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8th February 2012
Piglet’s Olympian story told in new book
A new book which tells the tale of the Wenlock Olympian Games through the eyes of a piglet has been launched. This beautifully-illustrated children’s book follows Peggy the Much Wenlock Piglet as she takes part in the town’s games organised by Dr William Penny Brookes, the inspiration for the modern Olympic movement.
7th February 2012
Severn Valley Railway reopens to signify that ‘Spring is on its way’
IT’S the surest sign that Spring is on its way - the Severn Valley Railway is reopening for the new season this coming Saturday, February 11th, after a winter shutdown that has seen the Kidderminster-to-Bridgnorth steam heritage line invest more than a quarter of a million pounds on track renewals.
7th February 2012
Shropshire medals included in prestigious display
A display at The British Museum in London, running until 9th September 2012, is to include a range of objects from the 19th-century Wenlock Olympian games.
31st January 2012
Severn Valley Railway remembers its 150th anniversary - by laying new track!
WHETHER running Royal Trains, re-enacting ‘how it was’ in the 1940s or staging spectacular steam galas for thousands of visitors, the Severn Valley Railway has always been ‘up’ for the big occasion.
31st January 2012
Severn Valley basks in the glow of new ‘Sherlock Holmes’ film hit
THE SEVERN VALLEY Railway is basking in the afterglow of the Christmas cinema box-office hit ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’, part of which was filmed on the popular Kidderminster-to-Bridgnorth steam heritage line.
27th January 2012
Discover your creative side this February half-term with fun hands-on activities at Blists Hill Victorian Town
Visit Blists Hill Victorian Town during February half-term week and take part in two fantastic hands-on workshops. Discover the art of candle dipping or create your own Valentine’s card in these great family-friendly activities which run from Saturday 11th until Sunday 19th February 2012.
26th January 2012
Ironbridge Gorge Museum wins share of £20m Arts Council England Major Grants funding
The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is celebrating the news that it has secured a share of a £20 million per annum Major Grants funding stream from Arts Council England, to cover the period 2012-15.
25th January 2012
Coalbrookdale 300 Project Receives Funding Boost
The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust has received a £150,000 funding boost from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Fund towards the second phase of its exciting Coalbrookdale 300 Project. This will include the redevelopment of the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron with new gallery and education spaces and help provide improved access to its nationally designated collections.
24th January 2012
Have your London 2012 Moment at the Ironbridge Gorge
While best known as the Birthplace of Industry and home to ten award winning museums, the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire has already played a large part in the preparations for London 2012 since it hosted the launch of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands in 2008. This year the Ironbridge Gorge Museum will be hosting a magnificent digital art exhibition as part of the London 2012 Festival, and the World Heritage Site will be welcoming the Olympic Flame when the Torch Relay passes over the Iron Bridge in May.
24th January 2012
Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival offers around 30 free outings
Larger than ever before, the 2012 Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival, which runs from Saturday 5th to Sunday 13th May, features around 30 free guided walks covering a range of interests and abilities. These include some challenging full day outings in and around the glorious Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site as well as family adventures, historic trails and wildlife walks.
17th January 2012
Model Making Half Term at RAF Museum
If you’re looking for something exciting to entertain the children this February Half Term, the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is inviting families to participate in a fun model making activity. Taking place from Monday 13th to Friday 17th February, visitors will have the opportunity to build an Airfix 1:72 Spitfire.
11th January 2012
Have your own London 2012 experience through ‘The Games and Me’ at Enginuity, Ironbridge Gorge Museums
Celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games this February half-term at Enginuity, one of the 10 Ironbridge Gorge Museums, and challenge yourself at the exciting Games and Me event. Between Saturday 11th and Sunday 19th February, you will be able to have your own Olympic experience by testing your speed and reaction times using state-of-the-art equipment as used by professional sports stars and see amazing shows looking at the science behind sport.
3rd January 2012
Severn Valley Railway spends £250k on winter track renewals
THE SEVERN Valley Railway is to spend a quarter of a million pounds on track and drainage renewal and maintenance, in a major ‘winter works’ programme which gets under way on Tuesday (January 3rd).
22nd December 2011
Celebrate Chinese Year of the Dragon at Coalport China Museum
Go along to the Coalport China Museum, near Ironbridge during half-term between Monday 13th and Friday 17th February to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dragon, which began on 23rd January. The museum will be taking on an oriental flavour with a series of hands-on family activities.
22nd December 2011
Fourth International Garden Photographer of the Year Exhibition to be hosted by the Ironbridge Gorge Museums
The Ironbridge Gorge Museums are hosting the fourth International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) exhibition at the Footprint Gallery, Fusion, adjacent to the Jackfield Tile Museum from 18 July - 1st September 2012. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to view the fantastic skill of the winning and finalist photographers from the fourth IGPOTY competition in this fascinating exhibition of photographs of gardens, plants, flowers and botany.
