Ralph Cox•Follow

August 20, 2022

Corner to Corner, Day 20: Broseley to Nantwich

Route is good. Need only check why it goes to Coalport Wharf. Can that be seen, as we didn't see it? That section could be omited so we go north as soon as we get onto the excellent Silkin Way.

Barrie Preece, co-owner with Margaret his wife of the Lion Hotel, Broseley. 78. Started as a coal miner at 16 on £2 16s for 42hpw, and after his apprenticeship, double that, whilst getting £25 per football game on Saturdays. Played football professionaly till 38. Worked in the mines for 35 years. A genuine guy. A pleasure to have met.

Descending Bridge Bank towards Ironbridge

Lorraine on the bridge, designed by Thomas F. Pritchard, built by Abraham Darby III. Built

Bedlam furnaces

1994 Lloyds Head Free Bridge, also known as tbe Jackfield Free Bridge, further east.

I will check the need for this section. Once we get onto the Silkin Way, we could go north straight away, unless we actually see historical sites at Coalport Wharf.

Marker near the start of the Silkin Way

Silkin Way surface. There were several surfaces, some of which are recorded in the next photos.

Route to the Blists Hill Victorian Town.

...for which there was a queue! I went to have a look whilst waiting for Lorraine. We could not have stopped, having to keep on schedule.

Dawley and Stirchley railway station, opened 1861, closed 1952.

We went left. The route straight ahead is the continuation of the former Coalport branch line.

New surface after the tarmacced Silkin Way

We circled Telford shops, beautifully via the Silkin Way and Telford Town was outside Southwater public library, at which we arrived having gone left too soon. Lorraine went into the Chelsea Garden, further left still, recounting it as a worthwhile experience. The route differs between Open Street Map and Google Maps. To check and correct.

Surprised to see sign for University of Wolverhampton. I worked for them at another campus.

Telford Central Footbridge. University of Wolverhampton's Priorslee campus building off to the right. Immediately I recall my former boss's discussions with the developers about the library sections.

Telford Central Footbridge, opened in 2018.

St Nicholas, Newport. Originally built in 12th century.