Shropshire
Shropshire
Bordering Wales, Shropshire is a beautiful county known for its outstanding natural beauty.
Shropshire claims to be the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, and this has left an indelible mark on the landscape. The village of Ironbridge, so named because it is home to the first bridge to be made with cast iron and is now a UNESCO World Heritage siteLink opens in a new window. Remnants of Shropshire’s industrial past can be found in its craft culture, with metalcraft still making up the majority of heritage crafts being practiced in the area.
Shropshire today is a very rural county, with a strong agricultural industry that provides the raw materials and markets for non-iron heritage crafts. With the support of its history and landscape, Shropshire has cultivated a strong heritage craft culture, and it is for this reason we approached their local government and asked them to bring craft to the forefront of their cultural and economic policies.
Have a look at the brief summary of the material we took with us on our first visit to Shropshire here. Please note that these slides were produced for an introductory meeting with local stakeholders, once a relationship is established we research and write recommendations that are more tailored to the region. Please contact us if you want to see these.