Bayston Hill, Shropshire - Largest Population of Any Village in County History and Information

Bayston Hill, Shropshire - With the Largest Number of Residents of Any Village in the County History and Facts

Bayston Hill has the Largest Population of Any Shropshire Village.

With over 5,000 residents in the 2011 census Bayston Hill is Shropshire's most populated village.

At just 3 miles from Shrewsbury centre it is easy to think of it as a dormitory village, but it has origins in the middle ages, borders on lovely Shropshire countryside, has 3 pubs, 2 churches, schools and a public library.

Lyth Hill to the south of the village is within walking distance from the centre, and is a major Shropshire attraction, especially for dog walkers, with open views to south Shropshire from the public parkland which follows top of the escarpment along the hillside.

There is remaining evidence of both an ancient British Iron Age hillfort and a Roman settlement located on the village's high grounds.

In the Middle Ages the heavily wooded Bayston Hill and Condover area was established as a Royal hunting forest. A busy rope works, complete with its own windmill built in 1835, existed on Lyth Hill in the 19th century.

The rope industry supplied the many mines, farms, and barge owners of those times in this area. A church was built alongside the village glebelands in 1843 to serve the local miners, quarrymen and railway navvies.

Standing on the south east side is the village's oldest archaeological site: a mounded Iron Age bivallate hill fort.

It's relatively low lying for such a structure and oddly named with the Danish name of The Burgs, but probably was not called that until sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries.

The village was surveyed for the Domesday Book during the year 1086, when it was called Begestan, and William Pantulf, an Anglo-Norman nobleman, held land there.

One final odd fact to ponder about Bayston Hill is that although the railway runs right past the village, Bayston Hill has never had its own railway station.

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Bishop's Castle Shropshire and the "Old House on Crutches"

Bishop's Castle is a small market town in the southwest of Shropshire, England, and formerly its smallest borough.

Bishops Castle was one of the so-called Rotten Boroughs. A Rotten Borough was a borough where, prior to the Reform Act 1832, there were very few voters and one person or family could exert undue influence over the election of an MP. According to the 2011 Census it had a population of 1,893.

Bishop's Castle is close to the Wales-England border, and about 20 miles south-west of Shrewsbury.
The original castle is now no more than a few stones, but then it was very old, having been first built in 1127.

The town stands on the edge of Clun Forest.

It is 500 feet above sea level and surrounded by hills, the highest of which rise to 1,500 feet.

Walk around town, and you will see Tudor Houses, the Old Hall square, the Old Market Hall Square, and the Old House on Crutches.

The Old Market Hall, coat of arms is still in the square. The original building was erected by Lord Clive of India circa 1770-1775 but demolished in 1951.

The Powis Coat of Arms which was on the original building has been saved and is the centrepiece of this little square. The Old House on Crutches gets its name from the overhanging upper storey which is supported by posts.

The Town Hall is one of the smallest in England, and exhibits 2 silver maces hallmarked 1697.

The Three Tuns Inn dates back to 1642, and is the oldest licensed brewery site in Britain.

We hope you enjoyed these facts and the pictures of this lovely little Shropshire town.

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Acknowledgements to: bishops castle shropshire england, bishop's castle shropshire, Bishops Castle.

Mitchell's Fold Stone Circle | Bronze Age Stones The Dun Cow & King Arth...

Mitchell's Fold is a Bronze Age stone circle in southwest Shropshire, located near the small village of White Grit on dry heathland at the southwest end of Stapeley Hill, at a height of 1083 ft (330m) o.d.

It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (number 107448) in the guardianship of English Heritage.

As with most sites of this type, its true history is unknown.

In the beginning there may have been some thirty stone pillars. The survivors that still stand range in height from less than a foot high to just over 6 feet.

They stand in an ellipse 27 metres, NW-SE by 25 metres.

The tallest is at the south-east end of the major axis, standing, perhaps by coincidence or design, close to the line of the southern moonrise.

This pillar and a companion may have flanked an entrance about 6 ft wide.

There is a traditional folk story that a giant had a marvellous cow which gave unlimited amounts of milk.

The giant's cow grazed the area where now stands the circle, until a malicious witch milked the cow using a sieve.

She continued milking until the cow was drained dry, as a result of which it fled to Warwickshire, where it became the Dun cow.

As a punishment, the witch was turned into stone and surrounded by other stones to prevent her escaping.

What became of the giant is unknown.

Local folklore also suggests this is the actual place where King Arthur withdrew Excalibur from one of the stones in the circle, and then became King of the Britains.

(But there does not appear to be any evidence of this.)

We hope you enjoyed our video, and if you did, please like and share it and if I'm encouraged by the response I'll make more videos about Shropshire! Text Source: Wikipedia.

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The Humphrey Kynaston Story Shropshire's Robin Hood - In a Nutshell!

Shropshire's Robin Hood

From 1491 to 1518, "Wild Humphrey Kynaston" supposedly lived a life that would closely match the fictional character Robin Hood.

His cave still exists and can be visited in Nesscliffe Hill Country Park.

It seems he had a reputation for robbing from the rich, and giving to the poor.

In return, the locals protected him, and gave him and his horse ('Beelzebub') food.

The cave is in the woods above the original A5 which went through Nesscliffe village here, and was still an important route in Kynaston's time.

