The Olympian Trail Around In the footsteps of The Olympian Trail Around Much Wenlock In the footsteps of William Penny Brookes

Start

Start at the Wenlock Museum near the town square in High Street. The Trail begins and ends at the Museum, where a fine collection of Olympian artefacts are on display, illustrating the significant role of Much Wenlock in the revival of the modern .

N L O C E K Using this Trail Guide and map W follow the bronze markers set in

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the ground. Discover the sites L I Y A and buildings associated with M R P T I A N William Penny Brookes, founder of the Wenlock Olympian Society, organisers of the annual Games since 1850. Learn of the benefits Dr Brookes brought to the town during the 19th century.

Parts of the Trail have limited access - please see Guide and Map. Walkers are advised that they follow the Trail at their own risk. The 2km (1 1/4 mile) route crosses roads, footpaths, fields and steps. Depending on walking pace, the Trail takes around one hour.

Wenlock Olympian Trail commissioned in 2000, completed 2001

In May 2012, the Olympic Torch was carried by WOS President, Jonathan Edwards, and through Much Wenlock by WOS Vice President, John Simpson (pictured), on its way to the 2012 London Olympic Games. The Olympian Trail Around Much Wenlock 1867 In the footsteps of William Penny Brookes

The first Wenlock Olympian Games were held in 1850 for ‘every grade of man’. The 1867 programme (below) shows the range of athletic and country events staged at the Games. Some competitions were sponsored - a new idea! Sometimes there would be a fun contest to amuse the crowds - for example a blindfolded wheelbarrow race!

Following his visit to the Wenlock Olympian Games, Baron , founder of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), wrote in the December 1890 edition of La Review Athlétique; “if the Olympic Games which Modern Greece did not know how to establish again is revived today, it is not to a Greek that one is indebted but to Dr W.P. Brookes.”

Tilting at the Ring was the most popular and exciting event at the Wenlock Olympian Games. A rider used the tip of his lance to unhook a small ring which hung down from a cross bar.

Shown here is the1887 Champion Tilter, Charles Ainsworth, crowned with olive leaves. William Penny Brookes can be seen to the right wearing his medals. The Olympian Trail Around Much Wenlock Start and finish outside Much Wenlock Museum, follow the

L L N L O N O C N O C E C E K bronze markers in the ground (distance in metres). E K K W W W

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1500 L 50 L 850 L L I L I L I Y The Corn Exchange was built in 1852 as a Public 4, Wilmore Street is the house where Y In winning gold for Great Britain in the Y A A A M M R M R R P T P T P I T I A N I A N A N Reading Room and Library with a William Penny Brookes was born in 1500m track race at the 1984 Olympics Librarian’s residence and a small museum. 1809. Having qualified as a surgeon in 1831, Sebastian Coe set a record of 3 mins Provision was made in the open space he returned to Wenlock, took over his late 32.53 secs. The Wenlock Olympian beneath for a free Corn Market. It was in this father’s practice and lived here until his Society President Jonathan Edwards building that William Penny Brookes death. It was in 1890 that Brookes (pictured) is an Olympic and World gold medallist and established the Wenlock Olympian Society. From here he spread welcomed Baron Coubertin to his home World Record holder in the Triple Jump.

N L O C the message of the benefits of physical exercise and promoted on the occasion of his visit to the Games. E K W the revival of the Olympic Games far and wide. When the old doctor died in 1895, sadly of his five children, only

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1900 L Adeline was alive, having cared for him in the family home. You are now at Much Wenlock National L I Y A M R L O E N C P T K I A N W School, opened in 1848. It is in this building In the Wenlock Olympian Games, boys under N L O E C where Brookes carried out simple experiments to demonstrate O K W 100 L 14 years old ran a 100 yards race (about 92m) L I Y A You have now walked 900 metres from the start the benefits of physical education for children. Brookes devoted M R P T O

I 900 L for a first prize of 5 shillings (25p). A N of the trail and are standing on the corner of the L I his life to campaigning for P.E. to be Y A M R P I T Bull Ring. Here you would have had a good A N compulsory in all schools, his wish N L O C E K W At the second Wenlock Olympian view of the Games Procession as it passed through being granted by the Government

O 200 L the town on its way to the Linden Field. shortly before his death. L I Games held in 1851, a race of 200 Y A M R P T I A N yards was held. ‘A foot hurdle race L O N C E K W N L O C E K around the course over seven hurdles excited W

The 1000 metre marker has brought you to the last of O You are now standing near the 2000 L

much interest, several of the competitors being O L I

1000 L Y A L I the original gas street lights installed by Wenlock’s M R graves of Dr. William Penny Y A P T reputed runners and jumpers.... ’and included M I R A N P T I A N competitors from Albrighton, Wolverhampton Gas Company - Brookes was a co-founder. He was also Brookes and members of his family. and Birmingham. a founder of the National Olympian Association whose Games The graves mark his tragic personal were held at Crystal Palace in 1866. £1000 was the estimated life as four of his five children, his wife

