http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/news.cfm The RSS news feed for the Shropshire Hills area Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:38:45 GMT en-gb http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=70 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=70 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:41:39 GMT Calling all food, drink and tourism businesses! Please take the time to read this, and complete the short questionnaire on walking in the Shropshire Hills. This short survey is being sent to businesses in and around the western Shropshire Hills area which cater for local people and visitors, especially those who enjoy walking in the Shropshire Hills. We are trying to find out how important the income from walkers and walking is for the local economy. This is part of the Walking With Offa project (led by the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership) which is setting up new walks, training walks leaders and promoting walking in the area more widely. We want to benchmark the current situation so that we can measure whether the economic impact increases over the next few years. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BGXRKBZ The survey has just 10 questions and shouldn't take very long to complete. We need at least 50 responses from a range of businesses from Chirbury and Minsterley in the north down to Bucknell and Leintwardine in the south (basically any business to the west of, or within a mile of, the A49). To encourage you to reply we're offering a bespoke Ordnance Survey map centred on your business as a prize to be drawn from all the responses. There are also two runner up prizes of the brand new Walking With Offa booklet (usually costing £4.95). Individual responses will be strictly confidential. Data will only be published with all responses collated. We realise this is a busy time of year for many businesses but we'd be very grateful if you could respond. We don't need precise figures but a good indication of how important walkers are to your business will help us make the case to boost the activity. We're also interested if they're not very significant to you as well. Simply click through on this link to complete the survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BGXRKBZ Alternatively if you would rather speak to someone by telephone to do the survey, then just email me on alison.caffyn@gmail.com  suggesting a good time for me to call you. To find out more about the Walking with Offa project go to: http://www.shropshirewalking.co.uk/walking-with-offa/ Many thanks for your help. Alison Caffyn on behalf of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=69 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=69 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:14:28 GMT Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 We are able to confirm that in 2012 we have the funding in place to operate a new linear Shuttle bus service between Much Wenlock, Acton Scott Historic Working Farm and Church Stretton.   The new Shuttle route will be called the ‘Wenlock Wanderer’ and will travel along the famed limestone escarpment of Wenlock Edge, through ancient woodland and into the majestic folds of the Stretton hills and the Long Mynd.  There are some great walking opportunities from this Shuttle bus, as well as fantastic views, welcoming country pubs and the chance to experience life on a Victorian Farm at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm.   The ‘Long Mynd & Stiperstones’ Shuttle, which has run each season for over ten years, remains the same.  As the name suggests, this Shuttle bus takes you over these two distinctive ‘hill tops’ with key stops at Church Stretton, Cardingmill Valley, Pontesbury and Minsterley. Further great news is that the Shuttle bus fares will remain the same as the 2011 prices, meaning your £7 Day Rover ticket will buy you a lot more mileage for your money.  You will be able to travel on both Shuttle bus routes using your Day Rover ticket. The Shropshire Hills Shuttles operate every weekend and Bank Holiday Monday, and the 2012 season starts on Saturday 7 April (Easter) and runs until the end of September 2012.  For details of the Shropshire Hills Shuttle bus routes, timetables and prices please see www.shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk and we look forward to seeing you next season. http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=68 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=68 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:17:07 GMT Shropshire Food, Beautifully cooked Shropshire’s new cookery school lies in the heart of the agricultural land that makes this region’s food so special. You’ll see the ingredients growing and grazing in the fields around the kitchen. And have a chance to pick wild foods from the lane and hedgerows. It’s the ideal place to learn and enjoy great food: here’s just a taste of what you’ll eat. Mortimer forest venison. People travel the world to bag Shropshire’s game. We serve pigeon, wild boar, mallard and partridge. Wild trout, salmon and sea fish from “The Fish House” Ludlow. Traditional breed lamb, beef and pork like the Kerry, Gloucester Old Spot and Dexter have been reared in Shropshire for generations. D W Walls & Sons is the only accredited rare breed butcher in the region. Local dairyfarms (from both sides of the Welsh border) make Shropshire Blue, Monkland, Smoked Tanatside. All from “The Mousetrap” in Ludlow. Bread While you’re here you’ll need to taste our native Shropshire Brown (from“Swifts” Craven Arms). Fruit and market vegetables : “Farmers,” in Ludlow stocks all the local seasonal crops: from asparagus and apples to wild crops like walnuts and wimberries. Book now and save £25 Book now for one of our classes, and as a thank you, we’ll give you £25 off a second booking. Which means buy a Shropshire Chef Gift Certificate, and you can accompany your friend or loved one for less. Full day classes are £99. Demo and Dine evenings are £55 per person. To find out about celebration evenings and specialist catering at Round Oak Farm call Simon on the number below. Round Oak Farm, Hopesay, SY7 8HQ Take the A49 to Craven Arms. Follow signpost to “Long Lane Industrial Estate”. (Turn right coming into Craven Arms from the north (Shrewsbury). Left, coming from the south (Ludlow).) Cross railway. Climb 2.5 miles. There is a phone-box on right. The farm is through the next double gate on your left. Call 