News

A53 Roadworks 29 August – 7 September 2023

The A53 between Battlefield and the Muller Roundabout will be subject to night closures for carriageway repairs. Closures will be from 20:00 – 06:00. The work will be carried out in 4 phases:

Phase 1 – Battlefield to Shawbury – 29/08/2023-30/08/2023 (1 night)

Phase 2 – Shawbury to Hodnet – 30/08/2023-01/09/2023 (2 nights)

Phase 3 – Hodnet to Tern Hill roundabout – 04/09/2023-05/09/2023 (1 night)

Phase 4 – Tern Hill roundabout to Muller roundabout – 05/09/2023-07/09/2023 (2 nights)

Annual Glow Worm Spotting Walk

Hodnet Footpath Group are again running a ‘Glow Worm Walk’ on the evening of 27th June – weather permitting*.

This is a night time walk when we try to spot some of Hodnet’s rare glow worms, these rare beetles being found locally only in the vegetation alongside the old railway line running from Hodnet to Wollerton. During their brief breeding season the females can be spotted glowing to attract a mate. Ideally a warm, dark and dry night is the best time to spot them from mid June to mid July.

This year we are meeting at The Bear in Hodnet from 9 pm, for those who would like to have a drink/socialise beforehand, and then making our way to the old Railway Line bridge on Station Road, Hodnet, for a 10.30PM departure. If you prefer you can meet up at the railway bridge on Station Road at 10.30. There is roadside parking nearby.

Children and dogs (on leads) welcome. Sensible shoes and clothing and a torch advised.

*In case of rain the event will be be cancelled and take place at the same times/venues the following Tuesday, July 4th.

Are you eligible for a COVID-19 spring booster vaccination?

The COVID-19 spring booster vaccination campaign is ongoing, and eligible Shropshire residents have been invited to boost their immunity.

The vaccine is available to:

  • People aged 75 or over
  • Anybody who lives in a residential care home for older people
  • Those aged 5 or over, who have a weakened immune system.

Those living in care homes have been prioritised, and local care homes have been receiving visits from roving NHS teams since the programme launched in April 2023.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics offering bookable and walk-in appointments are being organised and delivered by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.  The latest dates and venues are available to view on the website here.

You can also sign up to Shropshire Council’s coronavirus updates mailing list for a weekly timetable of upcoming clinics across the county.  Join the mailing list here.

The last date for eligible people to receive a COVID-19 spring booster vaccination is Friday 30 June 2023.

DATE CHANGE – December’s Walk – HFG

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the date of our December walk has had to be changed from the Tues 6th to Tues 13th December. All other details unchanged, as below.

This months public walk, led by Hodnet Footpath Group, will follow the route of our walk 3 leaflet, the ‘Permissive Path’ walk from Hodnet to Marchamley – but then go onwards to Hawkestone Hall where we will stop for the purchase of a coffee/tea or seasonal drink, plus take a walk around their gardens. Afterwards you can return to Hodnet directly, or continue the walk via the second part of the published route down Long Lane and over The Hearne to Hodnet.

This is an easy walk over largely dry terrain – so, hopefully its nearly weather proof !

Meet at the Lyon Hall’s car park in Hodnet ready for a 10.00 departure.

If you intend to come, please let David Wilson know (07970304169 email: david.wilson65@icloud.com)- so we can alert you to late changes &/or advise Hawkeston Hall of likely numbers to expect.

Accompanied children and dogs [on leads] also welcome. Sensible footwear advised.

Expected duration of this walk – around 2.5 – 3 hrs.

Note. To assist with planning, we aim to do these walks on a regular day each month, usually the first Tuesday of the month. Future walks – January 2023 – none; February 7th (Hodnet to Wollerton and back via Espley) March 7th (Around Fauls); April 4th (TBA); May 2nd (TBA).

All walks will start at 10.00 AM and last around 2 – 3 hours.

Keep up to date with all our activities via the Hodnet website or, better still, our group’s own Facebook page – search for Hodnet Footpath Group.

Unwanted Tree Dates!

