Events 2009
There are a variety of walks, talks and activities to help you discover more about the magnificent landscape, diverse wildlife and rich heritage of the Shropshire Hills.
Click on the months below to discover the events taking place this year or contact the office if you would like to receive a copy of our 2009 Events and Activities booklet. You can also view the booklet online. See page 31 to enter our competition for a chance to win a festive local produce hamper. Download the questionnaire and return to us by email or post.
Please note that completed questionnaires only will be accepted as entries to this competition.
| January | February | March |
| April | May | June |
| July | August | September |
| October | November | December |
January |
14th January • More Butterflies
7.30 - 9.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
RSPB talk by David Brown. £2 or RSPB Shropshire group members 50p.
Contact 01588 676060
16th January • Launch of Local History Centre
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
17th & 18th January • The Story of Writing
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Family activity
Contact 01588 676060
21st January • Birdwatching for Beginners
7.30pm • Hightown Community Room, Clun
What's in your garden? Talk by Martin George. £2 or Shropshire Wildlife Trust members £1.
Contact 01743 284280
27th January • A Bit of a Knees Up
7.00pm • Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton
Social evening. Relax and enjoy some local fare whilst meeting up with other members of the Sustainable Business Scheme
£10 per person or FREE to Sustainable Business Scheme members. Booking essential.
Contact Clare Fildes for details on 01588 674094
31st January - 29th March • House of Cards Exhibition
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Opens in Gallery and Cafe.
Contact 01588 676060
February |
1st February • Long Mynd Fell Race
For details see www.merciafellrunners.co.uk
7th February • Woodland Open Day at the Ercall
11am - 4pm • The Ercall Nature Reserve (Grid ref. SJ 640 096)
Contact Pete Lambert on 01743 284285
7th February • Farmers Market
9am - 2pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
11th February • Return to Tanzania
7.30 - 9.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
RSPB talk by Chris Wallace. £2 or RSPB Shropshire group members 50p.
Contact 01588 676060
12th February • Charles Darwin's Birthday Celebrations
Host of activities taking place in Shrewsbury.
16th - 20th February • Create a Card (from scratch)
1 - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Make a sheet of paper create a handmade card. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
18th February • Creating a Living Landscape
7.30pm • Church Barn, Bishop's Castle
Talk by Colin Preston of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. £2 or Shropshire Wildlife Trust members £1.
Contact 01743 284280
21st February • Carding Mill Valley Carbon Challenge
Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Launch of new log-fired boiler into National Trust building and take up the carbon challenge yourself.
Contact 01694 722631
March |
1st March • Carding Mill Canter
For details see www.merciafellrunners.co.uk
3rd March • A Vision for the Onny Valley, Long Mynd & Stiperstones
7.30pm • Norbury Village Hall
Public meeting, including results of Upper Onny Wildlife Group surveys followed by cheese and wine.
Contact John Muller on 01588 650574
3rd March • Sustainability in Action, A Tour of Hobson's Brewery
7.00 - 9.30pm • Hobson's Brewery or meet AONB office at 6.15pm
A tour of Hobson's Brewery in Cleobury Mortimer showcasing recent improvements to the sustainability of the business.
£10 per person or FREE to Sustainable Business Scheme members. Booking essential.
Contact Clare Fildes for details on 01588 674094
7th March • Farmers Market
9am - 2pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
11th March • Birds of the Shropshire Borders
7.30pm - 9.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
RSPB talk by TW Edwards. £2 or RSPB Shropshire group members 50p.
Contact 01588 676060
14th March • Carding Mill Valley Carbon Challenge
Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Find out about the Trust's new log-fired boiler and take up the carbon challenge yourself.
Contact 01694 722631
18th March • Badgers
7.30pm • Hightown Community Room, Clun
Talk by Doug Hughes. £2 or Shropshire Wildlife Trust members £1.
Contact 01743 284280
21st March • Coppice Crafts Workshop
10am - 4pm • Hopesay Churchyard
Learn how to make hurdles, rakes, plant supports. Places limited.
Contact Caring for God's Acre on 01568 611154
21st March • The Clun Pearler
9.15am - 4.30pm • Craven Arms Train Station
7-mile walk along the River Clun, Teme and Redlake to look at the river habitat and management. Led by Mike Kelly, River Valleys Officer. Meet at Craven Arms Station. We will take the Heart of Wales train to Hopton Heath to begin the walk. Booking essential.
