Two charities are £500 better off thanks to the fundraising efforts of Shipston's outgoing Mayor, Fay Ivens.

At her final Town Council meeting as Mayor, Fay was delighted to award two cheques of £500 each to Shipston Youth Club and Shipston First Responders. The funds were raised through a series of stalls, raffles and events led by the mayor.

Fay Ivens said "it gives me great pleasure to award this money to two such important local charities. I would like to thank everyone who has helped organise and support our fundraising efforts over the last twelve months."

A new medical model has been introduced in Shipston on Stour in partnership with local GPs. This has involved increasing the resource in the community to provide more care in the patient’s own home and by reducing the number of beds at Ellen Badger Hospital from 24 to 18 as in-patient demand decreases. There are many benefits for patients receiving care at home which includes: 

Shipston on Stour is a lovely little market town on the edge of the Cotswolds, with roots in the sheep and wool industries.  Indeed, the name ‘Shipston’ derives from the old ‘sheep wash town’, as it was here, in the river Stour, that farmers from the surrounding hills would drive their sheep to be washed for shearing.

In times gone by a Sheep and Wool Fair’ was held every year, but the tradition died out early last century until 2009, when it was revived by the late Mayor elect Angela Noyce.  It was so successful that a group of volunteers aimed to stage the Wool Fair every year, and indeed it is going ahead for it’s fifth consecutive time, this year on Bank Holiday Monday 27th May.

Its purpose is to put people in touch with their heritage in a ‘fun’ and quirky way, fostering inter-generational contact and local enterprise.  The highlight of the fair, as always, is the real life exhibition of sheep including many rare breeds and ‘celebrity’ sheep.  Brought to the fair with long coats, they will leave after being shorn in front of a captive audience, led by shearer Alan Scorer.  This is no mean feat as traditional shearing methods will be demonstrated alongside the more modern electrical cutters.  And of course there will be a heated competition to guess the time taken to shear a sheep!  Amongst the rare breeds will be Portland Sheep from nearby Armscote Manor.  For the first time, this year their fleeces have been spun and a range of double knit Portland Wool and Portland with a dash of Black Welsh Mountain sheep can now be purchased locally.

A ‘Wool Process’ marquee will be showing the evolution of the product from fleece through spinning, weaving, knitting and felting.  The Stratford upon Avon Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers will be on hand with their support and craft demonstrations showing the many applications of wool, and there will be knitting tuition for all ages!  Large screen entertainment will be a new addition this year, showing marvellous sheep dog demonstrations, filmed especially for the Wool fair. 

This year’s event will also offer attendees a chance to see the progress of the Shipston Tapestry, which was last year’s event highlight.  Designed by Ros Lobb of the Stratford Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, the tapestry which will measure almost 5ft in length, has been steadily evolving, under the watchful eye of one of the Guild’s founder members Ann Howells.  The tapestry, which is being woven on a traditional wooden loom, depicts the wonderful landscape which surrounds Shipston, including the famous river Stour where sheep were once brought to be washed, some of Shipston’s prominent buildings from its iconic Georgian Architecture to its much used churches and schools.  The wooden loom was commissioned by Shipston Wool Fair and has been getting good use outside of the event too, most recently at Compton Verney where it was used as part of a larger exhibition and helped with tutorials in the age old art of weaving.  

The Shipston Wool Fair will be celebrating all that Shipston has to offer and is a great chance for visitors and residents alike to have a look around the vibrant independent retailers that Shipston is proud to boast.  From eateries, delicatessens, to ladies fashion boutiques, florists and furniture stores, Shipston has it all.

There will be an abundance of games for children of all ages in the High Street, all manned by volunteers from Shipston Young Farmers.  The day’s entertainment will be showcasing all that the local community has to offer through a musical and dancing line up that is sure to satiate all tastes.   And whilst you’re listening, why not peruse the variety of stalls that will be present in the square which will be selling local crafts, all things woolly, and much more besides.  Hook Norton brewery will be running a promotion as well as bringing along their heavy horses and dray!

The Shipston Wool Fair is a great day out for all the family, with lots to see, do and discover, held in the pretty historic market town of Shipston-on-Stour.  So, join us at 10am on Bank Holiday Monday 27^th May, for the opening ceremony led by Claire Bowry of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and Hook Norton Brewery.  It’s sure to be a fantastic day!

For more information, visit www.shipstonwoolfair.org

Photo’s supplied courtesy of Philip Vial

Transition Shipston is inviting everyone to join in a “Local Lunch” at the Townsend Hall. The "Local Lunch" will showcase some of the great locally produced and available food that is out there, to share skills and recipes, and of course to enjoy a sociable and delicious lunch out.

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to sample some local produce get involved in some 'mini-making workshops', contribute to our 'Recipe Sharing Wall' for the chance to win a prize, eat some of the wares they have help create, or simply relax and have a bite to eat! Bread, pizzas and soups will be made on the day, using locally produced ingredients as much as possible.

Entry to the event is free and food will be available to buy at £1 per portion in the ‘all-ages-friendly’ eatery.

Don’t forget to bring along your favourite recipe to add to the recipe wall - there will be a prize for the best entry and everyone is encourage to photograph the recipes to then use at home.

For more details, about this hand-on, family-friendly event, visit the Transition Shipston website or call Erry Lilley on 01608 638422

Shipston Sports Club's cricket section are aiming to complete a gruelling mountaineering challenge in July to raise funds for their club and for local charity Shipston Home Nursing.

Five intrepid cricketers must climb Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike all within a 24 hour period to complete their challenge successfully.

They will be hoping for public donations to raise funds and are also selling commemorative wristbands from various outlets around Shipston-on-Stour.

Please give generously to this worthy cause - click here to donate, buy a wristband or dig deep when the climbers come calling with their sponsorship forms!

Shipston Town Councillors are to conduct a thorough assessment of the roads in Shipston after repeated complaints about potholes and blocked drains.

The town has been split into ten segments, with most councillors taking on at least one section. Armed with maps, the councillors will be recording any hazardous potholes that present a danger to road users or which could damage cars or bicycles. The results will be collated by the Town Clerk and fed back to Warwickshire County Council’s Highways Department for urgent action.

Mayor, Fay Ivens, said "although we accept that the recent weather conditions have damaged the road surfaces, the number and severity of potholes and blocked drains around Shipston has got out of hand. Despite repeated efforts to get these problems fixed, progress has been slow. We hope that this thorough assessment will encourage the county council to take the necessary action."Although the audit will focus on potholes, blocked drains and other highways issues will be recorded where possible.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to continue reporting potholes via the county council website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/potholes or by calling 01926 412515.