Month: <span>November 2010</span>

New Parish Councillor Appointed

Following the retirement of long-serving Parish Councillor, Mr. Phil Perry, a replacement has been appointed.
He is Mr. Howard Trevor, who has lived in Hodnet all his life and has a young family. He also runs his own Landscape and Property Maintenance business.
Howard’s first meeting as a Parish Councillor will be on Thursday, 16th December.

New Book from Hodnet Historian

Mr. Mothershaw with his new bookGerald Mothershaw, a well know local historian, has recently published his latest book. Called The War Years 1939-1945 – How Times Have Changed, it includes accounts of the experiences of servicemen based in Hodnet and other villages around Market Drayton during the war.
This is Gerald’s seventh book, and like the previous ones he is donating the proceeds from its sale to charity. On this occasion the beneficiary will be the armed forces charity Help for Heroes. Appropriately, the book contains a chapter about Corporal Simon Vaughan from Hodnet who was severely injured in an explosion while serving in Afghanistan in December 2008.
The book has been produced with help from The Muller Community Trust, Kate & Simon Johnston and The Weston & Whixall Church of England Schools Trust.
Mr Mothershaw, 75, said: “Over the last 12 years, I’ve written about Hodnet as the village’s historian and I thought I’d round things off by looking at the history of the village during the last war.
“I wrote it because of all the interest there is in World War II and because a lot of people asked me, ‘Is there a book coming out for Christmas?’
“It has stories in it about HMS Godwit in Ollerton, RAF Peplow, the airfields around the Market Drayton area and a brief history of the last war.
“I hope young children will find it of great interest because I go to Hodnet Primary School to give talks and a lot of the children there are interested in the Second World War.
“But for the grown-ups, it will bring back a lot of memories.”
Gerald Mothershaw’s previous books are:

  • A Brief History of Hodnet Township 1066
  • Hodnet in Wartime Through the Eyes of a Child
  • The Lords of Hodnet Manor, A Rummage through the Twentieth Century
  • Early and Modern Medical Achievements and the History of Hodnet Doctors
  • The Wonderful Years of Steam Trains through Hodnet
  • My Successful Methods for Growing Exhibition Vegetables

Fatal road accident on the A442 in Peplow

A fatal road accident occurred today (Mon. 8 Nov. 2010) on the A442 in Peplow at around 7:50am. The accident involved a collision between a Vauxhall Astra van and an Iveco box 4½ ton van, close to the entrance of Highway Farm. The Vauxhall van was overtaking at the time and, according to the Shropshire Star, one of its two occupants died after being taken to University Hospital North Staffordshire in Stoke by Air Ambulance. Three people were taken by ambulance to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford with minor injuries.
The accident closed the A442, causing serious delays for rush-hour motorists between the junction with the A53 and the Shropshire / Telford & Wrekin border on the southern edge of the Hodnet C.P. The road was re-opened around 12:15pm after the Police Accident Investigation Unit had completed it work.
The webteam expresses their sympathies to the family of the man who died in this tragic accident.
The day after the accident police named the dead man, who was driving the Astra van, as Sean Creer, aged 44, of Winsford, Cheshire.

Christmas Lunches at Hawkstone Hall

Christmas lunches at the grade I listed Georgian Mansion.
3 courses,
Vegetable soup or fan of melon or pate.
Traditional roast with trimmings or vegetarian option.
Christmas pudding and brandy sauce or fresh fruit salad or ice cream.
Also included is afternoon tea and a mince pie.
Adults £12.95       Children £9.95
Available December 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th at 12.30 pm.
Bookings are being taken and dates are filling quickly.
To book contact the secretary on 01630 685242

17th Century Dovecote gets face lift

Four months of skilled and patient work means that the grade II listed dovecote within Hodnet park can now come off the heritage at risk register. The rejuvenation of this unusual piece of our local heritage was carried out under the auspices of English Heritage and Natural England. The work was undertaken mainly by Hereford based company I.J. Preece and Sons, working out of their Shrewsbury depot and using local craftsmen. Michael Edwards acted as site manager throughout the renovations and was also the team’s carpenter and joiner.

The works carried out included a new glover with two new collars to support it, new pearling to support the roof with the roof being completely re-tiled. The string course which was originally in Hawkstone sandstone was replaced with Grinshill white sandstone as there is no longer a quarry at Hawkstone. All the brickwork was re-pointed with hot lime using local sand, 400 cracked or broken bricks were also replaced. A viewing hatch has also been incorporated so that the loft space can be easily observed.

The dovecote can be viewed on garden open days, the next of which is the Easter bank holiday weekend in 2011.

Mulberry Bush Studios: Christmas Showcases, Demonstrations & Open Days

Local florists Mulberry Bush Studios are holding a number of special pre-Christmas events. These are:
Christmas Showcase evenings: Monday 15th & Thursday 25th November, 7.00pm.
Everyone welcome, refreshments provided.
Floral Demonstration evening: Wednesday 1st of December, 7.00pm.
Tickets £8.50. Booking essential.
Wine Tasting Evening: Tuesday 7th December, 7.00pm
Liz Gledhill from Oldacre Wines will be bringing a selection to help choose the right wines for Christmas celebrations.
Tickets £5.00. Booking essential.
Open days: Thursday 9th & 16th December, starting at 11am.
Ideas for Christmas (door wreaths,table arrangements garlands & much more).
Bookings are also available for 10 or more friends to get together and hold a workshop day with us or just come along for a retail party.
For more information telephone Dorne or Amy 01630 685327 or email