Contact 01588 674080
25th March • A Year on the Hill
7pm • The Bog Centre
Stiperstones update, slide show by Natural England Reserve Managers. Booking essential.
Contact Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583
25th March • Priority Birds in the Upper Clun Area
7.30pm • Newcastle Community Centre
Illustrated talk on ID, song, habitat and behaviour.
27th March • Spring Walk in the Wrekin Forest
10.30am • Forest Glen Car Park
Led by Pete Lambert of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
Contact 01743 284280
28th March • Rocks make the Landscape
10am - 1.30pm • Willstone Farm (Grid ref. SO 491 952)
Geology of Caer Caradoc, led by Dr Peter Toghill and Andrew Jenkinson. £4 - booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
28th March • Cow Painting Exhibition and Judging
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
31st March • Birdwatching Course (1)
7.30pm - 9.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Introduction to the course, followed by an introduction to common and resident birds. This is a course of 12 talks and field trips for beginners and those wanting to improve thier skills. See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5 or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
April |
4th April - 3rd May • Bobby Britnall exhibition opens in Gallery
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
4th April • Farmers Market
9am - 2pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
8th April • Forty Five Years in the Field
7.30pm - 9.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
RSPB talk by Graham Wren. £2 or RSPB Shropshire members 50p.
Contact 01588 676060
6th - 10th April • Easter Holiday Family Activity
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Create a kaleidoscope to make patterns with natural things. Play with optical illusions. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
10th - 13th April • Easter Egg Adventure Trails for Families
11am - 3pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Return with your findings to collect chocolate eggs. £2.
Contact 01695 722631
12th & 13th April • Easter Celebrations
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Join in with egg hunts and other Easter activities. Entrance fee applies.
Contact 01694 781307
13th - 17th April • Easter Holiday Family Activity
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Create a kaleidoscope to make patterns with natural things. Play with optical illusions. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
15th April • Ancient Woodland
7.30pm • Hightown Community Room, Clun
Talk by John Voysey. £2 or Shropshire Wildlife Trust members £1.
Contact 01743 284280
18th April • Carding Mill Valley Carbon Challenge
2pm - 3pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Find out about the National Trust's new log-fired boiler and take up the carbon challenge yourself.
Contact 01694 722631
25th April • Rocks make the Landscape
10am - 1pm • The Knolls Car Park (Grid ref. SO 370 977)
Geology of the Stiperstones, led by Andrew Jenkinson. Booking essential.
Contact Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583
26th April • Upland and Heathland Bird Walk
10am • Rhos Fiddle Nature Reserve
Meet cattle grid (Grid Ref. SO 205 858)
Contact Leo Smith on 01588 638577
26th April • Birdwatching Course (2)
9.30am - 12 noon • Cunnery Road car park (Grid ref. SO 448 936)
Field trip to watch resident birds in Rectory Wood. See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5 or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
May |
2nd May • Early Morning Bird Song on Brown Clee
5.30am • Brown Clee picnic area car park (Grid ref. SO 607 872)
Led by John Tucker. Walk free, optional breakfast £6. Booking essential.
Contact John Tucker 07791 6572156
2nd May • Farmers Market
9am - 2pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
2nd - 4th May • Clun Green Man Festival
For details www.clungreenman.org.uk
2nd - 4th May • Wind, Rain or Shine!
1 - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Become a weather forecaster - come and get some hints. Make a rain gauge. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
3rd May • History of the Hills
1pm - 4pm • Meet Church Stretton railway station
Guided walk to reveal the history of Carding Mill Valley and the surrounding area. Meet 1pm at Church Stretton railway station or 2pm Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
6th May - 7th June • Four Plus 2 Textile Artists Exhibition opens in Gallery
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
8th - 9th May • Bishop's Castle May Fair
9th May • Early Morning Bird Song on Earl's Hill
5.30am • Nature Reserve car park (Grid ref. SJ 409 057)
Led by John Tucker. Walk free, optional breakfast £6. Booking essential.
Contact John Tucker on 07791 657216
10th May • Bluebell Walk on Wenlock Edge
2pm - 4.30pm • Wilderhope Manor car park (Grid ref. SO 545 928)
Led by National Trust wardens. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
11th - 12th May • Church Stretton - May Charter Fair
12th May • Birdwatching Course (3)
Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
A talk entitled Breeding Birds. See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5 or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
16th May • Early Morning Bird Song at Clunton Coppice
5.30am • Crown Inn, Clunton (Grid ref. SO 334 813)
Led by bird expert John Tucker. Walk free, optional breakfast. £6. Booking essential
Contact John Tucker on 07791 657216
16th May • Shropshire Way Challenge
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Charity walk for Shropshire Mind.
