Whitchurch Town Council

01/11/2026

IT'S NOVEMBER - AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!!

There's just one week to go to choose YOUR for 2026 - and, don't forget, this year we're also asking you to choose your YOUNG Citizen of the Year too!! Voting closes on Sunday 8th November - visit our website www.whitchurchtowncouncil.gov.uk for more details ...

And, as we're now in November, we think it's ok to give you further details of this year's Christmas Lights Switch-on, taking place on Saturday 21st November and featuring the Citizen of the Year winners - who will switch on the Christmas Lights with the Mayor of Whitchurch, Cllr Rose Hall.

There'll be performances on our outdoor High Street stage throughout the day, including Identity school of dance, Green Man Morris, St Alkmund's Choir, Whitchurch Band, Sir John Talbot's Choir & Ultraviolet Harmony, Whitchurch Singers and the fantastic Emily Stephenson - with the afternoon leading up to the BIG Switch-on compared by Andy Hall - AND an appearance from the "Big Man" himself! Phew!!

You can also get involved by taking part in Christmas Lantern Workshops taking place in the Market Hall (St Mary's Street) on Saturday 7th and 14th November ... and, of course, on Switch-on Day itself ahead of the big Whitchurch lantern parade!!

It's the last year for our current Christmas Lights displays too, as we're looking to brighten up the town with a brand new festive scheme in 2027 ... it is being planned as we speak!

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO HELP OTHERS
This year, we're also asking for donations of new, unwrapped presents for a children aged 5-12 years at our “Elf Drop” at the on Station Road during November and December. All presents will be distributed by Whitchurch Foodbank over the Christmas Period! Our Reception Hub is open 9am-3pm every weekday ...

There's plenty of other exciting events lined up in the run up to Christmas, throughout the town centre ... we'll update you on each as they happen!

Thanks, as always, to those individuals and organisations who help to make our town so festive this time of year - including our event partners JDL Events and Blackberry Fair ...

01/11/2026

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY - 8TH NOVEMBER 2026

On Sunday 8th November we remember the fallen, both from Whitchurch and around the country ... we also give thanks to those, military or civilian, who continue to serve in our defence or have given their lives in conflicts around the world.

Our commemorations, in conjunction with Royal British Legion, Whitchurch Branch start at 10.45am with the placing of wreaths at the War Memorial, on Station Road (*).

The event will include the traditional 2 Minute's Silence at 11am, at the War Memorial, followed by the parade to St Alkmund's. The parade will progress down Green End and continue along High Street and will be led by the Mayor of Whitchurch, Cllr Rose Hall, other local dignitaries and guests.

The Service of Remembrance starts at 11.30am.

You are more than welcome to join us at the War Memorial, on the parade route, at the Church service or other activity ... including a simple ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves in Whitchurch Cemetery after the church service and dismissal of the parade on High Street.

Please note that Town Centre road closures will be in place for the duration of the event, and we thank you in advance for considering this when planning your day. We also thank members of The Rotary Club for their usual help in ensuring the parade route is kept safe for everyone involved ...

RBL WHITCHURCH - FUNDRAISING EVENTS:
Royal British Legion also hold a number of fundraising events at this time of year, including the annual . As a registered charity, they rely on your generosity to help those who need it most - please do you best to support them ...

They will also be hosting a Fundraising Coffee Morning during the Market on Friday 6th November ...

(*) Participants in the War Memorial activity are kindly asked to gather from 10.30am for a prompt start.

31/10/2026

This afternoon, the Mayor of Whitchurch, Cllr Rose Hall and Cllr Adele Jackson, Deputy Mayor (and Chair of our Parks & Public Realm Committee) , joined members of Whitchurch Walkers and their friends at the culmination of this year's 50th Anniversary celebrations ...

To mark the Anniversary, the group have commissioned a new bench, installed by the Sandstone Trail Arch at Jubilee Park, where they have also revamped the Sandstone Trail Information Panel and erected a new directional fingerpost.

A great improvement to mark a very important milestone for our Walkers are Welcome Town ... congratulations to all!

29/10/2026

Traffic Management and Parking Charges Consultation ...

Shropshire Council is inviting residents, businesses and visitors to comment on traffic management and parking charges proposals it says is designed to "manage demand, support access to town centres and contribute to improvements across the county’s transport network".

Whilst proposed changes do not directly affect Whitchurch, you can read the background and participate in the consultation here: https://getinvolved.shropshire.gov.uk/consultations/traffic-management-and-parking-charges-consultation-survey/

Your views may also contribute to how future proposals are considered - so participation is encouraged.

