Get ready to celebrate Shropshire Day on Wednesday 23 February 2022
Shropshire Day is the day we celebrate everything we love about Shropshire, and with less than a week to go the countdown has begun.
Every year on 23 February, Shropshire celebrates our stunning countryside, our rich history and our magnificent heritage.
Shropshire Day – Wednesday 23 February 2022
Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for communities, culture, leisure and tourism, and transport, said:-
“We welcome Shropshire Day to celebrate everything our fantastic county has to offer.
“Shropshire boasts an exceptionally rich history, ranging from Iron Age hillforts to mediaeval castles, to the Chirk Aqueduct and canals. Our magnificent scenery runs from the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to the Long Mynd, and up to the tranquil Meres and Mosses. There is always a busy diary of cultural events to be enjoyed across our communities.
“I think it is sometimes worth taking a step back and looking at our fabulous county through the eyes of a visitor with the view to discovering new opportunities.”
Shropshire Council libraries and museums are the places to go if you want to know more about the county’s history; while our archives service provides a fascinating insight into Shropshire’s people, past customs and traditions, and heritage, with a wealth of documents and images stored there.
People looking to make the most of our uniquely varied countryside can find lots of information about promoted walks, cycle and horse rides, our countryside parks and sites and other activities on the Shropshire’s Great Outdoors website. http://www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/
Shropshire Day falls on the feast day of St Milburga, Abbess of Wenlock priory, who died on 23 February 715. The ruins of Wenlock Abbey still stand in Much Wenlock and offer a tantalising glimpse into life in St Milburga’s time.
It is said of St Milburga that she had a special relationship with geese. Once, when hordes of geese were eating the abbey’s crops, she politely asked them to leave and they all flew away. On another occasion she was alerted by flocks of geese calling under her window warning of a Viking invasion.
St Milburga was revered for having the gift of healing and restoring sight. Such was her fame that, after her death, Much Wenlock became a famous place of pilgrimage, with visitors flocking to St Milburga’s Well in the town seeking cures for their ailments.
This year we want to celebrate Shropshire Day in the modern way, and are looking for people to get involved by sharing your celebrations digitally.
Why not share on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter? Please remember to use the #ShropshireDay hashtag and tag Shropshire Council too.
