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Nearly 400 years ago Royalist Civil War soldiers marched through our Shipston streets. On Saturday 5th August a troop from Lord Hopton’s Regiment of Foot re-enacted that event for another historic moment: the launch of the Shipston Museum. In the Town Square, the Town Crier’s bell rang to mark the official opening with the soldiers marching to the West Street Museum’s home in Old Clark House for the ceremony.

The crowds followed the soldiers to the front door where trustee Martin Russell thanked the Regiment and drummer Alice Free, while Trustee President Bekky Hillman introduced the Museum.

Dick Burge, who has long been associated with the Museum, performed the opening ceremony, reminding us of the Museum’s long journey, starting with the Shipston on Stour and District Local History Society. At one point it was in the old School Room and then Sheep Street before moving to the home of his fellow curator Mike Ashley. It was Mike’s dream to have a proper base for the growing collection. To him the finds and donations from local people were not just artefacts, but the story of Shipston and its surroundings.

Sadly Mike died before the dream could be fully realised, but it is still ‘in the family’ as daughters Rebecca Ashley and Justine Taylor are trustees. Dick recognised Mike’s immense contribution before cutting the ribbon and announcing that the Museum was now well and truly open!

Nearly 100 visitors accepted the invitation to see the displays which included the story of the region from when giant mammoths were wandering in the ice tundra through to Roman times, the medieval town market and the now defunct Shipston railway. Most found it difficult to choose their favourite items among the many fascinating articles. For one man it was the Quaker bench which he admired as a carpenter, for another the maps had always been of interest. And for one little girl it was the handling room, where she was able to pick up Roman tiles and medieval dishes.

The Museum will be open on Saturdays and Sundays 1-4pm until the autumn. There’s an opportunity not just to visit but also become more involved – either by supporting the Museum as a Friend or becoming a volunteer, either front-of-house to greet visitors, to help with administration, cataloguing or follow up research. To find out more please contact: shipstonmuseum@outlook.com

Hundreds of people from the town and the surrounding district marched through the streets of Shipston in protest against plans to rebuild the town’s community hospital without inpatient beds.

The BBC reported that ‘despite heavy rainfall, about 700 people turned out for the demonstration on 5th August, with many dressed as badgers in honour of the Ellen Badger hospital which served the community from 1896 until 2022.’

Well done to everyone who entered Shipston on Stour Rotary Club’s competition this year.  We hope you enjoyed looking after your sunflowers - watering
them, watching them grow, and managing to keep them upright during the strong winds we have experienced this summer!

 

Congratulations to the winner of the over 16 years class...

**Teresa Brookes**

Teresa's sunflower measured an impressive 7ft 7 inches.

Teresa received a Certificate and £10 Amazon voucher.

Well done!

 

Congratulations to the winner of the 11 years and over class...

**Henry Bramble**

Henry's sunflower measured an amazing 8ft 5.5 inches.

Henry received a Certificate and a £10 Amazon voucher.

Well done!

 

 

Congratulations to the winner of the 11 years and under class....

**Emmie Bramble**

Emmie's sunflower measured an incredible 10ft 4.5 inches.

Emmy received a Certificate and a £10 Amazon voucher.

Well done!

 

The runner up was...

**Millie Yates**

Millie's sunflower measured an amazing 9ft 9 inches (exactly the same height as her entry last year!)

Well done!

Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership is raising awareness of how drivers and their families can save money and be better drivers at the same time.

One of the easiest ways to save money is to slow down and not speed because more speed = more spent on fuel. Driving at an appropriate speed for the conditions within the speed limit could save you money. Driving at 70mph will use up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more fuel than driving at 50mph. Taking it up to 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph according to the AA.

Slowing down also brings benefits to the environment. National Highways research has found that slowing down just 10mph to 60mph from 70mph on our motorways reduces emissions, improves local air quality and has a positive impact on the environment.

More information available on facebook @WarwickshireRoadSafety

The highly anticipated refurbishment of the Shipston Town Museum is to be unveiled on 5th August.

The ribbon will be cut by local historian David Burge at the Old Clark House (West Street car park) and it will be Shipston’s first chance to see the revitalised museum, and learn about Shipston’s rich past and historical DNA.

Did you know that Shipston once had 29 pubs? Not all at the same time, of course. Most have disappeared over the years but our oldest, The Black Horse Inn, has been serving ale to locals for at least 500 years. Identifying these pubs has been the task of Martin Russell who has put together a location map and pictures as a special display at the Shipston Museum. And there will soon a lot more there to discover about the town’s buried past.