The Miner’s Walk Community Project

Produced by former Granville Colliery Miner’s, Malcolm Peel, Cliff Hewitt and Stewart Braddock The Miner’s Walk is a 5.4 mile accessible circular heritage trail travelling through past industrial sites which connect to past and present transport links and communities. Funded by National Lottery Sharing Heritage this work has involved a 12 month community programme of events, training, voluntary and partnership support. Picking up five communities: – St Georges, Oakengates, Mumpton Hill / Snedshill, Dark Lane Village (now Telford Town Centre and Hollinswood) and Priorslee, volunteers have identified over 60 heritage sites throughout the area.

The website currently feature’s 23 sites that have been explored, researched and celebrated by The Miner’s Walk heritage trail team of researchers’. Introducing five areas in The Miner’s Walk App and Website we will continue to explore, document and celebrate our areas rich heritage within health, wellbeing, arts and educational projects in more depth with the wider community in the future.

New walking routes have been introduced to support future development. The 12 month project has been an exciting journey of discovery and sharing. Over 200 participants have attended events and training to support community feedback and involvement in The Miner’s Walk. We feel it is important to explore and celebrate our heritage. It ensures the community has a sense of identity with its’ past and helps shape an area where everyone feels proud to be part of now and in the future.

June 2018

Check out The Miner’s Walk Facebook page for updates.

Project History

The St Georges Community Group (SGCG) first recognised the need to raise awareness of the local mining industries in the area when they were campaigning against the demolition of The Gower (Wrockwardine Wood Girls Infant Board School) in 2013. During research members’ of the group also realised that there was so much more history to celebrate in and around St Georges.

During SGCG events and meetings for St Georges Community Action Plan (2015-16) feedback from participants included the need to raise awareness and celebrate local heritage. Former Granville Colliery Miner’s, Cliff Hewitt, Malcolm Peel and Stewart Braddock supported one of SGCG events with a presentation on mining history. Many residents and visitors attended and a discussion took place on creating a heritage trail that linked in with past mining industries. During the public questions at the January 2016 St Georges & Priorslee Parish Council meeting a presentation was made about the heritage trail idea and linking this with a Mining memorial.

The Granville Colliery Miner’s produced an outline trail linking in local mining industries, transport links and communities (September 2016) with much historical information on Telford’s heritage not known widely.

Further support for the idea was given by Shropshire Archives, Telford & Wrekin Council Pride in Your Community, Telford & Wrekin Council Libraries, Business in the Community and Lucy Allan MP. With this support SGCG applied to the Heritage Lottery for grant and was successful in receiving £10,000 from the Sharing Heritage programme.

The Miner’s Walk Development

The Miner’s Walk was launched at the Priorslee Summer Fete in June 2018 and over the past 12 months the trail has been promoted through various community projects.

Image Credit: Louise Bremner Priorslee Summer Fete and launch of The Miner’s Walk June 2018

The St Georges Community Groups Butterfly & Wildlife project (funded by the Community Lottery Fund) shared and celebrated history of sites whilst exploring and documenting the beautiful wildlife spaces that have appeared over time.

Image Credit: Sharon Bradburn Butterfly Count Albion Bank August 2018

Local photographer, Derek Houghton, has kindly promoted the trail on his website and documented some amazing images of the sites today. Other innovative community projects, Telford 50 Trail and The Cinderloo Project have included The Miner’s Walk information and parts of the route within their documentation and activities.

Image Credit: Sharon Bradburn (Butterfly & Wildlife Project Autumn 2018) Documentation of butterfly habitats in and around St Georges heritage sites compiled by Liz Rogers, local butterfly expert.

Image Credit: Sharon Bradburn. Granville Colliery Miner’s and producers of The Miner’s Walk trail, Cliff Hewitt, Stewart Braddock and Malcolm Peel, at The Gower, St Georges Day Event April 2019.

Development of The Miner’s Walk web site has been funded by St Georges & Priorslee Parish Council with support in kind from Oakengates Town Council. Co-op stores has also supported with co-ordination time, refreshments and leaflet printing costs.

Current project work includes web site development. If you are interested in local history and would like to document heritage sites in and around the trail pathways you would be welcome to join the group. Our development meetings take place at The Wakes, Oakengates.

Download The Miner’s Walk App by Neil Cartledge on your Android device (Get it on Google Play logo)

Facebook Logo – The Miners Walk www.theminerswalk.org

also see by Derek Houghton www.image55.net/Walks/The-Miners-Walk/

St Georges Community Group established 2013

To find out more, please follow our Facebook page and Twitter account.

St Georges