The road was built by the Romans as the route from London to Holyhead, and Ireland.

Once, in an attempt to capture him, the local sheriff removed several planks from the Montford Bridge, to keep him from crossing the River Severn.

But his horse managed to leap and safely clear the distance.

It is also said that he was a regular patron at the Old Three Pigeons tavern in Nesscliffe village.

They say his original seat is still there.

On 20 December 1491, Kynaston was found guilty for the murder of John Hughes at Stretton, and declared an outlaw by Henry VII.

Some time after that, he moved from Myddle castle to a cave in Nesscliffe Rock.

The cave has only two rooms; he lived in one, and stabled Beelzebub in the other.

Some sources claim that the reason he moved was due to the criminal charges, and others claim that he was outlawed due to debts.

He may have been pardoned by Henry VII in 1493, but some say that in 1513, Humphrey provided 100 men to aid Henry VIII in France, and in return received a royal pardon 3 to 5 years later.

If it wasn't for his "outrageous" lifestyle, you would not expect him to have been short of money.
He was the youngest son of Sir Roger Kynaston, High Sheriff of Shropshire, and he inherited Myddle Castle from his father, but allowed the estate to fall into disrepair.

While the year of his death is well known, how he died and where, are disputed.

Some sources claim he lived comfortably in an estate near Welshpool until he died, and others claim he died of illness in his cave.

Source: Wikipedia

Secrets of Shrewsbury Coalfield - Forgotten Coal Mines Bayston Hill, Sutto...

The Shrewsbury Coalfield

Most people know there were mines at Snailbeach, and some can remember being able to see opencast mining taking place beside the M54 near Telford, within the last 35 years.
It's not so well-known that there were at least a dozen mines in what's known as the Shrewsbury Coalfield.

The Shrewsbury Coalfield is situated to the south and south west of Shrewsbury and is small by national standards.

Online sources list mines in the Shrewsbury Coalfield from Asterley in the south west, to Bayston Hill on the east.

• Longden (the Black Lion Colliery)
• Meole Colliery
• Nobold Colliery
• Sutton Colliery
• Welbatch Colliery (between Hook-a-Gate, and Annscroft).

Plus, mines at Hanwood, and Pontesbury.

We could list many more, and people watching this may comment on many other mine locations as well.

The mines would have for many centuries supplied the domestic market of Shrewsbury, with the first being "bell pits", dug by hand where coal seams were evident from the surface.

Shrewsbury Coalfield was also important throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, to supply the nearby led mining area to the south, with coal for smelting. In the 19th century, there were 9 reasonably sized collieries and many smaller ones.

By 1921, these had all closed except for Hanwood Colliery which continued for a few years more, until its closure in 1941.

The was also a colliery at Pontesford which had a steam engine installed in 1793 for pumping out water.

In 1811 it appears that the shaft was 225ft deep, and evidence remains in the form of part of the steam pump engine-house, now converted as part of a modern home.

The images shown in this video show typical mines of the period.

They are to provide visual interest, and do not depict the mines referred to.

Text sources: Shropshire History website, and the Northern Mine Research Society.

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Castle Pulverbatch Norman Motte and Double Bailey Castle, Scene of Marau...

Castle Pulverbatch Motte and Bailey Castle, Shropshire

Pulverbatch, Shropshire is a pleasant village on the minor road which takes the most direct route to the Long Mynd from Shrewsbury centre, passing through Longden and climbing onto the Mynd, after the hamlet of Bridges.

Here are the remains of two motte and bailey castles, both are scheduled ancient monuments about 1,000 years old.

Norman Invasion

They were needed when in 1066 a Norman expedition from France invaded and conquered England.

The Norman dynasty established by William the Conqueror, ruled England for over half a century and his successors beyond, and was disliked by all, and hated by many.

The Welsh Marches is said to have the highest number of motte and bailey remains in the UK.

The Normans Were Unable to Conquer the Welsh

Most likely this was due to the inability of the Normans to conquer the Welsh, resulting in frequent incursions by marauding Welshmen at that time.

Pulverbatch Motte and Bailey Location and Features

Castle Pulverbatch motte and double bailey castle is situated on a ridge to the south of Pulverbatch village.

It overlooks the village, and the ancient valley route, from Shrewsbury to Bishops Castle (now a green lane at this point).

Roger Venator - Invader Who Took Over the Castle

The manor of Castle Pulverbatch was held by Roger Venator in 1086,  and it's likely he built the castle.

The castle is first mentioned in 1153, but it was not used for long, probably not even for 50 years.

What You Will See if You Visit Pulverbatch Castle (Motte and Bailey)

The castle earthworks include a castle mound or motte.

There were once two baileys, and there are still substantial ditches, mounds, and banks to explore.

On the south-east side, the natural hills lope was cut back, to create a defensive steep scarp slope.

A ditch runs along along the western side of the north-east bailey.

The castle has an extensive view over the surrounding countryside, and would have been particularly easy to defend.

Visit and explore! (There is a car park.)

Watch this video on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/ufbyxMpAh84

Text sources were: http://www.pulverbatch.org.uk and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motte-and-bailey_castle

The Iron Bridge, Ironbridge in the River Severn Gorge, UK

The History of the First Ever Iron Bridge in the World

The newly restored Iron Bridge in Ironbridge a presentation style video of the heritage bridge in Shropshire, UK.