The consultation is open until 26th November 2026.

29/10/2026

Hopefully the weather is going to be kinder to us for this week's Friday Market!!

Joining your favourite local traders on the High Street and Market Hall (St Mary's Street) this week:

🟠 The fantastic BizEd Digital Hub volunteers offering help to get (and keep) you online safely (10am-12pm)
🟠 A Shropshire Councillor Surgery (Andy Hall, Whitchurch North) for all your Shropshire Council queries, whatever Ward you live in (10.30-11.20am)

In the absence of a Fundraising Coffee Morning, our Facilities Team will be providing refreshments to collect donations for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity ...

If you haven't already voted, you can also take the chance to make your selection for Whitchurch and ... voting forms are available, and can be dropped off, in the Market Hall - and this year's vote closes on 8th November ...

And without the fear of ending up in Oz (!) you can also take in the town centre and its wonderful array of independent retailers!

Love Your Local Market - we'd love to see you there!

29/10/2026

NOTICE OF ELECTION

The Notice of Election for our Whitchurch (West) Councillor vacancy has been published and the registration period for candidates is now open (until 4pm on Friday 6th November).

Nomination papers may be obtained from the Returning Officer at The Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.

If contested the poll for Whitchurch (West) electors will take place on Thursday, 3rd December 2026 - you will receive official poll cards if this is the case, so it is also important to ensure your details are up-to-date and you are registered to vote.

More details here: https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/elections-and-electoral-registration/vacancies-and-by-elections/

28/10/2026

CITIZENS ADVICE - WHITCHURCH OUTREACH DROP-IN SERVICE

Please note that there is no Citizens Advice Shropshire Drop-in session this week ... they will return on Wednesday 4th November, 10am-1pm.

24/7 information is always available at www.citizensadvice.org.uk

25/10/2026

In Round 1 of our 2026/27 Small Community Grant Programme, we awarded funding to:

🔵 Whitchurch Alport Under 14’s
🔵 BizEd Projects CIC
🔵 CASPA (Crewe & Shrewsbury Passenger Association)
🔵 North Salop Wheelers
🔵 Read Easy Telford and Shropshire
🔵 Shropshire Bereavement Group
🔵 Whitchurch-Shropshire Hockey Club
🔵 Whitchurch Wasps Swimming Club
🔵 The Whitchurch Waterway Trust

The second funding round for 2026/27 is now open!!

COULD WE HELP YOU TO ACHIEVE YOUR AIMS?
If you are a Whitchurch-based charity or voluntary group looking for some additional funding to deliver benefit to our local community, you may be eligible to apply ...

Closing date - Friday 15th January 2027, with funding decisions, via Committee, in early February. Application Forms are available at www.whitchurchtowncouncil.gov.uk/downloads, where you will also find important guidance for our Small Community Grant Programme.

23/10/2026

23/10/2026

Yesterday, Whitchurch Town Councillors Jayne De-Wyrall, Dotty Gidge and Sue Sealy attended the Heart of England in Bloom Awards Ceremony.

We're delighted to tell you that, after an inspection this Summer, we were awarded a SILVER GILT award in the Town category and Whitchurch Cemetery received a separate SILVER GILT award in the Parks Category! Silver Gilt is an improvement on our first SILVER award in 2025 ... and just one step away from that elusive GOLD award, so we couldn't be happier!!

It's particularly pleasing that the efforts our Facilities Team and community volunteers, and their work in Jubilee Park, the Cemetery and other open spaces, has been recognised by the judges ... especially since it is the first time we have included Whitchurch Cemetery as a stand alone entry.

The awards rightly recognise community involvement, environmental responsibility and sustainability efforts throughout the town ... and they are awards everyone can be proud of!!

AND THAT'S NOT ALL ...
Huge congratulations also go to local voluntary and community groups who also received their own awards at the event - WE ARE WHITCHURCH, who received another "Level 5 Outstanding" Award in the "In your Neighbourhood" category, alongside Queensway Playing Fields ("In Your Neighbourhood" and The Black Bear ("Hospitality"), who submitted their first entries this year!!

Of course, massive thanks must also go to everyone who helped us prepare for the inspection earlier in the year - including The Rotary Club and Inner Wheel who do a spectacular job of maintaining some planters and beds within the town centre - their help before and during the inspection was really appreciated ... alongside everyone who contributed to our "Heart of Whitchurch" initiative ... including the 'gnomes'!!

We're "bloomin' proud" of everyone involved - Thank you!!

Next Year - we definitely GO FOR GOLD! 🏆