01588 680 484 or 0796 452 0944 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=67 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=67 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:50:16 GMT This report below offers encouraging evidence that Sustainable Tourism Initiatives, like the Shropshire Hills Sustainable Business Scheme have a positive effect both for the businesses and visitors. Sustainable practices create added value for businesses and visitors in protected natural areas The project ‘Sustainable Tourism in Enterprises, Parks and Protected Areas’ (STEPPA) comes to a close this month. The results of the research carried out within STEPPA show that the performance of a business improves when sustainable measures are implemented. In addition, eco-labels could improve the experience of tourists in protected areas if they were more recognisable. STEPPA, funded through the EU grant scheme Knowledge networks for the competitiveness and sustainability of European Tourism, ran from June 2010 until the end of this month. The project involved ten partners from seven European countries including the EUROPARC Federation, Leeds Metropolitan University and the lead partner the University of Eastern Finland. The project specifically examined the added value of sustainable tourism in protected natural areas for local businesses using EUROPARC’s European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas (ECST) as the basis for the research. Research done by Leeds Metropolitan University on nearly 900 tourism and hospitality businesses from 59 European protected areas showed that sustainability and business performance have a positive impact on each other. The main reasons for acting sustainably are altruistic ones, with savings, marketing benefits, and customer demand raking lower. Unfortunately businesses that claim to undertake a large number of sustainability actions often find it hard to implement specific examples. In general businesses that carryout more sustainability measures believe they have benefitted from them and are more satisfied with their financial performance. Finally green businesses do not communicate this effectively. A second survey was carried out by the University of Eastern Finland on 1300 visitors in protected natural areas across Europe. The aim was to find out visitors' views on sustainability and whether sustainable tourism schemes give added value to their trip. The results showed that there is a definite added value for visitors. In addition, tourists in protected areas are willing to participate in sustainable activities whilst travelling and they have positive opinions on eco-labels. Unfortunately green certificates or eco-labels are not very recognisable to these tourists. Other project results included a literature review of sustainable practices within the ECST and a document proposing a revised and updated methodology for the ECST with regards to the businesses in the parks participating in the ECST. A summary of each of the research reports are available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, and the comprehensive reports in English from www.europarc.org/what-we-do/steppa. http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=66 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=66 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:45:41 GMT Hedge Laying with David Marpole at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre Saturday 14 January 9.00am - 4.00pm Suitable for complete novices and beginners, enjoy a practical, hands-on experience laying a hedge.   Restore a hedge that has grown without being trimmed, thickening it to provide a better habitat for wildlife. You will need to bring your own billhook, loppers, strong thorn proof gloves and some kind of saw e.g. a bow saw.  Come dressed to be outdoors, whatever the weather!  Bring your own hot drinks and pack lunch or warm up in the cafe at lunchtime. Charge: £50   Book your place on 01588 676060 - limited number of places available. http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=65 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=65 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:18:52 GMT Much Wenlock Festival Fair 2012 – book your stall now! The Much Wenlock Festival Fair, Saturday 2nd June 2012, is now taking stall holder bookings.  If you book and pay before the end of January there is an early bird discount. The Much Wenlock Festival is a bi-annual event, with activities and events happening through out the town. The Festival Fair signals the start of the 3-week Festival, and gets the town in the carnival spirit. Kate Griffith, Fair organizer, says “We had a fantastic Festival Fair in 2010 with a splendid attendance!” “2012 is going to be the Olympic Year and as you are probably aware Much Wenlock has significant links with the Olympics and we expect to have lots of visitors next summer in the town. We look forward to seeing you on the Church Green in June!” Kate concludes. For more information, and to request a stall booking form, email kgriffith@farming.co.uk http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=64 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=64 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:46:41 GMT Final free walking workshop for local tourism businesses This is the last chance for local tourism businesses to sign up for a free one day workshop on the Shropshire Hills and get some top tips on how to promote the great walking opportunities in your marketing.   The final workshop is taking place on Wednesday 30 November, 10.30am – 3.30pm, at the Mayfair Centre in Church Stretton. The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty attracts many walkers on holiday and 80% of visitors go for a walk during their stays, so the workshop will help you find out more about walks in your local area so you can help your guests explore on foot and encourage them to stay longer or return for more. Jodie Griffith, Project Officer, for the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, commented “Feedback from businesses who have already attended has been great.  People have found it really helpful and it has made them think about targeting walkers in their marketing.  