19th December 2011
Severn Valley Railway goes festive, after Santa trains break records
THE SEVERN Valley Railway begins its after-Christmas ‘Festive Season’ steam trains on Boxing Day on the back of one of the most amazing ‘Santa’ seasons it has experienced in 40 years.
14th December 2011
A Herculean Christmas Gift Arrives at Cosford!
A Hercules C130K Mk.3 has just become the latest aircraft to go on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, arriving just in time for Christmas. The aircraft was moved from the airfield to the Museum’s site yesterday and placed in its new permanent display space, outside overlooking the Museum site. This supersized Christmas present took a team of fifteen Museum Technicians and RAF Personnel three hours to safely move the aircraft into position, once the aircraft had been defueled.
12th December 2011
Need a New Year Resolution?! Take the Towering Challenge to help support St Leonard’s Church Bridgnorth.
If you have ever wanted to see Bridgnorth through the eyes of a bird why not take part in the CCT’s Towering Challenge abseil on Saturday 24th March 2012?
8th December 2011
Restored Upton Cressett Hall wins hidden gem award
One of the finest Tudor manor houses in Shropshire has been voted as the UK’s top hidden gem at an award ceremony. Upton Cressett Hall, near Bridgnorth, beat off competition from some of the country’s top attractions to land the prestigious Hudson’s Heritage Industry Award.
7th December 2011
The World’s First Christmas Card is Delivered to Ironbridge
Today greetings cards are an essential part of our Christmas celebrations but the custom of exchanging cards did not start until 1843, another wonderful Christmas tradition we have to thank the Victorians for.
5th December 2011
The Florin Street Band to support ITV’s Text Santa appeal Music Video Filmed at Blists Hill Victorian Town
The spectacular Victorian-themed Christmas song; My Favourite Time of Year by The Florin Street Band, whose music video was filmed at Blists Hill Victorian Town in the Ironbridge Gorge, is set to benefit numerous charities this Christmas as it becomes the theme to ITV’s Text Santa appeal.The YouTube hit recently caused a stir across the pond when the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” requested permission to perform it at their high profile concerts in Washington D.C. – an honour rarely bestowed upon modern-day Christmas songs.
5th December 2011
Culinary expert welcomed to Blists Hill Victorian Town for Christmas cooking demonstrations
The Ironbridge Gorge Museums are set to welcome culinary expert Simon Smith to Blists Hill Victorian Town for a series of live cooking demonstrations this Christmas. These special cooking demonstrations will take place during the weekends of 10 – 11 and 17 – 18 December as part of the Museums’ Victorian Christmas events which will also feature Father Christmas and his reindeer, brass bands and a Punch and Judy show.
30th November 2011
Ironbridge Gorge Museums extend ‘Our Sporting Life: Sporting Heroes’ exhibition until 9th September 2012
The Ironbridge Gorge Museums are extending the ‘Our Sporting Life: Sporting Heroes’ exhibition for a further seven months until 9th September 2012 due to popular demand (it was planned to close on 29th February 2012). The temporary display, which celebrates Shropshire’s rich, sporting heritage, forms part of the Science Sport Life programme of events, part of the national ‘Stories of the World’ project, which is at the heart of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
29th November 2011
Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Shropshire - Open during festive break for a great family day out
For a fun day out during the festive period (26 December – 3 January) go along to the Ironbridge Gorge Museums in Shropshire’s stunning Severn Valley where six of the ten museums will be open daily from 10am until 4pm. They will only be closing on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Whether you are interested in a recreated Victorian town, hands-on interactives, fine china, decorative tiles or the history of iron making, it’s all to be found in this fascinating World Heritage Site.
29th November 2011
Severn Valley’s ‘Santa’ trains hit a new high in popularity
Times may be hard, and families everywhere are being forced to make cuts and compromises in their spending. But in the Midlands, it seems there’s one seasonal tradition that families are absolutely NOT prepared to compromise upon – and that’s their annual visit to see Santa at the Severn Valley Railway.
18th November 2011
Ironbridge Gorge Museums to host the Ironbridge Lecture
The prestigious Ironbridge Lecture will once again be hosted by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust on Tuesday, 6th December in the Engine Shop at Enginuity in Coalbrookdale. The annual lecture, held in partnership with the University of Birmingham, will be delivered by the University’s Professor of Community History and Director of the BirminghamLives project, Professor Carl Chinn MBE.
