News & Updates

Readers of previous editions of Rural Review will have seen reports of WACA activities before. The main aim of Wem Area Climate Action is to is to work with individuals and groups to develop local knowledge and awareness on practical steps to reduce our contribution...

After being closed for over 14 months, The Horse and Jockey pub at Northwood finally re-opened its doors in its new incarnation as a Community Pub just in time for Christmas.    Upon hearing the pub was to be put up for sale in October 2022, a community...

If you’ve been to Edstaston Village Hall you will have seen our lovely extension (completed in June 2022) with its accessible automatic entrance door leading to a lobby and through into the bright extension to the main hall. Bifold doors open out onto the new patio...

As promised in the Autumn Rural Review I donned my walking boots and warm clothes and have completed 4 of the walks around Wem that the Parish Paths Partnership have both repaired and documented. All of the walks I did start and finish at the Co-op car park and apart...

Wem Rural Parish Council is committed to supporting local community groups and each year it runs a Community Grants Scheme and is inviting voluntary organisations and community groups to apply. Application forms can be downloaded from the Wem Rural Parish Council...

Every year Parish Councillors and Volunteers meet up to pick up litter from areas within the parish. This year they will be meeting at The Lowe Noticeboard on Saturday 16th March at 10am. Bin bags and litter pickers will be provided. Please wear high-viz clothing if...

The Winter edition of the Parish Newsletter, Rural Review is ready and being delivered to households in the parish. The latest issue contains stories of the Chair's walks in the parish, the litter-picking event (The Great British Spring Clean), information about the...

Would you like to nominate someone for the 2025 BBC Radio Shropshire Make A Difference Awards? The deadline for nominations is Sunday 10 March 2024. It’s very simple and quick to fill in the form and say why you are nominating this person or group of people. All the...

Shropshire Council’s Affordable Warmth & Energy Efficiency team have seen an alarming rise in cold calling and canvassing by companies offering free energy efficiency improvements. If you or someone you know is in doubt about a letter or a call you or they have...

Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin NHS are working to improve cancer care services for the local population through the implementation of their Integrated Cancer Strategy 2022 - 2027. To help with this aim and to ensure that the patient voice is at the centre of...

NHS searching for volunteers to help ensure local people are involved in service changes Do you have the skills and qualities to support the local NHS to ensure it properly involves local people in service changes? Do you have an awareness and understanding of the...

The NHS and the Government have published a plan to recover NHS dentistry setting out a major new focus on prevention and good oral health in young children, and an expansion of dental workforce. Healthwatch Shropshire, the local health and social care champion has...

After being closed for over 14 months, The Horse and Jockey pub at Northwood finally re-opened its doors in its new incarnation as a Community Pub just in time for Christmas.    Upon hearing the pub was to be put up for sale in October 2022, a community...

Wem Rural Parish Council would like to invite you to attend the Annual Parish Meeting. This is your opportunity to meet other parishioners and local councillors and to raise questions, matters of current concern or future ambitions for the Parish. The theme for this...

Healthwatch Shropshire has analysed GP appointment data released by the NHS. The data was a snapshot of the appointments offered during August 2023 by all practices in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin (STW). It covers the number of appointments offered, waiting times...

With darker nights still upon us, we are sharing some simple ways to protect your home.   Popping out of the house? Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes! Double-lock any door Make sure that any valuables are...

It's been brought to our attention that the noticeboard in Barkers Green has been damaged and is now need of a replacement. Wem Rural Parish Council are currently considering whether this may be an opportunity to relocate the noticeboard or whether to keep it in it's...

The Council is committed to supporting local community groups and where possible, financially.  The Council invites applications on an annual basis with deadlines published in the Rural Review. It was agreed at the January Parish Meeting to open the 2024...

We had an extremely busy year at the cemetery in 2023.  Many thanks to Wem Rural District Council for kindly supporting us with a community grant, which helped us to make such amazing progress.  It is hugely encouraging to our hard-working team to be...

We have enjoyed an inspirational afternoon at the Horse & Jockey planning our International Woman's Day event on Friday 8th March in Wem.   We spent the time talking to solicitors, councillors, artists and business women about their experiences whilst...

  The UK is now in the grip of a cold plunge of Arctic air which has moved in from the north across the whole of the country. The northerly airflow is also bringing very cold conditions for all, with snow showers for some areas at times. A number of National...

The High Sheriff’s Outstanding Young Citizen Awards, which this year is being organised on behalf of The High Sheriff by Shrewsbury Colleges Group is now open for nomination. Now in its eighteenth year, the awards are a great way to showcase and celebrate the many...

Like councils up and down the country Shropshire Council faces a very tough financial position and needs your help in shaping some difficult decisions that lie ahead.  Nationally councils face a £4 billion shortfall over the next two years, while one in five councils...

"Rural crime has an impact that is more than just financial. It can make people feel isolated and unsafe, affecting the wellbeing of individuals and communities. As commissioner I want you to be safe and feel safe. We are fortunate that our communities across...

Wem Rural Parish Council, along with other partners, are hosting an International Women's Day on Friday 8th March 2024 at Wem Town Hall. This global event happens very year and is about raising awareness of gender equality. There is also a theme for every year and in...

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can...

Shropshire Suicide Prevention Action Group are asking organisations and partners to help promote the support available throughout the Christmas and New Year period, for those who are struggling to cope or know someone who is. The festive season can be a difficult time...

Whether you celebrate a big family Christmas, or you just give out a few cards to your friends and neighbours to wish them a happy time, here are some quick tips for a greener Christmas! Buying gifts can be a challenge at the best of times, but don’t panic! Making...