The Iron Bridge is a beautiful and historic bridge that crosses the River Severn in Shropshire, England, dating back to the industrial revolution.

Opened in 1781, it was the first major bridge in the world to be made of cast iron, and was greatly celebrated after construction owing to its use of the new material.

Not Used for Road Vehicles Since 1934

In 1934 it was designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument and closed to vehicles.

Tolls for pedestrians were collected until 1950, when ownership of the bridge was transferred to Shropshire County Council.

It now belongs to the local council Telford and Wrekin Borough Council, and has recently been restored into the glorious rusty-red colour which it had when first built.

Part of the the UNESCO Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site

The bridge, the adjacent settlement of Ironbridge and the Ironbridge Gorge form the UNESCO Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.

The bridge is a Grade 1 listed building and a waypoint on the South Telford Heritage Trail.

Visitors travel from all over the world to see the bridge, the gorge and the renowned museums of the small town which remains.

Text source: Wikipedia with addtions.

Watch this on the YouTube site at: https://youtu.be/gANEbFi-h3I

It's amazing that this Iron Bridge in Ironbridge, was the first ever Iron Bridge in the World. It is located near Telford.

Paint Colour Was Grey/Blue and is Now Reverted to the Original Rust Red!

It was previously restored in 1980 and they didn't do a bad job at that time. The Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site now has a Management Plan which is placed under regular review every ten years

Just down the road is the Museum of iron operated by the ironbridge gorge museum trust (museum).

Top 10 Shropshire Gardens List A Countdown to the Best Rated Gardens in the County

Top 10 Gardens in Shropshire Open to the Public Historic and Modern Gardens

There are some lovely gardens in Shropshire including 3 listed gardens in Shrewsbury itself.

Keep reading while we count you down to the most highly rated "Shropshire Gardens" according to Trip Advisor ratings.
The 10 Best Shropshire Gardens Open to the Public are:

10 - Abbey Gardens, Shrewsbury

Small gardens at the end of the English bridge. Well kept and tranquil bordering the River Severn.

9 - Dower House Garden, Morville, Bidgnorth

About an acre and a half, with a series of historic garden "rooms", marking significant developments in the history of the English garden. Created by gardening writer Katherine Swift.

8 - Oakgate Nursery & Garden Centre Ellerdine, near Telford

Gardens open for garden centre visitors to explore.

7 - Shropshire Wildlife Trust Garden, Shrewsbury

Small formal gardens in Shrewsbury. The Wild Child Garden is open all year round. Where children can get muddy and discover the joys of outdoor wild play.

6 - Hodnet Hall Gardens, Market Drayton

Over 60 acres of brilliantly coloured flowers, magnificent forest trees, sweeping lawns and a chain of ornamental pools.

5 - Dorothy Clive Garden, Market Drayton

On the North Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire borders, the garden is both formal and informal, with a network of paths to explore and discover the garden. Glorious rhododendrons and azaleas.

4 - Bridgnorth Castle and Grounds, Bridgnorth

Created as a public garden around the castle to commemorate Queen Victoria’s jubilee it includes a bandstand.
The main feature is a square great tower, which was built during the reign of Henry II.
There are plenty of benches with some great views of the lower town.

3 - Attingham Park, Near Shrewsbury

An the park surrounds an 18th-century mansion and includes a deer park, and woodland walks. There is a walled garden and an orchard plus a children's play area.

2 - Wollerton Old Hall Garden, Wollerton

Designed and developed by Lesley and John Jenkins since 1984, designed and developed by Lesley and John Jenkins since 1984.
It is set around a 16th Century Hall House and has developed into an important modern garden in the English Garden tradition with echoes of Arts and Crafts.
It covers 4 acres, set around a 16th Century Hall House. A modern garden in the English Garden tradition with echoes of Arts and Crafts.

1 - The Quarry, Shrewsbury

With a leafy avenue beside the River Severn, and renowned for The Dingle, a park within a park. Home to the Shrewsbury Flower Show every August, and many other events. A 40 minute boat trip is available in summer on the Sabrina with an informative talk.
List Sequence Source; Trip Advisor www.tripadvisor.co.uk


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Rodney’s Pillar and 3 Lovely Hills Near the Welsh Border on the Shrewsbu...

Rodney’s Pillar is visible far and wide in this part of the Shropshire/ Powys border between England and Wales.

We made this video because we think that relatively few people are aware that behind Rodney's pillar to the south and west there are two more lovely hills to walk and enjoy.

This is a beautiful area near the Welsh Border, but few tourists visit this area, mot people simply drive right-on past on their way to more publicised parts of Wales.

Rodney's Pillar is a Massive Obelisk

Rodney’s Pillar on top of Breidden Hill, Powys, is an obelisk commemorating Admiral Rodney’s victory over the French in 1782.

It was built by the gentlemen of Montgomeryshire who supplied oak wood from the area and shipped it down the River Severn to Bristol, to where Admiral Rodney’s fleet was built.
The Breidden Hills are an isolated group of three peaks south east of the River Severn about 13 miles from Shrewsbury and 6 miles north east of Welshpool.