10th November 2011
Christmas Shopping at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums
With shops packed with unusual gift ideas the Ironbridge Gorge Museums are the place to head in the run up to Christmas. To help you make a dent in your Christmas shopping list they are holding a series of free special shopping events.
10th November 2011
AGA Christmas Cooking Demonstration Evening at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Wednesday 23rd November
Join the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust for a fantastic evening where a feast of Christmas party food and other treats will be created before your very eyes in an iconic AGA range.
9th November 2011
VIP Guests To View Wellingtons Progress
Cosford’s award winning conservation centre will be opening its doors to visitors for exclusive behind-the-scenes access to aircraft conservation work from Monday 14th to Saturday 19th November.
7th November 2011
Ironbridge Gorge Museums welcomes news of London 2012 Torch Relay through World Heritage Site
The Trustees, staff & volunteers at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums were said to be ‘over the moon’ when they heard the news that the Olympic Flame will be visiting the World Heritage Site as part of next year’s Torch Relay.
7th November 2011
Shropshire communities to welcome Olympic Flame
A total of 11 Shropshire communities will welcome the Olympic Flame next May (2012) as it makes its mammoth journey from Greece to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
4th November 2011
VIP Unveils Comper Swift
The Royal Air Force Museum has today officially unveiled the Museum’s latest acquisition, the Comper Swift CLA.7 G-ACGL. The aircraft was unveiled to invited guests including relatives of the aircraft’s designer and of original owner in the Museum’s Hangar 1, where it is now on permanent display to the public.
3rd November 2011
Museum staff help construct charity pedal car
Staff at RAF Cosford, assisted by staff in the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford have created a pedal car in the form of a World War Two Hurricane aircraft. The pedal car will be entered into a 24 hour charity cycle car race taking place in St Etienne de Chigny in the centre of France. A team of four from RAF Cosford will travel to France for the race in August 2012 hoping to raise money for RAF Charities whilst winning the best design for their pedal car.
28th October 2011
Early bookings surge for Severn Valley ‘Santa’ trains
A SURGE of early bookings for its Santa steam trains this week has put a smile on the face of the Severn Valley Railway.
26th October 2011
Museum unveils new Spitfire
A Supermarine Spitfire Photo Reconnaissance PR. XIX PM651 is the latest addition to the aircraft collection at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford. This rare reconnaissance Spitfire can now be seen on display in the Museum’s Warplanes Hangar standing next to a Hurricane and a Mk 1 Spitfire.
26th October 2011
Furnaceman’s Dream
Play inspired by Shakespeare and Ironbridge Heritage - Enginuity 12th and 13th November
24th October 2011
Police dig new Anderson Shelter at Museum
Earlier this year the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford took delivery of an original Anderson Shelter donated to the Museum by Etruria Industrial Museum, Stoke-On-Trent. The 8ft long by 6ft high shelter will be constructed by officers from Longbridge Police Station assisted by a group of teenagers as part of their community outreach work. It will then be placed in the Museum’s World War II garden enhancing the WWII workshops, used by thousands of school groups each year.
21st October 2011
Taste a Flavour of the Olympics with Wenlock Hampers
A flavour of the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games can now be tasted across the globe following the launch of Wenlock Hampers.
18th October 2011
SVR’s Halloween ‘Ghost Trains’ doing scarily well!
THE SEVERN Valley Railway’s first-ever dabble into the world of ghouls and ghosts appears to be heading towards monster success.
17th October 2011
Wellington Restoration Progress is highlight of Open Week
The award winning Michael Beetham Conservation Centre at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be opening its doors to visitors for one special week to enable greater public access and understanding of the Centre's work. From Monday 14th to Saturday 19th November, a range of aircraft and other artefacts in various stages of restoration will be on display daily from 10.15 to 1.00pm. This includes the Centre’s largest project, the Wellington Bomber.
13th October 2011
Half Term Helicopter’s at Cosford
This October Half Term, the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford invites families to join in the free and exciting Helicopter Half Term activity. Taking place from Monday 24th October to Friday 28th October visitors will have the opportunity to see inside a replica Air Ambulance cockpit, speak with Air Ambulance and Search and Rescue helicopter crew, plus take part in a Question and Answer session with ex United States Air Force (USAF) Flight Engineers and Technical Sergeants Chuck Gutshall and Walt Brown.
12th October 2011
Half Term Activities at the National Trust's Dudmaston Estate
The staff at the National Trust’s Dudmaston Estate have been working hard to develop a range of workshops and activities that families can take part in during the school half-term holidays which they will be running from their meeting centre located at Mose.
11th October 2011
New Ironbridge Stamp Unveiled
Ironbridge in Shropshire has been included in a new range of first class stamps unveiled by Royal Mail that shows off some of Britain's most famous landmarks.
