Natural England has given the go ahead for Telford Access to Nature Partnership, managed by the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust, to improve access to 16 woodland areas and green places throughout Telford. This is the first stage of the capital works funding of £23,000 and will be spent on physical infrastructures such as seats, benches, kissing gates, way markers and steps.
The bench was designed by Pete Lambert from Shropshire Wildlife Trust with invaluable inspiration from Great Dawley Parish Council, Dawley History Group and the Purbeck Dale & Chiltern Gardens Community Group.
The design depicts a brief history of the Brandlee from the horse and carts used to transport coal and fireclay from the mines; later steam engines there were used to transport this and then finally to the foxes and other wildlife that now inhabit the area. Pete has also managed to incorporate the Round House into the carved name.
The bench was installed Tuesday 6th July by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Severn Gorge Countryside Trust with the help of the Parish Warden and Assistant to the Clerk from Great Dawley Parish Council. Holes were dug to sink the legs into and then the bench top was fixed to the top. It was a lovely day to be out assembling the bench and hard work to dig into the soil there but the bench looks lovely in the chosen secluded spot and blends in nicely with its surroundings.
There was a small opening event on Saturday 10th July between 12pm and 2pm off Fence Road on the Brandlee to celebrate the installation on the bench. Everyone was welcome to come along, light refreshments were provided. Everyone enjoyed the lovely remote area in which the bench has been situated.
