DOCSLIB.ORG

Stark's Bridge, Whixall, Shropshire

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Stark's Bridge, Whixall, Shropshire Stark’s Bridge, Whixall, Shropshire by H R Hannaford Archaeology Service Archaeology Service Report Number 225 © Shropshire County Council March 2003 STARK’S BRIDGE, WHIXALL, SHROPSHIRE by H R HANNAFORD MIFA A Report for COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES, SHROPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Archaeology Service Unit 4, Owen House, Radbrook Centre, Radbrook Road,Shrewsbury, SY3 9BJ Tel: (01743) 254018 Fax: (01743) 254047 TELFORD & WREKIN COUNCIL Stark’s Bridge, Whixall, Shropshire CONTENTS Page No SUMMARY 1 1 INTRODUCTION 2 2 THE CANAL 3 3 THE BRIDGE 3 4 THE RECORDING 4 5 REFERENCES AND SOURCES CONSULTED 4 ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1: Selected prints from colour slides: 1: Stark's Bridge, looking northeast 2: Stark's Bridge, looking southwest 3: The northeast bank, showing the sheet piling and collapsed northeast wing wall 4: The remains of the northeast wing wall 5: The southeast bank 6: The northwest bank 7: The southwest wing wall 8: The southwest wing wall (detail) SUMMARY In 2003 the Archaeology Service carried out archaeological recording at Stark's Canal Bridge, Whixall, Shropshire. The purpose of the exercise was to record the canal walls and any other features revealed when the section of the canal around the bridge was drained to enable repairs to the walls. Three of the four bridge wing walls lining the canal were seen to have collapsed into the canal bed. No other archaeological features or deposits were revealed. Archaeology Service, Shropshire County Council 1 Report No. 225 March 2003 Stark’s Bridge, Whixall, Shropshire 1 INTRODUCTION Stark's Bridge is a timber canal lift bridge of late 18th-century date. The bridge carries a lane, Maltkiln Lane, across the Prees Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal (originally the Ellesmere Canal) at Dobson's Bridge, Whixall, near Wem in north Shropshire (NGR: SJ 491 346). The bridge is a scheduled ancient monument as defined by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (Stark's Lift Bridge at Windmill (sic) Lane Whixall, Shropshire, County Monument No. 321). There has recently been a programme of repairs to the bridge, initially involving the replacement of a number of decayed timbers, and more recently to repair impact damage from a boat, which twisted the deck and disaligned part of the superstructure (H Thomas, correspondence). In February 2002 a third phase of repairs (also resulting from the previous boat- strike) were undertaken to the bridge abutments and deck-seating. These repairs were to involve the draining of a short section of the canal in order to repair, underpin and/or rebuild sections of the wing walls and abutments. A condition of the Scheduled Monument Consent for these repair works was that there should be arrangements for archaeological recording; it was considered appropriate that this recording should comprise a scaled photographic record and brief description (SCB03 Site Archive, correspondence). The Archaeology Service was commissioned to make this record. A series of colour slide and black and white photographs were taken of the bridge after the section of the canal at the bridge had been drained and before the repair works commenced in February 2003. Archaeology Service, Shropshire County Council 2 Report No. 225 March 2003 Stark’s Bridge, Whixall, Shropshire 2 THE CANAL The Ellesmere Canal was built during the Canal Mania of the 1790s. In 1791 a committee to promote the construction of a canal linking the Rivers Severn and Mersey was formed, a route was chosen by the engineer, William Jessop, who was appointed by the canal committee in 1792 (Morriss, 1991), and an Act of Parliament was passed in 1793 for the construction of the Ellesmere Canal. In October 1793 Thomas Telford, then Surveyor of Public Works for the County of Shropshire, was also appointed to assist Jessop as part-time General Agent, Surveyor, Engineer, Architect and Overlooker