5th October 2011
Nearly 200 classic cars line-up for SVR’s big transport event
THE CARS which stopped the Earls Court Motor Show in their hey-day - almost 200 of them – will take the Severn Valley Railway by siege this Sunday, October 9th, as the Kidderminster - Bridgnorth steam heritage line puts on its big transport event of the year - Classic Car & Bike Day.
4th October 2011
Severn Valley Railway goes for ‘100% diesel’ experiment
THE SEVERN Valley Railway will take one of the biggest public relations gambles in its 40-year history later this week, when for three days it will run an intensive train service - without a single steam locomotive in sight.
29th September 2011
‘Forgotten’ war heroes to be recognised at SVR ceremony
NINE ‘forgotten’ military railwaymen who were killed during the Battle of Britain in 1940 when a lone German bomber attacked the railway on which they were training, are to be remembered, more than 60 years on, in a special ceremony at the Severn Valley Railway this Saturday (October 1st).
27th September 2011
It's Official - The Shropshire Hills Welcomes Walkers!
Much Wenlock is the latest market town to be added to a growing list of places in the Shropshire Hills to gain “Walkers Are Welcome” status.
22nd September 2011
Marketing agency creates windows into Shropshire’s history
Striking photographs taken by a Shropshire marketing agency that create ‘windows into history’ are to be displayed during celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of Ironbridge Gorge becoming a World Heritage Site
16th September 2011
Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Festival
Celebrates 25th Anniversary: 24th September 2011
18th August 2011
Time flies when you’re having fun!
After a hectic summer of thrilling activities at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, next week’s final August Activity is dedicated to a flying theme guaranteed to excite youngsters - ‘Mini Kites and Windmills’, a hands-on workshop to get all the family working together that will run from 22nd to 26th of August.
18th August 2011
Discover rural attractions on Much Wenlock’s ‘Marathon Trails’
Fifty one Shropshire-based rural tourist attractions are giving their businesses an extra boost in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games through an initiative funded by the Rural Development Programme for England. All are within the magic 26 mile ‘marathon’ radius of Much Wenlock, home of the Wenlock Olympian Games and inspiration for the modern day Olympics. And all the businesses are included in a series of four ‘Marathon Trail’ guides, which tell visitors about special places to go and things to do in the county.
24th June 2011
Football legend Bert Williams shares RAF wartime memories
Royal Air Museum Cosford - Thursday 30th June 2011 11.30am
21st June 2011
Scalextric For Schools Challenge
Secondary school children from across the country will be taking part in a giant size scalextric event, hosted at the RAF Museum Cosford on Sunday 26th June. ‘Scalextric4Schools’ will see teams of students aged 11-18, from as far away as Devon participating. The event aims to inspire students to take Science and Engineering related subjects for Higher Education and as a career.
20th June 2011
'Allo, 'Allo!' stars boost SVR’s two big '1940s Weekends'
Stars from the cast of the hugely popular BBC sitcom 'Allo, 'Allo!' will be centre-stage when the Severn Valley Railway turns back the clock once more and rolls out its big wartime nostalgia '1940s Weekends', on June 25th & 26th and July 2nd & 3rd.
31st May 2011
Severn Valley Carriage Works turns out first ‘external’ contract coach
The Severn Valley Railway’s carriage restoration department at Bewdley, reorganised last year as a stand-alone profit centre under the name SVR Carriage Contracts, has just completed its first ‘external’ contract.
27th May 2011
Severn Valley runs £10 Special Train to aid Stricken Heritage Line
THE SEVERN Valley Railway, floored by severe flooding in 2007 and forced to substantially rebuild much of its 16-mile line between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, is helping another steam ‘heritage’ railway to get back on its feet, after an embankment collapse in January which cut the line in two.
26th May 2011
Half Term Fun for Families at the Royal Air Force Museum
31st May - 3rd June 2011, 11am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 3.30pm
18th May 2011
60th Anniversary of Valiant's First Flight
Wednesday 18th May 2011 will mark the 60th Anniversary of the first flight of the Vickers-Armstrongs Valiant. Part of the Royal Air Forces V-Bomber nuclear deterrent during the 1950’s and 1960’s, the Valiant was the first of the V-bombers to make it into the air, when prototype WB210 took to the skies on 18th May 1951.
17th May 2011
Beatles tribute band opens at SVR ’60s revival spectacular
IT’S BEEN A Hard Day’s Night already for the organisers of Kidderminster’s ground-breaking three-day ‘Sounds of the ‘60s’ pop and nostalgia festival at the Severn Valley Railway – but though it seems they’ve been working Eight Days A Week, it’s all Come Together nicely, no further Help is needed - and they Feel Fine!
