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18/06/2026

New Chapters Fostercare raises £1000 for Telford Crisis Support from sponsored walk.

The first in a series of fundraising events this year, the sponsored walk up The Wrekin took place on Sunday 19 April.

Established in 2013 and originally centred around a core foodbank service, TCS is an independent, volunteer-led, holistic support organisation, which secured charitable status in 2015. It supports local communities across the borough of Telford & Wrekin and the surrounding Shropshire border area. To tackle the growing issue of poverty it has needed to evolve and based on its experiences of operating a foodbank, feedback from users and collaborative working, an expanded TCS now offers a babybank, providing essentials such as moses baskets, baths and clothing for children up to five years old, a school uniform project and energy advice.

In 2025 TCS helped 17,650 people across all its projects, including the provision of food parcels for 15,793 adults and children, which equated to a total of 189,516 meals. It also received 285 requests to its baby bank, which is an increase of 11 per cent from 2024.

Erin Aston, senior operations manager at TCS said: “The £1000 will go towards purchasing our main priorities of food and toiletries. We have the support of the local community champions at Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, the latter being one of the few supermarkets allowing charities to claim loyalty points, which in this case is the Nectar scheme. Although some food is donated, it is never enough to keep up with demand and donations like this take the pressure off. We are extremely grateful to NCF and the people who raised the money.”

Martin George, director at NCF, said: “TCS is exactly the kind of community project we want to support, particularly as food prices continue to rise as part of the cost of living continues to affect low income households. We also have some ideas for more fundraising events, including a sponsored walk/run around Lake Vyrnwy.”

Picture (left to right): presenting the cheque for £1000 Martin George, NCF and Erin Aston, TCS.

03/06/2026

Severn Hospice chosen as designated charity for Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival 2026.

Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival (SICFest) has chosen Severn Hospice as its designated charity for this year’s event, set to take place in July.

Money donated will support the organisation’s mission to provide the highest standards of specialist palliative and specialist end-of-life care through a range of services, whether at its two hospice locations in Shropshire or at an individual’s home.

SICFest director Beth McGowan, said: “This is the second time we have chosen Severn Hospice. The at-home team supported our family and cared for my father so well in his final weeks and recently looked after a friend before her passing. It made sense once again to support such a fantastic organisation, which touches so many people’s lives in Shropshire. The SICFest donation will be based on ticket sales and there will also be an opportunity for audiences to make a personal contribution at all the festival performances.”

Professor Derek Willis, medical director at Severn Hospice, said: “We need to raise £2 for every £3 we spend, so support and donations from our local community are paramount to our caring services. Raising money through having a laugh at the brilliant comedy festival is to me, a perfect combination. Many thanks to SICFest for choosing us once again. Roll on July, for some fun!

SICFest takes place from 08 to 12 July at various venues throughout Shrewsbury including The Hive, The Loft at The Old Post Office, The Morris Hall and Theatre Severn.

Tickets for the SICFest gala show on 12 July are £39.60 (including booking fee) and available through the Theatre Severn box office 01743 281281 or online here: https://www.theatresevern.co.uk/whats-on/shrewsbury-international-comedy-festival-gala/

Picture (left to right): Nicky Green, senior community fundraiser, Severn Hospice, Beth McGowan, director SICFest and Derek Willis, medical director, Severn Hospice.

12/05/2026

Acclaimed Canadian folk band The Fugitives return to Shrewsbury as part of forthcoming UK tour.

Canadian indie-folk music band The Fugitives return to the UK this summer with a concert at Albert’s Shed, Shrewsbury on Sunday 28 June as part of a two-week tour.

Based in Vancouver, they bring brilliant musicianship, top-notch songwriting, complex vocal harmonies and a funny, uplifting vibe to their live performances. Described as ‘the missing link between Leonard Cohen and The Pogues’, they’ve received numerous nominations from the Canadian Folk Music Awards, as well as seven JUNOs – the Canadian version of a GRAMMY.

Since their last visit in 2024, when the band played to a sell-out crowd at St Mary’s Church on General Election night, they have recorded a new self-titled album, which will be on sale at their concerts.

The Fugitives founder and co-songwriter Brendan McLeod believes the new album was their most accidental, and probably their most reluctant to write. He said: “We really tried hard not to write it, especially when we realised so many of the songs were about travel. We were like, ‘Oh no. The last thing the world needs is more folk songs about dingy hotel rooms and gas station sandwiches.’”

So, they made a list of things they weren’t allowed to write about such as missing family, smelly tour vans, being too tired to sleep, and the tour van’s windscreen as a metaphor for freedom. “It was oddly useful,” says co-songwriter Adrian Glynn. “Because everything on that list happens quite a bit. It’s what your mind goes to first. The songs ended up being about what’s on the other side of all that and not just about space, music, and friendship, but what those ideas contain.”

When we started, if someone had told us our jobs would entail creating content for an algorithm, we'd have just picked something else. We suck at TikTok. We’re just friends who work hard at singing harmonies and writing songs. We know there are a lot of ecosystems where that can still resonate, and this album is kind of doubling down on that.”

Commenting on the forthcoming tour, he continued: "Last time we were in the UK, we really focussed on how good it was going to be to have a decent pint of beer, since that is one thing they do far better than Canada. However, ale aside, we also love British audiences and in particular the Shrewsbury crowd who, despite it being an election night, came out and supported our concert, making it a sell-out event. So, we can’t wait to see them again June!”

