News

A53 Roadworks 29 August – 7 September 2023

The A53 between Battlefield and the Muller Roundabout will be subject to night closures for carriageway repairs. Closures will be from 20:00 – 06:00. The work will be carried out in 4 phases:

Phase 1 – Battlefield to Shawbury – 29/08/2023-30/08/2023 (1 night)

Phase 2 – Shawbury to Hodnet – 30/08/2023-01/09/2023 (2 nights)

Phase 3 – Hodnet to Tern Hill roundabout – 04/09/2023-05/09/2023 (1 night)

Phase 4 – Tern Hill roundabout to Muller roundabout – 05/09/2023-07/09/2023 (2 nights)

Annual Glow Worm Spotting Walk

Hodnet Footpath Group are again running a ‘Glow Worm Walk’ on the evening of 27th June – weather permitting*.

This is a night time walk when we try to spot some of Hodnet’s rare glow worms, these rare beetles being found locally only in the vegetation alongside the old railway line running from Hodnet to Wollerton. During their brief breeding season the females can be spotted glowing to attract a mate. Ideally a warm, dark and dry night is the best time to spot them from mid June to mid July.

This year we are meeting at The Bear in Hodnet from 9 pm, for those who would like to have a drink/socialise beforehand, and then making our way to the old Railway Line bridge on Station Road, Hodnet, for a 10.30PM departure. If you prefer you can meet up at the railway bridge on Station Road at 10.30. There is roadside parking nearby.

Children and dogs (on leads) welcome. Sensible shoes and clothing and a torch advised.

*In case of rain the event will be be cancelled and take place at the same times/venues the following Tuesday, July 4th.

Are you eligible for a COVID-19 spring booster vaccination?

The COVID-19 spring booster vaccination campaign is ongoing, and eligible Shropshire residents have been invited to boost their immunity.

The vaccine is available to:

  • People aged 75 or over
  • Anybody who lives in a residential care home for older people
  • Those aged 5 or over, who have a weakened immune system.

Those living in care homes have been prioritised, and local care homes have been receiving visits from roving NHS teams since the programme launched in April 2023.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics offering bookable and walk-in appointments are being organised and delivered by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.  The latest dates and venues are available to view on the website here.

You can also sign up to Shropshire Council’s coronavirus updates mailing list for a weekly timetable of upcoming clinics across the county.  Join the mailing list here.

The last date for eligible people to receive a COVID-19 spring booster vaccination is Friday 30 June 2023.

DATE CHANGE – December’s Walk – HFG

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the date of our December walk has had to be changed from the Tues 6th to Tues 13th December. All other details unchanged, as below.

This months public walk, led by Hodnet Footpath Group, will follow the route of our walk 3 leaflet, the ‘Permissive Path’ walk from Hodnet to Marchamley – but then go onwards to Hawkestone Hall where we will stop for the purchase of a coffee/tea or seasonal drink, plus take a walk around their gardens. Afterwards you can return to Hodnet directly, or continue the walk via the second part of the published route down Long Lane and over The Hearne to Hodnet.

This is an easy walk over largely dry terrain – so, hopefully its nearly weather proof !

Meet at the Lyon Hall’s car park in Hodnet ready for a 10.00 departure.

If you intend to come, please let David Wilson know (07970304169 email: david.wilson65@icloud.com)- so we can alert you to late changes &/or advise Hawkeston Hall of likely numbers to expect.

Accompanied children and dogs [on leads] also welcome. Sensible footwear advised.

Expected duration of this walk – around 2.5 – 3 hrs.

Note. To assist with planning, we aim to do these walks on a regular day each month, usually the first Tuesday of the month. Future walks – January 2023 – none; February 7th (Hodnet to Wollerton and back via Espley) March 7th (Around Fauls); April 4th (TBA); May 2nd (TBA).

All walks will start at 10.00 AM and last around 2 – 3 hours.

Keep up to date with all our activities via the Hodnet website or, better still, our group’s own Facebook page – search for Hodnet Footpath Group.

Unwanted Tree Dates!

Well, it took about 6 emails and a couple of phone calls but I finally have some dates when the STC Depot will be open to receive donations of unwanted trees. Dates and times are as follows:

Monday 31st October        10am – 3pm
Sat 5th November            8am – 11 am
Wednesday 9th November    9am – 3pm
Sat 12th November        8am – 11.30am

A location plan:

Autumn Public Walks- 2022

Although the response to our earlier season walks was a bit patchy, and rain forced cancellation of one, we’ve decided to persevere and try some more in the Autumn – all in the hope that local residents and friends will join us to explore some of the interesting (possibly ‘hidden’ to many) countryside that exists right on our doorsteps!

