Feckenham Forest History Society

Brian Draper, Conservation engineer and former Liaison Officer for the whole of the River Severn Valley, gave a fascinating and humorous account of a journey down the River Severn, from its source in Wales to the town of Bridgnorth.

The Severn is 220 miles long and is the second longest river in England. It rises in mid Wales, where its source is marked by a sign in both Welsh and English, and it is possible to walk along the whole of the Severn from its source to Bristol. There are many beautiful sites along the course of the Severn, the first of which is The Cascades, which as its name suggests is a series of waterfalls. Another talking point about the route was the fact that a ford on the river is a listed monument.

The river meanders along its valley across beautiful countryside where it comes to the first town called Llandidloes; a fine market town near to a famous regulatory reservoir. John Wesley is known to have preached there.

In one village nearby, a pub states ‘that it is 39 and a half miles from the sea’! There were many other lovely stories from Brian as we were taken down the path of the Severn through the various scenic points and towns of interest like Newtown, Welshpool, (the Welsh part was added, to differentiate it from Pool in Dorset) until we reach Shrewsbury, the first English town, where the river forms a gigantic loop around the town often causing it to flood.

We go past Attingham Park and Buildwas Abbey, and Coalport, arriving at Ironbidge, home of the Industrial Revolution.

The final destination was Bridgnorth; divided into High town and Low town, famous for its funicular railway and its castle. Brian’s wealth of knowledge and stories about the river made for a most enjoyable evening.

The xociety’s next meeting is on February 9 7.30pm at Feckenham Village Hall.

A talk on ‘200 Years of The Worcestershire and Birmingham Canal.