Crossroads for Kinokulture

KINOKULTURE is at a crossroads - after being bowled over with a hefty ‘fifth more’ rent increase that it reckoned it could just about meet. But it came coupled with a body blow that, along with all outdoor repairs, from April it would be a step too far being also responsible for all indoor ones including rotten windows.

Our sole cinema settled into the upstairs of the defunct United Reform Chapel in narrow Arthur Street five years ago, while today’s URC congregation set up in Christ Church alongside, near Oswestry Castle.

Ian Garland and Ruth Carter ploughed thousands into their cinema venture which they reveal is making a modest profit.

Let’s pray Christianity can reign between these warring neighbours orthat a compromise can be found.

One way forward, is for Ingrid and Bob Knowles to absorb it as part of their bid to redevelop our old Regal cinema site, along with derelict next door B-Wise, as a community owned initiative! Surely there’s a corner in the huge space for KinoKulture to return cinema close to where it historically belongs!

Villages are growing

IF YOU live in Gobowen, St Martins, Trefonen, West Felton, Weston Rhyn, Kinnerley, Knockin, Ruyton XI Towns or Whittington - as well as Pant and Llanymynech which we’ve highlighted before - then you’re all subject to further housing development!

Even some hamlets or smaller villages - like Selattyn, Chirk Bank, Park Hall, Lower Frankton, Rhoswiel, Bryn Melyn, Hengoed, Babbinswood, Hindford, Porthywaen, Llynclys, Llanyblodwel, Maesbrook and Dovaston - are affected to a lesser degree.

Oswestry’s ‘Place Plan’ for north west Shropshire, was unveiled last November, highlighting the main villages as ‘community hubs’ and the hamlets as ‘clusters’.

If you’re listed, you can read this fascinating and packed document for yourself, by simply pumping ‘17.Oswestry Place Plan Area’ into Google.

Brewery plans on track

A NOVEL 210 feet long new railway halt at Weston - to serve the growing Stonehouse beer and spirit brewery, shop and bar - is being built following a generous £117,911 Rural Development grant. The once weak Gasworks Bridge, spanning the now single-track in Salop Road, has been strengthened with girders to enable it to happen.

Currently Cambrian Heritage Railway only has two short stretches of line, out of its stations in Oswestry and Llynclys, so would at last have a destination with a purpose, where thirsty Oswestrians could dump the car for ‘booze-up by train’! A new building next to the existing Weston goods shed, will boast toilet facilities and an atmospheric period waiting room, revealing the site’s historical significance.

Heritage rail Chairman Roger Date, confirms the group will add £29,477 to the welcome grant.

At last the volunteers can not only boast a true ‘destination’ - but one with a purpose where I hope they clearly display the last train time home to avoid a 25-minute trek home!