Church Stretton is renowned for its splendid scenery in the heart of the Shropshire Hills. Such is the commitment of its residents to conserving this unique setting that last autumn they raised £400,000 in just ten days to enable the Middle Marches Community Land Trust to acquire a sixteen acre site to extend an existing Local Nature Reserve thus preventing it becoming a housing estate.
Local conservation organisations, the Town Council, traders, and volunteers have all rallied to help another environmental project, Glyn’s Garden. This has enabled a former mental health worker to acquire and re-develop land bordering the wetland to the south of the town as a therapeutic environment for those with mental health problems, early dementia, learning disabilities and/or reduced mobility, with opportunities for gardening sessions, tending chickens and/or simply engaging with the environment.
Other residents have seen the need to extend the availability and range of food and drink options for both residents and visitors. Again helped by the community providing furniture and china, a former community carer has realised her dream of running a tea-room with a vintage feel – so much so that it prompted one customer with early dementia to recall an Alice in Wonderland play of years ago! A Bit of a Waffle at 54 High Street is now open seven days a week providing waffles and home-made cakes, catering for all dietary needs. There will also be other activities in this unique setting, such as periodic craft workshops and fun workshops for children with special needs.
In similar vein, two other residents have opened a Café/Wine Bar with a beer garden at 46, High Street. The café offering breakfasts, brunches and light lunches is now open every day except Tuesday from 9.00am to 4.00pm. The Wine Bar is open Wednesday to Friday from 4.00pm and from 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday, serving wines and craft beers, supplemented from 5.00pm on Thursday to Saturday with the offer of cocktails, tapas and pizzas.
These two initiatives extend the options available from the other existing eateries and public houses, helping to ensure whatever time of day visitors start or finish walking around this historic town or in the surrounding hills that they will be well served.