It has also given people the chance to familiarise themselves with local walks leaflets, maps and websites, and find out about local walks, long distance routes, pub walks, walking events and local walks leaders.” The workshop also provides businesses with a chance to share and improve their knowledge about the landscape, heritage and wildlife that make walks in the Shropshire Hills so enjoyable. Who were Wild Edric and Jack Mytton? What are the stories behind the Devil’s Chair and Mitchell’s Fold? What are all those remains on Titterstone Clee and what’s important about the geology along Wenlock Edge? What wildlife should visitors keep an eye out for at what times of year? The workshops have been organised by the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership and the Walking with Offa Project.  To book, please contact Jodie Griffith on 01588 674090 or jodie.griffith@shropshire.gov.uk http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=63 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=63 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:14:42 GMT Five businesses were given ‘Achiever’ awards by the Shropshire Hills Sustainable Business Scheme at a ceremony held at Cardingmill Valley last night. The Scheme is run by the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, and businesses of all kinds can join by making a public pledge to improve their environmental performance and links to the local economy and community. The awards were made in the five categories of the scheme: ‘Buy’ Local – Clun Valley Organics (Trevor Wheeler) ‘Eat’ Local – The White Horse Clun (Jack Limond – who was not able to be present) ‘Stay’ Local - Mocktree Barns Holiday Cottages (Cynthia & Clive Prior) ‘Go’ Local - Wheely Wonderful (Kay Dartnell) ‘Local Services’ - Think Graphic (Matthew Lloyd) George Chancellor, Chair of the AONB Partnership who awarded each winner a certificate and a prize hamper of local produce, said “It’s fantastic to see the commitment of all these businesses to sustainability. The Scheme recognises them for that, they get benefits from being part of the network, and the Shropshire Hills benefits by being more and more associated as a sustainable destination.” The event was held jointly with the Friends of the Shropshire Hills AONB, whose membership subscriptions go to supporting local projects, through the AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund. Over 60 people attended the event. http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=62 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=62 Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:48:28 GMT The town of Much Wenlock will be holding its first Food Festival in over twenty five years on the Holy Trinity Church Green on Saturday the 24th of September in order to celebrate local food.   The Festival will hold a Farmers’ Market, craft fair, amateur growing competition, beer festival and “green” Market offering advice on sustainability, gardening, apple pressing, bee keeping, allotments, the tree forum and much more.    We will have a selection of Farmers' Market stalls- most of which usually trade in our own Farmers' Market (the 1st, 3rd & 5th Friday of each month- 9am till 1pm underneath the Guildhall). Stalls include eggs, honey, Wenlock edge meats, scotch eggs, chocolate, cakes, vegetables, plants, jams, pickles, butter, biscuits, pies, cheese, flowers, curry to get you started. They will be offering free tasters, advice on producing your own food/drink and great bargains to take home.   The amateur growing competition will be housed in the Priory Hall and we urge locals of all ages to enter (please see Sustainable Wenlock webpage for details). Our beer tent will offer a collection of local beers and ciders which the public can enjoy in our undercover picnic area. As well as a range of stalls from our own High street there will be a tepee selling recycled gifts for the home.  There will be live music exhibiting local talent, face painting, young cycle training (if you mention this can you urge youngsters to bring their own bikes please!) a pets corner, hair braiding and tattoos.   This Festival wants to show locals and visitors what Much Wenlock has to offer and to encourage people to grow and make their own food and drink where they can. Lucy Cooke, the Festival Organiser, urges people to come and visit- “We are all suffering at the moment in this over-discussed financial climate and everyone can see that it is really hitting the price of food. I would like to suggest to locals that they can no longer buy every single item they need from one shop- it is not cost/quality effective. They need to shop around- and grow themselves where they can. They also need to invest in their own local economy and traders. It is the only way we can thrive in this difficult economic situation we are in. So please come and enjoy some local food!” As we are are all volunteers it is a slow process and we don't have much money. Which is why we are imploring locals, businesses, and organisations to help where they can! The event takes place on Saturday 24th of September only, from 11am – 4pm, with live music and other activities throughout the day.  Admission is free. Twitter:@WenlockFoodFest Facebook: Wenlock Markets wenlockmarkets@gmail.com For more information contact Lucy Cooke- the Festival Organizer on 01952727509 or 07825266182 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=61 http://www.shropshirehills-buylocal.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?newsid=61 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:31:42 GMT You can now book on the Exploring Organic event on Friday 9th September for only £15, the original price was £25. Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership and Myriad Organics are offering a special late deal on this event next Friday, which includes a tour round Hill Cottage Market Garden with Mick and Alice, to learn about their organic community supported agriculture system and how they have created an environment that benefits the local wildlife. There will also be light bites and refreshments back at Myriad Organics in Ludlow, where the event will start. Jodie Griffith, from Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, explains “we are offering a ‘late bird’ discount to this wonderful event next Friday to allow more people the opportunity to visit an organic farm and take part in Organic Month.” Jodie continues “We are hoping to give people an interesting and inside experience of our local producers in the Shropshire Hills, people will also be able to take home some freshly picked organic produce for free.” For more information, and to book, please call Jodie on 01588 674090 or email jodie.griffith@shropshire.gov.uk