Explore Titterstone Clee with ‘Friends of the Shropshire Hills’

Cath Landles, Community Officer for the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, explained “This is the annual Friends event which will be held on Sunday 27 June.  Titterstone Clee is a key landscape feature in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  It is the only hill in England recorded on the Mappa Mundi, the 13th-century map of the world, and evidence suggests it has been a significant landmark through the ages.  Today, the old quarry buildings and workings highlight its most recent use. “

Cath continued “This is going to be a fascinating tour with local experts Alf and Glynn, who along with stories of life on Titterstone Clee, will be pointing out little known details such as one of the earliest Hydro-power systems was developed on Titterstone Clee (1885) and some of the earliest forms of concrete were used for the quarry buildings. “

The afternoon will include a walk on Catherton Common, which is the Shropshire Wildlife Trust’s newest and largest nature reserve.  Reserves Manager, Carl Pickup, will lead the walk and we will be finding out what plans are afoot and how a grant from the AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund has helped.

Cath added “Friends of the Shropshire Hills was set up just over a year ago to give those with a love of the Shropshire Hills an opportunity to find out more about the work of the AONB Partnership and help care for this beautiful area.  All the money raised through the membership goes into the AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund which supports a wide range of projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the Shropshire Hills.”

Members receive newsletters and updates on local events and activities.  They also receive a free pass into the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre exhibition and are invited along to the annual Friends get together.  Annual individual membership is £5, or family membership £8. 

We hope all ‘Friends’ members will be able to join us on Sunday 27th June.  The bus will depart from the AONB office in Craven Arms at 10.30am - the event will be finished by 4pm. This event is free and exclusively for members.  To book your place, or to join Friends of the Shropshire Hills please call Cath Landles on 01588 674084.  Booking for the event by Thursday 10th June.

Visit the website for more information on Friends of the Shropshire Hills www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/friends.

Enginuity Converts Power Tools Into Racing Cars

The first ever Enginuity Power Tool Grand Prix will take place during the late spring half term from 29 May until 6 June, when amazing activities and demonstrations will reveal how power tools can be converted into speedy racing machines.

Anyone bored with their old Black & Decker, Dewalt or Bosch power tools should go along to the design and technology attraction in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge for a new take on motor sports and witness the spectacle of interactive shows demonstrating a range of Belt Sander Drag Racers on Enginuity’s giant 25 metre race track.

A programme of family drop-in activities will also take place during the week, allowing visitors to convert household objects such as dust pan brushes and paint rollers into drag racers and test them on the race track.  There will be a small charge of £2.50 for each model made plus admission.

The Enginuity Power Tool Grand Prix 2010 will take place in the Engine Shop and will run from 10.30am until 4pm with a break for lunch.

Activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum admission fee, for further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on Tel: 01952 884 391 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk.

Historic estate of Acton Scott, Shropshire, of BBC’s Victorian Farm fame and forthcoming NEW TV series Escape in Time to offer luxury ‘Glamping’ experience.

Eco-friendly Country House Hideout’s lavish tented encampments can be found in the glorious parkland of Acton Scott, Shropshire and cost from just £265 for a midweek break in June.

The new Country House Hideout concept, from the creators of the hugely successful Feather Down Farm Days, provides guests the opportunity to live like a Victorian Explorer in spacious, safari inspired, glamorous tents.  Comfy beds, proper plumbing and an eco loo will appeal to the grown-ups and the children will love exploring their surroundings with the provided binoculars, microscope and telescope. The convenient location of Acton Scott makes the latest estate to offer the extraordinary holiday adventure an ideal spot for weekend breaks or longer stays to really relax.

Guests can enjoy discovering a piece of British history at Acton Scott. It’s a memorable setting with a landscape remodelled in the picturesque style of Capability Brown.  The lovingly preserved estate includes an 18th century Home Farm worked with heavy horses to retain a traditional way of life, before the age of the tractor. Acton Scott also achieved national fame as the setting for BBC2’s hit TV series Victorian Farm, acknowledging the Acton family’s championing of sustainable practices. Its success has been followed by Escape in Time, a brand new BBC TV series to be located on the estate. Presented by Ben Fogle, it follows everyday families as they step back in time to learn about traditional rural living, it is on air in the Summer of 2010.

