The Strettons Podcast

We have been back to see Matt Johnson at Hazler Farm to hear how lambing has gone this year and what’s next in the farming calendar. And there’s some Victorian farming going on at Acton Scott Heritage Farm where visitors dance around a May pole like something you’d see in a jigsaw of times gone by! Church Stretton accordion band provide the music and the shire horses provide the raw material, and and then carry it, for the other big event on the Victorian Farm - muck spreading.Timings Acton Scott Heritage Farm  00:48The cake walk at Eaton church 07:10Th end of lambing 14:48

Keith Morris is well-known in the area as the undertaker. He tells us about growing up in Church Stretton, memorable moments with a burning hearse and the brotherhood of undertakers.

This week we go up onto the Long Mynd to speak to Sioned Morris who's practicing for the stock judging competition at the local Young Farmers Club and then we join the Much Wenlock Fire Service as they carry out a practice drill in the centre of Church Stretton. Finally we are at Bowman Hill Farm in Plaish where the Butty Van is offering not just sausage and bacon baps and cups of tea but important social interaction with other farmers, health checks and chats. Timings YFC Stock Judging  01:00Fire Service drill 07:32The Butty Van 14:48Total Dur 26:20

Anna Turner, the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire talks about how she tries to get members of the royal family to come to the county. There’s also an offer of help to give your award nominations the best chance of success. There’s also a round up of what’s in the area in the next few weeks to get you out of the house.Timings Anna Turner 00:53Arts Trail 21:46What’s On 24:54

Malcolm shares memories of growing up in rural Shropshire, attending school in Smethcott and joining the army at sixteen. He and his brother both served in Northern Ireland, where his brother was shot. After returning to Church Stretton, Malcolm turned from farming to growing flowers. He speaks movingly about the lasting grief of losing his son and explains how he became famous for his spectacular hanging baskets at The Pound in Leebotwood.

We catch up with lambing at Hazler Farm and watch as two lambs arrive in the world. The hills are alive with the sound of walking poles and we chat to a couple of visitors enjoying the area in different ways. A local scout is raising money for the jamboree in Poland and we’ve been to the tourism information exchange and networking event in Church Stretton.Timings lambing  01:14Vox pop  09:56Tourism exchange 13:53Scouts 19:02

We’ve all sat on one of Mick Boulton’s coaches at some time, many of us in our school days. In this chat, he tells us how he loves driving the school bus, the joy he gets from meeting the guests staying at his hostel at Bridges and early life growing up in the fields and brooks around Cardington. Is it true he lived in a hut on the Long Mynd? Listen to find out.

We’ve been to our local livestock market at Bishops Castle to speak to some Church Stretton farmers and the auctioneer to see what trade’s like for store cattle. Then we catch up with some very excited cubs at the Scout Hut where they are preparing for their night hike on the Long Mynd. Ticklerton Village Hall has a full events calendar for the spring and summer. The Rotary Club has money to give away to good causes,Apply for a Rotary grant here https://tinyurl.com/csrcommunityfund1Moths - Sunday 22nd Edgton Village HallBooking essential, more info from kate@whapham.co.uk Tourism Leaflet Swapemail the library strettonnlibraryfriends.org.uk/ Timings Bishops Caste Market  Report 01:40Rotary grants 07:10Ticklerton village report 10:06Cubs night walk 16:07What’s On 23:23