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Farewell to Lorne and Brenda, licensees of the Buffalo Hotel.  At the end of August Lorne and Brenda sold the Buffalo Hotel to new Ludlow based owners and are returning to Lorne's homeland - Canada.  We wish them well. The new owners have great plans for "The Buff" and these will gradually be undertaken over the next year or so.  Welcome to new managers, Jane and Mike Gerrard  Jane has served behind the bar for several years and Mike has helped out so they are well known in Clun.  The Buffalo is now open lunchtime and evenings on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Bar Meals are available and on Sundays a very reasonably priced Roast Lunch..

The harbingers of Spring have arrived - Snowdrops are blooming in abundance in the hedgerows.  The sun has at last put in an appearance and we all feel that Spring is on its way.  Although the river Clun burst its banks again on Monday 12 February little damage was done. 

The Village Revue, this year entitled "February Farrago", took place on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February in Clun Memorial Hall.  A great variety of talents was on show and a good time was had by all.

Winter arrived in Clun on Thursday 28 December 2001 with 6 inches of snow falling. Everyone has been out enjoying an experience we have not had for some years.  The younger ones have been out tobogganing in the castle grounds though the temperature is well below zero and night temperatures are around -15 degrees centigrade.

This photograph of Clun Bridge clad in snow was taken by Mike Tupling, a regular visitor to Clun.

Weather in General  The Met Office says it's been the wettest Autumn (2001) for generations, perhaps 200 years.,   We have our very own weather reporter, Bill Rowe,  in Clun (actually up at Woodside, but that's near enough).. Bill reports that this year's rainfall up to 17th December was 1,184 mm (about 47.5 inches), which is nearly an inch above last yera's total and 13 inches above the annual average for Woodside.  Yes there is mud, mud everywhere and, if you are thinking of visiting then bring your wellies.

This was Bridge Street on Monday 30 October 2001 at 10am.  The flood had receded slightly by then - you can see the mark in the road where it reached the highest point.  Flooding at Clun Bridge is a regular occurrence but this was the highest the river has been for many years.   The elderly couple in the house on the right - Jenny and George Watts - had to be rescued because George is unwell.  Cottages on the other side of the bridge were flooded too.  During the day the water gradually subsided and by Tuesday morning the river was almost back to its normal banks leaving a very soggy mess to clear up.

Floods again   Flooding occurred again on Monday 6 November 2001 with water again moving up Bridge Street.  Fortunately the river did not rise as high as the previous week and the river quickly subsided.  Cottages at the Coal Yard again had problems, mainly with sewerage, and the Fire Brigade had to attend.  We fervently hope that the weather changes and the rain ceases to fall at such a persistent rate.  The ground is sodden and can't take anymore.

Changes in January  Bruce and Christine Dodgson of the White Horse have decided to take a well-earned rest after more than 12 years running this friendly pub.  New licensees take over on 8 January 2001.  Mr Frank Wells of Chas E Wells & Son, Butchers, is retiring.  He and his wife will be remaining in Clun.  Good news is that we won't lose the butcher's shop - new owners take over at the beginning ofJanuary

One Man and His Dog - Christmas Special  The BBC filmed a Christmas Special of One Man and His Dog on 17 and 18 September 2001 on a farm at Whittcott Evan, one and a half miles west of Clun.  Programme producer Daniel Brittain said South Shropshire was an ideal location for filming.  "We will be shooting in wide screen and so the countryside will look spectacular".  The 70 minute programme will be screened sometime between Christmas and the New Year.  The Two Fat Ladies chef, Clarissa Dickson Wright, and countryman Robin Page will host the show.  We believe screening will be on BBC2 on 29 December so look out for the Christmas TV schedules [Dec 2000]

Clun Bowling Club featured in the 'Observer Sport Monthly No.3' (July) as a celebration of beautiful sporting locations.  The Crown Green is situated on the Bailey at Clun Castle.  "To visitors to the remains of Clun Castle, gazing down on the bowlers, the little green is a sporting jewel" said the Observer.   The Bowling Club has 40 members and visitors are welcome to call in for a friendly game.  [July 2000]

Clun - one of Britain's Prettiest Villages    Clun has recently been awarded a national Green Apple Heritage Award as one of Britain's prettiest villages.  These were presented as a Millennium milestone initiative in recognition of the way in which villages and communities have managed to preserve and protect the best of their past as they move into the new century.

The Packhorse Bridge at Clun, Shropshire

Commenting on one of Clun's gems from the past, the judges said, " Vehicles take a terrible toll on our heritage in many ways, but it is most heartening to see that the old Pack Horse Bridge has not suffered in the interests of motorists.  Clun benefits from a beautiful rural setting and the preservation and protection of the countryside is just as important as maintaining our architectural heritage. [August 2000]