Clare Ashford

Eight-year-old Arlo from Shrewsbury is running 100km throughout August to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, inspired by the death of his grandfather John from prostate cancer three years ago. After surpassing an initial £1,000 target, Arlo and his family are aiming to raise £2,000. His father Andrew says the challenge has brought the family together while helping raise awareness among friends affected by prostate cancer.

Volunteers cleared about five tonnes of waste from the Hide & Seek Festival at Weston Park in Shropshire, recovering tents, sleeping bags, air beds, clothes, shoes and unopened food. The Telford-based Community Food Project passed usable supplies to outreach workers for distribution to people experiencing homelessness across Telford, while also rescuing food for its support services. The organisation described the amount of waste left by festival-goers as exceptionally high and called for more volunteers.

Shrewsbury is portrayed as an unexpected training ground for West End musical-theatre talent. Performers Stephenson Ardern-Sodje, Asha Parker-Wallace and Ahmed Hamad have progressed from local schools, amateur dramatics and performing-arts groups to leading roles in Hamilton, The Lion King and Operation Mincemeat. They credit supportive teachers, local theatre companies and accessible opportunities with helping launch their careers, while Hamad also reflects on the importance of more inclusive casting and the chance to play roles beyond racial stereotypes.

A documentary by Tristan Copeland examines how his cousin Gary Matthews became involved in online Covid‑19 conspiracy theories before dying from the virus in 2021. Copeland retraces Matthews' gradual immersion in misinformation, the impact on his behavior, and the hostile response from conspiracy groups after his death. Filmed interviews with family, friends, activists, and experts explore the emotional and social forces behind his radicalization, with the project serving as a form of personal catharsis for Copeland.

A Mexican woman who moved to the UK after feeling unsafe in Mexico describes settling in Shropshire, embracing cultural differences and admiring the independence of British women. She recounts her life with her British husband, their move prompted by rising violence in Mexico, and her growing appreciation of British food and customs.

Proposed national science funding cuts by the Science and Technology Facilities Council raise the risk of closure for the Knockin radio telescope in Shropshire, part of the UK’s e‑MERLIN research network. North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan and physicist Brian Cox warn the reductions, potentially up to £162m, could undermine particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics research and jeopardise scientific talent and innovation in the UK.

Proposed national science funding cuts may threaten the Knockin radio telescope, part of the e‑MERLIN network. MP Helen Morgan and physicist Brian Cox warn that reductions by the Science and Technology Facilities Council could significantly impact particle physics, astronomy and nuclear research, potentially leading to facility closures and loss of scientific talent. Morgan highlights the site's importance for innovation and future nuclear research amid concerns that government priorities may be shifting toward other technologies such as AI.