Shropshire

Shropshire Council is undertaking a review of the electoral arrangements in the parishes of Bridgnorth, Tasley and Worfield.

The Community Governance Review began on 19 July [2019] with the publication of the terms of reference for the review.

Comments and proposals are invited and must be submitted to Shropshire Council by 6 September [2019].

The review follows a request from Bridgnorth Town Council to consider including in its area those parts of Tasley and Worfield which adjoin its boundary.

Following the consultation period, Shropshire Council will propose its own draft recommendations and undertake a further public consultation before making its final recommendations for implementation.

If Shropshire Council agrees to change the boundaries, properties in Tasley and Worfield will be included in the area covered by Bridgnorth Town Council.

The Terms of Reference of the review and draft maps are available to view on the Shropshire Council website – click here.

Copies can also be requested by e-mailing democracy@shropshire.gov.uk, by telephone on 01743 257713 or by writing to Committee Services, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND.

What is a Community Governance Review?

A Community Governance Review is a review of the whole or part of the district to consider one or more of the following:

• Creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes;
• The naming of parishes and the style of new parishes;
• The electoral arrangements for parishes (the ordinary year of election;
  council size; the number of councillors to be elected to the council, and
  parish warding), and;
• Grouping parishes under a common parish council or de-grouping
  parishes.

The post Have your say on proposals to expand Bridgnorth Town Council into Tasley and Worfield appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

The break-in left the vehicle off the road with crews unable to respond to emergency calls.

Local businesses can now invest in affordable, convenient onsite health checks for their staff with minimum disruption to their workplace; improving staff health and well-being. 

Shropshire Council is now offering workplace staff health screening through its new Preventive Health service.  The offering is part of an ambitious mission to create a culture of health and well-being for business owners and their staffs, with prevention central to tackling health concerns in the county.

Preventive Health launch

Dr Kevin Lewis, of Shropshire Council’s Preventive Health, said:-

“Fifteen million people in England live with at least one long term condition, and much of this is preventable. That’s astonishing. There are significant health issues in the county that need addressing and employers can be part of the solution. That is why we have designed Preventive Health to be an affordable, non-disruptive workplace health screening service, using highly-qualified health advisers and technology which encourages employers to hold workplace health screening events.”

 

Staff health and well-being has become one of the key challenges to modern organisations, particularly because of rising benefit costs and lack of staff engagement in benefit programmes.

With its comprehensive remodelling of workplace heath checks, Preventive Health will offer unprecedented convenience. The service has set a pricing policy which will make it the most competitive staff health check provider on the regional market. A charge of £50 per staff member, per health check, has been set.

Shropshire’s business owners, HR directors and office managers will be able to obtain a quote for company-wide health checks in seconds, just by visiting the Preventive Health website. For smaller companies without the necessary space for staff screening appointments, Preventive Health offers the option of a mobile clinic; a vehicle staffed by qualified health advisers and medical equipment. Marketing support – including email templates, posters and a co-branded staff portal – are provided to help organisations raise awareness of upcoming health checks. A self-booking system allows staff to choose and schedule their own appointments online.

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and climate change, said:-

“We know that staff are our most important asset, so it makes sense for managers to do all they can to detect illness and promote health and well-being.  I am really excited about the new Preventive Health service and how it will play a vital role in supporting workforces in Shropshire to remain well.   It is estimated that the combined cost of sickness absence and health-related lost productivity across the UK is estimated at over £100bn annually.  Not only will the new service help keep staff healthy and productive, but it arguably makes sound financial sense for businesses as well.”

 

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, added:-

“One of our key priorities is to improve the health and well-being of people living and working in Shropshire. We spend a large proportion of our time in work, so our jobs and our workplaces can have a big impact on our health and well-being. We all have a responsibility to invest in staff health and well-being, and Shropshire’s new Preventive Health service will help businesses achieve better outcomes from a workforce, and for people and communities.”

 

The council has determined an ethos of transparency and simplicity for the new service. Preventive Health will be contract-free and admin-free, with no recurrent fees or hidden costs.

A Preventive Health staff health screening appointment takes no more than 20 minutes, and includes blood glucose and cholesterol checks; height, weight and waist measurement; Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation; Heart Age, and a diabetes risk test. Staff get their results instantly and reports are totally confidential. Importantly, staff are able to discuss their results there and then.

Arriva, the public transport provider, helped test the service.