Past walks have attracted a diverse bunch of local folk, so why not come along for a pleasant stroll in good company?

To assist with planning, we aim to do these walks on a regular day each month, namely the first Tuesday of the month during September (Stoke on Tern to Peplow), October (Around High Hatton) and November (Hodnet to Fauls). All walks will start at 10.00 AM and last around 2 hours.

Full details will be put on the village website and our Facebook page later in the summer, please look out for them. In the meantime, if you’re interested, please note the dates in your diary.

Free parking is available at all start points. Accompanied children and dogs [on leads] welcome on all walks. Sensible footwear advised, plus a drink/snack. Most walks are between 2 – 3 hrs duration.

Keep up to date with our activities via the Hodnet website or better still our groups own Facebook page – search for Hodnet Footpath Group.

8/7/22 – New Date for Glow Worm Spotting

AMENDMENT: Due to changeable/unsuitable weather this event, planned for 1/7/22, has now been moved to the reserve date of 8/7/22. All other details unchanged. If you registered you will have been sent an advice email, if not and especially if you miss this website notice, please accept our apologies. Hopefully see you next week.

Hodnet Footpath Group are once again running our annual nightime walk to try and spot some of Hodnet’s rare glow worms.

These nationally scarce, and locally rare, insects live in certain parts of the vegetation alongside the old railway line from Hodnet to Wollerton. During their brief breeding season they may be spotted glowing to attract a mate.

Glow Worm taken at Hodnet 2016

A warm dark and moonless dry night is the best time to spot them from mid June to mid July, and our walk this year is being held on Friday 1st July. Although you can turn up on the night, it helps us plan/manage the event better if you register your interest. Please contact David Wilson email david.wilson65@icloud.com or call 07970 304169

Meeting Point: By the old Railway Line bridge on Station Road, Hodnet, for a 10.30PM departure. Alternatively, meet in the reception area of The Bear Inn, Hodnet, at 9.30pm for a pre-walk drink – departing for Station road at 10.15pm.

Children and dogs (on leads) welcome. A torch may be helpful for the walk [but isn’t necessary for spotting Glow Worms!]. Sensible shoes and clothing advised.

Note. If wet, the event will be cancelled and then take place on the following friday. If you let David Wilson know you are coming he can keep an email/phone contact for you and let you know if this becomes necessary.

Heating Oil Thefts

The following is from Market Drayton Police Facebook page. Market Drayton’s PCSO Steve Robinson says:

“Following the recent spike in crude oil prices, the cost of heating oil has also increased. Reports have been received relating to thefts from tanks at residential properties and commercial premises, notably in rural locations.

“Things you might want to consider could be:

Implementation of a fuel management system with a key or code access and alarm features.

Try to ensure the tank is overlooked either with natural views or using physical surveillance such as CCTV or, better still, both.

Install anti-siphoning devices and lockable fuel caps.

Install motion sensor lights.”

In addition, sometimes its a good thing to be a nosey neighbour! If you see strange vehicles about, jot down number plates or take a photograph if it is safe to do so.

Christmas Fayre

Don’t forget! The Christmas Fayre is at the Lyon Hall, Hodnet, tomorrow, Saturday 27th November, between 10 am and 2 pm.

There will be craft stalls, gifts, preserves and refreshments.

Parking and entry are free.

Fix my Street!

Shropshire Council is encouraging residents to report issues of concern via the website www.fixmystreet.com

Reporting anything is a very straightforward process. Typing in a postcode brings up a good map of the area so that the issue of concern can be marked. There is a comprehensive ‘tick box’ list of categories – Abandoned vehicles, Bus stops, Car parking, Dog fouling, … Pavements/footpaths, Potholes, …Other. Users are encouraged to add a photo of the problem – issues with photos are apparently likely to be resolved more quickly. Users are required to put in some personal information but, from my own experience, this doesn’t generate a mass of ‘rubbish’ correspondence, just allows confirmation that the issue has been logged.

The process is simple and quick to do. We all have things we like to grumble about so let’s actually report them! A flood of reports about and photos of the same potholes might get them fixed sooner.

Click on this link to go directly to the website: https://www.fixmystreet.com

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