The Breidden Hills

The Breidden Hills are a volcanic feature.
They dominate the area and stand over 1200ft high.
Footpaths lead up to the summit with wonderful views of Shropshire & Wales.

There are remains of an old hill fort which was occupied in Roman times, and may have been the site of the last stand of Caractacus.

Middletown Hill, the second peak is about 1195ft and stands on the north side of Middletown Village.

There are remains of an ancient camp, on Cefn-y-Castell.
Moel-y- Golfa is the highest of the three peaks at 1324 ft and is largely wooded.

There are footpaths over the Breidens which can be accessed off the B4393 Llandrinio to Crew Green road, turn right towards Criggion.
Text Source: www.oswestry-welshborders.org.uk/attractions/breidden-hill-rodneys-pillar/

William Shakespeare and Shrewsbury Associations Facts About the Bard

Facts About William Shakespeare Every Shropshire Resident Should Know

Fact 1 - In 1603, William Shakespeare is reported to have joined King James' theatre group and travelled to Shrewsbury.

And, performed in Shrewsbury, one of the very first places they chose to perform.

Shrewsbury was a great place to stage theatre events in those days.

The town was well-served by roads both North-South and East-West, the Shrewsbury of 1603 would have proved a pleasant destination, situated on a peninsula formed by the winding Severn River.

One reason for the King's Men's early plans to tour was no doubt the virulent plague that beset London at the time; it had closed the public theatres in the capital and in fact caused King James to delay his coronation until July 25th 1603.
Fact 2 - Shakespeare set the finale of his historic play Henry IV, in Shrewsbury at "The Battle of Shrewsbury" in 1403.

Remind me! Who was William Shakespeare again?

 "The Bard" was the English author of famous plays which although written over 400 years ago, are still regularly performed, and he lived during the Elizabethan era.

But why is Shakespeare considered such a great artist?

Born in England in 1564, William Shakespeare started his career as an actor and playwright as a member of the actors group the "Lord Chamberlain's company", which later became the "King's Company".

They played in several theatres until eventually they built the famous Globe Theatre in London which was their very first "own" stage.

As there were only male members in the company, every role had to be played by men.

But that wasn't the reason why Shakespeare's plays, like Othello or Hamlet, were very popular.

To match the various tastes of a diverse audience Shakespeare created texts of high complexity, containing relatively simple plots as well as subtle nuances.

Being the key to his success, his stories also contained multiple interlocking plots, twists and confusions, containing something for everyone in the audience.

So it wasn't just for common people, who enjoyed his works, his company even played at the king's court for the amusement of the aristocracy.

Beside the plays, Shakespeare also wrote a multitude of sonnets and poems.

At first his work consisted almost exclusively of histories and comedies, like "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Henry VI".

Later tragedies like "Hamlet" also became part of his portfolio.
In his work, Shakespeare used his own special language, rich in metaphors and vivid images.

He even created new words, which became formally established.
As a consequence many English words used today, like "lonely" and "gossip", make their first appearance in one of his plays or sonnets.

Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of 52.

His plays still amaze audiences when performed today.

Shakespeare's stories have even found their way into many of today's movies, books and music.

Plus, fortunately, nowadays women can also play Juliet.

Shrewsbury Shakespeare connection source: www.original www.shrewsbury.co.uk/news and the BBC website.

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The Highest Points in Shropshire - A List of the 10 Highest Shropshire Hills

This list of the Highest 10 Shropshire Hills provides a wonderful subject, on which to base this slideshow style video. A video which shows images which display the beautiful hills of South Shropshire. Most of these hills are within the Shropshire AONB - (Area of Natural Beauty).

Source: shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk

List of the 10 Highest Shropshire Hills

Some of he hills of Shropshire are fine summits and well known, others are more wild and seldom trodden.

See how many hills in this list you know about.

1 - Brown Clee – Abdon Burf 540m. Is the highest point in Shropshire.

2 - The Stiperstones 536m (Long Mynd). The highest point is Manstone Rock. Be sure also to watch out for the Devil’s Chair.

3 - Titterstone Clee 533m, SO591779. In the south-east of the county, provides many views including to the Malvern Hills and the Cotswolds.

4 - Long Mynd – Pole Bank 516m. Rises gently above the Long Mynd plateau.

5 - Clee Burf (Brown Clee) 510m. Slightly lower sister to the first in our list. This hill lies just to the south.

6 - Kerry Ridgeway 483m. One of the hilltops in the Clun Forest.

7 - Hoar Edge (Titterstone Clee) 478m. An outlier of Titterstone Clee close to the large Cleehill Quarry, with some interesting prehistoric cairns on its flat topped ridge.

8 - Yearlet 465m. A fine hill summit along the eastern edge of the Long Mynd.

9 - Caer Caradoc 459m. Above Church Stretton, Caradoc is one of the most beautiful of Shropshire’s Hills.

10 - Knolls (Long Mynd) 457m. Located in the southern part of the Long Mynd, it is well worth exploring.

We hope you enjoyed watching our list of the 10 Highest Shropshire Hills.

Find out more about walking the hills of the Logn Mynd around Church Stretton, at the Shropshire Hills website.

Don't forget. For those that pale at the thought of walking up hill. There is a solution. Take the Shropshire Hills Shuttlebus up to the top and walk back down to your car, or Church Stretton Station. The Shuttlebus runs all summer, at weekends.

