Shropshire

As work analysing the results of last July’s excavation at Shrewsbury Castle progresses, pottery from one of the pits found by the dig has been identified as dating from the century and a half before the Norman Conquest.

Birmingham-based archaeological pottery specialist Stephanie Ratkai has identified two kinds of Saxon pottery – some made in Stafford, which has been found before on local sites like the Castle Gates Library, and some made in Gloucester, not previously seen in Shrewsbury.

Anglo-Saxon pottery found during the Shrewsbury Castle excavation

Dr Nigel Baker, lead archaeologist on the Shrewsbury Castle excavation, said:

“It’s particularly exciting to find Anglo-Saxon finds on a castle. The history books tell you that the Normans introduced the castle to England in 1066 but archaeology is beginning to show that castles were often built on sites that were already important and sometimes already fortified.”

Dr Andy Wigley, natural and historic environment manager at Shropshire Council, said:

“As well as helping with the future management of this Grade I listed building, we hoped the excavation at Shrewsbury Castle would give new insight into the history of the site and the town.

“Therefore, the discovery of what we now know to be Anglo-Saxon pottery is hugely exciting and gives us new information about the story of Shrewsbury.”

 It has been suspected for a while that Shrewsbury Castle’s long-lost chapel of St Michael may have been founded as a church in Saxon times, and we know that the Normans had fifty one houses demolished to make way for their castle.

We’re now in the process of applying for funding for a second season of excavation and, if we’re successful, we may be able to find out what exactly was going on here before the Normans took over.

The first excavation of Shrewsbury Castle was funded by the Castle Studies Trust and was a partnership project between Shropshire Council and University Centre Shrewsbury.

If you would like to find out more about the excavation that took place at Shrewsbury Castle in July, click here.

Shrewsbury Castle is owned and maintained by Shropshire Council.

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Shropshire Council’s outdoor partnerships team are set to plant up to 50 trees at Corbet Wood on Saturday 30 November 2019 and anyone is welcome to join them to plant a tree.

Trees being planted include the native holly and oak as well as scot’s pine which is a particular feature of the landscape. Rowan will also be planted.

Corbet Wood

The tree planting follows a commitment by Shropshire Council in the spring of 2019 to plant 345,000 trees – one for every resident living in the county.

Shaun Burkey, Shropshire Council’s countryside and heritage sites manager (North), said:

“We live in a dynamic and living landscape where trees play a very important role. Planting of trees in the right place offers communities the chance to engage with their natural environment and reminds us we all have a part to play looking after and cherishing our green spaces.”

The project to plant the 50 trees was kicked off by a local resident whose initial enquiry set the wheels in motion. Miss Buszka will also be helping the outdoor partnerships team on the day.

The event will start at 11am and tools and guidance will be provided to those taking part. If you would like to take part, you can meet the team in the car park at Corbet Wood.

The tree planting also coincides with the national Tree Planting Day which is coordinated by the Woodland Trust.

Shropshire Council’s outdoor partnerships team manage 15 sites across northern Shropshire covering a total of 315 hectares. Many of the sites are specialist wetlands home to peat-bog and fen habitats which are extremely important and rare.

To find out more about Shropshire’s Great Outdoors and the activities available across the county, visit the website.

The post Shropshire Council to plant trees at Corbet Wood appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

News from our partners Shrewsbury BID

Children in Shrewsbury are being given a direct link to Father Christmas in the run-up to the big day thanks to an initiative by town businesses. 

A special postbox has been installed under the Old Market Hall in The Square, along with a large Christmas tree, as part of a festive campaign being organised by Shrewsbury BID (Business Improvement District). 

Special postbox

Shoppers will also have the opportunity to pick up some exclusively-designed wrapping paper for free on Saturday 7 December 2019, as the town centre celebrates Small Business Saturday. 

Parents and children can collect letter-writing kits from town centre shops and the Visitor Information Centre inside Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery to help ensure they get a reply from Father Christmas himself. 

Seb Slater, executive director of Shrewsbury BID, said he hoped the postbox and Christmas tree would be a welcome addition to the town centre’s Christmas decorations. 