Contact 01743 368647
17th May • The Birds and the Bees
11am - 1pm • The Knolls car park (Grid ref. SO 370 977)
A walk on the Stiperstones looking at the wildlife living on the heath. Booking essential.
Contact Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583
23rd May • The Second Annual Duck Races!
11am - 4pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
With Church Stretton Climate Care. 50p per race.
Contact 01694 722631
23rd May • Early Morning Bird Song at Stokesay Wood
6am • Stokesay Castle (Grid ref. SO 436 817)
Led by bird expert John Tucker. Walk free, optional breakfast £6. Booking essential.
Contact Merinda Essex on 07870 135852
24th May • Birdwatching Course (4)
9.30am - 12 noon • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
A Field trip to look at breeding birds around Carding Mill Valley reservoir. See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5 or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
25th May • A Grand Day Out
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Games to play and local produce for sale. Entrance fees applies.
Contact 01694 781307
25th - 29th May • Half-term Family Activity
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Hi-tech holiday treasure hunt. Explore the meadows with GPS. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
30th May • Wonders of Walcot Woods
11am - 1pm or 2pm - 4pm • Bury Ditches Car Park (Grid ref. SO 334 840)
A guided walk to look at veteran trees. Val Littlehales will be telling stories inspired by our surroundings. £3, children £1.
31st May • Aston-on-Clun Arbor Day
For details see www.arbortreeday.co.uk
June |
2nd June • Bird Walk around Newcastle
10am • Meet Newcastle Community Centre
Garden, farmland, woodland and river birds.
4th - 7th June • Church Stretton Walking Festival
www.churchstrettonwalkingfestival.co.uk
7th June • Give the Hill a Helping Hand
10am - 3pm • Rigmoreoak (Natural England offices)
Join regular volunteers to find out how we look after the Stiperstones, and help count the delicate Mountain Pansies.
Booking essential.
Contact Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583
7th June • History of the Hills
1pm - 4pm • Meet Church Stretton Railway Station
A guided walk to reveal the history of Carding Mill Valley and the surrounding area. Meet 1pm at Church Stretton railway station or 2pm Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
9th - 11th June • Bishop's Castle Walking Festival
For details www.walkingfestival.co.uk
9th June • Birdwatching Course (5)
7.30pm - 9.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
A talk entitled Upland Birds . See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5 or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
10th June • Bees & Butterflies
10am - 12.30pm • Presthope Car park (Grid ref. SO 582 975)
A guided walk along Wenlock Edge, led by County recorder, Ian Cheesborough. £3.
13th June • Maps are Magic
11am - 3.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
An orienteering day for all the family with Church Stretton Climate Care. £3 per group (max 4). Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
13th June • Shropshire Lad Day
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Enjoy the reading of AE Housman's iconic poetry. Entrance fee applies.
Contact 01694 781307
13th June & 12th July • Sabine Hutchinson's photography exhibition opens
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
19th - 28th June • National Cherishing Churchyard Week
Contact Caring for God's Acre on 01568 611154 or www.caringforgodsacre.co.uk
21st June • Flowers of Blakeway Hollow
10am - 12.30pm • National Trust Much Wenlock car park (Grid ref. SO 613 996)
Walk led by National Trust wardens. £3.
23rd June • Dragonflies & Damselflies
10.30am - 12.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
A guided walk in Carding Mill Valley led by County recordist, Ian Cheesborough. £3
28th June • Birdwatching Course (6)
9.30am • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
A Field trip on the Long Mynd to look for Upland Birds. See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5 or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
28th June • Fiction & Fantasy
11am - 1pm • Rigmoreoak (Natural England offices)
Experience the Stiperstones through the literature it has inspired. Booking essential.
Contact Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583
July |
1st July • Portrait of the Shropshire Hills
7.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Renowned local photographer Robin Dukes-Hughes talks about his latest book. £3.50
Contact 01588 676060
3rd & 4th July • Stretton Ale Trail
Church Stretton
4th July • Shrewsbury Green Festival
Shropshire Wildlife Trust HQ
Contact 01743 284280
4th July • Church Stretton Green Fair
Church Stretton
4th July • Bishop's Castle Tandem Triathlon
Bishop's Castle
4th July • Bryn Mawr Organic Farm and Wildlife Site
10am • Meet Bryn Mawr Farm, above Newcastle (Grid ref. SO 219 849)
Chance to learn about organic farming and see the wildlife.