of the Works. Work on the canal began in 1794, and continued until c. 1806, although the link between the Rivers Severn and Mersey was never completed. The Prees Branch, one of many branches on the canal, was originally intended to reach Prees Higher heath, but by 1806 had only reached Quina Brook, and it was decided to terminate it here. In 1845 the Ellesmere and Chester and the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal Cos. merged and became part of the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company. By the 1930s lack of revenue had made it uneconomic to repair and maintain the canal and the canal fell into disuse. An Act of Parliament for its formal abandonment was obtained in 1944. The canal has slowly deteriorated since its abandonment, and a number of its associated features have disappeared in recent years (Deamer, 1993, pp3-6). 3 THE BRIDGE Stark's Bridge (County Sites and Monuments Record [SMR] No. 01009) crosses the Prees Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal (SMR No. 03414) at Dobson's Bridge. The bridge is a timber bascule bridge operated by a counterweight and chain system, and is set between brick abutments and wing walls with buff (probably Grinshill) sandstone copings. The bridge crosses the canal at a skew angle, and thus both the bridge deck and lifting gear have a parallelogram shape (Blackwell, 1985, p58). The bridge is thought to date to c. 1800-06 and to have been designed by William Jessop and Thomas Telford, the engineers for the Ellesmere Canal. Archaeology Service, Shropshire County Council 3 Report No. 225 March 2003 Stark’s Bridge, Whixall, Shropshire 4 THE RECORDING A site visit was made at the beginning of the current phase of repair works, in order to photograph and record features revealed by the draining of the section of the canal around the bridge. Plan and elevation drawings showing the extent of the dilapidations had previously been prepared by Parkman, engineers for the Phase 3 repairs. The draining of the canal showed that the canal walls immediately beneath the bridge were both intact, though in a poor state of repair. The walls were of orange brick of late 18th- to early 19th-century type and were likely to have been part of the original bridge structure. However, either side of the bridge, three of the four wing walls had collapsed to the extent that the canal sides here comprised earth banks. On the east bank of the canal, the bridge wing walls were missing on either side of the bridge. A few courses of the northeast wing wall's brickwork remained (Fig. 1.4), but only the foundations of the southeastern wing wall survived, buried beneath grey silt and rubble (Fig. 1.5). The same was the case for the northwest wing wall on the west bank of the canal (Fig. 1.6). No earlier features or deposits were exposed in the soils behind the collapsed walls. Only the southwestern wing wall survived to its full height (Figs. 1.7 & 1.8). This wall was also of orange brick of late 18th- to early 19th-century type with a buff (Grinshill) sandstone capping, and was continuous with the west abutment wall beneath the bridge. A further coping layer of shaped purple engineering bricks and concrete had been added at a later date over the original sandstone coping. This wing wall was also in a poor state of repair, with large sections of the brickwork missing from the wall face. No further archaeological features or deposits were revealed. 5 REFERENCES AND SOURCES CONSULTED Crowe, N, 1994: Canals Deamer, G, 1993: The Conservation of the Built Environment on the Montgomery Canal, The Inland Waterways Association Denton, J H, 1984: Montgomeryshire Canal and the Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal, Tow-path Guide No. 4, Lapal Publications, Birmingham Blackwell, A, 1985: Historic Bridges of Shropshire, Shrewsbury, p58 Morriss, R K, 1991: Canals of Shropshire, Shrewsbury Archaeology Service, Shropshire County Council 4 Report No. 225 March 2003 Stark’s Bridge, Whixall, Shropshire 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1: Stark’s Bridge, looking northeast 2: Stark’s Bridge, looking southwest 3: The northeast bank, showing the sheet piling and collapsed northeast wing wall. 4: The remains of the northeast wing wall 5: The southeast bank 6: The northwest bank 7: The southwest wing wall 8: The southwest wing wall (detail) STARK’S BRIDGE, WHIXALL 2003 Figure 1: Selected prints from colour slides Archaeology Service, Shropshire County Council 5 Report No. 225 March 2003.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Wem and Surrounding Area Place Plan This Version Published 2019/20