“A number of our members told us that it’s been a long time since there has been a Christmas tree in The Square, so we hope people will enjoy seeing it.

“We need to say a big thank you to Leaton Forest for providing the tree, the Christmas Perks shop in Wyle Cop for decorating it, and Shrewsbury Town Council for their support. 

“We hope lots of people take the opportunity to write a letter to Father Christmas using one of the special templates, beautifully illustrated by Hannah Chumbley, which are available from a variety of town centre traders, and pop them in the postbox under the Old Market Hall. 

“Small Business Saturday takes place on 7 December and we have some amazing wrapping paper, also designed by Hannah Chumbley, which shops will be giving away free with purchases during the day. 

“It’s all part of our ongoing campaign to encourage people to come into Shrewsbury to do their Christmas shopping and support local traders.” 

The Christmas tree and postbox are now in position under the Old Market Hall and will remain in place until January 2020.

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News from our partners Denbighshire County Council

A team of volunteers have been busy learning new traditional skills and putting them to use in Plas Newydd. The Dell is the Ladies of Llangollen’s naturalistic garden at and some of the 200-year-old revetment walls are crumbling and falling into disrepair.

The Our Picturesque Landscape which is National Lottery Heritage Funded is leading on a five-year restoration of the Dell which has started this autumn (2019) with repairing many of the crumbling stone walls holding up the banks leading into the Dell. Led by experienced Richard Jones of RJ Countryside Skills, the volunteers have learnt the skills involved in removing a crumbling wall and how to rebuild it to last another two hundred years. As part of the work a time capsule has been buried in the wall for someone to find long into the future detailing who repaired the wall and why.

Enthusiastic team of dry stone wallers at Plas Newydd

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Other projects within the restoration are the creation of stepping stones across the babbling Afon Cyflymen which flows through the Dell, repairing the steps leading up to the summer house, creating a bog garden, extra seating and replacing the existing handrail with something more in keeping with the garden as it would have been two hundred years ago.  If you would like to get involved by volunteering with the restoration, please get in touch with the team on 01824 706163 or email our.picturesque.landscape@denbighshire.gov.uk

Paula Wilding and Dave Smith, volunteers, said:-

“This has provided an interesting feature, leading visitors down from the historic formal heritage garden into the ladies’ naturalistic planting within the Dell.”

Further information

Our Picturesque Landscape Project centres on the landscape of the Dee Valley and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site. It takes the theme of inspirational journeys that have been, and continue to be, a feature of the area which is cut by the canal, Telford’s A5 and the River Dee. Visitors have drawn inspiration from this beautiful valley in art and poetry since the 18th century and it continues to draw tourists in search of the sublime.

This landscape is under growing pressure with high numbers of visitors drawn to what are often our most fragile sites. The communities on its doorstep, born from the industrial endeavours that shaped it, are now less connected to the benefits the landscape offers. The five year project will invest in the resilience of key visitor sites and engage communities in its appreciation and management while reinterpreting this rich landscape for a new generation.

Projects have been developed under 3 themes -Conserving the Picturesque Landscape, Accessing the Picturesque Landscape and People and the Picturesque.

Our Picturesque Landscape Project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. It is a partnership project developed by the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site, Denbighshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council, Shropshire Council, The Canal & River Trust, Natural Resources Wales, Cadw, Cadwyn Clwyd, Aqueducks (Friends of the World Heritage Site) and the Friends of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley.

http://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/our-picturesque-landscape-project/

Follow us on Facebook @Clwydian Range and Dee Valley

National Lottery Heritage Fund

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.HeritageFund.org.uk.

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

enthusiastic team of dry stone wallers.

The post News from our partners: Building walls and teams at Plas Newydd appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

The New Saints Football Club and Shropshire Council are pleased to announce that both parties have agreed a resolution to the ongoing issue of the alleged non-payment of a grant.

Following a positive meeting between senior officials of both organisations, it was agreed that The New Saints Football Club would continue to invest significant funding into agreed projects via The New Saints Foundation with a minimum commitment of at least £60,000 over the next five years to benefit the people of Oswestry and Shropshire.