Jamie Crowsley from Arriva said;-

“The positivity and general buzz generated by the Preventive Health team’s work has been infectious. The impact has been very real. A member of our team found out that they were type 2 diabetic. Without the Preventive Health check this staff member would not be receiving the assistance required to manage and improve her well-being.”

 

To find further information about Preventive Health workplace health checks, visit www.preventivehealth.org.uk

Further information

• Preventive Health is a staff health screening service operated by Shropshire Council.
• Preventive Health is an integrated solution which simplifies the staff health check process for both public and commercial organisations.
• Preventive Health has worked with public and commercial organisations including Arriva, West Mercia Police, Warwickshire Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, and Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing.
• Shropshire Council ensures that the Preventive Health service is completely confidential and compliant with all relevant legislation.
• Preventive Health, Longbow House, Longbow Close, Shrewsbury SY13GZ
• Tel:  01743 454910
• Website: www.preventivehealth.org.uk

The post Shropshire Council launches innovative onsite health screening for businesses and their staff appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

The New Saints manager Scott Ruscoe praises his players for matching Copenhagen physically despite a 2-0 first-leg loss in their Champions League second qualifying round tie.

A charity urges dog owners to test pavements before taking their pooches for a walk in the heat.

A survey is to be carried out in Oswestry town centre this summer, to help identify and reduce the number of empty shops and other business premises in the town, and find alternative uses for them.

The fieldwork and survey will be carried out by the Future Oswestry Group – the partnership between Shropshire Council, Oswestry Town Council and Oswestry BID that’s working to help deliver activities and projects that will benefit the town, its residents and its businesses.

Oswestry BID will use the data collected to identify past and present trends for Oswestry town centre, which will be used to develop a plan to help town centre businesses reverse the national trend of town centre decline.

And Shropshire Council will use the data to benchmark Oswestry against other Shropshire towns.

This collective work will inform further discussions around potential options for the re-use of empty shops and premises in Oswestry.

Councillor Steve Charmley, deputy leader of Shropshire Council and Cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration, said:

“Unfortunately Oswestry’s bid for funding from round one of the government’s Future High Street Fund was unsuccessful as the process was very competitive. However, by actively working together as part of the Future Oswestry Group we’ll be able to progress and deliver a number of activities and projects which will benefit and boost the town. This survey is an important first step.”

Adele Nightingale, Oswestry BID manager said:

“Town centre businesses across the country are struggling to survive and Oswestry is not immune to this trend. The larger high street retailers are increasingly retreating from town centres and we need to develop a plan for Oswestry to fill the gaps they have left and restore a vibrant town centre in a sustainable form.”

Councillor John Price, Mayor of Oswestry, said:

“Whilst we were disappointed not to receive the Future High Street funding the application process itself has brought a momentum to tackling longstanding issues, such as empty premises in the town centre”

About the Future Oswestry Group

Made up of representatives from Shropshire Council, Oswestry Town Council and Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID) the Future Oswestry Group held its inception meeting on 2 May 2019.

The group will help to deliver each organisation’s activities and projects through working more closely together.

Key members of the group include: Councillor Steve Charmley and Councillor Robert Macey representing Shropshire Council; Councillor Chris Schofield and Councillor Sandy Best representing Oswestry Town Council; and Adele Nightingale and Ian Follington representing the Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID). Support is provided by officers from Oswestry Town Council and Shropshire Council.

The post Survey to help reduce number of Oswestry’s empty shops appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

Shropshire Council is conducting a review of polling districts and polling places in accordance with the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended by the Electoral Administration Act 2006).

The Returning Officer for Shropshire Council will make comments on existing arrangements and suggested amendments.

Polling station

In addition, representations are invited from other relevant sources such as the electors within the Ludlow, North Shropshire and Shrewsbury and Atcham Parliamentary constituencies, councillors, local political parties and organisations that have expertise in relation to access to premises for people with different forms of disability. People or bodies making representations about specific polling station venues should give alternative places that may be used as polling places.

This consultation period is due to conclude on 12 August 2019, and comments are invited before the deadline closes. Further information can be found on our website, please click here.

 

The post Review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations 2019 appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

News from our partners Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

Getting set for your summer holidays? Are you all packed and have you remembered to put all your healthcare essentials in your suitcase?

NHS Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is encouraging patients in the county to prepare for their holiday by ensuring that they take along important items to stay in good health this summer.

Make sure you are ‘Covered for Summer’ by taking along essentials such as plasters, sunscreen and paracetamol. They are just as important as packing away your favourite swimsuit and beach ball.