Those are the highest Shropshire Hills, and include the highest point in Shropshire!

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Haughmond Abbey and Mysterious Sundorne Castle - Shrewsbury History in S...

The History of Haughmond Abbey and Mysterious Sundorne Castle

We inform viewers about the historic former Augustinian abbey at Haughmond Hill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, it was extended in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries part of it was converted into a mansion, and after the Civil War (1642–1651), it became a farm.

Only ruins remain, the most substantial parts being parts of the infirmary and the abbot's lodging, the latter with a large three-sided bay window. Only the foundation stones of the church have survived.

Other remains include part of the cloister walls, three arches from the chapter house, and three chimneys from the kitchen.

From Haughmond Abbey, not far away downhill toward the outskirts of Shrewsbury some people are intrigued to see another "castle".

Sundorne Castle, a more modern country house that has been demolished.

It looks mysterious to many onlookers because a number of structures associated with the house have survived.

Other listed buildings include houses, cottages, farmhouses and farm buildings, in the nearby village of in Uffington, Shropshire.

The earliest of these are timber framed, there's also a pump in an enclosure, and a church.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_buildings_in_Uffington,_Shropshire
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9 Facts About Much Wenlock Historic Shropshire Abbey Priory Olympics & More

Much Wenlock is a lovely small town in beautiful Shropshire countryside. 

It has a number of historical associations going right back to Saxon England.

The priory ruins are open to visitors, and the town boasts a number of charming old wood framed buildings. From the town there are also some lovely walks, not least on the wooded Wenlock Edge.

Here is a Potted Introduction to Much Wenlock from Wikipedia

Much Wenlock is a small town and parish in Shropshire, England, situated on the A458 road between Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth. Nearby, to the northeast, is the Ironbridge Gorge, and the new town of Telford. The civil parish includes the villages of Homer (1 mile north of the town), Wyke (2 miles northeast), Atterley (2 miles southeast) and Bourton (3 miles southwest). The population of the civil parish, according to the 2001 census, was 2,605, increasing to 2,877 at the 2011 Census.

Much Wenlock was historically the chief town of the ancient borough of Wenlock. The "Much" was added to the name to distinguish it from the nearby Little Wenlock, and signifies that it is the larger of the two settlements. Notable historic attractions in the town are Wenlock Priory and the Guildhall.

The Wenlock Olympian Games established by Dr William Penny Brookes in 1850 are centred in the town. Dr Brookes is credited as a founding father of the modern Olympic Games, and one of the Olympic mascots for London 2012 was named Wenlock after the town. via en.wikipedia.org

The Local Tourist Website Says:

It is the home town of Dr William Penny Brookes, the inspiration for the modern Olympic Movement and founder of the Wenlock Olympian Society. In recognition of our sporting heritage, the 2012 London Olympic Games named one of their mascots Wenlock.

Dr Brookes instigated the Wenlock Olympian Games in 1850 and they still take place here every July. You can learn more about them by visiting our wonderful free Museum and taking a stroll around the Wenlock Olympian Trail.

Today, with a population of around 3,000 people, Much Wenlock feels much more like a village than a town. Try sitting on a bench in the Town Square and it won’t be long before the person sitting next to you is willing to talk of the old times and be just as interested in you as you are in the town.

Stroll around the town centre and it may seem you have stepped back fifty or more years. You won't find any ‘big names', but you will find a great selection of traditional shops, all offering good old-fashioned personal service. Much Wenlock is a place where folk still have time for you. via www.visitmuchwenlock.co.uk

The Pubs And Surroundings of this Town

The historic town of Much Wenlock is surrounded by country pubs, cafes and fine dining restaurants. Shropshire County Hotels and Inns offer a range of modern British food. Their Much Wenlock Hotel, The Raven Hotel, has a particular passion for food and has been awarded 2 AA Rosettes. So, whether you're looking for a relaxed atmosphere with some classic country food, a sophisticated evening out or even a quick bite to eat, stop by the Raven Hotel.

With transport links to Shrewsbury, Telford, Birmingham and Cannock, via bus, car and train, Much Wenlock is situated in the perfect location for a day out. Whether it's shopping or with the family, Much Wenlock is central to Shrewsbury, Telford, Birmingham and Kidderminster.

Renowned for its breath-taking scenery, Wenlock Edge surrounds the town. A 15-mile-long limestone escarpment offering a long history of quarrying and industry. Wenlock Edge has inspired countless artists, poets and composers. In 2007 the beautiful landscape was listed as one of the ‘seven wonders' of the West Midlands. via www.visitshropshirehotels.com

Wenlock Olympian Games

The Wenlock Olympian Games, dating from 1850, are a forerunner of the modern Olympic Games. They are organised by the Wenlock Olympian Society (WOS), and are held each year at venues across Shropshire, England, centred on the little market town of Much Wenlock. One of the two mascots for the 2012 Summer Olympics was named Wenlock in honour of the Wenlock Olympian Games. via en.wikipedia.org

Conclusion

Much Wenlock is well worth a visit. Its long and colourful history is only part of its appeal.

Set in the beautiful countryside of Shropshire with Wenlock Edge (home to many rare orchids) nearby, it is also a must for nature lovers.