It was agreed that two representatives from Shropshire Council would be invited to join the Board of Trustees of The New Saints Foundation. This will ensure an even better working relationship between both organisations, working on collaborative projects in line with The New Saints Foundation Strategy.

Mike Harris, Chairman of The New Saints Football Club, said:

“I’m delighted with the outcome of this meeting. I feel we have made significant progress and would like to thank Shropshire Council in being open to a negotiated settlement that leaves both parties able to move forward in a positive position. I’m also pleased that Shropshire Council recognises the great work that has been achieved, and is now going to play an active role as The New Saints continues with its programme of good causes in the area.”

Clive Wright, chief executive of Shropshire Council, said:

“I am really pleased we have found a way forward and look forward to both of our organisations continuing to make a difference for Shropshire communities.”

Please note: there will no further comment from The New Saints Football Club and Shropshire Council in regards to the settlement.

The post Statement from The New Saints Football Club and Shropshire Council appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

News from our partners Network Rail

Shropshire residents are invited to a drop-in event to find out more about maintenance work on Felhampton railway bridge (on the Welsh Marches line near Wistanstow) which is being delivered in the New Year of 2020, and will improve the resilience and reliability of the railway for passengers.

Felhampton railway bridge, near Wistanstow

The work, being delivered by Network Rail, will involve replacing some of the structural elements of the bridge, improving drainage, cleaning the surface via a process called grit blasting and painting it.

The drop-in event will take place on Wednesday 4 December 2019, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm at Wistanstow Village Hall, Craven Arms, SY7 8DQ. No appointment is necessary, and representatives from Network Rail’s project team will be on hand to provide information and answer any questions ahead of the work.

The core work will take place from 6 January 2020 to 20 March 2020, inclusive. Throughout this period, the road linking Bushmoor with the A49 will be closed, and a fully signposted diversionary route will be in place.

Preparation work begins on Monday 16 December 2019 which involves setting up the site compound and taking delivery of materials to site.

Laura Townsend, scheme project manager for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said:

“We would like to thank the local community in advance for their patience while we carry out this essential maintenance work to Felhampton railway bridge.

“This work will improve the resilience and reliability of the railway, and increase its lifespan for years to come.

“We will be working closely with our partners to minimise disruption, and encourage anyone wishing to find out more about this work to come along to the drop-in event.”

Steve Brown, Shropshire Council’s interim assistant director of infrastructure and communities, said:

“I’m pleased that Network Rail will soon be carrying out much-needed work to Felhampton bridge, and thank people in advance for their patience while this important work is carried out.”

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

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Shropshire Council has received £15,000 from the Local Government Association (LGA) to help residents get online, following a successful application to their Digital Inclusion programme.

The funding will enable the council to press ahead with its digital skills project by recruiting a digital champion.  This person will be tasked with reaching out to residents who are over 65 and don’t have the skills, equipment or confidence to go online, to help them access the support they need.

Research shows that approximately 25% of Shropshire residents are digitally excluded, ranking above the national figure of 21%.

Of the 25% in Shropshire, nearly a quarter are over 65, reflecting the ageing population of the county.

Michele Leith, Shropshire Council director of workforce and transformation, said:

“We are committed to making it easier for Shropshire residents to engage with the council and access services.

“As part of the council’s digital transformation, more and more of our services are moving online enabling residents to engage with us at times that better suit them.

“However, we are acutely aware that not all residents are online. It is hugely important that we ensure that residents who are not online are aware of the support that is available to them, not only to help them engage with their council, but to make it easier for them to communicate with family and friends, save money through online shopping and much more.

“I’m delighted that we have received funding from the LGA for our digital skills project.”

Shropshire Council is one of ten councils across England to receive a share of £200,000 for projects to promote digital inclusion in their local communities.

More information about the support on offer in Shropshire will be available soon.

Making it easier for you to engage with your council

One of the ways in which the council is making it easier and quicker for you to access its services is via its new online portal, MyShropshire.