Whether you’re jetting off to warmer climes or spending the holidays at home, it is good practice to have:

• Sunscreen
• Antiseptic wipes
• Indigestion relief
• Allergy relief medicines (antihistamines)
• Oral rehydration salts
• Diarrhoea relief
• Plasters
• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen
• Bite and sting cream.

You won’t need to go far to buy any of the healthcare essentials as they can be bought from your local pharmacy or supermarket.

You don’t need to spend a lot to be ‘Covered for Summer’, you can save money by choosing non-branded items.

The CCG has also issued a ‘Top Tips to Good Health this Summer’ where advice can be found for treating minor ailments such as cuts and grazes, bangs to the head, insect bites and stings as well as sun safety and dehydration.

The ‘Top Tips to Good Health this Summer’ can be found here: https://www.shropshireccg.nhs.uk/news/have-you-packed-your-holiday-essentials

Julian Povey, Chair of Shropshire CCG, said:

“Just as you would have travel insurance or your EHIC card for a summer holiday, it’s important to pack all your healthcare essentials too – you never know when you will need them.

“All the items on our ‘Covered for Summer’ list are easy to buy from your community pharmacy or your local supermarket. No need for a trip to your GP.”

The post News from our partners: Have you packed your holiday essentials? appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

News from our partners Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH)

Comedian Simon Brodkin, best known for his famous character Lee Nelson, surprised youngsters at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford when he dropped in for a visit on Sunday 21 July 2019.

Simon made the visit on his way to compere the Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival, cheering up patients and their loved ones and bringing fun and laughter to the ward.

Comedian Simon Brodkin

Glenn Evans and Emma O’Callaghan were on the ward with their children Louie and Indie when Simon arrived.

Emma said:

“It was a big surprise. Simon came and told us about himself and asked us why we were here. It was very nice.

“It says a lot about him that he is down here using him time off to visit the hospital.”

Simon, who trained as a doctor before becoming a comedian, joked:

“They asked me to come along and say hello to a few of the families, so I thought I’d come in say hello, bring a few smiles to the ward and sign a few babies.

“I did a year as a junior doctor and I always had a huge respect for paediatrics – it’s hard enough looking after kids when they’re not ill.

“I’d like to thank the hospital for asking me along, it was very nice to do.”

The post News from our partners: Comedian visits children’s ward appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

Craig Fallon, 36, was found dead in woods about three miles away from his home in Telford.

An innovative new way of repairing Shropshire’s potholes more quickly, quietly and effectively is to be trialled on urban roads in Whitchurch and Market Drayton, starting on Monday 5 August [2019].

The work will be carried out overnight for five nights – helping to minimise disruption to residents, businesses and road users.

Its focus will be to repair a large number of potholes, and it’s anticipated that up to 50 could be repaired each night – the current rate is around 20 per week.

Under the new process, potholes are cleaned out, filled with a unique material called Texpatch, then covered with a neat, square patch. This will provide a longer-lasting, smoother, neater finish compared to traditional pothole repairs.

Treating a pothole using the new Texpatch material

Using this process for treating urban potholes will also free up crews to tackle potholes in rural areas.

Shropshire Council is carrying out the trial following a recommendation from their highways consultants WSP. The work will be carried out by Kier – Shropshire Council’s highways contractor – and L&R Roadlines.

The above pothole three months after being treated

Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“No-one likes potholes and we want to repair them as quickly and effectively as we can. The trial is expected to show a fall in the time it takes to repair a pothole, but also a fall in the cost of the repair – which is a real bonus.

“The work is also much quieter than traditional repairs. As it doesn’t require the use of mechanical tools – other than the air hose which will be used to clean out debris from the defect – it can be carried out at night. And night working allows more work to be carried out as there aren’t the same traffic restrictions.

“Likewise, the process is so quick it’s classed as mobile works and therefore traffic management won’t be needed for the vast majority of the repairs, reducing disruption and inconvenience to road users while work is carried out.”

If the first phase of the trial proves to be successful it will be extended to include minor defects not usually rectified under Shropshire Council’s highway safety inspection manual. This will help in preventing future potholes appearing as part of a proactive treatment.

And once phase two of the trial is completed, plans will be put in place to extend the new defect rectification process to the remaining urban areas in Shropshire.

The locations of the potholes set to be treated in Market Drayton can be seen here.