4th July • Farmers Market
9am - 2pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
4th - 12th July • National Cross-country Gliding Competition
10am - 6pm • Midland Gliding Club, the Long Mynd
Visit the clubhouse and watch the gliders launching and setting off on unusual cross-country tasks.
Contact 01694 650206
5th July • Bishop's Castle Carnival
Bishop's Castle
5th July • History of the Hills
1pm - 4pm • Meet Church Stretton Railway Station
A guided walk to reveal the history of Carding Mill Valley and the surrounding area. Meet 1pm at Church Stretton railway station or 2pm Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
9th July • Flowers on the Long Mynd
10am - 12.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
A walk led by Caroline Uff, National Trust ecologist. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
10th & 11th July • Bishop's Castle Real Ale Festival
Bishop's Castle
11th & 12th July • Wheels & Wagons
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Demonstrations, displays, models and activities based around the farm's vehicle collection. Entrance fee applies.
Contact 01694 781307
18th July • Rocks make the Landscape
10am -1pm • Batch Valley car park (Grid ref. SO 455 955)
The geology of the Batch Valley, Long Mynd. Led by Keith Hotchkiss and Dr Peter Toghill. Booking essential. £4
Contact 01694 722631
18th & 19th July • John Sankey's Marshall agricultural Steam Engine Display
11am - 3pm • Carding Mill Valley
18th July • Shropshire Bedlams & Martha Rhodens Tuppeny Dish
3pm • Carding Mill Valley
18th July - 1st August • Church Stretton Arts Festival
18th July - 1st September • Art Cafe Summer Festival
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
20th - 24th July • Puzzling Palaeontology
1 - 2.30 pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Help us with our "virtual" excavation. Find out how scientists identify new species. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
23rd July • Myths & Legends
10am -12pm • The Knolls Car Park (Grid ref. SO 370 977)
Join Sal Tonge on a journey through the land populated with mythical birds and the ghost of Wild Edric to the seat of the devil himself! Booking essential.
Contact Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583
25th July • Medieval Churches and Border Warfare
10am • Depart from Craven Arms Railway Station
Bus tour exploring the landscape setting of churches on the Medieval "front line". Booking essential.
Contact Caring for God's Acre on 01568 611154
25th July • Bishop's Castle Agricultural Show
27th - 31st July • Dinner Time
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Use forensic evidence to discover what an owl likes to eat and find out what's on the Meadow Menu while having fun and games outdoors. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
29th July • Getting involved - Summer Holiday Family fun!
10am -1pm • Carding Mill Valley
A chance to find out how National Trust wardens look after the Long Mynd. Enjoy some hands on management.
August |
1st August • Clun Carnival
1st August • Farmers Market and Summer Picnic
9am - 2pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
2nd August • History of the Hills
1pm - 4pm • Meet Church Stretton Railway Station
A guided walk to reveal the history of Carding Mill Valley and the surrounding area. Meet 1pm at Church Stretton railway station or 2pm Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
3rd - 7th August • Art Cafe Summer Festival
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Workshop week.
Contact 01588 676060
3rd - 7th August • Three Little Pigs
1 - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Make your own house of sticks and see if it will stand up to the wolf's huffing and puffing. Enjoy marshmallows toasted on a campfire. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
5th August • Pond Dipping
11am - 12.30pm or 2pm - 3.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Dip into the stream to find out what's lurking under the rocks. £1.
Contact 01694 722631
6th August • Burwarton Show
8th August • Minsterley Show
10th - 14th August • Puzzling Palaeontology
1pm - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Help us with our "virtual" excavation. Find out how scientists identify new species. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
12th August • Whinberry Picking and Mounting Moutain Mysteries!
11am - 3pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Follow in the footsteps of author Malcolm Saville on to the Long Mynd to look for whinberries. Summer holiday family fun. £2.
Contact 01588 676060
13th August • Wildlife Fun Day
10am - 1pm • The Knolls car park (Grid ref. SO 370 977)
A fun filled day with games and activities for children on the Stiperstones. Booking essential.
Contact Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583
13th August • The Persiad Shower
9pm • Shooting Box, The Long Mynd (Grid ref. SO 422 954)
The Long Mynd is a magical place at night and an excellent observation point for one of the most dramatic meteorite showers of the year. Cancelled if cloudy. £3.