Acton Scott is not just a showcase for the past; it is a pioneer of sustainable living. The Hall was one of the first homes to be heated with wood chips providing the fuel and Tom Acton, the current ‘lord of the manor’, drives an electric-powered car and may often be seen riding his battery assisted bicycle. Country House Hideout’s hosts at Acton Scott are Tom’s son Rupert and his wife, Louise.  In helping to manage the estate in a sustainable fashion, Rupert saw the synergies of the new ‘glamping’ concept with Acton Scott and its existing tourism activities.

Acton Scott offers a multitude of ideas to keep everyone happy, including the Historic Working Farm, a firm favourite with families, and handy School House café, to lovely guided walks and cycle rides in the grounds. Pretty market towns, such as Ludlow and Shrewsbury, are close by and well worth exploring.

Weekend runs from Friday 16.00 to Monday 10.30- priced from £345
Midweek runs from Monday 16.00 to Friday 10.30- priced from £265
Week runs from Friday 16.00 to Friday 10.30- priced from £495

For mor information about Acton Scott, visit: www.actonscott.com

Blists Hill Victorian Town Short-Listed for £100,000

The Prize is awarded to the museum or gallery for a project completed in the last year, that the Judges deem demonstrates the most originality, imagination and excellence. The Prize, which has been sponsored by the UK’s leading independent art charity, The Art Fund, for three years, aims to increase public appreciation and enjoyment of the UK’s museums and galleries.

Blists Hill Victorian Town is the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust’s largest site totalling 54 acres, and presents life in a typical town of the East Shropshire Coalfield around 1900. Blists Hill Victorian Town is brought to life through a unique mix of first and third-person interpretation, combining the efforts of costumed museum staff, professional actors and volunteers. The £12 million development of Blists Hill has seen the creation of a landmark Visitor Centre and World Heritage Site exhibition, a new street of shops and trades, a clay-mining experience, a narrow gauge railway and an incline lift. Blists Hill Victorian Town is the most famous of the charitable trust’s 10 museums, situated within the beautiful Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.

Of the short-listing, Barrie Williams Chairman of The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust said: “We are thrilled that Blists Hill Victorian Town has reached the shortlist of the Art Fund Prize 2010 - an achievement which is a tribute to the hard work of the trustees, staff and volunteers of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. We are immensely grateful for all the support we have enjoyed during the public vote and we would like to pass on our sincere thanks to all our visitors and friends for their considerable efforts. We hope that reaching the shortlist will inspire more visitors to discover Blists Hill Victorian Town for themselves along with our other 9 museums situated within the beautiful Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site”.

The four short-listed museums and galleries are:

Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry

The Ulster Museum, Belfast

Kirsty Young, Chair of the Judges comments: “My fellow judges and I have found it a very challenging task to select only four to go forward to the short list. Our visits have been eye opening and the exceptional quality of the long list has meant that we’ve been spoilt for choice. During our deliberations the Judges’ passion and enthusiasm for the museums and galleries was more than evident.”

Stephen Deuchar, Director of the Art Fund, comments: “The four institutions that have made the short list not only demonstrate the range of institutions throughout the UK but also the diversity of displays and innovative ways in which these museums are engaging with their visitors. There really is a wealth of excellence to celebrate.”

For the first time the Art Fund Prize website is hosting a public poll, with the option for voters to leave comments in support of their favourite museum or gallery. The long list poll closed on Friday 7 May, and the results along with the comments were passed to the Judges for consideration in making their decision. With over 40,000 votes, the poll has proved a great success and will re-open for the short list on Friday 14 May at 9am, before closing on Friday 18 June at 5pm. The poll results and online comments will again be given to the Judges for their consideration when selecting this year’s Winner. Visitors to the website can enter an exclusive competition to win a limited edition Jonathan Yeo print.

