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01 October 2003

Clun Courier Editor, Paul Hodgson, has announced he will retire following the publication of the December issue.  He became editor in 1999, taking over a 10 page community newspaper.  Within a few months the size had grown to 20 pages.  The October 2003 has 38 pages of news, views, advertising and events  - an extraordinary success.  Currently no one has shown interest in taking over the editor's chair.  Anyone interested should contact Paul on 01588 640401 or email Paul Hodgson

Clun Bridge, our beautiful old pack horse bridge built in the 14th century, took a right thwacking in the middle of one night in the last week of July - culprit unknown.  One part of it was almost knocked into the river.  On 5 August 2003 it was closed to vehicles and the repairs are estimated to take about three weeks.  The bridge is under the protection of English Heritage and must be put back in the state it once was.  This means that every stone removed has to be numbered so that its position is known and it is put back in the right place.  This is going to cause considerable problems not only for us locals.

If you are coming to the castle side of Clun the route from Craven Arms is open.  If your destination is the church side of Clun then you need to come via Knighton.  Once in Clun, if you need to cross the river with vehicle, there is a route via Bicton - it is single file traffic and likely to be busy - you should ask one of the locals for directions.  Of course you can walk across the bridge.  For those drivers who want to avoid Clun altogether (a great pity!) there are diversion signs up.  Clicking on the photos will give you an enlarged picture.

Clun Bridge is now back to its old self; the river can now be crossed - until the next time!!

Mrs Violet Wells (nee Mold) died on 20th January and we send our condolences to Frank Wells and his family.  Until Frank and Violet retired two years ago they could be found at F Wells, Butchers, in The Square, Frank and his helper cutting and serving the meat, supplying a variety of sausages and other delights while Violet was behind the till keeping a very strict eye on Frank and ensuring he had remembered everything the customer had requested.  She will be sadly missed.

Affordable Housing Development  South Shropshire Housing Association have purchased the Clunside Garage site (Clunside moved to the business site just on the outskirts about a year ago) and propose to build 6 two-bedroomed affordable homes if they can obtaining funding, and if they can get permission from the District Council for  variation on the existing planning permission.  They are also planning a pair of semi-detached dwellings for rent at St George's Close.  This is welcome news.

The Old Surgery - a new venture in Clun.  Tim Wood has opened an Antique Shop and Art Gallery at the old surgery in the High Street that had been unoccupied for a number of years.  Matthew Green, our local MP performed the opening ceremony on 5th April and there were many well-wishers gathered to toast to Tim's future success.  The building certainly now looks very smart and a credit to the High Street.

The Clun Website has been up and running since September 1999.  It was the Webmaster's first effort at designing and building a website and I am sure it showed.  Of late it has become rather tatty and old hat.  We were very grateful to receive a grant under the Foot and Mouth Recovery Scheme.  This has enabled us to buy new software and other essentials.  We don't yet run to a webcam, beaming pictures of activity in the High Street. In fact you would be bored to death as Clun is very, very quiet in the Winter though the intrepid walkers still come to tramps the hills.

The new site will no doubt have its teething problems - no links where there should be links - despite continually testing.  If you do find a problem please let the  Webmaster  know.  It can then be corrected, especially any typographical errors.  Despite the spellchecker, errors will creep in and inputting to this new site, which is much expanded, has been a laborious process.  Helpful criticism is welcomed.  Download time should be much improved - most pages should download within 30 seconds.  However this does not take account of your modem speed or browser.

Finally we have tried to include every bit of information we think you want.  If there is anything you think we haven't covered please let the Webmaster know.