Nesscliffe Hill Camp is a small multivallate iron-age hillfort, comprising of two conjoined enclosures, of seemingly differing dates, built against the sheer cliffs at the north-western end of the hill on Nesscliffe Hill Countryside Heritage site.  The image, left, is a 3D drone image of the site clearly showing the ramparts of the hillfort.

During the winter of 2017/18 the western end of the hillfort was cleared of the plantation trees which were suffering from increased wind blow damage which was damaging the archaeology on site. Consequently, this scheduled ancient monument has experienced increased pressure from a small proportion of mountain bikers who perhaps are unaware of what they’re riding over. Additionally, the increased light levels has resulted in a spread of scrub and tree seedlings which needs regular clearing. Outdoor Partnerships is now working closely with the Natural & Historic Environment Team, Historic England and Oxford University’s Archaeology Department to ensure the hillfort is protected with improved visitor information as part of a new interpretation plan.

Fencing and entrance signage was recently erected around the hillfort, informing visitors of the protected status of the site. As part of archaeological investigations, the first official digs will take place this year, hopefully with opportunities for visitors to engage with to learn more about what is discovered. Geophysical investigation also recently discovered the presence of what appear to be significant features and the footprint of roundhouses.

It’s going to be an exiting year for Nesscliffe hillfort with more updates to follow.

In 2012 the Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative introduced a new sculpture into a quiet and otherwise unremarkable corner of Penley Woods at The Mere in Ellesmere. The inspiration for the iconic 4 foot high wooden sculpture of the word "Sshhh" came about during the day the artist visited site along with Trudi Graham of the Sculpture Initiative and a small class of primary school children along with their teacher, after the teacher was repeatedly heard saying ‘sshhh’ to the children.

The sculpture was found, towards the end of last year, to be unsafe due to rot and had to be removed. Such was the wave of public response that plans were put in motion to raise the funds to bring the original artist John Merrill, of the Ceiriog Valley, back to create a new sculpture made from tougher oak. Mere Site attendant, Tim Hunter, along with Trudi, set about approaching local businesses, The Coop and Tescos for the funds and the new Sshhh was installed this year just before Easter.

People can now resume their daily walk to Sshhh’n’back along the banks of the Mere. It is hoped the sculpture will last for many years to come, one thing is for sure, The Mere will always have Sshhh corner.

A big thankyou to all involved, including the Mainwaring’s of Otley Hall who lent us a Manitou lifter and driver, this really has been an excellent Ellesmere project brought about by people power and driven by Trudi.

The Shropshire Wild Teams is a countryside conservation volunteering project supporting adults leading sedentary and or isolated lifestyles. Volunteers are overwhelmingly represented by people using secondary mental health services and those with learning disabilities. There are four teams (Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Craven Arms and Bridgnorth), each of whom carry out a different task every week.  As well as our own Outdoor Partnerships Team they also work alongside other partner organisations such as Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Forestry Commission, Canals and Rivers Trust, Caring for God’s Acre, National Trust, as well as a number of other local conservation groups and town parish councils. The Teams, now approaching their fifth year, are fast approaching full capacity with 60 signed up volunteers every week. 

This past year has been difficult for the project as cuts threatened closure in April this year. Outdoor Partnership staff and management, as well as colleagues from Public Health worked hard to secure funding to keep the project running. Unfortunately this was not forthcoming and preparations were made to inform volunteers of the bad news. However a week before this deadline money was unexpectedly found from within the Better Care Fund. Shropshire’s Clinical Commissioning Group were also able to secure a further amount that bought it up to the project’s annual running costs. So the Wild Teams, officially commended by its services users, carers and many health professionals alike will continue to run for another 12 months. During that time the project continues to work closely with its supporting colleagues in Public Health to secure future financial certainty by designing a research proposal that will give robust evidence of the positive physical and mental health benefits that the Wild Team volunteers are reporting.       

 If you, or someone you know, would benefit from joining one of our four Wild Teams please email simon.brown@shropshire.gov.uk or call 01743 255055  or for more information visit the Shropshire Wild Team webpage  

About 12 to 18 months ago, the Severn Rivers Trust was awarded just under £20 million for the ‘Unlocking the Severn’ project. As part of the project, the Severn Valley Country Park is going to have a new outdoor play area installed by the company Flights of Fantasy.

The new play park is going to take inspiration from the river itself, with key elements of play focusing on trows that have sailed the Severn (pictured left and play area trow design concept drawing below). There will be 12 new pieces of play equipment of varying sizes. As well as the Severn trow, there will be climbing frames, bridges, stepping stones and much more. In addition, there will be a sculpture trail which will take visitors on a walk down to the river. The sculptures will be based on the wildlife found in the area such as kingfishers, fish and swans.

The play area will be known as the Severn Trow Play Area or the Fish Park. Work should begin in June, meaning the new play park will open soon after the new extension to the visitor centre opens at the end of June….just in time for the summer holidays!

The full Unlocking the Severn Project plans to reopen the entire River Severn and lower River Teme for all fish species. It will help the fish by-pass man-made weirs and other obstacles so they can return to their natural breeding grounds up river. The project is a partnership between the Severn Rivers Trust, Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency and Natural England and is funded by the European Union’s LIFE Nature Programme and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the partnership, this five-year project is the largest river restoration of its kind currently running in Europe.

Happily, the work to extend the visitor centre is still on schedule. After weeks of ground work preparation, the steel structure and side panelling have been installed so the building is starting to take shape.

The builders, Paveaways, are on track to finish by the beginning of June, which will allow time for the consultants (WWT Consulting) to fit the new interpretation which is being designed to tell the story of the park. The centre should be open to visitors at the start of July.

Funding for the extension is the result of a successful grant application to the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) under the Marches LEP Tourism Infrastructure priority. The total cost of the project will be around £411,000, of which £295,839, will be grant-funded.

Another exciting project at Severn Valley Country Park will see a new member of staff joining the Outdoor Partnerships team. In ‘Severn Valley Lives in the Landscape’ project, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, Jean Jackson Trust and Shropshire Council, the park has been awarded £81,500 to research the history of the Severn Valley and present the discovered stories to visitors in an exciting way.

The project will investigate the lives of previous generations who lived and worked within the boundaries of Severn Valley Country Park. The main focus will be on the industries in the valley such as mining and sandstone quarrying. As well as the historic river crossings such as Potter’s Loade ferry and the social history of the families and local people in the valley.

The project will create on full time post at the park as the project is to be delivered over a 12 month period by a newly appointed project officer.

The project officer will encourage new volunteers to join the current volunteer group at the park to help with the research for the project. Local school children will also be encouraged to participate as an education pack will be produced for schools to learn about the heritage of the park.

The project will also include archaeological volunteer training days, study days for local geologists, open days for the public to get involved and special attention will be given to recording oral histories to preserve the stories of the Severn Valley for future generations.  It should be an interesting and exciting 12 months ahead.

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 of joining just click on the image.