Oswestry21

Tomorrow, 5^th August, is St. Oswald’s day. It was the Venerable Bede who, 100 years after Oswald’s grisly death in 642 here in Maserfield, was responsible for recording his story and considering him saintly.  But what was this Northumbrian ruler and convert to Christianity actually like? What was here at the time and what would he make today of the town named after him?

(For more info on the man himself visit http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/adversaries/bios/oswald.html )

Don’t forget the now rejuvenated monthly Farmer’s Market is this Friday, 25th June, at the Bailey Head.

The star attraction will be a cooking demonstration from around 10 am by Oswestry’s inimitable Walls Restaurant. Exactly what they will show us is a bit of a mystery but its going to be delicious! There will be tit bits cooked on site to relish for free and to buy, plus home made jams and chutneys etc…

Yes, the weather really helps - but with so many great new stalls,  any market day at  Bailey Head really is the best place to shop. Inside the market and out, you’ll find the best of everything.

Market manager David Clough has announced that there will be up to 15 stalls at this Friday’s (30th April) Farmer’s Market in the Bailey Head in Oswestry. A perfect time to shop for fresh and regional goods for the Bank Holiday weekend ….

How has this renewal of the Farmer’s Market happened? New traders have been invited to Oswestry’s market and some popular traders are returning - and so long as we show up and enjoy their goods this will continue. Farmers markets are still the best place for top end local produce, the like of which you won’t find in any supermarket. See you there!

Here’s a reminder of how good it can be.

350 people made a presence that put paid to recent rumours of a “vociferous minority” of supermarket protesters. It was a strong turnout which met with no opposition views and represented concerned individuals of all ages from Oswestry and it’s surroundings. This was a definite message that many are tired and angry at having the future of what is a market town dictated by supermarket retailers and developers and by elected councillors that are so in thrall to them that they have little vision for the town as a community and economic entity in the changing times that are facing us.

The arguments and reasons have been discussed many times in these back pages, and if the process after a planning decision on the 18th March is to go to appeal, as expected, then these arguments will have to be refined and honed further. But for now, the fact remains that 350 people gave up their Saturday morning for their voices to be heard and their actions seen. Many thanks to all.

If you value the town and are dubious about the scale of supermarkets proposed, and the claimed need for one, come for an hour on Saturday.

Shoppers in Oswestry queued up on Saturday 20 February to sign letters opposing plans for any more superstores to be built in the town. Objection letters flowed in at a rate of more than one every minute, as townspeople said a resounding ‘NO’ to the proposed plans.

Most people are convinced that another big superstore will spell the end for the town centre. Dozens suggested that local planners should concentrate their efforts on improving the town centre by attracting complementary new businesses, such as shops selling clothing for adults and children, DVDs, and hiking gear, to retail premises that are currently empty. There is widespread support for a cinema, but many people want this to be a state of the art and well run digital cinema that isn’t subsidised by a supermarket for a limited number of years. And one sited in the town centre in or on existing vacant premises, such as the car showrooms in Lower Brook Street or Willow Street. This would contribute to the variety and vibrancy of the night time economy in town.

Most of the shoppers who signed the letter were from Oswestry and surrounding villages, but one-fifth were from Wrexham, Shrewsbury or further afield. Shoppers from Wrexham or Shrewsbury said that they regularly came to Oswestry because of the bustling town centre, local shops and Saturday market. Most voiced the opinion that both Wrexham and Shrewsbury town centres had been ruined by the arrival of superstores, and subsequent closure of independent shops.  This was also reported in the weeks before Christmas, when some independents said that 40% of their customers came from other neighbouring towns, saying that they had to come to Oswestry, because they couldn’t get the quality or choice of presents in their own supermarket dominated towns.

The campaign is being organised by ‘Keep Our Town Special’, a coalition working for sensitive, sustainable developments that will keep the heart in Oswestry, and help the town to flourish.