My name is Martin Scholes. I like writing reviews on Ciao. I am married, we have a cockatiel and a c...
My name is Martin Scholes. I like writing reviews on Ciao. I am married, we have a cockatiel and a cat. And a growing African Grey. Who orders the cat around!
Member since:06.12.2003
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Telford, in Shropshire, is well worth a visit. It is an area steeped in history. And I am not talking about the faux "Victorian town" constructed at Blists Hill. (Which is really called Blessers Hill, but a cartographer's mistake saddled it with the name Blists Hill.)
Did you know that the Civil War opened for business in Wellington, an ancient market town in Telford?
It's true! "In September 1642, King Charles I raised his standard in the market square of Wellington, a small, though highly influential, market town in the English Midland county of Shropshire and addressed his troops the next day at nearby Orleton Hall. He declared that he would uphold the Protestant Religion, the Laws of England, and the Liberty of Parliament. The "Wellington Declaration" (otherwise known as the Declaration of Wellington) was held to be so important that it was stamped on the reverse of the 10/- silver coins RELIG:PROT:LEG:ANG:LIBER:PAR and silver half crowns (2/6) REL.PRO.LEG.ANG.LIB.PAR that the Royal Mint produced at that time. The abbreviations are short for "RELIGIO PROTESTANTIUM, LEGES ANGLIAE, LIBERTAS PARLIAMENTI" which is the declaration in Latin."
(Yes, thank you, I do know the above is on Wikepedia. I know that because I wrote the item for them!)
The National Farmers Union was originally founded in Wellington, William Withering who discovered the heart drug Digitalis was born in Wellington and worked on his discovery in the town, having bought a herbal cure for heart problems from a Wise Woman" of Wellington.
In nearby Dawley, another ancient market town, subsumed by Telford Captain Webb, the first man to swim the English Channel, was born.
And Madeley (yes, you guess it, another ancient market town subsumed by Telford!) has very strong links to the foundation of Methodism.
Sadly the official tourism industry in Telford can only see the majestic shape of the Iron Bridge when trying to attract tourists.
However, Wellington has it's own Tourist Information Centre which has a selection of leaflets, lists of local hotels and guest houses and a range of books on local history for sale on Wellington and the whole Telford area.
It is to be found at the Wellington News premises at 2, Crown Street, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire.
The Wellington Library in Walker Street, Wellington, has a local studies section.
Wellington has a market that is still going strong after over 1,000 years, and is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and you can get a fantastic deal on meals at the White Lion in Crown Street. Two main courses from the specials board (all freshly prepared) for £5.50 for the two, and usually three well-kept real ales to try.
The nightlife in Telford is less than alluring. At present. Because two new nightclubs are opening in Wellington, one a rather spectacular new build at a reputed cost of £3.5million.
Telford also makes a good base for trips into Shropshire and Wales.
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Wellington is good. My parents work there, and I used to spend many happy Decembers trawling the market for Christmas presents. Didn't realise how steeped in history it was - the Bronte sisters' father was the curate of the local church before he moved to Yorkshire.
Telford (apparently) has the highest teenage-pregnancy rate in England - but there is an excellent shopping centre and town park - just avoid the rough areas.
MAFARRIMOND 27.10.2005 09:43
A beautiful part of the country. Maureen
naffcaff 13.09.2005 15:20
The almost complete absence of traffic lights in such a large town is enough to sell it to me :) Another good review.
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