Created earlier this year, MyShropshire allows you to report an issue and track its progress in their local area, anytime and anywhere.

To find out more, you should visit https://shropshire.gov.uk/welcome-to-myshropshire/.

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A map sale of Ordnance Survey maps, mostly dated 1900 – 1903, is to take place at Shropshire Archives on Saturday 7 December 2019 to raise funds to an original 16th century manuscript.

Following rationalisation of its map collection, Shropshire Archives is selling duplicate copies of the second edition 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey maps of Shropshire. These are mostly dated 1900-1903.

All monies raised from the sale will support the appeal to save the 16th century manuscript of the Life of Sir Philip Sidney by Fulke Greville. This unique treasure, which is part of Shropshire Archives’ outstanding resources, is at risk and requires urgent conservation work to prevent it deteriorating further.

Fulke Greville manuscript

The sale of the maps has been organised by the Friends of Shropshire Archives, a charity who support the work of Shropshire Council’s archive service.

Jill Ming, the Chair of the Friends of Shropshire Archives, said:

If you’re looking for a unique Shropshire Christmas present this is your chance! The maps are very detailed and cover many areas of the county. We have raised almost half of the £1,800 needed for our appeal, and hope this sale will make a big contribution towards our target.

Mary Mckenzie, Shropshire Archives manager, said:

This is a great opportunity to have a part of Shropshire’s history, while supporting a very important cause. The appeal is essential to secure the long term preservation of this wonderful biography which is over 400 years old.

Details of the maps available at £3 each can be found on the Friends of Shropshire Archives website. Individual sheets can be reserved by emailing the Friends via the website.

The sale will take place at Shropshire Archives, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury SY1 2AQ from 10am-4pm on Saturday 7 December. Payments can be made by cash or cheque only. Cheques should be made payable to the Friends of Shropshire Archives.

Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586) was one of Elizabeth I’s preeminent courtiers. A scholar, poet and soldier, he died at the age of 31 at the battle of Zutphen in the Netherlands. Both Sir Philip Sidney and Fulke Greville (1554-1628) were educated at Shrewsbury School, arriving on the same day in 1564, and became lifelong friends.

Following Sidney’s death, Greville, who was also an author and an important politician under Elizabeth I and James I, wrote the life which was first published in 1652. This original manuscript was part of the collections acquired by Shrewsbury Library, and now forms part of Shropshire Archives’ collections.

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News from our partners Whitchurch Town Council

So much more than just a Christmas lights switch on, Whitchurch is offering a packed day full of fun on Saturday 30 November 2019.

The day kicks off at 10am with a large Christmas Market both inside the Civic Centre and outside in the High Street. The market will showcase high quality craft with a large food and drink element, with many producers returning from the town’s Food and Drink Festival. Make sure you come early as these producers sell out quickly.

As the light fades the outdoor stalls will be lit with festive Christmas lights – a perfect opportunity to start your Christmas shopping early and spread the festive cheer! From warm GandTs and one of the best craft breweries in the region to freshly made cheese toasties, burgers and crepes you will be spoilt for choice.

Don’t forget to visit The Bullring where you will find the children’s mini fairground and the Rotary Club’s Father Christmas, which is a favourite of the town.

Town Centre Manager Zoë Dean said:-

“I am blown away each year with the number of town organisations that get involved with switch on day, it is a lovely occasion for Whitchurch and we are very pleased to bring this free event to residents.”

Children can make a lantern in the Market Hall ahead of the parade whilst their families enjoy a hot drink and cooked breakfast at Sarah’s Café.

St Alkmund’s Church is hosting their annual Crib Festival from 9.30am – 6pm with a wonderful array of nativity scenes. Warm up in church with coffee and mince pies.

The lantern parade leaves the Market Hall at 4.30pm in preparation for the big switch on outside the Civic Centre at 5pm. Crowds will be treated to a live performance from Josh Whittall.

Enjoy late night shopping at the town’s independent businesses until 6pm.