To vote, comment, or for more information about the Prize go to: www.artfundprize.org.uk

Visit Ironbridge Gorge Museums website: www.ironbridge.org.uk/

The winner will be announced on Wednesday 30 June at the Royal Institution of British Architects in London.

The Shropshire Hills Shuttles start up on Saturday 3rd April 2010

Stephanie Hayes, Promotions Officer for the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, enthused “Sit back on the Secret Hills Shuttle and enjoy the journey through Housman’s land of easy livers and quietest places under the sun. Between Craven Arms, Clun and Bishop’s Castle you’ll discover castles, hillforts, ancient woods, rivers, crafts and markets.  For a stroll or a more challenging walk, the Shuttle can drop you off and pick you up along the Shropshire Way”.

Stephanie added “For funding reasons we have had to make some changes to the Secret Hills Shuttle service this year.  The route is now circular between Craven Arms, Clun and Bishop’s Castle and is running every Saturday and throughout Bank Holiday Weekends.  There is no longer a regular Sunday service.  We hope the new circular route will welcome more people on board and would like to think we can run the full service again next year.”

The Long Mynd & Stiperstones Shuttle remains the same figure of eight circuit, running every weekend and Bank Holiday Monday, but no longer connects at Bridges with the other Shuttle.  Jump aboard in Church Stretton and you’ll journey across the largest area of heathland in the Shropshire Hills.  Come late summer these hilltops are a sea of purple and not to be missed.  The National Trust looks after much of the Long Mynd, while the most wildlife-rich and geologically dramatic area of the Stiperstones is managed as a National Nature Reserve by Natural England.

The Shropshire Hills Shuttles are funded by Shropshire Council, National Trust, Natural England and the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership.

To have the 2010 Shuttle leaflet sent to you please contact Alison on 01588 674080 or alison.scimia@shropshire.gov.uk.  For timetables, ticket prices, route description and things to do see www.shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk

Shropshire Tourism Member Business to feature on BBC One’s Country Tracks

The series celebrates the best of the British countryside and is presented by Ben Fogle. Filming is due to take place in early April, after producers paid a successful preliminary visit to the county to meet owner and falconer Mark Southall earlier this month.

Commenting, Mark said, “I am delighted that Country Tracks have decided to film one of our walks. They take place on the Albrighton Country Estate, where we fly the birds, Harris Hawks, in a 200-acre wood and the surrounding fields. They last approximately 1 hour and are about a mile long, during which the Hawks are called repeatedly to people’s fist, whilst they naturally follow on through the trees.”

“A unique part of the experience is the individuality of the walks, the walk is totally their own and whomever they choose to share it with. This offers people plenty of time to ask any questions, and with the birds flying and landing so close there are great photographic and filming opportunities.”

Mark has also expressed his delight that the producers of the series read about Hawks on Walks on the Shropshire Tourism website, www.shropshiretourism.co.uk

“Membership with Shropshire Tourism and the online presence I receive has certainly proven very beneficial. If I hadn’t been a member of Shropshire Tourism the producers may never have heard about Hawks on Walks. Being featured on Country Tracks is fantastic publicity for Hawks on Walks and for Shropshire.

Further information about Hawks on Walks can be found at www.hawksonwalks.co.uk .To read more about the membership benefits of Shropshire Tourism visit www.stmem.com

‘We Are England’ Photography Competition

Commonwealth Games England have launched the photography competition aimed at finding the ultimate photographs that best represent England in all of its glory.  The competition is to celebrate everything about England and ‘Englishness’ and the winners will be exhibited at a top London Art Gallery.

Photographs can be of anything at all that represents England – from a historic English landmark, to a traditional English game taking place in a park, or even photographs taken live at an English sporting event. All it needs to do is encompass the spirit of England to those entering.

Claire Jones, Senior Marketing Officer at Shropshire Tourism said, “This is a good opportunity for people in Shropshire to show what the county means to them, and to raise the profile of Shropshire in a nationwide competition. There are some amazing prizes on offer, including lunch hosted by double Olympic Gold Medallist Dame Kelly Holmes and Centre Court Wimbledon tickets.”