Well, it took about 6 emails and a couple of phone calls but I finally have some dates when the STC Depot will be open to receive donations of unwanted trees. Dates and times are as follows:

Monday 31st October        10am – 3pm
Sat 5th November            8am – 11 am
Wednesday 9th November    9am – 3pm
Sat 12th November        8am – 11.30am

A location plan:

Autumn Public Walks- 2022

Although the response to our earlier season walks was a bit patchy, and rain forced cancellation of one, we’ve decided to persevere and try some more in the Autumn – all in the hope that local residents and friends will join us to explore some of the interesting (possibly ‘hidden’ to many) countryside that exists right on our doorsteps!

Past walks have attracted a diverse bunch of local folk, so why not come along for a pleasant stroll in good company?

To assist with planning, we aim to do these walks on a regular day each month, namely the first Tuesday of the month during September (Stoke on Tern to Peplow), October (Around High Hatton) and November (Hodnet to Fauls). All walks will start at 10.00 AM and last around 2 hours.

Full details will be put on the village website and our Facebook page later in the summer, please look out for them. In the meantime, if you’re interested, please note the dates in your diary.

Free parking is available at all start points. Accompanied children and dogs [on leads] welcome on all walks. Sensible footwear advised, plus a drink/snack. Most walks are between 2 – 3 hrs duration.

Keep up to date with our activities via the Hodnet website or better still our groups own Facebook page – search for Hodnet Footpath Group.

8/7/22 – New Date for Glow Worm Spotting

AMENDMENT: Due to changeable/unsuitable weather this event, planned for 1/7/22, has now been moved to the reserve date of 8/7/22. All other details unchanged. If you registered you will have been sent an advice email, if not and especially if you miss this website notice, please accept our apologies. Hopefully see you next week.

Hodnet Footpath Group are once again running our annual nightime walk to try and spot some of Hodnet’s rare glow worms.

These nationally scarce, and locally rare, insects live in certain parts of the vegetation alongside the old railway line from Hodnet to Wollerton. During their brief breeding season they may be spotted glowing to attract a mate.

Glow Worm taken at Hodnet 2016

A warm dark and moonless dry night is the best time to spot them from mid June to mid July, and our walk this year is being held on Friday 1st July. Although you can turn up on the night, it helps us plan/manage the event better if you register your interest. Please contact David Wilson email david.wilson65@icloud.com or call 07970 304169

Meeting Point: By the old Railway Line bridge on Station Road, Hodnet, for a 10.30PM departure. Alternatively, meet in the reception area of The Bear Inn, Hodnet, at 9.30pm for a pre-walk drink – departing for Station road at 10.15pm.

Children and dogs (on leads) welcome. A torch may be helpful for the walk [but isn’t necessary for spotting Glow Worms!]. Sensible shoes and clothing advised.

Note. If wet, the event will be cancelled and then take place on the following friday. If you let David Wilson know you are coming he can keep an email/phone contact for you and let you know if this becomes necessary.

Heating Oil Thefts

The following is from Market Drayton Police Facebook page. Market Drayton’s PCSO Steve Robinson says:

“Following the recent spike in crude oil prices, the cost of heating oil has also increased. Reports have been received relating to thefts from tanks at residential properties and commercial premises, notably in rural locations.

“Things you might want to consider could be:

Implementation of a fuel management system with a key or code access and alarm features.

Try to ensure the tank is overlooked either with natural views or using physical surveillance such as CCTV or, better still, both.

Install anti-siphoning devices and lockable fuel caps.

Install motion sensor lights.”

In addition, sometimes its a good thing to be a nosey neighbour! If you see strange vehicles about, jot down number plates or take a photograph if it is safe to do so.

Christmas Fayre

Don’t forget! The Christmas Fayre is at the Lyon Hall, Hodnet, tomorrow, Saturday 27th November, between 10 am and 2 pm.

There will be craft stalls, gifts, preserves and refreshments.

Parking and entry are free.

Fix my Street!

Shropshire Council is encouraging residents to report issues of concern via the website www.fixmystreet.com

Reporting anything is a very straightforward process. Typing in a postcode brings up a good map of the area so that the issue of concern can be marked. There is a comprehensive ‘tick box’ list of categories – Abandoned vehicles, Bus stops, Car parking, Dog fouling, … Pavements/footpaths, Potholes, …Other. Users are encouraged to add a photo of the problem – issues with photos are apparently likely to be resolved more quickly. Users are required to put in some personal information but, from my own experience, this doesn’t generate a mass of ‘rubbish’ correspondence, just allows confirmation that the issue has been logged.