    Wem and Surrounding Area Place Plan This version published 2019/20 1 Contents Context What is a Place Plan? 3 Section 1 List of Projects 5 1.1 Data and information review 1.2 Prioritisation of projects 1.3 Projects for Wem and Surrounding Area Place Plan Section 2 Planning in Shropshire 26 2.1 County-wide planning processes 2.2 This Place Plan area in the county-wide plan Section 3 More about this area 29 3.1 Place Plan boundaries 3.2 Pen picture of the area 3.3 List of Parishes and Elected Members 3.4 Other local plans Section 4 Reviewing the Place Plan 33 4.1 Previous reviews 4.2 Future reviews Annexe 1 Supporting information 35 2 Context: what is a Place Plan? Shropshire Council is working to make Shropshire a great place to live, learn, work, and visit – we want to innovate to thrive. To make that ambition a reality, we need to understand what our towns and communities need in order to make them better places for all. Our Place Plans – of which there are 18 across the county – paint a picture of each local area and help all of us to shape and improve our communities. Place Plans are documents which bring together information about a defined area. The information that they contain is focussed on infrastructure needs, such as roads, transport facilities, flood defences, schools and educational facilities, medical facilities, sporting and recreational facilities, and open spaces. They also include other information which can help us to understand local needs and to make decisions.
    [Show full text]
  • 20/04102/FUL Parish: Whixall
    Committee and Date Item Northern Planning Committee 5 8th December 2020 Public Development Management Report Responsible Officer: Tim Rogers Email: [email protected] Tel: 01743 258773 Fax: 01743 252619 Summary of Application Application Number: 20/04102/FUL Parish: Whixall Proposal: Erection of a one local needs dwelling with a detached double garage (resubmission) Site Address: Land North Of Green Lane Farm Abbeygreen Whixall Shropshire Applicant: Ms Susanne Whitley Case Officer: Alison Lloyd email : [email protected] Grid Ref: 350690 - 333188 © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Shropshire Council 100049049. 2019 For reference purposes only. No further copies may be made. Northern Planning Committee – 8th December 2020 Agenda Item 5 – Green Lane Farm, Whixall Recommended Reason for REFUSAL REPORT 1.0 THE PROPOSAL 1.1 The application seeks planning approval for the erection of a detached local needs dwelling with a detached double garage, and the formation of a driveway and on site parking area. This is a resubmission following the recent refusal, planning application reference: 20/01723/FUL. Associated Recent Planning History PREAPP/18/00466 - Erection of affordable dwelling - Unacceptable development 19/04923/FUL - Erection of affordable dwelling - Refused 20/01723/FUL - Erection of affordable dwelling - Refused 1.2 Whilst the pre-application advice was clear in advising that the development of the site was not compliant with planning policy, the applicant chose to pursue the proposed development, for the reason as detailed within the pre-application advice response the formal application submitted in 2019 was refused. 1.3 The applicant then submitted an application again for an affordable dwelling on land south of the initial site, this was again refused, reason for refusal is detailed below: "Whilst the applicant has demonstrated that she is in local housing need, the siting and design of the dwelling is considered contrary to planning policies and deemed unacceptable.
