The Wilfred Owen Primary School in Monkmoor have been working with Shropshire Council’s natural environment team to create new wildflower gardens in the school grounds.

The school’s Headteacher, Chris Huss, has shown a real enthusiasm for improving the school sit,e and is beginning to see the latest long-term project show promising signs.

The school recently received 20 tonnes of soil from Llynclys quarry – free of charge thanks to Tarmac Lafarge – as wildflowers had been colonising piles of soil rapidly at the quarry.

Wild strawberries have been spotted growing in the soil, along with some more uncommon species of wildflower like the native Goldenrod.

Dan Wrench, Shropshire Council’s bio-diversity expert, visited the school recently and was greeted by the school’s gardening club – who jumped at the chance to learn more about what was going on in their backyard.

Dan told them about the more rare flowers that were growing, and about what they were hoping to see appear later in the year.

Dan Wrench said:

“It’s great to see such early success for this project to create a unique habitat and also see how enthusiastic both children and staff are for improving their school grounds for wildlife.  Such initiatives make a big difference for wildlife in Shropshire.”

Chris Huss said:

“We are really pleased to see such early results here.  Our meadow is beginning to thrive and the children are really excited by the prospect of having this on our site.”

The inquisitive children were interested to see what was growing, asking Dan what every plant they saw was.  When Dan appeared to have an answer for everything, one child asked: “How do you know all this?” A fellow pupil quickly responded: “Because he is a grown up.”

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services – transformation and safeguarding, said:

“It’s encouraging to see the school take on these projects as they give the pupils the opportunity to see and experience nature firsthand at school, helping their learning and development.”

Last summer the school laid freshly cut green hay from Rea Brook Nature Reserve to induce the growth of native wildflowers.  This was the first time this technique, which has worked well in areas such as Venus Pool Nature Reserve, had been used in this way locally.