16th May 2011
Double win for Museum at Apprenticeship Awards
The Michael Beetham Conservation Centre at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford has for the second year in a row, been awarded the West Midlands Regional Winner of the ‘Small Employer of the Year Award’, at The Apprenticeship Awards 2011. It was a double win for the Museum as 2nd year Apprentice, Nathan Pugh was highly commended in the ‘Advanced Apprentice of the Year’ category.
13th May 2011
Schools set to participate in local Olympics
Local school children from across the West Midlands will be taking part in the Olympics 2012 Inspire to Aim Higher event, hosted at the RAF Museum Cosford on Tuesday 17th May. This special event is a collaboration with Wednesfield High School, together with South Cheshire College and Kingswood Outdoor Education Centre. The event aims to promote participation, inclusion and competition, whilst highlighting the values of the Olympic and Paralympic movement.
12th May 2011
Dudmaston open for National Garden Scheme Day
Dudmaston Hall are opening their gardens to visitors this Saturday (14th May) in conjunction with the National Garden Scheme. Being predominantly a spring garden visitors will have the opportunity to wander through the beautiful grounds where rhododendrons and azaleas are currently in full bloom.
11th May 2011
Volunteers Efforts Recognised At Awards
A volunteer at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford yesterday reached the final three in the University of Wolverhampton’s ‘Volunteer of the Year Awards 2011’. Held at the university, the awards recognise students who have made a significant and meaningful contribution to the community by volunteering.
5th May 2011
History comes to life at Dudmaston Hall
Visitors to Dudmaston Hall on 8th May will be given the opportunity to find out all about the many different people who have lived in the Hall since the eighteenth century.
21st April 2011
Thousands of bikers expected for charity ride out
Thousands of bikers from across the country are expected to join together for a massive ‘Ride Out’ in support of the RAF. The third annual charity motorcycle run will take place on Sunday 8th May 2011 in aid of the RAF Association and RAF Museum. Motorheads from all over the UK will ride out from Shrewsbury Meole Brace park & ride to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in Shropshire on mass at 11.30am.
18th April 2011
The Magic of the FA Cup comes to the Birthplace of Industry
One of the oldest and most iconic football trophies in the world will be paying a rare visit to Enginuity, one of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums in Shropshire on Saturday, 30th April between 10am and 5pm.
13th April 2011
Come and celebrate Shropshire Butterflies - in poems, art, and real life!
The Dower House Gardens June 11thGardens open at midday.
12th April 2011
Museum Apprentice In Welding Challenge
Alex Weston, an Apprentice in the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, this week achieved third place in the ‘Trainee Welders Challenge’ held at City of Wolverhampton College. The challenge took place on Monday 4th April 2011, where twenty-five first year Engineering trainees took on a series of challenges testing their welding ability and skill.
7th April 2011
Rare Chance To Step Inside Historic Aircraft
14th May 2011 - 6.00pm - 8.30pm - £10.00 per person
15th March 2011
Kitchen Garden comes to life at Dudmaston
The Gardeners at Dudmaston have been busy during the winter months creating a new kitchen garden at the property.
1st March 2011
Vote for Festival at the Edge to win National Award
Festival at the Edge, a unique storytelling event in Much Wenlock, has made it through to the regional finals of the 2011 ‘Where Else But England’ Award for the second year in a row, after being nominated by Shropshire Tourism.
28th February 2011
Enginuity to host exciting Sci-Tech Fair
For one day only families will be able to participate in a wide range of exciting activities and challenges at the Sci-Tech Fair to be held at Enginuity, near Ironbridge, Shropshire on Saturday, 5th March.
28th February 2011
Heroic Spitfire Veterans to Attend 75th Anniversary Event
The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, home to the world’s oldest Spitfire, will be marking the 75th Anniversary of the first Supermarine Spitfire flight on Saturday 5th March 2011. Attending the event will be a host of special guests including three Spitfire Pilots and an Engine Fitter. This 1936 Anniversary will be marked with a day packed full of events, activities and exhibitions for the whole family to enjoy.
9th February 2011
Historic RAF aircraft to fly into Cosford on Friday 11th February.
The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be taking delivery of its latest acquisition, an RAF Dominie T.MK.1, on Friday 11th February 2011 at 11.30am, when it makes its final flight into RAF Cosford. This particular aircraft is significant because it was the first Dominie to enter RAF Service.
22nd December 2010
'We Are England' Photography Competition
Shropshire Tourism is encouraging people to take photos of Shropshire to enter into the 'We Are England' photography competition to help raise the profile of the county ahead of the Commonwealth Games that take place later this year in Delhi, with great prizes on offer.