    [Show full text]
  • Ferndale Cottage, Welsh End , Whixall, Whitchurch, Shropshire, Sy13 2Nu
    FERNDALE COTTAGE, WELSH END , WHIXALL, WHITCHURCH, SHROPSHIRE, SY13 2NU Offers In Region Of £399,950 BRIEF DESCRIPTION Ferndale Cottage is a spacious detached country property set on a large plot in a lovely rural location. The accommodation retains many features of character and comprises Lounge, Sitting Room, Study, Breakfast Kitchen, Utility, Cloakroom, Three Double Bedrooms, Master En Suite Shower and Family Bathroom. The property has the benefit of oil central heating, double glazed windows and solar panels. There are most attractive gardens and grounds incorporating patio and paved seating areas together with Tandem Garage and useful Boiler House/Store. The grounds extend to around one third of an acre and enjoy views over the surrounding fields and countryside. LOCATION The property is located in the rural village of Whixall and is approximately 5 miles from the market towns of Whitchurch and Wem offering a variety of local independent shops, schools, supermarkets and other major retailers. Whitchurch train station is on a direct line between Crewe and Shrewsbury with onward connections to Manchester, Birmingham and London plus other major cities. The larger centres of Shrewsbury, Telford, Wrexham, Chester and Crewe are all within approximately 14 to 26 miles. ACCOMMODATION FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR Opening into: BREAKFAST KITCHEN 17' 7" x 11' 3" (5.36m x 3.43m) Fitted three years ago a comprehensive range of base and matching wall cabinets including inset one and a half sink unit and drainer, built in oven, integrated 4 ring ceramic
    [Show full text]
  • Holly House, Ossage Lane, Whixall, Whitchurch, SY13 2QB
    FOR SALE Offers in the region of £549,995 Holly House, Ossage Lane, Whixall, Whitchurch, SY13 2QB Property to sell? We would be who is authorised and regulated delighted to provide you with a free by the FSA. Details can be no obligation market assessment provided upon request. Do you of your existing property. Please require a surveyor? We are A superbly situated genuine Smallholding comprising a period 2 / 3 bedroom contact your local Halls office to able to recommend a completely make an appointment. Mortgage/ independent chartered surveyor. detached country house with an extensive range of traditional and modern financial advice. We are able Details can be provided upon farmbuildings, with 14.4 acres of land, in a lovely unspoilt rural location in the to recommend a completely request. independent financial advisor, heart of the noted north Shropshire countryside. hallsgb.com 01691 622 602 FOR SALE Wem (3 miles) Whitchurch (6 miles) Ellesmere (6 miles) Shrewsbury (14 miles) (All Distances Approximate) particularly for those with horses. An inspection is highly ■ Genuine Smallholding recommended. ■ Period 2 / 3 bedroom house ■ Traditional farmbuildings SITUATION Holly House is situated in an attractive and unspoilt rural setting in the ■ Ext. to 14.4 acres of land heart of the noted North Shropshire Countryside. Whilst enjoying this ■ Ideal for equestrian usage quiet and peaceful setting, it is convenient to the North Shropshire Towns of Wem (3 miles), Whitchurch (6 miles) and Ellesmere (6 miles), ■ Super rural location all of which, have an excellent range of local shopping, recreational and educational facilities. The county town of Shrewsbury (14 miles) is also within easy motoring distance which has a more comprehensive range DESCRIPTION of amenities of all kinds.
    [Show full text]
  • Offers in the Region of £499,995 the Croft, Abbey Green, Whixall, Nr
    FOR SALE The Croft, Abbey Green, Whixall, Nr Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 2PT FOR SALE Offers in the region of £499,995 ample parking and manoeuvring space for a number of approximately 2.8 acres (outlined in red on the plan), vehicles. however, there are an additional 13.35 acres adjoining (outlined in blue) which is available as a whole or in part, by The Croft, Abbey Green, Whixall, GARDENS separate negotiation. Nr Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 2PT The gardens are a super feature of the property and have Separate gates give access to a further parking area which been attractively landscaped by the current vendors to could easily be used for equestrian purposes and the Energy Performance Ratings provide extensive lawns interspersed by well stocked floral erection of stables etc, subject to the necessary planning Property to sell? We would be who is authorised and regulated and herbaceous borders. permission. delighted to provide you with a free by the FSA. Details can be There is a block paved patio area to the front of the property no obligation market assessment provided upon request. Do you providing a lovely outside entertaining area enjoying views SOLAR PANELS of your existing property. Please require a surveyor? We are A surprisingly spacious and well presented 4 bedroom detached country house over the gardens and open countryside beyond. There are solar panels at the property which are included contact your local Halls office to able to recommend a completely with the sale. We are informed, by the vendor, that the with landscaped gardens, outbuildings and land extending to approximately 2.8 A further paved patio area to the rear offers a peaceful make an appointment.
