Shropshire Hills Forum & Field Visits

at Clun Memorial Hall (SY8 3NZ)

The Forum aims to hold welcoming and inspiring events twice a year - involving a wide variety of people to help create a sustainable future for the Shropshire Hills. 

Themes for this event are : 

• Thriving in Balance with Nature in the Shropshire Hills  
• Celebrating 10 years of community conservation work 
• A shared vision for the catchment of the River Clun 

The Forum event is built around sharing ideas and knowledge, and building connection. There are some speakers and structured activity, along with plenty of time for informal networking. Organisations and groups are invited to book a stand or stall to display information and as a focus for discussion. There will also be some interactive activities and exercises. Please come with an open mind and willingness to participate!

Forum & Field Visit Programme:

9.30 for 10am start Refreshments and informal networking

10 – 11.15am Welcomes and Introductions

• About the Shropshire Hills National Landscape, and current activity
• Celebrating 10 years of the Shropshire Hills Landscape Trust and community projects supported
• Keynote speaker Dr Andy Wigley - The Clun valley landscape – past and future
• Interactive session

11.15am – 12.15pm informal networking and chance to look around the stands about activities happening locally to help to look after the Shropshire Hills. 

12.15 – 1pm light lunch and gather for field visits 

12.30 - 3pm Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme - Drop-in Advisory Session (no need to book)

1 - 3.30pm field visits depart and return by minibuses from/to the village hall

1 - 2.15pm Interpretation Workshop with Nigel McDonald at the Memorial Hall

The Forum is free (donations towards lunch), but booking is required. You are welcome to attend the morning session only if preferred. 

Please book giving your field visit choice (details below) and any dietary requirements by either:

• email: shropshirehills-nl@shropshire.gov.uk 
• telephone: 01743 254740
• online: click the button below

online booking form 

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Field trip one:

‘On Whinberry Hill’ -  a community project on Black Hill, Clunbury 

A community project on Black Hill, Clunbury supported by the Conservation Fund to restore a heathland oasis with its history of peat cutting and bilberry picking. The work has involved horses, a robocutter, some herbicide, saws and scythes, and many volunteers. See the outcome and hear about how it happened.

• Travel by minibus – short walk on site, under 1 mile, some rough and uneven ground.  

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Field trip two:

Guilden Down farm visit

See the work one farmer has carried out through a Farming in Protected Landscapes project to retain and slow water on his land whilst also improving water quality and biodiversity.  The project ties in with new woodlands created with the Severn Rivers Trust, showcasing how organisations and farmers can work together to improve resilience within the landscape.  

• Travel by minibus to and from the farm.

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Field trip three:

Clun town heritage walk

Join members of the Team and local experts for a walking tour of Clun.

• Walking from the Memorial Hall - relatively level and good surfaces.

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12.30 - 3.30pm, farmers and land managers are welcome to drop-in to find out about the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme.

Our Farming in Protected Landscapes Adviser, Alison Jones will be able to talk to you about the funding programme and opportunities for your farm business.  It's also a chance for you to ask any questions you have around making an application/ developing a project.