The locations of the potholes set to be treated  in Whitchurch can be seen here.

Further information

1) The traditional ‘cut out and fill’ method of repairing potholes doesn’t lend itself to night working due to the need for Stihl chain saws, jack hammers and Wacker plates.

2) For phase one of the trial all urban roads in Whitchurch and Market Drayton (south of the A53) with a 30mph or 40mph speed limit, were inspected and any potholes found on these roads will be treated.

3) Shropshire Council’s highways inspection manual sets out the council’s requirements for highway safety inspections – which are designed to identify all defects likely to create danger or serious inconvenience to network users or the wider community.

The post New way of repairing potholes to be trialled in Whitchurch and Market Drayton appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

News from our partners Healthwatch Shropshire

Death and dying can be a very difficult topic to talk about. Whether the person is in hospital or being supported to die at home, there is only one chance for the providers of care to get it right.

Healthwatch Shropshire is asking if people would be willing to share their experiences of End of Life Care in the county.  For example, did they feel that the care their loved one received was what they wanted and expected? Were they treated with dignity and did they feel listened to and their wishes respected?

Healthwatch Shropshire logo

It is really important that those providing the care are open and honest with both the patient and relatives. Being better informed can reduce stress and anxiety and help people understand what to expect. Healthwatch Shropshire would like to know whether the language used by those giving the care was appropriate and did it prepare people for what was to happen? Were other ways of communicating found if the person’s preferences couldn’t be expressed verbally, either because of dementia or brain injury, for example?

Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Shropshire, said:

“We are keen to build up a picture of how well End of Life Care is working across Shropshire and whether people feel that they received the right support for them.

“We want to find out whether care for the dying is equitable across the county and if there is a joined up approach between different services to End of Life Care including out of hours services. People can let Healthwatch Shropshire know about their experiences by phone 01743 237884, by email enquiries@healthwatchshropshire.co.uk or online www.healthwatchshropshire.co.uk. The more comments received the more influence Healthwatch Shropshire has to improve services for local people.”

 

Healthwatch Shropshire is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in Shropshire. It gathers the views and experiences of patients, service users, carers, and the general public about services including hospitals, GPs, mental health services, community health services, pharmacists, opticians, residential care and children’s services.  It also has statutory powers that it can use to influence service provision by encouraging improvements.

Further information 

Healthwatch Shropshire is one of a network of 148 Local Healthwatch in England.  It is supported by a national organisation, Healthwatch England.

It has a team working in community engagement, plus a volunteer programme, a visit programme to health and social care premises and an associate membership scheme to involve the public in its work.  It also has a signposting service to help people access health and social care services and support.

Healthwatch Shropshire also provides the Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service (IHCAS) for Shropshire. The IHCAS service provides information, advice and, if necessary, can support people through the NHS complaints process.

 

The post News from our partners: End of Life care – share your experiences? appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

News from our partners Cornwall Council

• Post-Brexit renewal initiative involves 12 councils, ranging from coastal councils such as Cornwall and Cumbria to inland councils such as Shropshire. The initiative sets out to combat systemic bias in allocating lion’s share of public funding and investment decisions in favour of ‘policy corridor’.
• Government measures of value should take more account of natural capital – our inherent natural resources to power, connect, feed and support the nation.
• Some six million people or 11% of population live in Britain’s Leading Edge areas – which make up 44% of England’s landmass, generate 37% of renewable energy and produce 8% of GVA. 

To unlock the potential of Britain’s Leading Edge, the next Government must redress a systemic bias against rural areas without major cities. A fairer allocation of funding will enable rural areas and coastal areas to make a full contribution to the attainment of Industrial Strategy goals for the environment as well as for the economy and for society, linked in with local efforts for supporting clean growth.

This call from a Coalition of Local Authorities and MPs representing areas covering six million people and nearly half (44%) of England’s landmass comes ahead of the Parliamentary launch of Britain’s Leading Edge, a special interest group formed to argue the case for equality of consideration in social and economic support in all areas of the country.

In a report issued to mark the launch, the group argues that although the area represented by its members contribute the same GVA – 8% – to the national economy as England’s core cities, a ‘policy corridor’ skews opportunities by concentrating investment and public sector relocation around a metropolitan-focused geography.

The analysis also highlights ‘cold spots’ for household income growth for many of the six million people living in peripheral rural areas without a major city.

