Shrewsbury’s New Shops, Local Artists and Exciting Events This Week

The holiday season is in full swing in Shrewsbury, with something exciting for everyone to enjoy.

This week's Shrewsbury Scoop brings you:

🎨 Local Artist Spotlight: Discover the creative talent behind Shrewsbury’s vibrant art scene.
☕ New Business Opening: Get to know Oath Coffee – a fresh addition to our town with a unique twist!
🎶 Music Galore: From festive concerts to local choirs, experience the magic of Christmas through music.
📸 Photo of the Week: Check out a stunning new mural brightening up the town.
📰 Local News: Catch up with the latest happenings around Shrewsbury.

Let's jump into this week’s festivities and celebrations all around our wonderful town.

Disclaimer: Please note that events listed in this newsletter are subject to change. While we make every effort to provide accurate details, we cannot be held liable for any alterations to dates, times, locations, pricing, or content after the email is sent. We recommend checking directly with the event venue for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, we are not responsible for any external links included in this newsletter. Always verify event details with the official event organizer.

CHRISTMAS EVENTS🎄

Carols in The Square

📅 Date: Wednesday, 18th December 2024
⏰ Time: Gather from 5:30 PM, live from 6:00 PM
📍 Venue: The Square, Shrewsbury
🎧 Listen Live: Radio Shropshire
🔗 More details: here

Get into the festive spirit with "Carols in the Square" on the 18th of December! Join the Shrewsbury Male Voice Choir for an evening of traditional carols and holiday favorites.

You can be part of the live celebration in The Square or tune in on Radio Shropshire to enjoy the magic of the season from home. Gather with friends, family, and fellow community members for a joyful celebration of Christmas!

Market Hall Winter Warmer

📅 Date: Wednesday, 18th December 2024
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Venue: Shrewsbury Market Hall, Shrewsbury, SY1 1QG
🔗 More details: here

Experience a festive evening at Shrewsbury Market Hall after Carols in The Square. Enjoy late-night shopping, discover unique gifts, and indulge in tasty treats from local cafes.

Relax at the gin or wine bar, with mulled wine and mulled gin flowing throughout the evening. A perfect way to embrace the holiday spirit.

Shrewsbury Christmas Market

📅 Date: Friday, 20th – Saturday, 21st December 2024
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Venue: The Square, Shrewsbury
🔗 More details: here and here

Shrewsbury’s Christmas Market brings the town centre to life with 58 fantastic stalls offering food, drink, and crafts perfect for your Christmas hampers. From warm street food to festive drinks, explore a wide variety of global flavours throughout the weekend.

Recognized as one of the finest Christmas markets in the region, this event is sure to get you in the holiday mood!

Breakfast with Santa at Massarella's

📅 Date: Tuesday, 24th December 2024
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Venue: Massarella’s Coffee Shop, Unit 54, Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury, SY1 1PL
🎟️ Tickets: Available here

Enjoy a special morning with Breakfast with Santa. Choose a breakfast sandwich or toastie, or opt for beans or scrambled egg on toast. Santa will also be on hand with a little present for each child and the chance to have a chat with him before the big day.

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

GAUDETE! at St Alkmund’s

📅 Date: Monday, 16th December 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Venue: St Alkmund's Church, Shrewsbury, SY1 1UL
🔗 More details: here

Rejoice at the annual St Alkmund's Christmas festival, a heartwarming celebration of Christmas music and readings.

Enjoy performances by Will Smith (tenor), Stephen Pritchard-Jones & Shropshire Brass, along with the Children’s Choir, Alex Postlethwaite, and Gaudete! Strings.

The evening will feature a mix of brass, organ music, and festival readings. Admission is free, with donations to charity welcomed.

Christmas Concert at Meole Brace Bowling Club

📅 Date: Friday, 20th December 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Venue: Meole Brace Bowling Club, Shrewsbury
🔗 More details: here

Celebrate Christmas with the Shrewsbury Male Voice Choir at a special Christmas concert at Meole Brace Bomwling Club. Enjoy an evening of traditional carols, classic Christmas songs, and seasonal favorites in a cozy and intimate setting.

TACT Christmas Concert 2024

📅 Date: Saturday, 21st December 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Venue: St Alkmund's Church, Shrewsbury, SY1 1UH
🎟️ Tickets: Available here

Enjoy an evening with the TACT Christmas Concert 2024 at St Alkmund's Church. Experience beautiful Christmas music, featuring the Voices In Partnership, A Choired Taste, and TACT Youth Choir, along with some guest soloists.