22nd December 2010
Shropshire Tourism Member Business to feature on BBC One's Country Tracks
A unique Shropshire business, Hawks on Walks, that gives people the opportunity to walk through the countryside and become a falconer for the morning, has been chosen to feature on BBC One’s Country Tracks.
16th December 2010
New look for the Shropshire Tourism Brochure
Shropshire Tourism has just taken delivery of their 2011 Shropshire and the Welsh Borders brochure and, for the first time in 15 years, it is now in landscape format to better show off the stunning photographs of the county.
3rd December 2010
Santa Visits RAF Cosford's Wartime Grotto
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th December will be a time to celebrate Christmas during the Second World War as part of a Wartime Christmas Weekend packed wtih activities for all the family.
2nd November 2010
Museum Launches Conservation Blog
The Royal Air Force Museum has today launched a conservation blog, enabling members of the public, aviation enthusiasts and conservators to learn more about the various projects that the Museum’s Sir Michael Beetham Conservation Centre is currently undertaking to preserve our nation’s aviation heritage.
2nd November 2010
Museum to Remember Fallen Comrades
Sunday 14th November 2010, service to commence at 10.30am.
2nd November 2010
Full Steam Ahead for Caravan Park's December Bookings
Caravanners keen to take part in the Christmas festivities on the Severn Valley Railway and in Bridgnorth are booking their places early at a five star touring caravan park in East Shropshire.
4th October 2010
Ironbridge Society of Artists Sends Locals Back to the Drawing Board
Jackfield to host The Campaign for Drawing’s 'The Big Draw' event, 23 – 24 October 2010
16th August 2010
Heritage Open Days across Shropshire
Hidden gems and family favourites across Shropshire will open free as part of Britain’s annual Heritage Open Days, a four day celebration of heritage and architecture this September.
11th August 2010
St Bartholomew's Day Celebrations At Blists Hill
St Bartholomew’s Day celebrations are being revived at Blists Hill Victorian Town in the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire on Tuesday, 24th August with drama, wizardry and fun family entertainment.
9th August 2010
Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum!
Come along to Blists Hill Victorian Town over the late summer Bank Holiday weekend, dressed as a pirate or your favourite character from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, Treasure Island. From Saturday 28th to Monday 30th August, the open-air museum in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge will be running a special literary themed event with actors recreating scenes from the famous maritime book of mutiny and buried treasure.
5th August 2010
Detective Weekend at Blists Hill Victorian Town is ‘Elementary my Dear Watson’
Budding amateur sleuths and would-be private detectives will have the chance to help Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson solve a mysterious crime, which has taken place at Blists Hill Victorian Town in the Ironbridge Gorge during the weekend of Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th August. Youngsters will also be able to try their hands at forensic science during the two-day event by taking each other’s finger prints, printing reward posters and matching plaster cast footprints to different shoes.
23rd July 2010
Dance takes guests back to Battle of Britain era
Members of the public are invited to join the Aerospace Museum Society’s popular 1940’s Hangar Dance at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on Saturday 18th September 2010 at 7pm.
23rd July 2010
New Season of Evening Events at Museum of the Gorge
Professional Production Company to Perform Murder Mystery Play during August and September
8th July 2010
Summer in Ironbridge
A whole host of events are taking place in Ironbridge this Summer to keep everyone entertained
8th July 2010
Tanners Wines in The Times Top Ten
Tanners Wines has been lauded in The Times as one of the top ten wine shops in the country. The article, which appeared in Saturday’s edition, said of the Shrewsbury-based firm:
8th July 2010
Olympic Mascot coming to Wenlock Olympian Games
The London 2012 Olympic mascot will be a VIP visitor at the annual Wenlock Olympian Games in Much Wenlock on Sunday 11th July.
16th June 2010
Last Chance to help Blists Hill Victorian Town win £100,000
Blists Hill Victorian Town in Ironbridge has got just a few days left to beat off stiff competition to win £100,000. It is one of only four museums in the country shortlisted to win the prestigious Art Fund Prize. The Museum is encouraging people to get on line and vote as soon as possible as the voting closes at 5pm on Friday 18th June
11th June 2010
Red Arrows to fly at RAF Cosford Air Show on 13th June
The Team has been able to complete the revised training schedule and has now been given the Public Display Authority required to enable them to perform their display at Air Shows this year
2nd June 2010
Armed Forces’ Day For All 3 Services
Saturday 26th June 2010 - 10.30am – 3pm - All guests must pre-register
2nd June 2010
Horsing About In Ironbridge Gorge
On Saturday, 12 June Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge will stage a special event to demonstrate the important role played by horses in daily life over a hundred years ago. Around ten horses across a range of breeds and sizes will be on show, some wearing traditional harness while others will be highly decorated as they would have appeared on high days and holidays.
