Month: <span>August 2016</span>

Book Club Starts Again

Book Club IconAs the summer holiday period draws to a close, many activities which have also taken a summer break begin a new season. Next Thursday, 8th September, Marchamley Book Club resumes its monthly meetings in Marchamley Club.
To coincide with this MBC now has its own page on this website, where anyone interested in joining can find out which books are on the reading list for the next few months, and who to contact for more information.
Earlier this year we reported on the three book clubs which are flourishing in this area. Contact details for them all are available on our Monthly Events page. The other two local Book Clubs meet in Hodnet (dates vary, in homes) and Peplow (4th Wed. in homes).

Petition to Reinstate 341/342 Buses

The Shropshire Star has today published an article here on its website highlighting a petition calling for the reintroduction of the 341 & 342 bus routes. The routes between Telford and Market Drayton was discontinued at the end of July after Telford & Wrekin Council withdrew its funding for the service.
People from villages in the local area insist it was vital for visiting Princess Royal Hospital. The Star says that more than 25 people have signed the petition but it does not say how others can add their names to it.

Update 23 Oct. 16

Ren Butler has sent us these 2 links to information on the above petition:

The article also mentions that North Salop Wheelers is now running  a pre-booked service along the former 341/342 route. Bookings can be made by phoning 01948-880037 or texting 07943-275757 (before 7:45am on the day). More information is available on their website, including a PDF “timetable“.
SalopWheelersLogo

Hodnet & District Garden Club Sept 2016

Hodnet & District Garden ClubNow that people are mostly back from their holidays, members of the Garden Club can look forward to another season of meetings at the Lyon Hall, Hodnet.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 20th September at 7:30pm.
Our speaker this month is Mr Harry Delaney, who taught for many years at Reaseheath. He will talk about how we can create interest and colour in our garden through the autumn and winter, under the title Extending the Season.
Visitors are most welcome. Refreshments are served after the talk, and this year all meetings are free of charge.
 

Frank Paddock – Local Artist?

Paddock Painting FullThe webteam have been asked if they can help find out any information about a painting of Church Street, Hodnet signed by Frank Paddock. The date on the painting is ’84 and the scene looks more like 1884 than 1984. The painting (pictured right) shows St. Luke’s Church steps, the property which is presently Mulberry Bush Studios, The Hundred House and The Bear Inn.
Fran Holt, who was bequeathed the picture by her Auntie Annie, shares the story behind it:

I am very fond of this painting of, I believe, Church Street in Hodnet. I look at it each day and wonder about the people in it. Why is that man pointing his walking stick at the pony and trap? Who is the man in the top hat who is driving it? Where is he going? What are the flower sellers talking about? And who is or was Frank Paddock?
My lovely Auntie Annie looked after me when I was a baby, 65 years ago, as my mother was too ill to do so. They were sisters and Auntie had no children of her own so I spent my first few years with her and Uncle Arthur in Market Drayton. We remained close throughout my childhood and I remember them both very fondly. Exactly thirty years ago, Auntie, who was by then a widow, wrote me a letter. She then put it with her Will so I did not receive it until after her funeral. I have it here now:

Fran Holt with her painting by Frank Paddock“Dearest Frances, I feel that my time on earth is approaching its end. You have always been very very special to me and very kind and thoughtful ever since you were a tiny little girl. I have noticed how fond you are of my Hodnet painting: you gaze at it with such a lovely smile each time you come to see me. I very much fell in love with it myself when I first saw it 2 years ago and decided I must buy it. I don’t mind admitting that it was a fair old price but I have never regretted the extravagance. Well, when I have finished with it, I want you to have it. All my love: Auntie Annie”

I wonder whether there is anyone in Hodnet who can throw some light on the picture or the artist?

The painting is an oil on canvas and measures approximately 24×18 inches. The artist’s signature is enlarged below. Paddock was not necessarily from the Hodnet, though he may have been Shropshire based. (This author has found two references to paintings by him on the internet – one of English Bridge in Shrewsbury and a water colour of Llandudno.) However, if anyone can provide more information about him, or Fran’s painting, please email David and Fran.
Paddock Painting SignatureUpdate Sept. 2017:
We have received a message from Jane Taylor who lived at RAF Shawbury in the early 1980s. She says that  she commissioned Frank Paddock in 1982 to paint an old family farmhouse in Scotland from a photo. She still has the painting and on the back there is a telephone number and an address in Market Drayton, which we have passed on to Fran and David.
If anyone else has remembers Frank Paddock from that period, please get in touch.

