Our Parish Paths Partnership groups predominantly look after the Rights of Way networks in their own patch but on some occasions they venture further afield to help improve routes where no P3 group exists.  In November a route between Bishop’s Castle and Clun was reported to be in a dire and dangerous state by Clun P3 who felt the work was far too extensive for them to tackle alone.  Shrewsbury Ramblers P3 and Norbury P3 groups offered their help, along with members of the Maintenance Team, and three work days were arranged.  The route required a number of separate improvements including revetting and levelling paths, steps, stile repairs and the installation of a new kissing gate.

Since forming in October the Bridgnorth group is going from strength to strength holding their second work day on Saturday 2nd December where path clearance was on the agenda.  Members of the group have already attended brushcutter training so were able to go equipped with more than just hand tools after borrowing two brushcutters from the Outdoor Partnership team.  The team worked on clearing the paths from the cemetery area in Bridgnorth through Hermitage Hill Coppice down to the Stourbridge road, these are now open and accessible.  Work parties for early next year have already been planned and details of these can be found of the Bridgnorth & District Footpath Association website which the group have created.   

As with many of our P3 groups in the South, Ludlow P3 have been working on the improvements and waymarking to the Shropshire Way Main Route project.  On Friday the 17th of November the final stile was replaced at Bromfield in order to create a 10 mile stretch of the route which is now completely gated.  The improvements to this part of the Shropshire Way mean that the walker can now get from Craven Arms to Ludlow, through beautiful countryside, without having to negotiate any stiles.  The improvements made over the last few months include two timber kissing gates put in by the Council and landowner,  two wicket gates and two field gates.  Many thanks must be given to all the landowners who agreed to the furniture upgrade and to everyone who helped with the installations. 

Severn Valley Country Park Supporters’ Group applied for funds from Veolia’s Make A Difference Scheme. The project is called BEES & BUTTERFLIES BONANZA and the application was successful in being awarded £500 to spend on this project.

The plan to create a garden for bees and butterflies in part of the central island close to the Visitor Centre. The garden will be looked after by Volunteers and provide a visible and colourful attraction to a potential 170,000 visitors per year who visit the Park.

The benefits to the local community include the use as an education tool to showcase the importance of pollinators and wildlife gardens to visitors and for school visits. Local Volunteers will obtain health benefits from tending the garden. The garden will have therapeutic value to adults in general. An interpretation board depicting some species of plants and invertebrates will help to convey the message.

The garden will contain a wide variety of plants which are known to be important for bees, butterflies, moths and other invertebrates at various stages of their development so watch this space for updates. 

Thanks to the continuing work of the Volunteer group there is now a small herd of 4 Dexter cows grazing Lyth hill. Work started months before the cattle arrived with fencing having to be checked and repaired where necessary to ensure that the intended grazing area was stockproof. In addition to the fencing work a new kissing gate had to be installed to allow access for walkers was maintained whilst ensuring the cows would not escape.

Once the area was secure a means of supplying water to the cows was needed, for now a trough has been placed on the hill with water supplied by a bowser trailer which is topped up every week by volunteers. A back up water supply was also created by clearing out an old well at the bottom of the hill.

It is hoped that the cattle will help suppress overgrowth of bracken and nettles as well as prevent trees growing on the meadow by stripping the leaves and trampling the stems.

Please note - Dexters are known for their docile temperament but please keep your dog on a lead around them and do not let your dog approach or harass them.

We would like to wish all our fantastic Volunteer Walk Leaders and Back Markers a Wonderful and Very Happy Christmas and New Year!

Thank you for all your efforts during 2017 – Collectively you (all 338!) have led 56 groups across Shropshire and enabled 710 people to enjoy our Walking for Health and Next Steps walks every week. WELL DONE!

You have enabled so many people who otherwise would not have been able to get out or had the courage to do so, to enjoy these sociable, free walks and therefore keep healthier and more active.

So, on behalf of the 1,818 WFH and Next Steps walkers in our county and from Liz and myself, a very Big Thank you!

If you know of anyone who would like to help with the walks or you would like to come along as a refresher, our next Walk leader and Backmarker training days are taking place in early February in Craven Arms (details yet TBC) and on Tuesday 13th March at the Lantern in Sundorne, Shrewsbury.  Please email Helen or Liz for further information or call 01743 255059.

We wish you all a relaxing and healthy festive season and New Year.

Helen Foxall and Liz Evans - Shropshire Walking Coordinators.

Shropshire Council owns and manages some of Shropshire’s most iconic, accessible and interesting countryside sites and the extensive network of footpaths, bridleways and other Rights of Way, providing so many beautiful places to walk, cycle, ride and enjoy the great outdoors.  Government funding for Country Parks, Heritage Sites and Rights of Way management has recently halved and is under further pressure over the next few years. In response, Shropshire Council has put an ambitious plan together to raise income to help ensure that the future of these wonderful sites, and one of the largest Rights of Way networks in the UK, is safeguarded for everyone’s enjoyment.

You can join Shropshire’s Great Outdoors for just £3/month.  To find out more, how to join and the benefits just click on the image.