The twelve founding members of Britain’s Leading Edge comprise: Cornwall Council; Cumbria County Council; Dorset Council; Durham County Council; East Riding of Yorkshire Council; Herefordshire Council; Council of the Isles of Scilly; Isle of Wight Council; Lincolnshire County Council; North Yorkshire County Council; Rutland County Council; Shropshire Council.

Speaking ahead of the launch in Parliament, Sarah Newton MP (Truro and Falmouth) said:

“Failing to invest in Britain’s Leading Edge areas means missed opportunities to build resilient local economies and communities.

“At a time of deep economic uncertainty, the next Government should be focused on harnessing the strengths of all areas, unleashing their potential – not just those with major cities. As we develop local industrial strategies, no one and nowhere should be left behind.”

Cllr Adam Paynter, Deputy Leader, Cornwall Council, said:

“Now more than ever, Britain’s Leading Edge needs to be a strong voice for the rural areas we represent as the next Government finalises its plans for a Shared Prosperity Fund and on the commitments made by Government towards rural communities and businesses.

“For too long the ‘policy corridor’ has excluded broad swathes of the country from fair access to opportunity. Britain’s Leading Edge will work to give areas that provide vital – but often neglected regional resilience – to the wider nation, fuller access to opportunities to thrive from industrial and devolution policy and public service reform.”

Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr Carl Les, said:

“Rural regions have the potential to be economic powerhouses in their own right.

“The twelve rural and peripheral authorities represented by Britain’s Leading Edge quite literally help keep the lights on and feed our nation through their rich natural resources and through innovation in food and renewable technology. Our cities should prosper – but not at the expense of those who power our rural economy.”

Clive Wright, Shropshire Council’s chief executive, said:

“Britain’s Leading Edge regions already work together in a number of ways, whether that is on mobility opportunities like electric vehicles, or improvements to roads and to mobile phone signal coverage for local communities and businesses and for visitors to our beautiful landscapes.

“Our natural assets are potentially wealth generating: recognition of this, and effective support from Government on things like agritech skills and environmental innovations in housebuilding, would help to go a long way in meeting the challenges we face together as a nation. Our older people should have the same access to health and social care as those in cities, and our young people should have the same life chances.”

Press enquiries:

Name:  Helen Mason, Head of Communications, Cornwall Council
Telephone  01872 323464 helen.2.mason@cornwall.gov.uk

Britain’s Leading Edge is a special interest group representing 12 mainly rural and coastal councils:

• Cornwall Council
• Cumbria County Council
• Dorset Council
• Durham County Council
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council
• Herefordshire Council
• Council of the Isles of Scilly
• Isle of Wight Council
• Lincolnshire County Council
• North Yorkshire County Council
• Rutland County Council
• Shropshire Council

 

The post News from our partners: Time to sharpen national economy on Britain’s Leading Edge, MPs and council chiefs urge appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

Shropshire Council has been working with local councillors, town councils and parish councils to shape the places in which people live, as part of its plans to refresh and reinvigorate its 18 countywide Place Plans.

Originally created back in 2011/12 as part of the Local Plan process, the Place Plans identify the infrastructure and investment needs within each community, including things such as roads, transport facilities, flood defences, schools and educational facilities, medical facilities, sporting and recreational facilities and open spaces. They are aimed at ensuring that Shropshire Council and its partners understand the local priorities within each community, and that resources can therefore be targeted appropriately.

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for communities, place planning and regulatory services, said:

“A great deal has changed since the Place Plans were first created; therefore, it was really important for us to revisit them to make sure that they accurately reflect our communities needs and wants, whilst taking into consideration the increasing need for homes.

“Health provision is also obviously a key part of the Place Plans and we’re keen to build further links between the health and well-being agenda and place planning moving forward.”

Between March 2019 and May 2019, the council held 20 Place Plan meetings across the county to gather views and collect information from local councillors and representatives from town councils and parish councils, as well as feeding in information from infrastructure providers such as utility companies and health providers.

Gwilym added:

“These meetings were extremely informative and useful and we’ve had some great feedback.

“We know that every place is different, with different needs, and it’s important that we understand this if we are to get things right. To help us to do this we’ve recently created a Place Plan officer team – a dedicated team of six officers who have been an invaluable element of the place planning process so far.

“The team is now busy incorporating the feedback into the revised plans, which will be ready later this summer.”

Once published, the Place Plans will be considered ‘live’ documents which communities can update to reflect changing infrastructure needs. These updates can be made by working with the relevant Place Plan officer, who will be able to co-ordinate any necessary conversations with other council teams, and with relevant external partners.

