New brass plaque fitted at Shrewsbury Abbey to mark centre point of Shropshire Way

New brass plaques have been installed at Shrewsbury Abbey to mark the centre point of the upgraded Shropshire Way long distance footpath. 

The new map plates were installed on the Shropshire Way Finger Post by the Reverend Paul Firmin from the Abbey and Jim Stabler of Shropshire Council’s outdoor recreation team on Thursday 28 February 2013.

The 298-mile Shropshire Way footpath, which is well established in south Shropshire, has recently been upgraded and extended into the north west of the county.  The Shropshire Way North Project, supported by Shropshire Council, has been developing extensions to the existing route, including linking the 38 mile Oswestry Loop to Whitchurch.

The project has been funded by the European LEADER scheme and Shropshire Council, with contributions from Pughs Funeral Directors and the Oswestry Ramblers.  The Ramblers, together with Shropshire MIND, also helped the projects through countless hours of volunteering.

Jim Stabler, access development officer in the outdoor recreation team, said:

“The work put into the Shropshire Way North Project has been immense, and it is hugely satisfying to see these efforts coming together.  I’d like to thank all those who have made these projects happen and for their continuing commitment.”

The project will also create a 20-mile promoted route link from the Oswestry ‘Loop’ to Whichurch and Grindley Brook via Ellesmere and Whixall Moss, and promoted routes which connect Shrewsbury to the Oswestry Loop and Whitchurch.  There are also plans for four Shropshire Way ‘Circular Walks’ of around 6 miles each.  These are planned to be from Oswestry Racecourse, St Martins, Ellesmere and Northwood.

For more details and to be able to download the guides visit www.shropshirewalking.co.uk.