Fun

Feb 6th 2024 Walk – HFG

This month we resume our ‘First Tuesday’ walks, with a wander around Fauls – essentially following the route of our Walk 7 leaflet the ‘Fauls Circular’ walk.

We’ll meet outside the Holy Emmanuel church in Fauls [free parking] and aim to set off at 10.00.

The walk takes around 2 hrs, and is over varied terrain with some stiles.

As ever, all are welcome inc. dogs [on leads] and children, with suitable footwear/clothing advised.

Further info, if required, from Jake Williams [07474 – 974477]

HFG – Xmas Walk: Dec 5th

Our next walk is on Tuesday Dec 5th, starting at 10.30 from the Lyon Hall’s car park in Hodnet.

This month we are walking to Hawkstone Hall, where we have arranged for tea/coffee to be available – at an expected nominal charge.

Our route will be out via the Hearne to Long Lane, then up to Marchamley and down to the hall. After refreshments, participants can walk around the gardens before returning to Hodnet – but, of course, you are free to return earlier if time is pressing. The return route will be via the Marchamley to Hodnet permissive path.

As ever, all are welcome, inc. dogs [on leads] and children, with suitable footwear/clothing advised.

Further info, if required, from Jake Williams [07474 – 974477]

Hodnet Footpath Group. March 7th Walk

Whilst spring may be upon us? March certainly is, so here are details of our next public/group walk.

This month’s walk is a varied one, and is centred around the nearby village of Fauls – largely following the route of our Walk 7 leaflet.

We will meet at Fauls Church for a 10AM start. There is car parking alongside.

This is a moderately long and undulating route of about 5 miles in length, with a fair few stiles, and is dog friendly. It could be muddy at this time of year, so good footwear is essential.

Duration of the walk is expected to be around 2 – 2.5 hours, so as desired bring a drink/snack.

Everyone is welcome.

Hodnet – Britain’s Poshest Village!

According to an article published in The Times on 7th January and now being picked up by other publications and Radio Shropshire, Hodnet heads the rankings as Britain’s poshest village. Strange, but true!

The original article isn’t easy to read online without subscribing to The Times but versions of it are available elsewhere!

Shropshire Star:

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/features/2023/01/21/britains-poshest-village–do-they-mean-us/

The Times: https://archive.is/nZ7Um

The Shropshire Star article is far better than the Times!!

Half-Price Trees

People in Shropshire are to be offered trees at half price in a new initiative funded by Shropshire Council and HM Treasury this planting season.

This year residents, landowners, farmers, community groups, businesses and charities can apply for ‘bundles’ of 20 native trees and shrubs to plant as copses and small areas of woodland to maximise the benefits for landscape and wildlife around the county.

There will also be the option of planting small amounts of native hedgerow, either to ‘gap up’ existing hedgerows or to create short lengths of new ones where this improves habitat continuity or connectivity.

The bundles will cost just £18 each.

Under this year’s subsidised tree scheme, the trees are being provided in pre-arranged species mixes under options covering three broad types of planting situations commonly encountered around the county and a native hedgerow mix:

Woodland for general ‘lowland’ planting sites -English oak (20%), sessile oak (20%), small-leaved lime (20%), wild cherry (10%), hazel (10%), rowan (10%), hawthorn (5%) and crab apple (5%).

Woodland for ‘upland’/exposed sites – Sessile oak (50%), silver birch (15%), beech (10%), rowan (10%), hawthorn (10%) and crab apple (5%).

Woodland for damp/poorly drained sites – Common alder (35%), downy birch (20%), crack willow (10%), goat willow (10%), aspen (10%), osier (5%), hazel (5%) and guelder rose (5%).

Native hedgerow mix – Hawthorn (35%), field maple (20%), blackthorn (15%), hazel (15%), dog rose (5%), dogwood (5%) and guelder rose (5%).

The mixes above are available in bundles of 20 trees and will cost £18 per bundle (half-price), including a bamboo cane and spiral tree guard. All trees will be either bare root whips or cell grown and between 20cm – 80cm when ready for planting. For more information or to apply for subsidised tree scheme bundles click here or email nick.rowles@shropshire.gov.uk

£2 Bus Travel until 31st March 2023

People can travel around Shropshire by bus for no more than £2 for a single journey until the end of March, thanks to a Government fare cap scheme launched this week.

The ‘Get Around for £2’ campaign runs from 1 January to 31 March 2023 and aims to get more people to travel by bus, and reduce emissions and congestion by taking an estimated two million cars off the roads.

Backed by £60 million of Government investment, it will help users save money this winter, by capping single tickets at £2 across England, outside of London.

The No.64 Shrewsbury to Market Drayton service is one of the routes included.

In Shropshire the following operators are taking part in the scheme

  • Arriva Midlands North
  • Minsterley Motors*
  • BP Brown Travel trading as Select Bus Services
  • Banga Buses
  • Lugg Valley Travel

*not including the 38, 701, 722, 55, 738 and 740 services

For a full list of services included in this scheme follow this link: Shropshire buses included in £2 fare cap.