Place Plans is just one of many items being discussed as part of Gwilym Butler’s portfolio holder report for communities, place planning and regulatory services at Full Council this week (Thursday 25 July 2019).

Further information

Place Plans

The Place Plans are based around the 18 main market towns/key centres of Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Whitchurch, Wem, Ellesmere, Market Drayton, Minsterley/Pontesbury, Ludlow, Bishop’s Castle, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer, Craven Arms, Bridgnorth, Albrighton, Broseley, Highley, Much Wenlock and Shifnal, and their wider hinterland.

The post Working with communities to shape places appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

The the first ever excavation of Shrewsbury Castle is underway and the castle is open for you to visit.

The excavation will run until Friday 2 August 2019 and is part of a wider archaeological project at the castle funded by the Castle Studies Trust, which also included a geophysical survey.

The geophysical survey has already told us there is a large stone structure, possibly with a tower, lying only 16cm below the surface of the lawn outside and parallel to the Great Hall. The trench for the excavation will run directly over this and we hope the excavation will tell us more about this structure.

Shrewsbury Castle will be open throughout the dig (closed 1 August) for you to visit and witness history being discovered before your eyes as we rewrite history.

The dig team will be running free guided tours of Shrewsbury Castle on 27 and 28 July to help you learn of what we already know about the castle’s history.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said:

“This excavation and wider project is of huge value and importance as we look to rewrite the history of Shrewsbury Castle and the town.

“The results of the geophysical survey have already given us crucial insight into the archaeology of the Castle grounds which prove invaluable to the future management of this Grade I listed building.

“The excavation is certainly going to be a rarity and we are lucky to have secured the funding from the Castle Studies Trust, the leadership of Dr Nigel Baker and support from partners like University Centre Shrewsbury. I would strongly encourage you to visit the Castle during this exciting time and witness history being discovered.”

Professor Tim Jenkins, Head of Arts & Humanities at University Centre Shrewsbury, said:

“The excavation at Shrewsbury Castle is a rare opportunity for students to experience working alongside professional archaeologists in a unique setting. We are delighted to be contributing to such a civic project.”

The excavation is a partnership project between Shropshire Council, University Centre Shrewsbury, Shropshire Archives, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery and the Castle Studies Trust.

The project has been led by local independent archaeologist, Dr Nigel Baker.

For more information about the excavation and the wider project, click here.

Shrewsbury Castle is owned and maintained by Shropshire Council.

Castle Studies Trust

The Castle Studies Trust, founded in 2012, is a registered charity (Reg No: 1148165). The Trust awards individual grants of up to £10,000 to promote the understanding of castles in the UK and abroad. So far it has awarded £100,000 of grants to further the understanding of castles. It is funded entirely by donations from the general public.

To learn more about these and previous projects the trust has funded people can visit the Trust’s website: www.castlestudiestrust.org.

Shrewsbury Castle

Shrewsbury Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) and is one of the oldest SAMs in the country. It is also a Grade 1 listed building and was first listed by Historic England in 1953.

The Castle is one of the best-preserved, Conquest-period earthwork castles in England, but is also one of the least well-know. No excavation work has taken place within its current perimeter. It is unusually well preserved because it escaped rebuilding.

The post History set to be uncovered at Shrewsbury Castle excavation appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

News from our partners Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH)

The Trust that runs Shropshire’s two acute hospitals is introducing yellow name badges for its staff to improve patient experience and address barriers and inequalities for patients with visual and cognitive impairments.

The new standard name badge for all staff consists of bold black text on a yellow background and incorporates the #hellomynameis logo to remind healthcare staff of the importance of introductions in a healthcare setting.

Having a coloured background to text increases contrast, which can support patients with both cognitive and vision impairment when reading information. Yellow has been chosen as it helps people with a cognitive impairment to process information quicker making it easier to read. Yellow can also stimulate people’s minds as it activates the left side of the brain, awakening greater confidence and optimism.

The badges have already been introduced for members of the Dementia Team and the Executive Team at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, and will now be rolled out across Ophthalmology, for all new starters, and when badges need replacing.

SaTH name badges

Ruth Smith, Lead for Patient Experience at SaTH said:

“Small changes can make a difference. Through introducing eye-catching badges and making a mindful effort to introduce ourselves the first time that we meet someone, we are taking steps to improve patient experience and promote an inclusive environment.’’