There will be lots of free entertainment both inside the Civic Centre and in the town centre featuring Whitchurch Town Band, Gary Northeast, Dave Lock, The White House School Choir and Whitchurch Community Choir as well as dance performances from Glo’s Dance and Cheer.

The Mayor of Whitchurch Cllr Bev Duffy said:-

“I am excited to soon reveal the Whitchurch Citizen of the Year 2019, who will be helping me to switch on the lights for the 2019 festive season. This will be great day in town for Whitchurch and I urge you to come visit early as we have some exceptional market stalls on board this year, whose high quality produce is bound to sell out early.”

Shropshire Council has confirmed that the town will enjoy free parking from 2pm – 6pm on the afternoon of the switch on. The free parking will apply at the following car parks:

• Newtown
• Castle Hill
• St John’s Street
• Pepper Street
• Brownlow Street.

Whitchurch Civic Centre is also hosting a large Christmas Craft Fair the following weekend, Saturday 7 December 2019, in the Market Hall from 10am – 3pm with free entry, many stalls and a café serving refreshments.

The post News from our partners: Christmas lights switch on in Whitchurch on Saturday 30 November 2019 appeared first on Shropshire Council Newsroom.

News from our partners Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG)

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is!

It won’t be long before it’s Black Friday (29 November 2019) and Cyber Monday (2 December 2019) and UK shoppers are once again chasing down the best deals for Christmas.

Last year online sales were up by 46% which suggests that more and more shoppers will be getting involved; and forecasts reveal that UK shoppers are likely to spend more than £2 billion on 29 November and over £8 billion, in total, by the end of Cyber Monday.

But once again we need to be aware that we are not the only ones to recognise the benefits and profits to be made from Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Those looking for bargains need to be very alert, when they shop, as international gangs of counterfeiters and pirates are out looking for your hard-earned cash and will want to give you nothing in return.

Shopping extravaganzas are irresistible for ‘fakers’ and they know we may be very likely to take a chance. They also know that they can use a variety of channels to get to us. The Internet is of a preferred means as it gives them direct access.

The anonymity the Internet offers is such an advantage to criminals. They can operate easily behind sophisticated looking sales sites, using fake trademarks, brands and emblems and even bogus certification labels, to entice shoppers into thinking they are buying genuine, safe, products. The reality is, of course, that consumers can often end up with nothing more that cheap tat and increasingly dangerous goods. According to customs authorities across Europe, over 37% of fakes picked up at our borders are now dangerous to consumers.

Example of fake goods

But this sick trade brings other threats, as criminals continually work to steal our personal details and banking information. We need to be aware that 25% of UK consumers have been attacked during these sales periods and, given access to our data, the criminals will then use our money to fund other menacing crimes, such as drug trafficking, money laundering and child exploitation.

ACG understand that 30 % of all UK consumers will shop during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales period and it is vital that they are very watchful about any dubious offers.  “Which” has put together a useful guide for shoppers to help protect themselves and Citizens Advice has joined the cause.  Citizen’s Advice reports that almost half a million consumer-related issues were dealt with last year; many of these related to undelivered parcels and fake goods, and over 50,000 of these were in November 2018.

What does ACG say?

Firstly, check who you are buying from. If you’re in the high street, go to a reputable store. If you’re online, remember that over 83% of fakes come from China. So, if the website or shipping address looks to be in China or Hong Kong take extra care.

Don’t be too quick in committing your money. Check the price of the product against other sites. You may even get the same deal from the original manufacturers.

Once again: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is!

If you are shopping, we hope you get real bargains but please don’t let criminals get near you. Take extra care!

For tips on how to avoid being caught out this Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend go to https://www.a-cg.org/consumer-advice

Contact information
Anti-Counterfeiting Group
Tel: 01494 449165
Email: admin@a-cg.com

Further information

The Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) represents the voice of business in shaping an effective deterrent to counterfeiting in the UK. We help to steer effective policy, promote evidenced-based actions, empower multi-agency partnerships and strengthen international collaboration. We have been working since 1980 to raise awareness of this serious organised crime: https://www.a-cg.org/

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