    [Show full text]
  • Ladywell House, Whixall, Shropshire, SY13 2RR 01948 663 230 Offers In
    FOR SALE Offers in the region of £485,000 Ladywell House, Whixall, Shropshire, SY13 2RR Property to sell? We would be who is authorised and regulated delighted to provide you with a free by the FSA. Details can be no obligation market assessment provided upon request. Do you Ladywell House is a fantastic detached family home that dates back to the 1860's. of your existing property. Please require a surveyor? We are The property is being sold with NO CHAIN. The accommodation comprises large contact your local Halls office to able to recommend a completely make an appointment. Mortgage/ independent chartered surveyor. entrance porch, cloaks, boiler roo, breakfast kitchen, dining room, living room, financial advice. We are able Details can be provided upon three double bedrooms and a large family bathroom with modern suite. Outside to recommend a completely request. independent financial advisor, are large gardens and paddocks to just under 2 acres. The owners have recently built a detached double garage and there is plenty of parking. hallsgb.com 01948 663 230 FOR SALE Whitchurch 8 miles, Wem 4.5 miles, Shrewsbury 15 miles, Wrexham 18 miles & Chester 28 miles. ■ Detached Country Home there is space for a fridge freezer. ■ Gardens and Paddock Dining Room ■ Approx 2 acres in total 5.05m x 4.42m (16'7'' x 14'6'') ■ Porch, Kitchen, Dining Room, Feature stone fire place with open fire (not currently ■ Lounge, 3 Double Bedrooms used), large double glazed french doors to the rear garden. ■ Bathroom, Double Garage, C.H Living Room Location 7.32m x 4.11m (24' x 13'6'') The property is situated in Whixall and is within easy Stunning stone fireplace with "Clear View" Log burning driving distance of Whitchurch, Ellesmere and Wem, all stove/ thee are exposed beams to the ceiling, 4 double of which have an excellent range of local shopping, glazed windows and 2 radiators.
    [Show full text]
  • Whixall Walks
    Whixall Walks Whixall Compiled by: Sharon Eversfield, Arnie Jones, Di McNeish, Sara Scott, Rob Sharam, Jen Spenser, Lynne Westworth Walks Thanks to Jo Schup for testing out the walks. Thanks also to Liz Evans for producing the maps and to Dr Joan Daniels for the map for Walk 10. Artwork by MA Creative Limited www.macreative.co.uk A special thank you to Luke Neal for all his support and encouragement. Introduction Page 4 Dog and Bull circular walk 6.5 miles The Meres and Mosses has been declared a On this water-logged peat surface only 1 Nature Improvement Area in order to recognise specialised plants and animals can survive, Page 6 Around Whixall 4 miles its landscape character of international like the carnivorous sundew plant and the rare 2 importance. This area is a mosaic of wetland white-faced darter dragonfly. types, most notably the meres and lowland Page 8 Circling Stanley Green 2.5 miles Fenns, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses began 3 peat bogs or mosses, that rival the Lake growing 12,000 years ago from Wem Moss and District and Norfolk Broads in their extent and Page 10 Places of Worship 3.5 miles extend to nearly 1,000 acres; together they are 4 ecological diversity. the third largest lowland bog in Britain. At one 5 Page 12 Tilstock to Hollinwood 4.5 miles The Meres and Mosses Landscape Partnership time the whole area, including Whixall, would Scheme and Nature Improvement Area aims to: have been an expanse of wetlands surrounding Page 14 Whixall Parish Walk 3.25 miles the mosses.