SaTH name badges

Karen Breese, Dementia Clinical Specialist at SaTH, said:

“I am delighted we could move this forward. Hospitals can be confusing places and so as a Trust we need to do everything we can to improve our services.”

The Trust’s new names badges have been launched to coincide with #hellomynameis day on 23 July, which aims to aid patient-centred, compassionate care. Introduced by the late Dr Kate Granger with her husband Chris, the #hellomynameis campaign reinforces the belief that introductions make an instant connection and build trust between those who are unwell and vulnerable, and those who wish to help.

The post News from our partners: Trust introduces new name badges to help patients appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

The following planning applications will be considered by Shropshire Council’s South planning committee at its meeting at Shirehall, Shrewsbury on Tuesday 30 July 2019 at 2pm.

The meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. To see the full agenda and reports, click here.

Meadowtown Farm, Meadowtown, Shrewsbury, SY5 0DZ (18/03093/FUL) Conversion of two agricultural buildings into four holiday letting units, change of use of further agricultural building into stables, formation of manege, alterations to existing vehicular access and formation of parking areas.

Proposed dwelling to the north of Stiperstones, Snailbeach (18/04662/FUL) Erection of dwelling and detached garage.

5 Cape Street, Broseley, TF12 5NQ (18/05657/FUL) Application under Section 73A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the erection of a front extension (amended description).

Proposed dwellings east of Doddington (18/05739/FUL) Erection of 2no. dwellings; formation of access and installation of package treatment plant and temporary siting of caravan.

Royal Oak, Alveley, WV15 6LL (19/01487/FUL) Application under Section 73A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the erection of toilet block, shower block and change of use to glamping and touring caravan site.

Decisions will be made available after the meeting on our online planning register which you can search by using the appropriate reference number or keyword.

The post Applications going to South planning committee on 30 July 2019 appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

As temperatures rise, health experts across the county are advising people to stay safe and well during the hot weather this week.

Shropshire’s Council’s Stay Safe and Well this Summer webpages offers a host of advice for people young and old, to help keep cool and hydrated throughout the hot weather.

The website also provides advice and information on home and personal safety, and signposts people to other summer-related advice including:

• Summer health – NHS advice on how to stay well throughout the summer months
• Heatwave advice – advice to ensure the hot weather doesn’t harm you or anyone you know
• Insect bites and stings – tips and advice on what do if you’re stung or bitten by an insect
• Skin care – advice on being ‘sun smart’ and help reduce the risk of skin cancer
• Leisure safety – information and advice on water safety, camping and fireworks
• If and when temperatures increase, Public Health England will be tweeting weather updates and information, including referencing their UV measurements and our UV video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cblhrVTnZUUand blog https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2016/04/18/nine-things-you-need-to-know-about-uv-ultraviolet-radiation/.

The top ways for staying safe are to:

• look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions
• close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
• drink plenty of water as sugary, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks can make you more dehydrated
• never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
• try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm
• take care and follow local safety advice, if you are going into the water to cool down
• walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat, if you have to go out in the heat
• avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day
• wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes
• Make sure you take water with you if you are travelling.

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said:

“With temperatures warm and rising, we advise residents to look after each other in hot weather. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can both be very serious if they are not treated quickly, especially for the very young or very old, or for those with long-term illnesses.

“Our ‘Stay Safe and Sell this Summer’ webpages provide lots of information and advice to help you keep well whilst enjoying the lovely weather. I’d therefore encourage anyone seeking summer health advice to visit our pages at shropshire.gov.uk/stay-safe-and-well-this-summer/”

River safety

On a hot day, it might seem like a great idea to cool down in open water. However, it is strongly advised to stay out of the water as there are too many risks that you can’t see hidden below the surface. Here are some tips to stay safe:-

• Take notice of warning and guidance signs – water conditions are constantly changing
• Swim parallel with the shore, rather than away from it, and avoid drifting in currents
• Get out of the water as soon as you start to feel cold
• Alcohol and swimming should never be mixed
• If walking or running keep away from the water’s edge, and supervise youngsters at all times
• Don’t use airbeds at open locations where they may be carried into deeper water and may not stay afloat
• Don’t swim near weirs, locks, pipes and sluices
• Only enter water where there is adequate supervision and rescue cover
• Wear recommended safety equipment – for example life jackets/helmets for canoeing
• Don’t jump/dive into open water unless you are sure of the depth and that there are no submerged hazards
• Getting trained in first aid, rescue and resuscitation techniques could save a life
• Ensure children know how to swim and that they do not enter the water alone.

