Summer Programme 2024

Saturday 13th April 2024, 11.00am – Hunkington Moat, Upton Magna, SJ 5852 1409, cost £3.00. A visit to a medieval moated site and fishpond that is probably the site of Moat House which was occupied by the Onley family in the 15th and 16th centuries Hunkington Moat. We will be welcomed to the site by Mr Viv Marsh of Praise Bee, a charity which has acquired it as part of a wildflower meadow and woodland research reserve Praise Bee Charity. Meet at 10:40 am at the car parking in front of Upton Magna Business Park SY4 4TT. We will then car share in no more than 6 cars to transfer to the farm north of the site, and then walk the remainder of the way (c 850m/ 930 yds). The track to the site is very churned up because of the wet winter, so come prepared for heavy going with stout footwear and perhaps a walking stick. A shuttle in a 4WD vehicle should be available for those with mobility problems.

Saturday 11th May 2024, 2:15 pm The Mount, (Darwin’s Birthplace) Frankwell, Shrewsbury SY3 8PU, cost £12. A “behind the scenes” type tour from John Hughes (Darwin House Museum Project Manager) of the house which is currently undergoing restoration and so some areas may not be accessible depending on the schedule of work. Darwin Birthplace Trust. Weather permitting, the tour will also explore the remaining garden. The tour will be in one or two groups of no more than 15 people per group because some of the spaces are tight and narrow. There is currently no lift. Please could anyone who can either walk or cycle there or park in the Frankwell Car Park (charges apply), to leave the limited on-site parking spaces for those who need them. Numbers are limited to 30, and tea/coffee and cake are to be provided, and so prior booking is essential. Charge £12 (cash or cheque on the day); Booking (by 4th May): By email to sahsmembership@gmail.com By post to SAHS Membership Sec at 1, Crewe St, Shrewsbury, SY1 2HQ indicating name(s), number in party, phone number, and dietary issues for the refreshments.

Saturday 8th June 2024 Edstaston Church and Canal Wharf, near Wem, SY4 5RF, cost £3 A visit to Edstaston Church and Canal Wharf led by Judith Everard. Edstaston church, located in a small hamlet about 2 miles north of Wem, raises questions about why a large and elaborately decorated church was built here in the late 12th century, and by whom. North of the church are the remains of Edstaston canal wharf, which, from its opening in 1806, was the nearest connection for Shrewsbury to the national canal network, until the Shrewsbury Canal was extended in1835. Please visit the website nearer the time for the details of the time and assembly point for this visit.

Saturday 26 July, or 2nd or 9th August 2024 – Visit to the Nesscliffe Hill Excavations A SAHS visit to the final season of excavations at Nesscliffe Hill Camp, guided by Gary Locke.  Please meet at the Pines Car Park (SJ 389 198 or 52.77319 -2.90554). Date and time to be arranged and will be posted here shortly. 

Saturday 21st September 2024 – AGM 2.00pm at The Gateway, Chester St, Shrewsbury, SY1 1NB.  Full details with the Autumn Newsletter and AGM papers. The AGM will be followed at 2:30pm by our Annual Lecture which this year will be given by Professor Richard Hoyle. Full details will appear in the Autumn Newsletter and AGM papers.

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