November 2014
Santa Claus is coming to town for Shipston's Victorian Evening
Father Christmas was so impressed with the turnout of well-behaved boys and girls last year that he’s booked a bigger and better grotto for this year’s Victorian Evening. At the special request of the man in red, Peter Clarke has agreed to hand over the keys to its office to allow Shipston Rotary – and Santa’s elves – to prepare for a busy night.
But it’s not just Father Christmas who will be on hand to entertain children and their families on 5th December.
For the first time, there will be a carousel offering rides for youngsters, while Taste of the Country will be offering free gingerbread character icing in their shop throughout the event. Street entertainment will include The Shout Choir, Stilt Walkers, Shipston Town Band and a Ukulele Band, while those wishing for a festive makeover can head to the Face Painter stall for a new look.
Shops and Businesses in the town will be participating in the ‘Christmas Best Dressed Window’ competition, while children from Shipston Primary School will sing carols to get everyone in the festive mood.
Shipston Rotarian, Chris Cockell, said: “The Rotary Victorian Evening has become an integral part of the Shipston-on-Stour calendar and we’re determined to ensure everyone who attends has a great time. Our stalls were booked in record time this year and we’ve had some great support from local businesses so we’re confident this year’s Victorian Evening will be the best yet.
“Shipston’s Victorian evening is designed to be fun for all the family, good for local shops and businesses and an important part of the fund raising plans of many local charities and good causes. We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible on the night.”
The event takes place from 6pm to 8pm.
Sun shines on Shipston's Remembrance Parade
Despite torrential rain the day before, the sun shone for the parade on Remembrance Sunday in the High Street. As the church bells tolled, Shipston Town Band led the parade of the Shipston Branch of The Royal British Legion members, Mayor Philip Vial and the Civic Party, High School prefects, Young Fire Fighters, the Scout Group and St John’s Ambulance.
Thirteen wreaths were laid at the War Memorial upon the parade’s arrival at church, including one laid by descendant family members of Archie Nichols whose name is on the memorial and was killed in action on 9 May 1915.
The congregation of just over 400 filled St Edmund’s for the Service of Remembrance, led by Rector Andrew Coleby. The names of the fallen were read out by High School students as reported on page 5. After the Exhortation to the Fallen, Two Minutes Silence was observed at 11am, followed by Last Post and Reveille being sounded by John Smith.
The service proceeded with the Legion and Youth Group Standards being laid on the altar concluding with singing of the National Anthem after the Standards had been retrieved ready for the march back to the High Street. The parade saluted the War Memorial as it marched past to honour the memory of Shipston’s fallen.
On Armistice Day, 11th November, at 11am, a sizeable crowd gathered in the High Street to observe Two Minutes Silence. The High Street came to a silent halt for the occasion.
Richard Adams, Chairman of the Royal British Legion, Shipston Branch, said: “On behalf of The Royal British Legion, custodians of perpetuating Remembrance, I would like to thank the many who joined or observed these events. It is right that while not forgetting all who made the Supreme Sacrifice we especially remember the Shipston men who died so bravely. We are proud of them and they must never be forgotten.”
Shipston gears up for Christmas with help from Small Business Saturday
People in Shipston are being urged to support Small Business Saturday by shopping locally on Saturday 6th December – and making full use of the town’s retailers ahead of Christmas.
Small Business Saturday, held on one of the busiest shopping days in the year, aims to celebrate small businesses and to encourage communities to support them. Purchases made from a local business are worth far more locally. Typically, £1 spent with a small business generates £1.76 to the local economy.
Shipston’s local retailers are planning a host of special offers, events and new services to encourage more people to shop in the town:
•Karl and Sharon Peacock are hoping to provide the answer to ‘what to buy for the man who has everything’ with their new store, M21, at 2 the High Street. Having run The Bakery successfully for nine years, the dynamic duo are expanding into a new market, offering gifts, cards and specialist toiletries for men.
•The Cotswold Tailor has launched a new Formal Dress Hire service in time for Christmas
•Kids ‘N’ Things on Church Street is giving Father Christmas a helping hand by ensuring there are plenty of toys, games and children’s clothes to fill those Christmas sacks.
•Taste of the Country is continuing its Twelve Tastes of Christmas campaign, with daily tastings of artisan cheeses and Christmas treats.
•Richard Harvey will have their traditional ‘live shop window’ display on Friday 5th December in celebration of the Victorian evening, and will be marking Small Business Saturday with warm spiced cider and Mum’s homemade mince pies customers.
This is just a taster of what Shipston has to offer. With independent florists, gift shops and clothing stores, hardware, electrical and furniture shops, and many pubs and cafes, Shipston has your main Christmas needs covered.
Town Mayor, Philip Vial, said: “We are extremely fortunate to have such an impressive range of independent shops in Shipston and I hope local residents will support them, not just on small business Saturday, but every day, so that we continue to have a vibrant town centre for years to come.”
Warwickshire County Council is working with Shipston Town Council, the Federation of Small Businesses and the district council to promote Small Business Saturday. For more information about Shipston’s local businesses, visit www.facebook.com/totallylocallyshipston.
Shipston Sports Club Bonfire and Fireworks Night
Shipston Victorian Evening
SHIPSTON ROTARY VICTORIAN EVENING
The Rotary Victorian Evening has become an integral part of the Shipston-on-Stour calendar. Fun for all the family, good for local shops and businesses and an important part of the fund raising plans of many local charities and good causes.
There will be the usual market stalls and many others. Street entertainment including The Shout Choir, Stilt Walkers, Shipston Town Band, Carousel, Ukulele Band, Face Painter and don’t forget children FATHER CHRISTMAS WILL BE IN HIS GROTTO. Shops and Businesses in the Town will be participating in the ‘Christmas Best Dressed Window’ competition and much more.
SHIPSTON ROTARY VICTORIAN EVENING SHIPSTON TOWN CENTRE FRIDAY 5THDECEMBER 2014 6PM – 8PM
Ellen Badger Hospital Open Day
You’re invited to an open day at Ellen Badger Hospital
On Saturday 15November members of the public are invited to an open day at Ellen Badger Hospital.
The open day is an opportunity for members of the local community to find out more about the services available at Ellen Badger Hospital. It will be a chance to speak to staff and ask any questions you may have.
Ellen Badger Hospital is a community hospital with an 18 bedded ward. It offers rehabilitation to patients enabling them to return to the community setting. It provides patients with on site physiotherapy, occupational therapy, x-ray, outpatient clinics as well as offering a 24-hour minor injuries unit.
The open day will run from 10.30am until 12.30pm, with refreshments provided. The full address for the hospital is: Stratford Road, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, CV36 4AX.
Sallie Green, Matron for Community Hospitals said: “I am really looking forward to the open day. It will be a great opportunity for staff to meet members of the local community and talk to them about the services we offer at Ellen Badger.”