Hayfever

Hayfever is the most common seasonal allergy, affecting one in five of us at some point in our lives, and the symptoms can make life very difficult for sufferers. It can come and go at any time in life so for those that haven’t had it before it can take us by surprise.

A dandelion in hot weather

With pollen counts also high, Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, offers advice for hayfever sufferers:

“Although there is no cure for hayfever, there are many over-the-counter remedies available from your local pharmacy to help make life and the condition easier to manage during the summer months. Pharmacists are fully trained health professionals who can offer useful advice on treatments for hayfever, such as antihistamines.

“For those already taking regular medication, pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate treatments that won’t interfere with it. If you’ve tried over-the-counter medicines but are still struggling with troublesome symptoms it may be worth speaking to your GP, as you may need prescription medication.”

Advice on how to reduce the risk either for yourself or somebody you know can be found on NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk/summerhealth. You can also visit your local pharmacy or call NHS 111.

To find your nearest pharmacy in Shropshire visit http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Pharmacy/LocationSearch/10

For more information on staying safe and well this summer, visit Shropshire Council’s Stay Safe and Well this Summer at https://shropshire.gov.uk/stay-safe-and-well-this-summer/ 

Further information

Hayfever

Symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes as pollen causes the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become swollen, irritated and inflamed. As well as seeking advice from your local pharmacist to ease its symptoms, sufferers can take some basic precautions to help prevent hayfever, including applying a small amount of Vaseline (petroleum gel) below the nostrils to trap pollen grains, and wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in the eyes.

It’s also a good idea to take a shower and change your clothes after being outdoors, and try to stay indoors when the pollen count is particularly high (over 50 grains per cubic metre of air).

Hayfever relief

Antihistamines are commonly used for hayfever. They block the action of the chemical histamine, which the body releases when it thinks it is under attack from an allergen like pollen. Decongestants can also help to relieve a blocked nose which is often caused by hayfever, as well as dust allergies and pet allergies.

The post Advice in hot weather: Stay Safe and Well this summer appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

News from our partners Rain or Shine Theatre Company

Outdoor theatre comes to Shropshire Council’s Severn Valley Country Park in Alveley on Friday 9 August 2019.

Professional theatre company Rain or Shine, hailed by ‘The Stage’ as “one of the best companies touring open air theatre” are set to delight family audiences once again this summer with their 21st Anniversary production of Shakespeare’s ‘perfect pastoral comedy’… As You Like It.

Join one of The Bard’s most famous heroines, Rosalind, as she makes her way in a world full of power, jealousy and tyranny. In fear for her life and in search of true love, she flees her heritage with her cousin Celia and fool Touchstone.

As You Like It: the performers: left to right – Rosalind (Pippa Meekings), Celia (Emmeline Braefield), Touchstone (Anthony Young) and Corin (Joseph Burke)

Will disguising herself as a country lad lead her to a new life full of hope, laughter, and her banished father?

With songs galore, hand-to-hand wrestling, idiotic shepherds and the infamous melancholic Jaques, this comedy is sure to delight family audiences from 6 to 96.

As You Like It: Jaques (Rob Keeves) and Orlando (Richard Lessen) in a fight for food.

So, pack your picnic, rugs and chairs, pop open some beer or bubbly and sit back and relax in the summer sunshine, while we whisk you off to the Forest of Arden where anything can happen.

As You Like It: 3 Anthony Young and Helen Fullerton as Touchstone and Audrey

Rain or Shine aim is to bring classical theatre into the heart of local communities as they travel across the country during June, July and August.

The tour includes a performance at Severn Valley Country Park, Alveley on Friday 9 August 2019 at 7.30pm. (Gates at 6.30pm). The Kiosk will be open for refreshments. Adult £14, Concession £13 and Child £7. Tickets from 01746 781192 or via rainorshine.co.uk.

Audiences are requested to bring along low-backed seating or rugs, and a picnic to maximise their enjoyment of the al fresco performances. Full details of the tour and venues can be found on the Rain or Shine website and tickets can be purchased from each venue, through Ticketweb via www.rainorshine.co.uk, or by ringing 0330 660 0541.

 

The post News from our partners: ‘Al fresco’ theatre this summer at Severn Valley Country Park appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

Preview followed by live coverage of Tuesday's Champions League game between The New Saints and FC Copenhagen.