Messiah at The Abbey

📅 Date: Saturday, 21st December 2024
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Venue: Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury, SY2 6BA
🎟️ Tickets: Via here

Join Shrewsbury Charity Concerts for their 35th performance of Handel's Messiah in the beautiful Shrewsbury Abbey. Under the direction of Richard Robbins, Head of Choral Music at Shrewsbury School, this annual concert raises vital funds for important causes, with this year’s beneficiaries including the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and Feed the Birds.

Secure your tickets in advance for a fantastic evening of music for a great cause.

Christmas Greetings LIVE at St Chad’s

📅 Date: Saturday, 21st December 2024
⏰ Time: 20:30 Late Concert (Early concert sold out)
📍 Venue: St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury, SY1 1RN
🎟️ Tickets: Book here

Get ready for an enchanting evening of music and live ballet at Christmas Greetings LIVE! Violinist Matt Glossop and the Bloomsbury Soloists bring a magical Christmas experience to St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury, featuring well-loved classics from The Nutcracker, White Christmas, Home Alone, and more.

Karl Loxley - The Songs of Christmas

📅 Date: Sunday, 22nd December 2024
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Venue: Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury, SY2 6BS
🎟️ Tickets: Via here

Join Karl Loxley, the incredible tenor praised by Sir Tom Jones for his "amazing" voice, for a festive musical celebration at Shrewsbury Abbey. Enjoy a selection of timeless Christmas classics, including White Christmas, O Holy Night, I Believe In Father Christmas, and many more.

Karl's journey to stardom began with his remarkable performance on The Voice, where he captured the hearts of millions. Since then, he’s become a viral sensation with over 11 million YouTube views and has topped classical charts.

Don't miss this unforgettable Christmas concert from one of the most exciting voices in classical crossover music.

Carols with Shrewsbury Cantata Choir

📅 Date: Sunday, 22nd December 2024
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
📍 Venue: United Reformed Church, Coleham Head, Shrewsbury
🎟️ Tickets: Available here

Join the Shrewsbury Cantata Choir for an evening of carols, both familiar and new, conducted by Anthony Coupe. Accompanied by organist Catrina Lapage and the 'Brass Buttons' Quartet, this festive performance will be a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit. Enjoy mulled wine and mince pies as you immerse yourself in the seasonal music.

CRAFT & CREATE 🎨

Styling Event at Jigsaw

📅 Date: Saturday, 21st December 2024
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Venue: Jigsaw, No. 3 The Square, Shrewsbury, SY1 1LA
🎟️ Tickets: Available here

Step into style with expert fashion stylist Sally Mansell at Jigsaw in Shrewsbury! Sip on complimentary fizz while Sally highlights her top picks from the latest collection, offering tips and advice to help refresh your wardrobe for the season. Tickets are £20 (excluding fees), redeemable against purchases on the evening.

Mereside Arts & Crafts Family Event

📅 Date: Saturday, 21st December 2024
⏰ Time: 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Venue: Mereside Community Centre, Mereside, Shrewsbury, SY2 6LH
🔗 More details: Here

Enjoy a festive afternoon of free artistic fun at Mereside Community Centre! Take part in hands-on activities such as clay modelling and face-painting, and explore an art exhibition inspired by Christmas carols and Gospel stories.

Free refreshments and mince pies will be provided, making this the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit.

HISTORY & CULTURE 🏛️

Diaries of the North Cape

📅 Date: Thursday, 19th December 2024
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Venue: Shropshire Archives
🔗 More details: here

Join archivist Sal Mager for a fascinating 10-minute talk on George Wilkinson's (of Highfield House, Wellington) 1903 cruise to Norway. Discover his beautifully illustrated diary and learn more about his adventure to the North Cape.

Mulled Wine and Christmas Tour at St Mary’s

📅 Date: Sunday, 22nd December 2024
⏰ Time: See ticket website for times
📍 Venue: St Mary’s Guildhall, Shrewsbury
🎟️ Tickets: Available here

Embrace the festive spirit at St Mary’s Guildhall with a glass of mulled wine in the courtyard, surrounded by a beautiful Christmas tree. Then, enjoy a guided tour of this historic 700-year-old building, learning about Christmas traditions through the ages in an enchanting seasonal setting.

LOCAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 🎨🖌️

Megan Ward – Bringing Shrewsbury to Life in Oil and Ink

This week, we’re shining a light on Megan Ward, a Shropshire-based artist celebrated for her vibrant oil paintings and modern illustrations that beautifully capture the charm of Shrewsbury.