The town itself is a stunning medieval "black and white" town with many beautiful buildings, including the Guildhall that is open in summer months. via www.historic-uk.com

Fascinating Shropshire Archaeology Cropmarks Found During Aerial Survey Work in Summer 2018

Dry summer revealed historic and archaeological sites across Shropshire Archaeology

Last summer SAW the recording of a wide range of archaeological sites, including Bronze Age burial monuments, Iron Age farms and Roman ‘marching’ camps.

22 sites recorded during aerial surveys in 2018 have never been seen before, and significant new detail has been recorded at previously known archaeological sites.

This adds to aerial photography taken over the last 10 years, which has recorded a wide variety of archaeological sites, historic buildings and landscape features.

The imagery has been catalogued and recorded within the Council’s Historic Environment Record, to support the work of the team in ensuring the rich heritage of the county is effectively protected and managed by working constructively with farmers, land owners and developers.

The drought conditions of early summer 2018 put many crops under stress, with the result that buried archaeological remains rapidly became visible as ‘cropmarks’.

These are created when ditches buried below the ploughed soil cause the overlying crop to grow taller and ripen more slowly.

In addition, ‘parchmarks’ have developed where buried stonework causes stunted grass growth above archaeological features.

For more information about Shropshire Council’s Historic Environment Record, and the wide range of archaeological sites and features it records.

Visit the "Discovering Shropshire’s History" website.

Sites shown in video: Roman buildings at Wroxeter, an enclosure near Gobowen, a ditched enclosure near Much Wenlock, a Prisoner of War Camp near Oswestry, Ring ditches near Cound, a long pit alignment near Hodnet, features at a field near Whittington.
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Queen Aethelflaed - The Warrior Queen 1st Anglo Saxon Queen of Mercia

The Middle Ages were full of kings, but there are hardly any strong defining women we know much about. There are, of course, notable exceptions such as Elizabeth I, and Hildegard of Bingen.

It now seems that those may be just the tip of the iceberg, and that many more have been recorded in old manuscripts and need to be researched, their stories published and brought out into modern culture.

This article is about one such woman. We are beginning to be told about Aethelflaed, Queen of Mercia, and it seems there may be many more. The rest of this article is devoted to our local female Aethelflaed:

Aethelflaed - The Warrior Queen who was the first Shropshire town planner.

Aethelflaed, the daughter of Alfred the Great, was the first Saxon woman to rule a kingdom.

Many of the urban centres we know today, including Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Chester and Stafford, are Aethelflaed's gift to the Midlands.

Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, is the subject of a new book by Margaret Jones, who says that in recent years her story has been rediscovered by historians.

Aethelflaed lived over 1,000 years ago, and she was powerful.

She did what no Anglo-Saxon woman before her had done – she led her army in battle, says Margaret in her book, "Founder, Fighter, Saxon Queen," published by Pen & Sword.

Shrewsbury had been founded between 901 and 912, to keep watch from a hilltop over a bend in the River Severn.

St Alkmund's Church, Shrewsbury is unusual in having retained the name and dedication of the original Aethelflaedan church.

This is where Aethelflaed is said to have brought the remains of St Alkmund – Ealhmund – from Derby, to keep them safe from the Danes and to bless the newly established town.

Margaret says while locals in Bridgnorth insist on dating the town from 1101 when a Norman lord built a castle there, but it is almost certainly the place referred to in the Anglo Saxon Chronicles, where Aethelflaed built a burh – a fortified settlement – on a hill overlooking the river in 912.

In 896 the marauding Danes had wintered near Bridgnorth, but were to find it impossible to do so again.

Both Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth were entirely new towns built from scratch, she says, although Bridgnorth was in effect re-founded in the 12th century when the layout of the main streets probably changed.

As a warrior queen defending her realm against invasion, and as the founder of strategic towns like Runcorn, Stafford, Shrewsbury and Warwick, she brought peace to the Midlands and paved the way for the unification of England.

Click the link below to read the book:
https://amzn.to/2CgljrF

Law and Order Before Police Forces

Throughout all-time, and until the end of the medieval period it was believed that the only way to keep order was to make sure that the people were scared of the punishments given for crimes committed.

For this reason all crimes from stealing to murder had harsh punishments. Although there were goals, they were generally used to hold a prisoner awaiting trial rather than as a means of punishment. Fines, shaming (being placed in stocks), mutilation (cutting off a part of the body) or death were the most common forms of punishment. There was no police force in the medieval period so law-enforcement was in the hands of the community.

Top List of Shropshire Castles

Shropshire Castles - The Top List!

If you fancy exploring a bit of England's rich heritage then there is no better place to start than the historic Shropshire Castles. The stormy past of Shropshire has left the county with many hillforts, castles and abbeys, many which saw .

1. Acton Burnell Castle:

Acton Burnell Castle is located in a small village of the same name, and it is in fact a fortified manor house.

2. Bridgnorth Castle:

Bridgnorth Castle, set in the town on a cliff by the side of the River Severn, is no more than a ruin.

3. Chirk Castle:

Chirk Castle is an wonderully romantic place, it's 700 years-old, and a fortress of the Marches area between England and Wales, in lovely grounds.

4. Clun Castle:

Now a ruin Clun castle was built around the 1100’s by the Norman, Robert de Say.