The ‘We Are England’ competition coincides with St. George’s day, and winners will also be invited to attend a champagne breakfast at the launch of the exhibition at the SW1 Gallery on Wednesday, April 21^st, and will be joined by some of the top Commonwealth Games England athletes and representatives. The exhibition of the winning photographs will run until Sunday, April 25^th. Entrance will be free of charge to the public.

The competition will be split into three categories - a professional photographer category, an amateur photographer category for the 16 and under age group, and an amateur photographer category for the 17 and over age group. Entries are to be emailed to weareengland@threepipe.co.uk, and although there should only be one photograph per email, there is no limit to the number of entries that can be submitted. The deadline is 9^th April. For full terms and conditions visit www.weareengland.org

Hot off the Press - 2010 Shropshire Hills Events, Activities and News booklet

Stephanie Hayes, AONB Promotions Officer, enthused ’”The booklet is aimed and local people and visitors to the Shropshire Hills.  It includes details of local events and activities through the year, suggests things to do locally and includes news on projects underway in the Shropshire Hills.”

Stephanie continued “Last year’s booklet received lots of great feedback, including ‘best visitor guide ever seen’, so we hope the 2010 booklet is just as informative and useful for everyone living in, or visiting the area.”

Along with listings for guided walks, evening talks, local festivals and other events, the booklets also includes details on children’s school holiday activities and suggested days out, Shuttle bus information and local walks.

Stephanie continued “as well as combining resources we are able to ensure there are a variety of events in the Shropshire Hills to suit all ages and abilities, and promote some of the great projects that are happening locally.”

So, what are you waiting for, pick up your copy of the 2010 Shropshire Hills Events, Activities and News booklets today from your local Visitor Information Centre, library and other local outlets.  It can also be viewed online http://www.stmem.com/flash/Shropshirehills/demo.htm

The Shropshire Hills booklet is a joint project between the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, the National Trust, the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Acton Scott Historic Working Farm and Shropshire Hills Tourism. 

Rail Rambles Leaflet Jan to July 2009 available

Welcome to Rail Rambles

The Ramblers' Association and Arriva Trains Wales's 'Rail Rambles' programme is this year celebrating years of guided walks from railway stations originally in Mid-Wales and the Marches and now extending across North, Mid and South Wales. It has, over the years, enabled thousands of people to enjoy walking in the countryside without using cars.

The walks themselves are free to join and there is need to be a member of any organisation (but of course you have to pay your rail fare!) Each walk is planned to be accessible by a day return rail journey from a number of main line and connecting stations, so there is something for everyone. Rail fares are very reasonable and good value with some discounts available.

You can download a copy of the leaflet here

Remembering Alan
Many people will know that Alan Howard, the founder of Rail Rambles, died in 2008. He was a firm believer in the use of public transport for walks and helped to establish the Lancashire Rail Rambles programme in 1975, followed in 1989 by Rail Rambles in the Marches and Mid Wales. Additionally, he was Chairman of the Ramblers’ Association from 1993 – 1995 before resigning in disgust when the RA arranged a sponsorship deal with Vauxhall cars. His intelligence, wit, outspokenness, stubborn determination and lovely twinkle enlivened the lives of all who knew him.

A commemorative walk has been arranged for 18th April in one of Alan’s favourite places (see page 15 for further details).

The programme
This Rail & Bus Ramble Walks Programme has been possible due to the support of Arriva Trains Wales and Ramblers Cymru and volunteer efforts from the Mid-Wales Rail Ramblers and the following Ramblers Cymru Groups: Aberystwyth, Bangor-Bethesda, Berwyn, Cardiff, Dinefwr, Islwyn, Meirionydd, Merthyr, Pembrokeshire, TigerBay, and Vale of Glamorgan.

For more information please contact:
Chris Jenkins on 01691 654066 (Mid-Wales region)
Gwyn Lewis on 029 2090 2633 (North or South Wales regions) or Ramblers Cymru on
029 2064 4308.