Author: Richard

May Walk – Wollerton Wetlands

Our next “First Tuesday” walk will take place on Tuesday 5th May, when we will be walking the Old Railway Line from Hodnet  to Wollerton, and then following Wetlands Walk (Route 5) .

This is a ‘there and back’ walk of approximately 5 miles, using  well trodden paths. It’s dog friendly and takes about 2 hours.

We’ll start at The railway bridge on Station Road in Hodnet at 10.00 a.m. and head towards Wollerton along the old railway line. In the village we’ll take Cow Lane down to the Wetlands and walk the circular path. There’s a wide variety of wildlife to be seen here. for those who wish to continue, we can then walk towards Helshaw Grange stud farm.

Everyone, including dogs, are welcome and good footwear is essential. Walk leaflets are available at the usual outlets, or can be downloaded from our webpage www.hodnet.org.uk/fpg

Any queries contact Steve Alden

on 07774 969 339

APRIL WALK – Around Fauls

Our next “First Tuesday” walk will take place on Tuesday 7th April when we will be walking our route 7 around Fauls. This walk is approximately 5 miles, mainly across fields with quite a few stiles and gates, is dog friendly and takes about 2 hours.

Meeting at Holy Immanuel Church, Fauls (roadside parking) we’ll walk to Marchamley Wood via Fauls Farm and then head to Mickley via one of 2 possible routes. The route then takes us past Hoarstone Lake where we head back towards Fauls. Everyone is welcome, good footwear is essential and dogs are welcome. There are some good views of the surrounding area and there is a short version of the walk if you just want to walk 1st part of it, (about 1.5 miles)

Meet at Fauls Holy Immanuel Church at 10.00 a.m. prompt. We hope to see you there. 

Walk leaflets are available at the usual outlets, or can be downloaded from our webpage www.hodnet.org.uk/fpg Any queries contact Steve Alden on 07774 969 339

Next HFG Walk – Tuesday 3rd March

For our next planned walk we are venturing out of Parish to explore Haughmond Hill, managed by Forestry England.

We’ll be exploring some of the waymarked trails with commanding views across the River Severn and Shrewsbury to the South Shropshire and Welsh hills beyond. The trails can get muddy so suitable footwear is essential.

There is also an award winning cafe which offers refreshments for walkers, dog walkers and nature lovers.

We’ll meet at 10.a.m at Haughmond Hill Cafe, Haughmond Hill, Shrewsbury SY4 4FH.

As always everyone one is welcome Including dogs. 

Any questions or queries, you can contact Richard Grudzinski on 07309 740601.

New 340 Bus Service not calling at Hodnet!

Many residents will have seen local publicity/social media comment about the 340 bus service, which started in January and which links Whitchurch and Wellington railway stations (and points in between, inc PR Hospital) via Market Drayton.

What has surprised/disappointed many is the fact that the service passes along the Hodnet bypass rather than coming through Hodnet/Wollerton, one of the largest non-town settlements along the route, especially as any such ‘diversion’ would only add a minute or two to the overall journey, but make the service available to a considerable number of potential extra users.

Having been in touch with DG Bus, the service operators, they confirm that all queries/suggestions for change need to be addressed to Shropshire Council (SC) who fund (and therefore effectively control) the service.

Hodnet Parish Council (HPC) are currently making representations to SC, and others, with a view to having our village directly served in future – hopefully after an expected review of the service later this year.

In any event, it may be helpful for the HPC to have more evidence of local public support/demand for use of the service, so please do take the trouble to drop the Clerk a mesage with your thoughts: see HPC website for contact details. https://www.hodnet-pc.gov.uk/

More Information

You can find timetables/fare details, or track a service, at https://www.dgbus.co.uk/bus-services/340/

You can also download the DG Bus app (with tracker feature) from the Apple App Store or Google Play

January Walk

Will you be making a New Year’s resolution to walk more, or might you have a need to blow away the cobwebs after the Christmas season?

In either, or any event, you’d be welcome to join us on next ‘1st Tuesday’ walk, which is on 6th January 2026.

This will be circular walk around Weston area. Meet/park by Weston under Redcastle church for a 10AM departure. We will walk up to Weston Heath, through the woods and then towards Lee Brockhurst, before returning. It will be a mix of road, track and field walking – all hopefully fairly dry underfoot.

Usual rules: dogs and accompanied youngsters welcome, sensible footwear advised and bring a drink/snack if you want one, (we normally have stops en route).

Any queries call Richard Underwood 07910 891138

December’s Walk

Our next “First Tuesday” walk is on 2nd December.

Leaving the Lyon Hall car park at 10.00 a.m. we’ll be walking from Hodnet to Marchamley via The Hearne and Long Lane and then on to Hawkstone Hall.

Once there, we have arranged for refreshments (£4.50 per person) in the snug and you are also welcome to walk the gardens. We will return to Hodnet via the Permissive path at approximately 1.30p.m.

This is an easy walk  of 2.5 -3 hrs and everyone is welcome including dogs.

Contact Steve Alden on 07774 969 339 if you have any questions.

Thank you to everyone who has attended this year’s walks and workparties, all of which help keep our footpaths open .

Public Inquiry into Ollerton – Peplow Bridleway

A long awaited inquiry into this matter is due to start on 9th Sept 2025, and will be held at the Festival Centre, Market Drayton, over 3 days.

Many local folk reading this will have supported the (ClipCLOP) campaign in some manner (e.g. by providing evidence of past use &/or a donation) and many more will no doubt be intersted to learn more – and to maybe consider what they might be able to do to assist at this late stage (i.e. make a donation!).

For more information, please click this LINK

July Walks/Glow Worm Spotting

Our next public walk is on Tuesday 1st July.

Meeting at the Lyon Hall for 10.00 AM start, we will be walking to Fauls and back via the route shown in our Hodnet Walk 6 leaflet. The route can be viewed in a downloaded leaflet (from elsewhere on this site) or obtained in hard copy from the rack in Hodnet Village Stores.

It is around 8 miles in total, with a few stiles, and is expected to take around 3 hrs. If you wished to arrange a car share, you could park one by Fauls church and just do half the walk. Supervised children and dogs welcome, latter being on leads at times.

Further info from Steve 07774969339

Our annual glow Worm Walk is to be held on evening of Friday July 11th. We will meet in The Bear, Hodnet at 9pm, and for non drinkers at 10.30 pm by the old railway bridge on Station Road.

As fine weather is essential, if it is raining we will cancel and try again the following friday (18th).

Usual rules, i.e. supervised children and dogs welcome, latter on leads at times, plus sensible footwaear/clothing. A torch may be useful too, especially for the homeward journey.

Further info from Jake 07474974477