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Chris Howarth reports on the town councillors’ preview of the new medical facility on Stratford Road.

Before going into the facility, we donned our hi-viz jackets and helmets, as it is still a building site. Walking across into the building you can see the glass entrance hall where the main desk and lifts to the upper floors would be. Many of the internal walls and ventilation systems are in place and work is progressing at pace on the internal structure and facilities to ensure that the opening of May 2025 can be achieved.

On the ground floor, there is a wide-open corridor to the glass back of the building, with spaces on either side for use by the Stour Health and Wellbeing Partnership, offering many facilities that the organisation currently offers at the Warm Hub and elsewhere. At the back of the building is space for a café, which it is hoped could also be used for gatherings.

Once up the stairs to the first floor there is a large area of rooms for the clinics being provided by South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWUFT) cited as – audiology, antenatal, postnatal, ear nose and throat (ENT), health visiting, heart failure nurses, gynaecology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, Parkinson’s nurses, physiotherapy and urology. This list is being continually updated.

At the end of the corridor there is currently a large open space where it is hoped that the Medical Centre will be accommodated, pending a lease being signed. This area could accommodate larger patient rooms than those at the Medical Centre to enable the staff to provide extra facilities and the joined-up healthcare with SWUFT that we require and deserve.

All in all, it is a nice facility for the people of Shipston and the surrounding area. However, questions asked about beds were not answered due to the ongoing consultation process, along with the lack of diagnostics such as X-Ray. We were told it is NHS policy to provide diagnostic centres regionally to enable all tests to be done in one place, so all these types of procedures will be done at Stratford or Warwick.

We all look forward to further developments on the site over the next six months, and to this facility being used and appreciated by the people of Shipston and the Stour valley.

There was a strong turnout from Shipstonians, the motorcycling community and the media to see the installation of a commemorative plaque for twice-world champion Cecil Sandford in September.

Cecil was winner of two World Championships and two Isle of Man TT races between 1952 and 1957. The plaque was unveiled by Mayor John Dinnie next to Harry’s Barbers, the site of the garage where Cecil worked as a car salesman after retiring from racing at 30.

Cecil’s wife and sons were among the 50 people who gathered for the ceremony. Family and friends appreciated the efforts of Councillor Chris Howarth and the Town Council’s Heritage and Leisure working group to create this commemoration to Cecil.

 

Shipston Town Council is inviting grant applications for the 2025/26 financial year.

Grants are made to support a wide range of community initiatives across the town, delivered by voluntary groups and charities.  

The scheme is open to any voluntary group or charity based in Shipston, or those who actively work in the town.

Applications must be made for specific projects, for example, the purchase of equipment or to support a planned event.

Grants typically range from £250 - £2,000.

Larger sums may be awarded for certain causes. 

The closing date for applications is 31st October 2024

Application packs are available from:

New Clark House, West Street, Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire, CV36 4HD

enquiries@shipstontowncouncil.org

01608 662180

The second year of Shipston’s Food Festival was a resounding success. Run by the Stour Valley Lions, all profits from the event go towards local good causes. This year the event raised over £5,000, all of which will be donated to support the surrounding area.

Opened by Mayor John Dinnie and our Town Crier, Marion Lowe, trading was brisk from the time of opening with the town centre full of stalls selling quality food and drink for the thousands of visitors who attended across the day. The weather held fair and there was a real buzz about town with a local musician adding to the atmosphere. The goods on sale were so popular that several stalls sold out before the end of the day.

Visitors took part in games run by the Lions who also sold 3,000 tickets in the best raffle yet. The amazing prizes were kindly donated by local residents and businesses including Max Warner, The George Townhouse, Pinnock’s Distillery and Tesco. The lucky winners are off to enjoy a glider flight, a supercar experience and a family day at the Cotswold Wildlife Park.

“The Food Festival couldn’t have happened without help and the Lions would like to thank Shipston Town Council for their grant which helped us to get started on the planning process back in the depths of winter,” said Lions’ treasurer Sue Bains. “We want to offer special thanks to those who donated prizes, to all local businesses who opened up on the day and made the event even better and finally to the people of Shipston who flocked to the town centre to support the event!” Photographs of the event are available at (www.shipstonfoodfestival.org/gallery). Next year’s Food Festival will be on Sunday 14th September 2025 – a date for your diary!

Cornmill Meadows has been shortlisted as a ‘Best Green Business’ project in the Stratford Herald Business and Tourism Award.

Winners will be announced on 18 October at a black tie event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford.

The others in the category include the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and the Shakespeare Distillery.