5. Ludlow Castle:

Built in the late 11th Century as the border stronghold of one of the Lords of teh Shropshire Marches, Roger De Lacy.

6. Moreton Corbet Castle:

Moreton Corbet Castle is a magnificent and unusual, ornate ruin that is, disturbingly atmospheric.

7. Powis Castle & Garden:

Powis Castle and Gardens, built around 1200 houses textiles, and bronzes, plus ivory and jade from India.

8. Shrewsbury Castle:

Shrewsbury castle in its current form, is a Norman red sandstone construction built by Roger de Montgomery in 1070.

9. Stokesay Castle:

Stokesay Castle, near Craven Arms, nestles in peaceful South Shropshire countryside near the Welsh Border.

10. Whittington Castle:

Whittington Castle is very impressive and picturesque, situated in the heart of Whittington village.

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Roman Ruts - The Roman History of Craven Arms - Shropshire History

Oh! Ruts! Roman Ruts! Craven Arms, Shropshire History

Who would have thought that Craven Arms was once an important place, which suffered from a lack of council road repairs just like today!

In Roman times it was.

It was on a Roman cross-roads.

It was a junction and stopover for marching legionaries, with at least one temporary fort or encampment, a temple, farms, houses, and at least one Roman villa.

It was a part of the nation-wide road system from the Midlands in the East to Wales in the West, where it was crossed by a Roman road known as an extension of Watling Street.

Watling Street which starts on the Kent Coast, was a major thoroughfare on the Roman road running all the way from Rome.

The Craven Arms section would take you from Wroxeter (9 miles east of Shrewsbury) in the north to South Wales in the south.

But, sometimes it is the discovery of little everyday details which make events of over 1,500 years ago seem so real.

And, for me it's the Craven Arms ruts!

With government cuts our big worry is potholes, but cartwheel ruts worn by metal wheel rimes, were the problem in those days.

Here on this slide are the ruts which were found near Ludlow in another excavation to the one for excavations for a Highways Department extension, just south of Craven Arms Business Park carried out in 2013. See end of video for attribution.

Excavation at Overton Road, Ludlow

Copyright Transactions of the Shropshire
Archaeological and Historical Society, Vol 91, 2016

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Shrewsbury Centre High Street Healthy and Ranked 4th from the Best in Review

Shrewsbury Centre and High Street 2018 Shop Closures and Health of the High Street

High Street in Shrewsbury Shrewsbury is known for its many independent cafes and has few town-centre bookmakers compared to most UK cities, although there are William Hill and Coral branches on High Street. In general, the town is symbolic of what many other county towns are experiencing on their high streets.

There have been a number of shop closures in 2018. House of Fraser in Shrewsbury is one of 31 stores shutting nationwide The drastic plan will also see branches closed in Wolverhampton and Birmingham in a bid to rescue the rest of the struggling business.

But, losses were not limited to the town centre with the closed down former Toys R Us store in Shrewsbury still empty, but there is news that it has been snapped up by an unnamed retailer.

It is surrounded by a big river so it makes many people more concerned about what will happen if people take walks at night so close to a dangerous river. It is being said that rough sleeping in Shrewsbury has reached epidemic proportions for a variety of reasons, impacting negatively on business, on visitors and those of us who wish to be able to be proud to be part of the county town.

The UK's Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) has published a league table ranking 70 of Britain’s major towns and cities by the impact of their high streets on the public’s health and well-being.

Shrewsbury came 4^th in the national list for having a high street which relatively free of off-licences, fast food outlets and empty shops.

Grimsby was ranked the unhealthiest high street in the country.

The league table features in the new RSPH report, Health on the High Street: Running on empty, which follows on from the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of a package of measures designed to reinvigorate the nation’s high streets. This is a follow up report to the original RSPH Health on the High Street published in 2015, and assesses changes in British retail areas over the past three years.

The report updates the methodology used in 2015, to reflect the changing face of the British high street, adding off-licences and empty shops to the negative influences on health, and cafes and vape shops to the positive influences. via Shealthiest high streets

Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID) has entered the town in the Great British High Street Awards 2018 to celebrate its achievements and gain wider recognition.

It has put Shrewsbury forward in the Champion High Street category on behalf of members and partner organisations. The category is judged on successes in community, customer experience, environment and digital transformation criteria.

Seb Slater, Executive Director of Shrewsbury BID, said: “We have a thriving community spirit and passionate organisations who work together to ensure our high street maintains a strong appeal and adapts to meet changing consumer demands.

“We believe we have something for everyone with our mix of independents and well-known retailers, an interesting heritage and charm, lively events and festivals programme along with a safe and welcoming night time economy.

“Entering the Great British High Street Awards is a chance for us to showcase all we offer and build on Shrewsbury’s reputation as an original one-off destination.” via High Street accolade

Shrewsbury has plenty of choice in the mid-market sector. It’s well served by local independents, many of which are fighting for the same dollar, with a number of big name multiples offering bargain eats for those seeking an informal night out. Against such tough competition, simple errors are enough to make alternatives seem desirable. via Harvey's

View the above YouTube video, on YouTube here https://youtu.be/UdvbVDnpjXA

What to do in Shrewsbury - 4 Top Places to See in Shrewsbury, Shropshire

1. Shrewsbury, Shropshire has traditionally been known as the "Town of Flowers", a moniker incorporated into many of the signs on entrance to the town via major roads, although this was replaced in 2007 with 'the birthplace of Charles Darwin'.