24th May 2010
Back by popular demand: Whalebone at Wenlock Pottery
Following the enormous success of their previous evenings at Wenlock Pottery, popular and lively acoustic folk trio Whalebone will be bringing their 2010 The Gathering Tour to the Pottery on Saturday 19th June at 8.00pm.
20th May 2010
Tourism Chief’s Delight at New Olympic Mascot
Chief Executive of Shropshire Tourism Simon McCloy has expressed his delight that the new official 2012 Olympic mascot has been named ‘Wenlock’, firmly putting Much Wenlock and Shropshire’s Olympic connection on the map.
14th May 2010
Blists Hill Victorian Town Short-Listed for £100,000
Blists Hill Victorian Town, one of ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums, is one of four institutions short-listed for the £100,000 Art Fund Prize, the UK’s largest single arts prize.
6th May 2010
Shropshire & the Welsh Borders brochure
Over the past 12 months the team at Shropshire Tourism has handled 19,050 direct requests for the Shropshire & the Welsh Borders brochure and we are continuing to respond to requests on a daily basis. You will receive your booking forms for the 2011 brochure in the next couple of weeks so please keep an eye out for them.
29th April 2010
Comet to feature on BBC’s ‘The One Show’
The de Havilland Comet was the world’s first jet airliner. The Comet 1, an early example which is on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, will appear in a special feature on BBC 1's ‘The One Show’ on 4th May at 7.00pm, covering the short but historic service of the aircraft.
26th April 2010
Blists Hill Victorian Town Wins National Enjoy England Silver Award
The redeveloped Blists Hill Victorian Town in the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire has won a coveted Silver Award in the Large Visitor Attraction category of the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2010.
7th April 2010
Vote for Festival at the Edge to win National Award
Festival at the Edge, a unique storytelling event in Much Wenlock, has made it through to the finals of a new national award, after being nominated by Shropshire Tourism. Visit England has joined forces with The Sun Newspaper to launch a national vote for its new ‘Where Else But England’ Award.
1st April 2010
Aircraft Carrier to be ‘Centaur’ of Shropshire Model Show
Royal Air Force Museum Cosford - 11th April 2010
1st April 2010
Blists Hill Victorian Town asks visitors to ‘Love Your Museum’
Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 April 2010
30th March 2010
'Staycationers' Boost Bookings at Shropshire Caravan Park
Staycationers are boosting bookings at a five star touring caravan park in Shropshire where £70,000 has been invested over the winter to ensure that caravanners can spend a penny in luxury.
29th March 2010
The Shropshire Hills Shuttles start up on Saturday 3rd April 2010
The Shuttles are 16-seater mini-buses which provide easy access into the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for walking, sightseeing, pub lunches, picnics and more. Two Shuttle circuits enable you to explore two very distinctive parts of the Shropshire Hills.
3rd March 2010
Blists Hill Victorian Town Joins National Museums at Night Campaign
On Saturday 15th May, Blists Hill Victorian Town near Ironbridge in Shropshire is taking part in the national Museums at Night campaign, when cultural and historic attractions across the country will open their doors to visitors after dark
2nd March 2010
Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge Gorge Museums would like your help
Vote for Blists Hill Victorian Town to win Art Fund Prize
1st March 2010
Easter fun in the Ironbridge Gorge
Have a go at Egg dancing, Hunt the chick and make 'flapping birds', easter themed tile and china painting. Make a weekend of it and stay in one of Shropshire's exclusive hotels at a special discounted rate.
23rd February 2010
Shropshire attraction and event shortlisted in national awards
Blists Hill Victorian Town at Ironbridge and Festival at the Edge make shortlist in Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2010
15th February 2010
James May Greets Visitors at RAF Cosford
Visitors to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be in for an extra treat this half term when they are greeted by a life size model of James May from Top Gear. The model of James as a pilot is now on display in the Museum’s Visitor Centre with easy access for photos.
8th February 2010
Sir Richard Branson narrates February podcast for Royal Air Force Museum
The Royal Air Force Museum is delighted to announce that as part of its monthly podcast series aviation entrepreneur and the founder of the Virgin Group Sir Richard Branson has generously given his time to narrate this month’s podcast “Bader: Fighter Pilot”.
25th January 2010
Museum Launches Battle of Britain Podcast Series
2010 marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. To commemorate this defining moment in the history of the Royal Air Force, the Royal Air Force Museum has, today, launched the first of twelve monthly podcasts which will explore throughout 2010 the history and mythology behind this legendary aerial conflict.
