Sun shone brightly on our Shrewsbury break
Sun shone brightly on our Shrewsbury break
ON a Sunday morning in February I had time to sit and reflect in the Dingle, the beautiful garden beside the River Severn in Shrewsbury, venue of this years winter weekend break. As the bells of St Chads Church summoned the town to prayer, I marvelled at seeing the first tulips and wallflowers almost in bloom and a hot air balloon soared overhead into the bright morning sunshine. What a view they must have had of the surrounding Shropshire countryside.
Over 100 people had congregated at the Prince Rupert Hotel in the heart of the lovely old town of timber-framed buildings and cobbled streets. There had been a grand atmosphere for first time weekenders as well as the old friends meeting again as they have for over 20 years now. Good food, good wine and good friends was all that was needed on Friday night to keep the hotel buzzing into the early hours.
On Saturday morning four town guides took us on a tour through "shuts" the name either derived from shortcuts or hidden passages being locked up at night. We felt we had stepped back in time whilst strolling through the town, home to four Saxon stone built churches.
We discovered that on Feb 2, 1739, the first flight by man was attempted by Cadman from the top of the steeple of St Marys Church, unfortunately he failed as the tension on the wire was incorrect and he came to a sticky end in the churchyard.
How life has changed in the last 250 years, what was once a thriving market town where wealthy wool merchants lived has now become a very popular tourist attraction.
What stories could be told from the old houses and shops in streets named after the trades that used to thrive such as Milk Street, Fish Street, Butcher Row not to mention Grope Lane. Saturday afternoon was spent shopping or watching rugby by most before another delicious dinner and dancing the night away to the sounds of the Mayfair Set.
We had 20 visitors from local FWC groups for afternoon tea on Sunday and it was great to hear everyone getting on so well.
Jean Howells
Enjoying the Shrewsbury weekend: Ray Nichols, Joyce Henley, Gordon Henley, Peggy Nichols and Muriel Gardhouse joined 95 other readers.