The Engine Shop - Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron Complex
As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the opening of Blists Hill Victorian Town, Sir Neil Cossons, the first director of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (1971 – 1983) and Britain’s leading authority on industrial heritage, will give a public talk on the creation and early days of the award-winning museum.
When Blists Hill Open Air Museum opened to the public on 1 April 1973 it was an immediate sensation as a radical new kind of living museum on a grand scale. An extraordinary project to capture and preserve Britain’s industrial heritage and the way of life in late Victorian Britain fast vanishing beneath the bulldozer of deindustrialisation and urban renewal. In the first year the site welcomed 78,000 visitors – since then over 10 million people have visited the site.
Ahead of the opening in 1973 hundreds of volunteers had laboured for years to clear 42 acres and unearth the remains of the industrial structures original to the site – a section of the Shropshire Canal, the giant Madeley Wood Company blast furnaces and brick and tile works. Volunteer continue to play an important role brining Blists Hill to life for visitors.
Nearly half of Blists Hill’s 40 shops, businesses and homes were relocated brick-by-brick, timber-by timber. Most came from areas of dereliction and demolition around the Ironbridge Gorge, Telford and the exhausted East Shropshire coalfields. Where whole buildings could not be saved, recreations were built using the Museum’s vast collection of original fittings and complete interiors.
In this special anniversary lecture Sir Neil will talk about the foundation of Blists Hill, its early years and how the ambitious concept came to fruition.
This lecture, starting at 7.30pm, is held in conjunction with the Friends of The Ironbridge Gorge Museum. Tickets are £5 per person, £3 for PASS PLUS holders and free for Friends of The Ironbridge Gorge Museum.
Tickets available here from Wednesday 15 March.
Image shows Neil Cossons, former Director of The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (Right) meeting with the Chairman of Prince’s Patent Candle Co., Peter Cast (Left) in the Candle Factory at Blists Hill Victorian Town. 2nd September 1981.
Embark on a journey through Ludlow`s enchanting streets on a sunny Saturday market day! 🌞✨
Witness the lively atmosphere as local traders bring colors and flavors to the scene. Explore quaint independent shops, bask in the aromatic charm of cafes, and savor culinary delights at local restaurants.
Ludlow`s picturesque streets are a canvas of culture waiting to be explored! 🛍️🍽️
Brilliant 🎥 IG @letsgoludlow
🌸✨ Mark your calendars for a bloomin` good time at Frankly Alpacas – it`s Springtime Fun on the Farm! 🦙💐
Join Frankly Alpacas Monday 12th - Sunday 18th and Monday 25th of March - Sunday 7th of April for an unforgettable experience with alpacas, lambs, and adorable Dexter cows. Get up close and personal with these furry friends through farm tours and hands-on encounters. It`s a day filled with smiles, laughter, and the joy of Spring in the air. Don`t miss out on this farmtastic adventure!
Check all the details and secure your spot! @frankly_alpacas
#visitshropshire #familyfun #shropshire #thingstodo
"🏰✨ Dive into the heart of Shrewsbury`s Castle Quarter – the epicenter of history and grandeur! 🏰 Home to four of the town`s largest historic treasures – Shrewsbury Castle, Library, Prison, and Train Station.
Did you know Shrewsbury Castle`s foundations were laid in 1083 by the 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, Roger de Montgomery?
Montgomery, a cousin of William the Conqueror, earned this castle and more as a thank-you for his aid during the Norman conquest.
From royal stronghold to a 16th-century transformation, Shrewsbury Castle has quite the story. Now, it stands majestically, housing the Shropshire Regimental Museum. 👑🏰 Ready to step into the pages of history?
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Embark on an extraordinary half-term adventure at the enchanting Hawkstone Park Follies! 🌲✨
This hidden gem invites you to explore a sprawling landscape filled with magical surprises. Hawskstone Park Follies are offering 50% off general admission from February 9th to 18th, making it the perfect opportunity to uncover the mysteries that await.
Set in 100 acres of Parkland The Follies is a range of dramatic and rugged natural sandstone hills that were developed to include gullies, caves, towers and bridges, becoming one of the most visited landscapes in Britain during the 19th Century. However, throughout the 20th Century this romantic landscape became forgotten, overgrown and ruinous, unvisited by all but the locals.
Now recognised as a Masterpiece of the School of Naturalistic Landscape and designated as a Grade I listed landscape by English Heritage, this magical and exhilarating landscape had a new lease of life with a multi-million pound restoration project enabling it to reopen to visitors in 1993. Overgrown but never fully forgotten, pathways were cleared, gullies reopened and handrails reinstalled to allow visitors to enjoy the spectacular views and surprises that The Follies reveals around every corner.
Friends of the Follies can also enjoy special annual pass upgrade offers available at the gate, ensuring that the magic doesn`t end after one visit!
Ready for an immersive experience where you can adventure, explore, and discover?
Secure your spot now at @hawkstoneparkfollies
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🌲✨ Join The Gruffalo on a birthday adventure at Haughmond Hill! 🎉🎈
Celebrating 25 years of magical tales, Forestry England presents a brand new family trail for an unforgettable experience in the deep dark woods.
Follow the path from the visitor car park, embark on a quest to find party items, and help choose the perfect present for the Gruffalo. 🐭🎁
Enjoy fun, games, and discover the wonders of forest life along the way. Don`t forget your activity pack for just £4 at Haughmond Hill Café—it`s packed with party-ready surprises! 🎂🌳
Warm up, bundle up, and make this winter a Gruffalo birthday celebration to remember! ❄️
@haughmondhillfc
#visitshropshire #halfterm #halftermfun #shropshire #haughmondhill #shrewsbury