Contact 01694 722631
15th August • 75th Anniversary Party
7pm - midnight • Midland Gliding Club, the Long Mynd
Join members in celebration of the first glider flight from the Long Mynd on 11th August 1934. Tickets on sale via Club Office from 1st April 2009.
Contact 01694 650206
15th - 23rd August • Vintage Glider Club
10am - 6pm • Midland Gliding Club, the Long Mynd
A flying meeting for vintage gliders. An opportunity to visit the club and compare the older gliders flying with the modern high-performance sailplanes.
Contact 01694 650206
17th - 21st August • Dinner Time
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Use interesting forensic evidence to discover what an owl likes to eat and find out what's on the Meadow Menu while having fun and playing games outdoors. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
19th August • Whinberry Picking and Pacing the Pike!
11am - 3pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
An exhilarating walk to explore Bodbury Bronze Age Hill fort and up onto Haddon Hill to look for whinberries. Summer Holiday family funh. £2.
Contact 01694 722631
22nd August • Rocks make the Landscape
10am - 1pm • Presthope car park (Grid ref. SO 582 975)
Geology for all the family. Time travel to Silurian Seas as you walk along Wenlock Edge. Led by Shropshire Geological Society. Booking essential. £4.
Contact 01694 722631
22nd August • Stomp the Stiperstones
10am - 2pm • The Bog Car park
Walk the full 7 miles of the Stiperstones, led by Natural England, Shropshire Wildlife Trust and AONB Partnership. Booking essential.
Contact Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583
23rd August • Craft and Skills Bonanza
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Entrance fee applies.
Contact 01694 781307
23rd - 31st August • Task Week - Club cross-country Gliding Competition
10am - 6pm • Midland Gliding Club, the Long Mynd
Visit the club and watch the gliders launching to race over and return from cross-country courses of up to 300km.
Contact 01694 650206
24th - 28th August • Three Little Pigs
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Make your own house of sticks and see if it will stand up to the wolf's huffing and puffing. Enjoy marshmallows toasted on a campfire. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
26th August • Pond Dipping
11am - 12.30pm or 2pm - 3pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Dip into the stream to find out what's lurking under the rocks (summer holiday family fun). £1.
Contact 01694 722631
27th - 31st August • Ludlow Green Fair
29th August • Walking the Shropshire Way
10.20am • Meet Ludlow Assembly Rooms
5-mile walk using local bus service, over Titterstone Clee. Following the Shropshire Way. Meet Ludlow Assembly Rooms to catch 141 bus to walk from Wheathill to Clee hill. Return on 292 bus to Ludlow. Booking essential.
Contact 01588 674080
31st August - 4th September • DIY Meadow Creations
1pm - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Help adorn the meadows for all to see. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 676060
September |
5th September • Farmers Market
9am - 2pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
8th September • Birdwatching Course (7)
7.30pm - 9.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Talk entitled Migration - why do birds migrate? See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5 or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
9th September • Birds of the Biodiversity Action Plan
7.30pm - 9.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
RSPB talk by Leo Smith. £2 or RSPB Shropshire members 50p.
Contact 01588 676060
10th - 13th September • Heritage Open Days 2009
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
10th - 13th September • Outdoor Arty Extravaganza
Follow the Craven Arms Art Trail
16th September • Insects of Shropshire
7.30pm • Hightown Community Room, Clun
Talk by Nigel Jones. £2 or Shropshire Wildlife Trust members £1.
Contact 01743 284280
19th & 20th September • Bishop's Castle Michaelmas Fair
Bishop's Castle
19th - 20th September • Snailbeach Mine Open Day
10am - 3pm • Snailbeach Mine
Shuttle stops here.
20th September • Birdwatching Course (8)
9.30am - 12 noon • Venus Pool Reserve car park (Grid ref. SJ 547 061)
Field trip to Venus Pool Reserve to look for migrating birds. See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5 or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
27th September • Harvest Festival
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Enjoy this community celebration of the farm's produce. Procession 3pm. Entrance fee applies.
Contact 01694 781307
October |
2nd - 4th October • Clun Beer Festival
3rd October • Farmers Market
9am - 2pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
4th October • Mining Communities on the Hill
Snailbeach Car Park
The Shropshire Mines Trust lead a walk from the Snailbeach mines to the eerily abandoned hilltop settlement of Blakemoorgate. Booking essential.