2. Shrewsbury has been twinned with Zutphen, Netherlands since 1977.

3. It has been home to many contributors to literature.

4. The town has a busy spring and summer events season, which includes music, art, food and sport.

5. University Centre Shrewsbury has been offering postgraduate courses since autumn 2014 and undergraduate students are being welcomed to the institution from autumn 2015.

6. Shrewsbury has a Park and Ride bus scheme in operation and three car parks on the edge of town are used by many who want to travel into the town centre.

7. Shrewsbury has a comprehensive network of on-road and traffic-free cycle routes.

8. The town has a lot to offer and is a place which visitors flock to, to experience its individuality and history, as well as its excellent shops and eateries.

9. Home to Percy Thrower. Percy Throwers Garden Centre in Shrewsbury has been sold off by its parent company Wyevale.

10.  The gym in Shrewsbury has over 400 pieces of the very latest fitness equipment, a pure Cardio zone and a self contained, ladies only area.

11. Shrewsbury has fallen back in love with its footballing side. This will mean everything to the supporters if Shrewsbury can get promotion.

12. Residents of Shrewsbury can now enjoy an array of leisure activities with family and friends at Shrewsbury Sports Village following an extensive refurbishment of the facilities.

13. "Paul Hurst is eager to discover if Shrewsbury can write their own fairytale this season after opening League One five games unbeaten.

14. There is a real sense of momentum on the back of the Big Town Plan and a belief that Shrewsbury can genuinely lead the way for other English county towns, putting people and place first, as the way to attract investment.

15. Our mental health care facilities in Shrewsbury can act as a step-down following on from or as an alternative to a hospital stay and help to spur on the recovery of guests and help make their transition to their communities a bit easier.

16. The many historic streets and shops of central town can be reached within 5 minutes on foot.

17. The High Street is under pressure from internet retailers to compete on price, but Shrewsbury still has many successful independent shops offering personal service.

18. It's not all that long ago that Shrewsbury still offered the choice of HMV, Virgin, and MVC Music Shops.

19. But despite edging the chances in a gruelling and largely unspectacular clash at Sixfields Stadium, Shrewsbury still remain unable to record back-to-back wins.

20. Shrewsbury still holds the individual records at County level in six separate events, including D Tinsley's 22.

The Ludlow Shrewsbury Suffragette and Centenary Celebration in Shropshire

The Ludlow Post Office Suffragette and her Shrewsbury Trial

Last week (August 2018) a group of women entertained Shrewsbury townsfolk by dressing up as suffragettes, as part of the Shrewsbury celebrations of the Centenary of the Suffragette Movement.

But, who were the LOCAL suffraggetes?

According to 'The Postal Museum': visit postalmuseum.org one local suffragette was Elsie Rachel Helsby of Shrewsbury.

She became a notorious suffragette, as follows:

At about 3am on 28 June 1912 a woman broke the windows at Ludlow Post Office, causing approximately £5 worth of damage.

The pleasant-faced lady in question gave her name as Elsie Rachel Helsby of Shrewsbury.
She was granted bail but refused it, and she was remanded in Shrewsbury Prison.

In her defence at the trial Miss Helsby stated that she had been motivated to break the windows because of the treatment of women at Holloway and other prisons, and "in defence of poorly paid women and unhealthy and over-worked children".

A newspaper report details that Miss Helsby smashed the windows with a hammer to which was attached two labels, one reading "Votes for Women", the other a protest against the force-feeding of suffrage campaigners on hunger strike.

The magistrates decided that Miss Helsby could either be fined for costs and damages or sentenced to 28 days hard labour.

Miss Helsby elected for the hard labour and was sent back to Shrewsbury prison.

During my research I also found suffragette Violet Ann Bland born in Bayston Hill.

Bayston Hill's Suffragette!

DO YOU KNOW of any others, or more about these two?

Please tell us. Comment!

Images are for illustration only: No pictures exist of Miss Helsby.

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More About Suffragette  Elsie Helsby

Elsie Helsby is listed in the following roll of honour:

Roll of Honour of Suffragette Prisoners 1905-1914

Description: Pamphlet containing an alphabetical list of Suffragette Prisoners [no publishing details available]. The entries have been copied out as indicated below [The list does not contain any additional details].

Please note that this list of prisoners was compiled by the Suffragette Fellowship, c. 1950, based on the recollections of former suffragettes. As such it is not a comprehensive source.

via Roll of Honour of Suffragette Prisoners 1905-1914

Broken windows theory: Why suffragettes attacked the Post Office

In the early 20th Century the state-owned GPO was one of the largest businesses and employers in the world. It controlled the mail, telegraph and telephone services throughout the United Kingdom, and was vital to everyday life. With a post office branch a feature of almost every high street in the country it was one of the most visible signs of government and authority, and was thus an ideal target for suffrage campaigners. The First World War interrupted the suffrage campaign, and it would not be until 1928 that women in the United Kingdom had the same voting rights as men. – Alison Bean, Web Officer

via Broken windows theory