Bridges YH is a traditional youth hostel located in stunning, Shropshire countryside, bounded by the Long Mynd on one side and the Stiperstones on the other. There is even a very nice pub just a few yards away, so close to perfection. I really can’t think why it’s been so long since we last visited. The only thing that could make our weekend even better was a sunny forecast from the Met Office.
Of course the downside of a fine forecast is that everyone else will be heading out for a good time as well. We had to run the gauntlet of clogged motorways to get to paradise, so naturally once we got there we were keen to avoid the need for further driving until it was time to go home.
Saturday’s walk took us up on to the Long Mynd. From the summit of Pole Bank we had stunning views over Shropshire from the Stiperstones to Caer Caradoc. No shade though, so we headed down into one of the hollow valleys to seek out the refreshing flow of Lightspout waterfall. As it turned out it was more of a dry-spout waterfall, but there was at least a shady tree for us to rest under for lunch.
It was still very hot, so dragging ourselves away from the pleasant shade was a bit of a struggle. The dilemma was whether to head back over the Long Mynd immediately, or to continue down into the Carding Valley for a National Trust tearoom. For many the heat was too much, but a select few pressed on to the rooftop terrace of the tearoom for tea, cake and ice cream. Delish!
By the time the tearoom party caught up with the rest of the group, the Bridges Inn had already seen an uptick in sales, so it would have been rude not to make our own contribution. A very fitting appetiser before tucking in to an excellent meal from Carol and Andrew.
The obvious walk for Sunday was to head in the other direction and bag the Stiperstones ridge. The ridge has a very satisfying ragged profile with blocks of quartzite poking up like bones from the heather. The formations have wonderful names like "Devil's Chair" or "Cranberry Rock", and even a trig point on "Manstone Rock", which naturally Dave P couldn’t resist. The views were just as good as Saturday, and you didn’t have to walk such a long way down hill to find the tearoom at The Bog.
It’s all very quiet now, but once this was a busy industrial area. The Bog was home to a whole community centred on lead mining and the former village school is now a vibrant visitor centre. You come for the tea and cakes, but you could easily leave with a book, a painting, glass ornaments or a nice, knitted hat. Perhaps not in 25-degree heat.
All too soon it was time to head home, but what a cracking weekend. Well worth the queue on the M4.
Ali
Chelmsford's Wireless Past
Thanks to Jonathan for organising a fascinating guided heritage walk in Chelmsford. Led by local historian Alan Pamphilan, we explored some of the places associated with Marconi and the early days of radio.
Starting at the Marconi Mural by the railway station, which depicts how his "wireless inventions saved 705 souls aboard the RMS Titianic", we went on to the former Marconi works in New Street. Opening in 1912, this was the world’s first purpose built wireless factory. We learnt about Godfrey Isaacs, Managing Director of the Marconi Company, who was behind the first official radio broadcast in 1920, leading to the foundation of the BBC. After a century of development, most of the buildings were demolished in 2013 and the site redeveloped. The front of the 1912 building, the powerhouse and water tower remain as reminders of the area’s heritage.
All particularly of interest to those of us who came to Chelmsford to work for Marconi’s, and remember the bustling factories which are now part of history!
Dave P