    [Show full text]
  • Fenn's, Whixall, Bettisfield, Wem & Cadney Mosses SAC Conservation
    European Site Conservation Objectives: supplementary advice on conserving and restoring site features Fenn’s, Whixall, Bettisfield, Wem and Cadney Mosses Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Site Code: UK0012912 Date of Publication: 22 August 2017 Page 1 of 23 About this document This document provides Natural England’s supplementary advice about the European Site Conservation Objectives relating to Fenn’s, Whixall, Bettisfield, Wem and Cadney Mosses SAC. This advice should therefore be read together with the SAC Conservation Objectives available here. You should use the Conservation Objectives, this Supplementary Advice and any case-specific advice given by Natural England, when developing, proposing or assessing an activity, plan or project that may affect this site. This SAC is a cross-border site. You should also refer to the SAC Core Management Plan previously published by Natural Resources Wales. This Supplementary Advice to the Conservation Objectives presents attributes which are ecological characteristics of the designated species and habitats within a site. The listed attributes are considered to be those that best describe the site’s ecological integrity and which, if safeguarded, will enable achievement of the Conservation Objectives. Each attribute has a target which is either quantified or qualitative depending on the available evidence. The target identifies as far as possible the desired state to be achieved for the attribute. The tables provided below bring together the findings of the best available scientific evidence relating to the site’s qualifying features, which may be updated or supplemented in further publications from Natural England and other sources. The local evidence used in preparing this supplementary advice has been cited.
    [Show full text]
  • 2008 West Midlands Regional Action Plan
    Butterfly Conservation Regional Action Plan for the West Midlands Compiled by Jenny Joy & Mike Williams Butterfly Conservation Report S08-19 Front Cover Photographs Dark Green Fritillary by Steven Cheshire Drab Looper by Kevin McGee Back Cover Photographs Yellow-legged Clearwing by David Grundy View over Whixall Moss by Steven Cheshire Silver-studded Blue by Stephen Lewis Butterfly Conservation Regional Action Plan for the West Midlands Compiled by Jenny Joy & Mike Williams With significant help from Mike Slater, Nigel Stone and John Tilt and contributions from John Bryan, Trevor Bucknall, David Brown, Jane Ellis, Dean Fenton, Dave Grundy, Michael Harper, Ian Hart, David Jackson, Stephen Lewis, Tony Simpson, Richard Southwell and Keith Warmington July 2008 Includes information on Birmingham and Black Country, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire which are covered by Butterfly Conservation’s Warwickshire and West Midlands Branches. Butterfly Conservation Report S08-19 Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) www.butterfly-conservation.org Warwickshire Branch web site: www.warwickshire-butterflies.org.uk West Midlands Branch web site: www.westmidlandsbutterflyconservation.org.uk West Midlands Regional Action Plan 2008 Executive Summary 1. This new publication represents an update of the West Midlands Regional Action Plan (RAP) published in 1997. This plan was the first regional strategy document for Lepidoptera produced by Butterfly Conservation in the UK and was intended as a guide to conservation priorities for partner organisations involved in the local biodiversity action planning (LBAP) process. The West Midlands RAP has been very successful in this aim with most Biodiversity Action Plans for the counties making up the West Midlands region now including plans for declining and endangered butterfly and moth species found in their areas.
    [Show full text]
  • The Fields Farm Whixall | Shropshire
    The Fields Farm Whixall | Shropshire 2 The Fields Farm Dobsons Bridge, Maltkiln Lane Whixall, Shropshire, SY13 2QJ An exceptional 4-bed family farmhouse with excellent equestrian facilities, 9.66 acres of land and gardens, all ring fenced and privately positioned. • 4-bed property with spacious living accommodation. • GF: large kitchen/breakfast room, utility, pantry, shower wet-room, living room, dining room, snug. • FF: master bedroom with en-suite, 2 double bedrooms sharing a Jack and Jill bathroom, 1 further bedroom and a family bathroom. • Large garage with secure tack room. • Timber framed building with cantilever roof, 5 stables. • Range of steel framed buildings used for storage and workshops. • Range of brick-built buildings for storage and potential for conversion to a wide range of uses subject to pp. • Plenty of parking and turning space. • Outdoor 40m x 20m arena. • Well fenced and secure paddocks. • In all about 9.66 acres. Distances in approx. miles: Whixhall 2m | Wem 5m | Whitchurch 8m Ellesmere 8m | Malpas 11 m| Shrewsbury 16m Oswestry 16m | Wrexham 19 miles | Chester 27m Birmingham 60m 3 Location The Fields Farm is located off a no-through road called Maltkiln Lane, near the village of Whixall. Sitting adjacent to the Llangollen canal the location offers the best of both worlds, being a rural and tranquil setting, yet within easy access to local towns and villages. Local shops can be found in nearby Wem and Prees, whilst further amenities are available in the market towns of Whitchurch and Ellesmere. On the educational front, there are several primary and secondary schools located in Whixall, Whitchurch, Wem and Prees.