Contact Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583
4th October • Fungal Foray
11am - 1pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Search for fungi on the slopes of Carding Mill Valley and in Rectory Wood, with expert John Hughes. £4.
Contact 01694 722631
3rd - 4th October • Long Mynd 50-mile Hike
Church Stretton
6th October • Birdwatching Course (9)
7.30pm - 9.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Talk entitled Winter Wild Fowl. See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5 or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
10th October • Fungi Foray
2pm • Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Join John Hughes from the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
Contact 01743 284280 for walk venue and details.
11th October • Give the Hill a Helping Hand
10am - 3pm • Rigmoreoak (Natural England offices)
Join regular volunteers to find out how we look after the Stiperstones. Booking essential.
Contact Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583
11th October • Root Veg Revue
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Celebrating roots and their uses. Entrance fee applies.
Contact 01694 781307
14th October • Current Activities of the RSPB
7.30pm - 9.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
RSPB talk by Steve Haliday. £2 or RSPB Shropshire members 50p.
Contact 01588 676060
17th October • Best View in England declared Osborne
10.30am • Clun Memorial car park
Gentle walk around Clun, following in the footsteps of famous playwright John Osborne. Led by Keith Pybus.
Contact 01588 674080
17th and 18th October • Walkers are Welcome National Conference
Church Stretton
21st October • The Stiperstones
7.30pm • Church Barnk, Bishop's Castle
Talk by Tom Wall, Reserve Manager, Natural England. £2 or Shropshire Wildlife Trust members £1.
Contact 01743 284280
24th - 25th October • Threshing
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Come and see this most evocative of farming activities. Entrance fee applies.
Contact 01694 781307
25th October • Birdwatching Course (10)
All day • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Field trip to the flagship reserve of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge near Gloucester. See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5 + transport and admission or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
26th - 30th October • The World's Biggest Pop Up Book?
1pm - 2.30pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Help to create the story of the Stokesay Giants, as we attempt to make the world's biggest pop-up book. £2.50 per child.
Contact 01588 674080
28th October • Getting Involved
10am - 1pm • Carding Mill Valley, top car park
A chance to find out how National Trust wardens look after the Long Mynd. Enjoy some hands on management.
Contact 01694 722631
31st October - 1st November • Threshing
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Come and see this most evocative of farming activities. Entrance fee applies.
Contact 01694 781307
November |
1st November • Autumn Ramble Around the Wrekin
10.30am • Forest Glen car park
Walk led by Pete Lambert, Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Contact 01743 284280
7th November • Church Stretton Bonfire & Fireworks
Rectory Field, Church Stretton
7th November • Farmers Market
9am - 2pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
10th November • Birdwatching Course (11)
7.30pm - 9.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Talk entitled Birds and Conservation. See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5 or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
14th November • Christmas Craft Fair
Church Stretton School
14th November • Rocks make the Landscape
10am - 1.30pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
The geology of the Long Mynd, led by Dr Peter Toghill and Keith Hodgkiss. £8 includes coach ride back to National Trust tea rooms. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
18th November • Care and Rehabilitation of Wildlife in Shropshire
7.30pm • Hightown Community Room, Clun
Talk by Megan Morris-Jones. £2 or Shropshire Wildlife Trust members £1.
Contact 01743 284280
22nd November • Birdwatching Course (12)
All day • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
Field trip to Gigrin farm, near Rhyader to see the spectactular Red Kites and the work of the Welsh Kite Trust. See www.cardingmillvalley.org.uk for details.
£5+ transport and admission or £45 for all 12 sessions. Booking essential.
Contact 01694 722631
25th November • Tooth and Claw
7.30pm - 9.30pm • Venue TBA
RSPB presentation.
Contact 01584 878362 or visit www.rspbsouthshropshire.co.uk
28th November • Christmas Crafts
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Brighten up the winter with your creations. £2.50 per child
Contact 01588 676060
December |
1st December • Late night Christmas Shopping
5pm - 8pm • Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley
National Trust gift shop open and seasonal festivities in the tea rooms. Shuttle from Mayfair Centre, Church Stretton.
Contact 01694 722631
4th December • Craven Arms Christmas Lights
Craven Arms
5th December • Farmers Market
9am- 2pm • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Contact 01588 676060
9th December • Mystery Fun Night
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Lighthearted nature quiz and seasonal refreshments. £2 or RSPB Shropshire members 50p.
Contact 01588 676060
24th December • Carols in the Square
Church Stretton