Multiple Roadworks Planned for A53 & A41

Shropshire Council LogoResidents driving into Market Drayton will have spotted signs giving advance notice of roadworks on the A53 at Tern Hill roundabout and further away. They start in early September and are planned to last for 14 weeks.
Details of current and planned roadworks can be found on the Shropshire section of roadworks.org. Information about the works can be accessed by clicking on the icons on the map. Several icons provide information relevant to the next 3 months on the A53 between Tern Hill and Adderley Road roundabouts. The main work is the resurfacing of the carriageway between these two locations. However, also included is the construction of new roundabout by Barratt Homes/David Wilson Homes to the north-east of Rush Lane. Work on the A53 is scheduled to take place between 5 September and 9 December.
Between 18 October and 29 November, the resurfacing work will be extended to cover Tern Hill roundabout and the other three approaches to it. Resurfacing on the Hodnet side of the A53 will be between Lostford Junction and the roundabout. Northwards on the A41 the work is described as going as far as Bletchley, whilst to the south the section to be resurfaced extends to Sweet Appletree Crossroads.
The roads will not be closed during the work but traffic will be controlled by a mixture of two-way and multi-way signals.
It is not difficult to imagine that this autumn travel will be difficult between Hodnet and Drayton. Hopefully, being forewarned will help us all to be prepared.
Please let the webteam know if you have any further information so we can share it with other local residents.

Police appeal for witnesses after break in

Neighbourhood WatchToday (16/8/16) West Mercia Police have appealed for information about a brake in which occurred last Sunday, 14 August.
The Neighbourhood Watch Update describes the property as being in Wellington Road, Hodnet – presumably somewhere on the A442. The offence took place between 3.30pm-9.30pm. A quantity of cash and jewellery, and a small jewellery box were stolen.
Anyone with information should contact the West Mercia Force Control Roomphone by dailing non-emergency police telephone number 101. Please quote the OIS incident reference 0814s 140816.

Have you seen this Turaco?

Missing Livingstone's TuracoLindsey Williams has contacted the web team with this message:
Lost in Hodnet a Livingstone’s Turaco.
His aviary companion is missing him.
The bird has turned in feet and is unsteady on them.
If anyone spots him please ring Wendy Williams on 01630 684086 or message Lindsey on Facebook.

Antiques Valuation Day – September 2016

From 10.00am – 4.00 pm, Thursday 8 September, at The Bear, Hodnet.
Free valuations of collectables, jewellery, ceramics and other antiques.
Hansons and The Bear both support the Midlands Air Ambulance Service and donations can be made on the day.
Items can be accepted into forthcoming Hansons Auctions.
For more information please telephone 01630-685214 or email

Have Your Say on 2 important issues

Shropshire Council LogoShropshire Council have in the last few days announced two community consultations on topics which may be of interest to local residents.
Recently, we published a post which highlighted that not everyone in the Hodnet is able to  benefit from the faster broadband roll-out. Last week the Council launched a consultation requesting comments in relation to basic and NGA broadband infrastructure within the Shropshire Council area and wishes to hear from all relevant stakeholders (including residents and businesses as well as broadband infrastructure operators).
Click here to visit the broadband consultation web page. Closes 5 September 2016.
For those who enjoy walking another recent consultation is seeking residents views about a proposed designation of a ‘Shropshire Way Main Route’ and the line it should take. Development of the route since it was first introduced has made it more of a web of paths than a single route. There are 4 different routes proposed and respondents are asked to look at each and decide which they prefer. Comments can be submitted via the consultation.
Click here to visit the Shropshire Way consultation web page. Closes 18 September 2016.
Both on-line questionnaires are short and once you have considered the documentation and thought about your response, will only take a short time to complete.

A41 Reopened!

Site of the demolished house at ShakefordShropshire Council announced here this afternoon(7/8/16), that the A41 between Tern Hill and Newport would be reopened at 2pm.
On Friday it was thought that it would not be possible to open it until Monday, but good work by the contractors enabled it the closure to be terminated ahead of schedule. The picture on the right shows the cleared site.
Councillor Simon Jones Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said;

I would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to ensure that the work carried out have been as done as effectively and efficiently as possible – they should be commended for their work.