20th January 2010
Royal Air Force Museum Director General DR Michael Fopp To Retire
Dr Michael Fopp, Director General of the Royal Air Force Museum for the last 22 years, will retire in June 2010, but will be retained by the Museum to assist a fund-raising campaign for a new visionary project to commemorate and celebrate the enduring legacy of the Battle of Britain.
2nd December 2009
Shropshire Praised for Role in the Birth of the Modern Olympics
The Shropshire market town of Much Wenlock has been praised by cabinet Minister Tessa Jowell and Olympic Gold medallist Jonathan Edwards for its status as the birthplace of the modern Olympics.
5th November 2009
Shropshire Shines In CountryFile Magazine
Shropshire is currently featuring in the November issue of the BBC CountryFile Magazine with a 7 page article on the county, which was generated as the result of a press trip hosted by Shropshire Tourism.
29th October 2009
Museum Displays James May’s Spitfire
Viewers of James May’s Toy Stories shown on BBC2 can now see the life size model Spitfire constructed during the show, at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford.
14th October 2009
Ironbridge Gorge Museums Celebrate Remarkable Visitor Figures
2009 is proving to be a very memorable year for the Ironbridge Gorge Museums in Shropshire.
14th October 2009
Percival Prentice Arrives At Cosford
The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford recently took delivery of an RAF Percival Prentice that was flown in to RAF Cosford by pilot Ben Cross from Coventry.
9th October 2009
Improved Weekday Timetable Boost For Passengers
Months of behind-the-scenes work from rail company Wrexham & Shropshire is rewarded as passengers are now able to take advantage of an improved weekday timetable.
6th October 2009
Best Western Valley Hotel wins Gold Award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme
The Best Western Valley Hotel in Ironbridge is the first hotel in Shropshire to be awarded the coveted Gold award, under the Green Tourism Business Scheme, for demonstrating excellence in environmental practice.
15th September 2009
Shropshire Real Ale Features in Good Beer Guide 2010
Shropshire's Real Ale features prominently in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2010 with county pubs and inns featured within the bible for real ale enthusiasts.
28th July 2009
Holiday at Home in Shropshire
If you're looking to holiday at home this year and beat the credit crunch then look no further than Shropshire.
15th July 2009
Passionate About Re-Learning Old Skills? Want To Learn To Be Self Sufficient?
Why Not Spend a Week On a Victorian Farm in Shropshire?
29th June 2009
Two World Heritage Sites for Shropshire
Shropshire is now the only county in the West Midlands to have two World Heritage Sites following UNESCO granting the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site status.
24th June 2009
Britain Votes To Put Blists Hill Victorian Town On Google Street View
The British public has voted Blists Hill Victorian Town, near Ironbridge in Shropshire, onto the shortlist of the UK's top ten tourist treasures to be brought to Google Street View via a new, groundbreaking invention - the Google Trike.
9th June 2009
Museum Loco Moves to her New Home at Blists Hill Victorian Town
As part of the exciting £12m redevelopment plans at Blists Hill Victorian Town staff at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum are today setting about moving a 35 tonne locomotive from its current location outside Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron to the fascinating open-air Museum.
1st June 2009
Restaurant Re-launch Goes Down A Treat
The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, in conjunction with Aramark Catering, has officially re-launched its restaurant and menus with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Museums Visitor Centre.
2nd April 2009
3rd Birthday Bonanza for Online Collections
The Royal Air Force Museum is proud to announce the re-launch of its online collections database, Navigator, with the inclusion of over 16,000 new images from the portfolio of the renowned aviation photographer Charles Brown - a fitting addition, as part of the online collection's 3rd birthday celebrations.
2nd April 2009
Full Steam Ahead For Savings
The RAF Museum Cosford is proud to announce that Wrexham & Shropshire rail passengers can now enjoy discounts on all items in the Restaurant and Museum Shop. All passengers will receive a 10% discount on any purchase made when they present Staff a valid (on the day) Wrexham and Shropshire train ticket.
12th January 2009
Two Thirds of a Million Visitors for Award Winning Exhibition
After winning a string of awards in 2008, The National Cold War Exhibition at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford ended the year on a high by enjoying a record 665,690 visitors since its opening.
8th January 2009
Museum Honours Ethnic Minorities in New Exhibition
The diversity of the Royal Air Force along with its multi ethnic past and present is celebrated in a new permanent exhibition.
14th November 2008
Ironbridge Gorge Museums Win Best Cultural Experience
The cream of the West Midlands tourist industry were gathered at a prestigious awards ceremony this week night for the Tourism West Midlands and Advantage West Midlands 'Excellence in Tourism Awards' held at the ICC in Birmingham.