After stepping away from a career in finance, Megan fully embraced her artistic passion, creating everything from bold, large-scale canvases to delicate graphite and watercolour commissions.

Megan’s journey has already included inspiring milestones, such as exhibiting at London’s Mall Gallery and collaborating with local businesses like Morris & Company and OH, FOR GOODNESS CAKE!. Working from Raven Studios at the English Bridge Workshops, Megan is now experimenting with textured portraiture, bringing a fresh and dynamic dimension to her art.

In addition to her traditional paintings, Megan’s modern designs also feature on cards and prints—perfect for gifting or keeping a piece of Shrewsbury close to home. This April, Megan will showcase her work at the National Wedding Show in London, offering bespoke bride and groom portraits in oils and graphite as unique keepsakes for newlyweds.

Whether you’re looking for a meaningful commission, a thoughtful gift, or artwork that brightens your space, Megan Ward’s work is bound to captivate and inspire. You can explore her work and connect with her via her website or Instagram.

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 🌱

New in Shrewsbury: Oath Coffee Shop

Shrewsbury’s latest coffee hotspot, Oath Coffee Shop, opened its doors on Friday, 6th December 2024, and is already making a buzz on Castle Street.

Run by Dennis and Sam, who have journeyed from Nepal and Hong Kong via Sydney and Birmingham, Oath Coffee promises to be a welcoming space for all coffee lovers.

After a brief stint in the 9-to-5 office grind, Dennis made an “oath” to never return to that life—thus, the name Oath Coffee was born.

The café offers more than just great coffee, though; Dennis and Sam are passionate about educating others through their unique Barista School. Whether you're looking to dive deeper into coffee as a hobby or exploring it as a potential career, this space will provide the perfect learning environment.

During my visit, I had the pleasure of trying their latte, which was smooth and well balanced in flavor. Whether you're stopping by for a warm drink or curious about the Barista School, Oath Coffee is sure to become a new favorite spot in town.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK 📸

Take a closer look at Charlotte Tisdale's vibrant mural in this week’s Photo(s) of the Week section.

See more of her incredible work on her website and Instagram.

Submit your photo of Shrewsbury to @ShrewsburyScoop on Instagram or Facebook to be featured next time.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK 🗣️

💬 Last Week’s Question Recap

We asked, "Which local shop or cafe has the best festive treats this season?"

Here are some of your tasty suggestions:

🎂 Market Hall Cafe - Their cakes are a hit this holiday season
☕ House Coffee Co - Serving up delicious festive goodies

See below for this week’s question!

Reply to this email with your answer and we’ll feature some of the best ones in the next newsletter (we will keep you anonymous unless you say otherwise).

Bonus question: Which Shrewsbury landmark do you think would make the best snow globe design?

SPORTS DIGEST 🏆

Shrewsbury Town Football Club

Gareth Ainsworth, who managed Wycombe Wanderers from 2012 to 2023, faced his former club on Saturday as Shrewsbury Town's manager.

Ainsworth had a highly successful tenure at Wycombe, leading them to promotion to the Championship and solidifying their place in League One.

His deep knowledge of the club and its players gave him insight into their strengths, but it was Wycombe who triumphed in this encounter, further highlighting Ainsworth's challenging start to life at Shrewsbury.

Ultimately, Shrewsbury Town suffered a 4-1 defeat, as the Chairboys strengthened their position at the top of League One.

Wycombe took the lead in the 15th minute through Beryly Lubala, followed by a second goal just before halftime from Caleb Taylor.

Fred Onyedinma added a third for the visitors in the 69th minute, before Jordan Shipley gave Shrewsbury a glimmer of hope with a stunning 30-yard free-kick.

However, former Shrewsbury player Dan Udoh sealed the win for Wycombe with a strike in the 74th minute.

Next week Shrewsbury head north to face Wigan Athletic, who currently sit 16th in the table.

Shrewsbury Town Women face Leek Town today at 2pm. By the time you read this newsletter, the result may already be decided – let's hope for a victory!

Events, Clubs & More

If you would like Shrewsbury Scoop to feature your sports club or event, please reply to this email with the details and we can include it in future newsletters.

Get in Touch

If you have something you'd like to share or be featured, whether it’s a pet story, eco-friendly tips, or a special business promotion, we’d love to hear from you.

Reply to this email or let us know on Facebook or Instagram what sections you'd like to see, or if you have content to share for these exciting new additions.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading Shrewsbury Scoop this week and supporting local business.

Be sure to share the newsletter with anyone else who would enjoy it!

See you next week,

Will - Shrewsbury Scoop.

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