The process is simple and quick to do. We all have things we like to grumble about so let’s actually report them! A flood of reports about and photos of the same potholes might get them fixed sooner.

Click on this link to go directly to the website: https://www.fixmystreet.com

April 2nd – HFG Walk

Our next “First Tuesday” organised public walk will be the Tern Valley – Hodnet Walk 9.

It’s a “there and back” walk from Peplow to Stoke on Tern and return, via a stretch of pretty countryside you’d never otherwise see. At about 5 miles (total there and back) it’s a fairly flat route with a few stiles.

Starting at The Church of the Epiphany at Peplow* we follow the Tern Valley up to Petsey and on to St Peter’s Church at Stoke on Tern – where we’ll stop for refreshments in the millennium garden.

*There is fairly limited parking by the chapel, so car sharing is advised. With that in mind you could also, if you wish, leave a car at Stoke on Tern beforehand and then just walk one way.

Everyone is welcome, including dogs on leads. You can find the Walk 9 guide on our web page https://hodnet.org.uk/maim/index.php/tourism/local-walk-leaflets/

Any queries please contact Steve Alden 07774 969 339. We hope to see you there. 

A41 Roadworks 25 – 27 March 2024

The A41 (from 40 mph to derestriction sign at Tern Hill. See map) will be closed for repairs/patching work from Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 March, ahead of the road being surface dressed later this year.

Work will be carried out from 9.30am to 4pm each day.

When the road is closed a signed diversion will be in place. Depending on their vehicle type people may be able to choose their own shorter diversion route.

Access will be provided for any properties and businesses within the closure, with staff on site able to assist.

March 5th Walk – HFG

This month we invite you to join us for something a little different – a walk around Lee Brockhurst.

This is a repeat of an outing planned for last November, but which had to be cancelled because of the weather!

We’ve learned from the problems that flowed from that (late) cancellation; so this time we will all meet at the Lyon Hall car park at 09:30, then travel/car share to Lee Brockhurst together for a 10:00 start there.

The walk itself will take around 2 hrs, and is over varied terrain including an (unavoidable) short walk along the verge of the busy A49.

As ever, all are welcome inc. dogs [on leads] and children, with suitable footwear/clothing advised.

Further info, if required, from Rob Kinsey [07880 317934]

Crudgington Roadworks

There are 4-way traffic lights at the A442/B5062 crossroads in Crudgington. They are scheduled to be there for 40 weeks. Allow lots of extra time for your journeys.

Feb 6th 2024 Walk – HFG

This month we resume our ‘First Tuesday’ walks, with a wander around Fauls – essentially following the route of our Walk 7 leaflet the ‘Fauls Circular’ walk.

We’ll meet outside the Holy Emmanuel church in Fauls [free parking] and aim to set off at 10.00.

The walk takes around 2 hrs, and is over varied terrain with some stiles.

As ever, all are welcome inc. dogs [on leads] and children, with suitable footwear/clothing advised.

Further info, if required, from Jake Williams [07474 – 974477]

Shropshire Council’s Budget Consultation is now open

Like many councils across the country, Shropshire Council faces a very tough financial position and is seeking residents’ help in shaping some difficult decisions that lie ahead.  

At just over halfway through this financial year, we have achieved 80% of our spending reductions target of £51.4m. Our plan is to build on these strong foundations to overcome the challenges that still lie ahead into the next financial year and beyond. 

Our biggest pressure is that the funding we have to deliver our services hasn’t kept pace with the demand that we are seeing, especially in adults’ social care and children’s social care, which makes up nearly 80% of the council budget. 

Essentially, we are having to do much more with less so we can carry on supporting the most vulnerable people in our communities. To keep doing this, we will have to make some difficult decisions.  We will need to change the way we deliver some services, whilst some others may need to stop altogether. We want to understand your priorities, as residents, businesses, staff or stakeholders, so that any future decisions are made with these in mind.  Our budget consultation starts today, and this is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts on how we can achieve the £50m spending reductions that we must make before 2025, which includes the 4.99% council tax increase that the Government allocation assumes we will make.”

Go to online budget consultation The themes include increasing efficiency, increasing income, reducing third-party spending and making sure that we are the right size as an organisation. The survey should take less than fifteen minutes and will run until 28 January 2024. Every voice matters. Feedback from this will then inform the final budget proposals which will come back to the council in February.   

Please try and take the time to express your opinions.