Tickets for The Fugitives concert at Albert’s Shed, Shrewsbury on Sunday 28 June are £18 (+ booking fee) from

Canadian indie-folk music band The Fugitives make a long-awaited return to the UK this summer with a concert at Albert's Shed as part of a two-week UK tour to support their new self-titled album. The Vancouver-based band were formed in 2005 and have released seven albums. They’ve been nominated fo...

22/04/2026

Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival announces Lou Sanders as final act for this summer’s gala show.

Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival (SICFest) has announced the final act for its flagship gala show at Theatre Severn this summer.

The highlight of SICFest will take place at Theatre Severn on the evening of Sunday 12 July and the Live At The Apollo format currently includes Morgan Rees, Frankie Monroe, Ignacio Lopez, Esther Manito and MC Scott Bennett.

Lou Sanders performs regularly both in the UK and around the world. In 2018, her show Shame Pig was the joint winner of the Comedians' Choice Award for Best Show at the Edinburgh Fringe, returning to the festival in 2019 with her show Say Hello to Your New Step Mummy and was also declared the winner of the eighth series of Taskmaster in 2019

She has appeared on television shows including QI, Would I Lie To You?, Travel Man, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Hypothetical, The Russell Howard Hour, Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier, Alan Davies: As Yet Unlimited, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Red Nose Day For Comic Relief and Russell Howard’s Good News. She is also a regular guest on BBC Radio 4’s The Unbelievable Truth and has appeared on Live At The Apollo.

Her acting includes the sitcoms This Way Up and Sick Of It and she has written for 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Mock The Week, among others. She also wrote and starred in the short film Elderflower. In August 2023, she released her autobiography What's That Lady Doing? In 2024, Sanders appeared as a contestant on Dancing On Ice.

Comedians performing at the other festival venues in Shrewsbury such as The Hive, The Loft at The Old Post Office and The Morris Hall include: Hasan Al-Habib, Giant leap Improv, Eric Rushton, Lindsey Santoro, Stuart Goldsmith, Chris O’Neill and his A Comedy Tapas and A Political Brunch shows, Clinton Baptiste and Nina Gilligan (Theatre Severn main auditorium), Spencer Jones, Tez Ilyaz, Paul Hilleard, Wendy Wason, Dave Chawner and Alexander Bennett as well as up-close-and-personal performances by Esther Manito and Ignacio Lopez.

Commenting on the final booking and the now complete SICFest line up, director Beth McGowan said: “Securing Lou Sanders is an absolute coup for the festival. She is a highly talented, wildly funny comedian and perfectly complements the gala show line-up. There will be a diverse mix of performers throughout the four days, some of whom are relatively new to comedy fans and some well-established names who will raise the roof once again this year. In addition, we will also be offering comedy at two new venues - The Morris Hall and The Hive.”

Tickets for the SICFest gala show on 12 July are £39.60 (including booking fee) and available through the Theatre Severn box office 01743 281281 or online here: https://www.theatresevern.co.uk/whats-on/shrewsbury-international-comedy-festival-gala/

Picture: Lou Sanders.

07/04/2026

SRD Accountancy Services: Shrewsbury professional moves from part- to full-time as accountancy practice expands.

A Shropshire professional who previously provided her accountancy services on a part-time basis, has made the move to full time self-employment with the aim of expanding her business.

Shrewsbury based Susan Davies established SRD Accountancy Services in 2017, the same year she gained her ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Practising Certificate, having qualified with an ACCA in 2000.

Since 2017 she has worked in a highly regarded local accountancy firm while also maintaining a small client base of her own. Whether its bookkeeping, year-end accounts, VAT or more recently advising on the new Making Tax Digital (MTD) legislation, Susan hopes that her knowledge in these disciplines and experience gained working with a variety of businesses from sole traders to SMEs, covering a range of sectors from hospitality to farming, has stood her in good stead for the decision to go full time.

Current client Heather Venables at PawFit Animal Physiotherapy Limited in Whitchurch, said: “Susan has been incredibly helpful and supportive, particularly while helping me transition my business from a sole trader to a limited company. Without her guidance I would have really struggled. She takes the time to explain everything clearly and makes sure I fully understand my accounts and how my business is functioning financially. Her advice has been invaluable, and she is always approachable, professional, and happy to answer any questions. It’s such a reassurance to have an accountant who is not only knowledgeable but genuinely invested in helping your business succeed.”

Susan Davies said: “I have helped many people setting up first time in business, so now I need to take on board some of my own advice. I have developed some strong relationships with my current clients and that’s how I mean to go on. Within the next 12 months, my aim is to become the go to accountancy partner for small business owners and company directors who want clear, practical support.

“My new customers should expect a very personal service, that takes the stress out of compliance and challenging areas such as MTD and payroll, which is often underestimated. An accountant isn’t just there to prepare the annual profit and loss sheet but to offer advice and support all year round. In the short term, however, I’m looking to organise some seminars about MTD to help local businesses navigate the unavoidable!”

For more information about SRD Accountancy Services, visit: www.srdaccountancyservices.co.uk

Picture: Susan Davies, SRD Accountancy Services.