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The Shropshire Flag is flying high over Shrewsbury Castle today as we celebrate Shropshire Day, and I’ve brought forward the publication of my weekly update so we can celebrate on the day itself.
Shropshire has much to be proud of – beautiful landscapes, magnificent heritage, a thriving economy - and we should shout about it.
I’ve lived here for ten years now but have family connections with the area and my father was evacuated here, to Ellerdine, during the war. Everyone I know who comes to visit the county wants to move here.
Throughout the day we’ll be sharing lots of Shropshire-based content on our main social media accounts. I’d love it if you could get involved too, to help raise awareness and spread positivity about our fantastic county.
Share what you love about our fantastic county this Shropshire Day. This could be your favourite place, viewpoint, pub, restaurant, places to visit, walks and so much more.
Use the hashtag #ShropshireDay and make sure to tag us:
@shropcouncil - Twitter
@shropshirecouncil - Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram
 James Taylor
I’m particularly proud of my colleagues and all the hard work you do to make Shropshire a better place to live. So I wanted to share the story of the son of one of our council colleagues, Ian Taylor, who is an ICT manager and got in touch after I wrote about the veterans centre at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen (RJAH).
His eldest son James became a Royal Marine in 2019 and joined 43 Commando based in Scotland.
His job was to protect the naval base and the nuclear submarines within from all forms of threat. He loved his job and wore his green beret with pride. But just prior to his 25th birthday he started experiencing severe back pain so was sent for a scan.
This revealed a large mass attached to his spine. James was immediately admitted and underwent an eight-hour emergency operation at RJAH. The mass was analysed and found to be cancer (Ewing sarcoma).
Following the operation, this previously super fit and healthy 24-year-old had to face up to the fact that, not only was his chosen career in tatters, but he would also have to learn to walk again to gain independence.
Whilst progressing through the Royal Marines medical discharge process, James was assigned a mentor who suggested he apply for a scholarship with a small charity called Wings for Warriors (they offer veterans an opportunity to undertake training to become a commercial airline pilot).
James passed the selection criteria and interview and commenced flying, completing his private pilot’s licence in late 2022. He has since been offered a pilot’s job with TUI once all training has been completed.
To help the charity and assist future veterans, James and his wife Emily are desperately trying to raise funds for Wings for Warriors by holding a charity ball.
They’re aiming to raise £10,000 but are struggling to get anywhere near that at present.
As we show support for veterans through the Armed Forces Covenant, can we help this local veteran in his attempts to raise funding for Wings for Warriors?
I’m sure we can - and make Shropshire proud.
It’s not often that I don a fake moustache, but it was all in a good cause as I took part in an ambitious social media event to celebrate 200 years since the game of rugby was invented.
I joined rugby players of all ages to take part in the ‘Global Pass’ which saw a ‘virtual’ ball passed around the globe. Our part in the event, which was supported by the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum, was at Shrewsbury Castle last Thursday.
I enjoyed being involved in something that was good fun (a handlebar moustache was the look for men 200 years ago) and helped put Shropshire on the world sporting map.
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