Angry shop tenants and residents spoke out this week over their frustration at the lack of progress on rebuilding Leegomery district centre, which was virtually gutted by fire more than three years ago.

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One of Britain’s favourite comedians will be making a special appearance in Telford next month in celebration of his 50th year in showbusiness.

Freddie Starr will be appearing at Oakengates Theatre @ The Place on October 8 at 7.30pm - and promising some special surprises on the way for Telford.

Born in wartime Liverpool, Freddie was very involved in the 60s music scene and enjoyed stints entertaining in Hamburg alongside The Beatles.

He has variously been described as madcap, outrageous and crazy. Freddie Star is all of these things but he is renowned as an accomplished actor, outstanding ballad singer and a brilliant impressionist.

The comedy legend is back on his UK tour with another unpredictable evening of madness and mayhem as he brings his own brand of outrageous humour to the stage.

Speaking exclusively to the Telford Journal, Mr Starr said of his Oakengates performance: “I’ve been to Telford quite a few times in the past and I really enjoy performing there.

“I do like Telford as an area and I’m looking forward to my show.”

Mr Starr added that the Telford audience could be in for some surprises.

“I haven’t yet decided what my performance will be,” he said.

“There is never any fixed act, I just do it off of the top of my head.”

Freddie Starr’s big break came in 1970 when he was invited to appear at the prestigious Royal Variety Performance.

Since then, his career has taken a meteoric rise and he has delighted audiences over the past 30 years in summer seasons, clubs, cabaret and television shows.

Tickets for the Oakengates show, priced at £17.50, are available from the box office on (01952) 382382 or go online at www.theplacetelford.com

A couple living in the shadow of The Wrekin are celebrating after scooping first place in the Daily Mail National Gardens competition.

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Telford & Wrekin Council bosses have said sorry for a letter sent out to senior citizens in Telford telling them to hand back their free bus passes if they did not want their personal details to be passed on.

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Telford is likely to see increasing use of portable flashing speed limit signs - already becoming noticeable along the borough roads - as a result of new council measures.

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They went down to a single goal defeat at Droylsen on Saturday, a limp, lacklustre affair, and on Tuesday lost 2-0 at Harrogate. But while the margin of defeat was greater, so was the calibre of AFC Telford United’s play.

But Harrogate are not among the promotion favourites for nothing, and they maintained their 100 per cent home record with two well-taken goals.

The match was very much a game of two halves - the first was very much a Harrogate in charge affair while the second was ruled by the Bucks and the home goal seemed to live a charmed life.

Harrogate opened the scoring in the first quarter of an hour but, all credit to the Bucks, the defence then stood firm in the face of pressure.

The Bucks showed more purpose at the start of the second half and looked more threatening as the second period wore on.

They went close several times with Terry Fearns and Gavin Gowan both missing good chances.

The game became stretched in the final quarter as Telford left gaps at the back in a calculated gamble to press for that elusive equaliser.

They paid for that as they were caught late on with a quick home break, Darren Dunning applying the finish to wrap up the three points for his side.

It leaves disappointed Telford without an away win to show for their efforts so far this season and on a run of three consecutive games without a goal.

But altogether this was a much better show than at Droylsden and augurs well for the future.

Indeed, the team seemed to have heeded a bleak warning from boss Rob Smith, in the wake of that 1-0 defeat - a result which ended their undefeated start-of-season run - that he would not hesitate to make sweeping changes.

He commented later: “A bit of quality has done us and I’d say they’re the best team we’ve played so far, but if we’re serious about challenging then we’ve got to get on with it and show what we’re all about.”

Nobody would deny that given their indifferent performance the Bucks were perhaps lucky, until the weekend at least, to have seen results go their way.

Their luck ran out with a single goal three minutes into the second half of a rather dull affair with hardly any attacking sparkle.

Telford never seriously threatened to get back on level terms after falling behind, despite some bold substitutions and it highlighted the growing need for the Bucks to discover their old fire.

To some degree, they found that again on Tuesday night. All they need now are the just results.

Queenswood Primary in Ketley Bank was selected by Ketley-based Aga Rangemaster to receive new play equipment as part of the company’s Leadership Development Programme.

Participants were required to undertake a community project building on their newly acquired skills and, at the same time, enhance the local community.

The Aga team decided to raise funds for, and install, a new playground at Queenswood Primary School as it was so close to their firm.

The new play area includes leapfrog posts, a swinging log, tyre crossing, jelly board, swinging grips and a junior climbing net. Surfacing is due to be installed shortly and will complete the playground ready for the new term.

Paul Tonks, group human resources director, said the project was designed to “give something back” to the local community.

“Most of the team are parents so they wanted to make a difference for local children,” he said.

“Queenswood Primary School is situated locally to Aga and the project team wanted the local community to benefit.”

Councillor Stephen Burrell, Telford & Wrekin cabinet member for children and young people, said: “This will provide a great extra facility for the children at Queenswood.

“It’s very encouraging to see that local major employers like Aga are so keen to get involved in and support the local community. We are very grateful for their help in providing this new outdoor play area.”

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