L O E N C K income necessary to stage the event. The famous cricketer and brother all died before him. W You are standing near the W.G. Grace won an Olympic gold medal in the 400 yards hurdles N L O C O E K

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L I Gaskell Arms, the former Y at these Games. A M R P I T O A N 2100 L coaching inn, outside which Congratulations, you have now completed L I Y A L O M R E N C many of the opening day speeches were K P T the Olympian Trail. W I A N made by William Penny Brookes as a prelude to the Games. The The 1100 metre marker has brought you near the

O In 2012 people came to Much Wenlock from around the world to

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L I Games were surrounded by great pageantry with a band leading old Embankment which once carried the railway Y A celebrate the place where Baron Pierre de Coubertin found his M R P T I A N the procession of flag bearers, competitors and officials as they through Much Wenlock. William Penny Brookes inspiration for the creation of the modern Olympic movement marched through the decorated streets to the Games field. played a major role in bringing the railway to the town, and with and wrote in 1897: it, the thousands who came by train to watch the Games.

N L O C E K W “The Wenlock people alone have Read the plaque opposite on the wall of the Corn L O N C E K W O

500 L L I Exchange listing some of William Penny Brookes preserved and followed the true Y A The 1200 metre marker brings you M R O P T 1200 L I many achievements. His contribution to the L I A N Y Olympian traditions.” A near to the old railway station building M R P T founding of the modern Olympic movement is not mentioned. I A N where, in 1890, Baron Coubertin This was acknowledged in 2012 by a plaque unveiled in Holy arrived for his visit to see the Wenlock Olympian Trinity Church, Much Wenlock. Games. It was pouring with rain! Why not become an Olympian? Come N L O C E K W N L O C E K On his visit to the town in 1890 W and take part in the Wenlock Olympian

O 700 L You are standing on the Linden Field. The windmill L I Coubertin spoke at the Raven Hotel. O 1300 L Y A L Games which are still held every year M R I P I T which you can see on top of the hill was struck by Y A A N After watching the Wenlock Olympian M R P T I A N with events for 8 to 80 year olds! Games he was inspired to form the International lightning in 1850. Some nine years later J. M. Gaskell Olympic Committee. The IOC held its first Esquire MP, the new owner of the Estate, gave directions for the www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk modern Olympic Games in , 1896, just four months after fitting up of the tower. He provided seats up on the hillside and the death of Brookes. from the summit “Excellent views may be obtained of the Games and the surrounding countryside”.

N L O C E K W L O E N C You have now walked about half a K W

O 800 L mile, and are standing under the 1400 yards was the length of the Seven-Fold L I

O Y A 1400 L M R L I P T ‘Wenlock’, the mascot for the London I Guildhall - built in 1540 - where Foot Race staged in Athens 1859, when Y A A N M R P T I A N 2012 Olympic Games, was named after Brookes, a JP, presided for over forty Petros Velessarios, years. In 1848 the interior of the first honorary member of the the home town of the Wenlock Olympian magnificent Council Chamber was Wenlock Olympian Society, won the Games. transformed, being panelled and furnished with carved chairs, Wenlock Prize of 281 drachmas IOC table and chimney piece, at his own expense, which you can see (£10 in old money) and an olive during your visit. crown. Right of way Optional etra detour The Olympian Trail Around Much Wenlock nsuitable for wheelchair users In the footsteps of William Penny Brookes Permissie path

Footpath

Steps unsuitable for wheelchairs issing gate Coubertin Artworks showing the interests of William Oak ttree Penny Brookes

Bowling Heritage Trees Green information panel Gaskell Recreation Ground (Linden Field) Site of the past & present Wenlock Olympian Games

1500 Games Ground 1400 viewpoint Children’s play area

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Much Wenlock has a long history dating back before 1200 AD 680 when an abbey was founded - later to be rebuilt as a priory. However, it is because of a Victorian son of Wenlock that the town can boast of its association with

1100 the international modern Olympics. Dr William Penny Brookes campaigned internationally for the revival of the SHEINT ancient Greek Games.

ON ST1000 Wenlock Priory 1900 Take the Wenlock Olympian Trail, discover the Guildhall, the Corn Exchange and Holy Trinity Church. Explore the High Street and nearby surroundings. Enjoy the town’s 900 Priory Hall ancient landscape setting close to Wenlock Edge. (National School)

WILMOREWILM ST 2000 Much Wenlock Visitor Information Centre

ORE 850 Tel: 01952 727679 E S ST 800 www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk 2100 [email protected] Start

50 100 700 W.P. Brookes plaque, The Olympian Trail is open all day, every day. 600 Holy Trinity Church 200 500 A booklet - “William Penny Brookes and the Olympic Connection” is on sale in the Visitor Information Centre. 400

300 Educational material is available. For information contact: [email protected]

Cover photograph by kind permission of Amy Laughinghouse All other images © Wenlock Olympian Society Start of Trail, next to Much Wenlock Museum Leaflet produced jointly by Much Wenlock Town Council and Wenlock Olympian Society