This is excellent news for the local area and for everyone, including the many volunteers, who helped to prepare the bid over the last twelve months.

The scheme, which will cover an area of just under 200sq km defined by a rich industrial heritage as well as earlier prehistoric and medieval history, aims to conserve and restore historic and wildlife sites, help communities take part and learn about the landscape and its heritage, and improve access and training opportunities in local heritage skills.

Project Coordinators Joy Howells and Helen Fairweather explained: “This is great news and the new team will be working with the local community and our partners to deliver the 15 local heritage, wildlife and education projects which we have planned together.”

Reyahn King, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands said: “The Stiperstones and Cordon Hill scheme will ensure that this area is recognised as a centre of industrial heritage for its rich history of mining and quarrying. Less than a hundred years ago many more people were living and working here. This project will provide lots of excellent opportunities for local people of all ages to connect with their local environment, whether that be getting involved in restoring and conserving natural habitats, working as a volunteer, or benefit from learning a heritage trade for a future profession.”

The scheme covers an area bounded by the settlements of Churchstoke, Chirbury, Minsterley, Pontesbury, Bridges, Wentnor and Norbury. The varied geology underlies an impressive landscape of hills and vales that crosses the Welsh English border between the Shropshire Hills and Montgomeryshire. Its character reflects the way in which the natural environment is no respecter of man-made boundaries.

Joy continues: “The scheme will create five new jobs and bring together local people, groups and organisations from both sides of the border. The scheme will be managed by the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership. Funding and support has also come from Shropshire Council, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Powys County Council, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and the Jean Jackson Trust, and a total of £2.2million will be spent locally over the five year life span of the scheme.”

Notes to editors

The Landscape Partnership Scheme is primarily funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund with other funding from Natural England, English Heritage, Countryside Council for Wales (now Natural Resources Wales), Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, Powys County Council, and Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Total funding for both stages is around £2million. The scheme will be managed by a partnership board made up of professional and community representatives from both sides of the border. The lead partner for the scheme is the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership.

Further information

Contact the Landscape Partnership Coordinators, Joy Howells and Helen Fairweather (job share) on 01588 674 097, email: joy.howells@shropshire.gov.uk , helen.fairweather@shropshire.gov.uk.

For details of the four programmes and 15 projects, and for further information see Stiperstones and Corndon Hill Country Landscape Partnership Scheme website or contact Joy and Helen, on 01588 674 097, email: joy.howells@shropshire.gov.uk and helen.fairweather@shropshire.gov.uk.