Last night I attended Shifnal Town Council’s Annual Town Meeting for Shifnal, at Shifnal Village Hall. The meeting was held by the Town’s Mayor, Paul Williams and featured contributions from community groups and West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion.
Mr. Campion talked about his role as PCC, recruitment of additional officers and detectives in Shropshire and about some of the issues faced by county lines criminals. Fortunately though, he did say that Shifnal has one of the lowest crime rates in the region.
Mr. Campion and Councillor Williamson then went on to talk about the return of police to Shifnal, at the Shifnal Community hub which will hopefully open as a police base in a month’s time. I initially contacted Mr. Campion in 2021, and pledged in my election literature have West Mercia police based back in Shifnal. This was continuing on from the good work of the previous Mayor of Shifnal, Robert Harrup.
Councillor Williamson has assiduously negotiated with West Mercia police, and the full town council recently approved the final agreement. This is a massive achievement for the Town, the council and the Mayor, Paul Williamson, as it is bucking the trend of local staion closures. https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/crime/2022/04/27/police-station-closures-make-people-feel-unsafe-on-their-own-streets/
The second speaker of the evening was Joe Lockley of Brightstar Boxing Academy. He described the origins of the club and the brilliant work he and his team are doing with young people from Shifnal and around the local area. During day time sessions in the week, the academy helps in excess of 400 young people deal with self-esteem and mental health issues. In the evening though Brightstars is open to all as a boxing club. To find out more, visit their website at https://www.brightstarboxing.co.uk/
We also had a speaker, Ann Hughes, representing the Millenium Sensory Garden https://www.shifnalmillenniumsensorygarden.com/about-us which has been a lovely space for residents to visit, particularly during lockdown.
Catherine Rogers, secretary and trustee of Shifnal Foodbank, located in St. Andrews church talked about the good work they are doing providing meals for those most in need in Shifnal. https://shifnalhelp.org.uk/
Please donate dried and non-perishable items for the foodbank at Bradford Street Co-Op, Woods’ Drycleaners or at St Andrew’s Church.
Edward Bird - Councillor for Shifnal South and Cosford 