BBC Weather Watchers

Following the bright blue skies we saw earlier in the week, we've had a day of grey cloud and fog.

These pictures were taken by BBC Weather Watchers in Telford and Ludlow this afternoon.

Image source, Ray

Image source, Shropshire Lass

James Bond
Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire

AFC Telford United's Dwayne Samuels believes time out of the first team has helped him regain his form. 

The defender was left out of the Bucks side for three games at the end of October, but he says that enabled him to reassess his own game.

Image source, Mike Sheridan

He's now back in Rob Smith's starting 11 and relishing the chance of coming up against his former club Harrogate tomorrow.   

Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire

Here's a recap of our top stories this afternoon:

- Campaigners oppose plans for recycling centre expansion

- Evidence of Civil War siege discovered near Cleobury Mortimer

- Lions coach surprises wedding couple with video message

The Christmas lights are being switched on in Clun on Sunday.

Shropshire Council says the Square, Church Street and Bridge Street will be closed 17:30-21:00.

Image source, Google

James Bond
Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire

The Shrewsbury Town manager Paul Hurst has got some words of encouragement for another manager, just starting a new job - Gareth Southgate.

And he says he is pleased that an English manager has got the chance.

Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire

Evidence of a Civil War battle to take a Shropshire farmhouse has been discovered by a metal detectorist near Cleobury Mortimer.

Peter Reavill, Shropshire's Finds Liaison Officer, said two rows of musket shots have been plotted, showing what appears to be opposing lines of soldiers firing at each other over the course of a couple of hours.

Image source, Getty Images

Mr Reavill said it was not possible to tell who was defending the farmhouse and who won the encounter, because there are no other records of the siege.

He believes it took place in the 1640s and would most probably have been a fight between local rivals settling old scores and while the find "isn't sexy" it revealed what he described as an unrecorded "hidden history".

Nick Southall
Journalist, BBC Shropshire

The West Midlands has seen a big drop in revenue from exports to the Middle East this year. 

Last year the region generated £750,000, but between January and September this year, it's only mustered £250,000.

Maxwell Amenity, external in Telford exports pitch care products to sports clubs in countries like Dubai and spokesman Dan Hughes said it has been bucking the trend, allowing it to double its workforce in six years.

BBC Midlands Today

On Midlands Today this lunchtime - as the battles continues in Syria, refugees from the war there are planning a special dinner to thank people who've helped them start new lives here. 

Image source, Reuters

One city in our region has had more Syrians settle in their area than any other UK city - now, some of those who've benefited want to say thanks. 

We'll have the full story from 13:30 on BBC One.

The British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has surprised a young couple with a recorded video message for their wedding day.

Harry Johnston from Shropshire and Rebecca Seery from Dublin met at a Lions test in 2013 and tied the knot at Harry’s parents’ house in the village of Wykey.

Harry, who is the grandson of the late cricket broadcaster Brian Johnston, met Rebecca when they chose to sit together at the Sydney test, because they were the only Lions fans in a boisterous Australian section of the ground.

The British and Irish Lions arranged for the video to be recorded through the best man, after seeing a photo of the couple on Facebook.

Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire

Our top stories this lunchtime:

- Protest planned in Telford in opposition to recycling depot expansion plans

- Metal detectorist uncovers evidence of English Civil War siege

- British and Irish Lions coach records wedding message for couple

Funding that helps run three markets is being cut by Telford and Wrekin Council. 

The authority wants to hand over control of sites in Dawley, Hadley and Madeley to local town councils.

Great Dawley Town Council is doing that from today, while the other two have been given some money to allow them to keep trading independently.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

We're going to see lots of grey cloud across Shropshire, for the rest of the day.

Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire

The Telford Steam Railway has started running a series of rides for young people based on the Polar Express animated movie, which featured the voice of Tom Hanks.

It's the first year the railway has staged this and tickets have been sold out since September, with 14,500 being posted out last month.

Image source, Richard Chatwin

Children on the ride will be entertained by actors and receive a mug of hot chocolate and a small silver bell, just like the children in the film.

We've had lots of messages of congratulation on our Facebook page, external for a Wellington couple who were married on a ward at Shrewsbury's hospital yesterday.

Teresa Harris wrote: "It was lovely to know two people who love each other were able to do this and make their dream come true. Nothing is impossible in hospital if you have the right nurse."

And Jessica Hancox wanted to thank the staff at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, writing: "A very special moment for a very special couple. A big thanks to everyone who made it possible & made it special."

Julia Clarke also wanted to pass the thanks around: "How wonderful that we were able to do this - and thank you to hospital chaplain Petro Hryziuk who sorted out Special Licence and Parish Register to make this happen."

Mark Elliott
Reporter, BBC Shropshire

The medical director at Shropshire's two main hospitals says six "never events" at hospitals in Shrewsbury and Telford over the past three years, were the result of complacency. 

A dressing was left in a wound and a doctor removed the wrong lesion from a patient in two of the six cases. 

Never events are so-called as they should never happen.

Speaking at a board meeting of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust, Dr Borman said each case had happened during a minor procedure and said in those circumstances people can lose focus. 

One surgeon was in tears when talking about the error they had made. Extra training is now being provided.  

Tracey Higgins
BBC Local Live

A funfair will be built in just a couple of hours in Oswestry tonight. 

The town-centre roads close in mid-afternoon, and rides will be put in, in double-quick time for Oswestry's Christmas Music Live event. 

There'll also be an ice rink. Street entertainers and market-stalls add to the atmosphere. It all starts at 18:00.  

Elaine Muir
Journalist, BBC Shropshire

A couple whose wedding took place in the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital yesterday have thanked staff for making their day so special. 

David Donaldson, 75, who's a patient on Ward 26, and 55-year-old Lorraine Davis from Wellington tied the knot with the help of the local vicar from their church, the Reverend Margaret Smallman.    

The couple who've known each other for 20 years, and have been together for 16, go to All Saints Church in Wellington. 

Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire

Our headlines this morning include:

- Telford councillors to discuss possible legal action over hospital proposals

- Fundraisers collect £25,000 to improve access to Whitchurch church 

- Nurses arrange for Wellington couple to marry in hospital ward

Kate Tebby
Journalist, BBC Shropshire

Fundraisers are trying to raise £25,000 for better access to St Alkmunds Church in Whitchurch. 

300 years ago the building fell down and was rebuilt within two years, using public donations. 

150 years ago the public paid for new stained-glass windows, and today's community is paying for their restoration.  

The Reverend Judy Hunt, is hoping well-wishers will dig deep again at today's gift day. 

Tracey Higgins
BBC Local Live

Telford & Wrekin Council is to hold a public meeting over health bosses' decision to recommend Shrewsbury as the preferred site for a new emergency centre.

Council leader Shaun Davies has promised to take legal action to block the move and could call on council members to launch a judicial review.

Image source, Google

Discussions will take place next Wednesday evening at 18:00 at Telford College of Arts and Technology.