    [Show full text]
  • The Marches Mosses Are Fenn's, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses And
    The Marches Mosses are Fenn’s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses and Wem Moss National Nature Reserves in North Wales and Shropshire. Collectively, the Mosses form the third-largest lowland raised peatbog in the UK. Lowland raised peatbogs (‘mire’) are one of the rarest habitats on earth, and over 96% have been destroyed over the last several centuries through peat cutting, agriculture and drainage. Formed at least 10,000 years ago, peatbogs are a major store of carbon, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change while providing homes for a wide range of wildlife, many not seen outside this habitat. Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England and Natural Resources Wales are working to restore 2,500 acres of the Marches Mosses and surrounding peat edge (‘lagg’) with the goal of making them healthy, functioning eco-systems once again. We are working to remove invasive scrub and trees, retain more rainwater on the centre of the Mosses, recreate bog on marginal fields, control air and water pollution and continue the clean-up of the former scrapyard site on the edge of Whixall Moss. We also want to make the Marches Mosses more accessible to visitors by improving interpretation and access, installing a wheelchair-accessible bird hide, running a volunteering programme and holding community events. The Marches Mosses are beautiful, tranquil places that are full of wildlife and intriguing to visit. They are also vital for the health of the planet as we try to lessen the impact of carbon emissions on climate change: Peatland is 90% water. Peat bogs work to slow the flow of rainfall through the landscape, thus helping to prevent local flooding.
    [Show full text]
  • Whixall Parish Council Chairman: Ian Mercer
    A Whixall Parish Council Chairman: Ian Mercer Minutes of the Parish Council’s Monthly Meeting held on 10 March 2021 on the Zoom Platform starting at 7:30pm Present: Councillors: I Mercer (Chair); J Spenser; B Harris; A Rawlinson. A Hague joined the meeting late. County Councillors: C Mellings Clerk: A Roberts Members of the community: 0 Representatives of other bodies/ organisations: 0 23/21 Apologies for Absence J Broadhead 24/21 Declaration of Pecuniary Interests Members were reminded of their obligation to declare any interests/ gifts/ hospitality. None were declared. 25/21 Minutes of Previous Meeting Meeting of Whixall Parish Council held on 10 February 2021: It was proposed by Cllr Rawlinson that the draft minutes, of the meeting detailed above, were an accurate record. This was seconded by Cllr Harris and agreed by all present. (As the meeting was online, the Clerk signed the minutes on behalf of the Chairman). 26/21 Planning b. Planning Decisions Received Reference Detail Decision 21/00032/FUL External alterations to previously approved scheme in Grant order to increase height of eaves by 500mm. permission Garden Cottage, Church Lane SY13 2NA 20/05300/FUL Erection of standalone single storey extension following Grant demolition of existing dilapidated buildings. permission Whixall CE School SY13 2SB 21/00292/FUL Installation of ground mounted solar panel array. Grant Park Gate, 5 Hollinwood permission SY13 2NW c. The Clerk provided a verbal report relating to recent planning enforcement activity at 6 Hollinwood which resulted in no action being taken. 27/21 Clerk’s Report The report was circulated by email prior to the meeting (Appendix A).
    [Show full text]