An evening stroll along the bank of the River Severn proved to be a very pleasant way to spend an evening out for members of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club. “With the lovely, dry, sunny weather we have been enjoying this summer, the opportunity proved to be too good to miss,” said organiser Rotarian Bob Scaiff.
The stroll started near the water tower along the high-level, narrow path, with the river flowing some 15m below on the left. ‘Keep the river on your left was the advice from expert guide before we set off,’ said Bob. Their first obstacle was the descent of some 50 steps down to a level area where the old Shropshire KSLI used to have an obstacle course and also a 100 yards long rifle range.
“More steps,” said Bob,“took us down to the open fields of the flood plain and fine views ahead of the Shrewsbury spires. “Close examination of the river bank edges revealed about 20 sand martins nest holes from earlier in the spring. A little further along the bank we saw on the opposite bank an old dead tree often used by a flock of cormorants for roosting at night.”
Downstream a bit more and through a couple of kissing gates the strollers found the childhood home of Charles Darwin who probably walked along this path on his way to school! In later years, when the County Agricultural Show was in its heyday, the KSLI built a floating, pedestrian pontoon bridge to take visitors across from Frankwell. “It was always very wobbly,” one of the group recalled.
There were in fact several groups out this evening enjoying the river. Paddle boarders, canoeists and even some evening swimmers going downstream and then back upstream.
The next feature which caught the eye was the place where the old river bed used to flow out on the opposite bank between the Ellesmere Road and the agricultural showground. It was easy to identify because there is still the line of trees on the old river bank. “This old river bed,” said Bob, “can still be seen passing under the Baschurch Road, below Hencote, under the Ellesmere Road and then bending sharp right before the old Flax Mill. It used to flow back into the existing river course near to the Gateway Centre. “A very large valve is visible from our side of the river under the Gateway. In times of flooding, this stops the water from backing-up onto the old railway goods yard.”
Further downstream the group came to the site of the old Fish Trap near to the Pig Trough. This blocked the river to traffic and so a cut was made to allow barges to pass up and down and bypass the trap. “The route is still visible if you look carefully. The remains of the bargees pub are also still just about standing. “Our evening stroll, back in time, took us past the Ferry Post across to Smithfield Road and ended in Frankwell, near to the new offices built on the site of old Wappy Phillips’ scrap yard. The Old Stewpony building is now having a facelift. At last. What is it going to be used for now?” he asked.