This winter, the NHS is encouraging people to get to the help they need by using NHS 111, and we want to remind you of the window stickers that are available to order. This is part of the partnership with the NHS to encourage people to use 111 online or call 111 when...

Here's some tips on how to protect your home this Christmas. In the unlikely event that you do experience a burglary then don't forget to report the crime to West Mercia police.      

During December, a month when people often celebrate festivities with their family, friends, loved ones, and community, we want to encourage our supporters and members to reach out to their neighbours and say hello. For some, December’s colder weather and longer...

Would you like to help keep your community safe, get some exercise, and meet new people? West Mercia Police aree looking for more volunteers to join the Street Watch scheme!   As a Street Watch volunteer, you will walk your local streets in groups and provide...

Together, we want to keep Shropshire a healthy and happy place to live. We want you and your loved ones to feel good and have everything you need to stay healthy. In Rural Wem and your community, we care about what you value and what makes you feel healthy and well....

The annual Crime and Community survey is now available. The survey is in its fourth year, and you can share  your views on crime, community, and your experience of Neighbourhood Watch. The survey is open to everyone across England and Wales, regardless of whether...

Neighbourhood Watch are inviting you to take part in our annual Crime and Community survey. The survey is in its fourth year, and we want to hear your views on crime, community, and your experience of Neighbourhood Watch. The survey is open to everyone across England...

STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.  CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.  PROTECT: Contact...

With the darker night’s drawing in we are sharing simple ways to protect your home. It is much easier for burglars to operate using the cover of night and they embrace the longer hours of darkness, but you can help yourself from being a victim of crime.   Head of...

According to NHS figures there are currently 30,000 people living with diabetes in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (STW) and the proportion of adults living with the condition is the 16th highest out of 42 areas in England. Furthermore, the rate of people receiving the...

Wem Rural Parish Council attended the recent Volunteers Fair at Wem Town Hall to talk to people about volunteering opportunities in the parish. Cllr Jan Hilditch helped out on the stall and talked to residents about signing up to Community Speedwatch in order to help...

Wem Rural Parish Council are putting together a Christmas edition of Rural Review and we would like to share any Christmas News you have may have. It could be any special offers you are running in your organisation, a Christmas menu, any Christmas events you are...

West Mercia Police often receive an increase in calls regarding fireworks around this time of year, not just on Bonfire Night itself and are reminding us of the following: It is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under 18 years of age. Maximum penalty of £5000 and/or...

Since 2010, The Woodland Trust has given away 13 million free trees to schools and communities across the UK. They want to make sure everybody has the chance to plant a tree, so they are still giving away hundreds of thousands of them every year. Together, they will...

The Autumn edition of Rural Review has now been printed and is being delivered to every household in the parish. This edition contains details on Wem Rural Parish Council's re-accreditation of Quality Gold Award, a little piece about parish history, the recent...

The AGM For NCRA is on Wednesday 27th September at 7pm. You can download the Agenda for the Agenda for NCRA's AGM here.

Newtown Community & Recreation Association (NCRA) is a registered charity and was formed in 1999. The charity purchased the land (outlined below) for the benefit of the Newtown area community and created a playing field, a community garden to celebrate the...

Congratulations to the Tilley Raven and friends for best decorated float at Wem Carnival earlier this month. Their float was called Old McClarkson Had a Farm and several local people including one of our Parish Councillors Denise Morgan were dressed up as animals....

Parish Councillor, Julia Goode from Wem Rural Parish Council has met up with Street Pastors in Shrewsbury to find out more about the work they do and how they help people in Wem. Watch the video to find out more.   [ngg src="galleries" ids="4"...

May and June 2023 saw the forth season of archaeological excavations at Soulton Hall, led by Dig Ventures.   This research compliments ongoing scholarship by James D. Wenn on the thousand year story of the manner of Soulton. Previous seasons have looked at...

At the time of writing, verges, waste ground and some fields are lit up by the bright yellow flowers of Ragwort - Senecio jacobea to give its biological name. There is no doubt that Ragwort is a serious enemy to farming and livestock. It is a native species of the...

Tilley is a charming hamlet situated just south of Wem. At its heart lies a small cluster of half-timbered houses, surrounded by open green fields and scattered historic farmsteads. What makes Tilley unique however, is the fact that this cluster of late mediaeval...

This year our fantastic ART exhibition will be held in October. Venue: St Peters & St Pauls Church Hall in Wem on Dates: 5th, 6th and 7th October 2023 Opening Times: 10am - 4pm As usual there will be a large selection of original art to enjoy, plus greeting cards...

Wem Climate Action are organising a Green Information Drop-In on Saturday 15th July so local people can find out more about biodiversity. Cllr Len Staines, who represents Wem Rural Parish Council at the Wem Climate Action Forum will be taking part in the morning. The...

Speeding on Rural roads with 60mph limit are the most lethal roads in Britain with 514 deaths in 2021 according to figures from the Department of Transport. So traffic passing through villages like Northwood where 60mph changes to 30mph needs monitoring and drivers...

In the coming months hot topics featured will include woodburning stoves, doors and windows, and air tightness for better energy efficiency. The first webinar is Healthy Homes, Healthy Householders, on Wednesday 28th June in the usual lunchtime slot 1 – 2.30pm. --...

As we are beginning to experience the start of what will (hopefully) be a glorious summer, North Shropshire Safer Neighborhood Team thought it would be beneficial to remind drivers and passengers travelling in vehicles of their responsibilities regarding seatbelt...